bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whither Prussia? Berlin's Humboldt Forum and the Afterlife of a Vanished State
Authors: Colla Marcus
Published: November 2022

From its very conception some thirty years ago, Berlin's Humboldt Forum has been one of contemporary Germany's most controversial cultural initiatives. One aspect of this controversy has been the role of the Prussian past in reunified Germany. Housed in a reconstruction of the Prussian Royal Palace destroyed by the East German communist government in 1950, the visual symbolism of the project spurred a long struggle over the appropriate urban aesthetic for the country's capital city. In the view of many critics, the structure symbolizes the triumph of a particular conservative narrative of national memory that excludes the GDR, downplays National Socialism, and uncritically celebrates the Prussian past. This article traces how public debates about the structure of the Humboldt Forum have served as a vehicle for reflection on Prussian history and its relevance (or irrelevance) for reunified Germany.
Tc-rich M stars: platypuses of low-mass star evolution
Authors: Shetye Shreeya , Van Eck Sophie , Jorissen Alain , Siess Lionel , Goriely Stephane
Published: November 2022

The technetium-rich (Tc-rich) M stars reported in the literature (Little-Marenin & Little 1979; Uttenthaler et al. 2013) are puzzling objects since no isotope of technetium has a half-life longer than a few million years, and 9999Tc, the longest-lived isotope along the s-process path, is expected to be detected only in thermally-pulsing stars enriched with other s-process elements (like zirconium). Carbon should also be enriched, since it is dredged up at the same time, after each thermal pulse on the asymptotic giant branch (AGB). However, these Tc-enriched objects are classified as M stars, meaning that they neither have any significant zirconium enhancement (otherwise they would be tagged as S-type stars) nor any large carbon overabundance (in which case they would be carbon stars).

Here we present the first detailed chemical analysis of a Tc-rich M-type star, namely S Her. We first confirm the detection of the Tc lines, and then analyze its carbon and s-process abundances, and draw conclusions on its evolutionary status. Understanding these Tc-rich M stars is an important step to constrain the threshold luminosity for the first occurrence of the third dredge-up and the composition of s-process ejecta during the very first thermal pulses on the AGB.
The Great Dimming of Betelgeuse from the VLT/VLTI
Authors: Montargès M. , Cannon E. , Lagadec E. , de Koter A. , Kervella P. , Sanchez-Bermudez J. , Paladini C. , Cantalloube F. , Decin L. , Scicluna P. , Kravchenko K. , Dupree A. K. , Ridgway S. , Wittkowski M. , Anugu N. , Norris R. , Rau G. , Perrin G. , Chiavassa A. , Kraus S. , Monnier J. D. , Millour F. , Le Bouquin J.-B. , Haubois X. , Lopez B. , Stee P. , Danchi W.
Published: November 2022

From November 2019 to April 2020, the prototypical red supergiant Betelgeuse experienced an unexpected and historic dimming. This event was observed worldwide by astrophysicists, and also by the general public with the naked eye. We present here the results of our observing campaign with ESO’s VLT and VLTI in the visible and infrared domains. The observations with VLT/SPHERE-ZIMPOL, VLT/SPHERE-IRDIS, VLTI/GRAVITY and VLTI/MATISSE provide spatially resolved diagnostics of this event. Using PHOENIX atmosphere models and RADMC3D dust radiative transfer simulations, we built a consistent model reproducing the images and the photometry.
Detailing evolved star wind complexity: comparing maser and thermal imaging
Authors: Richards A.M.S. , Assaf K.A. , Baudry A. , Decin L. , Etoka S. , Gray M.D. , Pimpanuwat B. ,   the ATOMIUM collaboration
Published: November 2022

Maser properties can be measured with milli-arcsec precision over multiple epochs using ALMA, cm- and mm-wave VLBI and e-MERLIN. This allows: (i) Tracing SiO maser proper motions in the pulsation-dominated zone; (ii) Quantifying clumpiness, variability and asymmetry of the wind traced by masers; (iii) Contrasting behaviour from OH masers even at similar distances from the star; (iv) Measuring magnetic fields. Mass lost from the star, traced by SiO masers, is likely to take decades to reach ∼5 stellar radii. At 5–50 stellar radii, once dust is well formed, 22-GHz H2O masers show the wind accelerating through the escape velocity; its overall direction is away from the star but the velocity field is complex. In a few cases (so far), highly-directed, localised ejecta are seen. Magnetic fields appear to be stellar-centred and strong enough to influence wind kinematics. Recent ALMA and other observations have shown that otherwise inconspicuous companions shape a majority of evolved star winds, whilst advanced models demonstrate how, for some situations, this is compatible with masers showing negligible rotation proper motions. The long-term monitoring achievable at radio frequencies complements the multi-transition maser studies and analysis of thermal lines and dust at shorter wavelengths.
Morpho-kinematics around cool evolved stars Unveiling the underlying companion
Authors: El Mellah I. , Bolte J. , Decin L. , Homan W. , Keppens R.
Published: November 2022

Because they lose tremendous amounts of mass, cool evolved stars are major sources of dust and molecules for the interstellar medium. Spectro-imaging of the dust-driven winds around these stars has enabled us to identify recurring nonspherical patterns (e.g. spirals, arcs, compressed wind). We use radiative-hydrodynamic simulations of dust-driven winds to study the imprints left in the wind by an orbiting stellar or sub-stellar companion. We designed 3D numerical setup to solve the wind dynamics beyond the dust condensation radius and follow the flow up to several hundreds of stellar radii. Non-uniform grids enable us to capture small scale features such as shocks or disks forming around the orbiting object. Depending on its mass and orbital parameters, we reproduced typical non-spherical features such as arcs, spirals, petals and orbital density enhancements, and identified patterns associated to eccentric orbits.
The inner dust shell of Betelgeuse seen with polarimetry
Authors: Haubois Xavier
Published: November 2022

The origin of red supergiant mass loss still remains to be understood. Characterizing the formation zone and the dust distribution within a few stellar radii above the surface is key to understanding the mass loss phenomenon. With its angular diameter of about 42 mas in the optical, Betelgeuse makes an ideal target to resolve the inner structures that represent potential signatures of dust formation. Past polarimetric observations reveal a dust environment in the first stellar radii. Depending on their characteristics and composition, dust grains could interact with the stellar radiation, trigger mass loss by momentum transfer from photons to dust to gas. Using spatially-resolved polarimetric observations of Betelgeuse, we detect a quasi-symmetric inner dust shell centered at ∼0.5 stellar radii above the photosphere and attempt at constraining its dust population.
Control of the Air‐Sea Oxygen to Heat Flux Ratio During Deep Convection Events
Authors: Sun Daoxun , Ito Takamitsu , Bracco Annalisa , Deutsch Curtis
Published: November 2022

Earth System Models project a decline of dissolved oxygen in the oceans due to climate warming. Observational studies suggest that the ratio of O2 inventory to ocean heat content is several fold larger than what can be explained by solubility alone, but the ratio remains poorly understood. In this work, models of different complexity are used to understand the factors controlling the air‐sea O2 flux to heat flux ratio (O2/heat flux ratio) during deep convection. Our theoretical analysis based on a one‐dimensional convective adjustment model indicates that the vertical stratification and distribution of oxygen before the convective mixing determines the upper bound for the O2/heat flux ratio. Two competing rates, the mean entrainment rate of deeper waters into the mixed layer and the rate of air‐sea gas exchange, determine how much the actual ratio departs from the upper bound. The theoretical predictions are tested against the outputs of a regional ocean model. The model sensitivity experiments broadly agree with the theoretical predictions. Our results suggest that the relative vertical gradients of temperature and oxygen at sites of deep water formation are an important local metric to quantify the marginal changes between years with high and lower heat loss.
The Influence of Drying on the Aeolian Transport of River‐Sourced Sand
Authors: Sankey Joel B. , Caster Joshua , Kasprak Alan , Fairley Helen C.
Published: November 2022

Transgression and regression of water levels (stages) have impacted the evolution of aeolian landforms and sedimentary deposits throughout geologic history. We studied this phenomenon over a 5‐day period of reduced flow on the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park, AZ, USA, in March 2021. These transient low flows exposed river‐channel sand deposits to the air, causing progressive desiccation (drying) and thereby making these deposits susceptible to aeolian transport. We measured aeolian threshold friction velocities (u*t) for sand saltation and PM10 dust emissions, as well as other characteristics, on a subaerially exposed sandbar and downwind aeolian dunefield during each day of the low river flow. The sandbar transitioned from supply‐limited to transport‐limited aeolian sediment transport conditions during the regression in river water stage. A possible tipping point between the two transport conditions occurred approximately 48 hr after the drop in river flow. The empirically measured u*t decreased as the sandbar sediment dried with increased subaerial exposure time. Theoretical estimates and empirical measurements of u*t corresponded closely on the aeolian dunefield and on the sandbar when it was drier during the third and fourth day of the experiment. Eighty‐seven percent of the variability in u*t was explained by empirical models that provide practical estimates of aeolian transport potential of subaerial river sediment deposits using monitoring data that are commonly available in this and other river systems. The work provides theoretical insight into the response of aeolian processes to sediment supply changes driven by periods of anthropogenic activity, drought, and climate change.
Polyploidy, regular patterning of genome copies, and unusual control of DNA partitioning in the Lyme disease spirochete
Authors: Takacs Constantin N. , Wachter Jenny , Xiang Yingjie , Ren Zhongqing , Karaboja Xheni , Scott Molly , Stoner Matthew R. , Irnov Irnov , Jannetty Nicholas , Rosa Patricia A. , Wang Xindan , Jacobs-Wagner Christine
Published: November 2022

Borrelia burgdorferi, the tick-transmitted spirochete agent of Lyme disease, has a highly segmented genome with a linear chromosome and various linear or circular plasmids. Here, by imaging several chromosomal loci and 16 distinct plasmids, we show thatB. burgdorferiis polyploid during growth in culture and that the number of genome copies decreases during stationary phase.B. burgdorferiis also polyploid inside fed ticks and chromosome copies are regularly spaced along the spirochete’s length in both growing cultures and ticks. This patterning involves the conserved DNA partitioning protein ParA whose localization is controlled by a potentially phage-derived protein, ParZ, instead of its usual partner ParB. ParZ binds its own coding region and acts as a centromere-binding protein. While ParA works with ParZ, ParB controls the localization of the condensin, SMC. Together, the ParA/ParZ and ParB/SMC pairs ensure faithful chromosome inheritance. Our findings underscore the plasticity of cellular functions, even those as fundamental as chromosome segregation.
The E3 ubiquitin ligase WWP2 regulates pro-fibrogenic monocyte infiltration and activity in heart fibrosis
Authors: Chen Huimei , Chew Gabriel , Devapragash Nithya , Loh Jui Zhi , Huang Kevin Y. , Guo Jing , Liu Shiyang , Tan Elisabeth Li Sa , Chen Shuang , Tee Nicole Gui Zhen , Mia Masum M. , Singh Manvendra K. , Zhang Aihua , Behmoaras Jacques , Petretto Enrico
Published: November 2022

Non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) can cause left ventricular dysfunction through interstitial fibrosis, which corresponds to the failure of cardiac tissue remodeling. Recent evidence implicates monocytes/macrophages in the etiopathology of cardiac fibrosis, but giving their heterogeneity and the antagonizing roles of macrophage subtypes in fibrosis, targeting these cells has been challenging. Here we focus on WWP2, an E3 ubiquitin ligase that acts as a positive genetic regulator of human and murine cardiac fibrosis, and show that myeloid specific deletion of WWP2 reduces cardiac fibrosis in hypertension-induced NICM. By using single cell RNA sequencing analysis of immune cells in the same model, we establish the functional heterogeneity of macrophages and define an early pro-fibrogenic phase of NICM that is driven by Ccl5-expressing Ly6chigh monocytes. Among cardiac macrophage subtypes, WWP2 dysfunction primarily affects Ly6chigh monocytes via modulating Ccl5, and consequentially macrophage infiltration and activation, which contributes to reduced myofibroblast trans-differentiation. WWP2 interacts with transcription factor IRF7, promoting its non-degradative mono-ubiquitination, nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity, leading to upregulation of Ccl5 at transcriptional level. We identify a pro-fibrogenic macrophage subtype in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, and demonstrate that WWP2 is a key regulator of IRF7-mediated Ccl5/Ly6chigh monocyte axis in heart fibrosis.
Discovery of a maximally charged Weyl point
Authors: Chen Qiaolu , Chen Fujia , Pan Yuang , Cui Chaoxi , Yan Qinghui , Zhang Li , Gao Zhen , Yang Shengyuan A. , Yu Zhi-Ming , Chen Hongsheng , Zhang Baile , Yang Yihao
Published: November 2022

The hypothetical Weyl particles in high-energy physics have been discovered in three-dimensional crystals as collective quasiparticle excitations near two-fold degenerate Weyl points. Such momentum-space Weyl particles carry quantised chiral charges, which can be measured by counting the number of Fermi arcs emanating from the corresponding Weyl points. It is known that merging unit-charged Weyl particles can create new ones with more charges. However, only very recently has it been realised that there is an upper limit — the maximal charge number that a two-fold Weyl point can host is four — achievable only in crystals without spin-orbit coupling. Here, we report the experimental realisation of such a maximally charged Weyl point in a three-dimensional photonic crystal. The four charges support quadruple-helicoid Fermi arcs, forming an unprecedented topology of two non-contractible loops in the surface Brillouin zone. The helicoid Fermi arcs also exhibit the long-pursued type-II van Hove singularities that can reside at arbitrary momenta. This discovery reveals a type of maximally charged Weyl particles beyond conventional topological particles in crystals.
A nuclease-mimetic platinum nanozyme induces concurrent DNA platination and oxidative cleavage to overcome cancer drug resistance
Authors: Li Fangyuan , Sun Heng , Ren Jiafeng , Zhang Bo , Hu Xi , Fang Chunyan , Lee Jiyoung , Gu Hongzhou , Ling Daishun
Published: November 2022

Platinum (Pt) resistance in cancer almost inevitably occurs during clinical Pt-based chemotherapy. The spontaneous nucleotide-excision repair of cancer cells is a representative process that leads to Pt resistance, which involves the local DNA bending to facilitate the recruitment of nucleotide-excision repair proteins and subsequent elimination of Pt-DNA adducts. By exploiting the structural vulnerability of this process, we herein report a nuclease-mimetic Pt nanozyme that can target cancer cell nuclei and induce concurrent DNA platination and oxidative cleavage to overcome Pt drug resistance. We show that the Pt nanozyme, unlike cisplatin and conventional Pt nanoparticles, specifically induces the nanozyme-catalyzed cleavage of the formed Pt-DNA adducts by generating in situ reactive oxygen species, which impairs the damage recognition factors-induced DNA bending prerequisite for nucleotide-excision repair. The recruitment of downstream effectors of nucleotide-excision repair to DNA lesion sites, including xeroderma pigmentosum groups A and F, is disrupted by the Pt nanozyme in cisplatin-resistant cancer cells, allowing excessive accumulation of the Pt-DNA adducts for highly efficient cancer therapy. Our study highlights the potential benefits of applying enzymatic activities to the use of the Pt nanomedicines, providing a paradigm shift in DNA damaging chemotherapy.
Automated high-throughput genome editing platform with an AI learning in situ prediction model
Authors: Li Siwei , An Jingjing , Li Yaqiu , Zhu Xiagu , Zhao Dongdong , Wang Lixian , Sun Yonghui , Yang Yuanzhao , Bi Changhao , Zhang Xueli , Wang Meng
Published: November 2022

A great number of cell disease models with pathogenic SNVs are needed for the development of genome editing based therapeutics or broadly basic scientific research. However, the generation of traditional cell disease models is heavily dependent on large-scale manual operations, which is not only time-consuming, but also costly and error-prone. In this study, we devise an automated high-throughput platform, through which thousands of samples are automatically edited within a week, providing edited cells with high efficiency. Based on the large in situ genome editing data obtained by the automatic high-throughput platform, we develop a Chromatin Accessibility Enabled Learning Model (CAELM) to predict the performance of cytosine base editors (CBEs), both chromatin accessibility and the context-sequence are utilized to build the model, which accurately predicts the result of in situ base editing. This work is expected to accelerate the development of BE-based genetic therapies.
Fragmentation of outage clusters during the recovery of power distribution grids
Authors: Wu Hao , Meng Xiangyi , Danziger Michael M. , Cornelius Sean P. , Tian Hui , Barabási Albert-László
Published: November 2022

The understanding of recovery processes in power distribution grids is limited by the lack of realistic outage data, especially large-scale blackout datasets. By analyzing data from three electrical companies across the United States, we find that the recovery duration of an outage is connected with the downtime of its nearby outages and blackout intensity (defined as the peak number of outages during a blackout), but is independent of the number of customers affected. We present a cluster-based recovery framework to analytically characterize the dependence between outages, and interpret the dominant role blackout intensity plays in recovery. The recovery of blackouts is not random and has a universal pattern that is independent of the disruption cause, the post-disaster network structure, and the detailed repair strategy. Our study reveals that suppressing blackout intensity is a promising way to speed up restoration.
HTLV-1 infection of donor-derived T cells might promote acute graft-versus-host disease following liver transplantation
Authors: Shen Chuan , Li Yiyang , Wang Boqian , Zong Zhipeng , Lu Tianfei , Maboyi Nokuzola , Deng Yuxiao , Qian Yongbing , Zhang Jianjun , Ding Xianting , Xia Qiang
Published: November 2022

Acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) is a rare, but severe complication of liver transplantation (LT). It is caused by the activation of donor immune cells in the graft against the host shortly after transplantation, but the contributing pathogenic factors remain unclear. Here we show that human T cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-1) infection of donor T cells is highly associated with aGVHD following LT. The presence of HTLV-1 in peripheral blood and tissue samples from a discovery cohort of 7 aGVHD patients and 17 control patients is assessed with hybridization probes (TargetSeq), mass cytometry (CyTOF), and multiplex immunohistology (IMC). All 7 of our aGVHD patients display detectable HTLV-1 Tax signals by IMC. We identify donor-derived cells based on a Y chromosome-specific genetic marker, EIF1AY. Thus, we confirm the presence of CD4+Tax+EIF1AY+ T cells and Tax+CD68+EIF1AY+ antigen-presenting cells, indicating HTLV-1 infection of donor immune cells. In an independent cohort of 400 patients, we verify that HTLV-1 prevalence correlates with aGVHD incidence, while none of the control viruses shows significant associations. Our findings thus provide new insights into the aetio-pathology of liver-transplantation-associated aGVHD and raise the possibility of preventing aGVHD prior to transplantation.
PLD3 affects axonal spheroids and network defects in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Yuan Peng , Zhang Mengyang , Tong Lei , Morse Thomas M. , McDougal Robert A. , Ding Hui , Chan Diane , Cai Yifei , Grutzendler Jaime
Published: November 2022

The precise mechanisms that lead to cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease are unknown. Here we identify amyloid-plaque-associated axonal spheroids as prominent contributors to neural network dysfunction. Using intravital calcium and voltage imaging, we show that a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease demonstrates severe disruption in long-range axonal connectivity. This disruption is caused by action-potential conduction blockades due to enlarging spheroids acting as electric current sinks in a size-dependent manner. Spheroid growth was associated with an age-dependent accumulation of large endolysosomal vesicles and was mechanistically linked with Pld3—a potential Alzheimer’s-disease-associated risk gene1 that encodes a lysosomal protein2,3 that is highly enriched in axonal spheroids. Neuronal overexpression of Pld3 led to endolysosomal vesicle accumulation and spheroid enlargement, which worsened axonal conduction blockades. By contrast, Pld3 deletion reduced endolysosomal vesicle and spheroid size, leading to improved electrical conduction and neural network function. Thus, targeted modulation of endolysosomal biogenesis in neurons could potentially reverse axonal spheroid-induced neural circuit abnormalities in Alzheimer’s disease, independent of amyloid removal.
CHIP ameliorates neuronal damage in H2O2-induced oxidative stress in HT22 cells and gerbil ischemia
Authors: Hahn Kyu Ri , Kwon Hyun Jung , Yoon Yeo Sung , Kim Dae Won , Hwang In Koo
Published: November 2022

Carboxyl terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein (CHIP) is highly conserved and is linked to the connection between molecular chaperones and proteasomes to degrade chaperone-bound proteins. In this study, we synthesized the transactivator of transcription (Tat)-CHIP fusion protein for effective delivery into the brain and examined the effects of CHIP against oxidative stress in HT22 cells induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatment and ischemic damage in gerbils by 5 min of occlusion of both common carotid arteries, to elucidate the possibility of using Tat-CHIP as a therapeutic agent against ischemic damage. Tat-CHIP was effectively delivered to HT22 hippocampal cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, and protein degradation was confirmed in HT22 cells. In addition, Tat-CHIP significantly ameliorated the oxidative damage induced by 200 μM H2O2 and decreased DNA fragmentation and reactive oxygen species formation. In addition, Tat-CHIP showed neuroprotective effects against ischemic damage in a dose-dependent manner and significant ameliorative effects against ischemia-induced glial activation, oxidative stress (hydroperoxide and malondialdehyde), pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α) release, and glutathione and its redox enzymes (glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase) in the hippocampus. These results suggest that Tat-CHIP could be a therapeutic agent that can protect neurons from ischemic damage.
Prediction of antifreeze proteins using machine learning
Authors: Khan Adnan , Uddin Jamal , Ali Farman , Ahmad Ashfaq , Alghushairy Omar , Banjar Ameen , Daud Ali
Published: November 2022

Living organisms including fishes, microbes, and animals can live in extremely cold weather. To stay alive in cold environments, these species generate antifreeze proteins (AFPs), also referred to as ice-binding proteins. Moreover, AFPs are extensively utilized in many important fields including medical, agricultural, industrial, and biotechnological. Several predictors were constructed to identify AFPs. However, due to the sequence and structural heterogeneity of AFPs, correct identification is still a challenging task. It is highly desirable to develop a more promising predictor. In this research, a novel computational method, named AFP-LXGB has been proposed for prediction of AFPs more precisely. The information is explored by Dipeptide Composition (DPC), Grouped Amino Acid Composition (GAAC), Position Specific Scoring Matrix-Segmentation-Autocorrelation Transformation (Sg-PSSM-ACT), and Pseudo Position Specific Scoring Matrix Tri-Slicing (PseTS-PSSM). Keeping the benefits of ensemble learning, these feature sets are concatenated into different combinations. The best feature set is selected by Extremely Randomized Tree-Recursive Feature Elimination (ERT-RFE). The models are trained by Light eXtreme Gradient Boosting (LXGB), Random Forest (RF), and Extremely Randomized Tree (ERT). Among classifiers, LXGB has obtained the best prediction results. The novel method (AFP-LXGB) improved the accuracies by 3.70% and 4.09% than the best methods. These results verified that AFP-LXGB can predict AFPs more accurately and can participate in a significant role in medical, agricultural, industrial, and biotechnological fields.
Features of urban green spaces associated with positive emotions, mindfulness and relaxation
Authors: Olszewska-Guizzo Agnieszka , Sia Angelia , Fogel Anna , Ho Roger
Published: November 2022

There is an established consensus among researchers that contact with nature improves mental health, wellbeing, and quality of life in urbanised environments. Studies tend to examine the health impacts of nature without identifying specific physical and spatial landscape features that could guide health-promoting design of urban green spaces. A growing body of evidence suggests that landscape features described in the Contemplative Landscape Model (CLM) can be used to measure therapeutic value of urban landscapes. CLM assesses urban landscapes across seven sub-scales: Layers of the Landscape, Landform, Vegetation, Color and Light, Compatibility, Archetypal Elements and Character of Peace and Silence. We exposed 74 healthy adults to six urban landscapes in laboratory (video representations) and naturalistic outdoor settings. We explored the associations between the visual quality of urban landscapes annotated with CLM, with self-reported positive emotions and brain activity consistent with mindfulness (Theta waves), relaxation (Alpha waves) and attention restoration (Beta waves), and differences between laboratory and naturalistic setting. CLM scores predicted self-reported Valence and Arousal, and low frequency power bands: Alpha and Theta in the naturalistic setting. Landscape features showing the strongest associations were Character of Peace and Silence, Layers of the Landscape and Archetypal Elements. Alpha, Theta brain reactivity and Arousal scores, were significantly different between laboratory and naturalistic settings (p < 0.05), while Valence scores between those settings were statistically identical (p = 0.22). Self-reported Valence and Arousal, but not brain activity, were significantly associated with the majority of landscape features in the laboratory setting. The results of the study provide guidelines on the urban landscape features most beneficial for human health, to inform urban green space design.
Vicia faba peel extracts bearing fatty acids moieties as a cost-effective and green corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in marine water: computational and electrochemical studies
Authors: Abdelshafeek Khaled A. , Abdallah Walid E. , Elsayed Wael M. , Eladawy Hassan A. , El-Shamy A. M.
Published: November 2022

The goal of this research is to determine what chemicals are present in two different extracts (hexane and acetone) of Vicia faba (family Fabaceae, VF) peels and evaluate their effectiveness as a corrosion inhibitor on mild steel in a saline media containing 3.5% sodium chloride. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to determine the composition of various extracts. It was determined that fourteen different chemicals were present in the hexane extract, the most prominent of which were octacosane, tetrasodium tetracontane, palmitic acid, and ethyl palmitate. Heptacosane, lauric acid, myristic acid, ethyl palmitate, and methyl stearate were some of the 13 chemicals found in the acetone extract. Using open circuit potential, potentiodynamic polarisation, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic techniques, we can approximate the inhibitory effects of (VF) extracts on mild steel. The most effective inhibitory concentrations were found to be 200 ppm for both the hexane and acetone extracts (97.84% for the hexane extract and 88.67% for the acetone extract). Evaluation experiments were conducted at 298 K, with a 3.5% (wt/v) NaCl content and a flow velocity of about 250 rpm. Langmuir adsorption isotherm shows that the two extracts function as a mixed-type inhibitor in nature. Docking models were used to investigate the putative mechanism of corrosion inhibition, and GC/MS was used to identify the major and secondary components of the two extracts. Surface roughness values were calculated after analyzing the morphology of the metal's surface with and without (VF) using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that throughout the surface of the mild steel, a thick adsorbate layer was formed. Quantum chemical calculations conducted on the two extracts as part of the theoretical research of quantum chemical calculation demonstrated a connection between the experimental analysis results and the theoretical study of the major chemical components.
Oral Lichen Planus and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma share key oncogenic signatures
Authors: de Lanna Cristóvão Antunes , da Silva Beatriz Nascimento Monteiro , de Melo Andreia Cristina , Bonamino Martín H. , Alves Lísia Daltro Borges , Pinto Luis Felipe Ribeiro , Cardoso Abel Silveira , Antunes Héliton Spíndola , Boroni Mariana , Cohen Goldemberg Daniel
Published: November 2022

To investigate similarities in the gene profile of Oral Lichen Planus and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma that may justify a carcinogenic potential, we analyzed the gene expression signatures of Oral Lichen Planus and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in early and advanced stages. Based on gene expression data from public databases, we used a bioinformatics approach to compare expression profiles, estimate immune infiltrate composition, identify differentially and co-expressed genes, and propose putative therapeutic targets and associated drugs. Our results revealed gene expression patterns related to processes of keratinization, keratinocyte differentiation, cell proliferation and immune response in common between Oral Lichen Planus and early and advanced Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, with the cornified envelope formation and antigen processing cross-presentation pathways in common between Oral Lichen Planus and early Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Together, these results reveal that key tumor suppressors and oncogenes such asPI3,SPRR1BandKRT17, as well as genes associated with different immune processes such asCXCL13,HIF1AandIL1Bare dysregulated in OLP.
The impact of leader depletion on leader performance: the mediating role of leaders’ trust beliefs and employees’ citizenship behaviors
Authors: Haesevoets Tessa , De Cremer David , De Schutter Leander , van Dijke Marius , Young Henry Robin , Lee Hun Whee , Johnson Russell , Chiang Jack Ting-Ju
Published: November 2022

The leadership role can be demanding and depleting. Using self-regulation and social exchange theory as a framework, we developed a three-step sequential mediation model that explains how feelings of depletion can degrade leaders’ own performance level, via the reciprocating behavior of their employees. Specifically, we hypothesized that leader depletion is negatively related to their trust beliefs. This lack of trust is expected to be reciprocated by employees in such a way that they display less citizenship behaviors towards their leader. These lowered citizenship behaviors are, in turn, predicted to negatively impact leader performance. Additionally, we hypothesized that these negative effects of feeling depleted are more pronounced for leaders who believe that their willpower is limited. Studies 1 and 2 illustrated that leader depletion indirectly influences their own performance level through leaders’ trust beliefs and employees’ leader-directed citizenship behaviors. Study 3 extended these findings from the inter-individual to the intra-individual level, and demonstrated the predicted moderating role of belief in limited willpower. Together, our studies provide new and useful insights in the broader, more distal implications of leader depletion, which have not yet been considered in existing self-regulation models.
Multiple invasions, Wolbachia and human-aided transport drive the genetic variability of Aedes albopictus in the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Lucati Federica , Delacour Sarah , Palmer John R.B. , Caner Jenny , Oltra Aitana , Paredes-Esquivel Claudia , Mariani Simone , Escartin Santi , Roiz David , Collantes Francisco , Bengoa Mikel , Montalvo Tomàs , Delgado Juan Antonio , Eritja Roger , Lucientes Javier , Albó Timor Andreu , Bartumeus Frederic , Ventura Marc
Published: November 2022

The Asian tiger mosquito,Aedes albopictus, is one of the most invasive species in the world. Native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, over the past 30 years it has rapidly spread throughout tropical and temperate regions of the world. Its dramatic expansion has resulted in public health concerns as a consequence of its vector competence for at least 16 viruses. Previous studies showed thatAe. albopictusspread has been facilitated by human-mediated transportation, but much remains unknown about how this has affected its genetic attributes. Here we examined the factors that contributed to shaping the current genetic constitution ofAe. albopictusin the Iberian Peninsula, where the species was first found in 2004, by combining population genetics and Bayesian modelling. We found that both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers showed a lack of genetic structure and the presence of worldwide dominant haplotypes, suggesting regular introductions from abroad. Mitochondrial DNA showed little genetic diversity compared to nuclear DNA, likely explained by infection with maternally transmitted bacteria of the genusWolbachia. Multilevel models revealed that greater mosquito fluxes (estimated from commuting patterns and tiger mosquito population distribution) and spatial proximity between sampling sites were associated with lower nuclear genetic distance, suggesting that rapid short- and medium-distance dispersal is facilitated by humans through vehicular traffic. This study highlights the significant role of human transportation in shaping the genetic attributes ofAe. albopictusand promoting regional gene flow, and underscores the need for a territorially integrated surveillance across scales of this disease-carrying mosquito.
Part three: a randomized study to assess biomarker changes in cigarette smokers switched to Vuse Solo or Abstinence
Authors: Kanobe Milly N. , Jones Bobbette A. , Nelson Paul , Brown Buddy G. , Chen Peter , Makena Patrudu , Schmidt Eckhardt , Darnell John , Caraway John W. , Prasad G. L. , Nordskog Brian , Round Elaine K.
Published: November 2022

Biomarkers of exposure (BoE) can help evaluate exposure to combustion-related, tobacco-specific toxicants after smokers switch from cigarettes to potentially less-harmful products like electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). This paper reports data for one (Vuse Solo Original) of three products evaluated in a randomized, controlled, confinement study of BoE in smokers switched to ENDS. Subjects smoked their usual brand cigarette ad libitum for two days, then were randomized to one of three ENDS for a 7-day ad libitum use period, or to smoking abstinence. Thirteen BoE were assessed at baseline and Day 5, and percent change in mean values for each BoE was calculated. Biomarkers of potential harm (BoPH) linked to oxidative stress, platelet activation, and inflammation were also assessed. Levels decreased among subjects randomized to Vuse Solo versus Abstinence, respectively, for the following BoE: 42–96% versus 52–97% (non-nicotine constituents); 51% versus 55% (blood carboxyhemoglobin); and 29% versus 96% (nicotine exposure). Significant decreases were observed in three BoPH: leukotriene E4, 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2, and 2,3-dinor thromboxane B2 on Day 7 in the Vuse Solo and Abstinence groups. These findings show that ENDS use results in substantially reduced exposure to toxicants compared to smoking, which may lead to reduced biological effects.
Solvent-sensitive nanoparticle-enhanced PCR assay for the detection of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Teawprasong Patcharapong , Wongngam Yodsathorn , Tangchaikeeree Tienrat , Elaissari Abdelhamid , Tangboriboonrat Pramuan , Polpanich Duangporn , Jangpatarapongsa Kulachart
Published: November 2022

Stimulus-responsive nanoparticles are among the most utilized nanoscale materials in biomedical applications. As these nanoparticles exhibit a manipulable response to a particular stimulus, such as pH, heat, and organic solvent, they are potential signalling units in diagnostic assays. This study aims to enhance the limit of detection and reduce the turnaround time of magnetic nanoparticle polymerase chain reaction (PCR) enzyme-linked gene assay (MELGA), an advanced PCR-based technique termed the solvent-sensitive nanoparticle (SSNP)-enhanced PCR assay. This technique was proposed to detect pathogenic enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) through applying stimulus-responsive nanoparticles. The SSNPs were elaborated with three main components, including mesoporous silica nanoparticles as a structural unit, organic dye (Nile red) as a payload, and the corresponding organic solvent-sensitive polymer shell as “gatekeeper” (poly(maleic anhydride-alt-methyl vinyl ether, PMAMVE). A suitable organic solvent capable of inducing polymer swelling and dye dissolution was investigated by considering a solubility parameter. Using ethanol, the encapsulated Nile red can diffuse out of the SSNPs faster than other solvents and reach a constant concentration within 15 min. For the PCR inhibition study, various SSNPs concentrations (10–30 μg/reaction) were mixed with the ETEC gene and PCR reagent. The results showed that the particles in this concentration range did not inhibit PCR. By comparing the efficacy of conventional PCR, MELGA, and SSNP-enhanced PCR assay, the proposed technique showed a better detection limit than that of PCR, whereas that of MELGA was the lowest. Moreover, compared to MELGA or conventional PCR, this technique provided remarkably faster results in the postamplification process.
Development of an ultrasound guided focused ultrasound system for 3D volumetric low energy nanodroplet-mediated histotripsy
Authors: Glickstein Bar , Aronovich Ramona , Feng Yi , Ilovitsh Tali
Published: November 2022

Low pressure histotripsy is likely to facilitate current treatments that require extremely high pressures. An ultrasound guided focused ultrasound system was designed to accommodate a rotating imaging transducer within a low frequency therapeutic transducer that operates at a center frequency of 105 kHz. The implementation of this integrated system provides real-time therapeutic and volumetric imaging functions, that are used here for low-cost, low-energy 3D volumetric ultrasound histotripsy using nanodroplets. A two-step approach for low pressure histotripsy is implemented with this dual-array. Vaporization of nanodroplets into gaseous microbubbles was performed via the 1D rotating imaging probe. The therapeutic transducer is then used to detonate the vaporized nanodroplets and trigger potent mechanical effects in the surrounding tissue. Rotating the imaging transducer creates a circular vaporized nanodroplet shape which generates a round lesion upon detonation. This contrasts with the elongated lesion formed when using a standard 1D imaging transducer for nanodroplet activation. Optimization experiments show that maximal nanodroplet activation can be achieved with a 2-cycle excitation pulse at a center frequency of 3.5 MHz, and a peak negative pressure of 3.4 MPa (a mechanical index of 1.84). Vaporized nanodroplet detonation was achieved by applying a low frequency treatment at a center frequency of 105 kHz and mechanical index of 0.9. In ex-vivo samples, the rotated nanodroplet activation method yielded the largest lesion area, with a mean of 4.7 ± 0.5 mm2, and a rounded shape. In comparison, standard fixed transducer nanodroplet activation resulted in an average lesion area of 2.6 ± 0.4 mm2, and an elongated shape. This hybrid system enables to achieve volumetric low energy histotripsy, and thus facilitates the creation of precise, large-volume mechanical lesions in tissues, while reducing the pressure threshold required for standard histotripsy by over an order of magnitude.
The effect of B-type allatostatin neuropeptides on crosstalk between the insect immune response and cold tolerance
Authors: Lubawy Jan , Hornik Justyna
Published: November 2022

Insects are the largest group of arthropod phyla and are capable of surviving in a variety of environments. One of the most important factors in enabling them to do so is their resistance to temperature stress, i.e., cold tolerance. The neuroendocrine system, together with the immune system, cooperates to regulate a number of physiological processes that are essential for the stability of the organism in stressful conditions. However, to date, no one has studied the effect of insect myoinhibitory peptides (MIPs) on cold stress tolerance and immune system activity. Here, we investigated the effect of Tenmo-MIP 5 (10–6 M), cold stress (− 5 °C) and a combination of both on the immune response of Tenebrio molitor. All three treatments caused upregulation of immune-related genes (antimicrobial peptides and Toll) and increased phagocytosis activity (by approximately 10%). However, phenoloxidase activity and mortality were increased only after peptide injection and the combination of both treatments. The peptide injection combined with cold stress caused 40% higher mortality than that in the control. Together, our results show the links between cold stress, MIPs activity and the immune response, and to our knowledge, this is the first report showing the effect of MIP on the insect immune system.
Enhancing the Australian Gridded Climate Dataset rainfall analysis using satellite data
Authors: Chua Zhi-Weng , Evans Alex , Kuleshov Yuriy , Watkins Andrew , Choy Suelynn , Sun Chayn
Published: November 2022

Rainfall estimation over large areas is important for a thorough understanding of water availability, influencing societal decision-making, as well as being an input for scientific models. Traditionally, Australia utilizes a gauge-based analysis for rainfall estimation, but its performance can be severely limited over regions with low gauge density such as central parts of the continent. At the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, the current operational monthly rainfall component of the Australian Gridded Climate Dataset (AGCD) makes use of statistical interpolation (SI), also known as optimal interpolation (OI) to form an analysis from a background field of station climatology. In this study, satellite observations of rainfall were used as the background field instead of station climatology to produce improved monthly rainfall analyses. The performance of these monthly datasets was evaluated over the Australian domain from 2001 to 2020. Evaluated over the entire national domain, the satellite-based SI datasets had similar to slightly better performance than the station climatology-based SI datasets with some individual months being more realistically represented by the satellite-SI datasets. However, over gauge-sparse regions, there was a clear increase in performance. For a representative sub-domain, the Kling-Gupta Efficiency (KGE) value increased by + 8% (+ 12%) during the dry (wet) season. This study is an important step in enhancing operational rainfall analysis over Australia.
Blockade of CXXC5-dishevelled interaction inhibits adipogenic differentiation, obesity, and insulin resistance in mice
Authors: Seo Seol Hwa , Lee Dasung , Lee Soung-Hoon , Choi Kang-Yell
Published: November 2022

Obesity has become a major risk factor for developing metabolic diseases, including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. Growing pieces of evidence indicate that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays an important role in adipogenesis and obesity. Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibits adipogenesis by suppressing the differentiation of committed preadipocytes into mature adipocytes. CXXC5 is highly induced with suppression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in early adipogenic differentiation. In addition, silencing CXXC5 in vitro increased β-catenin and decremented the major adipogenic differentiation markers. KY19334, a small molecule that activates the Wnt/β-catenin pathway via inhibition of CXXC5- Dishevelled (Dvl) protein–protein interaction (PPI), suppressed adipogenic differentiation. Administration of KY19334 ameliorated obesity by 26 ± 1.3% and insulin resistance by 23.45 ± 7.09% and reduced adipocyte hypertrophy by 80.87 ± 5.30% in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. In addition, KY19334 accelerated the browning of adipose tissue and promoted hepatic glucose homeostasis in HFD-fed mice. In conclusion, activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling by inhibiting the interaction of CXXC5 and Dvl by small molecule-mediated interference is a potential therapeutic approach for treating obesity and insulin resistance.
Calcofluor white-cholesteryl hydrogen succinate conjugate mediated liposomes for enhanced targeted delivery of voriconazole intoCandida albicans
Authors: Liu Wei , Li Mengshun , Tian Baocheng , Yang Xuesong , Du Wei , Wang Xiuwen , Zhou Huihui , Ding Chen , Sai Sixiang
Published: November 2022

A nano antifungal-drug delivery system is designed to increase voriconazole efficacy by specifically binding to chitin in the fungal cell wall.
IrO2-Stablized La2IrO6 perovskite nanotubes via corner-shared interconnections as highly-efficient oxygen evolution electrocatalysts
Authors: Jin Yuwei , Huo Wenjing , Zhou Xuemei , Zhang Libin , Li Yong , Yang Shuo , Qian Jinjie , Cai Dong , Ge Yongjie , Yang Zhi , Nie Huagui
Published: November 2022

La2IrO6/IrO2 nanotubes with superior catalytic performance for acid oxygen evolution were prepared via an electrospinning approach. In situ Raman spectra and DFT calculations confirmed the synergistic cooperation between the two types of Ir active sites in La2IrO6/IrO2.
Aqueous C–H aminomethylation of phenols by iodine catalysis
Authors: Zhou Zhi-Hua , Wang Ben , Ding Yao , Loh Teck-Peng , Tian Jie-Sheng
Published: November 2022

A metal-free strategy regarding iodine catalysis to achieve ortho-aminomethylation of phenols in aqueous media has been developed, which is highlighted by the late-stage functionalization of drug molecules containing phenolic structures.
New charge-transfer complexes of 1,2,5-chalcogenadiazoles with tetrathiafulvalenes
Authors: Chulanova Elena A. , Radiush Ekaterina A. , Balmohammadi Yaser , Beckmann Jens , Grabowsky Simon , Zibarev Andrey V.
Published: November 2022

Despite noteworthy charge transfer and numerous intermolecular interactions, the title complexes (chalcogen = S, Se and Te) are weakly bonded; the most important contributions to the interaction energy are of dispersion and electrostatic nature.