bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE VOICE BEHIND THE MASK: PROBLEMATIZING THE THEATRE METAPHOR FOR ECSTATIC PROPHECY IN PLUTARCH'S DE PYTHIAE ORACVLIS
Authors: Klem Matthew J.
Published: August 2023

Different translations of Plutarch's De Pythiae oraculis 404B reflect an interpretative difficulty not yet adequately thematized by exegetes. Plutarch's dialogues on the Delphic oracle describe two perspectives on mantic inspiration: possession prophecy, where the god takes over the prophetess as a passive apparatus, and stimulation prophecy, where the god incites the prophecy, but the prophetess delivers the oracle through her own faculties. Plutarch understands the Pythia at Delphi to exhibit stimulation prophecy, not possession. One of his metaphors for inspiration comes from the theatre: the god ‘puts the oracle into the Pythia's mouth, like an actor speaking through the mask’ (De Pyth. or. 404B [Russell]). Some translators take the metaphor as describing possession prophecy (Goodwin), while others take it as stimulation prophecy (Babbitt)—in other words, it may describe the view Plutarch affirms or the view he rejects. This article assesses the two alternatives, concluding that the theatre metaphor describes possession prophecy.
Rapid exhumation of young granites in an extensional domain: the example of the Giglio Island pluton (Tuscany)
Authors: Ibe Chinedu Uduma , Langone Antonio , Stuart Finlay M. , Brogi Andrea , Caggianelli Alfredo , Liotta Domenico , Tursi Fabrizio
Published: August 2023

The presence of recently intruded granites at Earth’s surface suggests that their exhumation may have occurred rapidly. The Neogene granites of the Tuscan Magmatic Province (Italy) were emplaced during a period of extensional tectonics and are ideal for determining and quantifying the exhumation process. The peraluminous monzogranite of Giglio Island in the northern Tyrrhenian Sea is characterized by the presence of roof pendants, xenoliths and miarolitic cavities. The petrologic study of metamorphic xenoliths and new zircon U–Pb ages show that the granite was emplaced at 6.4–10 km depth at 5.7 ± 0.4 Ma. Exhumation, constrained by apatite (U–Th)/He ages, was essentially complete in 0.9 Myr at a minimum rate of 6 mm/year. This requires rapid tectonic unroofing, isostatic rebound and thermal softening activity, weakening the upper crust and favouring exhumation at a previously undocumented rate.
Central–Local Relations in China: A Case Study of Heilongjiang's GMO Ban
Authors: Zhang Hongzhou , Wu Alfred M.
Published: August 2023

This study contributes to the research on central–local relations in China by examining local dynamics and defiance. Drawing on the case of a provincial government's defiance against a central policy – Heilongjiang province's 2016 ban on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) – this study shows that despite the unprecedented recentralization push in recent years, local defiance still exists and persists. In addition, this study finds that the Heilongjiang provincial government managed to reduce potential political backlash by feeding the public distrust of GMOs, exploiting the internal divide and central ambiguity over GMOs and, more importantly, skilfully framing its GMO ban as part of its efforts to implement Xi Jinping's Green Development Concept.
Quotation in earlier and contemporary Australian Aboriginal English
Authors: Rodríguez Louro Celeste , Collard Glenys Dale , Clews Madeleine , Hunt Gardner Matt
Published: August 2023

We examine constructed dialogue in a longitudinal corpus of Australian Aboriginal English (AE) spoken in Perth, Australia. We conduct a variationist analysis of naturalistic data from forty-six L1 speakers of AE born 1907–2005. We ask, regarding the use of quotative frames, whether AE has changed in line with settler colonial Englishes. We examine whether a division of labor exists in the use of quotative frames, and whether the rise of first-person-marked internal thought reporting attested in settler colonial Englishes is present in AE.

Our statistical modeling shows functional partitioning in how quotative frames are used, with AE speakers strongly encoding direct speech across time. We find that the rise of first-person-marked internal thought reporting has not been systemic in AE. Despite be like's incursion after 1983, the underlying system of AE has not changed. The cultural prerogative to encode speech remains strong despite sustained contact with non-First Nations Australia.
The early development of emotion recognition in autistic children: Decoding basic emotions from facial expressions and from emotion-provoking situations
Authors: Li Boya , Blijd-Hoogewys Els Maria Arsène , Stockmann Lex , Rieffe Carolien
Published: August 2023

Autism is associated with challenges in emotion recognition. Yet, little is known about how emotion recognition develops over time in autistic children. This four-wave longitudinal study followed the development of three emotion-recognition abilities regarding four basic emotions in children with and without autism aged 2.5 to 6 years over three years. Behavioral tasks were used to examine whether children could differentiate facial expressions (emotion differentiation), identify facial expressions with verbal labels (emotion identification), and attribute emotions to emotion-provoking situations (emotion attribution). We confirmed previous findings that autistic children experienced more difficulties in emotion recognition than non-autistic children and the group differences were present already from the preschool age. However, the group differences were observed only when children processed emotional information from facial expressions. When emotional information could be deduced from situational cues, most group differences disappeared. Furthermore, this study provided novel longitudinal evidence that emotion recognition improved with age in autistic children: compared to non-autistic children, autistic children showed similar learning curves in emotion discrimination and emotion attribution, and they showed greater improvements in emotion identification. We suggest that inclusion and respect in an environment free of stereotyping are likely to foster the development of emotion recognition among autistic children.
Heroes or Outcasts? The Long Saga of the State's Recognition of the Greek Resistance (1944–2006)
Authors: Fytili Magdalini , Avgeridis Manos , Kouki Eleni
Published: August 2023

This article explores how the Greek state created and implemented the legislation relating to recognition of the National Resistance during three different transitional periods of the country's postwar history: civil war, dictatorship and democracy. The article's principal argument is that recognition served as the main tool for building consecutive national narratives not only of the resistance but also of Greekness, determining who was included in and excluded from the nation. By addressing one of the most loaded political issues in Greek society and politics in its entirety, this article revisits Greece's postwar history, highlighting the ruptures and continuities over a long period.
A heresy inquisition in the National Assembly and the Islamisation of Pakistan
Authors: Moin A. Azfar
Published: August 2023

The goal of the second constitutional amendment passed in 1974 was to excommunicate the Ahmadis and establish Pakistan as a bona fide Islamic state. The Pakistani state accomplished this goal through an extraordinary process in which the National Assembly conducted a month-long examination of Ahmadi beliefs. Conducted by the attorney general of Pakistan, who was aided by the ulema members of parliament, these proceedings were a type of heresy inquisition in which the leaders of the Ahmadi community served as defendants. This article examines the key religious issues involved in these proceedings from a longer historical perspective that includes the Mughal and Safavid eras. In doing so, it highlights how pre-modern forms of religious persecution and accommodation came to be adapted to serve the ends of a modern constitutional nation-state.
‘Cheek by jowl’: education as a bridge between Muslims and the British in colonial India
Authors: Noreen Sumaira
Published: August 2023

Muslims’ education in British India is treated in the literature as something encompassing resistance, reaction, and hence emancipation from putatively exploitative British policies. This article focuses on the patterns of Muslims’ emergent knowledge traditions in British India in response to the British government's involvement in the educational matters of the Indian subcontinent. Data findings reveal that Indian Muslims’ responses to the growing trend towards ‘modern’ education in the Indian subcontinent evolved gradually through discursive interactions leading to divergent reformist tendencies in favour of or against adopting Western education. The British government's decision to make ‘special’ arrangements for Muslims’ educational uplift had left legacies of mutual admiration, fear, and sometimes resentment between Muslims and the British government in the subcontinent. Amid ambivalent relations between the British and Muslims, it was not difficult to find apt illustrations of what Francis Robinson calls a ‘cheek by jowl’ relationship.
Rethinking ‘middle powers’ as a category of practice: stratification, ambiguity, and power
Authors: de Bhal John
Published: August 2023

Scholars have attempted to theorise the social structure of the international system from the perspective of the ‘middle powers’ for decades. However, scholars have struggled to agree on the essential dispositional characteristics of this category of actors, stunting theoretical progress. Drawing on sociological and literary approaches to the rhetoric of the ‘middle class’ in domestic societies, this article shifts the terms of this debate away from asking who the ‘middle powers’areor what their ‘essence’is, to ask what actorsdowith the term in practice. Combining this with and contributing to scholarship on hierarchy in international relations, I recast ‘middle powers’ as acategory of practiceand argue that one of the term's main uses is to differentiate certain status-anxious states – that hold no real prospect of achieving great power status – from ‘small states’ that occupy the lowest stratum of stratification within the ‘grading of powers’. Following an illustrative case study of Australian and Canadian attempts to establish the ‘middle power’ category in the 1940s, the article then outlines the contributions of the argument for the study of status and hierarchy in world politics.
Ocean literacy for an Ocean constitution
Authors: McKinley Emma
Published: August 2023

Firmly cemented in history as a connector of people, a facilitator for trade and transport routes and a driver of culture and heritage, the ocean has directly influenced globalization, and humanity more generally, for generations. While the ocean was perhaps once viewed as infinite and insurmountable, globally our oceans, coasts and seas have experienced unprecedented change in recent decades with climate change, loss of biodiversity and overfishing among the challenges being addressed through contemporary ocean governance. Moreover, and crucially as we continue to strive for sustainable ocean futures, the global ocean is increasingly being recognized as a peopled space. This article explores the role of ocean literacy as we look towards achieving sustainable ocean futures.
Making Sense of the Violent Past: War Veterans’ Organizations in Post-Stalinist Czechoslovakia
Authors: Stegmann Natali
Published: August 2023

The article examines the de-Stalinization of war veterans’ organizations in Czechoslovakia. Building on testimonies and journalistic works concerning the victims of Stalinist purges and persecution and the attempts to rehabilitate them, the author elaborates her argument with the case study of the prominent war victims’ organization “Association of Antifascist Fighters”. During Stalinism, all veterans who had not fought side by side with the Soviet Union were treated with suspicion and often expelled from the veterans’ association. In the framework of the reform socialist experiment of the 1960s, the country's Stalinist heritage of violence was largely rejected. What made the Czechoslovak reform socialist approach unique was its distancing from the Soviet influence on Czechoslovak communist tradition. In this way, Stalinism, and the violence that accompanied it, was turned into a Soviet matter, while the national communist tradition was to be cured of the effects of this influence.
Meridional Heat Transport in the DeepMIP Eocene Ensemble: Non‐CO2 and CO2 Effects
Authors: Kelemen Fanni Dora , Steinig Sebastian , de Boer Agatha , Zhu Jiang , Chan Wing‐Le , Niezgodzki Igor , Hutchinson David K. , Knorr Gregor , Abe‐Ouchi Ayako , Ahrens Bodo
Published: August 2023

The total meridional heat transport (MHT) is relatively stable across different climates. Nevertheless, the strength of individual processes contributing to the total transport are not stable. Here we investigate the MHT and its main components especially in the atmosphere, in five coupled climate model simulations from the Deep‐Time Model Intercomparison Project (DeepMIP). These simulations target the early Eocene climatic optimum, a geological time period with high CO2 concentrations, analog to the upper range of end‐of‐century CO2 projections. Preindustrial and early Eocene simulations, at a range of CO2 levels are used to quantify the MHT changes in response to both CO2 and non‐CO2 related forcings. We found that atmospheric poleward heat transport increases with CO2, while oceanic poleward heat transport decreases. The non‐CO2 boundary conditions cause more MHT toward the South Pole, mainly through an increase in the southward oceanic heat transport. The changes in paleogeography increase the heat transport via transient eddies at the northern mid‐latitudes in the Eocene. The Eocene Hadley cells do not transport more heat poleward, but due to the warmer atmosphere, especially the northern cell, circulate more heat in the tropics, than today. The monsoon systems' poleward latent heat transport increases with rising CO2 concentrations, but this change is counterweighted by the globally smaller Eocene monsoon area. Our results show that the changes in the monsoon systems' latent heat transport is a robust feature of CO2 warming, which is in line with the currently observed precipitation increase of present day monsoon systems.
Early Warning Indicators of Groundwater Drought in Mountainous Regions
Authors: Gullacher A. , Allen D. M. , Goetz J. D.
Published: August 2023

Aquifers in mountainous regions are susceptible to drought. However, the diverse hydroclimatology, the small and responsive aquifers, and the varied nature of interactions between groundwater and surface water lead to complex groundwater level responses that are challenging to interpret for understanding groundwater drought. In this study, generalized additive models (GAMs) are used to explore the sensitivity of summer groundwater levels to various climate and hydrological predictor variables (indicators) in each of a snowmelt‐ and rainfall‐dominated hydroclimatic regime in British Columbia, Canada. A sensitivity analysis explores individual seasonal predictor variables, station versus gridded climate data, teleconnection indices, and time series length. GAMs are then generated for different combinations of predictor variables to identify the best combination for each region. In the snowmelt‐dominated regime, maximum spring temperature, maximum snow water equivalent, and the winter Nino 3.4 index is the best combination of variables for predicting summer groundwater levels. In the rainfall‐dominated regime, maximum spring temperature, winter precipitation, and spring streamflow is the best combination. The unique combinations of predictor variables for each region can be used as early warning indicators for groundwater drought preparedness by water managers prior to the beginning of the summer. The Standardized Groundwater Level Index (SGI) is also effective at indicating which wells had pronounced responses to periods of drought in each region. However, the SGI differed among aquifers of similar type, suggesting other factors such as aquifer response mechanism and groundwater pumping may have an important influence on the SGI.
The Dawn‐Dusk Asymmetry of the Interaction Between Dipolarizing Flux Bundles and the Ambient Plasma: Implications for Asymmetric Wedgelets
Authors: Liu Jiang
Published: August 2023

The substorm current wedge (SCW), the characteristic current system of Earth's substorms, has been suggested to be a collective effect of many “wedgelets,” mesoscale currents carried by magnetotail flux tubes of strong magnetic fields called dipolarizing flux bundles (DFBs). Each wedgelet contains an asymmetric pair of field‐aligned currents (FACs) so the net FAC of many wedgelets can equal an SCW's FAC content. It is unclear, however, why a wedgelet's FAC is asymmetric. To explore the reason, we investigate how earthward‐traveling DFBs interact with ambient plasma because this interaction leads to their FACs. The interaction is manifested as the pressure and magnetic field distributions around DFBs, which we examine statistically using THEMIS data. The statistical distributions are consistent with an interplay between the DFB‐caused mesoscale perturbations and the global magnetotail configuration and favor the rise of wedgelets' asymmetric FACs. This result reveals the importance of cross‐scale coupling in SCW formation.
The Densities and Compositions of Background Cold Ions Based on the Van Allen Probe Observations
Authors: Yue Chao , Li Yuxuan , Kistler Lynn , Ma Qianli , Fu Haobo , Reeves Geoffrey D. , Zhou Xuzhi , Zong Qiugang , Spence Harlan E.
Published: August 2023

The cold ions, which are generally “invisible” to most instruments, have strong impacts on plasma wave and magnetic reconnection. Under particular situations, these cold ions could be accelerated and thus become detectable. In this study, we statistically investigated the properties of background cold ions based on Van Allen Probe observations. The cold ions could often be detected near the dusk sector, and a clear dawn‐dusk asymmetry is observed for all ion species with higher density at the dusk side, showing plasmaspheric plume‐like structures. Similar to the cold electrons, cold proton ions show a clear boundary of plasmapause with its location moving toward the Earth as geomagnetic activity increases. Furthermore, the percentage of oxygen increases, and the percentage of protons decreases as geomagnetic activity increases whereas the helium composition is generally small. Our results provide important information on ion compositions for the understanding of cold‐plasma dynamics in the inner magnetosphere.
Proteome-wide mendelian randomization identifies causal plasma proteins in venous thromboembolism development
Authors: Li Haobo , Zhang Zhu , Qiu Yuting , Weng Haoyi , Yuan Shuai , Zhang Yunxia , Zhang Yu , Xi Linfeng , Xu Feiya , Ji Xiaofan , Hao Risheng , Yang Peiran , Chen Gang , Zuo Xianbo , Zhai Zhenguo , Wang Chen
Published: August 2023

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified numerous risk loci for venous thromboembolism (VTE), but it is challenging to decipher the underlying mechanisms. We employed an integrative analytical pipeline to transform genetic associations to identify novel plasma proteins for VTE. Proteome-wide association studies (PWAS) were determined by functional summary-based imputation leveraging data from a genome-wide association analysis (14,429 VTE patients, 267,037 controls), blood proteomes (1348 cases), followed by Mendelian randomization, Bayesian colocalization, protein-protein interaction, and pathway enrichment analysis. Twenty genetically regulated circulating protein abundances (F2, F11, ABO, PLCG2, LRP4, PLEK, KLKB1, PROC, KNG1, THBS2, SERPINA1, RARRES2, CEL, GP6, SERPINE2, SERPINA10, OBP2B, EFEMP1, F5, and MSR1) were associated with VTE. Of these 13 proteins demonstrated Mendelian randomized correlations. Six proteins (F2, F11, PLEK, SERPINA1, RARRES2, and SERPINE2) had strong support in colocalization analysis. Utilizing multidimensional data, this study suggests PLEK, SERPINA1, and SERPINE2 as compelling proteins that may provide key hints for future research and possible diagnostic and therapeutic targets for VTE.
Smurf1 and Smurf2 mediated polyubiquitination and degradation of RNF220 suppresses Shh-group medulloblastoma
Authors: Li Yuwei , Wang Huishan , Sun Bin , Su Guifeng , Cang Yu , Zhao Ling , Zhao Shuhua , Li Yan , Mao Bingyu , Ma Pengcheng
Published: August 2023

Sonic hedgehog (Shh)-group medulloblastoma (MB) (Shh-MB) encompasses a clinically and molecularly distinct group of cancers originating from the developing nervous system with aberrant high Shh signaling as a causative driver. We recently reported that RNF220 is required for sustained high Shh signaling during Shh-MB progression; however, how high RNF220 expression is achieved in Shh-MB is still unclear. In this study, we found that the ubiquitin E3 ligases Smurf1 and Smurf2 interact with RNF220, and target it for polyubiquitination and degradation. In MB cells, knockdown or overexpression of Smurf1 or Smurf2 promotes or inhibits cell proliferation, colony formation and xenograft growth, respectively, by controlling RNF220 protein levels, and thus modulating Shh signaling. Furthermore, in clinical human MB samples, the protein levels of Smurf1 or Smurf2 were negatively correlated with those of RNF220 or GAB1, a Shh-MB marker. Overall, this study highlights the importance of the Smurf1- and Smurf2-RNF220 axes during the pathogenesis of Shh-MB and provides new therapeutic targets for Shh-MB treatment.
FDW028, a novel FUT8 inhibitor, impels lysosomal proteolysis of B7-H3 via chaperone-mediated autophagy pathway and exhibits potent efficacy against metastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: Wang Mengmeng , Zhang Zhoudong , Chen Mengxi , Lv Yixin , Tian Sheng , Meng Fanyi , Zhang Yawen , Guo Xuqin , Chen Yinshuang , Yang Man , Li Jiawei , Qiu Tian , Xu Fang , Li Zhi , Zhang Qi , Yang Jie , Sun Jing , Zhang Hongjian , Zhang Haiyang , Li Huanqiu , Wang Weipeng
Published: August 2023

Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is a major cause of cancer-related mortality due to the absence of effective therapeutics. Thus, it is urgent to discover new drugs for mCRC. Fucosyltransferase 8 (FUT8) is a potential therapeutic target with high level in most malignant cancers including CRC. FUT8 mediates the core fucosylation of CD276 (B7-H3), a key immune checkpoint molecule (ICM), in CRC. FUT8-silence-induced defucosylation at N104 on B7-H3 attracts heat shock protein family A member 8 (HSPA8, also known as HSC70) to bind with 106-110 SLRLQ motif and consequently propels lysosomal proteolysis of B7-H3 through the chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) pathway. Then we report the development and characterization of a potent and highly selective small-molecule inhibitor of FUT8, named FDW028, which evidently prolongs the survival of mice with CRC pulmonary metastases (CRPM). FDW028 exhibits potent anti-tumor activity by defucosylation and impelling lysosomal degradation of B7-H3 through the CMA pathway. Taken together, FUT8 inhibition destabilizes B7-H3 through CMA-mediated lysosomal proteolysis, and FDW028 acts as a potent therapeutic candidate against mCRC by targeting FUT8.
Molecular insights into Spindlin1-HBx interplay and its impact on HBV transcription from cccDNA minichromosome
Authors: Liu Wei , Yao Qiyan , Su Xiaonan , Deng Yafang , Yang Mo , Peng Bo , Zhao Fan , Du Chao , Zhang Xiulan , Zhu Jinsong , Wang Daliang , Li Wenhui , Li Haitao
Published: August 2023

Molecular interplay between host epigenetic factors and viral proteins constitutes an intriguing mechanism for sustaining hepatitis B virus (HBV) life cycle and its chronic infection. HBV encodes a regulatory protein, HBx, which activates transcription and replication of HBV genome organized as covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA minichromosome. Here we illustrate how HBx accomplishes its task by hijacking Spindlin1, an epigenetic reader comprising three consecutive Tudor domains. Our biochemical and structural studies have revealed that the highly conserved N-terminal 2–21 segment of HBx (HBx2–21) associates intimately with Tudor 3 of Spindlin1, enhancing histone H3 “K4me3-K9me3” readout by Tudors 2 and 1. Functionally, Spindlin1-HBx engagement promotes gene expression from the chromatinized cccDNA, accompanied by an epigenetic switch from an H3K9me3-enriched repressive state to an H3K4me3-marked active state, as well as a conformational switch of HBx that may occur in coordination with other HBx-binding factors, such as DDB1. Despite a proposed transrepression activity of HBx2-21, our study reveals a key role of Spindlin1 in derepressing this conserved motif, thereby promoting HBV transcription from its chromatinized genome.
Network-wide thermodynamic constraints shape NAD(P)H cofactor specificity of biochemical reactions
Authors: Bekiaris Pavlos Stephanos , Klamt Steffen
Published: August 2023

The ubiquitous coexistence of the redox cofactors NADH and NADPH is widely considered to facilitate an efficient operation of cellular redox metabolism. However, it remains unclear what shapes the NAD(P)H specificity of specific redox reactions. Here, we present a computational framework to analyze the effect of redox cofactor swaps on the maximal thermodynamic potential of a metabolic network and use it to investigate key aspects of redox cofactor redundancy in Escherichia coli. As one major result, our analysis suggests that evolved NAD(P)H specificities are largely shaped by metabolic network structure and associated thermodynamic constraints enabling thermodynamic driving forces that are close or even identical to the theoretical optimum and significantly higher compared to random specificities. Furthermore, while redundancy of NAD(P)H is clearly beneficial for thermodynamic driving forces, a third redox cofactor would require a low standard redox potential to be advantageous. Our approach also predicts trends of redox-cofactor concentration ratios and could facilitate the design of optimal redox cofactor specificities.
Material-engineered bioartificial microorganisms enabling efficient scavenging of waterborne viruses
Authors: Li Huixin , Xu Yanpeng , Wang Yang , Cui Yihao , Lin Jiake , Zhou Yuemin , Tang Shuling , Zhang Ying , Hao Haibin , Nie Zihao , Wang Xiaoyu , Tang Ruikang
Published: August 2023

Material-based tactics have attracted extensive attention in driving the functional evolution of organisms. In aiming to design steerable bioartificial organisms to scavenge pathogenic waterborne viruses, we engineer Paramecium caudatum (Para), single-celled microorganisms, with a semiartificial and specific virus-scavenging organelle (VSO). Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles modified with a virus-capture antibody (MNPs@Ab) are integrated into the vacuoles of Para during feeding to produce VSOs, which persist inside Para without impairing their swimming ability. Compared with natural Para, which has no capture specificity and shows inefficient inactivation, the VSO-engineered Para (E-Para) specifically gathers waterborne viruses and confines them inside the VSOs, where the captured viruses are completely deactivated because the peroxidase-like nano-Fe3O4 produces virus-killing hydroxyl radicals (•OH) within acidic environment of VSO. After treatment, magnetized E-Para is readily recycled and reused, avoiding further contamination. Materials-based artificial organelles convert natural Para into a living virus scavenger, facilitating waterborne virus clearance without extra energy consumption.
Accessing five oxidation states of uranium in a retained ligand framework
Authors: Deng Chong , Liang Jiefeng , Sun Rong , Wang Yi , Fu Peng-Xiang , Wang Bing-Wu , Gao Song , Huang Wenliang
Published: August 2023

Understanding and exploiting the redox properties of uranium is of great importance because uranium has a wide range of possible oxidation states and holds great potential for small molecule activation and catalysis. However, it remains challenging to stabilise both low and high-valent uranium ions in a preserved ligand environment. Herein we report the synthesis and characterisation of a series of uranium(II–VI) complexes supported by a tripodal tris(amido)arene ligand. In addition, one- or two-electron redox transformations could be achieved with these compounds. Moreover, combined experimental and theoretical studies unveiled that the ambiphilic uranium–arene interactions are the key to balance the stabilisation of low and high-valent uranium, with the anchoring arene acting as a δ acceptor or a π donor. Our results reinforce the design strategy to incorporate metal–arene interactions in stabilising multiple oxidation states, and open up new avenues to explore the redox chemistry of uranium.
Near-infrared co-illumination of fluorescent proteins reduces photobleaching and phototoxicity
Authors: Ludvikova Lucie , Simon Emma , Deygas Mathieu , Panier Thomas , Plamont Marie-Aude , Ollion Jean , Tebo Alison , Piel Matthieu , Jullien Ludovic , Robert Lydia , Le Saux Thomas , Espagne Agathe
Published: August 2023

Here we present a method to reduce the photobleaching of fluorescent proteins and the associated phototoxicity. It exploits a photophysical process known as reverse intersystem crossing, which we induce by near-infrared co-illumination during fluorophore excitation. This dual illumination method reduces photobleaching effects 1.5–9.2-fold, can be easily implemented on commercial microscopes and is effective in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells with a wide range of fluorescent proteins.
Gender disparities in lung cancer incidence in the United States during 2001–2019
Authors: Fu Yu , Liu Jun , Chen Yan , Liu Zhuo , Xia Hongbo , Xu Haixia
Published: August 2023

Lung cancer ranks as one of the top malignancies and the leading cause of cancer death in both males and females in the US. Using a cancer database covering the entire population, this study was to determine the gender disparities in lung cancer incidence during 2001–2019. Cancer patients were obtained from the National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) and Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. The SEER*Stat software was applied to calculate the age-adjusted incidence rates (AAIR). Temporal changes in lung cancer incidence were analyzed by the Joinpoint software. A total of 4,086,432 patients (53.3% of males) were diagnosed with lung cancer. Among them, 52.1% were 70 years or older, 82.7% non-Hispanic white, 39.7% from the South, and 72.6% non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The AAIR of lung cancer continuously reduced from 91.0 per 100000 to 59.2 in males during the study period, while it increased from 55.0 in 2001 to 56.8 in 2006 in females, then decreased to 48.1 in 2019. The female to male incidence rate ratio of lung cancer continuously increased from 2001 to 2019. Gender disparities were observed among age groups, races, and histological types. In those aged 0–54 years, females had higher overall incidence rates of lung cancer than males in recent years, which was observed in all races (except non-Hispanic black), all regions, and adenocarcinoma and small cell (but not squamous cell). Non-Hispanic black females aged 0–54 years had a faster decline rate than males since 2013. API females demonstrated an increased trend during the study period. Lung cancer incidence continues to decrease with gender disparities among age groups, races, regions, and histological types. Continuous anti-smoking programs plus reduction of related risk factors are necessary to lower lung cancer incidence further.
Research on key acoustic characteristics of soundscapes of the classical Chinese gardens
Authors: Chen Wei , Liu Juanjuan
Published: August 2023

Soundscapes have played an important role in the design and building of classical Chinese gardens. In Chinese classical poetry, biophonies such as bird calls, and geophonies such as wind, are the preferable sound sources. Although these major sound sources have been categorized and summarized by scholars extensively, little research has been conducted to analyze the physical characteristics and preference matrix of these preferred sound sources. Moreover, the perceived loudness of sound in classical Chinese gardens has received more attention from scholars than acoustic frequency. In this study, we selected 12 sound sources that are most typically present in classical Chinese gardens based on extensive literature research on Chinese classical poetry, and acquired respective audio samples from the BBC’s library of Sound Effects. Through the spectrogram analyses, pitch detection algorithm and LSTM audio classification methods, the sound sources were classified into discrete sound sources with pitch variation and continuous sound sources with spectral characteristics of white noise or pink noise. The reasoning behind the preference for these two types of sound sources was then discussed from physical and mental healing perspectives, which aims to help provide perspectives on the associated implications in the planning of urban green spaces.
Machine learning-based technique for gain and resonance prediction of mid band 5G Yagi antenna
Authors: Haque Md. Ashraful , Rahman Md Afzalur , Al-Bawri Samir Salem , Yusoff Zubaida , Sharker Adiba Haque , Abdulkawi Wazie M. , Saha Dipon , Paul Liton Chandra , Zakariya M. A.
Published: August 2023

In this study, we present our findings from investigating the use of a machine learning (ML) technique to improve the performance of Quasi-Yagi–Uda antennas operating in the n78 band for 5G applications. This research study investigates several techniques, such as simulation, measurement, and an RLC equivalent circuit model, to evaluate the performance of an antenna. In this investigation, the CST modelling tools are used to develop a high-gain, low-return-loss Yagi–Uda antenna for the 5G communication system. When considering the antenna’s operating frequency, its dimensions are $${0.642}\lambda _0\times {0.583}\lambda _0$$

0.642

λ
0

×

0.583

λ
0

. The antenna has an operating frequency of 3.5 GHz, a return loss of $$-43.45$$

-
43.45

dB, a bandwidth of 520 MHz, a maximum gain of 6.57 dB, and an efficiency of almost 97%. The impedance analysis tools in CST Studio’s simulation and circuit design tools in Agilent ADS software are used to derive the antenna’s equivalent circuit (RLC). We use supervised regression ML method to create an accurate prediction of the frequency and gain of the antenna. Machine learning models can be evaluated using a variety of measures, including variance score, R square, mean square error, mean absolute error, root mean square error, and mean squared logarithmic error. Among the nine ML models, the prediction result of Linear Regression is superior to other ML models for resonant frequency prediction, and Gaussian Process Regression shows an extraordinary performance for gain prediction. R-square and var score represents the accuracy of the prediction, which is close to 99% for both frequency and gain prediction. Considering these factors, the antenna can be deemed an excellent choice for the n78 band of a 5G communication system.
Mechanical and thermal properties of mud dauber nests under atmospheric drying
Authors: Park Joon S. , Lin Hai , Alqrinawi Hussein
Published: August 2023

Mud dauber wasps construct soil nests to protect their offspring from predators, extreme temperatures, and rainwater. The mechanical and thermal properties of these nests are important for the reproductive success of mud daubers. The previous study showed that the high densities and strengths of mud dauber nests were due to the repetitive tapping and atmospheric drying used by mud daubers during nest construction. This study investigated the effect of atmospheric drying on the mechanical and thermal properties of mud dauber nests. The soil shrinkage curve, elastic modulus, suction stress characteristic curve, soil water retention curve, shear strength, and thermal conductivity function of mud dauber nest soils were measured by performing drying cake tests, direct shear tests, unconfined compression tests, and thermal conductivity measurements. This study showed atmospheric drying could increase Young’s moduli (from hundreds to thousands of kPa), the magnitudes of suction stress (up to 64 kPa), and shear strengths (e.g., unconfined compressive strength increased up to 2100 kPa) of mud dauber nests. The thermal conductivity was reduced by 47% due to atmospheric drying. Investigation of mud dauber nests under atmospheric drying could provide insights and inspiration to improve human manufacturing and manipulation of soils for earthen building construction.
Moonlighting genes harbor antisense ORFs that encode potential membrane proteins
Authors: Thomas Kasman E. , Gagniuc Paul A. , Gagniuc Elvira
Published: August 2023

Moonlighting genes encode for single polypeptide molecules that perform multiple and often unrelated functions. These genes occur across all domains of life. Their ubiquity and functional diversity raise many questions as to their origins, evolution, and role in the cell cycle. In this study, we present a simple bioinformatics probe that allows us to rank genes by antisense translation potential, and we show that this probe enriches, reliably, for moonlighting genes across a variety of organisms. We find that moonlighting genes harbor putative antisense open reading frames (ORFs) rich in codons for non-polar amino acids. We also find that moonlighting genes tend to co-locate with genes involved in cell wall, cell membrane, or cell envelope production. On the basis of this and other findings, we offer a model in which we propose that moonlighting gene products are likely to escape the cell through gaps in the cell wall and membrane, at wall/membrane construction sites; and we propose that antisense ORFs produce “membrane-sticky” protein products, effectively binding moonlighting-gene DNA to the cell membrane in porous areas where intensive cell-wall/cell-membrane construction is underway. This leads to high potential for escape of moonlighting proteins to the cell surface. Evolutionary and other implications of these findings are discussed.
Transforming planning and policy making processes at the intersections of climate, equity, and decolonization challenges
Authors: Cole Lindsay , Low Maggie
Published: August 2023

Cities are facing increasing pressures to address complex challenges of climate change, equity, and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples as intersecting issues, and innovation into planning and policy-making processes is urgently needed to achieve this. It is no longer good enough to work on these challenges discreetly, or solely within the dominant, western colonial paradigm and practices of governance. There are ongoing harms being caused by climate work that does not embed justice, and there are missed opportunities for synergies across these domains as they have the same systemic root causes. Cities must adapt and transform the processes and practices of planning and policy-making in order to work at these problematic roots. Drawing on an empirical study, this article describes how social innovation, systemic design, and decolonizing practices can shape a different approach to planning and policy-making processes when working at the intersections of climate, equity, and decolonization.
Shielding effect enables fast ion transfer through nanoporous membrane for highly energy-efficient electrodialysis
Authors: Lin Jiuyang , Ye Wenyuan , Xie Shuangling , Du Jiale , Liu Riri , Zou Dong , Chen Xiangyu , Yu Zijian , Fang Shengqiong , Ang Elisa Yun Mei , Toh William , Han Dan Dan , Ng Teng Yong , Seo Dong Han , Zhao Shuaifei , Van der Bruggen Bart , Xie Ming , Lee Young Moo
Published: August 2023

A key to sustainable management of saline organic-rich wastewaters is to precisely fractionate organic components and inorganic salts (NaCl) as individual resources. Conventional nanofiltration and electrodialysis processes suffer from membrane fouling and compromise the fractionation efficacy. Here we develop a thin-film composite nanoporous membrane via co-deposition of dopamine and polyethyleneimine as a highly anion-conducting membrane. Experimental results and molecular dynamics simulations show that co-deposition of dopamine and polyethyleneimine effectively tailors the membrane surface properties, intensifying the charge shielding effect and enabling fast anion transfer for highly efficient electrodialysis. The resulting nanoporous membrane exhibits unprecedented electrodialytic fractionation of organics and NaCl with negligible membrane fouling, dramatically outperforming state-of-the-art anion exchange membranes. Our study sheds light on facile design of high-performance anion-conducting membranes and associated new mass transport mechanisms in electrodialytic separation, paving the way for sustainable management of complex waste streams.
Comparison of the laxative effects of KoreanGochujangcontaining different microbiota on loperamide-induced constipation in ICR mice
Authors: Kim Na-Yeon , Kim Kyung-Ah , Yang Hee-Jong , Jeong Su-Ji , Han Anna , Cha Youn-Soo
Published: August 2023

The prevalence of constipation, one of the common gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, has been gradually increasing.
Monoclonal antibody production and development of immunochromatographic strip assays for screening of the herbicide bispyribac-sodium in rice
Authors: Chao Mengjia , Xu Xinxin , Wu Aihong , Zhou Wei , Xu Chuanlai , Liu Liqiang , Guo Lingling
Published: August 2023

A monoclonal antibody against bispyribac-sodium was produced and a colloidal gold immunochromatographic strip assay was developed to screen BIS in rice samples.
Naked-eye visualization of nucleic acid amplicons using hierarchical nanoassembly
Authors: Novi Vinni Thekkudan , Abbas Abdennour
Published: August 2023

DNA amplicons from nucleic acid amplification assays can be visualized with the naked eye using hierarchical nanoassembly of gold nanoparticles on DNA amplicon networks.
Thermodynamics and kinetics of Mg2+/Li+ and Mg2+/Na+ co-intercalation into layered titanium disulfide
Authors: Tang Yudi , Tao Donggang , Cao Yuliang , Xu Fei
Published: August 2023

Mg–Li (Mg–Na) mixed and Mg–Li (Mg–Na) interlaced intercalations are observed for TiS2. Li- (Na-) intercalation is kinetically faster, while the Mg–Li (Mg–Na) interlaced intercalation structure is thermodynamically more stable.
A structure-sensitive descriptor for the design of active sites on MoS2catalysts
Authors: Su Hai-Yan , Calle-Vallejo Federico , Sun Keju
Published: August 2023

cn, a metric based on the number of sulfur atoms coordinated to Mo atoms, captures the trends in adsorption energies and activation energies of various species on MoS2(001) catalysts with sulfur vacancies.
CeO2-supported Ni and Co catalysts prepared by a solution combustion method for H2production from glycerol: the effect of fuel/oxidizer ratio and oxygen excess
Authors: Matveyeva Anna N. , Omarov Shamil O. , Gavrilova Marianna A. , Trofimuk Andrey D. , Wärnå Johan , Murzin Dmitry Yu.
Published: August 2023

The impact of the fuel/oxidizer ratio, the fuel type and the oxygen excess in the synthesis of ceria supported Ni and Co catalysts on the physicochemical properties and activity in steam and aqueous-phase reforming of glycerol was studied.
Single-phase white light material and antibiotic detection of lanthanide metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Ding Shunan , Zhou Qi , Ren Guojian , Yang Yonghang , Wang Cong , Che Guang , Li MeiLing , He Danfeng , Pan Qinhe
Published: August 2023

Three isomorphic Ln–MOFs (Tb: HNU-82, Eu: HNU-83, La: HNU-84) were synthesized and used to construct a white fluorescenct MOF (Eu0.015Tb0.037La0.148-TCA). In addition, HNU-82 can be applied to detect nitrofurazone and nitrofurantoin in water.
Synthesis and cytotoxicity studies of Cu(i) and Ag(i) complexes based on sterically hindered β-diketonates with different degrees of fluorination
Authors: Pellei Maura , Del Gobbo Jo’ , Caviglia Miriam , Karade Deepika V. , Gandin Valentina , Marzano Cristina , Noonikara Poyil Anurag , Dias H. V. Rasika , Santini Carlo
Published: August 2023

New Cu(i) and Ag(i) phosphane complexes supported by β-diketonate ligands were synthesized and evaluated for their antitumor activity by 2D and 3D cell viability studies.
Antibiotic resistance in urban stormwater: a review of the dissemination of resistance elements, their impact, and management opportunities
Authors: O'Malley Kassidy , McDonald Walter , McNamara Patrick
Published: August 2023

Traditional stormwater infrastructure facilitates the transport of antibiotic resistance genes while green stormwater infrastructure may capture the genes and promote horizontal gene transfer.
Enhanced microbial production of protocatechuate from engineered sorghum using an integrated feedstock-to-product conversion technology
Authors: Garcia Valentina E. , Pidatala Venkataramana , Barcelos Carolina A. , Liu Dupeng , Otoupal Peter , Wendt Oliver , Choudhary Hemant , Sun Ning , Eudes Aymerick , Sundstrom Eric R. , Scheller Henrik V. , Putnam Daniel H. , Mukhopadhyay Aindrila , Gladden John M. , Simmons Blake A. , Rodriguez Alberto
Published: August 2023

Building a stronger bioeconomy requires production capabilities that can be generated through microbial genetic engineering. Engineered microbes can be paired with engineered feedstocks and compatible deconstruction methods to improve production.
Machine learning-aided catalyst screening and multi-objective optimization for the indirect CO2 hydrogenation to methanol and ethylene glycol process
Authors: Yang Qingchun , Fan Yingjie , Zhou Jianlong , Zhao Lei , Dong Yichun , Yu Jianhua , Zhang Dawei
Published: August 2023

A proposed machine learning-aided framework for screening and multi-objective optimization of catalysts for an indirect CO2 hydrogenation process.
Size dependence of the surface spin disorder and surface anisotropy constant in ferrite nanoparticles
Authors: Gerina Marianna , Sanna Angotzi Marco , Mameli Valentina , Gajdošová Veronika , Rainer Daniel N. , Dopita Milan , Steinke Nina-Juliane , Aurélio David , Vejpravová Jana , Zákutná Dominika
Published: August 2023

Size dependence of the total magnetized volume of nanoparticles in a magnetic field.
Catalytic effect of graphene on the inversion of corannulene using a continuum approach with the Lennard-Jones potential
Authors: Sripaturad Panyada , Karton Amir , Stevens Kyle , Thamwattana Ngamta , Baowan Duangkamon , Cox Barry J.
Published: August 2023

The catalytic effect of graphene on the corannulene bowl-to-bowl inversion is confirmed in this paper using a pair-wise dispersion interaction model.
Two-dimensional self-assembly and co-assembly of two tetracarboxylic acid derivatives investigated by STM
Authors: Peng Xuan , Gan Linlin , Zhai Wenchao , Chen Xiaoling , Deng Ke , Duan Wubiao , Li Wei , Zeng Qingdao
Published: August 2023

In this article, the hydrogen-bonded self-assembly nanostructures of two tetracarboxylic acid derivatives and the effect of the deposition sequence on their co-assembly nanostructure were investigated by STM.
Coating based on cellulose from oil palm empty fruit bunches and chitosan doped by Ag+: multivariate optimization and DFT analysis
Authors: Firdaus Maulidan , Alawiyah Nurani , Pratama Jeesica H. , Yaqin Achmad N. , Handayani Ira , Wibowo Fajar R.
Published: August 2023

The development of a cellulose nanocrystals/chitosan coating material doped with Ag+ (CNCs/CAg) was carried out through RSM optimization and DFT study.
Adsorbent nanoarchitectonics of mMnO2/nFeOOH/KIT-6 for As(iii) adsorption from wastewater
Authors: Xiong Ying , Cong Haolin , Qi Xingkun , Zhao Yumei , Wang Dandan , Cui Junshuo , Shan Weijun , Yu Haibiao
Published: August 2023

A manganese dioxide and ferric hydroxide doped KIT-6 adsorbent (8MnO2/FeOOH/KIT-6) was prepared and employed for As(iii) adsorption.