bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Marseille Mix
Authors: Firebrace William
Published: October 2022

A journey through the history, cultures, and societies of Marseille.

There are many Marseilles, or at least many versions of Marseille: seaside village, haven of gangsters, gateway to the East, city of immigrants and outcasts. It is by turns the dull bourgeois provincial town where nothing ever happens and the mysterious unknowable city of the Mediterranean. In Marseille Mix, William Firebrace explores the many Marseilles, the invented and the actual. Leading readers down narrow streets, through undulating terrain that seems at once, or serially, Italian, Greek, Levantine, and North African, Firebrace traces the history and culture of Marseille through landscapes, buildings, food, films, literature, and criminology.

In seven chapters, in writing that is by turns essay, narrative, description, list, recipe, glossary, and conversation, Firebrace investigates the city's defining mix. He tells stories of famous Marseillais, including Marcel Pagnol and Antonin Artaud, and famous visitors, including the dying Arthur Rimbaud and Walter Benjamin (who wrote about one visit in “Hashish in Marseille”). He describes the brief period when Marseille was the point of departure for European refugees fleeing the Nazis and the city's mixture of desperation and decadence during the Vichy regime. He visits the basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde and gazes down from its terrace at the panoramic view: an agglomeration of neighborhoods and landscapes that became a city.
Seed Activism
Authors: Peschard Karine E.
Published: October 2022

How lawsuits around intellectual property in Brazil and India are impacting the patentability of plants and seeds, farmers' rights, and the public interest.

Over the past decade, legal challenges have arisen in the Global South over patents on genetically modified crops. In this ethnographic study, Karine E. Peschard explores the effects of these disputes on people's lives, while uncovering the role of power—material, institutional, and discursive—in shaping laws and legal systems. The expansion of corporate intellectual property (IP), she shows, negatively impacts farmers' rights and, by extension, the right to food, since small farms produce the bulk of food for domestic consumption. Peschard sees emerging a new legal common sense concerning the patentability of plant-related inventions, as well as a balance among IP, farmers' rights, and the public interest.

Peschard examines the strengthening of IP regimes for plant varieties, the consolidation of the global biotech industry, the erosion of agrobiodiversity, and farmers' dispossession. She shows how litigants question the legality of patents and private IP systems implemented by Monsanto for royalties on three genetically modified crop varieties, Roundup Ready soybean in Brazil and Bt cotton and Bt eggplant in India. Peschard argues that these private IP systems have rendered moot domestic legislation on plant variety protection and farmers' rights. This unprecedented level of corporate concentration in such a vital sector raises concerns over the erosion of agricultural biodiversity, farmers' rights and livelihoods, food security, and, ultimately, the merits of extending IP rights to higher life forms such as plants.
Age-dependent aggregation of ribosomal RNA-binding proteins links deterioration in chromatin stability with challenges to proteostasis
Authors: Paxman Julie , Zhou Zhen , O'Laughlin Richard , Liu Yuting , Li Yang , Tian Wanying , Su Hetian , Jiang Yanfei , Holness Shayna E , Stasiowski Elizabeth , Tsimring Lev S , Pillus Lorraine , Hasty Jeff , Hao Nan
Published: October 2022

Chromatin instability and protein homeostasis (proteostasis) stress are two well-established hallmarks of aging, which have been considered largely independent of each other. Using microfluidics and single-cell imaging approaches, we observed that, during the replicative aging of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a challenge to proteostasis occurs specifically in the fraction of cells with decreased stability within the ribosomal DNA (rDNA). A screen of 170 yeast RNA-binding proteins identified ribosomal RNA (rRNA)-binding proteins as the most enriched group that aggregate upon a decrease in rDNA stability induced by inhibition of a conserved lysine deacetylase Sir2. Further, loss of rDNA stability induces age-dependent aggregation of rRNA-binding proteins through aberrant overproduction of rRNAs. These aggregates contribute to age-induced proteostasis decline and limit cellular lifespan. Our findings reveal a mechanism underlying the interconnection between chromatin instability and proteostasis stress and highlight the importance of cell-to-cell variability in aging processes.
The Neurodata Without Borders ecosystem for neurophysiological data science
Authors: Rübel Oliver , Tritt Andrew , Ly Ryan , Dichter Benjamin K , Ghosh Satrajit , Niu Lawrence , Baker Pamela , Soltesz Ivan , Ng Lydia , Svoboda Karel , Frank Loren , Bouchard Kristofer E
Published: October 2022

The neurophysiology of cells and tissues are monitored electrophysiologically and optically in diverse experiments and species, ranging from flies to humans. Understanding the brain requires integration of data across this diversity, and thus these data must be findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR). This requires a standard language for data and metadata that can coevolve with neuroscience. We describe design and implementation principles for a language for neurophysiology data. Our open-source software (Neurodata Without Borders, NWB) defines and modularizes the interdependent, yet separable, components of a data language. We demonstrate NWB’s impact through unified description of neurophysiology data across diverse modalities and species. NWB exists in an ecosystem, which includes data management, analysis, visualization, and archive tools. Thus, the NWB data language enables reproduction, interchange, and reuse of diverse neurophysiology data. More broadly, the design principles of NWB are generally applicable to enhance discovery across biology through data FAIRness.
The Drosophila ZAD zinc finger protein Kipferl guides Rhino to piRNA clusters
Authors: Baumgartner Lisa , Handler Dominik , Platzer Sebastian Wolfgang , Yu Changwei , Duchek Peter , Brennecke Julius
Published: October 2022

RNA interference systems depend on the synthesis of small RNA precursors whose sequences define the target spectrum of these silencing pathways. The Drosophila Heterochromatin Protein 1 (HP1) variant Rhino permits transcription of PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) precursors within transposon-rich heterochromatic loci in germline cells. Current models propose that Rhino’s specific chromatin occupancy at piRNA source loci is determined by histone marks and maternally inherited piRNAs, but also imply the existence of other, undiscovered specificity cues. Here, we identify a member of the diverse family of zinc finger associated domain (ZAD)-C2H2 zinc finger proteins, Kipferl, as critical Rhino cofactor in ovaries. By binding to guanosine-rich DNA motifs and interacting with the Rhino chromodomain, Kipferl recruits Rhino to specific loci and stabilizes it on chromatin. In kipferl mutant flies, Rhino is lost from most of its target chromatin loci and instead accumulates on pericentromeric Satellite arrays, resulting in decreased levels of transposon targeting piRNAs and impaired fertility. Our findings reveal that DNA sequence, in addition to the H3K9me3 mark, determines the identity of piRNA source loci and provide insight into how Rhino might be caught in the crossfire of genetic conflicts.
The evolution of manipulative cheating
Authors: Liu Ming , West Stuart Andrew , Wild Geoff
Published: October 2022

A social cheat is typically assumed to be an individual that does not perform a cooperative behaviour, or performs less of it, but can still exploit the cooperative behaviour of others. However, empirical data suggests that cheating can be more subtle, involving evolutionary arms races over the ability to both exploit and resist exploitation. These complications have not been captured by evolutionary theory, which lags behind empirical studies in this area. We bridge this gap with a mixture of game-theoretical models and individual-based simulations, examining what conditions favour more elaborate patterns of cheating. We found that as well as adjusting their own behaviour, individuals can be selected to manipulate the behaviour of others, which we term ‘manipulative cheating’. Further, we found that manipulative cheating can lead to dynamic oscillations (arms races), between selfishness, manipulation, and suppression of manipulation. Our results can help explain both variation in the level of cheating, and genetic variation in the extent to which individuals can be exploited by cheats.
Machine learning-assisted elucidation of CD81–CD44 interactions in promoting cancer stemness and extracellular vesicle integrity
Authors: Ramos Erika K , Tsai Chia-Feng , Jia Yuzhi , Cao Yue , Manu Megan , Taftaf Rokana , Hoffmann Andrew D , El-Shennawy Lamiaa , Gritsenko Marina A , Adorno-Cruz Valery , Schuster Emma J , Scholten David , Patel Dhwani , Liu Xia , Patel Priyam , Wray Brian , Zhang Youbin , Zhang Shanshan , Moore Ronald J , Mathews Jeremy V , Schipma Matthew J , Liu Tao , Tokars Valerie L , Cristofanilli Massimo , Shi Tujin , Shen Yang , Dashzeveg Nurmaa K , Liu Huiping
Published: October 2022

Tumor-initiating cells with reprogramming plasticity or stem-progenitor cell properties (stemness) are thought to be essential for cancer development and metastatic regeneration in many cancers; however, elucidation of the underlying molecular network and pathways remains demanding. Combining machine learning and experimental investigation, here we report CD81, a tetraspanin transmembrane protein known to be enriched in extracellular vesicles (EVs), as a newly identified driver of breast cancer stemness and metastasis. Using protein structure modeling and interface prediction-guided mutagenesis, we demonstrate that membrane CD81 interacts with CD44 through their extracellular regions in promoting tumor cell cluster formation and lung metastasis of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) in human and mouse models. In-depth global and phosphoproteomic analyses of tumor cells deficient with CD81 or CD44 unveils endocytosis-related pathway alterations, leading to further identification of a quality-keeping role of CD44 and CD81 in EV secretion as well as in EV-associated stemness-promoting function. CD81 is coexpressed along with CD44 in human circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and enriched in clustered CTCs that promote cancer stemness and metastasis, supporting the clinical significance of CD81 in association with patient outcomes. Our study highlights machine learning as a powerful tool in facilitating the molecular understanding of new molecular targets in regulating stemness and metastasis of TNBC.
AlphaDDA: strategies for adjusting the playing strength of a fully trained AlphaZero system to a suitable human training partner
Authors: Fujita Kazuhisa
Published: October 2022

Artificial intelligence (AI) has achieved superhuman performance in board games such as Go, chess, and Othello (Reversi). In other words, the AI system surpasses the level of a strong human expert player in such games. In this context, it is difficult for a human player to enjoy playing the games with the AI. To keep human players entertained and immersed in a game, the AI is required to dynamically balance its skill with that of the human player. To address this issue, we propose AlphaDDA, an AlphaZero-based AI with dynamic difficulty adjustment (DDA). AlphaDDA consists of a deep neural network (DNN) and a Monte Carlo tree search, as in AlphaZero. AlphaDDA learns and plays a game the same way as AlphaZero, but can change its skills. AlphaDDA estimates the value of the game state from only the board state using the DNN. AlphaDDA changes a parameter dominantly controlling its skills according to the estimated value. Consequently, AlphaDDA adjusts its skills according to a game state. AlphaDDA can adjust its skill using only the state of a game without any prior knowledge regarding an opponent. In this study, AlphaDDA plays Connect4, Othello, and 6x6 Othello with other AI agents. Other AI agents are AlphaZero, Monte Carlo tree search, the minimax algorithm, and a random player. This study shows that AlphaDDA can balance its skill with that of the other AI agents, except for a random player. AlphaDDA can weaken itself according to the estimated value. However, AlphaDDA beats the random player because AlphaDDA is stronger than a random player even if AlphaDDA weakens itself to the limit. The DDA ability of AlphaDDA is based on an accurate estimation of the value from the state of a game. We believe that the AlphaDDA approach for DDA can be used for any game AI system if the DNN can accurately estimate the value of the game state and we know a parameter controlling the skills of the AI system.
Characterization of Staphylococcus epidermidis clinical isolates from hospitalized patients with bloodstream infection obtained in two time periods
Authors: Martínez-Santos Verónica I. , Torres-Añorve David A. , Echániz-Aviles Gabriela , Parra-Rojas Isela , Ramírez-Peralta Arturo , Castro-Alarcón Natividad
Published: October 2022

Background

In recent years Staphylococcus epidermidis has been considered an important and frequent causative agent of health care-associated infections (HAIs), increasing the costs of hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality. Antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation are the most important obstacles in the treatment of infections caused by this microorganism. The aim of this work was to determine the most prevalent STs, as well as the antibiotic resistance profile and biofilm formation of S. epidermidis clinical isolates obtained from hospitalized patients in two hospitals in Acapulco, Guerrero in two time periods.

Methods

Twenty methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis strains isolated from patients with bacteremia in two hospitals in two time periods were analyzed. Identification and antibiotic susceptibility were performed using the Vitek automated system. Molecular confirmation of the identification and methicillin resistance was performed by duplex PCR of the mecA and nuc genes. Biofilm production was analyzed, and the clonal origin was determined by multilocus sequence typing (MLST).

Results

We identified 14 antibiotic resistance profiles as well as 13 sequence types (ST), including the new ST761. We also found that ST2 and ST23 were the most prevalent and, together with ST59, were found in both time periods. Seventeen of our clinical isolates were multidrug-resistant, but all of them were sensitive to linezolid and vancomycin, and this was not related to biofilm production. Additionally, we standardized a duplex PCR to identify methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis strains. In conclusion, S. epidermidis STs 2, 23, and 59 were found in both time periods. This study is the first report of S. epidermidis ST761. The clinical isolates obtained in this work showed a high multidrug resistance that is apparently not related to biofilm production.
Specific lifestyle factors and in vitro fertilization outcomes in Romanian women: a pilot study
Authors: Neamtiu Iulia A. , Surcel Mihai , Begum Thoin F. , Gurzau Eugen S. , Berindan-Neagoe Ioana , Braicu Cornelia , Rotar Ioana , Muresan Daniel , Bloom Michael S.
Published: October 2022

Background

Infertility is an important health concern worldwide. Although lifestyle habits and behaviors have been widely reported as predictors of IVF outcomes by previous studies, they have not been reported for Romanian women undergoing IVF. In this regard, our pilot study aimed to begin to address the data gap by assessing lifestyle predictors of in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes in Romanian women.

Study design

Our pilot study included 35 participants who completed a first IVF cycle at a single infertility center. We evaluated individual self-reported lifestyle habits and behaviors as predictors of IVF outcomes, and employed principal component analysis (PCA) to characterize multiple lifestyle habits and behaviors into personal care product (PCP) use, and healthy diet and physical activity patterns as predictors of IVF outcomes.

Results

Our PCA analysis showed that greater use of PCPs was associated with lower probabilities of pregnancy (RR: 0.92, 95% CI [0.87–0.98]) and live birth (RR: 0.94, 95% CI [0.88–1.01]) while, the healthy dietary habits and physical activity were associated with a higher likelihood of pregnancy, although without statistical significance (RR: 1.10, 95% CI [0.93–1.30]).

Conclusions

In this pilot study we identified associations between IVF outcomes among Romanian women and certain lifestyle habits and behaviors including stress, diet and physical activity, and certain PCP use. We also estimated the joint effects of multiple lifestyle factors using PCA and found that PCP use, healthy dietary habits and physical activity were associated with IVF outcomes.
Jaggery Yield and Nutritional Quality as Influenced by Sugarcane Varieties Suitable for Andhra Pradesh
Authors: Vajantha B. , Tagore K. R. , Sarala N. V. , Hemalatha T. M. , Kumar M. Hemanth
Published: October 2022

Jaggery is produced from sugarcane in addition to sugar. It plays a great role in rural economy of India. However, till date the jaggery producers are dependent on the sugarcane varieties which are released for those areas. The major factor that governing the consumer preference and marketing of jaggery is its external appearances i.e., colour, texture and storability which in turn depend on sugarcane varieties having high sucrose content, purity and low colloids. Hence this study was taken up to identify suitable sugarcane varieties for high yield and good quality jaggery. A study was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Perumallapalle, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Andhra Pradesh, India to identify the sugarcane varieties most suitable for quality jaggery production. Ten promising sugarcane varieties were planted in randomized block design with three replications. All cultivation practices had followed equally for all varieties. The sugarcane varieties were harvested at proper maturity, crushed to extract juice and prepared jaggery. The jaggery was evaluated qualitatively for pH, EC, reducing sugars, ash content, sucrose, moisture, micronutrients viz., Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu and calculated net rendement value (NRV). The jaggery was found to have 70.6 to 86.9% sucrose, 5.12 to 6.80% of reducing sugars, 3.52 to 4.32% of ash, 5.0 to 6.1% of moisture, 9.58 to 11.20 % of recovery, 49.85 to 67.70 of NRV values, 98.6 to 114.1 kg jaggery t-1 of sugarcane. The jaggery prepared from 2012 T 115 had recorded significantly the highest jaggery yield (114.1 kg t-1 of cane), high recovery percent (11.20%) and high NRV (67.70) than other varieties. The varieties viz., 2012 T 183, 2012 T 88 and 2012 T 53 were produced Grade 1 jaggery with high NRV as per Indian standards. The variety 2012 T 115 had higher Fe and Mn (12.15 and 0.38 mg of Fe and Mn/ 100g of jaggery, respectively).
Quality of life in elderly attend of a social center / Qualidade de vida em idosos integrantes de um centro de convivência
Authors: Souza Madeira Etiene , Ramos Machado da Silva Jessica , Alfradique de Souza Priscilla , Cristina Macedo Eliza , Magno Carvalho da Silva Carlos , Yuji Koike Felix Rodrigo
Published: October 2022

Objetivo: analisar a qualidade de vida de idosos integrantes de um centro de convivência mediante a aplicação das escalas World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) -bref e WHOQOL-OLD. Método: trata-se de um estudo descritivo e inferencial, de abordagem quantitativa, com 58 idosos de um centro de convivência com atendimento pela equipe multiprofissional. Para a obtenção dos dados foram utilizados dados sociodemográficos e as escalas WHOQOL-bref e WHOQOL-OLD. Resultados: a maior média obtida nos instrumentos foi WHOQOL-bref domínio “meio ambiente” (26,9%) e WHOQOL-OLD domínio “participação social” (15,5%). A variável idade apresentou correlação significante com o domínio morte e morrer do WHOQOL-OLD e o domínio relações sociais do WHOQOL-bref. Conclusão: idosos que são acompanhados no centro de convivência apresentaram boa percepção da qualidade de vida. Demonstrando a importância de capacitar equipes para melhor atenção no cuidado e manejo gerontológico.
Characteristics of Retracted Research Articles About COVID-19 vs Other Topics
Authors: Shi Xiaoting , Abritis Alison , Patel Rujvee P. , Grewal Mikas , Oransky Ivan , Ross Joseph S. , Wallach Joshua D.
Published: October 2022

This cross-sectional study compares the author and journal characteristics of retracted articles on COVID-19 with retracted articles from other topics.
No‐mow amenity grassland case study: Phenology of floral abundance and nectar resource
Authors: Hemmings Kelly , Elton Rebecca , Grange Ian
Published: October 2022

Popular campaigns such as No Mow May seek to encourage early‐season forage resource for pollinators in urban green spaces. Land managers need to balance ecological benefits with extent of accessible amenity grassland.

To pilot the identification of a ‘tipping point’ when the nectar resource of unmown grassland exceeds that mown, we surveyed floral abundance in 30 plots on an amenity grassland site at 11 time points between late April and July. Each species’ floral abundance per 1 m2 was multiplied by published nectar sugar values to obtain an overall nectar sugar value per plot.

The nectar sugar value of no‐mow plots was overall significantly higher than for mown plots. However, week‐by‐week analysis revealed that the first significant difference did not occur until mid‐late May when no‐mow plots yielded three times the nectar sugar value of the mown plots. In early‐mid June, there was a significant eightfold divergence followed by a late June to early July decline. Common Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) provided the greatest nectar sugar value, driving significant differences again in mid‐July. No‐mow plots contained twice as many (22 vs. 11) open flower broadleaf species compared to the mown plots.

Land managers could consider extending No Mow May management into June and beyond to maximize nectar sugar resource for pollinators. To comply with S. jacobaea legislation, a management plan and financial resource should be allocated to no‐mow projects.
Equity Considerations in COVID‐19 Vaccination Studies of Individuals With Autoimmune Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases
Authors: Wang Harry , Dewidar Omar , Whittle Samuel L. , Ghogomu Elizabeth , Hazlewood Glen , Leder Karin , Mbuagbaw Lawrence , Pardo Pardo Jordi , Robinson Philip C. , Buchbinder Rachelle , Welch Vivian
Published: October 2022

Objective

We sought to examine the extent to which populations experiencing inequities were considered in studies of COVID‐19 vaccination in individuals with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRDs).

Methods

We included all studies (n = 19) from an ongoing Cochrane living systematic review on COVID‐19 vaccination in patients with AIRDs. We used the PROGRESS‐Plus framework (place of residence, race/ethnicity, occupation, gender/sex, religion, education, socioeconomic status, and social capital, plus: age, multimorbidity, and health literacy) to identify factors that stratify health outcomes. We assessed equity considerations in relation to differences in COVID‐19 baseline risk, eligibility criteria, and description of participant characteristics and attrition, controlling for confounding factors, subgroup analyses, and applicability of findings.

Results

All 19 studies were cohort studies that followed individuals with AIRDs after vaccination. Three studies (16%) described differences in baseline risk for COVID‐19 across age. Two studies (11%) defined eligibility criteria based on occupation and age. All 19 studies described participant age and sex. Twelve studies (67%) controlled for age and/or sex as confounders. Eight studies (47%) conducted subgroup analyses across at least 1 PROGRESS‐Plus factor, most commonly age. Ten studies (53%) interpreted applicability in relation to at least 1 PROGRESS‐Plus factor, most commonly age (47%), then ethnicity (16%), sex (16%), and multimorbidity (11%).

Conclusion

Sex and age were the most frequently considered PROGRESS‐Plus factors in studies of COVID‐19 vaccination in individuals with AIRDs. The generalizability of evidence to populations experiencing inequities is uncertain. Future COVID‐19 vaccine studies should report participant characteristics in more detail to inform guideline recommendations.
CD4+ Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes in Cancer Immunity and Immunotherapy
Authors: Wang Boyu , Hu Shaojie , Fu Xiangning , Li Lequn
Published: October 2022

CD4+ T cells have the ability to differentiate into relatively specialized effector subsets after exposure to innate immune signals. The remarkable plasticity of CD4+ T cells is required to achieve immune responses in different tissues and against various pathogens. Numerous studies have shown that CD4+ T cells can play direct and indispensable roles in protective immunity by killing infected or transformed cells. Although the lineage decision of commitment to the CD4+ or CD8+ cell lineage is once thought to be inflexible, the identification of antigen‐experienced CD4+ T cells with cytotoxic activity suggests the existence of unexpected plasticity for these cells. The recognition of CD4+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and the mechanisms driving the differentiation of this particular cell subset create opportunities to explore the roles of these effector cells in protective immunity and immune‐related pathology. CD4+ CTLs are proven to play a protective role in antiviral immunity. Here, the latest investigations on the phenotypic and functional features of CD4+ CTLs and their roles in antitumor immunity and immunotherapy are briefly reviewed.
A Perovskite Photodetector Crossbar Array by Vapor Deposition for Dynamic Imaging
Authors: Zhan Zhenye , Lin Dongxu , Cai Juntao , Lu Yueheng , Chen Aidi , Zhang Tiankai , Chen Ke , Liu Pengyi , Wang Xiaomu , Xie Weiguang
Published: October 2022

With the development of perovskite photodetectors, integrating photodetectors into array image sensors is the next target to pursue. The major obstacle to integrating perovskite photodiodes for dynamic imaging is the optoelectrical crosstalk among the pixels. Herein, a perovskite photodiode–blocking diode (PIN‐BD) crossbar array with pixel‐wise rectifying property by the vapor deposition method is presented. The PIN‐BD shows a large rectification ratio of 3.3 × 102 under illumination, suppressing electrical crosstalk to as small as 8.0% in the imaging array. The fast response time of 72.8 ns allows real‐time image acquisition by over 25 frames per second. The imaging sensor exhibits excellent imaging capability with a large linear dynamic range of 112 dB with 4096 gray levels and weak light sensitivity under 1.2 lux.
Nanolaminated HfO2/Al2O3 Dielectrics for High‐Performance Silicon Nanomembrane Based Field‐Effect Transistors on Biodegradable Substrates
Authors: Liu Chen , Wang Zhuofan , Zhang Yuming , Lü Hongliang , Zhang Yi‐Men
Published: October 2022

Emerging transient electronics offer great potential in eco‐friendly and bioresorbable electronic applications. In this study, bendable and biodegradable metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect transistors (MOSFETs) and metal‐oxide‐semiconductor capacitors (MOSCAPs) have been fabricated by integrating HfO2/Al2O3 high‐k bilayers on the transferred silicon nanomembranes (Si NMs) and utilizing PLGA‐gelatin‐chitosan polymeric substrates. The transient n‐channel MOSFETs demonstrate high effective mobility of 871 cm2 V−1 s−1, high on‐state current of 27.6 µA µm−1, high on/off current ratio > 107, and low gate leakage current ≤2.7 × 10−7 A cm−2. The accumulation capacitance of the transient MOSCAPs exceeds 6.5 × 10−7 F cm−2, indicating an enhanced gate control over the Si NM channel. The presented excellent performance is on par with the highest performance of the reported transient devices. Accelerated soaking tests in aqueous environments combined with systematic studies of the electrical characteristics as a function of the transience stage reveal the dissolution chemistry and kinetics of the biodegradable devices associated with the underlying transient behaviors. Moreover, detailed analysis of mechanics provides insights into the optimized device‐grade geometries for precise control of the functional lifetimes. These results will be beneficial to paving a realistic path for achieving high‐performance and on‐demand water‐soluble Si NM based MOSFETs toward futuristic applications in disposable electronics and temporary biomedical implants.
Adjusting the N fertilizer factor based on soil health as indicated by soil‐test biological activity
Authors: Franzluebbers Alan J. , Shoemaker Robert , Cline Jeff , Lipscomb Bruce , Stafford Carl , Farmaha Bhupinder S. , Waring Robert , Lowder Nathan , Thomason Wade E. , Poore Matt H.
Published: October 2022

Agriculture faces a dilemma with nitrogen (N)—it is often the most necessary external input to optimize production, several generations of farmers became accustomed to its relatively inexpensive cost, and it contributes to widespread pollution due to numerous loss pathways to the environment. However, standard N fertilizer recommendations have not accounted well enough for a key source via mineralizable soil N. Soil‐test biological activity (STBA) is strongly associated with mineralizable soil N, both of which become surface‐enriched with conservation agricultural management using soil health principles. A series of field experiments assessed the contribution of mineralizable soil N to the N supply needed to optimize corn (Zea mays L.) grain and fall‐stockpiled tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.] production. This essay synthesizes how STBA along with cost‐to‐value threshold can be used to modify the N fertilizer factor to optimize economic return and avoid environmental degradation.
RNAlater facilitates remote sampling of aquaculture Atlantic salmon liver for proteomic analysis
Authors: Rusu Anca G. , Broadbent James A. , Wade Nicholas M. , Simon Cedric J. , Rombenso Artur N. , Osborne Simone A. , Mendoza‐Porras Omar
Published: October 2022

During sample collection and transport, high‐quality nucleic acids, proteins and metabolites are preserved by snap‐freezing (SF) samples in liquid nitrogen or dry ice. In remote aquaculture facilities, SF materials are not readily available and can be hazardous during sampling and transport. RNAlater is widely used in aquaculture for transcriptome studies, but its effect on proteome stability needs further investigation. Here, we used proteomics to demonstrate that RNAlater (RL) preserved liver samples similarly to SF samples. Additionally, 69 proteins (∼2.6%) comprising ribosomal proteins, transcription cofactors, translational factors, proteases and transmembrane proteins were significantly less abundant in the RL proteome. These proteins are expected to be denatured by RL and are cellular components of ribosomes and nucleosomes and involved in proteolysis, transcription and translation. We also demonstrated that RL did not influence abundance of important proteins originally identified in liver samples from salmon reared under heat stress, hypoxia or specific feeding regimes. These findings suggest that preserving samples in RL is suitable for proteomics and offer a safer and effective preservation technology for use in remote aquaculture locations.
Twin neural network regression
Authors: Wetzel Sebastian Johann , Ryczko Kevin , Melko Roger Gordon , Tamblyn Isaac
Published: October 2022

We introduce twin neural network regression (TNNR). This method predicts differences between the target values of two different data points rather than the targets themselves. The solution of a traditional regression problem is then obtained by averaging over an ensemble of all predicted differences between the targets of an unseen data point and all training data points. Whereas ensembles are normally costly to produce, TNNR intrinsically creates an ensemble of predictions of twice the size of the training set while only training a single neural network. Since ensembles have been shown to be more accurate than single models this property naturally transfers to TNNR. We show that TNNs are able to compete or yield more accurate predictions for different data sets, compared with other state‐of‐the‐art methods. Furthermore, TNNR is constrained by self‐consistency conditions. We find that the violation of these conditions provides a signal for the prediction uncertainty.
Realizing All‐Climate Li‐S Batteries by Using a Porous Sub‐Nano Aromatic Framework
Authors: Xu Jie , Zhang Hui , Yu Fengtao , Cao Yongjie , Liao Mochou , Dong Xiaoli , Wang Yonggang
Published: October 2022

Lithium‐sulfur (Li‐S) batteries with high energy density are currently receiving enormous attention. However, their redox kinetics at low temperature is extremely tardy, and polysulfides shuttling is serious at high temperature, which severely hinders the implementation of wide‐temperature Li‐S batteries. Herein, we propose an all‐climate Li‐S battery based on an ether‐based electrolyte by using a porous sub‐nano aromatic framework (SAF) modified separator. It's demonstrated that the fully conjugated SAF‐3 with a small pore size (0.97 nm) and narrow band gap (1.72 eV) could efficiently block the polysulfides shuttling at elevated temperature and boost the polysulfides conversion at low temperature. Consequently, the SAF‐3 modified cells work well in a wide temperature ranging from −40 to 60 °C. Furthermore, when operated at room temperature, the modified cell exhibits 90 % capacity retention over 100 cycles under high‐sulfur loading (5.0 mg cm−2) and lean electrolyte (5 μL mg−1).
Local Proton Source Enhanced Nitrogen Reduction on a Combined Cobalt‐Molybdenum Catalyst for Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis
Authors: Chung Sunki , Ju HyungKuk , Choi Minjun , Yoon Donghyun , Lee Jaeyoung
Published: October 2022

Electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) under ambient conditions has attracted considerable scientific and engineering interest as a green alternative route for NH3 production. Molybdenum is a promising candidate as an electrocatalyst for NRR as it has a suitable binding strength with N species. However, the design of an efficient Mo‐based catalyst remains elusive. To enhance the selectivity of NRR toward NH3, we have developed a carbon nanofiber catalyst embedded with molybdenum and cobalt (Co−Mo−CNF). Co with a strong ability to dissociate water enhances local proton source near Mo, where the hydrogenation step of the NRR occurs. A NH3 formation rate of 72.72 μg h−1 mg−1 and a Faradaic efficiency of 34.5 % were obtained at −0.5 V vs. RHE. We also attempted to provide a mechanistic understanding of the NRR via in situ attenuated total reflectance surface‐enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (ATR‐SEIRAS) and isotopic labeling experiments using 15N2 and D2O.
Charge‐Transfer und Spin‐Flip‐Zustände als sich ergänzende Gegensätze
Authors: Kitzmann Winald R. , Heinze Katja
Published: October 2022

Übergangsmetallkomplexe mit photoaktiven Charge‐Transfer‐Zuständen sind in der Literatur allgegenwärtig. Insbesondere [Ru(bpy)3]2+(bpy=2,2′‐Bipyridin) mit seiner Metall‐zu‐Ligand‐Charge‐Transfer‐Emission hat sich als Schlüsselkomplex etabliert. Indes ist auch das Interesse an metallzentrierten Spin‐Flip‐Zuständen gestiegen, nachdem der molekulare Rubin [Cr(ddpd)2]3+(ddpd=N,N′‐Dimethyl‐N,N′‐dipyridin‐2‐yl‐pyridin‐2,6‐diamin) Designprinzipien für intensive Emission von photostabilen Chrom(III)‐Komplexen enthüllt hat. In diesem Aufsatz werden die Eigenschaften von emissiven Charge‐Transfer‐ und Spin‐Flip‐Zuständen anhand der Prototypen [Ru(bpy)3]2+bzw. [Cr(ddpd)2]3+verglichen. Wir erörtern die angeregten Zustände, die Anpassbarkeit ihrer Energie und Lebensdauer sowie ihre Reaktion auf externe Stimuli. Schließlich werden die Stärken und Schwächen von Charge‐Transfer‐ und Spin‐Flip‐Zuständen in Anwendungen wie Photokatalyse und zirkular polarisierter Lumineszenz aufgezeigt.
Ln2(SeO3)2(SO4)(H2O)2 (Ln=Sm, Dy, Yb): A Mixed‐Ligand Pathway to New Lanthanide(III) Multifunctional Materials Featuring Nonlinear Optical and Magnetic Anisotropy Properties
Authors: Oyeka Ebube E. , Winiarski Michał J. , Świątek Hanna , Balliew Wyatt , McMillen Colin D. , Liang Mingli , Sorolla Maurice , Tran Thao T.
Published: October 2022

Bottom‐up assembly of optically nonlinear and magnetically anisotropic lanthanide materials involving precisely placed spin carriers and optimized metal‐ligand coordination offers a potential route to developing electronic architectures for coherent radiation generation and spin‐based technologies, but the chemical design historically has been extremely hard to achieve. To address this, we developed a worthwhile avenue for creating new noncentrosymmetric chiral Ln3+ materials Ln2(SeO3)2(SO4)(H2O)2 (Ln=Sm, Dy, Yb) by mixed‐ligand design. The materials exhibit phase‐matching nonlinear optical responses, elucidating the feasibility of the heteroanionic strategy. Ln2(SeO3)2(SO4)(H2O)2 displays paramagnetic property with strong magnetic anisotropy facilitated by large spin‐orbit coupling. This study demonstrates a new chemical pathway for creating previously unknown polar chiral magnets with multiple functionalities.
Preparation and chromatographic application of β‐cyclodextrin modified poly (styrene‐divinylbenzene) microspheres
Authors: Wang Yue , Fang Zhipeng , Ahmed Adeel , Wang Qiubo , Cong Hailin , Shen Youqing , Yu Bing
Published: October 2022

In order to better realize the separation of chiral enantiomers and prevent chiral compounds with toxic side effects from causing harm to human beings, porous microspheres were modified to improve their chromatographic separation performance. In this paper, in order to verify the chromatographic performance of porous polymer microspheres, the precise and controllable synthesis of poly (styrene‐divinylbenzene) (PS‐DVB) microspheres was realized based on the two‐step swelling method. Then, the porous PS‐DVB microspheres were sulfonated with concentrated sulfuric acid. The sulfonated microspheres were grafted with diazo resin (DR), and then the 3,5‐dichlorobenzene isocyanate modified β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD‐DCIPI) was bonded to the sulfonated PS‐DVB microspheres by the DR. Finally, the bond inversion occurred after UV irradiation. We have successfully solved the toxic effect of traditional coupling agents by using the unique photo‐crosslinking reaction of DR. This novel and environmentally friendly chromatographic packing can be used to separate chiral compounds. The results showed that all of the eight compounds (chlorpheniramine; ibuprofen; benzoin; 2‐phenylcyclohexanone; trans‐stilbene oxide; Cobalt [III] acetylacetonate; Hesperetin; DL‐Mandelic acid) can be separated. It is worth noting that the modified microspheres can achieve good separation of chiral compounds with the concentration of 1 mg/ml in 3 min.
An Update on the County of Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund
Authors: Coulon Kelly , Macdonald Maggie
Published: October 2022

Key Takeaways

A 2020 court case was pivotal in further determining how to regulate pollutant discharges to groundwater and subsequently to waters of the United States (WOTUS).

Subsequent cases have added uncertainty to the very definition of WOTUS and what is required of water and wastewater treatment facilities to be in compliance.

Facilities would be wise to stay current on WOTUS‐related developments and consider conducting a “functional equivalence” analysis.
Pulmonary valve morphometry revisited: Clinical implications for valvular and supravalvular interventions
Authors: Lis Maciej , Krawczyk‐Ożóg Agata , Hołda Jakub , Tyrak Kamil , Dudkiewicz Damian , Yakovliev Artem , Strona Marcin , Bolechała Filip , Jakiel Rafał , Jakiel Marcin , Hołda Mateusz K.
Published: October 2022

In this cadaver‐based study, we aimed to present a novel approach to pulmonary valve (PV) anatomy, morphometry, and geometry to offer comprehensive information on PV structure. The 182 autopsied human hearts were investigated morphometrically. The largest PV area was seen for the coaptation center plane, followed by basal ring and the tubular plane (626.7 ± 191.7 mm2 vs. 433.9 ± 133.6 mm2 vs. 290.0 ± 110.1 mm2, p < 0.001). In all leaflets, fenestrations are noted and occur in 12.5% of PVs. Only in 31.3% of PVs, the coaptation center is located in close vicinity of the PV geometric center. Similar‐sized sinuses were found in 35.7% of hearts, in the remaining cases, significant heterogeneity was seen in size. The mean sinus depth was: left anterior 15.59 ± 2.91 mm, posterior: 16.04 ± 2.82 mm and right anterior sinus: 16.21 ± 2.81 mm and the mean sinus height: left anterior 15.24 ± 3.10 mm, posterior: 19.12 ± 3.79 mm and right anterior sinus: 18.59 ± 4.03 mm. For males, the mean pulmonary root perimeters and areas were significantly larger than those for females. Multiple forward stepwise regression model showed that anthropometric variables might predict the coaptation center plane (sex, age, and heart weight; R2 = 33.8%), tubular plane (sex, age, and BSA; R2 = 20.5%) and basal ring level area (heart weight and sex; R2 = 17.1%). In conclusion, the largest pulmonary root area is observed at the coaptation center plane, followed by the basal ring and tubular plane. The PV geometric center usually does not overlap valve coaptation center. Significant heterogeneity is observed in the size of sinuses and leaflets within and between valves. Anthropometric variables may be used to predict pulmonary root dimensions.
Fabrication and Functionalisation of Nanocarbon‐Based Field‐Effect Transistor Biosensors
Authors: Lee Chang‐Seuk , Gwyther Rebecca E. A. , Freeley Mark , Jones Dafydd , Palma Matteo
Published: October 2022

Nanocarbon‐based field‐effect transistor (NC‐FET) biosensors are at the forefront of future diagnostic technology. By integrating biological molecules with electrically conducting carbon‐based platforms, high sensitivity real‐time multiplexed sensing is possible. Combined with their small footprint, portability, ease of use, and label‐free sensing mechanisms, NC‐FETs are prime candidates for the rapidly expanding areas of point‐of‐care testing, environmental monitoring and biosensing as a whole. In this review we provide an overview of the basic operational mechanisms behind NC‐FETs, synthesis and fabrication of FET devices, and developments in functionalisation strategies for biosensing applications.
Zoledronate promotes osteoblast differentiation in high‐glucose conditions via the p38MAPK pathway
Authors: Gu Yingying , Hou Tian , Qin Yazhi , Dong Wei
Published: October 2022

Zoledronate (ZOL) were found to inhibit bone resorption in an animal model of diabetes, high glucose concentrations have been shown to decreased the osteogenesis‐related gene expression. But the molecular mechanism by which high glucose levels affect osteoblasts and the effects of ZOL on osteoblast differentiation in a high‐glucose environment remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of ZOL on osteoblast differentiation in a high‐glucose environment and determine the responsible mechanism. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay, and cell differentiation was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining for alkaline phosphatase expression, alizarin red staining, cytoskeletal arrangement, and actin fiber formation. Real‐time PCR and western blot analyses were performed to detect the mRNA and protein expression of p38MAPK, phosphorylated (p)‐p38MAPK, CREB, p‐CREB, collagen (COL) I, osteoprotegerin (OPG), and RANKL. The results showed that cell proliferation activity did not differ among the groups. But high glucose inhibited osteoblast differentiation; actin fiber formation; and p38MAPK, p‐p38MAPK, CREB, p‐CREB, COL I, and OPG expression, while promoting RANKL expression. However, we found that treatment with ZOL reversed these effects of high glucose. And further addition of a p38MAPK inhibitor led to inhibition of osteoblast differentiation and actin fiber formation, and lower p38MAPK, p‐p38MAPK, CREB, p‐CREB, COL I, and OPG expression than in the high glucose +ZOL group with higher RANKL expression than in the high glucose +ZOL group. Collectively, this study demonstrates that high glucose inhibits the differentiation of osteoblasts, and ZOL could partly overcome these effects by regulating p38MAPK pathway activity.