bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meta-Analysis on the Health Effects Resulting from Evacuation or Relocation
Authors: Adams Grace G. , MacMillan Laurel , Smith Todd , Sharp Amy , Casagrande Rocco
Published: November 2023

Objective:

Evacuation and relocation are key actions used to protect the public in response to natural or technological disasters, but there are inherent risks to both. Unfortunately, these risks have not been fully quantified, which limits the ability of emergency managers and the public to effectively balance the risks and benefits of evacuation or relocation. This work provides quantitative data on the risks of health effects from displacement following evacuation or relocation.

Methods:

Researchers performed a literature review and meta-analysis of published studies and quantified risks of 14 different health effects, including both physical and socio-behavioral outcomes, from studies of 9 different disaster types.

Results:

The findings show statistically significant increases in 9 of the 14 health effects in displaced populations, indicating an increased likelihood of experiencing detrimental health effects compared with nondisplaced populations. A pooled analysis of all negative health effects found an odds ratio of 1.49 (95% confidence interval: 1.24-1.79), which shows a significant relationship between displacement and negative health outcomes.

Conclusions:

These findings demonstrate that evacuated or relocated populations have an increased risk of experiencing negative health effects associated with displacement. The broad number of disaster types included mean that findings are applicable to any emergency evacuation or relocation.
Alcohol-based decontamination of gloved hands: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Thom Kerri A. , Rock Clare , Robinson Gwen L. , Reisinger Heather R.S. , Baloh Jure , Chasco Emily , Liang Yuanyuan , Li Shanshan , Diekema Daniel J. , Herwaldt Loreen A. , Johnson J. Kristie , Harris Anthony D. , Perencevich Eli N.
Published: November 2023

Objective:

The gold standard for hand hygiene (HH) while wearing gloves requires removing gloves, performing HH, and donning new gloves between WHO moments. The novel strategy of applying alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) directly to gloved hands might be effective and efficient.

Design:

A mixed-method, multicenter, 3-arm, randomized trial.

Setting:

Adult and pediatric medical-surgical, intermediate, and intensive care units at 4 hospitals.

Participants:

Healthcare personnel (HCP).

Interventions:

HCP were randomized to 3 groups: ABHR applied directly to gloved hands, the current standard, or usual care.

Methods:

Gloved hands were sampled via direct imprint. Gold-standard and usual-care arms were compared with the ABHR intervention.

Results:

Bacteria were identified on gloved hands after 432 (67.4%) of 641 observations in the gold-standard arm versus 548 (82.8%) of 662 observations in the intervention arm (P < .01). HH required a mean of 14 seconds in the intervention and a mean of 28.7 seconds in the gold-standard arm (P < .01). Bacteria were identified on gloved hands after 133 (98.5%) of 135 observations in the usual-care arm versus 173 (76.6%) of 226 observations in the intervention arm (P < .01). Of 331 gloves tested 6 (1.8%) were found to have microperforations; all were identified in the intervention arm [6 (2.9%) of 205].

Conclusions:

Compared with usual care, contamination of gloved hands was significantly reduced by applying ABHR directly to gloved hands but statistically higher than the gold standard. Given time savings and microbiological benefit over usual care and lack of feasibility of adhering to the gold standard, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization should consider advising HCP to decontaminate gloved hands with ABHR when HH moments arise during single-patient encounters.

Trial Registration: NCT03445676.
Executive compensation: investor preferences during say-on-pay votes and the role of proxy voting advisers
Authors: Gomtsian Suren
Published: November 2023

Shareholder say-on-pay voting allows institutional investors to influence the incentives of managers and, consequently, corporate behaviour. Surprisingly, the preferences of investors on executive compensation have been largely overlooked in the ongoing debates on the role of say-on-pay in corporate governance and the impact of shareholder stewardship on sustainable corporate behaviour. The analysis of investor disclosed explanations of say-on-pay votes in the FTSE 100 companies during 2013–2021 shows that institutional investors rely repeatedly on several dominant themes aimed at improving the incentives of corporate managers and controlling managerial rent extraction. But shareholder interests remain the core focus of say-on-pay votes, with only few investors demanding that companies reward executive directors for protecting the interests of a broader range of affected stakeholders. Additionally, most investors can be grouped into several clusters formed around the voting recommendations of proxy advisers. A group of UK-based institutional investors stands out by taking a more individualistic and diverse approach to the stewardship of executive compensation. These findings highlight the role of local investors in the oversight of executive pay, the growing influence of proxy advisers along with the increasing share of foreign institutional investors, and the influence of best practice governance codes in driving investor stewardship preferences.
To Meet Climate Goals, Protect the Tongass and Chugach Forests
Authors: Fritts Rachel
Published: November 2023

The two largest U.S. national forests, both in Alaska, have low wildfire risk and provide crucial forest carbon stocks and biodiversity benefits.
Circum‐Cratonic Triassic Syenite Province of North China Craton Reveals Heterogeneous Lithospheric Mantle Related to Dual Subduction
Authors: Liu Xu , Peng Peng , Mitchell Ross N. , Wang Chong , Kang Jianli
Published: November 2023

Subduction‐induced metasomatism may increase heterogeneity in the subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) over time. Syenite and its relevant varieties are typically derived from the most metasomatized portions of the SCLM and thus provide a key to decipher its heterogeneity. The only circum‐cratonic syenite province in the world, the Late Triassic belt around North China craton, is unique and offers an opportunity to investigate heterogeneity of the SCLM right before its destruction in the Mesozoic. New and previous data of whole‐rock Sr‐Nd and zircon in situ Hf‐O isotopes of syenite intrusions encircling the craton indicate two distinct types of metasomatism characterized by an alteration of juvenile or ancient materials. The spatiotemporally distinct sources can be discriminated by melts from oceanic slabs subducting beneath much of North China followed by deep subduction of South China craton only in the south. This unique setting of a circum‐cratonic syenite belt proves in a single case study that subduction‐induced metasomatism may cause craton‐scale SCLM heterogeneity.
Network-level mechanisms underlying effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on visuomotor learning in schizophrenia
Authors: Sehatpour Pejman , Kreither Johanna , Lopez-Calderon Javier , Shastry Adithya M. , De Baun Heloise M. , Martinez Antigona , Javitt Daniel C.
Published: November 2023

Motor learning is a fundamental skill to our daily lives. Dysfunction in motor performance in schizophrenia (Sz) has been associated with poor social and functional outcomes. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a non-invasive electrical brain stimulation approach, can influence underlying brain function with potential for improving motor learning in Sz. We used a well-established Serial Reaction Time Task (SRTT) to study motor learning, in combination with simultaneous tDCS and EEG recording, to investigate mechanisms of motor and procedural learning deficits in Sz, and to develop refined non-invasive brain stimulation approaches to improve neurocognitive dysfunction. We recruited 27 individuals with Sz and 21 healthy controls (HC). Individuals performed the SRTT task as they received sham and active tDCS with simultaneous EEG recording. Reaction time (RT), neuropsychological, and measures of global functioning were assessed. SRTT performance was significantly impaired in Sz and showed significant correlations with motor-related and working memory measures as well as global function. Source-space time-frequency decomposition of EEG showed beta-band coherence across supplementary-motor, primary-motor and visual cortex forming a network involved in SRTT performance. Motor-cathodal and visual-cathodal stimulations resulted in significant modulation in coherence particularly across the motor-visual nodes of the network accompanied by significant improvement in motor learning in both controls and patients. Here, we confirm earlier reports of SRTT impairment in Sz and demonstrate significant reversal of the deficits with tDCS. The findings support continued development of tDCS for enhancement of plasticity-based interventions in Sz, as well as source-space EEG analytic approaches for evaluating underlying neural mechanisms.
The BRD4-SRPK2-SRSF2 signal modulates the splicing efficiency of ACSL3 pre-mRNA and influences erastin-induced ferroptosis in osteosarcoma cells
Authors: Luo Shun-Hong , Tian Jia-Ming , Chu Yi , Zhu Hong-Yi , Ni Jiang-Dong , Huang Jun
Published: November 2023

Lipid metabolism is the key to ferroptosis susceptibility. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms in osteosarcoma cells. Functional restriction of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) reduced the susceptibility to erastin-induced ferroptosis of osteosarcoma cells both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanically, BRD4 controls the splicing efficiency of the RNA precursor (pre-mACSL3) of ACSL3 (ACSL3) by recruiting serinerich/threonine protein kinase 2 (SRPK2) to assemble the splicing catalytic platform. Moreover, the AMP-binding domain of ACSL3 significantly influences arachidonic acid synthesis and thus determines the susceptibility to erastin-induced ferroptosis. Overall, we found a BRD4-mediated pre-mACSL3 splicing influences erastin-induced ferroptosis by affecting arachidonic acid synthesis in osteosarcoma cells. Data in this study fills some of the gap in understanding the post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of ACSL3 and provides new insights into the mechanisms of lipid metabolism regulation and its effect on susceptibility to ferroptosis in osteosarcoma cells.
Reversal of MYB-dependent suppression of MAFB expression overrides leukaemia phenotype in MLL-rearranged AML
Authors: Negri A. , Ward C. , Bucci A. , D’Angelo G. , Cauchy P. , Radesco A. , Ventura A. B. , Walton D. S. , Clarke M. , Mandriani B. , Pappagallo S. A. , Mondelli P. , Liao K. , Gargano G. , Zaccaria G. M. , Viggiano L. , Lasorsa F. M. , Ahmed A. , Di Molfetta D. , Fiermonte G. , Cives M. , Guarini A. , Vegliante M. C. , Ciavarella S. , Frampton J. , Volpe G.
Published: November 2023

The transcription factor MYB plays a pivotal role in haematopoietic homoeostasis and its aberrant expression is involved in the genesis and maintenance of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). We have previously demonstrated that not all AML subtypes display the same dependency on MYB expression and that such variability is dictated by the nature of the driver mutation. However, whether this difference in MYB dependency is a general trend in AML remains to be further elucidated. Here, we investigate the role of MYB in human leukaemia by performing siRNA-mediated knock-down in cell line models of AML with different driver lesions. We show that the characteristic reduction in proliferation and the concomitant induction of myeloid differentiation that is observed in MLL-rearranged and t(8;21) leukaemias upon MYB suppression is not seen in AML cells with a complex karyotype. Transcriptome analyses revealed that MYB ablation produces consensual increase of MAFB expression in MYB-dependent cells and, interestingly, the ectopic expression of MAFB could phenocopy the effect of MYB suppression. Accordingly, in silico stratification analyses of molecular data from AML patients revealed a reciprocal relationship between MYB and MAFB expression, highlighting a novel biological interconnection between these two factors in AML and supporting new rationales of MAFB targeting in MLL-rearranged leukaemias.
Deciphering the interaction between Twist1 and PPARγ during adipocyte differentiation
Authors: Sun Leilei , Ji Shaoping , Xie Xuan , Si Lei , Liu Shaohao , Lin Yao , Wang Yahui , Song Zhenhua , Fang Na , An Yang , Yang Jian
Published: November 2023

Obesity, a worldwide epidemic in recent years, is mainly due to the uncontrolled development of adipose tissues, which includes adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia. Adipocyte differentiation is a process involving multiple transcription factor cascades, and the exact mechanism has not yet been defined. As a bHLH transcription factor, Twist1 exerts its activity by forming homo- or heterodimers with other factors. In this study, we showed Twist1 restricts adipogenesis through PPARγ. Expression of various differentiation markers (including PPARγ and adiponectin) and triglyceride-containing lipid droplets were decreased with overexpression of Twist1. Pathway enrichment analysis of RNA-seq data showed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) caused by Twist1 overexpression were significantly related to lipolysis and PPARγ signaling. This implicates that Twist1 plays important regulatory roles in these processes. ChIP and dual luciferase assays showed that Twist1 could bind either PPARγ or adiponectin promoter to repress their respective transcription or directly to PPARγ protein to regulate its transcriptional activity. Furthermore, Twist1 directly interacted RXRα, which usually forms heterodimer with PPARγ to regulate adipogenesis. Taken together, our results suggest that Twist1 is an inhibitory modulator of adipogenesis and its function is likely through direct interaction with PPARγ protein or its gene promoter.
Targeting protein methylation in pancreatic cancer cells results in KRAS signaling imbalance and inhibition of autophagy
Authors: Montenegro María F. , Martí-Díaz Román , Navarro Ana , Tolivia Jorge , Sánchez-del-Campo Luis , Cabezas-Herrera Juan , Rodríguez-López José Neptuno
Published: November 2023

Pancreatic cancer cells with mutant KRAS require strong basal autophagy for viability and growth. Here, we observed that some processes that allow the maintenance of basal autophagy in pancreatic cancer cells are controlled by protein methylation. Thus, by maintaining the methylation status of proteins such as PP2A and MRAS, these cells can sustain their autophagic activity. Protein methylation disruption by a hypomethylating treatment (HMT), which depletes cellular S-adenosylmethionine levels while inducing S-adenosylhomocysteine accumulation, resulted in autophagy inhibition and endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. We observed that by reducing the membrane localization of MRAS, hypomethylation conditions produced an imbalance in KRAS signaling, resulting in the partial inactivation of ERK and hyperactivation of the PI3K/AKT–mTORC1 pathway. Interestingly, HMT impeded CRAF activation by disrupting the ternary SHOC2 complex (SHOC2/MRAS/PP1), which functions as a CRAF-S259 holophosphatase. The demethylation events that resulted in PP2A inactivation also favored autophagy inhibition by preventing ULK1 activation while restoring the cytoplasmic retention of the MiT/TFE transcription factors. Since autophagy provides pancreatic cancer cells with metabolic plasticity to cope with various metabolic stress conditions, while at the same time promoting their pathogenesis and resistance to KRAS pathway inhibitors, this hypomethylating treatment could represent a therapeutic opportunity for pancreatic adenocarcinomas.
Hi-C metagenome sequencing reveals soil phage–host interactions
Authors: Wu Ruonan , Davison Michelle R. , Nelson William C. , Smith Montana L. , Lipton Mary S. , Jansson Janet K. , McClure Ryan S. , McDermott Jason E. , Hofmockel Kirsten S.
Published: November 2023

Bacteriophages are abundant in soils. However, the majority are uncharacterized, and their hosts are unknown. Here, we apply high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi–C) to directly capture phage-host relationships. Some hosts have high centralities in bacterial community co-occurrence networks, suggesting phage infections have an important impact on the soil bacterial community interactions. We observe increased average viral copies per host (VPH) and decreased viral transcriptional activity following a two-week soil-drying incubation, indicating an increase in lysogenic infections. Soil drying also alters the observed phage host range. A significant negative correlation between VPH and host abundance prior to drying indicates more lytic infections result in more host death and inversely influence host abundance. This study provides empirical evidence of phage-mediated bacterial population dynamics in soil by directly capturing specific phage-host interactions.
BioE3 identifies specific substrates of ubiquitin E3 ligases
Authors: Barroso-Gomila Orhi , Merino-Cacho Laura , Muratore Veronica , Perez Coralia , Taibi Vincenzo , Maspero Elena , Azkargorta Mikel , Iloro Ibon , Trulsson Fredrik , Vertegaal Alfred C. O. , Mayor Ugo , Elortza Felix , Polo Simona , Barrio Rosa , Sutherland James D.
Published: November 2023

Hundreds of E3 ligases play a critical role in recognizing specific substrates for modification by ubiquitin (Ub). Separating genuine targets of E3s from E3-interactors remains a challenge. We present BioE3, a powerful approach for matching substrates to Ub E3 ligases of interest. Using BirA-E3 ligase fusions and bioUb, site-specific biotinylation of Ub-modified substrates of particular E3s facilitates proteomic identification. We show that BioE3 identifies both known and new targets of two RING-type E3 ligases: RNF4 (DNA damage response, PML bodies), and MIB1 (endocytosis, autophagy, centrosome dynamics). Versatile BioE3 identifies targets of an organelle-specific E3 (MARCH5) and a relatively uncharacterized E3 (RNF214). Furthermore, BioE3 works with NEDD4, a HECT-type E3, identifying new targets linked to vesicular trafficking. BioE3 detects altered specificity in response to chemicals, opening avenues for targeted protein degradation, and may be applicable for other Ub-likes (UbLs, e.g., SUMO) and E3 types. BioE3 applications shed light on cellular regulation by the complex UbL network.
Nod1-dependent NF-kB activation initiates hematopoietic stem cell specification in response to small Rho GTPases
Authors: Cheng Xiaoyi , Barakat Radwa , Pavani Giulia , Usha Masuma Khatun , Calderon Rodolfo , Snella Elizabeth , Gorden Abigail , Zhang Yudi , Gadue Paul , French Deborah L. , Dorman Karin S. , Fidanza Antonella , Campbell Clyde A. , Espin-Palazon Raquel
Published: November 2023

Uncovering the mechanisms regulating hematopoietic specification not only would overcome current limitations related to hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) transplantation, but also advance cellular immunotherapies. However, generating functional human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived HSPCs and their derivatives has been elusive, necessitating a better understanding of the developmental mechanisms that trigger HSPC specification. Here, we reveal that early activation of the Nod1-Ripk2-NF-kB inflammatory pathway in endothelial cells (ECs) primes them to switch fate towards definitive hemogenic endothelium, a pre-requisite to specify HSPCs. Our genetic and chemical embryonic models show that HSPCs fail to specify in the absence of Nod1 and its downstream kinase Ripk2 due to a failure on hemogenic endothelial (HE) programming, and that small Rho GTPases coordinate the activation of this pathway. Manipulation of NOD1 in a human system of definitive hematopoietic differentiation indicates functional conservation. This work establishes the RAC1-NOD1-RIPK2-NF-kB axis as a critical intrinsic inductor that primes ECs prior to HE fate switch and HSPC specification. Manipulation of this pathway could help derive a competent HE amenable to specify functional patient specific HSPCs and their derivatives for the treatment of blood disorders.
A robust and tunable Luttinger liquid in correlated edge of transition-metal second-order topological insulator Ta2Pd3Te5
Authors: Wang Anqi , Li Yupeng , Yang Guang , Yan Dayu , Huang Yuan , Guo Zhaopeng , Gao Jiacheng , Huang Jierui , Zeng Qiaochu , Qian Degui , Wang Hao , Guo Xingchen , Meng Fanqi , Zhang Qinghua , Gu Lin , Zhou Xingjiang , Liu Guangtong , Qu Fanming , Qian Tian , Shi Youguo , Wang Zhijun , Lu Li , Shen Jie
Published: November 2023

The interplay between topology and interaction always plays an important role in condensed matter physics and induces many exotic quantum phases, while rare transition metal layered material (TMLM) has been proved to possess both. Here we report a TMLM Ta2Pd3Te5 has the two-dimensional second-order topology (also a quadrupole topological insulator) with correlated edge states - Luttinger liquid. It is ascribed to the unconventional nature of the mismatch between charge- and atomic- centers induced by a remarkable double-band inversion. This one-dimensional protected edge state preserves the Luttinger liquid behavior with robustness and universality in scale from micro- to macro- size, leading to a significant anisotropic electrical transport through two-dimensional sides of bulk materials. Moreover, the bulk gap can be modulated by the thickness, resulting in an extensive-range phase diagram for Luttinger liquid. These provide an attractive model to study the interaction and quantum phases in correlated topological systems.
Ultrasmall and tunable TeraHertz surface plasmon cavities at the ultimate plasmonic limit
Authors: Aupiais Ian , Grasset Romain , Guo Tingwen , Daineka Dmitri , Briatico Javier , Houver Sarah , Perfetti Luca , Hugonin Jean-Paul , Greffet Jean-Jacques , Laplace Yannis
Published: November 2023

The ability to confine THz photons inside deep-subwavelength cavities promises a transformative impact for THz light engineering with metamaterials and for realizing ultrastrong light-matter coupling at the single emitter level. To that end, the most successful approach taken so far has relied on cavity architectures based on metals, for their ability to constrain the spread of electromagnetic fields and tailor geometrically their resonant behavior. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a comparatively high level of confinement by exploiting a plasmonic mechanism based on localized THz surface plasmon modes in bulk semiconductors. We achieve plasmonic confinement at around 1 THz into record breaking small footprint THz cavities exhibiting mode volumes as low as $${V}_{cav}/{\lambda }_{0}^{3} \sim 1{0}^{-7}-1{0}^{-8}$$

V

c
a
v

/

λ

0

3

~
1

0

−
7

−
1

0

−
8

, excellent coupling efficiencies and a large frequency tunability with temperature. Notably, we find that plasmonic-based THz cavities can operate until the emergence of electromagnetic nonlocality and Landau damping, which together constitute a fundamental limit to plasmonic confinement. This work discloses nonlocal plasmonic phenomena at unprecedentedly low frequencies and large spatial scales and opens the door to novel types of ultrastrong light-matter interaction experiments thanks to the plasmonic tunability.
Vector-borne Trypanosoma brucei parasites develop in artificial human skin and persist as skin tissue forms
Authors: Reuter Christian , Hauf Laura , Imdahl Fabian , Sen Rituparno , Vafadarnejad Ehsan , Fey Philipp , Finger Tamara , Jones Nicola G. , Walles Heike , Barquist Lars , Saliba Antoine-Emmanuel , Groeber-Becker Florian , Engstler Markus
Published: November 2023

Transmission of Trypanosoma brucei by tsetse flies involves the deposition of the cell cycle-arrested metacyclic life cycle stage into mammalian skin at the site of the fly’s bite. We introduce an advanced human skin equivalent and use tsetse flies to naturally infect the skin with trypanosomes. We detail the chronological order of the parasites’ development in the skin by single-cell RNA sequencing and find a rapid activation of metacyclic trypanosomes and differentiation to proliferative parasites. Here we show that after the establishment of a proliferative population, the parasites enter a reversible quiescent state characterized by slow replication and a strongly reduced metabolism. We term these quiescent trypanosomes skin tissue forms, a parasite population that may play an important role in maintaining the infection over long time periods and in asymptomatic infected individuals.
Competing charge-density wave instabilities in the kagome metal ScV6Sn6
Authors: Cao Saizheng , Xu Chenchao , Fukui Hiroshi , Manjo Taishun , Dong Ying , Shi Ming , Liu Yang , Cao Chao , Song Yu
Published: November 2023

Owing to its unique geometry, the kagome lattice hosts various many-body quantum states including frustrated magnetism, superconductivity, and charge-density waves (CDWs). In this work, using inelastic X-ray scattering, we discover a dynamic short-range $$\sqrt{3}\times \sqrt{3}\times 2$$

3

×

3

×
2
CDW that is dominant in the kagome metal ScV6Sn6 above TCDW ≈ 91 K, competing with the $$\sqrt{3}\times \sqrt{3}\times 3$$

3

×

3

×
3
CDW that orders below TCDW. The competing CDW instabilities lead to an unusual CDW formation process, with the most pronounced phonon softening and the static CDW occurring at different wavevectors. First-principles calculations indicate that the $$\sqrt{3}\times \sqrt{3}\times 2$$

3

×

3

×
2
CDW is energetically favored, while a wavevector-dependent electron-phonon coupling (EPC) promotes the $$\sqrt{3}\times \sqrt{3}\times 3$$

3

×

3

×
3
CDW as the ground state, and leads to enhanced electron scattering above TCDW. These findings underscore EPC-driven correlated many-body physics in ScV6Sn6 and motivate studies of emergent quantum phases in the strong EPC regime.
Ultrathin covalent organic overlayers on metal nanocrystals for highly selective plasmonic photocatalysis
Authors: Acharya Anubhab , Mete Trimbak Baliram , Kumari Nitee , Yoon Youngkwan , Jeong Hayoung , Jang Taehyung , Song Byeongju , Choi Hee Cheul , Han Jeong Woo , Pang Yoonsoo , Yun Yongju , Kumar Amit , Lee In Su
Published: November 2023

Metal nanoparticle-organic interfaces are common but remain elusive for controlling reactions due to the complex interactions of randomly formed ligand-layers. This paper presents an approach for enhancing the selectivity of catalytic reactions by constructing a skin-like few-nanometre ultrathin crystalline porous covalent organic overlayer on a plasmonic nanoparticle surface. This organic overlayer features a highly ordered layout of pore openings that facilitates molecule entry without any surface poisoning effects and simultaneously endows favourable electronic effects to control molecular adsorption–desorption. Conformal organic overlayers are synthesised through the plasmonic oxidative activation and intermolecular covalent crosslinking of molecular units. We develop a light-operated multicomponent interfaced plasmonic catalytic platform comprising Pd-modified gold nanoparticles inside hollow silica to achieve the highly efficient and selective semihydrogenation of alkynes. This approach demonstrates a way to control molecular adsorption behaviours on metal surfaces, breaking the linear scaling relationship and simultaneously enhancing activity and selectivity.
Crown-hydroxylamines are pH-dependent chelating N,O-ligands with a potential for aerobic oxidation catalysis
Authors: Lesnikov Vladislav K. , Golovanov Ivan S. , Nelyubina Yulia V. , Aksenova Svetlana A. , Sukhorukov Alexey Yu.
Published: November 2023

Despite the rich coordination chemistry, hydroxylamines are rarely used as ligands for transition metal coordination compounds. This is partially because of the instability of these complexes that undergo decomposition, disproportionation and oxidation processes involving the hydroxylamine motif. Here, we design macrocyclic poly-N-hydroxylamines (crown-hydroxylamines) that form complexes containing a d-metal ion (Cu(II), Ni(II), Mn(II), and Zn(II)) coordinated by multiple (up to six) hydroxylamine fragments. The stability of these complexes is likely to be due to a macrocycle effect and strong intramolecular H-bonding interactions between the N−OH groups. Crown-hydroxylamine complexes exhibit interesting pH-dependent behavior where the efficiency of metal binding increases upon deprotonation of the hydroxylamine groups. Copper complexes exhibit catalytic activity in aerobic oxidation reactions under ambient conditions, whereas the corresponding complexes with macrocyclic polyamines show poor or no activity. Our results show that crown-hydroxylamines display anomalous structural features and chemical behavior with respect to both organic hydroxylamines and polyaza-crowns.
Electron pairing and nematicity in LaAlO3/SrTiO3 nanostructures
Authors: Nethwewala Aditi , Lee Hyungwoo , Li Jianan , Briggeman Megan , Pai Yun-Yi , Eom Kitae , Eom Chang-Beom , Irvin Patrick , Levy Jeremy
Published: November 2023

Strongly correlated electronic systems exhibit a wealth of unconventional behavior stemming from strong electron-electron interactions. The LaAlO3/SrTiO3 (LAO/STO) heterostructure supports rich and varied low-temperature transport characteristics including low-density superconductivity, and electron pairing without superconductivity for which the microscopic origins is still not understood. LAO/STO also exhibits inexplicable signatures of electronic nematicity via nonlinear and anomalous Hall effects. Nanoscale control over the conductivity of the LAO/STO interface enables mesoscopic experiments that can probe these effects and address their microscopic origins. Here we report a direct correlation between electron pairing without superconductivity, anomalous Hall effect and electronic nematicity in quasi-1D ballistic nanoscale LAO/STO Hall crosses. The characteristic magnetic field at which the Hall coefficient changes directly coincides with the depairing of non-superconducting pairs showing a strong correlation between the two distinct phenomena. Angle-dependent Hall measurements further reveal an onset of electronic nematicity that again coincides with the electron pairing transition, unveiling a rotational symmetry breaking due to the transition from paired to unpaired phases at the interface. The results presented here highlights the influence of preformed electron pairs on the transport properties of LAO/STO and provide evidence of the elusive pairing “glue” that gives rise to electron pairing in SrTiO3-based systems.
Steam recovery from flue gas by organosilica membranes for simultaneous harvesting of water and energy
Authors: Moriyama Norihiro , Takeyama Akihiro , Yamatoko Taichi , Sawamura Ken-ichi , Gonoi Koji , Nagasawa Hiroki , Kanezashi Masakoto , Tsuru Toshinori
Published: November 2023

Steam recovery from the spent gases from flues could be a key step in addressing the water shortage issue while additionally benefiting energy saving. Herein, we propose a system that uses organosilica membranes consisting of a developed layered structure to recover steam and latent heat from waste. Proof-of-concept testing is conducted in a running incinerator plant. The proposed system eliminates the need for a water supply while simultaneously recovering latent heat from the waste stream. First, the long-term stability of an organosilica membrane is confirmed over the course of six months on a laboratory-scale under a simulated waste stream. Second, steam recovery is demonstrated in a running waste incinerator plant (bench-scale), which confirms the steady operation of this steam recovery system with a steam recovery rate comparable to that recorded in the laboratory-scale test. Third, process simulation reveals that this system enables water-self-reliance with energy recovery that approximates 70% of waste combustion energy.
DNA T-shaped crossover tiles for 2D tessellation and nanoring reconfiguration
Authors: Yang Qi , Chang Xu , Lee Jung Yeon , Saji Minu , Zhang Fei
Published: November 2023

DNA tiles serve as the fundamental building blocks for DNA self-assembled nanostructures such as DNA arrays, origami, and designer crystals. Introducing additional binding arms to DNA crossover tiles holds the promise of unlocking diverse nano-assemblies and potential applications. Here, we present one-, two-, and three-layer T-shaped crossover tiles, by integrating T junction with antiparallel crossover tiles. These tiles carry over the orthogonal binding directions from T junction and retain the rigidity from antiparallel crossover tiles, enabling the assembly of various 2D tessellations. To demonstrate the versatility of the design rules, we create 2-state reconfigurable nanorings from both single-stranded tiles and single-unit assemblies. Moreover, four sets of 4-state reconfiguration systems are constructed, showing effective transformations between ladders and/or rings with pore sizes spanning ~20 nm to ~168 nm. These DNA tiles enrich the design tools in nucleic acid nanotechnology, offering exciting opportunities for the creation of artificial dynamic DNA nanopores.
High speed underwater hydrogel robots with programmable motions powered by light
Authors: Ni Chujun , Chen Di , Wen Xin , Jin Binjie , He Yi , Xie Tao , Zhao Qian
Published: November 2023

Stimuli-responsive shape-changing hydrogels are attractive candidates for use as underwater soft robots. The bottleneck lies in the low actuation speed inherently limited by the water diffusion between hydrogels and their surrounding environment. In addition, accessing complex motions is restricted by the material fabrication methods. Here we report a hitherto unknown mechanism to achieve high-speed and programmable actuations for a disulfide crosslinked thermally responsive hydrogel. The dynamic photo-activated disulfide bond exchange allows photo-mechanical programming to introduce spatio-selective network anisotropy. This gives rise to an actuation behavior dominated by thermally driven conformation change of the locally oriented polymer chains instead of the common mass-diffusion-based mechanism. With the incorporation of photothermal fillers, light-powered oscillation at frequencies as high as 1.7 Hz is realized. This, coupled with the versatility of the programming, allows access to robots with diverse high-speed motions including continuous swimming, step-wise walking, and rotating.
Ligand-modulated nickel-catalyzed regioselective silylalkylation of alkenes
Authors: Ding Chao , Ren Yaoyu , Yu Yue , Yin Guoyin
Published: November 2023

Organosilicon compounds have shown tremendous potential in drug discovery and their synthesis stimulates wide interest. Multicomponent cross-coupling of alkenes with silicon reagents is used to yield complex silicon-containing compounds from readily accessible feedstock chemicals but the reaction with simple alkenes remains challenging. Here, we report a regioselective silylalkylation of simple alkenes, which is enabled by using a stable Ni(II) salt and an inexpensive trans−1,2-diaminocyclohexane ligand as a catalyst. Remarkably, this reaction can tolerate a broad range of olefins bearing various functional groups, including alcohol, ester, amides and ethers, thus it allows for the efficient and selective assembly of a diverse range of bifunctional organosilicon building blocks from terminal alkenes, alkyl halides and the Suginome reagent. Moreover, an expedient synthetic route toward alpha-Lipoic acid has been developed by this methodology.
Buried palaeo-polygonal terrain detected underneath Utopia Planitia on Mars by the Zhurong radar
Authors: Zhang Lei , Li Chao , Zhang Jinhai , Zhou Bin , Zhao Yu-Yan Sara , Liu Yang , Di Kaichang , Mitchell Ross N. , Li Juan , Zhang Zhigang , Chen Lin , Liang Xiaofeng , Sun Weijia , Liu Yike , Zhao Xu , Hao Jinlai , Xu Changyi , Zheng Yikang , Wang Yibo , Wang Xin , Zhao Pan , Lv Wenmin , Li Yang , Lan Haiqiang , Li Yuxi , Wang Wei , Lu Yang , Lin Honglei , Fang Peng , Lin Wei , Wei Yong , Chen Ling , Fang Guangyou , Lin Yangting , Yao Zhenxing , Pan Yongxin
Published: November 2023

As the largest basin on Mars, Utopia Planitia has both experienced and recorded variations of the Martian palaeoclimate. Layered subsurface structures have been identified by ground-penetrating radar in southern Utopia Planitia but lateral variations of the subsurface, potentially linked to the Martian palaeoclimatic evolution, have not been investigated. Here we report the lateral frequency-variation patterns of Zhurong radar reflections and interpret them as buried polygonal terrain below a depth of 35 m. Sixteen polygonal wedges were identified within ∼1.2 km distance, suggesting a wide distribution of such terrain under Utopia Planitia. The contrast above and below ∼35 m depth represents a notable transformation of aqueous activity or thermal conditions in the Late Hesperian–Early Amazonian. The interpreted buried polygons, possibly generated by freeze–thaw cycles, imply that there was a strong palaeoclimatic variability at low-to-mid latitudes (∼25° N), potentially due to the high obliquity of ancient Mars.
Fluorescence to measure light intensity
Authors: Lahlou Aliénor , Tehrani Hessam Sepasi , Coghill Ian , Shpinov Yuriy , Mandal Mrinal , Plamont Marie-Aude , Aujard Isabelle , Niu Yuxi , Nedbal Ladislav , Lazár Dusan , Mahou Pierre , Supatto Willy , Beaurepaire Emmanuel , Eisenmann Isabelle , Desprat Nicolas , Croquette Vincent , Jeanneret Raphaël , Le Saux Thomas , Jullien Ludovic
Published: November 2023

Despite the need for quantitative measurements of light intensity across many scientific disciplines, existing technologies for measuring light dose at the sample of a fluorescence microscope cannot simultaneously retrieve light intensity along with spatial distribution over a wide range of wavelengths and intensities. To address this limitation, we developed two rapid and straightforward protocols that use organic dyes and fluorescent proteins as actinometers. The first protocol relies on molecular systems whose fluorescence intensity decays and/or rises in a monoexponential fashion when constant light is applied. The second protocol relies on a broad-absorbing photochemically inert fluorophore to back-calculate the light intensity from one wavelength to another. As a demonstration of their use, the protocols are applied to quantitatively characterize the spatial distribution of light of various fluorescence imaging systems, and to calibrate illumination of commercially available instruments and light sources.
Intra-promoter switch of transcription initiation sites in proliferation signaling-dependent RNA metabolism
Authors: Wragg Joseph W. , White Paige-Louise , Hadzhiev Yavor , Wanigasooriya Kasun , Stodolna Agata , Tee Louise , Barros-Silva Joao D. , Beggs Andrew D. , Müller Ferenc
Published: November 2023

Global changes in transcriptional regulation and RNA metabolism are crucial features of cancer development. However, little is known about the role of the core promoter in defining transcript identity and post-transcriptional fates, a potentially crucial layer of transcriptional regulation in cancer. In this study, we use CAGE-seq analysis to uncover widespread use of dual-initiation promoters in which non-canonical, first-base-cytosine (C) transcription initiation occurs alongside first-base-purine initiation across 59 human cancers and healthy tissues. C-initiation is often followed by a 5′ terminal oligopyrimidine (5′TOP) sequence, dramatically increasing the range of genes potentially subjected to 5′TOP-associated post-transcriptional regulation. We show selective, dynamic switching between purine and C-initiation site usage, indicating transcription initiation-level regulation in cancers. We additionally detail global metabolic changes in C-initiation transcripts that mark differentiation status, proliferative capacity, radiosensitivity, and response to irradiation and to PI3K–Akt–mTOR and DNA damage pathway-targeted radiosensitization therapies in colorectal cancer organoids and cancer cell lines and tissues.
Analysis of spatial and temporal changes and driving forces of arable land in the Weibei dry plateau region in China
Authors: Zhang Panpan , Xia Liheng , Sun Zenghui , Zhang Tingyu
Published: November 2023

Arable land is the lifeblood of food production, it is of great significance to promote the protection of arable land and ensure national food security by accurately understanding the change law of cultivated land and its driving mechanism. This study takes the Weibei dry plateau region of China as an example, explores its spatial and temporal change characteristics through the center of gravity shift and land use shift matrix, and couples the geographic probe model to reveal the driving mechanisms affecting arable land change. The results show that in the past 25 years, the total arable land area in the Weibei Dry Plateau Region of China has decreased by 5.58%, and the stability of arable land resources in the whole region has weakened. The center of gravity of arable land shifts to the northeast, and the standard deviation ellipse of arable land mainly undergoes the change process of "increase (1995–2015)-decrease (2015–2020)", and the spatial distribution of arable land tends to be dispersed. In the LISA frequency mapping, the proportion of stable constant and low-frequency areas is as high as 89.58%, and the spatial pattern of cultivated land is relatively stable. Medium and high frequency areas. The transformation mode is mainly "low-low" aggregation, "low–high" aggregation is not significant, and the decline of cultivated land in the study area is more obvious. In the past 25 years, a total of 1017.26 km2 of arable land was converted to construction land. The explanatory power of the influencing factors varies in each period (0.299 to 0.731), with total agricultural machinery power has the strongest explanatory power of 0.694, 0.592, and 0.731, respectively. The interaction between slope and annual average temperature and other factors being the highest, both greater than 0.8. Through the construction of LISA frequency mapping, combined with the center of gravity model and standard deviation ellipse, the spatial evolution trend of regional arable land is more comprehensively and dynamically grasped. By using the geodetector model, the driving mechanism of the changes of arable land is revealed comprehensively, which provides a theoretical basis for the scientific management and effective protection of arable land resources and a basis for decision-making.
Influence of two kinds of clearance joints on the dynamics of planar mechanical system based on a modified contact force model
Authors: Tan Haiyan , Li Li , Huang Qiang , Jiang Zhuoda , Li Qingxiang , Zhang Youming , Yu Donglin
Published: November 2023

This study takes the slider-crank mechanism with revolute joint and translational joint as the research object and studies the contact force model of the clearance joint and the influence of the hybrid clearance joints on the nonlinear dynamic behavior of the mechanism. A modified contact force model is established based on the simplified elastic oscillator model, which can be used as a normal force in clearance joint. In the new contact force model, the component n of the indentation depth can be arbitrarily selected and it can support the calculation of contact force for both fully elastic recovery, non-elastic recovery and fully inelastic recovery. Based on the LuGre friction model, the tangential friction model of the clearance joint is given. Thus, the normal force and tangential force during the dynamic contact of the clearance joint are formed. Combining Lagrange’s equations of the first kind with the modified normal force and tangential friction force, the dynamic equations of the multi-body system with clearance joints are established. The Baumgarte stabilization method is used to improve the numerical stability. The correctness of the dynamic prediction model in the mechanism with clearance joint is verified by experiment. The dynamic analysis of the slider-crank mechanism with mixed clearance joints shows that the revolute clearance joint has a greater influence on the mechanism than the translational clearance, and the revolute clearance joint plays a leading role in the dynamic response.
Delay in diagnosis to treatment and impact on survival of gastric adenocarcinoma in a low income setting without screening facility
Authors: Subasinghe D. , Mahesh P. K. B. , Wijesinghe G. K. , Sivaganesh S. , Samarasekera A. , Lokuhetty M. D. S.
Published: November 2023

The treatment modality of gastric adenocarcinoma (GCA) depends on the stage of the disease at the clinical presentation. Long delays are probably an unfavorable factor for the patient's prognosis. A prospective longitudinal, study involving 145 consecutive GCA was conducted at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL). The overall delay (in weeks) was recorded for each patient and divided into four periods-patient, endoscopy, pathology and treatment. The median and Interquartile Range (IQR) duration of delays were calculated and differences were explored with chi square test and Mann Whitney U test Survival analysis was done with Kaplan Meier technique and Cox regression. The median duration of delays for patient, endoscopy, histology reporting delay, other histology delay (specimen transfer delay and report receipt delay) and treatment were 18 (IQR 14–27), 2 (IQR 2–3), 3 (IQR 2–3), 2 (IQR 1–2) and 6 (IQR 4–8) weeks respectively. Delayed patient presentation to hospital was associated with significant adverse median survival 16 (IQR 11.5–22.5) weeks versus 20 (IQR 16–27.5) weeks, p = 0.004. Delay in initiating treatment was associated with significantly lower median survival 04 (IQR 4–6) weeks versus 06 (IQR 4–8) weeks, p = 0.003. Over 60% of both proximal and distal GCA presented at an advanced radiological stage (stage III/IV). The Kaplan Meier analysis showed that the higher hazard function was associated with a higher tumour stage and undergoing chemotherapy. Age of the patient and the treatment modality were significant predictors of the survival. Patient delay and delay in initiation of definitive treatment are the most important factors that adversely affect the outcomes of GCA. Public health interventions aiming to shorten the patient delay time with proper referral for specialist care would play an important role. Also, it is important to minimize these preventable delays and there should be time limits in producing the histopathology report and to establish online portals of hospital and laboratory information systems for easy access of histology reports in future.
Heat pump supply chain environmental impact reduction to improve the UK energy sustainability, resiliency and security
Authors: Shamoushaki Moein , Koh S. C. Lenny
Published: November 2023

Various heat pump technologies are examined from an environmental perspective using a life cycle assessment approach. The investigated heat pump systems utilize air, ground, and water as their energy sources. Additionally, an innovative heat pump powered by green hydrogen is investigated in this study, to evaluate its environmental impacts and potential to commercialise on a large scale. A range of supply chain scenarios is explored, considering the main suppliers of the UK market. The reshoring heat pump industry and supply chain are evaluated to enhance energy resilience and security within the UK. The findings indicate that the hydrogen-based heat pump presents a promising option for the UK market, offering the advantages of reducing stress on the national grid network and minimizing the environmental impacts associated with the supply chain. Furthermore, a forecasting analysis is conducted based on the UK's net-zero emission plan to provide insight into future developments.