bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced performance of hollow polystyrene spheres for inertial confined fusion by noncovalent interactions
Authors: Liu Meifang , Chen Qiang , Liu Yiyang , Li Jie , Xu Wenting , He Zhibing
Published: January 2024

Thin‐walled polystyrene (PS) spheres are needed for preparing the targets in the inertial confined fusion (ICF). To prevent the occurrence of craze and crack in the fabrication of the spheres, a noncovalent interaction route is developed to improve the mechanical properties of thin‐walled polystyrene spheres based on a fullerene derivative, reducing the craze and crack yield. The introduction of phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) into PS spheres not only improves the thermal stability, but also reduces the craze and crack yield, probably to the π–π interaction between PCBM and PS and the hydrophobicity of PCBM. The sphericity and surface finishing of the spheres also increase at the same time. Mechanism of how the PCBM improve the quality of the spheres is also discussed.

Highlights

A noncovalent interaction route to improve properties of PS spheres is proposed.

PS/PCBM spheres with good quality are successfully designed and fabricated.

Mechanisms of how the PCBM improve properties of PS spheres are also discussed.
Microsporogenesis and the biosynthesis of floral small interfering RNAs in coffee have a unique pattern among eudicots, suggesting a sensitivity to climate changes
Authors: de Oliveira Kellen Kauanne Pimenta , de Oliveira Raphael Ricon , de Campos Rume Gabriel , Ribeiro Thales Henrique Cherubino , Fernandes‐Brum Christiane Noronha , do Amaral Laurence Rodrigues , Kakrana Atul , Mathioni Sandra , Meyers Blake C. , de Souza Gomes Matheus , Chalfun‐Junior Antonio
Published: January 2024

Recently, the siRNAs pathways, and especially reproductive phasiRNAs, have attracted attention in eudicots since their biological roles are still unknown and their biogenesis took different evolutionary pathways compared to monocots. In this work, we used Coffea arabica L., a recent allotetraploid formed from the hybridization of Coffea canephora and C. eugenioides unreduced gametes, to explore microsporogenesis and small RNAs‐related pathways in a eudicot crop. First, we identified the microsporogenesis stages during anther development revealing that pre‐meiosis occurs in anthers of 1.5 mm inside floral buds (FBs), whereas meiosis between 1.5 and 4.2 mm FBs, and post‐meiosis in FBs larger than 4.2 mm. These stages coincide with the Brazilian winter, a period of FBs reduced growth which suggests temperature sensitivity. Next, we identified and quantified the expression of reproductive 21‐ and 24‐nt phasiRNAs during coffee anther development together with their canonical and novel miRNA triggers, and characterized the DCL and AGO families. Our results showed that the pattern of reproductive phasiRNA abundance in C. arabica is unique among described eudicots and the canonical trigger car‐miR2275 is involved in the processing of both 21‐ and 24‐nt phasiRNAs. Fourteen DCL genes were identified, but DCL5, related to phasiRNA biosynthesis in monocots, was not, according to its specificity for monocots. Thus, our work explored the knowledge gap about microsporogenesis and related siRNAs pathways in coffee, contributing to the control of reproductive development and the improvement of fertility in eudicots.
Registration of sorghum backcross‐nested association mapping (BC‐NAM) families in a BTx623 or RTx436 background
Authors: Patil Nikhil Y. , Hoffmann Leo , Winans Noah , Perumal Ramasamy , Hayes Chad , Emendack Yves , Boyles Richard E. , Dahlberg Jeff , Klein Robert R. , Klein Patricia E. , Rooney William L.
Published: January 2024

Two sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] backcross‐nested association mapping (BC‐NAM) populations (Reg. no. MP‐5, NSL 546724 MAP) have been developed, composed of 30 families totaling 2189 BC1F4 lines using an elite maintainer (B) or restorer (R) line as the recurrent parent. The families were derived from unadapted founder lines that were backcrossed to BTx623 and/or RTx436 based on the fertility reaction score and phylogenetic analysis of the founder lines. These unadapted founder lines were selected based on agronomic fitness, breeder desirability, and genetic diversity and represent a range of races and working groups. The 30 families were developed from 27 founder parents—three of the founder parents were backcrossed to both recurrent parents to provide a genetic relationship across all 30 families. Each family consists of 45–100 BC1F4 lines selected for standard agronomic fitness, and each population was genotyped using genotype‐by‐sequencing. To identify families that possess (or segregate for) traits of interest, 13 lines from each population were randomly selected and phenotyped for a range of agronomic and stress tolerance traits. These BC‐NAM populations, which are adapted to US production regions and possess novel genetic diversity, have application in genetic research as a mapping resource for traits of interest and for sorghum breeding programs to diversify R and B line parental heterotic pools.
Registration of ‘S16‐16641R’: A glyphosate‐tolerant, high‐oleic soybean cultivar with multiple disease resistance
Authors: Chen Pengyin , Shannon J. Grover , Vieira Caio Canella , Lee Dongho , do Nascimento Emanuel Ferrari , Hunt Destiny , Lee Yi‐Chen , Ali Md Liakat , Crisel Melissa , Smothers Scotty , Clubb Michael , Mitchum Melissa Goellner , Meinhardt Clinton G. , Usovsky Mariola
Published: January 2024

To meet the growing demand for high‐oleic soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivars, the University of Missouri‐Fisher Delta Research, Extension, and Education Center soybean breeding program has developed and released ‘S16‐16641R’ (Reg. no. CV‐559, PI 703070). It is a productive maturity group 4‐late (relative maturity 4.8), glyphosate‐tolerant (Roundup Ready 1) cultivar with high‐oleic content (81.7%) and reduced linolenic acid content (4.3%). In addition to its high‐yield potential, S16‐16641R has a broad disease resistance including soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) races 1 (HG Type 2.5.7), 2 (HG Type 1.2.5.7), 3 (HG Type 5.7), and 5 (HG Type 2.5.7), southern root‐knot nematode [Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood], reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis Linford & Oliveira), and stem canker (caused by Diaporthe aspalathi Jansen, Castlebury & Crous). It is a chloride excluder with tolerance to high salt field conditions. It was tested in 43 environments across eight states from 2017 to 2020, with an overall relative yield of 99.9% of the mean of the check. The high‐oleic acid content and comprehensive disease resistance combined with broad adaptability and high yield potential across multiple environments make S16‐16641R a promising soybean cultivar for growers to potentially maximize profits by receiving a premium price for high‐oleic oil content.
Registration of ‘USDA Diamondback’ slow‐darkening pinto bean
Authors: Miklas Phillip N. , Soler‐Garzón Alvaro , Pastor‐Corrales Marcial , Cichy Karen A.
Published: January 2024

The pinto bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivar ‘USDA Diamondback’ (Reg. no. CV‐353, PI 698822) was released by the USDA‐ARS in 2022 as a high‐yielding cultivar with an upright architecture and the slow‐darkening seed coat trait. It was bred for tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses in a “purgatory” plot purposely managed to have compacted soil, low soil fertility, and intermittent drought conditions. Conversely, selection for high yield potential was conducted in non‐stress trials with tillage, irrigations, and fertilizers applied for optimal production. USDA Diamondback exhibits wide adaption to production regions across the United States, as evidenced by an average seed yield of 3808 kg ha−1 across 14 location‐years in the Cooperative Dry Bean Nursery. Virus testing and resistance gene–linked markers indicate USDA Diamondback has a three‐gene combination (bc‐ud, bc‐1, and bc‐3) that confers durable resistance to all known strains of Bean common mosaic virus and Bean common mosaic necrosis virus. A similar combination of pathogen and marker testing indicated that USDA Diamondback possesses the Ur‐3 and Ur‐6 genes for resistance to bean rust. The seed size, appearance, and canning quality characteristics of USDA Diamondback meets the industry standards for packaging and processing.
Registration of sugar beet genetic stocks FC308 and FC309
Authors: Todd Olivia E. , Nielson Amy L. , Fenwick Ann , Hanson Linda E. , Richardson Kelley L. , Dorn Kevin M.
Published: January 2024

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) genetic stock lines FC308 (Reg. no. GS‐14, PI 701378) and FC309 (Reg. no. GS‐13, PI 700990) are two highly homozygous and phenotypically homogenous sources of resistance to two separate sugar beet pests. FC308 is resistant to sugar beet cyst nematode (SBCN) but is susceptible to Fusarium yellows (FY), whereas FC309 is FY resistant but SBCN susceptible. These two populations were developed by the USDA‐ARS in Fort Collins, CO, derived from unreleased USDA‐ARS Salinas germplasm lines 7927‐4‐308 and 7927‐4‐309. Multiple field and greenhouse trials for FY and nematode resistance confirmed the homogeneous phenotypic responses of both lines for each disease. To enable molecular breeders to rapidly screen proprietary markers in silico on these lines, gene space assemblies for individual plants from each line were also developed and are being released alongside these genetic stocks. Genome sequencing of individual plants from each line, as well as pooled sequencing of sub‐populations of both lines, indicated fixation of a previously reported genetic variant linked to SBCN resistance in FC308. However, two previously reported variants linked to Fusarium resistance appear to be unlinked to the resistance found in FC309. Collectively, these two new sugar beet genetic stock lines should prove useful as sources of resistance to FY and SBCN, as model genetic backgrounds for studying plant–pathogen interactions, and for mapping the causal resistance genes present in these lines.
Proteome profile of the cerebellum from α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor deficient mice
Authors: Caban Karolina Magdalena , Seßenhausen Pia , Stöckl Jan Bernard , Popper Bastian , Mayerhofer Artur , Fröhlich Thomas
Published: January 2024

The alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR; CHRNA7) is expressed in the nervous system and in non‐neuronal tissues. Within the central nervous system, it is involved in various cognitive and sensory processes such as learning, attention, and memory. It is also expressed in the cerebellum, where its roles are; however, not as well understood as in the other brain regions. To investigate the consequences of absence of CHRNA7 on the cerebellum proteome, we performed a quantitative nano‐LC‐MS/MS analysis of samples from CHRNA7 knockout (KO) mice and corresponding wild type (WT) controls. Liver, an organ which does not express this receptor, was analyzed, in comparison. While the liver proteome remained relatively unaltered (three proteins more abundant in KOs), 90 more and 20 less abundant proteins were detected in the cerebellum proteome of the KO mice. The gene ontology analysis of the differentially abundant proteins indicates that the absence of CHRNA7 leads to alterations in the glutamatergic system and myelin sheath in the cerebellum. In conclusion, our dataset provides new insights in the role of CHRNA7 in the cerebellum, which may serve as a basis for future in depth‐investigations.
Antioxidant potential of chlorogenic acid in Age‐Related eye diseases
Authors: Tang Yu , Fang Chi , Shi Jian , Chen Huimei , Chen Xiong , Yao Xiaolei
Published: January 2024

Oxidative stress is an important mechanism of aging, and in turn, aging can also aggravate oxidative stress, which leads to a vicious cycle. In the process of the brain converting light into visual signals, the eye is stimulated by harmful blue‐light radiation directly. Thus, the eye is especially vulnerable to oxidative stress and becomes one of the organs most seriously involved during the aging process. Cataracts, age‐related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy (DR), and dry eye are inextricably linked to the aging process and oxidative stress. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) has been demonstrated to have antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities, and its validity has been established experimentally in numerous fields, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, cancers, and other chronic diseases. There has previously been evidence of CGA's therapeutic effect in the field of ophthalmopathy. Considering that many ophthalmic drugs lead to systemic side effects, CGA may act as a natural exogenous antioxidant for patients to take regularly, controlling their condition while minimizing side effects. In this paper, in vitro and in vivo studies of CGA in the treatment of age‐related eye diseases are reviewed, and the prospects of CGA's antioxidant application for the eye are discussed. The aim of this review is to summarize the relevant knowledge and provide theoretical support for future research.
Machine learning and the renewable energy revolution: Exploring solar and wind energy solutions for a sustainable future including innovations in energy storage
Authors: Bin Abu Sofian Abu Danish Aiman , Lim Hooi Ren , Siti Halimatul Munawaroh Heli , Ma Zengling , Chew Kit Wayne , Show Pau Loke
Published: January 2024

This article evaluates the present global condition of solar and wind energy adoption and explores their benefits and limitations in meeting energy needs. It examines the historical and evolutionary growth of solar and wind energy, global trends in the usage of renewable energy, and upcoming technologies, including floating solar and vertical‐axis wind turbines. The importance of smart grid technology and energy storage alternatives for enhancing the effectiveness and dependability of renewable energy is explored. In addition, the role of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in a modern smart grid has been assessed. Furthermore, the economic benefits, and most recent technological developments of solar and wind energy and their environmental and social ramifications. The potential of solar and wind energy to meet the increasing global energy demand and the problems and opportunities facing the renewable energy industry have shown excellent promise. Machine learning applications for solar and wind energy generation are vital for sustainable energy production. Machine learning can help in design, optimization, cost reduction, and, most importantly, in improving the efficacy of solar and wind energy, including advancing energy storage. This assessment is a crucial resource for policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers who aim to make the world cleaner and more sustainable. Ultimately, this review has shown the great potential of solar and wind energy in meeting global energy demands and sustainable goals.
Exploring sustainable development within rural regions in Ghana: A rural web approach
Authors: Addai Godfred , Suh Jungho , Bardsley Douglas , Robinson Guy , Guodaar Lawrence
Published: January 2024

Sustainable development involves multi‐level, multi‐actor and multi‐faceted processes and interrelations for which, ideally, comprehensive theoretical frameworks are required to understand the nature, dynamics and heterogeneity of changes generating greater sustainability in rural areas. Studies have utilised the rural web framework to explain these processes and interactions, but its application is lacking in sub‐Saharan Africa. This study addresses the gap in the literature by using the framework to (1) explore sustainable development indicators and (2) evaluate their socioeconomic determinants based on a questionnaire survey with data collected from 600 rural households in Ghana. Additionally, formal interviews were conducted with 60 participants, comprising village leaders, not‐for‐profit organisations and officers from municipal assemblies. This research shows that endogeneity, novelty production, and sustainability indicators describe rural regions as agriculturally diversified economies. Several factors contribute significantly to agricultural diversification, including social relationships, social groups, market participation, and the presence of migrants. These findings have implications for achieving two of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), SDG 1 (zero poverty) and SDG 2 (zero hunger), as they highlight the benefits of social and economic linkages between rural and urban areas within the context of agricultural production, exchange of resources and the mitigation of accessibility barriers to resources. We suggest that policies seeking to increase agricultural diversification, food security and achieve sustainable rural development should strengthen social relationships and institutional structures, increase market opportunities, assist farmers with organic certifications and bridge the rural–urban development gap.
Donor‐Derived Engineered Microvessels for Cardiovascular Risk Stratification of Patients with Kidney Failure
Authors: Rathod Mitesh L. , Aw Wen Yih , Huang Stephanie , Lu Jingming , Doherty Elizabeth L. , Whithworth Chloe P. , Xi Gang , Roy‐Chaudhury Prabir , Polacheck William J.
Published: January 2024

Cardiovascular disease is the cause of death in ≈50% of hemodialysis patients. Accumulation of uremic solutes in systemic circulation is thought to be a key driver of the endothelial dysfunction that underlies elevated cardiovascular events. A challenge in understanding the mechanisms relating chronic kidney disease to cardiovascular disease is the lack of in vitro models that allow screening of the effects of the uremic environment on the endothelium. Here, a method is described for microfabrication of human blood vessels from donor cells and perfused with donor serum. The resulting donor‐derived microvessels are used to quantify vascular permeability, a hallmark of endothelial dysfunction, in response to serum spiked with pathophysiological levels of indoxyl sulfate, and in response to serum from patients with chronic kidney disease and from uremic pigs. The uremic environment has pronounced effects on microvascular integrity as demonstrated by irregular cell–cell junctions and increased permeability in comparison to cell culture media and healthy serum. Moreover, the engineered microvessels demonstrate an increase in sensitivity compared to traditional 2D assays. Thus, the devices and the methods presented here have the potential to be utilized to risk stratify and to direct personalized treatments for patients with chronic kidney disease.
Protective Topical Dual‐Sided Nanofibrous Hemostatic Dressing Using Mussel and Silk Proteins with Multifunctionality of Hemostasis and Anti‐Bacterial Infiltration
Authors: Lee Jaeyun , Kim Eunjin , Kim Ki‐Joo , Rhie Jong Won , Joo Kye Il , Cha Hyung Joon
Published: January 2024

Topical hemostatic agents are preferred for application to sensitive bleeding sites because of their immediate locoregional effects with less tissue damage. However, the majority of commercial hemostatic agents fail to provide stable tissue adhesion to bleeding wounds or act as physical barriers against contaminants. Hence, it has become necessary to investigate biologically favorable materials that can be applied and left within the body post‐surgery. In this study, a dual‐sided nanofibrous dressing for topical hemostasis is electrospun using a combination of two protein materials: bioengineered mussel adhesive protein (MAP) and silk fibroin (SF). The wound‐adhesive inner layer is fabricated using dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA)‐containing MAP, which promotes blood clotting by aggregation of hemocytes and activation of platelets. The anti‐adhesive outer layer is composed of alcohol‐treated hydrophobic SF, which has excellent spinnability and mechanical strength for fabrication. Because both proteins are fully biodegradable in vivo and biocompatible, the dressing would be suitable to be left in the body. Through in vivo evaluation using a rat liver damage model, significantly reduced clotting time and blood loss are confirmed, successfully demonstrating that the proposed dual‐sided nanofibrous dressing has the right properties and characteristics as a topical hemostatic agent having dual functionality of hemostasis and physical protection.
Fused Functional Organic Material with the Alternating Conjugation of Quinone–Pyrazine as Cathode for Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Yao , Niu Suyan , Gong Shanshan , Ju Na , Jiang Tong , Wang Yiming , Zhang Xinyue , Sun Qi , Sun Hong‐bin
Published: January 2024

Organic cathode materials for aqueous rechargeable zinc batteries (ARZBs) are rapidly gaining prominence, while the exploration of compounds with affordable synthesis, satisfactory electrochemical performance, and understandable mechanisms still remains challenging. In this study, 6,8,15,17‐tetraaza‐heptacene‐5,7,9,14,16,18‐hexaone (TAHQ) as an easily synthesized organic cathode material with novel quinone/pyrazine alternately conjugated molecule structure is presented. This organic electrode exhibits good capacity with highly reversible redox reactions, and the influence of multi‐active structures on the Zn2+/H+ loading behavior is systematically investigated by ex situ spectroscopy, electrochemical tests, and computation. Both experimental and theoretical studies effectively address the Zn2+/H+ intercalation/deintercalation kinetics. Benefitting from the fused active functionalities, the assembled Zn//TAHQ battery displays a maximum discharge specific capacity of 254.3 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1, and it maintains remarkable cycle performance with 71% capacity retention after 1000 cycles under 5 A g−1.
Data‐Driven Learning for Pronunciation: Perception and Production of Lexical Stress and Prominence in Academic English
Authors: Hirschi Kevin , Kang Okim
Published: January 2024

Issues of intelligibility may arise amongst English learners when acquiring new words and phrases in North American academic settings, perhaps in part due to limited linguistic data available to the learner for understanding language use patterns. To this end, this paper examines the effects of Data‐Driven Learning for Pronunciation (DDLfP) on lexical stress and prominence in the US academic context. 65 L2 English learners in North American universities completed a diagnostic and pretest with listening and speaking items before completing four online lessons and a posttest on academic words and formulas (i.e., multi‐word sequences). Experimental group participants (n = 40) practiced using an audio corpus of highly proficient L2 speakers while comparison group participants (n = 25) were given teacher‐created pronunciation materials. Logistic regression results indicated that the group who used the corpus significantly increased their recognition of prominence in academic formulas. In the spoken tasks, both groups improved in their lexical stress pronunciation, but only the DDLfP learners improved their production of prominence in academic formulas. Learners reported that they valued DDLfP efforts for pronunciation learning across contexts and speakers. Findings have implications for teachers of L2 pronunciation and support the use of corpora for language teaching and learning.
RETRACTED: Prognostic value and potential mechanism of cellular senescence and tumor microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma: Insights from bulk transcriptomics and single‐cell sequencing analysis
Authors: Qu Chang , Wu Qian , Lu Jiongdi , Li Fei
Published: January 2024

The high mortality rate and postoperative recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) contribute to the burden on society and healthcare. The prognostic value and underlying mechanisms of cellular senescence and tumor microenvironment (TME) in HCC remain unclear. Bulk transcriptomic data were obtained from 368 HCC samples in The Cancer Genome Atlas‐liver hepatocellular carcinoma cohort and 64 samples from the GSE116174 dataset. Single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) data of HCC were obtained from the GSE149614 dataset, including 18 tumor samples from 10 patients. Prognosis‐related cellular senescence genes and immune cells were identified through univariate analysis. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis was performed to construct the CellAge score and TME score, both of which were identified as independent prognostic factors for HCC based on multivariate Cox analysis. The combined CellAge and TME scores showed improved prognostic stratification for HCC patients, as confirmed by multivariate Cox analysis (p < .001). The gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed enrichment of the extracellular matrix receptor interaction signaling pathway in the group with high CellAge scores and low TME scores, which exhibited a worse prognosis. Single‐cell sequencing results revealed higher expression activity of the cAMP response element modulator (CREM) extended transcription factor in HCC cells and most immune cells, indicating its involvement in TME remodeling. Finally, the tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) analysis demonstrated that the combined scores could predict the outcomes of immune therapy in patients with HCC. In conclusion, cellular senescence contributes to TME remodeling in HCC, and the developed CellAge and TME scores serve as independent prognostic factors and predictors of immune therapy in HCC.
Halogenated bisphenol A derivatives potently inhibit human and rat 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1: Structure–activity relationship and molecular docking
Authors: Wang Hong , Sang Jianmin , Ji Zhongyao , Yu Yang , Wang Shaowei , Zhu Yang , Li Huitao , Wang Yiyan , Ge Ren‐shan
Published: January 2024

Chlorinated bisphenol A (BPA) derivatives are formed during chlorination process of drinking water, whereas bisphenol S (BPS) and brominated BPA and BPS (TBBPA and TBBPS) were synthesized for many industrial uses such as fire retardants. However, the effect of halogenated BPA and BPS derivatives on glucocorticoid metabolizing enzyme 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11β‐HSD1) remains unclear. The inhibitory effects of 6 BPA derivatives in the inhibition of human and rat 11β‐HSD1 were investigated. The potencies for inhibition on human 11β‐HSD1 were TBBPA (IC50, 3.87 μM) = monochloro BPA (MCBPA, 4.08 μM) = trichloro BPA (TrCBPA, 4.41 μM) > tetrachloro BPA (TCBPA, 9.75 μM) > TBBPS (>100 μM) = BPS (>100 μM), and those for rat 11β‐HSD1 were TrCBPA (IC50, 2.76 μM) = MCBPA (3.75 μM) > TBBPA (39.58 μM) > TCBPA = TBBPS = BPS. All these BPA derivatives are mixed/competitive inhibitors of both human and rat enzymes. Molecular docking studies predict that MCBPA, TrCBPA, TCBPA, and TBBPA all bind to the active site of human 11β‐HSD1, forming hydrogen bonds with catalytic residue Ser170 except TCBPA. Regression of the lowest binding energy with IC50 values revealed a significant inverse linear regression. In conclusion, halogenated BPA derivatives are mostly potent inhibitors of human and rat 11β‐HSD1, and there is structure‐dependent inhibition.
PANoptosis‐related signature in melanoma: Transcriptomic mapping and clinical prognostication
Authors: Xie Jiaheng , Zhang Pengpeng , Xu Xiaolong , Zhou Xinxin , Zhao Songyun , Zhang Min , Qi Min
Published: January 2024

Programmed cell death plays a pivotal role in maintaining tissue homeostasis, and recent advancements in cell biology have uncovered PANoptosis—a novel paradigm integrating pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis. This study investigates the implications of PANoptosis in melanoma, a formidable skin cancer known for its metastatic potential and resistance to conventional therapies. Leveraging bulk and single‐cell transcriptome analyses, machine learning modeling, and immune correlation assessments, we unveil the molecular intricacies of PANoptosis in melanoma. Single‐cell sequencing identifies diverse cell types involved in PANoptosis, while bulk transcriptome analysis reveals key gene sets correlated with PANoptosis. Machine learning algorithms construct a robust prognostic model, demonstrating consistent predictive power across diverse cohorts. Patients with different cohorts can be divided into high‐risk and low‐risk groups according to this PANoptosis score, with the high‐risk group having a significantly worse prognosis. Immune correlation analyses unveil a link between PANoptosis and immunotherapy response, with potential therapeutic implications. Mutation analysis and enrichment studies provide insights into the mutational landscape associated with PANoptosis. Finally, we used cell experiments to verify the expression and function of key gene PARVA, showing that PARVA was highly expressed in melanoma cell lines, and after PARVA is knocked down, cell invasion, migration, and colony formation ability were significantly decreased. This study advances our understanding of PANoptosis in melanoma, offering a comprehensive framework for targeted therapeutic interventions and personalized medicine strategies in combating this aggressive malignancy.
On exceptional QP-manifolds
Authors: Osten David
Published: January 2024

Abstract

The connection between two recent descriptions of tensor hierarchies — namely, infinity-enhanced Leibniz algebroids, given by Bonezzi & Hohm and Lavau & Palmkvist, and the p-brane QP-manifolds constructed by Arvanitakis — is made precise. This is done by presenting a duality-covariant version of latter.

The construction is based on the QP-manifold T⋆[n]T[1]M × ℋ[n], where M corresponds to the internal manifold of a supergravity compactification and ℋ[n] to a degree-shifted version of the infinity-enhanced Leibniz algebroid. Imposing that the canonical Q-structure on T⋆[n]T[1]M is the derivative operator on ℋ leads to a set of constraints. Solutions to these constraints correspond to $$ \frac{1}{2} $$

1
2

-BPS p-branes, suggesting that this is a new incarnation of a brane scan. Reduction w.r.t. to these constraints reproduces the known p-brane QP-manifolds. This is shown explicitly for the SL(3)×SL(2)- and SL(5)-theories.

Furthermore, this setting is used to speculate about exceptional ‘extended spaces’ and QP-manifolds associated to Leibniz algebras. A proposal is made to realise differential graded manifolds associated to Leibniz algebras as non-Poisson subspaces (i.e. not Poisson reductions) of QP-manifolds similar to the above. Two examples for this proposal are discussed: generalised fluxes (including the dilaton flux) of O(d, d) and the 3-bracket flux for the SL(5)-theory.
One- and two-dimensional higher-point conformal blocks as free-particle wavefunctions in $$ {\textrm{AdS}}_3^{\otimes m} $$
Authors: Fortin Jean-François , Ma Wen-Jie , Parikh Sarthak , Quintavalle Lorenzo , Skiba Witold
Published: January 2024

Abstract

We establish that all of the one- and two-dimensional global conformal blocks are, up to some choice of prefactor, free-particle wavefunctions in tensor products of AdS3 or limits thereof. Our first core observation is that the six-point comb-channel conformal blocks correspond to free-particle wavefunctions on an AdS3 constructed directly in cross-ratio space. This construction generalizes to blocks for a special class of diagrams, which are determined as free-particle wavefunctions in tensor products of AdS3. Conformal blocks for all the remaining topologies are obtained as limits of the free wavefunctions mentioned above. Our results show directly that the integrable models associated with all one- and two-dimensional conformal blocks can be seen as limits of free theory, and manifest a relation between AdS and CFT kinematics that lies outside of the standard AdS/CFT dictionary. We complete the discussion by providing explicit Feynman-like rules that can be used to work out blocks for all topologies, as well as a Mathematica notebook that allows simple computation of Casimir equations and series expansions for blocks, by requiring just an OPE diagram as input.
Twice upon a time: timelike-separated quantum extremal surfaces
Authors: Engelhardt Netta , Penington Geoff , Shahbazi-Moghaddam Arvin
Published: January 2024

Abstract

The Python’s Lunch conjecture for the complexity of bulk reconstruction involves two types of nonminimal quantum extremal surfaces (QESs): bulges and throats, which differ by their local properties. The conjecture relies on the connection between bulk spatial geometry and quantum codes: a constricting geometry from bulge to throat encodes the bulk state nonisometrically, and so requires an exponentially complex Grover search to decode. However, thus far, the Python’s Lunch conjecture is only defined for spacetimes where all QESs are spacelike-separated from one another. Here we explicitly construct (time-reflection symmetric) spacetimes featuring both timelike-separated bulges and timelike-separated throats. Interestingly, all our examples also feature a third type of QES, locally resembling a de Sitter bifurcation surface, which we name a bounce. By analyzing the Hessian of generalized entropy at a QES, we argue that this classification into throats, bulges and bounces is exhaustive. We then propose an updated Python’s Lunch conjecture that can accommodate general timelike-separated QESs and bounces. Notably, our proposal suggests that the gravitational analogue of a tensor network is not necessarily the time-reflection symmetric slice, even when one exists.
Deficiency Indices for Singular Magnetic Schrödinger Operators
Authors: Correggi Michele , Fermi Davide
Published: January 2024

We show that the deficiency indices of magnetic Schrödinger operators with several local singularities can be computed in terms of the deficiency indices of operators carrying just one singularity each. We discuss some applications to physically relevant operators.
Remission of type 2 diabetes: always more questions, but enough answers for action
Authors: Rothberg Amy , Lean Michael , Laferrère Blandine
Published: January 2024

The concept of type 2 diabetes remission is evolving rapidly, and gaining wide public and professional interest, following demonstration that with substantial intentional weight loss almost nine in ten people with type 2 diabetes can reduce their HbA1c level below the diagnostic criterion (48 mmol/mol [6.5%]) without glucose-lowering medications, and improve all features of the metabolic syndrome. Pursuing nomoglycaemia with older drugs was dangerous because of the risk of side effects and hypoglycaemia, so the conventional treatment target was an HbA1c concentration of 53 mmol/mol (7%), meaning that diabetes was still present and allowing disease progression. Newer agents may achieve a normal HbA1c safely and, by analogy with treatments that send cancers or inflammatory diseases into remission, this might also be considered remission. However, although modern glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and related medications are highly effective for weight loss and glycaemic improvement, and generally safe, many people do not want to take drugs indefinitely, and their cost means that they are not available across much of the world. Therefore, there are strong reasons to explore and research dietary approaches for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. All interventions that achieve sustained weight loss of >10–15 kg improve HbA1c, potentially resulting in remission if sufficient beta cell capacity can be preserved or restored, which occurs with loss of the ectopic fat in liver and pancreas that is found with type 2 diabetes. Remission is most likely with type 2 diabetes of short duration, lower HbA1c and a low requirement for glucose-lowering medications. Relapse is likely with weight regain and among those with a poor beta cell reserve. On current evidence, effective weight management should be provided to all people with type 2 diabetes as soon as possible after diagnosis (or even earlier, at the stage of prediabetes, defined in Europe, Australasia, Canada [and most of the world] as ≥42 and <48 mmol/mol [≥6.0 and <6.5%], and in the USA as HbA1c ≥39 and <48 mmol/mol [≥5.7 and <6.5%]). Raising awareness among people with type 2 diabetes and their healthcare providers that remission is possible will enable earlier intervention. Weight loss of >10 kg and remission lasting 1–2 years may also delay vascular complications, although more evidence is needed. The greatest challenge for research is to improve long-term weight loss maintenance, defining cost-effective approaches tailored to the preferences and needs of people living with type 2 diabetes.

Graphical Abstract
Topology optimization of multi-material active structures to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint
Authors: Wang Yafeng , Sigmund Ole
Published: January 2024

A multi-material active structure is a mechanical system made of passive and active materials with the ability to alter its configuration, form, or properties in response to changes in the environment. Active structures have been investigated to design lightweight structures and structures with the ability to “smartly” alter their shapes and/or internal forces. Recently, the potential of active structures to reduce environmental impact, i.e., reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, has been investigated. It has been verified that, compared to passive structures, active structures can not only use less material but also consume less energy and cause less GHG emissions during their service life, and thus have a significant potential to be applied as environment-friendly mechanical structures. This study aims to develop a general topology optimization (TO) approach to design novel multi-material active structural systems to reduce environmental impact. The approach is based on the density-based TO scheme. Passive and active materials are considered in the TO process and are required to be optimally distributed according to the optimization objective and constraints. The energy consumption or GHG emissions caused by the structure during its service life are treated as the objective function to be minimized under multiple displacement requirements. Typical examples are carried out to verify the developed approach. Results show that the topology optimized active structures may not only achieve significant weight savings but also less energy consumption and GHG emissions compared to equivalent topology optimized passive structures, which indicates that the developed approach has the potential to be applied to design novel structural systems with lighter weight, larger span, and with less environmental impact compared to conventional passive structural systems.
Activity of a foam in preventing rebound of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium-containing droplets generated from the toilet bowl
Authors: Valzano Felice , Coda Anna Rita Daniela , Marangi Marianna , La Bella Gianfranco , Liso Arcangelo , Arena Fabio
Published: January 2024

In hospital environments, droplets generated by urination within shared toilets may represent a route of dissemination for bacteria such as vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm), which contributes significantly to the burden of hospital-acquired infections. We investigated the potential activity of a foam in preventing the generation of droplets containing Enterococcus spp. during urination. A uniform layer of foam was deposited in the inner walls and at the bottom of an experimental toilet contaminated with suspensions of Enterococcus strains (including a VREfm strain). Human urination was simulated, and colonies of Enterococcus were recovered through a toilet lid where agar plates had been placed. Results showed that the foam was able to suppress production of droplets containing Enterococcus spp. generated by a liquid hitting inner toilet walls. Conversely, Enterococcus colonies were recovered in absence of foam. Moreover, the foam did not show antibacterial activity. We propose a new non-antimicrobial approach aimed at limiting transmission of multidrug-resistant bacteria, particularly in healthcare settings.

Graphical Abstract
Wood fibre alkalization effect on the thermal stability of meranti wood flour: a modification of the conventional method
Authors: Mabuto B. , Hlangothi S. P.
Published: January 2024

Alkalization of plant or wood fibre (WF) is the most widely used method of chemical modification to improve reinforcement in thermoplastic composites. This process involves the complete or partial removal of extractives and or modification of lignocellulosic material. While research has shown that removal of the less thermally stable extractives results in an improvement in fibre thermal stability, in the current work it has been shown through single-factor analyses, Fourier transform infrared microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analyses and wide angle X-ray diffraction that meranti WF thermal stability is largely influenced by the holistic changes in the WF structure, which itself is affected by alkalization factors. After implementing stepwise regression on a central composite design, no empirical model could be established to explain or predict thermal stability due to interaction of treatment factors. As a result, single-factor analyses of temperature, time and alkali concentration were conducted. Single-factor analyses showed that different combinations of time, temperature and alkali concentration through a central composite design result in WF with different thermal stabilities, lignocellulosic content, crystallinities, crystallite sizes, extractives content and morphology. Alkali-treated meranti WF showed lower thermal stability compared to the untreated WF. Mild treatment conditions (e.g. 50 °C/30 min/5%) were seen to result in the most thermally stable WF. Increasing temperature, treatment duration and alkali concentration increased thermal stabilities except at harsh conditions (e.g. 50 °C/90 min/15%). A combination of high alkali concentration and long treatment times showed a combined detrimental effect on WF thermal stability. Changes in the lignocellulosic structure, crystallinity, crystallite sizes and surface features explain the observed changes in thermal stabilities.
Limitation of microdissected thinning in free anterolateral thigh flap for hand reconstruction
Authors: Sơn Trần Thiết , Nghĩa Phan Tuấn , Dung Phạm Thị Việt , Chiến Vũ Hồng , Thúy Tạ Thị Hồng , Trọng Nguyễn Hữu
Published: January 2024

Background

Hand defects, especially complex defects involving tendon or bone exposure, are challenging to reconstruct. With the limited size and options of local flaps, the free-thinned anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap remains an excellent choice. However, many authors have described thinning procedures differently, leading to inconsistent outcomes. We present our clinical experience of immediate thinning ALT flaps depending on the anatomical structure of the perforator.

Materials and methods

Between 2007 and 2021, we used a free ALT flap in 42 cases to cover hand defects after crushing and friction injuries, burning and burn scars, and animal bite wounds. There were 38 males and 4 females; the mean patient age was 31.2 years. Thinning procedure was performed in all flaps. The primary and microdissected thinning procedure was performed for 35 single flaps and 7 chimeric flaps, including 14 flaps for the fingers (29%), 4 flaps for the palm (8%), 12 flaps for the hand dorsum (24%), and 19 flaps for combined areas (39%).

Results

The mean flap thickness was 18.6 (11–30) mm before defatting and 6.0 (3–12) mm after defatting, an approximately 65% reduction. The retained fascia island around the perforator was ≤ 1 cm in 73.5% of cases, 2–3 cm in 18.4%, and the remaining 8.1% had a fascia size ≥ 4 cm. The incidence of a well-survive flap was 93.9%. Three cases had partial to total necrosis. None of the patients required a secondary defatting procedure.

Conclusion

Every case has a perforator pattern after running through the fascia, which allows surgeons to choose the appropriate thinning method. Perforators that run parallel to the superficial fascia are not good candidates for thinning. Instead, the thinning process should be performed with more perpendicular perforators.

Level of evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study
Correlating sugar transporter expression and activities to identify transporters for an orphan sugar substrate
Authors: Tamayo Elisabeth , Nada Basant , Hafermann Isabell , Benz J. Philipp
Published: January 2024

Filamentous fungi like Neurospora crassa are able to take up and metabolize important sugars present, for example, in agricultural and human food wastes. However, only a fraction of all putative sugar transporters in filamentous fungi has been characterized to date, and for many sugar substrates, the corresponding transporters are unknown. In N. crassa, only 14 out of the 42 putative major facilitator superfamily (MFS)–type sugar transporters have been characterized so far. To uncover this hidden potential for biotechnology, it is therefore necessary to find new strategies. By correlation of the uptake profile of sugars of interest after different induction conditions with the expression profiles of all 44 genes encoding predicted sugar transporters in N. crassa, together with an exhaustive phylogenetic analysis using sequences of characterized fungal sugar transporters, we aimed to identify transporter candidates for the tested sugars. Following this approach, we found a high correlation of uptake rates and expression strengths for many sugars with dedicated transporters, like galacturonic acid and arabinose, while the correlation is loose for sugars that are transported by several transporters due to functional redundancy. Nevertheless, this combinatorial approach allowed us to elucidate the uptake system for the disaccharide lactose, a by-product of the dairy industry, which consists of the two main cellodextrin transporters CDT-1 and CDT-2 with a minor contribution of the related transporter NCU00809. Moreover, a non-MFS transporter involved in glycerol transport was also identified. Deorphanization of sugar transporters or identification of transporters for orphan sugar substrates by correlation of uptake kinetics with transporter expression and phylogenetic information can thus provide a way to optimize the reuse of food industry by-products and agricultural wastes by filamentous fungi in order to create economic value and reduce their environmental impact.

Key points

• The Neurospora crassa genome contains 30 uncharacterized putative sugar transporter genes.

• Correlation of transporter expression and sugar uptake profiles can help to identify transporters for orphan sugar substrates.

• CDT-1, CDT-2, and NCU00809 are key players in the transport of the dairy by-product lactose in N. crassa.