bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pirfenidone as a novel cardiac protective treatment
Authors: Aimo Alberto , Spitaleri Giosafat , Panichella Giorgia , Lupón Josep , Emdin Michele , Bayes-Genis Antoni
Published: October 2021

Myocardial fibrosis is a common feature of several heart diseases. The progressive deposition of extracellular matrix due to a persistent injury to cardiomyocytes may trigger a vicious cycle that leads to persistent structural and functional alterations of the myocardium. Some drugs (like renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors) have been shown to reduce extracellular matrix deposition, but no primarily anti-fibrotic medications are currently used to treat patients with heart failure (HF). Pirfenidone is an oral antifibrotic agent approved for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Although its exact mechanism of action is not fully understood, pirfenidone might reduce the expression of profibrotic factors such as transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and proinflammatory cytokines, like tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-13, which could modulate the inflammatory response and inhibit collagen synthesis in lung tissue. There is some evidence that pirfenidone has antifibrotic activity in various animal models of cardiac disease. Furthermore, the positive results of the PIROUETTE trial, evaluating pirfenidone in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction, have been very recently announced. This review summarizes the data about pirfenidone as a potential cardioprotective treatment.
Novel Quantification of Extracellular Vesicles with Unaltered Surface Membranes Using an Internalized Oligonucleotide Tracer and Applied Pharmacokinetic Multiple Compartment Modeling
Authors: De Luca Thomas , Stratford Robert E. , Edwards Madison E. , Ferreira Christina R. , Benson Eric A.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

We developed an accessible method for labeling small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) without disrupting endogenous ligands. Using labeled sEVs administered to conscious rats, we developed a multiple compartment pharmacokinetic model to identify potential differences in the disposition of sEVs from three different cell types.

Methods

Crude sEVs were labeled with a non-homologous oligonucleotide and isolated from cell culture media using a commercial reagent. Jugular vein catheters were used to introduce EVs to conscious rats (n = 30) and to collect blood samples. Digital PCR was leveraged to allow for quantification over a wide dynamic range. Non-linear mixed effects analysis with first order conditional estimation – extended least squares (FOCE ELS) was used to estimate population-level parameters with associated intra-animal variability.

Results

86.5% ± 1.5% (mean ± S.E.) of EV particles were in the 45–195 nm size range and demonstrated protein and lipid markers of endosomal origin. Incorporated oligonucleotide was stable in blood and detectable over five half-lives. Data were best described by a three-compartment model with one elimination from the central compartment. We performed an observation-based simulated posterior predictive evaluation with prediction-corrected visual predictive check. Covariate and bootstrap analyses identified cell type having an influence on peripheral volumes (V2 and V3) and clearance (Cl3).

Conclusions

Our method relies upon established laboratory techniques, can be tailored to a variety of biological questions regarding the pharmacokinetic disposition of extracellular vesicles, and will provide a complementary approach for the of study EV ligand-receptor interactions in the context of EV uptake and targeted therapeutics.
Rescaling Egocentric Vision: Collection, Pipeline and Challenges for EPIC-KITCHENS-100
Authors: Damen Dima , Doughty Hazel , Farinella Giovanni Maria , Furnari Antonino , Kazakos Evangelos , Ma Jian , Moltisanti Davide , Munro Jonathan , Perrett Toby , Price Will , Wray Michael
Published: October 2021

This paper introduces the pipeline to extend the largest dataset in egocentric vision, EPIC-KITCHENS. The effort culminates in EPIC-KITCHENS-100, a collection of 100 hours, 20M frames, 90K actions in 700 variable-length videos, capturing long-term unscripted activities in 45 environments, using head-mounted cameras. Compared to its previous version (Damen in Scaling egocentric vision: ECCV, 2018), EPIC-KITCHENS-100 has been annotated using a novel pipeline that allows denser (54% more actions per minute) and more complete annotations of fine-grained actions (+128% more action segments). This collection enables new challenges such as action detection and evaluating the “test of time”—i.e. whether models trained on data collected in 2018 can generalise to new footage collected two years later. The dataset is aligned with 6 challenges: action recognition (full and weak supervision), action detection, action anticipation, cross-modal retrieval (from captions), as well as unsupervised domain adaptation for action recognition. For each challenge, we define the task, provide baselines and evaluation metrics.
Empower parameterized generative adversarial networks using a novel particle swarm optimizer: algorithms and applications
Authors: Tian Lulu , Wang Zidong , Liu Weibo , Cheng Yuhua , Alsaadi Fuad E. , Liu Xiaohui
Published: October 2021

In this paper, a novel parameterized generative adversarial network (GAN) is proposed where the parameters are introduced to enhance the performance of image segmentation. The developed algorithm is applied to the image-based crack detection problem on the thermal data obtained through the non-destructive testing process. A new regularization term, which contains three tunable hyperparameters, embedded into the objective function of the GAN in order to improve the contrast ratio of certain areas of the image so as to benefit the crack detection process. To automate the selection of the optimal hyperparameters of the GAN, a new particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is put forward where a neighborhood-based velocity updating strategy is developed for the purpose of thoroughly exploring the problem space. The proposed PSO-based GAN algorithm is shown to 1) work well in detecting cracks on the thermal data generated by the eddy current pulsed thermography technique; and 2) outperforms other conventional GAN algorithms.
Mobile PCR-based surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 to reduce visiting restrictions in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic: a pilot study
Authors: Stemler Jannik , Kramer Theresa , Dimitriou Vassiliki , Wieland Ulrike , Schumacher Sofie , Sprute Rosanne , Oberste Max , Wiesmüller Gerhard , Rau Harald , Pieper Sally , Bethe Ullrich , Lehmann Clara , Hellmich Martin , Klein Florian , Langebartels Georg , Cornely Oliver A.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Residents in nursing homes for the elderly (NH) are at high risk for death from COVID-19. We investigated whether repeated non-mandatory RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 surveillance of NH staff and visitors reduces COVID-19 incidence rates in NH residents and allows to reduce visiting restrictions.

Methods

This pilot study at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic compared a surveillance approach of regular, twice-weekly voluntary PCR testing of health-care workers (HCW) and visitors in interventional NH (INH) with a setting without regular testing in control NH (CNH). Residents were not tested routinely within this study. Testing was performed in a mobile testing site with same-day result reporting. SARS-CoV-2 incidence among residents in both INH and CNH was the primary endpoint; secondary endpoints being SARS-CoV-2 infection among visitors and HCW in INH.

Results

Two INH and two CNH participated between October and December, 2020. At INH1, 787 tests of HCW and 350 tests of visitors were performed, accounting for 18.1% (n = 1930) of visits. At INH2, 78 tests of HCW and 372 tests of visitors were done, i.e., 30.5% (n = 1220) of visits. At the two INH 23 HCW and three visitors tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 outbreaks occurred among residents in INH1 (identified through study testing) and in CNH1. Utilization of voluntary testing was low.

Conclusion

In a real-world setting without available rapid testing, voluntary RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 testing of HCW and visitors does not prevent COVID-19 outbreaks in NH. Complete, non-selective testing for these groups should be instituted before visiting restrictions can be reduced.

Trial registration

The study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier: NCT04933981.
Fressen
Authors: Berressem Hanjo
Published: October 2021

Im Zentrum des Beitrags steht das Motiv des Fressens, anhand dessen die Beziehung von Abjektion, Kultur und Kunst ausgemessen wird. Auf einer abstrakten Ebene behandelt der Beitrag zunächst den Aggregatzustand des Abjekten, danach adressiert er auf der konkreten Ebene von Filmbeispielen aus der Zeit von 1968 bis 1980 die Beziehung eines kulturellen Abjekten zur Ethik, insbesondere in Bezug auf den Faschismus und den Kapitalismus.
The Intertwined History of Malingering and Brain Injury: An Argument for Structural Competency in Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Casper Stephen T.
Published: October 2021

Every year millions of people suffer minor brain injuries, many of which occur in collision sports. While there has been substantial commentary and debate about the nature of this public health crisis, it is clear that the scientific and clinical arguments reflect values preferences and judgments that are often invisible in documents which combine artful language with undue focus paid to sources of uncertainty at the cost of clarity and transparency. This essay gives a brief history of these patterns and proposes a remedy.
Formation and Structures of Horizontal Submarine Fluid Conduit and Venting Systems Associated With Marine Seeps
Authors: Rocha Luis A. M. , Gutiérrez‐Ariza Carlos , Pimentel Carlos , Sánchez‐Almazo Isabel , Sainz‐Díaz C. Ignacio , Cardoso Silvana S. S. , Cartwright Julyan H. E.
Published: October 2021

Methane‐rich water moves through conduits beneath the seafloor whose surfaces are formed through precipitation reactions. To understand how such submarine fluid conduit and venting systems form and grow, we develop a detailed mathematical model for this reaction‐advection system and we quantify the evolution of an ensemble of similar filaments. We show that this growth can be described by a superposition of advection and dispersion. We analyze analog laboratory experiments of chemical‐garden type to study the growth of a single filament undergoing a precipitation reaction with the surrounding environment. We apply these findings to geological fluid conduit and venting systems, showing that their irregular trajectories can lead to very effective spreading within the surrounding seabed, thus enhancing contact and exchanges of chemicals between the conduit and external fluids. We discuss how this methane venting leads to the formation of marine authigenic carbonate rocks, and for confirmation, we analyze two field samples from the Gulf of Cadiz for composition and mineralogy of the precipitates. We note the implications of this work for hydrate melting and methane escape from the seabed.
Good Things Need Time: Progress With the First Hyperspectral Sounder in Geostationary Orbit
Authors: Schmetz Johannes
Published: October 2021

My comments address the Geostationary Interferometric Infrared Sounder (GIIRS) on the Chinese FY‐4A satellite. It is the first hyperspectral sounder in geostationary orbit. An impact study by Yin et al. (2021, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL093672) of GIIRS data on forecasting of typhoon (Maria in 2018) shows beneficial results. GIIRS provides temperature and humidity observations in cloud‐free areas with high vertical and, as a novelty, with high temporal resolution (as short as 15 min) over a limited area. The development of GIIRS was long preceded by international plans and it will be followed by other hyperspectral sounders covering the geostationary ring. GIIRS is a major step toward an improved global space‐based observing system enabling better forecasts of the temporal evolution of severe convective weather.
Beaching and Natural Removal Dynamics of Pelagic Sargassum in a Fringing‐Reef Lagoon
Authors: Rutten Jantien , Arriaga Jaime , Montoya Leonardo D. , Mariño‐Tapia Ismael J. , Escalante‐Mancera Edgar , Mendoza E. Tonatiuh , van Tussenbroek Brigitta I. , Appendini Christian M.
Published: October 2021

Massive quantities of the pelagic brown macroalgae Sargassum spp. (sargassum) have been invading the Caribbean and West African shores since 2011, causing devastating effects on the coastal ecosystem and local economy. Little is known about sargassum beaching dynamics and the capacity of the coastal system to naturally remove beached sargassum. Here, we characterize the temporal variation in arriving and beached sargassum in a reef lagoon using a 5.2‐year data set of hourly optical imagery, and identify the governing hydrometeorological conditions. Image classification reveals interannual variability in the start, duration, and intensity of the sargassum arrival season. Arrivals are associated with relatively low energy onshore directed winds and waves, and offshore abundance of sargassum. Furthermore, nearshore sargassum mat size is found to decrease with decreasing wave/wind energy. Once sargassum beaches, a berm of wrack is formed. Natural wrack removal was observed under elevated water levels and increased wave action. Three types of wrack removal were distinguished, depending on the water level with respect to the berm crest height and berm crest toe : gradual berm destruction with gaps developing in the seaward berm edge that grow larger with time (Type I; ) and abrupt berm destruction with part of the wrack depositing on the upper beach (Type II; ) or in the dunes (Type III; ). Higher energy waves activate the reef circulation, which is suspected to flush part of the wrack out of the reef lagoon. We propose a conceptual model of nearshore sargassum dynamics in a reef lagoon system.
Signaling pathways in the regulation of cytokine release syndrome in human diseases and intervention therapy
Authors: Li Xia , Shao Mi , Zeng Xiangjun , Qian Pengxu , Huang He
Published: October 2021

Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) embodies a mixture of clinical manifestations, including elevated circulating cytokine levels, acute systemic inflammatory symptoms and secondary organ dysfunction, which was first described in the context of acute graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation and was later observed in pandemics of influenza, SARS-CoV and COVID-19, immunotherapy of tumor, after chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) therapy, and in monogenic disorders and autoimmune diseases. Particularly, severe CRS is a very significant and life-threatening complication, which is clinically characterized by persistent high fever, hyperinflammation, and severe organ dysfunction. However, CRS is a double-edged sword, which may be both helpful in controlling tumors/viruses/infections and harmful to the host. Although a high incidence and high levels of cytokines are features of CRS, the detailed kinetics and specific mechanisms of CRS in human diseases and intervention therapy remain unclear. In the present review, we have summarized the most recent advances related to the clinical features and management of CRS as well as cutting-edge technologies to elucidate the mechanisms of CRS. Considering that CRS is the major adverse event in human diseases and intervention therapy, our review delineates the characteristics, kinetics, signaling pathways, and potential mechanisms of CRS, which shows its clinical relevance for achieving both favorable efficacy and low toxicity.
Bilobalide inhibits inflammation and promotes the expression of Aβ degrading enzymes in astrocytes to rescue neuronal deficiency in AD models
Authors: Xiang Jun , Yang Feng , Zhu Wen , Cai Min , Li Xiang-Ting , Zhang Jing-Si , Yu Zhong-Hai , Zhang Wen , Cai Ding-Fang
Published: October 2021

The pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) involves multiple cell types including endothelial cells, glia, and neurons. It suggests that therapy against single target in single cell type may not be sufficient to treat AD and therapies with protective effects in multiple cell types may be more effective. Here, we comprehensively investigated the effects of bilobalide on neuroinflammation and Aβ degrading enzymes in AD cell model and mouse model. We find that bilobalide inhibits Aβ-induced and STAT3-dependent expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in primary astrocyte culture. Bilobalide also induces robust expression of Aβ degrading enzymes like NEP, IDE, and MMP2 to facilitate astrocyte-mediated Aβ clearance. Moreover, bilobalide treatment of astrocyte rescues neuronal deficiency in co-cultured APP/PS1 neurons. Most importantly, bilobalide reduces amyloid and inflammation in AD mouse brain. Taken together, the protective effects of bilobalide in in vitro cultures were fully recapitulated in in vivo AD mouse model. Our study supports that bilobalide has therapeutic potential for AD treatment.
Tumor-suppressive function of EZH2 is through inhibiting glutaminase
Authors: Liu Yongfeng , Tu Cheng-e , Guo Xuxue , Wu Changjie , Gu Chuncai , Lai Qiuhua , Fang Yuxin , Huang Junqi , Wang Zhizhang , Li Aimin , Liu Side
Published: October 2021

Tumors can use metabolic reprogramming to survive nutrient stress. Epigenetic regulators play a critical role in metabolic adaptation. Here we screened a sgRNA library to identify epigenetic regulators responsible for the vulnerability of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells to glucose deprivation and found that more EZH2-knockout cells survived glucose deprivation. Then, we showed that EZH2 expression was significantly downregulated in response to glucose deprivation in a glucose-sensitive CRC cell line, and EZH2-knockdown cells were more resistant to glucose deprivation. Mechanistically, EZH2 deficiency upregulated the expression of glutaminase (GLS) and promoted the production of glutamate, which in turn led to increased synthesis of intracellular glutathione (GSH) and eventually attenuated the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated cell death induced by glucose deprivation. Although EZH2 functioned as an oncogene in cancer progression and EZH2 knockout abolished colorectal cancer development in a mouse model, here we revealed a mechanistic link between EZH2 and metabolic reprogramming via the direct regulation of GLS expression and observed a negative correlation between EZH2 and GLS expression in colorectal cancer tissues. These findings further confirmed the importance of heterogeneity, provided an explanation for the clinical tolerance of cancer cells to EZH2 inhibitors from the perspective of metabolism, and proposed the possibility of combining EZH2 inhibitors and glutamine metabolism inhibitors for the treatment of cancer.
B7–H3 regulates osteoclast differentiation via type I interferon-dependent IDO induction
Authors: Oh Younseo , Park Robin , Kim So Yeon , Park Sung-ho , Jo Sungsin , Kim Tae-Hwan , Ji Jong Dae
Published: October 2021

While their function, as immune checkpoint molecules, is well known, B7-family proteins also function as regulatory molecules in bone remodeling. B7–H3 is a receptor ligand of the B7 family that functions primarily as a negative immune checkpoint. While the regulatory function of B7–H3 in osteoblast differentiation has been established, its role in osteoclast differentiation remains unclear. Here we show that B7–H3 is highly expressed in mature osteoclasts and that B7–H3 deficiency leads to the inhibition of osteoclastogenesis in human osteoclast precursors (OCPs). High-throughput transcriptomic analyses reveal that B7–H3 inhibition upregulates IFN signaling as well as IFN-inducible genes, including IDO. Pharmacological inhibition of type-I IFN and IDO knockdown leads to reversal of B7–H3-deficiency-mediated osteoclastogenesis suppression. Although synovial-fluid macrophages from rheumatoid-arthritis patients express B7–H3, inhibition of B7–H3 does not affect their osteoclastogenesis. Thus, our findings highlight B7–H3 as a physiologic positive regulator of osteoclast differentiation and implicate type-I IFN–IDO signaling as its downstream mechanism.
Structure of the human RNA polymerase I elongation complex
Authors: Zhao Dan , Liu Weida , Chen Ke , Wu Zihan , Yang Huirong , Xu Yanhui
Published: October 2021

Eukaryotic RNA polymerase I (Pol I) transcribes ribosomal DNA and generates RNA for ribosome synthesis. Pol I accounts for the majority of cellular transcription activity and dysregulation of Pol I transcription leads to cancers and ribosomopathies. Despite extensive structural studies of yeast Pol I, structure of human Pol I remains unsolved. Here we determined the structures of the human Pol I in the pre-translocation, post-translocation, and backtracked states at near-atomic resolution. The single-subunit peripheral stalk lacks contacts with the DNA-binding clamp and is more flexible than the two-subunit stalk in yeast Pol I. Compared to yeast Pol I, human Pol I possesses a more closed clamp, which makes more contacts with DNA. The Pol I structure in the post-cleavage backtracked state shows that the C-terminal zinc ribbon of RPA12 inserts into an open funnel and facilitates “dinucleotide cleavage” on mismatched DNA–RNA hybrid. Critical disease-associated mutations are mapped on Pol I regions that are involved in catalysis and complex organization. In summary, the structures provide new sights into human Pol I complex organization and efficient proofreading.
GAK and PRKCD are positive regulators of PRKN-independent mitophagy
Authors: Munson Michael J. , Mathai Benan J. , Ng Matthew Yoke Wui , Trachsel-Moncho Laura , de la Ballina Laura R. , Schultz Sebastian W. , Aman Yahyah , Lystad Alf H. , Singh Sakshi , Singh Sachin , Wesche Jørgen , Fang Evandro F. , Simonsen Anne
Published: October 2021

The mechanisms involved in programmed or damage-induced removal of mitochondria by mitophagy remains elusive. Here, we have screened for regulators of PRKN-independent mitophagy using an siRNA library targeting 197 proteins containing lipid interacting domains. We identify Cyclin G-associated kinase (GAK) and Protein Kinase C Delta (PRKCD) as regulators of PRKN-independent mitophagy, with both being dispensable for PRKN-dependent mitophagy and starvation-induced autophagy. We demonstrate that the kinase activity of both GAK and PRKCD are required for efficient mitophagy in vitro, that PRKCD is present on mitochondria, and that PRKCD facilitates recruitment of ULK1/ATG13 to early autophagic structures. Importantly, we demonstrate in vivo relevance for both kinases in the regulation of basal mitophagy. Knockdown of GAK homologue (gakh-1) in C. elegans or knockout of PRKCD homologues in zebrafish led to significant inhibition of basal mitophagy, highlighting the evolutionary relevance of these kinases in mitophagy regulation.
Differential activation of Ca2+ influx channels modulate stem cell potency, their proliferation/viability and tissue regeneration
Authors: Ahamad Naseem , Sun Yuyang , Nascimento Da Conceicao Viviane , Xavier Paul Ezhilan Caroline R. D. , Natarajan Mohan , Singh Brij B.
Published: October 2021

Stem cells have indefinite self-renewable capability; however, factors that modulate their pluripotency/function are not fully identified. Here we show that store-dependent Ca2+ entry is essential for modulating the function of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Increasing external Ca2+ modulated cell cycle progression that was critical for MSCs survival. Additionally, Ca2+ was critical for stem proliferation, its differentiation, and maintaining stem cell potential. Ca2+ channel characterization, including gene silencing, showed two distinct Ca2+ entry channels (through Orai1/TRPC1 or via Orai3) that differentially regulate the proliferation and viability of MSCs. Importantly, NFκB translocation, but not JNK/ERK into the nucleus, was observed upon store depletion, which was blocked by the addition of Ca2+ channel inhibitors. Radiation lead to a decrease in saliva secretion, decrease in acinar cell number, and enlarged ducts were observed, which were restored by the transplantation of stem cells that were propagated in higher Ca2+. Finally radiation showed a decrese in TRPC1 expression along with a decrese in AQP5, which was again restored upon MSC tranplantation. Together these results suggest that Ca2+ entry is essential for stem cell function that could be critical for regenerative medicine.
Molecular characterization and antifungal activity against non-dermatophyte molds causing onychomycosis
Authors: Pakshir Keyvan , Kamali Mandana , Nouraei Hasti , Zomorodian Kamiar , Motamedi Marjan , Mahmoodi Mozhgan
Published: October 2021

Onychomycosis is a fungal disease that caused by different types of fungi. Non-dermatophyte molds are a large saprophytic fungi group that live in nature and could affect traumatic nails. The aim of this study was to identify non-dermatophyte molds causing onychomycosis and evaluation of several antifungal activities against the isolates. The samples consisted of 50 non-dermatophyte molds isolated from patients with onychomycosis confirmed by direct and culture examination fungal. DNA was extracted, amplified, and sequenced. Disk diffusion method was used to evaluate itraconazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole, terbinafine, posaconazole, and econazole activity against the isolates. The species identified as: Aspergillus flavus 22 (44%), A. niger 12 (24%), A. fumigates, 3 (6%), A. sydowii 3 (6%), A. terreus 1 (2%), Penicillium commune 2 (4%), P. glabrum 2 (4%), P. chrysogenum, 1 (2%), Fusarium solani 3 (6%) and F. thapsinum 1 (2%). Most of the samples were sensitive to terbinafine, itraconazole, and econazole and 94% of the isolates were resistant to fluconazole. This study showed that Aspergillus species were the most common cause of non-dermatophyte mold onychomycosis and fluconazole was the most resistant antifungals. Care must be taken to choose the appropriate antifungal drug for a better cure.
Long-term evaluation on urban intensive land use in five fast-growing cities of northern China with GEE support
Authors: Shang Yiqun , Zheng Xinqi , Han Rongqing , Liu Wenchao , Xiao Fei
Published: October 2021

Intensive land use (ILU) is a multi-objective optimization process that aims to simultaneously improve the economic, social, and ecological benefits, as well as the carrying capacity of the land, without increasing additional land, and evaluation of the ILU over long time series has a guiding significance for rational land use. To tackle inefficient extraction of information, subjective selection of dominant factor, and lack of prediction in previous evaluation studies, this paper proposes a novel framework for evaluation and analysis of ILU by, first, using Google Earth Engine (GEE) to extract cities’ built-up land information, second, by constructing an index system that links economic, social and ecological aspects to evaluate the ILU degree, third, by applying Geodetector to identify the dominant factor on the ILU, finally, by using the S-curve to predict the degree. Based on the case study data from northern China’s five fast-growing cities (i.e., Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Jinan, Zhengzhou), the findings show that the ILU degree for all cities has increased over the past 30 years, with the highest growth rate between 2000 and 2010. Beijing had the highest degree in 2018, followed by Tianjin, Zhengzhou, Jinan, and Shijiazhuang. In terms of the time dimension, the dominant factor for all cities shifted from the output-value proportion of secondary and tertiary industries in the early stage to the economic density in the late stage. In terms of the space dimension, the dominant factor varied from cities. It is worth noting that economic density was the dominant factor in the two high-level ILU cities, Beijing and Tianjin, indicating that economic strength is the main driver of the ILU. Moreover, cities with high-level ILU at the current stage will grow slowly in the ILU degree from 2020 to 2035, while Zhengzhou and Jinan, whose ILU has been in the midstream recently, will grow the most among the cities.
Discovery and characterization of high-affinity, potent SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies via single B cell screening
Authors: Schardt John S. , Pornnoppadol Ghasidit , Desai Alec A. , Park Kyung Soo , Zupancic Jennifer M. , Makowski Emily K. , Smith Matthew D. , Chen Hongwei , Garcia de Mattos Barbosa Mayara , Cascalho Marilia , Lanigan Thomas M. , Moon James J. , Tessier Peter M.
Published: October 2021

Monoclonal antibodies that target SARS-CoV-2 with high affinity are valuable for a wide range of biomedical applications involving novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) diagnosis, treatment, and prophylactic intervention. Strategies for the rapid and reliable isolation of these antibodies, especially potent neutralizing antibodies, are critical toward improved COVID-19 response and informed future response to emergent infectious diseases. In this study, single B cell screening was used to interrogate antibody repertoires of immunized mice and isolate antigen-specific IgG1+ memory B cells. Using these methods, high-affinity, potent neutralizing antibodies were identified that target the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2. Further engineering of the identified molecules to increase valency resulted in enhanced neutralizing activity. Mechanistic investigation revealed that these antibodies compete with ACE2 for binding to the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2. These antibodies may warrant further development for urgent COVID-19 applications. Overall, these results highlight the potential of single B cell screening for the rapid and reliable identification of high-affinity, potent neutralizing antibodies for infectious disease applications.
Genetic landscape of T cells identifies synthetic lethality for T-ALL
Authors: O’Meara Connor P. , Guerri Lucia , Lawir Divine-Fondzenyuy , Mateos Fernando , Iconomou Mary , Iwanami Norimasa , Soza-Ried Cristian , Sikora Katarzyna , Siamishi Iliana , Giorgetti Orlando , Peter Sarah , Schorpp Michael , Boehm Thomas
Published: October 2021

To capture the global gene network regulating the differentiation of immature T cells in an unbiased manner, large-scale forward genetic screens in zebrafish were conducted and combined with genetic interaction analysis. After ENU mutagenesis, genetic lesions associated with failure of T cell development were identified by meiotic recombination mapping, positional cloning, and whole genome sequencing. Recessive genetic variants in 33 genes were identified and confirmed as causative by additional experiments. The mutations affected T cell development but did not perturb the development of an unrelated cell type, growth hormone-expressing somatotrophs, providing an important measure of cell-type specificity of the genetic variants. The structure of the genetic network encompassing the identified components was established by a subsequent genetic interaction analysis, which identified many instances of positive (alleviating) and negative (synthetic) genetic interactions. Several examples of synthetic lethality were subsequently phenocopied using combinations of small molecule inhibitors. These drugs not only interfered with normal T cell development, but also elicited remission in a model of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Our findings illustrate how genetic interaction data obtained in the context of entire organisms can be exploited for targeted interference with specific cell types and their malignant derivatives.
Strong nutrient-plant interactions enhance the stability of ecosystems
Authors: Schonberger Zachariah G. , McCann Kevin , Gellner Gabriel
Published: October 2021

Modular food web theory shows how weak energetic fluxes resulting from consumptive interactions plays a major role in stabilizing food webs in space and time. Despite the reliance on energetic fluxes, food web theory surprisingly remains poorly understood within an ecosystem context that naturally focuses on material fluxes. At the same time, while ecosystem theory has employed modular nutrient-limited ecosystem models to understand how limiting nutrients alter the structure and dynamics of food webs, ecosystem theory has overlooked the role of key ecosystem interactions and their strengths (e.g., plant-nutrient; R-N) in mediating the stability of nutrient-limited ecosystems. Here, towards integrating food web theory and ecosystem theory, we first briefly review consumer-resource interactions (C-R) highlighting the relationship between the structure of C-R interactions and the stability of food web modules. We then translate this framework to nutrient-based systems, showing that the nutrient-plant interaction behaves as a coherent extension of current modular food web theory; however, in contrast to the rule that weak C-R interactions tend to be stabilizing we show that strong nutrient-plant interactions are potent stabilizers in nutrient-limited ecosystem models.
A new family of “megaphages” abundant in the marine environment
Authors: Michniewski Slawomir , Rihtman Branko , Cook Ryan , Jones Michael A , Wilson William H , Scanlan David J , Millard Andrew
Published: October 2021

Megaphages, bacteriophages harbouring extremely large genomes, have recently been found to be ubiquitous, being described from a variety of microbiomes ranging from the animal gut to soil and freshwater systems. However, no complete marine megaphage has been identified to date. Here, using both short and long read sequencing, we assembled >900 high-quality draft viral genomes from water in the English Channel. One of these genomes included a novel megaphage, Mar_Mega_1 at >650 Kb, making it one of the largest phage genomes assembled to date. Utilising phylogenetic and network approaches, we found this phage represents a new family of megaphages. Genomic analysis showed Mar_Mega_1 shares relatively few homologues with its closest relatives, but, as with other megaphages Mar_Mega_1 contained a variety of auxiliary metabolic genes responsible for carbon metabolism and nucleotide biosynthesis, including a NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase [Idh] and nicotinamide-nucleotide amidohydrolase [PncC], which have not previously been identified in megaphages. Mar_Mega_1 was abundant in a marine virome sample and related phages are widely prevalent in the oceans.
Non-invasive diagnosis of Crohn's disease based on SERS combined with PCA-SVM
Authors: Li Bingyan , Wu Yaling , Wang Zijie , Xing Mengmeng , Xu Weimin , Zhu Yilian , Du Peng , Wang Xiaolei , Yang Huinan
Published: October 2021

The metabolic change of patients (Crohn's disease (CD)/active CD (aCD)/inactive CD (iCD)) and healthy controls (HC) could be identified by measuring urine with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).
Synthesis, self-aggregation and cryopreservation effects of perylene bisimide–glycopeptide conjugates
Authors: He Xu , Hu Bing , Yang Yan , Zhu Hong-Yu , Rong Rui-Xue , Li Xiao-Liu , Wang Ke-Rang
Published: October 2021

Three perylene bisimide–glycopeptide conjugates (PBI-AFF-Man, PBI-AFF-Glu and PBI-AFF-Gal) were synthesized, which showed moderate activity in the control of ice crystal growth.
Porphyrin-based colorimetric sensing of perfluorooctanoic acid as proof of concept for perfluoroalkyl substance detection
Authors: Taylor Chloe M. , Ellingsen Theo A. , Breadmore Michael C. , Kilah Nathan L.
Published: October 2021

A color changing sensor for the pollutant perfluorooctanoic acid was developed. The pollutant was visually detected from soil at concentrations as low as 3 ppm.
Chiral nanotubes self-assembled from discrete non-covalent macrocycles
Authors: Chamorro P. B. , Aparicio F.
Published: October 2021

Transference of chiral information from monomers to supramolecular nanotubes through the self-assembly of discrete non-covalent macrocycles.
Unusual design strategy for a stable and soluble high-molecular-weight copper(i) arylacetylide polymer
Authors: Jiang Li , Jia Jiangtao , Zhai Yongchang , Zhao Zhiqiang , Chen Yu , Cui Fengchao , Tian Yuyang , Zheng Bian , Tian Hongkun , Kang Chuanqing , Gao Lianxun , Eddaoudi Mohamed , Guangshan Zhu
Published: October 2021

The copper(i) arylacetylide polymers reported previously are almost insoluble and infusible so as to restrain their applications. Herein, an unusual design strategy for stable and soluble copper(i) arylacetylide polymers is reported.
Thiol-functionalized UiO-66 anchored atomically dispersed metal ions for the photocatalytic selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol
Authors: Guo Binbin , Chen Rui , Guo Wei , Kang Yueyue , Wu Ling
Published: October 2021

The use of thiol-functionalized UiO-66-anchored atomically dispersed metal ions as photocatalysts can improve the selectivity and conversion of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde.
Selective synthesis of enol ethers via nickel-catalyzed cross coupling of α-oxy-vinylsulfones with alkylzinc reagents
Authors: Gong Liang , Zhang Qian , Xie Demeng , Zhang Wei , Xu Shi-Yang , Zhang Xia , Niu Dawen
Published: October 2021

We describe here a Ni-catalyzed Negishi coupling reaction to prepare 1,2-dialkyl enol ethers in a stereoconvergent fashion.
Desorption-induced evolution of cubic and hexagonal ices in an ultrahigh vacuum and cryogenic temperatures
Authors: Vishwakarma Gaurav , Ghosh Jyotirmoy , Pradeep Thalappil
Published: October 2021

Reflection absorption infrared spectroscopic investigations of multilayer films of acetonitrile (ACN) and water in an ultrahigh vacuum under isothermal conditions showed the emergence of cubic (ice Ic) and hexagonal (ice Ih) ices depending on the composition of the film.
Conservation of the Stokes–Einstein relation in supercooled water
Authors: Ren Gan , Wang Yanting
Published: October 2021

The Stokes–Einstein (SE) relation is commonly regarded as being breakdown in supercooled water.
A synergistic approach to achieving high conduction and stability of CsH2PO4/NaH2PO4/ZrO2 composites for fuel cells
Authors: Veer Dharm , Kumar Pawan , Singh Deshraj , Kumar Devendra , Katiyar Ram S
Published: October 2021

Solid acid composites of CsH2PO4/NaH2PO4/ZrO2 with different weight ratios of CsH2PO4 (CDP), NaH2PO4 (SDP), and ZrO2 were synthesized and characterized.
Imprinting chirality in inorganic nanomaterials for optoelectronic and bio-applications: strategies, challenges, and opportunities
Authors: Mondal Prakash Chandra , Asthana Deepak , Parashar Ranjeev Kumar , Jadhav Sakshi
Published: October 2021

We have shed light on the recent advances in imprinting chirality into achiral inorganic nanomaterials using organic chiral molecules, their structural analysis, growth mechanism, optical, optoelectronic, and bio-applications.
The flexibility-based modulation of DNA nanostar phase separation
Authors: Lee Taehyun , Do Sungho , Lee Jae Gyung , Kim Do-Nyun , Shin Yongdae
Published: October 2021

The structural flexibility of interacting units significantly impacts phase separation behaviors.
A biomass-based Schiff base vitrimer with both excellent performance and multiple degradability
Authors: Jiang Lin , Tian Yazhou , Cheng Jue , Zhang Junying
Published: October 2021

Vitrimers with both excellent performance and multiple degradability were obtained by curing vanillin dialdehyde monomer with triamino T403.
Preparation of core/shell organic–inorganic hybrid polymer nanoparticles and their application to toughening poly(methyl methacrylate)
Authors: Xia Jia , Luo Xia , Huang Jin , Ma Jiajun , Yang Junxiao
Published: October 2021

Core/shell organic–inorganic hybrid polymer nanoparticles are synthesized by micellar nucleation, core enlarged polymerization and a grafting reaction in the system.
Synthesis, characterizations and electrochemical performances of anhydrous CoC2O4 nanorods for pseudocapacitive energy storage applications
Authors: Mishra Neeraj Kumar , Mondal Rakesh , Singh Preetam
Published: October 2021

With active participation of Co2+/3+ redox couples in an oxalate framework, Anhydrous CoC2O4 nanorods display a capacitance equivalent to 2116 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 current rate in the potential window of 0.3 V in aqueous 2 M KOH electrolyte.
A comparison of hydrogen release kinetics from 5- and 6-membered 1,2-BN-cycloalkanes
Authors: Giustra Zachary X. , Chen Gang , Vasiliu Monica , Karkamkar Abhijeet , Autrey Tom , Dixon David A. , Liu Shih-Yuan
Published: October 2021

The reaction order and Arrhenius activation parameters for spontaneous hydrogen release from cyclic amine boranes,i.e., BN-cycloalkanes, were determined for 1,2-BN-cyclohexane (1) and 3-methyl-1,2-BN-cyclopentane (2) in tetraglyme.
A rare earth metallocene containing a 2,2′-azopyridyl radical anion
Authors: Delano IV Francis , Castellanos Ernesto , McCracken John , Demir Selvan
Published: October 2021

Unambiguous characterization of the first 2,2′-azobispyridine radical-containing rare earth metal complex through X-ray crystallography, DFT computations, EPR and HYSCORE spectroscopy.
Immobilization of 129I in nuclear waste glass matrixes synthesized under high-pressure conditions: an experimental study
Authors: Morizet Yann , Hamon Jonathan , La Carole , Jolivet Valentin , Suzuki-Muresan Tomo , Paris Michael
Published: October 2021

Two recommendations are suggested for immobilizing 129I radioisotopes in high-pressure glasses: the use of an oxidized iodine form (I5+) instead of the reduced iodine form (I−) and the use of a sodium rich composition instead of a calcium rich one.
Multi-scale chemo-mechanical evolution during crystallization of mixed conducting SrTi0.65Fe0.35O3−δ films and correlation to electrical conductivity
Authors: Buckner Haley B. , Ma Qing , Simpson-Gomez Joshua , Skiba Emily J. , Perry Nicola H.
Published: October 2021

Crystallization of a perovskite mixed conductor is coupled to oxidation, which drives defect chemistry, ion coordination, polyhedra alignment, hierarchical microstructure, and property evolution – including a boost to electrical conductivity.
Janus behaviour of LiFSI- and LiPF6-based electrolytes for Li metal batteries: chemical corrosion versus galvanic corrosion
Authors: Kwon Bomee , Lee Jeonghyeop , Kim Hyunchul , Kim Dong-Min , Park Kyobin , Jo Seunghyeon , Lee Kyu Tae
Published: October 2021

The Janus behaviour of LiPF6- and LiFSI-based electrolytes in the electrochemical performance of Li metal is demonstrated in terms of chemical corrosion and galvanic corrosion.
Graphene and graphene-related materials as brain electrodes
Authors: Xu Boyu , Pei Jiahui , Feng Liefeng , Zhang Xiao-Dong
Published: October 2021

Research progress of graphene and its composite electrodes in neuronal signal recording, stimulation and related optical signal coupling technology.
Gender Spectrum Voice Inventory: A Pilot Study
Authors: Van Hook Emily , Duffy Sarah
Published: October 2021

Purpose:

Gender affirming voice therapy (GAVT) for transgender and nonbinary people, for some, is a vital step to gaining confidence and satisfaction with one's gender presentation. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) guide these individuals through this process through skilled voice evaluation and therapy. There are currently scarce validated clinical assessments for transgender men or nonbinary people seeking GAVT. This was a pilot study to trial the Gender Spectrum Voice Inventory (GSVI), a comprehensive gender affirming voice assessment created by the researchers to fill this gap in available clinical tools. A comparable assessment does not exist currently in the field.

Method:

This study used a mixed-methods design. SLP participants administered the GSVI to four transgender feminine clients and completed a survey afterwards. It is a future goal to expand the researched population for the GSVI to people across the gender spectrum. The deidentified test data were analyzed by the researchers for potential trends. The desired outcomes were to determine if the GSVI had possible indications of face validity and if SLPs administering the test perceived it to be a comprehensive and effective assessment.

Conclusions:

Findings suggest the developed measure may have good face validity. Survey results were generally positive in the areas of the test's utility, effectiveness, and comprehensiveness, and areas were identified for improvement in the test's continued development. These results call for future trials of the GSVI, investigating its validity and establishing norms in the future, with clients across the gender spectrum and a larger sample size.
FANET: Smart city mobility off to a flying start with self‐organized drone‐based networks
Authors: Siddiqi Muhammad Hameed , Draz Umar , Ali Amjad , Iqbal Muddesar , Alruwaili Madallah , Alhwaiti Yousef , Alanazi Saad
Published: October 2021

Due to recent advancements in smart city traffic and transport monitoring industry 4.0 applications. Flying Ad‐Hoc Networks (FANETs) ability to cover geographically large areas, makes it a suitable technology to address the challenges faced during remote areas traffic monitoring. The implementation of drone based FANETs have several advantages in remote traffic monitoring, including free air‐to‐air drone assisted communication zone and smart surveillance and security. The drone‐based FANETs can be deployed within minutes without requiring physical infrastructure, making it suitable for mission critical applications in several areas of interests. Here a drone‐based FANETs application for smart city remote traffic monitoring is presented while addressing several challenges including coverage of larger geographical area and data communication links between FANETs nodes. A FANET‐inspired enhanced ACO algorithm that easily coped with drone assisted technology of FANETs is proposed to cover the large areas. Simulation results are presented to compare the proposed technique against different network lifetime and number of received packets. The presented results show that the proposed technique perform better compared to other state‐of‐the‐art techniques.
Energy‐efficiency hybrid beamforming architecture design for MIMO network
Authors: Cao Kuo , Zhang Jiao , Xiong Jun
Published: October 2021

This letter investigates the hybrid beamforming architecture design for MIMO network, where the connection between each antenna and each radio frequency chain is controlled by a switch. The optimization of the switch‐controlled connection state vector is studied for maximizing the energy efficiency of the system. The problem of connection‐state vector design is transformed into a single‐variable optimization problem, and the optimal hybrid beamforming architecture is derived. Numerical examples validate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
A decomposition‐based multi‐time dimension long short‐term memory model for short‐term electric load forecasting
Authors: Huang Jiehui , Zhou Zhiwang , Li Chunquan , Liao Zhiyuan , Liu Peter X.
Published: October 2021

Short‐term load forecasting is essential to power systems management. However, most existing forecasting methods fail to fully consider how to rationally integrate the intrinsic time‐related dimensions of electric load data and the decomposition methods into machine learning models so that their prediction accuracy and robustness still have much room for improvement. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a decomposition‐based multi‐time dimension long short‐term memory (DB‐MTD‐LSTM) model for short‐term electric load forecasting (STELF). In DB‐MTD‐LSTM, empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (CEEMDAN) is first introduced to smooth non‐linear non‐stationary electric load data and constrain the modal aliasing or noise of decomposed electric load data in the traditional decomposed method. A joint relevant time dimensions method (JRTDM) is then developed using autocorrelation analysis to rationally extract the temporal characteristics of decomposed data in multiple time dimensions. An improved LSTM called MTD‐LSTM is developed by combining JRTDM with LSTM, which can effectively apply multi‐dimensional time characteristics of the decomposed load to improve the predictive accuracy and robustness. Several datasets from Australia and China are performed to check the predictive performance of DB‐MTD‐LSTM. Experimental results verify that DB‐MTD‐LSTM has better predictive accuracy and satisfactory robustness compared with state‐of‐the‐art and conventional predictive models.