bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Integrative Approach to Emotional Agency at Work
Authors: Hökkä Päivi , Vähäsantanen Katja , Ikävalko Heini
Published: November 2022

The concept of agency has recently emerged as a fruitful construct in understanding organizational practices and development. However, agency has tended so far to be seen as a rational and goal-oriented phenomenon, with little attention paid to the role of emotions within it. There is thus a need for theoretical discussion on both agency and emotions in organizations, and also on how the two phenomena are related. This paper aims to introduce an elaborated conceptualization of emotional agency at work, based on recent theories on professional agency and emotions in organizational contexts. We suggest that emotional agency can be understood as the competence to perceive, understand, and take into account one’s own emotions and those of others, and further to influence emotions within organizational practices, actions, and interactions. Our paper provides an integrative definition of emotional agency at work (EAW), usable in future research. It also elaborates how emotional agency may function within organizations and their development practices.
Resources to Increase Older Workers’ Motivation and Intention to Learn
Authors: Froehlich Dominik E. , Raemdonck Isabel , Beausaert Simon
Published: November 2022

Two important and current trends in the domain of work are the aging workforce and the high and increasing requirement for work-related learning due to the rate of technological advancement and innovation. Together, they create a precarious situation, as many theories suggest a decline in motivation to learn as people age. This study investigates antecedents of motivation and intention to learn in older employees in the financial sector. Specifically, we research how learning motivation is affected by personal and job resources and how these translate into intentions to learn. Data was collected via a quantitative survey of 870 employees aged 50 or older. The data is analyzed by the means of structural equation modelling (SEM). The results show positive relationships between proactive personality and motivation (subjective task value and learning self-efficacy) and negative relationships between institutionalized negative age stereotypes and motivation. This, in turn, affects older employees’ intention to learn. Finally, in contrast to supervisor support, organizational support for professional development raised utility value in the respondents. The findings suggest that organizations might want to recruit employees who are high in pro-active personality. Also, trainings may be fruitful to educate against the negative stereotypes that often associate old age with an inability to learn. Finally, supervisors and trainers should explain the utility and interest of the learning activities since it makes employees motivated to learn.
Strengthening the surface and adsorption properties of diatomite for removal of Cr(VI) and methylene blue dye
Authors: Fathy Nady A. , Mousa Sahar M. , Aboelenin Reham M. , Sherief Marwa A. , Abdelmoaty Alaa S.
Published: November 2022

The main purpose of this work was to boost the surface and adsorption characteristics of diatomite (D) through chemical modifications with chitosan (DC), chitosan/titanium isopropoxide (DCTi), or chitosan/ graphene oxide (DCGr), respectively. Physicochemical characteristics of the prepared samples were investigated using SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR, TGA, and porosity measurements. The impact of such modifiers into the D surface on the removal efficiency of chromium (VI) ions and methylene blue dye was studied in an equilibrium mode. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were used to analyze the adsorption data. Modifiers considerably enhanced the surface and textural properties of D through insertion of the main surface functional groups of chitosan and graphene oxide together compared to chitosan and titanium isopropoxide together or chitosan alone. In addition, the total surface area and total pore volume parameters of the unmodified D sample were improved greatly from 16.5 m2/g, 0.036 cm3/g to 39.8 m2/g and 0.174 cm3/g for DCGr, while they were 17.7 m2/g and 0.132 cm3/g for DC. The best adsorption results were well-defined with the Langmuir isotherm equilibrium model. Accordingly, the DCGr sample exhibited the highest uptake of Cr(VI) (about 167 mg/g) and methylene blue (66.7 mg/g). Hence, the chemical modification strategy of diatomite performed by using chitosan and graphene oxide significantly boosted the surface active sites and porosity properties and thus gave rise to the high adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) and methylene blue dye from wastewater. Hence, these findings affirmed the validity of the current strategy for surface modification of diatomite with chitosan and graphene oxide.
Further pathogenicity testing of Verticillium nonalfalfae, a biocontrol agent against the invasive Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), on non-target tree species in Europe
Authors: Lechner Yvonne , Maschek Oliver , Kirisits Thomas , Halmschlager Erhard
Published: November 2022

Verticillium nonalfalfaeis an effective biological control agent against the highly invasive Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) in Europe, and previous research on ten economically and ecologically important tree species occurring in Austria have so far not revealed undesired non-target effects. In this study, another nine tree species including five native, two non-native as well as two invasive alien tree species were tested for susceptibility to the particular strain ofV. nonalfalfae(Vert56) used for biological control ofA. altissima. Stem inoculations on potted seedlings revealed that this strain ofV. nonalfalfaeis generally host-adapted toA. altissima. It induced chlorosis, necrosis and wilting already within two weeks post inoculation onA. altissimaand resulted in almost completely defoliated or dead seedlings at the end of the vegetation period. Apart from two species (Quercus rubraandSorbus aucuparia), that suffered from other abiotic/biotic agents, no mortality was observed on all other tree species tested; however, symptoms caused by other abiotic factors were also found onPrunus aviumandUlmus glabra. All tested tree species exhibited vascular discolorations and the fungus could be re-isolated at varying frequencies (6—100%) from inoculated seedlings of all non-target tree species, although five of these species exhibited no external symptoms. Results confirmed high susceptibility (S) ofA. altissimatoV. nonalfalfae, whereasAcer platanoides,Castanea sativa,Q. rubra,S. aucupariaandU. glabrawere considered as tolerant (T), andA. negundo, P. avium,P. serotinaandQ. petraeawere rated as possible resistant (PR) due to the low rates of re-isolation.
Realizing high thermoelectric performance of Cu and Ce co-doped p-type polycrystalline SnSe via inducing nanoprecipitation arrays
Authors: Qin Yi , Xiong Tao , Zhu Jian-feng , Yang Yan-ling , Ren Hong-rui , He Hai-long , Niu Chun-ping , Li Xiao-han , Xie Me-qian , Zhao Ting
Published: November 2022

Thermoelectric (TE) performance of polycrystalline stannous selenide (SnSe) has been remarkably promoted by the strategies of energy band, defect engineering, etc. However, due to the intrinsic insufficiencies of phonon scattering and carrier concentration, it is hard to simultaneously realize the regulations of electrical and thermal transport properties by one simple approach. Herein, we develop Cu and Ce co-doping strategy that can not only greatly reduce lattice thermal conductivity but also improve the electrical transport properties. In this strategy, the incorporated Cu and Ce atoms could induce high-density SnSe2 nanoprecipitation arrays on the surface of SnSe microplate, and produce dopant atom point defects and dislocations in its interior, which form multi-scale phonon scattering synergy, thereby presenting an ultralow thermal conductivity of 0.275 W·m-1·K-1 at 786 K. Meanwhile, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, carrier concentration, and mobility testing reveal that more extra hole carriers and lower conducting carrier scattering generate after Cu and Ce co-doping, thereby improving the electrical conductivity. The co-doped Sn0.98Cu0.01Ce0.01Se bulk exhibits an excellent ZT value up to ~1.2 at 786 K and a high average ZT value of 0.67 from 300 to 786 K. This work provides a simple and convenient strategy of enhancing the TE performance of polycrystalline SnSe.
Formation mechanism and roles of oxygen vacancies in melt-grown Al2O3/GdAlO3/ZrO2 eutectic ceramic by laser 3D printing
Authors: Liu Haifang , Su Haijun , Shen Zhonglin , Jiang Hao , Zhao Di , Liu Yuan , Guo Yinuo , Li Xiang , Guo Min , Zhang Jun , Liu Lin , Fu Hengzhi
Published: November 2022

Laser three-dimensional (3D) printing has become a significant technique to fabricate high-performance Al2O3-based eutectic ceramics based on melt growth. However, oxygen vacancies are inevitable crystal defects during this process, and their formation mechanism and roles in the as-deposited ceramics are still unclear. In this paper, Al2O3/GdAlO3/ZrO2 ternary eutectic ceramics were prepared by laser 3D printing, and the formation mechanism of the oxygen vacancies was revealed by conducting a well-designed annealing experiment. In addition, the effects of the oxygen vacancies on the structure and mechanical property of the as-solidified eutectic ceramic were investigated. The formation of oxygen vacancies is revealed to be a result of the transfer of oxygen atoms from the oxide ceramic to the oxygen-deficient atmosphere by means of vacancy migration mechanism. Besides, the presence of oxygen vacancies has no obvious effects on crystalline structure and microstructure of the additively manufactured eutectic ceramic. However, the chemical bond property changes to some extent due to the formation of these crystal defects, which may affect the mechanical property of the as-deposited eutectic ceramic. It is found that the hardness decreases by 3.9%, and the fracture toughness increases by 13.3% after removing the oxygen vacancies. The results may provide a potential strategy to regulate the mechanical property of the oxide ceramic materials.
Zr2SeB and Hf2SeB: Two new MAB phase compounds with the Cr2AlC-type MAX phase (211 phase) crystal structures
Authors: Zhang Qiqiang , Zhou Yanchun , San Xingyuan , Li Wenbo , Bao Yiwang , Feng Qingguo , Grasso Salvatore , Hu Chunfeng
Published: November 2022

The ternary or quaternary layered compounds called MAB phases are frequently mentioned recently together with the well-known MAX phases. However, MAB phases are generally referred to layered transition metal borides, while MAX phases are layered transition metal carbides and nitrides with different types of crystal structure although they share the common nano-laminated structure characteristics. In order to prove that MAB phases can share the same type of crystal structure with MAX phases and extend the composition window of MAX phases from carbides and nitrides to borides, two new MAB phase compounds Zr2SeB and Hf2SeB with the Cr2AlC-type MAX phase (211 phase) crystal structure were discovered by a combination of first-principles calculations and experimental verification in this work. First-principles calculations predicted the stability and lattice parameters of the two new MAB phase compounds Zr2SeB and Hf2SeB. Then they were successfully synthesized by using a thermal explosion method in a spark plasma sintering (SPS) furnace. The crystal structures of Zr2SeB and Hf2SeB were determined by a combination of the X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The lattice parameters of Zr2SeB and Hf2SeB are a = 3.64398 Å, c = 12.63223 Å and a = 3.52280 Å, c = 12.47804 Å, respectively. And the atomic positions are M at 4f (1/3, 2/3, 0.60288 [Zr] or 0.59889 [Hf]), Se at 2c (1/3, 2/3, 1/4), and B at 2a (0, 0, 0). And the atomic stacking sequences follow those of the Cr2AlC-type MAX phases. This work opens up the composition window for the MAB phases and MAX phases and will trigger the interests of material scientists and physicists to explore new compounds and properties in this new family of materials.
Self-assembled Ag4V2O7/Ag3VO4 Z-scheme heterojunction by pH adjustment with efficient photocatalytic performance
Authors: Xing Yan , Lu Xichuan , Li Yi , Yang Bozhi , Huang Yujia , Zhang Mengfei , Cheng Jing , Min Xin , Pan Wei
Published: November 2022

Semiconductor heterojunction plays a pivotal role in photocatalysis. However, the construction of a heterojunction with a fine microstructure usually requires complex synthetic procedures. Herein, a pH-adjusted one-step method was employed to controllably synthesize Ag4V2O7/Ag3VO4 heterojunction with a well-tuned 0D/1D hierarchical structure for the first time. It is noteworthy that the ordered stacking of vanadium oxide tetrahedron $$(\rm{VO}_3^-)$$
(

V
O

3
−

)
guided by the pH value wisely realizes the in-situ growth of Ag4V2O7 nanoparticles on the surface of Ag3VO4 nanorods. Furthermore, comprehensive characterization and calculation decipher the electronic structures of Ag4V2O7 and Ag3VO4 and the formation of Z-scheme heterojunction, benefiting the visible light harvesting and carrier utilization. Such a new Ag4V2O7/Ag3VO4 heterojunction exhibits remarkable photocatalytic activity and excellent stability. Complete degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) can be achieved in 10 min by the Ag4V2O7/Ag3VO4 heterojunction under visible light irradiation, demonstrating an outstanding reaction rate of 0.35 min−1 that is up to 84-fold higher than those of other silver vanadates. More importantly, this integration of synthesis technology and heterojunction design, based on the intrinsic crystal and electronic structures, could be inspiring for developing novel heterostructured materials with advanced performance.
A priori Lipschitz estimates for nonlinear equations with mixed local and nonlocal diffusion via the adjoint-Bernstein method
Authors: Goffi Alessandro
Published: November 2022

We establish a priori Lipschitz estimates for equations with mixed local and nonlocal diffusion, coercive gradient terms and unbounded right-hand side in Lebesgue spaces through an integral refinement of the Bernstein method. This relies on a nonlinear, nonlocal and variational version of the Bochner identity that involves the adjoint equation of the linearization of the initial problem.
Evaluation of WRF-chem simulations of NO2 and CO from biomass burning over East Africa and its surrounding regions
Authors: Opio Ronald , Mugume Isaac , Nakatumba-Nabende Joyce , Nanteza Jamiat , Nimusiima Alex , Mbogga Michael , Mugagga Frank
Published: November 2022

In East Africa, biomass burning in the savanna region emits nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and aerosols among other species. These emissions are dangerous air pollutants which pose a health risk to the population. They also affect the radiation budget. Currently, limited academic research has been done to study their spatial and temporal distribution over this region by means of numerical modeling. This study therefore used the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with chemistry (WRF-chem) to simulate, for the first time, the distribution of NO2 during the year 2012 and CO during the period June 2015 to May 2016 over this region. These periods had the highest atmospheric abundances of these species. The model’s performance was evaluated against satellite observations from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) and the Measurement of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT). Three evaluation metrics were used, these were, the normalized mean bias (NMB), the root mean square error (RMSE) and Pearson’s correlation coefficient (R). Further, an attempt was made to reduce the bias shown by WRF-chem by applying a deep convolutional autoencoder (WRF-DCA) algorithm and linear scaling (WRF-LS). The results showed that WRF-chem simulated the seasonality of the gases but made below adequate estimates of the gas abundances. It overestimated NO2 and underestimated CO throughout all the seasons. Overall, for NO2, WRF-chem had an average NMB of 3.51, RMSE of 2 × 1015 molecules/cm2 and R of 0.44 while for CO, it had an average NMB of − 0.063, RMSE of 0.65 × 1018 molecules/cm2 and R of 0.13. Furthermore, even though both WRF-DCA and WRF-LS successfully reduced the bias in WRF-chem’s NO2 estimates, WRF-DCA had a superior performance compared to WRF-LS. It reduced the NMB by an average of 3.2 (90.2%). Finally, this study has shown that deep learning has a strong ability to improve the estimates of numerical models, and this can be a cue to incorporate this approach along other stages of the numerical modeling process.
Land‐Atmosphere Cascade Fueled the 2020 Siberian Heatwave
Authors: Gloege L. , Kornhuber K. , Skulovich O. , Pal I. , Zhou S. , Ciais P. , Gentine P.
Published: November 2022

A heatwave in Siberia starting in January 2020, initiated by a wave 5 pattern in the jet stream, caused the surface air temperature to reach 38°C in June with important impacts on ecosystems and water resources. Here we show that this dynamical setup started a chain of events leading to this long‐lasting and unusual event: positive temperature anomalies over Siberia caused early snowmelt, leading to substantial earlier vegetation greening accompanied by decreased soil moisture and browning in the summer. This soil moisture depletion and vegetation browning, in turn, increased the impact of the heatwave on the atmosphere through a land‐atmosphere feedback. This line of evidence suggests that large‐scale dynamics and land‐atmosphere interactions both contributed to the magnitude and persistence of this record‐breaking heatwave, in addition to the background global warming impact on mean temperature. Here, we describe a carry‐over effect in Siberia from a spring positive temperature anomaly into summer dryness and browning, with retroaction into the atmosphere. With the Arctic warming twice as fast as the global average, this event foreshadows the future of northern latitude continents and emphasizes the importance of both atmospheric dynamics and land‐atmosphere interactions in the future as the climate changes. More frequent similar events could have major consequences on the carbon cycle in these carbon‐rich northern latitude regions.
Global‐Scale Shifts in Rooting Depths Due To Anthropocene Land Cover Changes Pose Unexamined Consequences for Critical Zone Functioning
Authors: Hauser Emma , Sullivan Pamela L. , Flores Alejandro N. , Hirmas Daniel , Billings Sharon A.
Published: November 2022

Rooting depth is an ecosystem trait that determines the extent of soil development and carbon (C) and water cycling. Recent hypotheses propose that human‐induced changes to Earth's biogeochemical cycles propagate deeply into Earth's subsurface due to rooting depth changes from agricultural and climate‐induced land cover changes. Yet, the lack of a global‐scale quantification of rooting depth responses to human activity limits knowledge of hydrosphere‐atmosphere‐lithosphere feedbacks in the Anthropocene. Here we use land cover data sets to demonstrate that root depth distributions are changing globally as a consequence of agricultural expansion truncating depths above which 99% of root biomass occurs (D99) by ∼60 cm, and woody encroachment linked to anthropogenic climate change extending D99 in other regions by ∼38 cm. The net result of these two opposing drivers is a global reduction of D99 by 5%, or ∼8 cm, representing a loss of ∼11,600 km3 of rooted volume. Projected land cover scenarios in 2100 suggest additional future D99 shallowing of up to 30 cm, generating further losses of rooted volume of ∼43,500 km3, values exceeding root losses experienced to date and suggesting that the pace of root shallowing will quicken in the coming century. Losses of Earth's deepest roots—soil‐forming agents—suggest unanticipated changes in fluxes of water, solutes, and C. Two important messages emerge from our analyses: dynamic, human‐modified root distributions should be incorporated into earth systems models, and a significant gap in deep root research inhibits accurate projections of future root distributions and their biogeochemical consequences.
Serotonin-releasing agents with reduced off-target effects
Authors: Mayer Felix P. , Niello Marco , Cintulova Daniela , Sideromenos Spyridon , Maier Julian , Li Yang , Bulling Simon , Kudlacek Oliver , Schicker Klaus , Iwamoto Hideki , Deng Fei , Wan Jinxia , Holy Marion , Katamish Rania , Sandtner Walter , Li Yulong , Pollak Daniela D. , Blakely Randy D. , Mihovilovic Marko D. , Baumann Michael H. , Sitte Harald H.
Published: November 2022

Increasing extracellular levels of serotonin (5-HT) in the brain ameliorates symptoms of depression and anxiety-related disorders, e.g., social phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder. Recent evidence from preclinical and clinical studies established the therapeutic potential of drugs inducing the release of 5-HT via the 5-HT-transporter. Nevertheless, current 5-HT releasing compounds under clinical investigation carry the risk for abuse and deleterious side effects. Here, we demonstrate thatS-enantiomers of certain ring-substituted cathinones show preference for the release of 5-HT ex vivo and in vivo, and exert 5-HT-associated effects in preclinical behavioral models. Importantly, the lead cathinone compounds (1) do not induce substantial dopamine release and (2) display reduced off-target activity at vesicular monoamine transporters and 5-HT2B-receptors, indicative of low abuse-liability and low potential for adverse events. Taken together, our findings identify these agents as lead compounds that may prove useful for the treatment of disorders where elevation of 5-HT has proven beneficial.
Phototroph-heterotroph interactions during growth and long-term starvation across Prochlorococcus and Alteromonas diversity
Authors: Weissberg Osnat , Aharonovich Dikla , Sher Daniel
Published: November 2022

Due to their potential impact on ecosystems and biogeochemistry, microbial interactions, such as those between phytoplankton and bacteria, have been studied intensively using specific model organisms. Yet, to what extent interactions differ between closely related organisms, or how these interactions change over time, or culture conditions, remains unclear. Here, we characterize the interactions between five strains each of two globally abundant marine microorganisms, Prochlorococcus (phototroph) and Alteromonas (heterotroph), from the first encounter between individual strains and over more than a year of repeated cycles of exponential growth and long-term nitrogen starvation. Prochlorococcus-Alteromonas interactions had little effect on traditional growth parameters such as Prochlorococcus growth rate, maximal fluorescence, or lag phase, affecting primarily the dynamics of culture decline, which we interpret as representing cell mortality and lysis. The shape of the Prochlorococcus decline curve and the carrying capacity of the co-cultures were determined by the phototroph and not the heterotroph strains involved. Comparing various mathematical models of culture mortality suggests that Prochlorococcus death rate increases over time in mono-cultures but decreases in co-cultures, with cells potentially becoming more resistant to stress. Our results demonstrate intra-species differences in ecologically relevant co-culture outcomes. These include the recycling efficiency of N and whether the interactions are mutually synergistic or competitive. They also highlight the information-rich growth and death curves as a useful readout of the interaction phenotype.
Androgen deprivation restores ARHGEF2 to promote neuroendocrine differentiation of prostate cancer
Authors: Chen Xuanrong , Shao Yi , Wei Wanqing , Zhu Shimiao , Li Yang , Chen Yutong , Li Hanling , Tian Hao , Sun Guijiang , Niu Yuanjie , Shang Zhiqun
Published: November 2022

Androgen receptor (AR) plays an important role in the progression of prostate cancer and has been targeted by castration or AR-antagonists. The emergence of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) after androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is inevitable. However, it is not entirely clear how ADT fails or how it causes resistance. Through analysis of RNA-seq data, we nominate ARHGEF2 as a pivotal androgen-repressed gene. We show that ARHGEF2 is directly suppressed by androgen/AR. AR occupies the enhancer and communicates with the promoter region of ARHGEF2. Functionally, ARHGEF2 is important for the growth, lethal phenotype, and survival of CRPC cells and tumor xenografts. Correspondingly, AR inhibition or AR antagonist treatment can restore ARHGEF2 expression, thereby allowing prostate cancer cells to induce treatment resistance and tolerance. Overall, our findings provide an explanation for the contradictory clinical results that ADT resistance may be caused by the up-regulation of ARHGEF2 and provide a novel target.
HSP90 mediates the connection of multiple programmed cell death in diseases
Authors: Peng Caiwang , Zhao Fengyan , Li Hengli , Li Ling , Yang Yantao , Liu Fang
Published: November 2022

Heat shock protein (HSP) 90, an important component of the molecular chaperone network, is closely concerned with cellular signaling pathways and stress response by participating in the process of maturation and activation of client proteins, playing a crucial role both in the normal and abnormal operation of the organism. In functionally defective tissues, programmed cell death (PCD) is one of the regulable fundamental mechanisms mediated by HSP90, including apoptosis, autophagy, necroptosis, ferroptosis, and others. Here, we show the complex relationship between HSP90 and different types of PCD in various diseases, and discuss the possibility of HSP90 as the common regulatory nodal in multiple PCD, which would provide a new perspective for the therapeutic approaches in disease.
Analysis of clinically relevant variants from ancestrally diverse Asian genomes
Authors: Chan Sock Hoai , Bylstra Yasmin , Teo Jing Xian , Kuan Jyn Ling , Bertin Nicolas , Gonzalez-Porta Mar , Hebrard Maxime , Tirado-Magallanes Roberto , Tan Joanna Hui Juan , Jeyakani Justin , Li Zhihui , Chai Jin Fang , Chong Yap Seng , Davila Sonia , Goh Liuh Ling , Lee Eng Sing , Wong Eleanor , Wong Tien Yin ,   SG10K_Health Consortium, Aung Tin , Ban Kenneth Hon Kim , Bellis Claire , Chee Miao Li , Chee Miao Ling , Chew Wen Jie , Chin Calvin Woon-Loong , Cook Stuart A. , Dalan Rinkoo , Dorajoo Rajkumar , Drum Chester L. , Elliott Paul , Eriksson Johan G. , Foo Roger , Gardner Daphne , Gluckman Peter D. , Goh Denise Li Meng , Jain Kanika , Kam Sylvia , Kassam Irfahan , Lakshmanan Lakshmi Narayanan , Lee Caroline G. , Lee Jimmy , Lee Soo-Chin , Lee Yung Seng , Li Hengtong , Lim Chia Wei , Lim Tock Han , Loh Marie , Maurer-Stroh Sebastian , Mina Theresia Handayani , Mok Shi Qi , Ng Hong Kiat , Pua Chee Jian , Riboli Elio , Rim Tyler Hyungtaek , Sabanayagam Charumathi , Sim Wey Cheng , Subramaniam Tavintharan , Tan Ee Shien , Tan Eng King , Tantoso Erwin , Tay Darwin , Teo Yik Ying , Tham Yih Chung , Toh Li-xian Grace , Tsai Pi Kuang , van Dam Rob M. , Veeravalli Lavanya , Khin-lin Gervais Wansaicheong , Wilm Andreas , Yang Chengxi , Yap Fabian , Yew Yik Weng , Prabhakar Shyam , Liu Jianjun , Cheng Ching-Yu , Eisenhaber Birgit , Karnani Neerja , Leong Khai Pang , Sim Xueling , Yeo Khung Keong , Chambers John C. , Tai E-Shyong , Tan Patrick , Jamuar Saumya S. , Ngeow Joanne , Lim Weng Khong
Published: November 2022

Asian populations are under-represented in human genomics research. Here, we characterize clinically significant genetic variation in 9051 genomes representing East Asian, South Asian, and severely under-represented Austronesian-speaking Southeast Asian ancestries. We observe disparate genetic risk burden attributable to ancestry-specific recurrent variants and identify individuals with variants specific to ancestries discordant to their self-reported ethnicity, mostly due to cryptic admixture. About 27% of severe recessive disorder genes with appreciable carrier frequencies in Asians are missed by carrier screening panels, and we estimate 0.5% Asian couples at-risk of having an affected child. Prevalence of medically-actionable variant carriers is 3.4% and a further 1.6% harbour variants with potential for pathogenic classification upon additional clinical/experimental evidence. We profile 23 pharmacogenes with high-confidence gene-drug associations and find 22.4% of Asians at-risk of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Tier 1 genetic conditions concurrently harbour pharmacogenetic variants with actionable phenotypes, highlighting the benefits of pre-emptive pharmacogenomics. Our findings illuminate the diversity in genetic disease epidemiology and opportunities for precision medicine for a large, diverse Asian population.
FRET-FISH probes chromatin compaction at individual genomic loci in single cells
Authors: Mota Ana , Berezicki Szymon , Wernersson Erik , Harbers Luuk , Li-Wang Xiaoze , Gradin Katarina , Peuckert Christiane , Crosetto Nicola , Bienko Magda
Published: November 2022

Chromatin compaction is a key biophysical property that influences multiple DNA transactions. Lack of chromatin accessibility is frequently used as proxy for chromatin compaction. However, we currently lack tools for directly probing chromatin compaction at individual genomic loci. To fill this gap, here we present FRET-FISH, a method combining fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) with DNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to probe chromatin compaction at select loci in single cells. We first validate FRET-FISH by comparing it with ATAC-seq, demonstrating that local compaction and accessibility are strongly correlated. FRET-FISH also detects expected differences in compaction upon treatment with drugs perturbing global chromatin condensation. We then leverage FRET-FISH to study local chromatin compaction on the active and inactive X chromosome, along the nuclear radius, in different cell cycle phases, and during increasing passage number. FRET-FISH is a robust tool for probing local chromatin compaction in single cells.
The assembly of mammalian SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes is regulated by lysine-methylation dependent proteolysis
Authors: Guo Pengfei , Hoang Nam , Sanchez Joseph , Zhang Elaine H. , Rajawasam Keshari , Trinidad Kristiana , Sun Hong , Zhang Hui
Published: November 2022

The assembly of mammalian SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes is developmentally programed, and loss/mutations of SWI/SNF subunits alter the levels of other components through proteolysis, causing cancers. Here, we show that mouse Lsd1/Kdm1a deletion causes dramatic dissolution of SWI/SNF complexes and that LSD1 demethylates the methylated lysine residues in SMARCC1 and SMARCC2 to preserve the structural integrity of SWI/SNF complexes. The methylated SMARCC1/SMARCC2 are targeted for proteolysis by L3MBTL3 and the CRL4DCAF5 ubiquitin ligase complex. We identify SMARCC1 as the critical target of LSD1 and L3MBTL3 to maintain the pluripotency and self-renewal of embryonic stem cells. L3MBTL3 also regulates SMARCC1/SMARCC2 proteolysis induced by the loss of SWI/SNF subunits. Consistently, mouse L3mbtl3 deletion causes striking accumulation of SWI/SNF components, associated with embryonic lethality. Our studies reveal that the assembly/disassembly of SWI/SNF complexes is dynamically controlled by a lysine-methylation dependent proteolytic mechanism to maintain the integrity of the SWI/SNF complexes.
Parent-of-Origin inference for biobanks
Authors: Hofmeister Robin J. , Rubinacci Simone , Ribeiro Diogo M. , Buil Alfonso , Kutalik Zoltán , Delaneau Olivier
Published: November 2022

Identical genetic variations can have different phenotypic effects depending on their parent of origin. Yet, studies focusing on parent-of-origin effects have been limited in terms of sample size due to the lack of parental genomes or known genealogies. We propose a probabilistic approach to infer the parent-of-origin of individual alleles that does not require parental genomes nor prior knowledge of genealogy. Our model uses Identity-By-Descent sharing with second- and third-degree relatives to assign alleles to parental groups and leverages chromosome X data in males to distinguish maternal from paternal groups. We combine this with robust haplotype inference and haploid imputation to infer the parent-of-origin for 26,393 UK Biobank individuals. We screen 99 phenotypes for parent-of-origin effects and replicate the discoveries of 6 GWAS studies, confirming signals on body mass index, type 2 diabetes, standing height and multiple blood biomarkers, including the known maternal effect at the MEG3/DLK1 locus on platelet phenotypes. We also report a novel maternal effect at the TERT gene on telomere length, thereby providing new insights on the heritability of this phenotype. All our summary statistics are publicly available to help the community to better characterize the molecular mechanisms leading to parent-of-origin effects and their implications for human health.
Inducible plasmid copy number control for synthetic biology in commonly used E. coli strains
Authors: Joshi Shivang Hina-Nilesh , Yong Chentao , Gyorgy Andras
Published: November 2022

The ability to externally control gene expression has been paradigm shifting for all areas of biological research, especially for synthetic biology. Such control typically occurs at the transcriptional and translational level, while technologies enabling control at the DNA copy level are limited by either (i) relying on a handful of plasmids with fixed and arbitrary copy numbers; or (ii) require multiple plasmids for replication control; or (iii) are restricted to specialized strains. To overcome these limitations, we present TULIP (TUnable Ligand Inducible Plasmid): a self-contained plasmid with inducible copy number control, designed for portability across various Escherichia coli strains commonly used for cloning, protein expression, and metabolic engineering. Using TULIP, we demonstrate through multiple application examples that flexible plasmid copy number control accelerates the design and optimization of gene circuits, enables efficient probing of metabolic burden, and facilitates the prototyping and recycling of modules in different genetic contexts.
Mapping structure heterogeneities and visualizing moisture degradation of perovskite films with nano-focus WAXS
Authors: Li Nian , Pratap Shambhavi , Körstgens Volker , Vema Sundeep , Song Lin , Liang Suzhe , Davydok Anton , Krywka Christina , Müller-Buschbaum Peter
Published: November 2022

Extensive attention has focused on the structure optimization of perovskites, whereas rare research has mapped the structure heterogeneity within mixed hybrid perovskite films. Overlooked aspects include material and structure variations as a function of depth. These depth-dependent local structure heterogeneities dictate their long-term stabilities and efficiencies. Here, we use a nano-focused wide-angle X-ray scattering method for the mapping of film heterogeneities over several micrometers across lateral and vertical directions. The relative variations of characteristic perovskite peak positions show that the top film region bears the tensile strain. Through a texture orientation map of the perovskite (100) peak, we find that the perovskite grains deposited by sequential spray-coating grow along the vertical direction. Moreover, we investigate the moisture-induced degradation products in the perovskite film, and the underlying mechanism for its structure-dependent degradation. The moisture degradation along the lateral direction primarily initiates at the perovskite-air interface and grain boundaries. The tensile strain on the top surface has a profound influence on the moisture degradation.
Sila-spirocyclization involving unstrained C(sp3)−Si bond cleavage
Authors: Shi Yufeng , Shi Xiaonan , Zhang Jinyu , Qin Ying , Li Bo , Zhao Dongbing
Published: November 2022

C − Si Bond cleavage is one of the key elemental steps for a wide variety of silicon-based transformations. However, the cleavage of unstrained Si−C(sp3) bonds catalyzed by transition metal are still in their infancy. They generally involve the insertion of a M − C(sp2) species into the C − Si bond and consequent intramolecular C(sp2)‒Si coupling to exclusively produce siloles. Here we report the Pd-catalyzed sila-spirocyclization, in which the Si−C(sp3) bond is activated by the insertion of a M − C(sp3) species and followed by the formation of a new C(sp3)‒Si bond, allowing the construction of diverse spirosilacycles. This reactivity mode, which is strongly supported by DFT calculations may open an avenue for the Si−C(sp3) bond cleavage and silacycle synthesis.
Chromosome-level genome assembly of bunching onion illuminates genome evolution and flavor formation in Allium crops
Authors: Liao Nanqiao , Hu Zhongyuan , Miao Jinshan , Hu Xiaodi , Lyu Xiaolong , Fang Haitian , Zhou Yi-Mei , Mahmoud Ahmed , Deng Guancong , Meng Yi-Qing , Zhang Kejia , Ma Yu-Yuan , Xia Yuelin , Zhao Meng , Yang Haiyang , Zhao Yong , Kang Ling , Wang Yiming , Yang Jing-Hua , Zhou Yan-Hong , Zhang Ming-Fang , Yu Jing-Quan
Published: November 2022

The Allium genus is cultivated globally as vegetables, condiments, or medicinal plants and is characterized by large genomes and strong pungency. However, the genome evolution and genomic basis underlying their unique flavor formation remain poorly understood. Herein, we report an 11.27-Gb chromosome-scale genome assembly for bunching onion (A. fistulosum). The uneven bursts of long-terminal repeats contribute to diversity in genome constituents, and dispersed duplication events largely account for gene expansion in Allium genomes. The extensive duplication and differentiation of alliinase and lachrymatory factor synthase manifest as important evolutionary events during flavor formation in Allium crops. Furthermore, differential selective preference for flavor-related genes likely lead to the variations in isoalliin content in bunching onions. Moreover, we reveal that China is the origin and domestication center for bunching onions. Our findings provide insights into Allium genome evolution, flavor formation and domestication history and enable future genome-assisted breeding of important traits in these crops.
Structural basis for the activation of the lipid scramblase TMEM16F
Authors: Arndt Melanie , Alvadia Carolina , Straub Monique S. , Clerico Mosina Vanessa , Paulino Cristina , Dutzler Raimund
Published: November 2022

TMEM16F, a member of the conserved TMEM16 family, plays a central role in the initiation of blood coagulation and the fusion of trophoblasts. The protein mediates passive ion and lipid transport in response to an increase in intracellular Ca2+. However, the mechanism of how the protein facilitates both processes has remained elusive. Here we investigate the basis for TMEM16F activation. In a screen of residues lining the proposed site of conduction, we identify mutants with strongly activating phenotype. Structures of these mutants determined herein by cryo-electron microscopy show major rearrangements leading to the exposure of hydrophilic patches to the membrane, whose distortion facilitates lipid diffusion. The concomitant opening of a pore promotes ion conduction in the same protein conformation. Our work has revealed a mechanism that is distinct for this branch of the family and that will aid the development of a specific pharmacology for a promising drug target.
Soft nanobrush-directed multifunctional MOF nanoarrays
Authors: Wang Shuang , Xie Wenhe , Wu Ping , Lin Geyu , Cui Yan , Tao Jiawei , Zeng Gaofeng , Deng Yonghui , Qiu Huibin
Published: November 2022

Controlled growth of well-oriented metal-organic framework nanoarrays on requisite surfaces is of prominent significance for a broad range of applications such as catalysis, sensing, optics and electronics. Herein, we develop a highly flexible soft nanobrush-directed synthesis approach for precise in situ fabrication of MOF nanoarrays on diverse substrates. The soft nanobrushes are constructed via surface-initiated living crystallization-driven self-assembly and their active poly(2-vinylpyridine) corona captures abundant metal cations through coordination interactions. This allows the rapid heterogeneous growth of MOF nanoparticles and the subsequent formation of MIL-100 (Fe), HKUST-1 and CUT-8 (Cu) nanoarrays with tailored heights of 220~1100 nm on silicon wafer, Ni foam and ceramic tube. Auxiliary functional components including metal oxygen clusters and precious metal nanoparticles can be readily incorporated to finely fabricate hybrid structures with synergistic features. Remarkably, the MIL-100 (Fe) nanoarrays doped with Keggin H3PMo10V2O40 dramatically boost formaldehyde selectivity up to 92.8% in catalytic oxidation of methanol. Moreover, the HKUST-1 nanoarrays decorated with Pt nanoparticles show exceptional sensitivity to H2S with a ppb-level detection limit.
Demonstration of intracellular real-time molecular quantification via FRET-enhanced optical microcavity
Authors: Wang Yaping , Lang Marion C. , Lu Jinsong , Suo Mingqian , Du Mengcong , Hou Yubin , Wang Xiu-Hong , Wang Pu
Published: November 2022

Single cell analysis is crucial for elucidating cellular diversity and heterogeneity as well as for medical diagnostics operating at the ultimate detection limit. Although superbly sensitive biosensors have been developed using the strongly enhanced evanescent fields provided by optical microcavities, real-time quantification of intracellular molecules remains challenging due to the extreme low quantity and limitations of the current techniques. Here, we introduce an active-mode optical microcavity sensing stage with enhanced sensitivity that operates via Förster resonant energy transferring (FRET) mechanism. The mutual effects of optical microcavity and FRET greatly enhances the sensing performance by four orders of magnitude compared to pure Whispering gallery mode (WGM) microcavity sensing system. We demonstrate distinct sensing mechanism of FRET-WGM from pure WGM. Predicted lasing wavelengths of both donor and acceptor by theoretical calculations are in perfect agreement with the experimental data. The proposed sensor enables quantitative molecular analysis at single cell resolution, and real-time monitoring of intracellular molecules over extended periods while maintaining the cell viability. By achieving high sensitivity at single cell level, our approach provides a path toward FRET-enhanced real-time quantitative analysis of intracellular molecules.
Molecular oxygen enhances H2O2 utilization for the photocatalytic conversion of methane to liquid-phase oxygenates
Authors: Sun Xiao , Chen Xuanye , Fu Cong , Yu Qingbo , Zheng Xu-Sheng , Fang Fei , Liu Yuanxu , Zhu Junfa , Zhang Wenhua , Huang Weixin
Published: November 2022

H2O2 is widely used as an oxidant for photocatalytic methane conversion to value-added chemicals over oxide-based photocatalysts under mild conditions, but suffers from low utilization efficiencies. Herein, we report that O2 is an efficient molecular additive to enhance the utilization efficiency of H2O2 by suppressing H2O2 adsorption on oxides and consequent photogenerated holes-mediated H2O2 dissociation into O2. In photocatalytic methane conversion over an anatase TiO2 nanocrystals predominantly enclosed by the {001} facets (denoted as TiO2{001})-C3N4 composite photocatalyst at room temperature and ambient pressure, O2 additive significantly enhances the utilization efficiency of H2O2 up to 93.3%, giving formic acid and liquid-phase oxygenates selectivities respectively of 69.8% and 97% and a formic acid yield of 486 μmolHCOOH·gcatalyst−1·h−1. Efficient charge separation within TiO2{001}-C3N4 heterojunctions, photogenerated holes-mediated activation of CH4 into ·CH3 radicals on TiO2{001} and photogenerated electrons-mediated activation of H2O2 into ·OOH radicals on C3N4, and preferential dissociative adsorption of methanol on TiO2{001} are responsible for the active and selective photocatalytic conversion of methane to formic acid over TiO2{001}-C3N4 composite photocatalyst.
QEnclave - A practical solution for secure quantum cloud computing
Authors: Ma Yao , Kashefi Elham , Arapinis Myrto , Chakraborty Kaushik , Kaplan Marc
Published: November 2022

We introduce a secure hardware device named a QEnclave that can secure the remote execution of quantum operations while only using classical controls. This device extends to quantum computing from the classical concept of a secure enclave that isolates a computation from its environment to provide privacy and tamper-resistance. Remarkably, our QEnclave only performs single qubit rotations but can nevertheless be used to secure an arbitrary quantum computation even if the qubit source is controlled by an adversary. More precisely, by attaching a QEnclave to a quantum computer, a remote client controlling the QEnclave can securely delegate its computation to the server solely using classical communication. We investigate the security of our QEnclave by modeling it as an ideal functionality named remote state rotation (RSR). We show that this resource, similar to the previously introduced functionality of remote state preparation, allows blind delegated quantum computing with perfect security. Our proof under the Abstract Cryptography framework shows the construction of remote state preparation from remote state rotation while preserving security. An immediate consequence is the weakening of the requirements for blind delegated computation. While previous delegated protocols relied on a client that can either generate or measure quantum states, we show that this same functionality can be achieved with a client that only transforms quantum states without generating or measuring them.
LINC00839 promotes malignancy of liver cancer via binding FMNL2 under hypoxia
Authors: Xie Yangyi , Lin Hongsheng , Wei Wei , Kong Yinzhi , Fang Qiaoling , Chen Enran , Liu Jianghua , Li Mingfen
Published: November 2022

Liver cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world and metastasis is the leading cause of death associated with liver cancer. Hypoxia is a common feature of solid tumors and enhances malignant character of cancer cells. However, the exact mechanisms involved in hypoxia-driven liver cancer progression and metastasis have not been well clarified so far. The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in hypoxia promoting liver cancer progression. We screened and revealed LINC00839 as a novel hypoxia-responsive lncRNA in liver cancer. LINC00839 expression was up-regulated in liver cancer tissues and cell lines, and the patients with high LINC00839 expression had shortened overall survival. LINC00839 further overexpressed under hypoxia and promoted liver cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Mechanistically, LINC00839 bound multiple proteins that were primarily associated with the metabolism and RNA transport, and positively regulated the expression of Formin-like protein 2 (FMNL2). LINC00839 could promote hypoxia-mediated liver cancer progression, suggesting it may be a clinically valuable biomarker and serve as a molecular target for the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy of liver cancer.