bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Receptors for growth and development of Schistosoma mansoni
Authors: Abou-El-Naga Iman F.
Published: February 2025

The growth and development of schistosomes are tightly regulated by various receptors throughout their life cycle. Each stage of the parasite inhabits a distinct habitat and responds to different factors that drive its growth and development. With two hosts involved in its life cycle (mammalian and snail), the parasite must go through additional free-living stages to transition between them. Moreover, communication between male and female worms is essential for the maturation of females. The ability of adult schistosomes to survive in human hosts for up to thirty years demonstrates their capacity to efficiently utilize host nutrients for metabolic processes and growth. In Schistosoma mansoni, receptors mediate the utilization of growth factors derived from both the parasite itself and the host. Nuclear receptors, in particular, collaborate with other proteins to regulate the expression of genes essential for various developmental functions. Receptors also play a pivotal role in RNA export, which is crucial for the parasite development. Additionally, neurotransmitter receptors are essential for the growth and development of larval stages. This review aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which these receptors regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and maturation throughout the parasite life cycle. Understanding these processes could provide insights into the role of receptors in Schistosoma mansoni development and potentially lead to innovative therapeutic strategies to combat human schistosomiasis.
Perioperative prediction of adverse events with age-adjusted NT-proBNP in children undergoing Norwood surgery
Authors: Niedermaier Carolin , Ono Masamichi , Klawonn Frank , Holdenrieder Stefan , Lemmer Julia , Hörer Jürgen , Ewert Peter , Palm Jonas
Published: February 2025

Background:

Due to the high postoperative mortality, tools for an adaequate risk stratification are important to identify high-risk patients undergoing the Norwood procedure. As a marker of ventricular wall stress, NT-proBNP might be of particular interest in these children.

Objectives:

This study evaluated whether NT-proBNP’s age-adjusted z-score (“zlog-NT-proBNP”) predicts outcomes after stage I Norwood procedure.

Methods:

Patients who underwent the Norwood procedure between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2022, with perioperative NT-proBNP measurements available were enrolled. Since reference intervals of NT-proBNP are highly age-dependent, age-adjusted zlog-NT-proBNP was used. Serial zlog-NT-proBNP values were analysed to predict the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events after the Norwood procedure. Major adverse cardiovascular events was defined as death, resuscitation, or mechanical circulatory support. Secondary endpoints were re-operation and re-intervention for shunt.

Results:

A total of 139 patients underwent the Norwood procedure and had at least one NT-proBNP measurement available. Preoperative zlog-NT-proBNP measurements (median 3.7, interquartile range 3.1–4.19) showed no association with the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events or mortality. Zlog-NT-proBNP early after ICU admission (3.2, interquartile range 2.4–3.8) was predictive of mortality but showed no association with the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events. Zlog-NT-proBNP before ICU discharge (3.2, interquartile range 2.8–3.8) was significantly associated with the occurrence of both major adverse cardiovascular events (hazard ratio 1.83, 95% confidence interval 1.25–2.67, P = 0.002) and death (hazard ratio 2.1, 95% CI 1.4–3.2, P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

High zlog-NT-proBNP levels after the Norwood surgery were strongly associated with the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events and death. Therefore, zlog-NT-proBNP has the potential to identify high-risk patients before life-threatening complications occur.
A transmitarray enabling broadband high-purity OAM vortex beams in the Ka-band
Authors: Ishfaq Muhammad , Li Xiuping , Qi Zihang , Aziz Abdul , Zhao Wenyu , Majeed Abdual , Iqbal Zahid
Published: February 2025

This paper introduces a three-substrate layered transmitarray design that avoids the use of vias, aiming to produce broadband orbital angular momentum (OAM) vortex beams within the Ka-band. The suggested element configuration accomplishes a full 360∘ transmission phase while upholding a 1-dB transmission loss, with an overall thickness measuring 3.4 mm (equivalent to 0.34λ0 at 30.0 GHz). Its balanced unit cell arrangement amplifies its effectiveness in applications involving dual polarization. We examine the transmitarray behavior across four OAM modes (+1, +2, +3, +4 ), unveiling notable mode purity at operating frequency. Specifically, a broadband OAM vortex beam is achieved for the +1 mode during simulation. A square aperture transmitarray fed by a horn antenna is fabricated and measured to validate these simulated findings. Experimental results confirm the successful broadband vortex beam generation for

$l = +1$

mode across the frequency spectrum from 27.0 to 40.0 GHz, approximately 43.3%. Additionally, the proposed transmitarray achieves a peak gain of 21.7 dBi, accompanied by an 11.8% aperture efficiency. Noteworthy is the consistent maintenance of mode purity above 86%.
Das Erleben der Nachsorge von Betroffenen und Angehörigen nach einer intensivstationären kritischen Erkrankung
Authors: Flügge Katrin , Meyer Gabriele , Berg Almuth
Published: February 2025

Zusammenfassung: Hintergrund: Durch verbesserte intensivmedizinische Behandlungsoptionen überleben immer mehr Menschen eine kritische Erkrankung. Rund 50% sind jedoch von Langzeitfolgen betroffen, die unter dem Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) zusammengefasst werden und die Notwendigkeit intensivstationärer Nachsorge verdeutlichen. Fragestellung: Wie nehmen Betroffene und ihre Angehörigen das Leben nach einer intensivstationären kritischen Erkrankung und die Nachsorge wahr? Methoden: Es wurde eine Meta-Synthese qualitativer Studien gemäß dem methodischen Standard des Joanna Briggs Institute, basierend auf einer systematischen Literaturrecherche in den Datenbanken MEDLINE, CINAHL, Social Sciences Citation Index und LIVIVO (5/2023) durchgeführt. Ergebnisse: Es wurden 29 Studien eingeschlossen. Aus diesen wurden neun Synthesen komprimiert, wovon sich sieben auf das Leben nach einer kritischen Erkrankung und zwei auf das Erleben der Nachsorge beziehen. Für Betroffene und ihre Angehörigen ändert sich der Alltag mit der Rückkehr nach Hause. Sie stehen vor der Herausforderung, ihr Leben neu auszurichten, sich mit bleibenden Veränderungen zu arrangieren und diese als neue Normalität zu akzeptieren. Betroffene erleben zudem Brüche in der Nachsorge und wünschen sich Zugang zu Nachsorgeangeboten. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Meta-Synthese stellt das Leben nach einer kritischen Erkrankung auf vielfältige Weise dar. In Nachsorgeprogrammen sollten daher verschiedene Angebote kombiniert und auch Angehörige berücksichtigt werden, da sie die Versorgung zuhause ermöglichen.
Carbon and Nitrogen Isoscapes of Particulate Organic Matter in the Pacific Ocean
Authors: Horii Sachiko , Kodama Taketoshi , Shiozaki Takuhei , Tanita Iwao , Kurogi Hiroaki , Miyamoto Hiroomi , Suyama Satoshi , Fuji Taiki , Kato Yoshiki , Ambe Daisuke , Sato Takuya , Ichikawa Tadafumi , Furuya Ken , Takahashi Kazutaka
Published: February 2025

Large‐scale geographical distributions in nitrogen and carbon stable isotope ratios (δ15N and δ13C) of particulate organic matter (POM) are essential to understand the variation in the baseline of pelagic food webs in the Pacific Ocean, where phytoplankton production and biological N2 fixation are highly variable because of heterogeneity of nitrate and iron supply. Here, we determined their isoscapes during summer and discussed potential factors characterizing regional ecosystems from the viewpoint of nitrogen cycling. We collected a total of 2,289 and 2,278 isotope values for δ13C and δ15N, respectively, by synthesizing previously published data with our newly measured data, and analyzed their relationships with temperature, concentrations of nitrate and chlorophyll‐a, and N2 fixation activity, obtained from databases. POM δ13C and δ15N regionally varied in ranges of −30 to −18‰ and −4 to 14‰, respectively. POM δ13C was correlated positively with temperature throughout the ocean. In contrast, POM δ15N was negatively correlated with nitrate concentration at high latitudes and with N2 fixation activity at low latitudes. High values (>8‰) of POM δ15N were identified mainly in the marginal area of equatorial upwelling; the highest values (10–14‰) were in the subtropical Southeastern Pacific. Using the isotopic values and nitrate concentration, we classified the ecosystems into 10 groups. Our data demonstrated the distribution patterns of ecosystems with different degrees of nitrate utilization, which are presumably associated with iron supply, and ecosystems sustained by different nitrogen sources: diazotrophic nitrogen and nitrate supplied below the nitracline and/or horizontally advected.
Equatorial Ionization Anomaly X‐Pattern Occurrences Observed by the GOLD Mission During Its First 5 Years
Authors: Daniell R. E. , Eastes R. W. , Martinis C. R. , Karan D. K.
Published: February 2025

The Global‐scale Observations of Limb and Disk (GOLD) mission has provided an unusual array of upper atmosphere observations from a geostationary platform, including the behavior of the low latitude nighttime ionosphere. One of the features observed by GOLD is the formation of an X‐pattern in the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly when its crests collapse near the magnetic equator. This paper discusses the X‐patterns that were observed during the first 5 years of the GOLD mission (2018–2023). This catalog reveals that X‐pattern occurrences are more frequent during low solar activity, and appear to be driven by changes in the normal low latitude zonal winds. In the longitude region observed by GOLD (approximately 75°W–5°E) they occurred exclusively during the September Equinox‐December Solstice‐March Equinox seasons, and they were more likely to occur near 45°W longitude, near the point where the geomagnetic equator crosses the geographic equator in the western hemisphere.
Attenuation and Velocity Tomography of the Northern East African Rift
Authors: Eilon Z. C.
Published: February 2025

The northern East African Rift, including the Main Ethiopian Rift (MER) and Afar, have been the focus of decades of seismological investigations and dense broadband coverage. Sometimes invoked as an archetype for a narrow continental rift, the confined surficial extension here stands in contrast to geophysical indicators of an asymmetric, broad swath of perturbed mantle. Thermodynamic conditions in this region are challenging to pin down, with melt, temperatures, and perhaps volatiles playing a part in both dynamics and controlling seismic observables. This study presents compressional () and shear‐wave () velocity () and attenuation () teleseismic tomography of the MER, from rift to flank. This involves a new methodology for measurement and quality control of differential t* for teleseisms, avoiding extrinsic focusing. This is the most comprehensive body wave travel time and attenuation data set collected in the MER and Afar to date, and the only 3‐D attenuation tomography model of a continental rift. Together, the well‐resolved co‐located models (, , ) help constrain the physical conditions within the rift through Bayesian analysis that makes explicit parameter trade‐offs. The rift is highly asymmetric, with a sharp eastern boundary but extensive low velocities, high attenuation, and implied melt organization throughout much of the western Ethiopian Plateau, including coincident with volcanism around Lake Tana. A deep‐seated plume is connected to shallow rifting. Attenuation and velocity both imply a concentration of extensional strain along the western edge of the Afar triangle.
Enhanced Particulate Nitrate Formation in Residual Layer Exacerbates Near‐Surface Pollution: Insights From Tethered Airship and Long‐Term Ground Measurements
Authors: Sun Peng , Wang Jiaping , Liu Yuliang , Nie Wei , Chi Xuguang , Xu Zheng , Ge Dafeng , Ren Chuanhua , Zhu Caijun , Huang Xin , Ding Aijun
Published: February 2025

Recent years have witnessed a surge in nitrate‐driven aerosol pollution across China with N2O5 hydrolysis emerging as a critical formation pathway. Common surface measurements may misleadingly imply this process due to low nighttime ozone at surface level in winter. However, our study reveals a more complex picture by unveiling the vertical dynamics of nitrate formation through an integration of tethered airship campaign, long‐term ground measurements, and model simulations. Interestingly, we observed rapid nitrate growth at approximately 400 m altitude, where the box model revealed optimal conditions for sustained nocturnal nitrate production. The nitrate accumulated overnight in the residual layer (RL) is transported downward in the next morning as the nocturnal boundary layer breaks down, substantially increasing surface‐level nitrate and thus exacerbating pollution. Annual‐averaged diurnal patterns of nitrate measured at the ground station clearly confirm this morning increase. The vertical mixing from the RL contributes up to 80% of the total surface nitrate at 10:00 LT with its influence persisting at 31% even after sunset. Air mass trajectory analysis further confirms that emissions from city‐cluster significantly contribute to downwind pollution by transporting pollutants into the RL. This research underscores the important role of RL chemical processes, facilitated by elevated ozone, in shaping surface‐level pollution. It highlights the indispensability of vertical profiling in understanding aerosol pollution and advocates for regionally coordinated control strategies across eastern China.
Contribution of Ship Emissions to Aerosol Number Concentrations: Parameterization of Plume‐Scale Nonlinear Microphysics and Application
Authors: Mao Jingbo , Zhang Yan , Yu Fangqun , Bie Shujun , Yu Qi , Ma Weichun , Chen Jianmin , Chen Limin
Published: February 2025

Ships are an important source of tiny atmospheric particles over oceans capable of affecting clouds, and the change of ship fuel sulfur has been suggested to reduce particle cooling effects. Number concentrations and sizes of emitted particles are critical for assessing the climate and health impacts of shipping emissions. Here, we build the direct ship particle number (SPN) emission inventory and further propose a computationally efficient approach (look‐up table, EIPN) to estimate particle number emission by accounting for the subgrid process of ship plumes. In the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) coastal area along East China Sea, the total ship particle number emission estimated based on EIPN is 7.3 × 1023 particles with the values of 5.9 × 1024 particles predicted by the SPN, showing a notable overestimation by a factor of ∼8 (compared to EIPN). The particle number and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) under 0.4% water supersaturation (CCN0.4) conducted utilizing the EIPN with normalized mean biases (NMB) of −13.1% and −28.6% exhibit higher concordance with observations than those using the conventional mass emission inventory (NMB = −37.7%, −44.9%) and SPN (NMB = −57.4%, −72.2%), demonstrating the significant improvement in 3‐D models. Ship‐related particles have large spatiotemporal variations, and their contribution to CCN is driven by secondary particles. Our results support the influence of ship emissions on coastal air aerosols and CCN and highlight the importance of accounting for ship plume subgrid processes.
A New Perspective on Past Export Production in the Subantarctic South Pacific for the Last ∼1.4 Myr
Authors: Toyos María H. , Lamy Frank , Lange Carina B. , Abell Jordan T. , Lembke‐Jene Lester , Arz Helge W. , Winckler Gisela
Published: February 2025

Accurate reconstructions of export production in the Subantarctic Zone of the Southern Ocean are crucial for understanding the carbon cycle during Earth's past. However, due to the strong bottom water circulation of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, sediment redistribution complicates age‐model‐derived bulk mass accumulation rates (BMAR). Here, we assess export production and its drivers over the past ∼1.4 Myr near the Drake Passage entrance using BMAR of biogenic barium, organic carbon, biogenic opal, calcium carbonate, and iron from sediment core PS97/093‐2, all of which are corrected for lateral sediment redistribution (corr‐BMAR). To quantify this correction, we explore the relationship between sortable silt as a bottom current strength proxy and 230Th‐derived focusing factors as indicators of lateral redistribution of sediments, respectively. Our findings highlight peak Fe input prior and during glacials of the Mid‐Pleistocene Transition (MPT), likely driven by enhanced Patagonian weathering. The carbonate record indicates increased deep‐ocean corrosivity after around 1 Ma ago and displays a shift in the accumulation pattern post‐MPT, with only isolated peaks in some peak interglacials. The high carbonate values during MIS 11 likely relate to Gephyrocapsa coccolithophore propagation, preceded and followed by prolonged carbonate dissolution periods, possibly linked to the Mid‐Brunhes Event. After the MPT, productivity proxies respond to glacial and interglacial intensity, with maxima found during MIS 16, MIS 11, MIS 5, and the Holocene, while minima occur during MIS 15–12. Our findings offer insights into long‐term productivity dynamics and their relationship to important climatic events over the past 1.4 Myr.
Full-length transcriptome atlas of gallbladder cancer reveals trastuzumab resistance conferred by ERBB2 alternative splicing
Authors: Wang Ziyi , Gao Li , Jia Ziheng , Liu Liguo , Gu Ao , Liu Zhaonan , Zhu Qin , Zuo Yichen , Yang Mingjie , Wang Shijia , Ma Jiyao , Zhang Jingyun , Qiu Shimei , Li Zhizhen , Wang Jinghan , Xiang Dongxi , Liu Fatao , Shao Rong , Li Yanjing , Li Maolan , Wei Wu , Liu Yingbin
Published: February 2025

Aberrant RNA alternative splicing in cancer generates varied novel isoforms and protein variants that facilitate cancer progression. Here, we employed the advanced long-read full-length transcriptome sequencing on gallbladder normal tissues, tumors, and cell lines to establish a comprehensive full-length gallbladder transcriptomic atlas. It is of note that receptor tyrosine kinases were one of the most dynamic components with highly variable transcript, with Erb-B2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (ERBB2) as a prime representative. A novel transcript, designated ERBB2 i14e, was identified for encoding a novel functional protein, and its protein expression was elevated in gallbladder cancer and strongly associated with worse prognosis. With the regulation of splicing factors ESRP1/2, ERBB2 i14e was alternatively spliced from intron 14 and the encoded i14e peptide was proved to facilitate the interaction with ERBB3 and downstream signaling activation of AKT. ERBB2 i14e was inducible and its expression attenuated anti-ERBB2 treatment efficacy in tumor xenografts. Further studies with patient derived xenografts models validated that ERBB2 i14e blockage with antisense oligonucleotide enhanced the tumor sensitivity to trastuzumab and its drug conjugates. Overall, this study provides a gallbladder specific long-read transcriptome profile and discovers a novel mechanism of trastuzumab resistance, thus ultimately devising strategies to improve trastuzumab therapy.
Matrix stiffness regulates nucleus pulposus cell glycolysis by MRTF-A-dependent mechanotransduction
Authors: Xu Haoran , Wei Kang , Ni Jinhao , Deng Xiaofeng , Wang Yuexing , Xiang Taiyang , Song Fanglong , Wang Qianliang , Niu Yanping , Jiang Fengxian , Wang Jun , Sheng Lei , Dai Jun
Published: February 2025

Increased matrix stiffness of nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue is a main feature of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) and affects various functions of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs). Glycolysis is the main energy source for NPC survival, but the effects and underlying mechanisms of increased extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness on NPC glycolysis remain unknown. In this study, hydrogels with different stiffness were established to mimic the mechanical environment of NPCs. Notably, increased matrix stiffness in degenerated NP tissues from IVDD patients was accompanied with impaired glycolysis, and NPCs cultured on rigid substrates exhibited a reduction in glycolysis. Meanwhile, RNA sequencing analysis showed altered cytoskeleton-related gene expression in NPCs on rigid substrates. Myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) is a transcriptional coactivator in mechanotransduction mainly responding to cytoskeleton remodeling, which was activated and translocated to the nucleus under rigid substrate and was upregulated during IVDD progression. Furthermore, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed that MRTF-A overexpression reduced NPC glycolytic metabolite abundance and identified a correlation with AMPK pathway. Mechanistically, rigid substrates and MRTF-A overexpression inhibited Kidins220 expression and AMPK phosphorylation in NPCs, whereas MRTF-A inhibition, treated with the MRTF-A inhibitor CCG, partially rescued NP tissue degeneration and glycolytic enzyme expression. Our data demonstrate that MRTF-A is a critical regulator that responds to increased matrix stiffness in IVDD, and MRTF-A activation reduces NPC glycolysis by down-regulating Kidins220 and inhibiting AMPK phosphorylation.
Lymph node yield as a surrogate marker for tumour biology and prognosis in colon cancer
Authors: Bundred James , Lal Nikhil , Chan Dedrick K. H. , Buczacki Simon J. A.
Published: February 2025

Background

We interrogated two large national databases to explore the underlying mechanisms and institutional effects of the known association of enhanced survival with a higher lymph node yield (LNY) in non-metastatic colon cancer.

Method

Clinical and pathological data for stage I-III colon adenocarcinomas were extracted from the CORECT-R (England, 2010–2020) and SEER database (USA, 2000–2020). A lymph node (LN) cut-off for the lack of clinically significant increase in nodal positivity was identified. A multivariable Cox-regression model was developed to study the effect of LNY on overall survival. Furthermore, institutional variations in LNY and their impact on survival were explored.

Results

Patients were retrospectively included from the CORECT-R (n = 84,116) and SEER (n = 287,974) databases. No significant increase in nodal positivity was noted after a LN cut-off of 9. However, improved survival was noted in node-negative and node-positive cancers beyond this cut-off. A 1% risk-reduction concerning overall survival was reported for every node counted. We identified ten outlying institutions across England with an observed LNY greater or less than the expected, with no impact on overall survival.

Discussions

We advocate incorporating LNY into patient and clinician discussions as a surrogate marker of tumour biology and prognosis rather than using LNY as a quality indicator.
Office and home blood pressure and their difference according to frailty status among community-dwelling older adults: the NOSE study
Authors: Ohata Yuka , Kabayama Mai , Godai Kayo , Kido Michiko , Li Yaya , Akagi Yuya , Murakami Naoko , Yoshida Hiroko , Hosokawa Mariko , Tachibana Yuka , Fukata Yuka , Anzai Chihiro , Hatta Kaoru , Maeyama Yurie , Wada Arisa , Hashimoto Sumiyo , Hatanaka Hiromi , Higashi Makiko , Kikuchi Takeshi , Terauchi Keiji , Matsuno Fumie , Nagayoshi Sho , Asayama Kei , Ohkubo Takayoshi , Rakugi Hiromi , Tabara Yasuharu , Kamide Kei
Published: February 2025

The relationship between frailty and blood pressure (BP) is inconsistent, and limited research has compared BP by frailty status using long-term home BP measurements. We aimed to identify office and home BP and determine differences according to frailty status, stratified by taking antihypertensives in community-dwelling older adults. This cross-sectional study was part of the ongoing non-randomized intervention NOSE study. Participants were aged ≥ 64 years. Frailty was categorized robust, pre-frailty, or frailty using the revised Japanese version of the Cardiovascular Health Study criteria. Office BP was measured in survey settings, and each participant was instructed to take home BP. We used the average home BP for 4 weeks post-survey. An analysis of covariance analyzed the relationship between frailty and office and home BP, and their differences stratified by antihypertensive use. We included 418 older participants (mean age: 72.8 years); 39.5% were male, 40.4% were taking antihypertensives, and 6.7% had frailty. Individuals with frailty taking antihypertensives had higher home morning systolic BP (SBP) than those with robust (134.2 vs. 145.7 mmHg, P = 0.018) and pre-frailty (135.6 vs. 145.7 mmHg, P = 0.024). The difference between office and morning home SBP in treated participants was 7.1 mmHg (robust), 4.7 mmHg (pre-frailty), and −5.1 mmHg (frailty), showing significant differences (robust vs. frailty: P = 0.005, pre-frailty vs. frailty: P = 0.016). Home morning SBP was higher in individuals with frailty taking antihypertensives compared to those without frailty, and it may be higher than office BP. Individuals with frailty should measure home BP for good BP control.
Proteasomes accumulate in the plant apoplast where they participate in microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP)-triggered pathogen defense
Authors: Karimi Hana Zand , Chen Kuo-En , Karinshak Marilee , Gu Xilin , Sello Jason K. , Vierstra Richard D.
Published: February 2025

Akin to mammalian extracellular fluids, the plant apoplastic fluid (APF) contains a unique collection of proteins, RNAs, and vesicles that drive many physiological processes ranging from cell wall assembly to defense against environmental challenges. Using an improved method to enrich for the Arabidopsis APF, we better define its composition and discover that the APF harbors active proteasomes though microscopic detection, proteasome-specific activity and immunological assays, and mass spectrometry showing selective enrichment of the core protease. Functional analysis of extracellular (ex)-proteasomes reveals that they help promote basal pathogen defense through proteolytic release of microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) such as flg22 from bacterial flagellin that induce protective reactive-oxygen-species (ROS) bursts. Flagellin-triggered ROS is also strongly suppressed by the enigmatic Pseudomonas syringae virulence effector syringolin-A that blocks ex-proteasome activity. Collectively, we provide a deep catalog of apoplast proteins and evidence that ex-proteasomes participate in the evolving arms race between pathogens and their plant hosts.
Heat transport in crystalline organic semiconductors: coexistence of phonon propagation and tunneling
Authors: Legenstein Lukas , Reicht Lukas , Wieser Sandro , Simoncelli Michele , Zojer Egbert
Published: February 2025

Understanding heat transport in organic semiconductors is of fundamental and practical relevance. Therefore, we study the lattice thermal conductivities of a series of (oligo)acenes, where an increasing number of rings per molecule leads to a systematic increase of the crystals’ complexity. Temperature-dependent thermal conductivity experiments in these systems disagree with predictions based on the traditional Peierls–Boltzmann framework, which describes heat transport in terms of particle-like phonon propagation. We demonstrate that accounting for additional phonon-tunneling conduction mechanisms through the Wigner Transport Equation resolves this disagreement and quantitatively rationalizes experiments. The pronounced increase of tunneling transport with temperature explains several unusual experimental observations, such as a weak temperature dependence in naphthalene’s thermal conductivity and an essentially temperature-invariant conductivity in pentacene. While the anisotropic thermal conductivities within the acene planes are essentially material-independent, the tunneling contributions (and hence the total conductivities) significantly increase with molecular length in the molecular backbone direction. This, for pentacene results in a surprising minimum of the thermal conductivity at 300 K.
Divergence in cellular markers observed in single-cell transcriptomics datasets between cultured primary trabecular meshwork cells and tissues
Authors: Tian Alice , Kim Sangbae , Baidouri Hasna , Li Jin , Cheng Xuesen , Vranka Janice , Li Yumei , Chen Rui , Raghunathan VijayKrishna
Published: February 2025

The trabecular meshwork within the outflow apparatus is critical in maintaining intraocular pressure homeostasis. In vitro studies employing primary cell cultures of the human trabecular meshwork (hTM) have conventionally served as surrogates for investigating the pathobiology of TM dysfunction. Despite its abundant use, translation of outcomes from in vitro studies to ex vivo and/or in vivo studies remains a challenge. Given the cell heterogeneity, performing single-cell RNA sequencing comparing primary hTM cell cultures to hTM tissue may provide important insights on cellular identity and translatability, as such an approach has not been reported before. In this study, we assembled a total of 14 primary hTM in vitro samples across passages 1–4, including 4 samples from individuals diagnosed with glaucoma. This dataset offers a comprehensive transcriptomic resource of primary hTM in vitro scRNA-seq data to study global changes in gene expression in comparison to cells in tissue in situ. We have performed extensive preprocessing and quality control, allowing the research community to access and utilize this public resource.
MEGA PROTAC, MEGA DOCK-based PROTAC mediated ternary complex formation pipeline with sequential filtering and rank aggregation
Authors: Ugurlu Sadettin Y. , McDonald David , Enisoglu Ramazan , Zhu Zexuan , He Shan
Published: February 2025

Proteolysis-targeting chimaeras (PROTACs), which induce proteolysis by recruiting an E3 ligase to dock into a target protein, are acquiring popularity as a novel pharmacological modality because of the unique features of PROTAC, including high potency, low dosage, and effective on undruggable targets. While PROTACs are promising prospects as chemical probes and therapeutic agents, their discovery usually necessitates the synthesis of numerous analogues to explore variations on the chemical linker structure exhaustively. Without extensive trial and error, it is unknown how to link the two protein-recruiting moieties to facilitate the formation of a productive ternary complex. Although molecular docking-based and optimization pipelines have been designed to predict ternary complexes, guiding rational PROTAC design, they have suffered from limited predictive performance in the quality of the ternary structure and their ranks. Here, MEGA PROTAC has been designed to enhance the performance in quality and ranking of ternary structures. MEGA PROTAC employs MEGADOCK to execute docking for protein-protein complexes (PPCs). The docking establishes an initial exploration area for PPCs. A sequential filtration strategy combined with rank aggregation is employed to choose a subset of PPCs for grid search. Once candidate PPCs are selected, a grid search method is used separately for translation and rotation. The remaining proteins have been grouped into clusters, and MEGA PROTAC further filters these clusters based on the energy score of the proteins within each cluster. MEGA PROTAC utilises rank aggregation to choose the best clusters and then employs MEGADOCK to dock PROTAC into the selected PPCs, forming a ternary structure. Finally, MEGA PROTAC was tested on 22 cases to compare with the state-of-the-art method, Bayesian optimisation for ternary complex prediction (BOTCP). MEGA PROTAC outperformed BOTCP on 16 test cases out of 22 cases, achieving a higher maximum DockQ score with an 18% higher mean and 35% higher median. Also, MEGA PROTAC exhibited 75% superior ranks and a reduced cluster number for maximum DockQ score compared to BOTCP. Also, MEGA PROTAC outperforms BOTCP by achieving a twofold improvement in locating the first acceptable DockQ scores, with a more significant proportion of near-native structures within the detected cluster.
The internal and external cost of motor vehicle crashes
Authors: Dai Shian , Yu Liqiang , Liu Zhaoran , Cui Mengying , Levinson David
Published: February 2025

Crash cost estimates are essential for evaluating road safety management policies and assessing the economic benefits of safety improvements. Existing studies often rely on aggregated crash data, assuming an even distribution of incidents, which overlooks significant spatial variations influenced by road characteristics and traffic conditions. This research presents a methodological framework for link-based crash cost analysis that considers both internal and external costs, enabling detailed quantification at a localized level. By employing safety performance functions and ordered probit models, we estimate on-road crash rates by crash type and injury severity, distinguishing between internal costs borne by individuals involved in crashes and external costs that impact victims, insurers, and government agencies. This framework is applied to the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area for a proof-of-concept. Our findings reveal that the costs incurred by drivers are higher than those imposed on others, and that highways are generally safer than surface streets. However, these crash costs are too low compared to the value of travel time to significantly influence route choices, even when drivers are aware of these costs. To enhance effective decision-making, related policies should consider offering incentives for safe driving practices. Future research on the practical applications of this framework is encouraged to maintain a dynamic dataset that reflects ongoing changes in road safety conditions.
Process optimization of jet electrodeposition Ni–Co–P alloy coating using response surface methodology and the tribological behavior of Ni–Co–P nanocomposite coatings
Authors: Zhang Yin , Wang Yonggang , Yao Liang , Chen Lingling
Published: February 2025

A novel Ni–Co–P alloy coating and Ni–Co–P nanocomposite coating were prepared by jet electrodeposition. The influence of jet electrodeposition processing parameters on the microhardness and wear track width of the Ni–Co–P alloy coating was investigated. Additionally, the cross-section morphology, EDS spectra, XRD patterns, microhardness and wear resistance of the coatings under the optimum jet electrodeposition parameters were evaluated. The BBD analysis results revealed that the established mathematical model was reliable. Furthermore, the optimum Ni–Co–P alloy coating parameters optimized through the response surface method were as follows: jet voltage: 12.14 V, plating solution temperature: 61.60 °C, reciprocating sweep speed: 173.19 mm·s−1, jet gap: 2.05 mm, pulse frequency: 4.06 kHz and duty cycle: 0.81. Under the optimum jet electrodeposition parameters, the results revealed that the significant influence of nano BN(h) and Al2O3 particles on the coatings’ thickness, Co contents, crystallite size, microhardness and wear resistance of Ni–Co–P nanocomposite coating. In addition, compared with the Ni–Co–P alloy coating and Ni–Co–P–BN(h) nanocomposite coating, the Ni–Co–P–Al2O3 composite coating exhibited a larger thickness (18.16 µm) and Co element contents (39.51 wt·%), a smaller crystallite size (16.440 nm), a higher microhardness (676.5 HV0.2), a more excellent wear resistance (402.9 µm).
Protocol for evaluation of iTEST, a novel blended intervention to enhance introspective accuracy in psychotic disorders
Authors: Berretta Sarah A. , Abaya Nicole , Parrish Emma , McBride Lauren E. , Moore Raeanne C. , Ackerman Robert , Harvey Philip D. , Pinkham Amy E. , Depp Colin A.
Published: February 2025

Poor introspective accuracy (IA), defined as inaccurate judgments of one’s abilities and performance, is a strong and independent predictor of functional impairment in people with psychotic disorders. However, there are currently no treatments that directly target IA in this population as a primary outcome. We describe a protocol for a clinical trial to test a newly developed blended digital intervention, Improving Thinking through Everyday SelfAssessment Training (iTEST), aimed at improving IA in people with psychotic disorders to improve functional outcomes. iTEST involves daily training consisting of feedback on IA in mobile cognitive tests, coupled with individual coaching that applies improved IA to participant-identified recovery goals. Following the NIMH experimental therapeutics paradigm, the first step in the evaluation of iTEST is an open trial in 60 individuals with psychotic disorders to assess 1) feasibility and acceptability, and 2) whether the intervention leads to clinically significant improvement in an objective target: IA on trained tasks along with transfer to an untrained task-based measure of IA. After programming of the mobile intervention and the creation of treatment manuals, enrollment for an open trial started in November 2023 and will be completed by April 2025. If effective, iTEST could be integrated with cognitive training and other rehabilitative interventions to boost the impact on functional outcomes. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05899348.
Functional assessment of autologous tissue expansion grafts for vaginal reconstruction in a rabbit model
Authors: Willacy Oliver , Juul Nikolai , Olsen August , Egeland Charlotte , Hu Tu , Amoushahi Mahboobeh , Jensen Thomas , Ajalloueian Fatemeh , Litman Thomas , Chamorro Clara I. , Fossum Magdalena
Published: February 2025

This study explores a novel approach to vaginal reconstructive surgery using autologous tissue grafts, which may provide new therapeutic options for women with congenital or acquired vaginal anomalies. Using a small autologous vaginal tissue segment, we engineered a six-fold expanded graft perioperatively, leveraging the body as a bioreactor and avoiding preoperative tissue culture. In adolescent White New Zealand rabbits, a vaginal defect was created and repaired using a PLATE graft (perioperative, layered, autologous, tissue-expansion graft) containing mucosa, smooth muscle, collagen, and surgical mesh. After seven months, PLATE grafts were well integrated with native tissues, exhibited reduced fibrosis, and enhanced muscle regeneration compared to acellular grafts. Gene analysis revealed upregulation of smooth muscle and ECM organisation markers. Functional validation included successful breeding and vaginal delivery of live pups. PLATE grafts proved safe for vaginal reconstruction in rabbits, presenting a new direction in tissue engineering and expanding surgical options for women.
Comparative metabolomic in-depth exploration of red raspberry: new insights into changes in phytochemicals between different breeds
Authors: Wang Yihao , Han Xiaoou , Wang Jiaqing , Wang Hongling , Yan Rong , Yu Na
Published: February 2025

Based on a non-targeted metabolomic approach, a comprehensive analysis of the metabolic profiles of two raspberry cultivars, Selina (TSM) and Tulameen (CSM), was conducted to explore the potential for further processing of these two varieties.
Integrating density functional theory with machine learning for enhanced band gap prediction in metal oxides
Authors: Ezeakunne Chidozie , Lamichhane Bipin , Kattel Shyam
Published: February 2025

In this study, we used a combination of density functional theory and machine learning (ML) to accurately predict the band gaps and lattice parameters of metal oxides: TiO2 (rutile and anatase), cubic ZnO, cubic ZnO2, cubic CeO2, and cubic ZrO2.
Water quality implications of post-wildfire erosion control with polymeric additives
Authors: Ahmed Alishan , Hohner Amanda K. , Robichaud Peter R. , Akin Idil Deniz
Published: February 2025

Post-wildfire erosion to downstream surface waters can deteriorate water quality to levels that can create challenges for aquatic life and drinking water treatment.
Study on the synergistic enhancement of photocatalytic degradation of carbendazim by Co-doped BiOBr induced spin polarization and OVs
Authors: Wang Hongyu , Wei Yuan , Liu Chao , Li Jiaxian , Li Xin , Yang Yang , Wang Tiantian , Zhang Yulan , Jiang Yanyan , Shi Gaofeng , Wang Guoying
Published: February 2025

Bismuth bromide oxide (BiOBr) has been widely used in water purification areas due to its unique layered structure, suitable bandgap value and excellent photocatalytic performance.
Rate-dependent structure-electrochemistry relationships and origins of capacity fading in P2-type Na2/3Fe2/3Mn1/3O2
Authors: Goonetilleke Damian , Silvan Begoña , Gonzalo Elena , Galcerán Montserrat , Casas-Cabanas Montse , Avdeev Maxim , Fauth François , Rojo Teófilo , Sharma Neeraj , Saurel Damien
Published: February 2025

The structure and magnetic properties of P2-Na2/3Fe2/3Mn1/3O2 is resolved using operando diffraction and complimentary techniques, revealing how structural changes during (de-)sodiation differ with applied current density and contribute to capacity fading.
Development of carrageenan-based emulsion gel as a xylo-oligosaccharides vehicle transport and its functional properties
Authors: Paschoa João L. F. , Ávila Patrícia Felix , Silva Marcos , Henrique Allan , Cunha Rosiane L , Goldbeck Rosana
Published: February 2025

Xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) are prebiotic compounds that promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the intestinal tract and show resistance to enzymatic digestion, which makes them ideal for use as ingredients...
The leveraging ether C–H bond shielding strategy for antioxidative electrolyte in lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Shi Dehuan , Wang Lei , Chen Zheming , Liu Zheyuan , Yu Yan , Yang Chengkai
Published: February 2025

The conjugation effect, induction effect, and molecular structure collectively influence the antioxidative properties.
Egocentric action anticipation from untrimmed videos
Authors: Rodin Ivan , Furnari Antonino , Farinella Giovanni Maria
Published: February 2025

Egocentric action anticipation involves predicting future actions performed by the camera wearer from egocentric video. Although the task has recently gained attention in the research community, current approaches often assume that input videos are ‘trimmed’, meaning that a short video sequence is sampled a fixed time before the beginning of the action. However, trimmed action anticipation has limited applicability in real‐world scenarios, where it is crucial to deal with ‘untrimmed’ video inputs and the exact moment of action initiation cannot be assumed at test time. To address these limitations, an untrimmed action anticipation task is proposed, which, akin to temporal action detection, assumes that the input video is untrimmed at test time, while still requiring predictions to be made before actions take place. The authors introduce a benchmark evaluation procedure for methods designed to address this novel task and compare several baselines on the EPIC‐KITCHENS‐100 dataset. Through our experimental evaluation, testing a variety of models, the authors aim to better understand their performance in untrimmed action anticipation. Our results reveal that the performance of current models designed for trimmed action anticipation is limited, emphasising the need for further research in this area.
Implementation of an Ultra‐Low Profile High‐Purity OAM Generator
Authors: Peng Songtao , Pu Youlei
Published: February 2025

This letter presents an orbital angular momentum (OAM) generator based on a uniform circular array (UCA) micro‐integrated structure that produces ultra‐high purity OAM vortex beams at Ka‐band while maintaining a low profile. Utilizing cut‐angle microstrip patch elements, the UCA excites circularly polarized waves and generates OAM modes with () through specific amplitude and phase signal inputs. A key feature of this design is the integration of a substrate‐integrated waveguide (SIW) radial feed network with the UCA, significantly lowering fabrication costs and reducing the overall thickness to only 1.1 mm (0.11 at 30.0 GHz). Measurements of the Ka‐band prototype reveal an OAM mode purity of 93% for () and a 10 dB bandwidth of approximately 1.8 GHz.
Optimizing recovery: the impact of training load in elite volleyball
players
Authors: Rebelo André , Pereira João R , Broek Gert Vande , Coelho-e-Silva Manuel J , Elferink-Gemser Marije T , Valente-dos-Santos João
Published: February 2025

This study aimed to analyze the relationships between training load metrics and
various dimensions of recovery over the course of 105 days during the
competitive season. This study included 14 elite male volleyball players who
participated in 95 training sessions and 18 matches. The session rating of
perceived exertion and inertial measurement units were utilized to measure
internal and external training loads, respectively. Biological recovery was
assessed using the countermovement jump test, while social and psychological
recoveries were measured through the RESTQ-Sport. Relationships were examined
using linear mixed-effect models to account for repeated measures across players
and time points. The results revealed that chronic external training loads
negatively influenced the biological recovery, with increases in chronic
external training loads associated with a longer time to take-off
(β=− 0.008, p=0.03) and a reduced modified reactive strength index
(β=− 0.008, p=0.047). Social recovery was influenced by
internal training load metrics, with acute internal training loads increasing
social stress (β=− 3.512, p=0.034). For psychological recovery,
chronic internal training loads and the acute:chronic internal training load
ratio were linked to higher emotional exhaustion (β=− 0.013,
p=0.029; β=0.021, p<0.001, respectively). These findings
highlight the critical role of external load management in the biological
recovery and the relevance of subjective internal load measures in monitoring
social and psychological recovery dimensions. Coaches are encouraged to
integrate time-based neuromuscular metrics and perceptual load assessments into
their recovery monitoring protocols to optimize athletes’ well-being and
performance.
A noise reduction method for rolling bearing based on improved Wiener filtering
Authors: Yu Mingyue , Su Jingwen , Wang Yunbo , Han Chuang
Published: February 2025

To accurately identify compound faults of bearings, a new noise reduction method is presented. With the new method, input signals and the order of Wiener filtering are adaptively determined according to feature mode decomposition (FMD), signal evaluation index, and Euclidean distance. First, to effectively separate frequency components from vibration signals, vibration signals are decomposed into modal components based on the FMD algorithm; second, kurtosis, root mean square, and variance, which are sensitive to fault information, are selected to build evaluation vectors. Third, the Euclidean distance between the evaluation vectors of the component signal and the original signal are calculated to represent the correlation among signals. By acquiring the two component signals that have the greatest and least correlation to original signals, an actual signal and a mixed signal required by Wiener filtering can be adaptively determined. Furthermore, the order of Wiener filtering is adaptively determined with maximum kurtosis as the criterion. Finally, fault features are extracted through the spectral analysis of signals after Wiener filtering and the type of compound faults is judged based on that. To demonstrate the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed method, the proposed method is compared with the classical method. The result of comparison shows that the presented method can restrict the noise more effectively and determine the type of complex faults of bearings more accurately.