bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multimodal Nature of the Single-cell Primate Brain Atlas: Morphology, Transcriptome, Electrophysiology, and Connectivity
Authors: Shen Yuhui , Shao Mingting , Hao Zhao-Zhe , Huang Mengyao , Xu Nana , Liu Sheng
Published: January 2024

Primates exhibit complex brain structures that augment cognitive function. The neocortex fulfills high-cognitive functions through billions of connected neurons. These neurons have distinct transcriptomic, morphological, and electrophysiological properties, and their connectivity principles vary. These features endow the primate brain atlas with a multimodal nature. The recent integration of next-generation sequencing with modified patch-clamp techniques is revolutionizing the way to census the primate neocortex, enabling a multimodal neuronal atlas to be established in great detail: (1) single-cell/single-nucleus RNA-seq technology establishes high-throughput transcriptomic references, covering all major transcriptomic cell types; (2) patch-seq links the morphological and electrophysiological features to the transcriptomic reference; (3) multicell patch-clamp delineates the principles of local connectivity. Here, we review the applications of these technologies in the primate neocortex and discuss the current advances and tentative gaps for a comprehensive understanding of the primate neocortex.
Description of the echolocation pulses of insectivorous bats with new records for Southwest Colombia
Authors: Arévalo-Cortés Johana , Tulcan-Flores John , Zurc Danny , Montenegro-Muñoz Silvia A. , Calderón-Leytón Jhon Jairo , Fernández-Gómez Ronald A.
Published: January 2024

Despite the high diversity of bats in neotropics, traditional methods such as mist nets, harp traps and roost detection have limitations in capturing that diversity in a landscape, with most detected species restricted to those that forage in the undergrowth or enclosed spaces. Therefore, acoustic records become a tool that complements and enhances the efforts to get more complete bat inventories while avoiding alterations in usual foraging activities and disruption in their life cycles. This study describes the acoustic parameters (spectral and temporal variables) of the echolocation pulses of insectivorous bats to characterise different species of bats in Southwest Colombia acoustically. We recorded echolocation calls between December 2017 and May 2020 in the Andean and Pacific regions of the Department of Nariño. We analysed 81 sequences of echolocation calls from eight bat species belonging to three families: Vespertilionidae, Molossidae and Emballonuridae. We perform recordings on free-flying bats with identity corroboration by capture for recording in flight rooms and examination in the hand. Myotis riparius and Lasiurus blossevillii were recorded for the first time in the Nariño Department. M. albescens, M. keaysi, M. riparius and L. blossevillii (Vespertilionidae) had pulses of frequency modulated (FM) with a quasi-constant frequency (QCF) ending; Molossus molossus, Tadarida brasiliensis and Promops centralis (Molossidae) had pulses with constant frequency (CF) and QCF; and Saccopteryx bilineata (Emballonuridae) had pulses with QCF. This study contributes to the efforts to facilitate the identification of insectivorous bats of the Neotropics using the acoustic monitoring approaches, represents a reference to compare the acoustic studies in Southwestern Colombia and contributes to increasing our knowledge of the bat diversity in the region.
Who Reaches the NHL? A 20-Year Retrospective Analysis of Junior and Adult Ice Hockey Success in Relation to Biological Maturation in Male Swedish Players
Authors: Niklasson Erik , Lindholm Oliver , Rietz Marlene , Lind John , Johnson David , Lundberg Tommy R.
Published: January 2024

Objectives

This study investigated the relationship between biological maturation and success in adolescence and adulthood in male Swedish ice hockey players.

Methods

Anthropometric records of players in certified ice hockey high schools between 1998 and 2017 were retrieved (n = 4787). The database was complemented with records of Swedish junior national teams (U16, U18, U20) and National Hockey League (NHL) appearances. Biological maturation was recorded as a percentage of adult height (%AH), and selection probabilities were estimated using a generalised linear mixed effects model. Biological age was determined by comparing players with age-matched growth reference values. Categories of %AH, standard deviation z-scores and biological age offset describing early, on-time and late maturation were created.

Results

A total of 217 players had played on the U16 national team (junior success), and 96 reached the NHL (adult success). The difference [95% confidence interval (CI)] in baseline %AH between players with junior versus adult success was − 0.75 (− 0.39, − 1.11). Looking at age-offset categories in junior success, 30% of players were early maturing and 19% of players were late maturing, showing a bias towards early maturation (p < 0.01). In contrast, more late-maturing players (40%) achieved adult success than early-maturing players (25%), and NHL players had significantly later maturation [%AH: − 0.48 (− 0.80, − 0.16)] than non-NHL players.

Conclusion

This unique 20-year analysis shows that junior success in male ice hockey is positively related to early maturation, while adult success is inversely related to advanced maturation. Ice hockey organisations should implement maturation assessments to optimise the development of both late- and early-matured players.
How is who: evidence as clues for action in participatory sustainability science and public health research
Authors: Caniglia Guido , Russo Federica
Published: January 2024

Participatory and collaborative approaches in sustainability science and public health research contribute to co-producing evidence that can support interventions by involving diverse societal actors that range from individual citizens to entire communities. However, existing philosophical accounts of evidence are not adequate to deal with the kind of evidence generated and used in such approaches. In this paper, we present an account ofevidence as clues for actionthrough participatory and collaborative research inspired by philosopher Susan Haack’s theory of evidence. Differently from most accounts of evidence for use in policies and interventions, our account combines action-oriented (the how) and actors-oriented (the who) considerations. We build on Haack’s theory and on the analysis of examples of participatory and collaborative research in sustainability science and public health research to flesh out six procedural criteria for the generation and mobilization of evidence in and from participatory research. Action-oriented criteria invite to look at evidence from a (a) foundherentist, (b) gradational and (c) quasi-holistic perspective. Actors-oriented criteria point out that evidence generation and utilization are (d) social, (e) personal, and (f) embedded. We suggest that these criteria may reinforce participatory and collaborative approaches to evidence co-production when addressing complex problems in sustainability science and public health allowing for the generation of a kind of practical objectivity.
The lived experience of frailty: beyond classification and towards a holistic understanding of health
Authors: Chenhuichen Chenhui , O’Halloran Aisling M. , Lang Deirdre , Kenny Rose Anne , Romero-Ortuno Roman
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Frailty is characterised by decreased physiological reserves and vulnerability to stressors. Although scales, such as the Fried’s Frailty Phenotype (FP), Frailty Index (FI), and Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), are used to identify frailty, the lived experience of frailty remains understudied.

Methods

This cross-sectional observational research involved participants aged 65 years and older from Wave 1 of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). Participants were categorised into four independent groups: three frail groups based on the aforementioned scales and a non-frail group. Quantitative variables, including self-rated health, CASP-19 quality-of-life score, and frequency of social activities, were analysed and described.

Results

The study encompassed 1999 participants with an average age of 72 years, of whom 51% were women. FP exclusively identified 1.6% as frail (n = 32), FI 11.7% (n = 233), and CFS 6.8% (n = 135). More than 60% of all those classified as frail reported their health as good, very good, or excellent, with the lowest proportion (64%) being among frail by FI participants. Frail by FI participants exhibited the lowest mean average CASP-19 score, yet it remained relatively high at 39 out of 57 points. Over 77% of all frail individuals engaged in active leisure activities at least once a month.

Conclusion

This study underscores the need to comprehend frailty holistically beyond its mere identification. It challenges the prevailing belief that frailty inevitably leads to impaired quality of life and limited social engagement. The findings advocate for a reassessment of how both the general public and healthcare professionals perceive frailty.
Valorization of mixed plastics waste for the synthesis of flexible superhydrophobic films
Authors: Saleem Junaid , Moghal Zubair Khalid Baig , Sun Luyi , McKay Gordon
Published: January 2024

Superhydrophobic surfaces are typically created by enhancing nanoscale roughness or incorporating anti-wetting additives like silanes, nanoparticles, or fluorinated compounds. Limited by the availability of nano-structured templates, simple fabrication, flexibility of the material, and cost-effectiveness, the quest to synthesize superhydrophobic films remains challenging. Herein, we report the valorizing of mixed plastic waste for the synthesis of flexible superhydrophobic films via open-loop recycling. We focused on improving the nanoscale surface roughness of the material by using a series of steps including selective dissolution, thermally induced phase separation, controlled spin-casting, and annealing. We synthesized a two-layered superhydrophobic film with high surface roughness and sufficient mechanical strength, making it suitable for use as a free-standing material. The contact and sliding angles were found to be 159° and 4°, respectively, with an RMS (root mean square) surface roughness of 228 nm. This approach is demonstrated with mixtures of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and polypropylene (PP), which are among the most abundant components of post-consumer plastic waste. Life cycle assessments show that synthesized superhydrophobic films have lower carbon dioxide emissions and embodied energy than virgin PE and PP derived from petroleum. Our design strategy not only yields a superhydrophobic product but also provides an alternative to plastic waste recycling by bypassing cost-intensive sorting techniques.

Graphical Abstract
Fe/BC co-conditioners with environmental and economic benefits on composting: reduced NH3 emissions and improved fertilizer quality
Authors: Wang Jixiang , Xie Huifang , Wu Jun , He Weijiang , Zhang Xi , Huang Junxia , Feng Yanfang , Xue Lihong
Published: January 2024

The significant volatilization of NH3 during aerobic composting causes nitrogen (N) losses and environmental risks. Both iron (Fe) and biochar (BC) can influence the N conversion process in composting. Fe application can delay the maturation of materials, while biochar can enhance the quality of organic fertilizer. The combination of these two conditioners may help decrease NH3 emissions and improve organic fertilizer quality. Therefore, this study investigates the effects of different doses of FeCl3 and BC on NH3 emissions and organic fertilizer quality during composting. The results demonstrated that Fe/BC co-conditioners reduced the accumulation of NH3 emissions during composting by 11.1–48.2%, increased the total nutrient content by 0.6–15.3%, and enhanced economic and environmental benefits by 0.1–23.6 $ t−1. At the high-temperature stage of composting, Fe/BC co-conditioners decreased the pH by 0.3–1.2, but there was no significant difference compared to the control at the end of composting, and they did not affect compost maturation. The structural equation model analysis suggested that the reduction in NH3 emissions was related to ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), NH4+–N, and total nitrogen (TN). As a result, the Fe/BC co-conditioners reduced NH3 emissions by lowering the pH at the beginning of composting and increasing the content of NH4+–N. This study concludes that Fe/BC co-conditioners could complement each other to significantly reduce NH3 emissions and improve the quality of organic fertilizers.

Graphical Abstract
Moderate active Fe3+ doping enables improved cationic and anionic redox reactions for wide-voltage-range sodium storage
Authors: Cai Congcong , Li Xinyuan , Fan Hao , Chen Zhuo , Zhu Ting , Li Jiantao , Yu Ruohan , Li Tianyi , Hu Ping , Zhou Liang
Published: January 2024

Layered metal oxides are promising cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to their high theoretical specific capacity and wide Na+ diffusion channels. However, the irreversible phase transitions and cationic/anionic redoxes cause fast capacity decay. Herein, P2-type Na0.67Mg0.1Mn0.8Fe0.1O2 (NMMF-1) cathode material with moderate active Fe3+ doping has been designed for sodium storage. Uneven Mn3+/Mn4+distribution is observed in NMMF-1 and the introduction of Fe3+ is beneficial for reducing the Mn3+ contents both at the surface and in the bulk to alleviate the Jahn–Teller effect. The moderate Fe3+/Fe4+ redox can realize the best tradeoff between capacity and cyclability. Therefore, the NMMF-1 demonstrates a high capacity (174.7 mAh g−1 at 20 mA g−1) and improved cyclability (78.5% over 100 cycles) in a wide-voltage range of 1.5–4.5 V (vs. Na+/Na). In-situ X-ray diffraction reveals a complete solid-solution reaction with a small volume change of 1.7% during charge/discharge processes and the charge compensation is disclosed in detail. This study will provide new insights into designing high-capacity and stable layered oxide cathode materials for SIBs.
Holding on to life: COVID-19 pandemic impact, adaptation and resilience in Abeokuta, Nigeria
Authors: Odunsi Oluwafemi Michael , Ayedun Henry Oluwaseyi , Odunsi Margaret Yejide , Momodu Surajudeen Oluseyi , Badiora Adewumi Israel , Taiwo Amos Oluwole , Adebara Temitope Muyiwa
Published: January 2024

The COVID-19 posed severe public health effects across the world to an extent that it was declared a pandemic. Aside the health effects are other consequences associated with measures such as lockdown, isolation and physical distancing to curb the spread of the virus. This study assesses the impact of the pandemic on households and their adaptation across different residential density zones in Abeokuta, Nigeria, with a novelty of understanding its socio-spatial context. This study utilised a quantitative research design based on a cross-sectional survey for the phases of data collection, analysis and interpretation. A two-stage sampling technique was employed in selecting 422 participants for the study. All participants were administered questionnaire and 391 copies were considered during data analysis. The data were analysed using cross-tabulation and the hypotheses tested using ANOVA. Findings on socioeconomic characteristics showed that the distribution of respondents descriptively varied across the high, medi residential density zones. Evidence of significant variances in the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on households ([F (2, 388) = 30.406, p = 0.000]) and their adaptation strategies ([F (2, 388) = 39.539, p = 0.000]) were established across residential zones in Abeokuta. The practical implication provides for policymakers and stakeholders to design targeted interventions and support measures for households. The theoretical implication is about contributing to the existing body of knowledge on the impact of pandemics on households by establishing a socio-spatial context and highlighting the need for socioeconomic context-specific responses.
Networked Bollywood
Authors: Rai Swapnil
Published: January 2024

Networked Bollywood provides interdisciplinary analysis of the role of the stars in the transformation of Hindi cinema into a global entertainment industry. The first Indian film was made in 1913. However, filmmaking was recognized as an industry almost a hundred years later. Yet, Indian films have been circulating globally since their inception. This book unearths this oft-elided history of Bollywood's globalization through multilingual, transnational research and discursive cultural analysis. The author illustrates how over the decades, a handful of primarily male megastars, as the heads of the industry's most prominent productions and corporations, combined overwhelming charismatic affect with unparalleled business influence. Through their “star switching power,” theorized here as a deeply gendered phenomenon and manifesting broader social inequalities, India's most prominent stars instigated new flows of cinema, industrial collaborations, structured distinctive business models, influenced state policy and diplomatic exchange, thereby defining the future of Bollywood's globalization.
Coexisting with Drug Addiction: Strategies Used by Hong Kong’s Older Mixed Users to Improve Their Perceived Quality of Life
Authors: Cheng Vincent S.
Published: January 2024

In Hong Kong, the percentage of older drug users has increased over the last two decades. However, the motivations behind their drug-use behaviours have received little research attention. This study focuses on older drug users who are enrolled in methadone treatment programmes but still use illicit drugs (mixed use). Some studies in the criminological literature and government discourse consider drug users to be passive and lacking self-control. However, in-depth interviews in with 25 older mixed users (aged over 50 years) in Hong Kong revealed that mixed use is one of the various strategies they actively employ to improve their self-perceived quality of life. Using the framework of the selective optimization with compensation model, this study (1) describes the strategies older mixed users adopt as active agents to improve their self-perceived quality of life while coexisting with their addiction; and (2) explains how these strategies were affected and constrained by Hong Kong’s prohibitionist drug policy. I infer that prohibitionist drug policies that emphasize on total drug abstinence may fail to cater to the needs of older drug users who have undergone several relapses and treatments in their lifetimes and do not think they can give up using drugs. This study also provides evidence to show how some drug users may act as active agents to manage and coexist with their addiction, and their agency seems to be constrained by the wider drug policy implemented in Hong Kong.
Case C-663/21, Bundesamt für Fremdenwesen und Asyl v. AA (C.J.E.U.)
Authors: Guild Elspeth
Published: January 2024

On July 6, 2023, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) delivered its judgment in C-663/21 AA on a preliminary reference from the Austrian Supreme Administrative Court. The CJEU examined the international legal principle of non-refoulement and how it applies in EU law, particularly to expulsion decisions following the withdrawal of refugee status. It held that EU law “preclude[es] the adoption of a return decision in respect of a third-country national where it is established that removal of that third-country national to the intended country of destination is, by reason of the principle of non-refoulement, precluded for an indefinite period.”
In Cervisia Veritas: The impact of repealing Sunday blue laws on alcohol sales and retail competition
Authors: Connolly Cristina , Graziano Marcello , McDonnell Alyssa , Steinbach Sandro
Published: January 2024

This study examines the impact of repealing Sunday blue laws on alcohol sales and retail competition, focusing on Connecticut’s 2012 policy change allowing Sunday beer sales in grocery stores. Using nationwide data from 2004 to 2021, we find a short-term increase in beer sales post-policy change, but no significant long-term economic effects on grocery and liquor stores. Our analysis also shows similar treatment effects for chain and standalone liquor retailers, suggesting limited lasting implications for the liquor retail industry’s performance and conduct after Sunday sale restrictions were lifted.
VATICANVS GRAECVS 156, CASSIUS DIO AND THELVDI SAECVLARESOFa.d.204
Authors: Mallan C.T.
Published: January 2024

A scholium in codex Vaticanus graecus 156 provides evidence that Cassius Dio'sRoman Historyonce contained an explicit reference to theludi saecularesofa.d. 204, something that has been denied in recent scholarship.
Is Living Easier With Eyes Closed?
Authors: Wien Charlotte
Published: January 2024

Blind peer review has become the gold standard of many scholarly disciplines. However, this seems like a paradox since openness is deeply embedded in the DNA of research. Over the last 30 years changes in the managerial paradigms of academia have also induced so many changes in the ecosystem of scholarly communication that many scholars describe the present situation as a crisis. Therefore, in light of the availability of new technologies and the changes in the scholarly communication ecosystems, it might be time to review how we assess research quality and address the paradox of the blindness of peer review.
The anatomy of government bond yields synchronization in the Eurozone
Authors: Barbieri Claudio , Guerini Mattia , Napoletano Mauro
Published: January 2024

We investigate the synchronization of the Eurozone’s government bond yields at different maturities. For this purpose, we combine principal component analysis with random matrix theory. We find that synchronization depends on yield maturity. Short-term yields are not synchronized. Medium- and long-term yields, instead, were highly synchronized early after the introduction of the Euro. Synchronization then decreased significantly during the Great Recession and the European Debt Crisis, to partially recover after 2015. We interpret our empirical results using portfolio theory, and we point to divergence trades as a source of the self-sustained yield asynchronous dynamics. Our results envisage synchronization as a requirement for the smooth transmission of conventional monetary policy in the Eurozone.
“Fit for Purpose?” Assessing the Ecological Fit of the Social Institutions that Globally Govern Antimicrobial Resistance
Authors: Weldon Isaac , Hoffman Steven J.
Published: January 2024

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a natural process where microbes develop the ability to survive the antimicrobial drugs we depend upon to treat and prevent deadly infections, such as antibiotics. This microscopic evolution is further propelled by human activities, where each use of an antimicrobial drug potentially induces AMR. As microbes can spread quickly from animals to humans and travel around the world through humanity’s global circuits of movement, the use of any antimicrobial drug has potentially global consequences. As human-induced AMR occurs, mortality and morbidity increase due to increasingly or sometimes completely ineffective antimicrobial treatments. This article considers AMR as a product of the evolving and complex interplay between human societies and invisible microbial worlds. It argues that as a political challenge, AMR requires robust institutions that can manage human–microbial interactions to minimize the emergence of drug resistance and maximize the likelihood of achieving effective antimicrobial use for all. Yet, current governance systems for AMR are ill-equipped to meet these goals. We propose a conceptual paradigm shift for global AMR governance efforts, arguing that global governance could better address AMR if approached as a socioecological problem in need of sustainable management rather than solely as a medical problem to be solved. In biodiversity governance, institutions are designed to fit the biological features of the ecosystems that they are attempting to manage. We consider how a similar approach can improve global AMR governance. Employing the concept of ecological fit, which is defined as the alignment between human social systems and biological ecosystems, we diagnose 18 discrepancies between the social institutions that currently govern AMR and the ecological nature of this problem. Drawing from lessons learned in biodiversity governance, the article proposes five institutional design principles for improving the fit and effectiveness of global AMR governance.
Epidemic modelling and actuarial applications for pandemic insurance: a case study of Victoria, Australia
Authors: Zhai Chang , Chen Ping , Jin Zhuo , Siu Tak Kuen
Published: January 2024

With the recent outbreak of COVID-19, evaluating the epidemic risk appears to be a pressing issue of global concern and one of the major challenges recently. In the fight against pandemics, the ability to understand, model, and forecast the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases plays a crucial role. This paper provides an overview of foundational compartment models and introduces the Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Containing-3-Substates-Recovered-Dead model to study the dynamics of COVID-19. A meticulous data calibration procedure is employed to study the evolution trend of an actual pandemic using real-world data from Victoria, Australia. Additionally, the paper discusses innovative applications of epidemic models to the insurance industry, which are currently under investigation. Through the use of the newly developed analytically tractable model, insurance companies are able to determine fair premium levels during an outbreak. Moreover, the paper provides practical guidance for insurance companies by examining the variation in reserve levels over time.
Associations of offspring birthweight and placental weight with subsequent parental coronary heart disease: survival regression using the walker cohort
Authors: Sánchez-Soriano Carlos , Pearson Ewan R. , Reynolds Rebecca M.
Published: January 2024

Low birth weight (BW) is consistently correlated with increased parental risk of subsequent cardiovascular disease, but the links with offspring placental weight (PW) are mostly unexplored. We have investigated the associations between parental coronary heart disease (CHD) and offspring BW and PW using the Walker cohort, a collection of 48,000 birth records from Dundee, Scotland, from the 1950s and 1960s. We linked the medical history of 13,866 mothers and 8,092 fathers to their offspring’s records and performed Cox survival analyses modelling maternal and paternal CHD risk by their offspring’s BW, PW, and the ratio between both measurements. We identified negative associations between offspring BW and both maternal (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.91, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.88–0.95) and paternal (HR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93–1.00) CHD risk, the stronger maternal correlation being consistent with previous reports. Offspring PW to BW ratio was positively associated with maternal CHD risk (HR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.08–1.21), but the associations with paternal CHD were not significant. These analyses provide additional evidence for intergenerational associations between early growth and parental disease, identifying directionally opposed correlations of maternal CHD with offspring BW and PW, and highlight the importance of the placenta as a determinant of early development and adult disease.
Enhanced Drought Exposure Increasingly Threatens More Forests Than Observed
Authors: Xu Chongyang , Liu Hongyan , Ciais Philippe , Hartmann Henrik , Camarero Jesús J. , Wu Xiuchen , Hammond William M. , Allen Craig D. , Chen Fahu
Published: January 2024

Forest protection and afforestation have been identified as a means to partially offset anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Yet, increasingly frequent observations of drought‐induced tree mortality are reported. Here, we applied a risk analysis framework for global drought‐induced forest mortality by examining extreme reductions in greenness and water content of forest canopies during past mortality events as well as growth recovery of surviving individual trees following stand‐scale mortality events. We defined a drought‐induced mortality risk index (DMR) that explains 80% of documented tree mortality. Rising CO2 alleviated the increase of DMR with short‐term drought, however, the observed DMR increases with long‐term drought no matter whether considering plant responses to CO2. DMR in sites where tree mortality has been observed significantly increased since the 1980s. More than that, drought exposure threatened 0.28 billion hectares of forested areas. Our framework highlights how climate change‐induced drought, especially hotter‐droughts, threatens the sustainability of global forests.
Dynamic Rupture of the 2021 MW 7.4 Maduo Earthquake: An Intra‐Block Event Controlled by Fault Geometry
Authors: Wen Yangmao , Cai Jianfeng , He Kefeng , Xu Caijun
Published: January 2024

The 2021 MW 7.4 Maduo event occurred within the Bayan Har block in eastern Tibet, which provides an opportunity to investigate the stress conditions and rheology of faults within the block. Here, we perform dynamic rupture simulations based on the finite element method to explore the physical conditions underlying this earthquake and the factors that controlled the rupture process. We construct the model with a nonplanar fault inferred from the Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) data and aftershocks sequence relocation. Our dynamic model is controlled by slip‐weakening friction law with initial stress on fault resolved from a uniform regional stress field. The preferred model produces an average slip of ∼2.2 m with a maximum slip of ∼4.0 m. There are three asperities distributed along the strike, which have captured the main features of the Maduo event. The simulation results are consistent with the static GPS coseismic surface displacements, InSAR data, and displacement waveforms recorded by high‐rate GNSS stations. By comparing the results with the planar fault model and rotated stress fields, we find that the fault geometry and regional stress field are the primary factors that control the rupture process of the event. Moreover, we infer that the unfavorable orientation and fault bend lead to minor slips on the branch fault. Furthermore, we investigate the potential mechanisms of supershear rupture on the eastern fault segment.
Contemporary definitions of infant growth failure and neurodevelopmental and behavioral outcomes in extremely premature infants at two years of age
Authors: Strobel Katie M. , Wood Thomas R. , Valentine Gregory C. , German Kendell R. , Gogcu Semsa , Hendrixson D. Taylor , Kolnik Sarah E. , Law Janessa B. , Mayock Dennis E. , Comstock Bryan A. , Heagerty Patrick J. , Juul Sandra E.
Published: January 2024

Background

Associations of 2-year neurodevelopmental and behavioral outcomes with growth trajectories of preterm infants are unknown.

Methods

This secondary analysis of a preterm cohort examined in-hospital and discharge to 2-year changes in anthropometric z-scores. Two-year follow-up included Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID-III) and Child Behavior Checklist.

Results

Among 590 infants, adjusted in-hospital growth was not associated with any BSID-III subscale. Occipitofrontal circumference (OFC) growth failure (GF) in-hospital was associated with increased adjusted odds of attention problems (aOR 1.65 [1.03, 2.65]), aggressive behavior (aOR 2.34 [1.12, 4.89]), and attention-deficit-hyperactivity symptoms (aOR 1.86 [1.05, 3.30]). Infants with OFC GF at 2 years had lower adjusted BSID-III language scores (−4.0 [−8.0, −0.1]), increased odds of attention problems (aOR 2.29 [1.11, 4.74]), aggressive behavior (aOR 3.09 [1.00, 9.56]), and externalizing problems (aOR 3.01 [1.07, 8.45]) compared to normal OFC growth cohort.

Conclusion

Infants with OFC GF are at risk for neurodevelopmental and behavioral impairment.

Clinical trial registration

This study is a secondary analysis of pre-existing data from the PENUT Trial Registration: NCT01378273.
Targeting ZDHHC21/FASN axis for the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Liu Bangdong , Zhao Xianlan , Zhang Shihao , Li Qiong , Li Xinlei , Huang Dezhi , Xia Jing , Ma Naya , Duan Yishuo , Zhang Xi , Rao Jun
Published: January 2024

S-palmitoylation is essential for cancer development via regulating protein stability, function and subcellular location, yet the roles S-palmitoylation plays in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) progression remain enigmatic. In this study, we uncovered a novel function of the palmitoyltransferase ZDHHC21 as a tumor suppressor in DLBCL and identified ZDHHC21 as a key regulator of fatty acid synthetase (FASN) S-palmitoylation for the first time. Specifically, ZDHHC21 was downregulated in DLBCL, and its expression level was associated with the clinical prognosis of patients with DLBCL. In vitro and in vivo experiments suggested that ZDHHC21 suppressed DLBCL cell proliferation. Mechanistically, ZDHHC21 interacted with FASN and mediated its palmitoylation at Cys1317, resulting in a decrease in FASN protein stability and fatty acid synthesis, consequently leading to the inhibition of DLBCL cell growth. Of note, an FDA-approved small-molecule compound lanatoside C interacted with ZDHHC21, increased ZDHHC21 protein stability and decreased FASN expression, which contributed to the suppression of DLBCL growth in vitro and in vivo. Our results demonstrate that ZDHHC21 strongly represses DLBCL cell proliferation by mediating FASN palmitoylation, and suggest that targeting ZDHHC21/FASN axis is a potential therapeutic strategy against DLBCL.
Serum neurofilament indicates accelerated neurodegeneration and predicts mortality in late-stage Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Frank Anika , Bendig Jonas , Schnalke Nils , Klingelhoefer Lisa , Reichmann Heinz , Akgün Katja , Ziemssen Tjalf , Falkenburger Björn H.
Published: January 2024

Different stages of Parkinson’s disease (PD) are defined by clinical criteria, while late-stage PD is marked by the onset of morbidity milestones and rapid clinical deterioration. Based on neuropathological evidence, degeneration in the dopaminergic system occurs primarily in the early stage of PD, raising the question of what drives disease progression in late-stage PD. This study aimed to investigate whether late-stage PD is associated with increased neurodegeneration dynamics rather than functional decompensation using the blood-based biomarker serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) as a proxy for the rate of neurodegeneration. The study included 118 patients with PD in the transition and late-stage (minimum disease duration 5 years, mean (SD) disease duration 15 (±7) years). The presence of clinical milestones (hallucinations, dementia, recurrent falls, and admission to a nursing home) and mortality were determined based on chart review. We found that sNfL was higher in patients who presented with at least one clinical milestone and increased with a higher number of milestones (Spearman’s ρ = 0.66, p < 0.001). Above a cutoff value of 26.9 pg/ml, death was 13.6 times more likely during the follow-up period (95% CI: 3.53–52.3, p < 0.001), corresponding to a sensitivity of 85.0% and a specificity of 85.7% (AUC 0.91, 95% CI: 0.85–0.97). Similar values were obtained when using an age-adjusted cutoff percentile of 90% for sNfL. Our findings suggest that the rate of ongoing neurodegeneration is higher in advanced PD (as defined by the presence of morbidity milestones) than in earlier disease stages. A better understanding of the biological basis of stage-dependent neurodegeneration may facilitate the development of neuroprotective means.
Different risks of early-onset and late-onset Parkinson disease in individuals with mental illness
Authors: Yoon Seo Yeon , Lee Sang Chul , Suh Jee Hyun , Yang Seung Nam , Han Kyungdo , Kim Yong Wook
Published: January 2024

We aimed to investigate the association of various mental illnesses, including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, insomnia, and anxiety, with the risk of early-onset Parkinson’s disease (EOPD) (age <50 years) and compare it with that of late-onset PD (LOPD) (age ≥50 years). This nationwide cohort study enrolled 9,920,522 people who underwent a national health screening examination in 2009, and followed up until 31 December 2018. There was a significantly increased risk of EOPD and LOPD in individuals with mental illness, and EOPD showed a stronger association than LOPD (EOPD, hazard ratio (HR) = 3.11, 95% CI: 2.61‒3.72; LOPD, HR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.66‒1.74; p for interaction <0.0001). Our results suggest that people with mental illnesses aged < 50 years are at a higher risk of PD than those aged ≥50 years. Future studies are warranted to elucidate the pathomechanism of EOPD in relation to mental illness.
Computational prediction and experimental validation identify functionally conserved lncRNAs from zebrafish to human
Authors: Huang Wenze , Xiong Tuanlin , Zhao Yuting , Heng Jian , Han Ge , Wang Pengfei , Zhao Zhihua , Shi Ming , Li Juan , Wang Jiazhen , Wu Yixia , Liu Feng , Xi Jianzhong Jeff , Wang Yangming , Zhang Qiangfeng Cliff
Published: January 2024

Functional studies of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been hindered by the lack of methods to assess their evolution. Here we present lncRNA Homology Explorer (lncHOME), a computational pipeline that identifies a unique class of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) with conserved genomic locations and patterns of RNA-binding protein (RBP) binding sites (coPARSE-lncRNAs). Remarkably, several hundred human coPARSE-lncRNAs can be evolutionarily traced to zebrafish. Using CRISPR–Cas12a knockout and rescue assays, we found that knocking out many human coPARSE-lncRNAs led to cell proliferation defects, which were subsequently rescued by predicted zebrafish homologs. Knocking down coPARSE-lncRNAs in zebrafish embryos caused severe developmental delays that were rescued by human homologs. Furthermore, we verified that human, mouse and zebrafish coPARSE-lncRNA homologs tend to bind similar RBPs with their conserved functions relying on specific RBP-binding sites. Overall, our study demonstrates a comprehensive approach for studying the functional conservation of lncRNAs and implicates numerous lncRNAs in regulating vertebrate physiology.
Lymph-node-targeted, mKRAS-specific amphiphile vaccine in pancreatic and colorectal cancer: the phase 1 AMPLIFY-201 trial
Authors: Pant Shubham , Wainberg Zev A. , Weekes Colin D. , Furqan Muhammad , Kasi Pashtoon M. , Devoe Craig E. , Leal Alexis D. , Chung Vincent , Basturk Olca , VanWyk Haley , Tavares Amy M. , Seenappa Lochana M. , Perry James R. , Kheoh Thian , McNeil Lisa K. , Welkowsky Esther , DeMuth Peter C. , Haqq Christopher M. , O’Reilly Eileen M.
Published: January 2024

Pancreatic and colorectal cancers are often KRAS mutated and are incurable when tumor DNA or protein persists or recurs after curative intent therapy. Cancer vaccine ELI-002 2P enhances lymph node delivery and immune response using amphiphile (Amph) modification of G12D and G12R mutant KRAS (mKRAS) peptides (Amph-Peptides-2P) together with CpG oligonucleotide adjuvant (Amph-CpG-7909). We treated 25 patients (20 pancreatic and five colorectal) who were positive for minimal residual mKRAS disease (ctDNA and/or serum tumor antigen) after locoregional treatment in a phase 1 study of fixed-dose Amph-Peptides-2P and ascending-dose Amph-CpG-7909; study enrollment is complete with patient follow-up ongoing. Primary endpoints included safety and recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). The secondary endpoint was tumor biomarker response (longitudinal ctDNA or tumor antigen), with exploratory endpoints including immunogenicity and relapse-free survival (RFS). No dose-limiting toxicities were observed, and the RP2D was 10.0 mg of Amph-CpG-7909. Direct ex vivo mKRAS-specific T cell responses were observed in 21 of 25 patients (84%; 59% both CD4+ and CD8+); tumor biomarker responses were observed in 21 of 25 patients (84%); biomarker clearance was observed in six of 25 patients (24%; three pancreatic and three colorectal); and the median RFS was 16.33 months. Efficacy correlated with T cell responses above or below the median fold increase over baseline (12.75-fold): median tumor biomarker reduction was −76.0% versus −10.2% (P < 0.0014), and the median RFS was not reached versus 4.01 months (hazard ratio = 0.14; P = 0.0167). ELI-002 2P was safe and induced considerable T cell responses in patients with immunotherapy-recalcitrant KRAS-mutated tumors. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04853017.
Bridging the gap in fishing effort mapping: a spatially-explicit fisheries dataset for Campanian MPAs, Italy
Authors: Lattanzi Pamela , Pulcinella Jacopo , Battaglia Pietro , Di Cintio Antonio , Ferrà Carmen , Di Franco Antonio , Tassetti Anna Nora
Published: January 2024

Recent technological advancements have facilitated the extensive collection of movement data from large-scale fishing vessels, yet a significant data gap remains for small-scale fisheries. This gap hinders the development of consistent exploitation patterns and meeting the information needs for marine spatial planning in fisheries management. This challenge is specifically addressed in the Campania region of Italy, where several Marine Protected Areas support biodiversity conservation and fisheries management. The authors have created a spatially-explicit dataset that encompasses both large-scale (vessels exceeding 12 meters in length) and small-scale (below 12 meters) fishing efforts. This dataset (available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.23592006) is derived from vessel tracking data and participatory mapping. It offers insights into potential conflicts between different fishing segments and their interactions with priority species and habitats. The data can assist researchers and coastal management stakeholders in formulating policies that reduce resource competition and promote ecosystem-based fisheries management. Furthermore, the provided mapping approach is adaptable for other regions and decision-making frameworks, as we are committed to sharing the tools and techniques we employed.
De novo chromosome-level genome assembly of Chinese motherwort (Leonurus japonicus)
Authors: Wang Xinrui , Zhang Lili , Yao Gang , Wang Xiangfeng , Yi Shu , Meng Tan , Meng Dian , Chen Weikai , Guo Li
Published: January 2024

Chinese motherwort (Leonurus japonicus), a member of Lamiaceae family, is a commonly used medicinal herb for treating obstetrical and gynecological diseases, producing over 280 officinal natural products. Due to limited genomic resources, little progress has been made in deciphering the biosynthetic pathway of valuable natural products in L. japonicus. Here, we de novo assembled the L. japonicus genome using high-coverage ONT long reads and Hi-C reads. The chromosome-level genome assembly contained ten chromosomes representing 99.29% of 489.34 Mb genomic sequence with a contig and scaffold N50 of 7.27 Mb and 50.86 Mb, respectively. Genome validations revealed BUSCO and LAI score of 99.2% and 21.99, respectively, suggesting high quality of genome assembly. Using transcriptomic data from various tissues, 22,531 protein-coding genes were annotated. Phylogenomic analysis of 13 angiosperm plants suggested L. japonicus had 58 expanded gene families functionally enriched in specialized metabolism such as diterpenoid biosynthesis. The genome assembly, annotation, and sequencing data provide resources for the elucidation of biosynthetic pathways behind natural products of pharmaceutical applications in L. japonicus.
GDF15 as a potential biomarker to distinguish fibrotic from non-fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Authors: Alarcon-Dionet A. , Ruiz A. , Chavez-Galan L. , Buendia-Roldan I. , Selman M.
Published: January 2024

Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP) is an immune-mediated interstitial lung disease (ILD) characterized by fibrotic HP (fHP) or non-fibrotic HP (non-fHP). Fibrosis is associated with poor prognosis, emphasizing the need for biomarkers to distinguish fHP from non-fHP. This study aimed to determine the plasma levels of GDF15 in HP patients and assess its association with lung function and phenotype classification. GDF15 levels were quantified by ELISA in HP (n = 64), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (n = 54), and healthy control (n = 128) groups. Clinical, demographic, and functional data were obtained from medical records. High-resolution chest CT scans were used to classify HP patients into fHP and non-fHP groups. In addition, receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to determine the cut-off point, sensitivity, and specificity. Our results revealed significantly elevated GDF15 levels in fHP compared to non-fHP (2539 ± 821 pg/ml versus 1783 ± 801 pg/ml; p = 0.009). The estimated cut-off point for plasma GDF15 levels to distinguish fHP from non-fHP was 2193.4 pg/ml (AUC 0.75). These findings suggest that GDF15 may serve as a valuable biomarker for differentiating between fHP and non-fHP, potentially indicating its involvement in lung fibrosis development in HP.
Gut microbiota variations in wild yellow baboons (Papio cynocephalus) are associated with sex and habitat disturbance
Authors: Bambi Marina , Galla Giulio , Donati Claudio , Rovero Francesco , Hauffe Heidi C. , Barelli Claudia
Published: January 2024

Although male and female mammals differ in biological traits and functional needs, the contribution of this sexual dimorphism to variations in gut bacteria and fungi (gut microbiota) in relation to habitat type has not been fully examined. To understand whether the combination of sex and habitat affects gut microbiota variation, we analyzed 40 fecal samples of wild yellow baboons (Papio cynocephalus) living in contrasting habitat types (intact, well-protected vs. fragmented, less protected forests) in the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania. Sex determination was performed using the marker genes SRY (Sex-determining Region Y) and DDX3X-DDX3Y (DEAD-Box Helicase 3). Samples were attributed to 34 individuals (19 females and 15 males) belonging to five social groups. Combining the results of sex determination with two amplicon sequencing datasets on bacterial (V1–V3 region of the 16S rRNA gene) and fungal (ITS2) gut communities, we found that overall, baboon females had a significantly higher gut bacterial richness compared to males. Beta diversity estimates indicated that bacterial composition was significantly different between males and females, and this was true for individuals from both well- and less protected forests. Our results highlight the combined role of sex and habitat type in shaping variation in gut microbial communities in wild non-human primates.
Kinetic study of membrane protein interactions: from three to two dimensions
Authors: Adrien Vladimir , Reffay Myriam , Taulier Nicolas , Verchère Alice , Monlezun Laura , Picard Martin , Ducruix Arnaud , Broutin Isabelle , Pincet Frédéric , Urbach Wladimir
Published: January 2024

Molecular interactions are contingent upon the system’s dimensionality. Notably, comprehending the impact of dimensionality on protein–protein interactions holds paramount importance in foreseeing protein behaviour across diverse scenarios, encompassing both solution and membrane environments. Here, we unravel interactions among membrane proteins across various dimensionalities by quantifying their binding rates through fluorescence recovery experiments. Our findings are presented through the examination of two protein systems: streptavidin–biotin and a protein complex constituting a bacterial efflux pump. We present here an original approach for gauging a two-dimensional binding constant between membrane proteins embedded in two opposite membranes. The quotient of protein binding rates in solution and on the membrane represents a metric denoting the exploration distance of the interacting sites—a novel interpretation.