bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Soft-lubrication interactions between a rigid sphere and an elastic wall
Authors: Bertin Vincent , Amarouchene Yacine , Raphaël Elie , Salez Thomas
Published: December 2021

The motion of an object within a viscous fluid and in the vicinity of a soft surface induces a hydrodynamic stress field that deforms the latter, thus modifying the boundary conditions of the flow. This results in elastohydrodynamic interactions experienced by the particle. Here, we derive a soft-lubrication model, in order to compute all the forces and torque applied on a rigid sphere that is free to translate and rotate near an elastic wall. We focus on the limit of small deformations of the surface with respect to the fluid-gap thickness, and perform a perturbation analysis in dimensionless compliance. The response is computed in the framework of linear elasticity, for planar elastic substrates in the limiting cases of thick and thin layers. The EHD forces are also obtained analytically using the Lorentz reciprocal theorem.
Flow structures in spanwise rotating plane Poiseuille flow based on thermal analogy
Authors: Zhang Shengqi , Xia Zhenhua , Chen Shiyi
Published: December 2021

The analogy between rotating shear flow and thermal convection suggests the existence of plumes, inertial waves and plume currents in plane Poiseuille flow under spanwise rotation. The existence of these flow structures is examined with the results of three-dimensional and two-dimensional three-component direct numerical simulations. The dynamics of plumes near the unstable side is embodied in a truncated exponential distribution of turbulent fluctuations. For large rotation numbers, inertial waves are identified near the stable side, and these can be used to explain the abnormal flow statistics, such as the large root-mean-square of the streamwise velocity fluctuation and the nearly negligible Reynolds shear stress. For small or medium rotation numbers, plumes generated from the unstable side form large-scale plume currents and the patterns of the plume currents show different capabilities in scalar transport.
Liquidity: Water and Investment in Mandate Palestine
Authors: Violante Cristina
Published: December 2021

In this article, I illustrate two ways in which Zionist settlers appropriated water in Mandate Palestine. The first way was through the imposition of a new kind of property regime, one that measured and defined water rights in terms of volume. This differed from customary Palestinian practice, which distributed water in time-based shares. I argue that volume-based measures made water more easily bought and sold and, by extension, more like a commodity. The second method of appropriation I detail is the granting of concessions to generate hydroelectricity to the Palestine Electric Corporation. These concessions gave the company control over three of Palestine’s major rivers, which it then turned into an object of investment for foreign shareholders. As a result, water use cannot be understood separately from electricity during the Mandate. While these two processes might appear unrelated, I argue that they were both legalized methods of exclusion that, when taken together, reveal a larger process of gradual, albeit incomplete, dispossession of water resources. While Zionist settler colonialism legitimated itself by claiming to efficiently use natural resources, such as water, in actuality, it sustained itself by imposing exclusive property rights.
Gendered Pathways to the County-level People's Congress in China
Authors: Jiang Xinhui
Published: December 2021

Women are underrepresented in legislature almost worldwide, and China is no exception. Although the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) implemented its first gender quota in 1933, gender quotas and women's representation in China remain understudied. This study fills the literature gap by examining the subnational variation in gender quota implementation and women's representation in the county-level people's congresses (CPC). Through a comparison of four county-level units in Hunan and Hubei with similar socioeconomic features yet contrasting results in the numbers of female representatives elected in the 2016 CPC election, this study argues that women's access to CPCs is affected by the CCP's adoption and enforcement of grassroots quotas. The fieldwork shows that although all cases introduced a 30 per cent gender quota, only CPCs in Hunan province were able to meet the quota requirements. This was because the grassroots quota threshold was raised in Hunan and strictly enforced, partly as a response to the 2013 Hengyang vote-buying scandal. In contrast, CPCs in Hubei province nominated a large number of “first hands” (yibashou) candidates, very few of whom were women.
Machine learning for the extragalactic astronomy educational manual
Authors: Vasylenko Maksym , Dobrycheva Daria
Published: December 2021

We evaluated a new approach to the automated morphological classification of large galaxy samples based on the supervised machine learning techniques (Naive Bayes, Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, Logistic Regression, and k-Nearest Neighbours) and Deep Learning using the Python programming language. A representative sample of ∼315000 SDSS DR9 galaxies at z < 0.1 and stellar magnitudes r < 17.7m was considered as a target sample of galaxies with indeterminate morphological types. Classical machine learning methods were used to binary morphologically classification of galaxies into early and late types (96.4% with Support Vector Machine). Deep machine learning methods were used to classify images of galaxies into five visual types (completely rounded, rounded in-between, smooth cigar-shaped, edge-on, and spiral) with the Xception architecture (94% accuracy for four classes and 88% for cigar-like galaxies). These results created a basis for educational manual on the processing of large data sets in the Python programming language, which is intended for students of the Ukrainian universities.
IBSE-Type Astronomy Projects Using Real Data
Authors: Lewis Fraser
Published: December 2021

I present three examples of IBSE (Inquiry-Based Science Education) type activities for students and teachers using data and resources from the Faulkes Telescope Project and the National Schools’ Observatory. Both projects have recently celebrated their 15th anniversary and both provide free access via the internet to 2-metre robotic telescopes to educational users throughout the World. Each activity contains supporting material and sample datasets in several aspects of astronomy as well as instructions on how to analyse data. These activities are designed to be ‘teacher-free’, extended projects for students.

They include the study of open clusters via astronomical images and population studies of exoplanets. I also present a Citizen Science project using data from Type Ia supernovae as discovered by the Gaia Alerts consortium. These data allow citizen scientists to develop their own Hubble Plot and begin to understand the link between Type Ia supernovae and the age of the Universe.
SonoUno: a user-centred approach to sonification
Authors: Casado Johanna , De La Vega Gonzalo , Díaz-Merced Wanda , Gandhi Poshak , García Beatriz
Published: December 2021

Though there are a variety of astronomy sonification software packages, none of them shown high granularity evidence of having been designed with a user-centric focus. SonoUno is a sonification package created taking into account the user from the beginning, and incorporates end user contact feedback for continuous improvements to the software. In this contribution, SonoUno user cases are presented with the soft corresponding updates, as well as the first description of a recent web page development.
Effects of maternal exposure to acute stress on birth outcomes: a quasi-experiment study
Authors: Ahmed Asma , King Suzanne , Elgbeili Guillaume , Laplante David P. , Yang Seungmi
Published: December 2021

Numerous studies have shown associations between maternal stress and poor birth outcomes, but evidence is unclear for causal inference. Natural disasters provide an opportunity to study effects of quasi-randomized hardship with an accurate measure of onset and duration. In a population-based quasi-experimental study, we examined the effect of maternal exposure to the January 1998 Québec ice storm on birth outcomes by comparing pregnant mothers who lived in an area hard hit by the ice storm with those in two unaffected regions. In a total of 147,349 singleton births between 1995 and 2001, we used a difference-in-differences method to estimate the effects of the ice storm on gestational age at delivery (GA), preterm birth (PTB), weight-for-gestational-age z-scores (BWZ), large for gestational age (LGA), and small for gestational age (SGA). After adjusting for maternal and sociodemographic characteristics, there were no differences between the exposed and the unexposed mothers for birth outcomes. The estimated differences (exposed vs. unexposed) were 0.01 SDs (95% CI: −0.02, 0.05) for BWZ; 0.10% point (95% CI: −0.95%, 1.16%) for SGA; 0.25% point (95% CI: −0.78%, 1.28%) for LGA; −0.01 week (95% CI: −0.07, 0.05) for GA; and 0.16% point (95% CI: −0.66%, 0.97%) for PTB. Neither trimester-specific nor dose–response associations were observed. Overall, exposure to the 1998 Québec ice storm as a proxy for acute maternal stress in pregnancy was not associated with poor birth outcomes. Our results suggest that acute maternal hardship may not have a substantial effect on adverse birth outcomes.
Beziehungsqualitäten in Kita und Schule
Authors: Hannover Bettina
Published: December 2021

Zusammenfassung. Die affektive Qualität der Beziehung, die zwischen Kind oder Jugendlichen und der pädagogischen Fachkraft in Kita oder Schule besteht, ist nicht nur für die sozioemotionale und akademische Entwicklung des Lernenden bedeutsam, sondern korrespondiert auch dem Wohlbefinden und Kompetenzerleben der Erziehungs- oder Lehrperson. In diesem Themenheft der Zeitschrift für Pädagogische Psychologie sind Beiträge zusammengestellt, die die vielschichtigen Dimensionen reflektieren, auf denen Beziehungsqualität beschrieben und analysiert werden kann. Mit der Unterschiedlichkeit der behandelten Fragestellungen möchte das Themenheft auch eine Anregung für weitere Forschung zum Thema Beziehungsqualität in Kita und Schule bieten.
Post‐Seismic to Co‐Seismic Moment Ratios for the 2016 Moderate Earthquakes Along Chaman Fault
Authors: Furuya Masato , Matsumoto Fumiko
Published: December 2021

Postseismic‐to‐coseismic moment ratios (PCMR) for strong (M > 6) earthquakes typically do not exceed ∼0.3, but there have been limited estimates for moderate‐to‐small earthquakes. Three M5‐class earthquakes and one M4.7 earthquake occurred along the Chaman fault, Pakistan, on May 13 and July 10, 2016. Using Sentinel‐1A InSAR time‐series from October 2014 to August 2018, we estimate spatial‐temporal evolution of the co‐ and post‐seismic fault slip and its velocity. Because of the long‐lasting (>1 year) afterslip, the estimated PCMRs of the M5‐class events and M4.7 event were 0.7 ± 0.2 and 8.3 ± 2.2, respectively, which are both larger than those of M > 6 earthquakes but consistent with previous events that occurred on the Chaman Fault System. Unlike in case of large earthquakes, geodetic inversions are not able to resolve spatial relationships between coseismic slip and afterslip. In case of a non‐complementary slip distribution, one explanation might be heterogeneity of friction properties on the fault surface, while other interpretations are possible.
Did Modern Precipitation Drivers Influence Centennial Trends in the Highlands of the Atacama Desert During the Most Recent Millennium?
Authors: Jara Ignacio A. , Maldonado Antonio , de Porras María Eugenia
Published: December 2021

Although present‐day precipitation variability in the southern Altiplano and adjacent Andean margins (15–25°S) is well understood, past drivers and mechanisms remain little‐explored. We analyzed the pollen assemblages of 31 fossil rodent middens to reconstruct precipitation change during the most recent millennium in the highlands of the Atacama Desert (22°S), on the western foothills of the Altiplano. Variations in low and high elevation pollen types reveal reduced (increased) precipitation between 930 and 550 BP (510 and 440 BP) (BP = before present; taken as Common Era 1950). Variable pollen assemblages prevailed from 390 to 90 BP, followed by a drying trend that persists until present times. Similarities with proxy records from the Altiplano, the tropical Andes and the equatorial Pacific suggest that centennial‐scale wet/dry phases in the Atacama highlands were associated with changes in the strength of the South American monsoon system, most likely influenced by changes akin to modern El Niño Southern Oscillation variability.
Comments on “Stochastic TEC Structure Characterization” by Charles Rino, Yu Morton, Brian Breitsch, and Charles Carrano, Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 124, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JA026958
Authors: McCaffrey Anthony , Jayachandran P. T.
Published: December 2021

Rino et al. (2019, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JA026958) has recently explored the effects of refractive (total electron content [TEC]) and stochastic/diffractive (scintillation) on the GPS carrier phase observable, with the intent to show that the scintillation portion of the total ionospheric effect on the carrier phase is negligible. A major portion of the manuscript is based on “stochastic TEC,” a new term that is not well defined by the authors. If the authors meant this as variations in the phase that does not scale with carrier frequency, then it is not TEC at all. One cannot measure TEC, using phase, if the variations do not scale with frequency. In the data‐driven portion of the paper, there are claims and assumptions made that are incorrect, or not well explained. These include the claim that the TEC and scintillation portions of the carrier phase observable cannot be separated, but previous work has shown that it is possible (McCaffrey & Jayachandran, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018ja025759); the use of the C/N0 in calculating the S4 scintillation index, despite C/N0's sensitivity to the phase and amplitude of the carrier; and the negligence of the higher‐order effects of the TEC calculation.
Transport Path of Cold‐Dense Plasmas in the Dusk Magnetotail Plasma Sheet: MMS Observations
Authors: Nishino M. N. , Hasegawa H. , Saito Y. , Kitamura N. , Miyashita Y. , Nagai T. , Yokota S. , Russell C. T. , Gershman D. J. , Giles B. L.
Published: December 2021

The near‐Earth plasma sheet becomes cold and dense under northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) condition, which suggests efficient solar wind plasma entry into the magnetosphere across the magnetopause for northward IMF and a possible contribution of ionospheric oxygen ion outflow. The cold and dense characteristics of the plasma sheet are more evident in the magnetotail flank regions that are the interface between cold solar wind plasma and hot magnetospheric plasma. Several physical mechanisms have been proposed to explain the solar wind plasma entry across the magnetopause and resultant formation of the cold‐dense plasma sheet (CDPS) in the tail flank regions. However, the transport path of the cold‐dense plasma inside the magnetotail has not been understood yet. Here, we present a case study of the CDPS in the dusk magnetotail by magnetospheric multiscale (MMS) spacecraft under strongly northward IMF and high‐density solar wind conditions. The ion distribution function consists of high‐ and low‐energy components, and the low‐energy one intermittently shows energy dispersion in the directions parallel and antiparallel to the local magnetic field. The time‐of‐flight analysis of the energy‐dispersed low‐energy ions suggests that these ions originate in the region farther down the tail, move along the magnetic field toward the ionosphere and then come back to the magnetotail by the mirror reflection. The pitch‐angle dispersion analysis gives consistent results on the traveling time and path length of the energy‐dispersed ions. Based on these observations, we discuss possible generation mechanisms of the energy‐dispersed structure of the low‐energy ions during the northward IMF.
Gradient Winds and Neutral Flow Dawn‐Dusk Asymmetry in the Auroral Oval During Geomagnetically Disturbed Conditions
Authors: Larsen M. F. , Pfaff R. F. , Mesquita R. , Kaeppler S. R.
Published: December 2021

The Pedersen component of the Lorentz force produces an acceleration that is generally in the zonal direction in much of the dawn and dusk sectors in the auroral oval. During geomagnetically disturbed conditions, as the neutral flow begins to accelerate through the ion drag force and the flow speeds increase, a balance develops in the meridional direction between the Coriolis, curvature, and pressure gradient forces, which are dominant in the lower thermosphere. The gradient wind equation that describes this balance predicts that the cyclonic flow on the dawn side is limited to the so‐called regular solution, which has a maximum value of twice the geostrophic wind speed. The anticyclonic flow on the dusk side, on the other hand, can satisfy either the regular or anomalous solution with a transition at twice the geostrophic wind speed. The anomalous flow solutions have wind speeds significantly greater than the transition value, but are limited by the inertial wind value, that is, the value that corresponds to a balance between the curvature and Coriolis forces. The analysis is carried out to show this result, which indicates that a significant quantitative asymmetry is expected between the dawn‐ and dusk‐side flow, as is observed and has been shown in both observations and a number of numerical modeling studies. Implications for the wind distribution of perturbed pressure gradients and inertial instability are discussed.
Mapping the Thermal Structure of the Amazon Craton to Constrain the Tectonic Domains
Authors: Correa R. T. , Vidotti R. M. , Guedes V. J. C. B. , Scandolara J. E.
Published: December 2021

Rheology of solids is primarily a function of temperature. Mapping depth to the bottom of the magnetic layer (DBML), which is assumed as a proxy for the depth to Curie temperature, can be used to constrain the thermal structure of the lithosphere. Heat flow data are commonly used to address the thermal structure of the lithosphere. However, these data are scarce for the Amazon Craton. Therefore, as an alternative, DBML was calculated using fractal magnetic source distribution. The Amazon craton is usually described in terms of geochronological provinces models. Nevertheless, geophysical data are poorly discussed in these models. We provide a DBML model that was integrated with the potential field, seismic tomography, and crustal thickness data to address this issue. Our model varies from 10 to 80 km, and almost 90% of the estimates are in the 20‐50 km range. The recurrence of long‐wavelength features on independent datasets supports the assessment that the model is robust and recovered real geophysical signals. Our model suggests that the limits between Carajás and Bacajás domains should be revisited as well as the limits between Tapajós and Iriri Xingú domains. Moreover, we also correlate the model with main mineral deposits. Further, the identified DBML anomaly suggests the mantle is serpentinized in the eastern Carajás domain. This feature is highly correlated with high p‐wave velocity indicating fertile mantle conditions, thus making this region favorable for world‐class mineral deposits.
Scarless excision of an insertion sequence restores capsule production and virulence in Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Whiteway Clémence , Valcek Adam , Philippe Chantal , Strazisar Mojca , De Pooter Tim , Mateus Ivan , Breine Anke , Van der Henst Charles
Published: December 2021

We identify a new mechanism mediating capsule production and virulence in the WHO and CDC priority ESKAPE pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii. Non-capsulated and avirulent bacteria can revert into a capsulated and virulent state upon scarless excision of an ISAba13 insertion sequence under stress conditions. Reversion events fully restore capsule production and in vivo virulence. This increases our knowledge about A. baumannii genome dynamics, and the regulation of capsule production, virulence and resistance.
Intravitreal injections as a leading cause of acute postoperative endophthalmitis—a regional survey in England
Authors: Ong Ariel Yuhan , Rigaudy Axelle , Toufeeq Shafak , Robins Julian , Shalchi Zaid , Bindra Mandeep Singh , Charbel Issa Peter
Published: December 2021

Background

To evaluate the characteristics, treatment patterns and outcomes of acute postoperative endophthalmitis.

Methods

Patients presenting with acute postoperative endophthalmitis between January 2017 to December 2019 were identified from hospital records in this multicentre retrospective cohort study. Clinical records were reviewed for visual acuity (VA) at various timepoints, cause of endophthalmitis, microbiological results, treatments and complications.

Results

Forty-six eyes of 46 patients were included. Intravitreal injections were the leading cause of acute postoperative endophthalmitis (n = 29; 63%), followed by cataract surgery (n = 8; 17%), vitreoretinal surgery (n = 7; 15%), and secondary intraocular lens insertion (n = 2, 4%). The absolute risk of endophthalmitis was 0.024% (1:4132) for intravitreal injections, 0.016% (1:6096) for cataract surgery, and 0.072% (1:1385) for vitreoretinal surgery. The majority of patients (n = 38; 83%) had better VA at 6 months compared to presentation, although fewer (n = 13; 28%) maintained similar or better VA compared to before the precipitating surgery. Twenty-four cases yielded positive culture results, of which staphylococcus epidermidis was the most commonly isolated organism. Microbiological yield was not associated with better final visual outcomes. Patients who underwent therapeutic vitrectomy (n = 15; 33%) had poorer VA at presentation, but subsequently achieved visual outcomes comparable to those who received medical treatment alone. There was no difference in time to presentation, visual outcome and retinal detachment rates among the different causative procedures.

Conclusion

Intravitreal injections were the most common cause of endophthalmitis in our region, primarily because of their higher frequency compared to other intraocular procedures. In this cohort, the primary procedure had no effect on presentation, management or visual outcomes.
Carbon flux through photosynthesis and central carbon metabolism show distinct patterns between algae, C3 and C4 plants
Authors: Treves Haim , Küken Anika , Arrivault Stéphanie , Ishihara Hirofumi , Hoppe Ines , Erban Alexander , Höhne Melanie , Moraes Thiago Alexandre , Kopka Joachim , Szymanski Jedrzej , Nikoloski Zoran , Stitt Mark
Published: December 2021

Photosynthesis-related pathways are regarded as a promising avenue for crop improvement. Whilst empirical studies have shown that photosynthetic efficiency is higher in microalgae than in C3 or C4 crops, the underlying reasons remain unclear. Using a tailor-made microfluidics labelling system to supply 13CO2 at steady state, we investigated in vivo labelling kinetics in intermediates of the Calvin Benson cycle and sugar, starch, organic acid and amino acid synthesis pathways, and in protein and lipids, in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Chlorella sorokiniana and Chlorella ohadii, which is the fastest growing green alga on record. We estimated flux patterns in these algae and compared them with published and new data from C3 and C4 plants. Our analyses identify distinct flux patterns supporting faster growth in photosynthetic cells, with some of the algae exhibiting faster ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate regeneration and increased fluxes through the lower glycolysis and anaplerotic pathways towards the tricarboxylic acid cycle, amino acid synthesis and lipid synthesis than in higher plants.
Spatial structure governs the mode of tumour evolution
Authors: Noble Robert , Burri Dominik , Le Sueur Cécile , Lemant Jeanne , Viossat Yannick , Kather Jakob Nikolas , Beerenwinkel Niko
Published: December 2021

Characterizing the mode—the way, manner or pattern—of evolution in tumours is important for clinical forecasting and optimizing cancer treatment. Sequencing studies have inferred various modes, including branching, punctuated and neutral evolution, but it is unclear why a particular pattern predominates in any given tumour. Here we propose that tumour architecture is key to explaining the variety of observed genetic patterns. We examine this hypothesis using spatially explicit population genetics models and demonstrate that, within biologically relevant parameter ranges, different spatial structures can generate four tumour evolutionary modes: rapid clonal expansion, progressive diversification, branching evolution and effectively almost neutral evolution. Quantitative indices for describing and classifying these evolutionary modes are presented. Using these indices, we show that our model predictions are consistent with empirical observations for cancer types with corresponding spatial structures. The manner of cell dispersal and the range of cell–cell interactions are found to be essential factors in accurately characterizing, forecasting and controlling tumour evolution.
Climatic and soil factors explain the two-dimensional spectrum of global plant trait variation
Authors: Joswig Julia S. , Wirth Christian , Schuman Meredith C. , Kattge Jens , Reu Björn , Wright Ian J. , Sippel Sebastian D. , Rüger Nadja , Richter Ronny , Schaepman Michael E. , van Bodegom Peter M. , Cornelissen J. H. C. , Díaz Sandra , Hattingh Wesley N. , Kramer Koen , Lens Frederic , Niinemets Ülo , Reich Peter B. , Reichstein Markus , Römermann Christine , Schrodt Franziska , Anand Madhur , Bahn Michael , Byun Chaeho , Campetella Giandiego , Cerabolini Bruno E. L. , Craine Joseph M. , Gonzalez-Melo Andres , Gutiérrez Alvaro G. , He Tianhua , Higuchi Pedro , Jactel Hervé , Kraft Nathan J. B. , Minden Vanessa , Onipchenko Vladimir , Peñuelas Josep , Pillar Valério D. , Sosinski Ênio , Soudzilovskaia Nadejda A. , Weiher Evan , Mahecha Miguel D.
Published: December 2021

Plant functional traits can predict community assembly and ecosystem functioning and are thus widely used in global models of vegetation dynamics and land–climate feedbacks. Still, we lack a global understanding of how land and climate affect plant traits. A previous global analysis of six traits observed two main axes of variation: (1) size variation at the organ and plant level and (2) leaf economics balancing leaf persistence against plant growth potential. The orthogonality of these two axes suggests they are differently influenced by environmental drivers. We find that these axes persist in a global dataset of 17 traits across more than 20,000 species. We find a dominant joint effect of climate and soil on trait variation. Additional independent climate effects are also observed across most traits, whereas independent soil effects are almost exclusively observed for economics traits. Variation in size traits correlates well with a latitudinal gradient related to water or energy limitation. In contrast, variation in economics traits is better explained by interactions of climate with soil fertility. These findings have the potential to improve our understanding of biodiversity patterns and our predictions of climate change impacts on biogeochemical cycles.
Rapid, efficient and activation-neutral gene editing of polyclonal primary human resting CD4+ T cells allows complex functional analyses
Authors: Albanese Manuel , Ruhle Adrian , Mittermaier Jennifer , Mejías-Pérez Ernesto , Gapp Madeleine , Linder Andreas , Schmacke Niklas A. , Hofmann Katharina , Hennrich Alexandru A. , Levy David N. , Humpe Andreas , Conzelmann Karl-Klaus , Hornung Veit , Fackler Oliver T. , Keppler Oliver T.
Published: December 2021

CD4+T cells are central mediators of adaptive and innate immune responses and constitute a major reservoir for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in vivo. Detailed investigations of resting human CD4+T cells have been precluded by the absence of efficient approaches for genetic manipulation limiting our understanding of HIV replication and restricting efforts to find a cure. Here we report a method for rapid, efficient, activation-neutral gene editing of resting, polyclonal human CD4+T cells using optimized cell cultivation and nucleofection conditions of Cas9–guide RNA ribonucleoprotein complexes. Up to six genes, including HIV dependency and restriction factors, were knocked out individually or simultaneously and functionally characterized. Moreover, we demonstrate the knock in of double-stranded DNA donor templates into different endogenous loci, enabling the study of the physiological interplay of cellular and viral components at single-cell resolution. Together, this technique allows improved molecular and functional characterizations of HIV biology and general immune functions in resting CD4+T cells.
Benchmarking atlas-level data integration in single-cell genomics
Authors: Luecken Malte D. , Büttner M. , Chaichoompu K. , Danese A. , Interlandi M. , Mueller M. F. , Strobl D. C. , Zappia L. , Dugas M. , Colomé-Tatché M. , Theis Fabian J.
Published: December 2021

Single-cell atlases often include samples that span locations, laboratories and conditions, leading to complex, nested batch effects in data. Thus, joint analysis of atlas datasets requires reliable data integration. To guide integration method choice, we benchmarked 68 method and preprocessing combinations on 85 batches of gene expression, chromatin accessibility and simulation data from 23 publications, altogether representing >1.2 million cells distributed in 13 atlas-level integration tasks. We evaluated methods according to scalability, usability and their ability to remove batch effects while retaining biological variation using 14 evaluation metrics. We show that highly variable gene selection improves the performance of data integration methods, whereas scaling pushes methods to prioritize batch removal over conservation of biological variation. Overall, scANVI, Scanorama, scVI and scGen perform well, particularly on complex integration tasks, while single-cell ATAC-sequencing integration performance is strongly affected by choice of feature space. Our freely available Python module and benchmarking pipeline can identify optimal data integration methods for new data, benchmark new methods and improve method development.
MARC1 p.A165T variant is associated with decreased markers of liver injury and enhanced antioxidant capacity in autoimmune hepatitis
Authors: Janik Maciej K. , Smyk Wiktor , Kruk Beata , Szczepankiewicz Benedykt , Górnicka Barbara , Lebiedzińska-Arciszewska Magdalena , Potes Yaiza , Simões Inês C. M. , Weber Susanne N. , Lammert Frank , Więckowski Mariusz R. , Milkiewicz Piotr , Krawczyk Marcin
Published: December 2021

The clinical picture of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) varies markedly between patients, potentially due to genetic modifiers. The aim of this study was to evaluate genetic variants previously associated with fatty liver as potential modulators of the AIH phenotype. The study cohort comprised 313 non-transplanted adults with AIH. In all patients, the MARC1 (rs2642438), HSD17B13 (rs72613567), PNPLA3 (rs738409), TM6SF2 (rs58542926), and MBOAT7 (rs641738) variants were genotyped using TaqMan assays. Mitochondrial damage markers in serum were analyzed in relation to the MARC1 variant. Carriers of the protective MARC1 allele had lower ALT and AST (both P < 0.05). In patients treated for AIH for ≥ 6 months, MARC1 correlated with reduced AST, ALP, GGT (all P ≤ 0.01), and lower APRI (P = 0.02). Patients carrying the protective MARC1 genotype had higher total antioxidant activity (P < 0.01) and catalase levels (P = 0.02) in serum. The PNPLA3 risk variant was associated with higher MELD (P = 0.02) in treated patients, whereas MBOAT7 increased the odds for liver cancer (OR = 3.71). None of the variants modulated the risk of death or transplantation. In conclusion, the MARC1 polymorphism has protective effects in AIH. Genotyping of MARC1, PNPLA3, and MBOAT7 polymorphisms might help to stratify patients with AIH.
Revealing the polar nature of a ferroelectric nematic by means of circular alignment
Authors: Rudquist Per
Published: December 2021

The recent discovery of spontaneously polar nematic liquid crystals—so-called ferroelectric nematics—more than a century after the first discussions about their possible existence—has attracted large interest, both from fundamental scientific and applicational points of view. However, the experimental demonstration of such a phase has, so-far, been non-trivial. Here I present a direct method for the experimental verification of a ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal phase. The method utilizes a single sample cell where the two substrates are linearly and circularly rubbed, respectively, and the ferroelectric nematic phase (NF) is revealed by the orientation of the resulting disclination lines in the cell.
Lighting up of carbon dots for copper(ii) detection using an aggregation-induced enhanced strategy
Authors: Zhang Long Chuan , Yang Yu Meng , Liang Ling , Jiang Yong Jian , Li Chun Mei , Li Yuan Fang , Zhan Lei , Zou Hong Yan , Huang Cheng Zhi
Published: December 2021

Fluorescent carbon dots (O-CDs) prepared by a typical hydrothermal method have been proposed to boost the aggregation-induced fluorescence enhancement (AIFE), affording the detection of Cu2+ in fresh water and E. coli.
Combating amyloid-induced cellular toxicity and stiffness by designer peptidomimetics
Authors: Konar Mouli , Ghosh Debasis , Samanta Sourav , Govindaraju Thimmaiah
Published: December 2021

Aβ14-23 peptidomimetics incorporated with cyclic dipeptide-based unnatural amino acid at defined positions serve as potential candidates to understand and ameliorate amyloid-induced cellular toxicity and physio-mechanical anomalies.
Stronger-together: the cooperativity of aurophilic interactions
Authors: Guevara-Vela José Manuel , Hess Kristopher , Rocha-Rinza Tomás , Martín Pendás Ángel , Flores-Álamo Marcos , Moreno-Alcántar Guillermo
Published: December 2021

The unprecedented analysis of the energy distribution in multiple aurophilic interactions demonstrates the cooperative nature of Au⋯Au contacts. This non-additivity is relevant to the understanding of aurophilically-driven self-assembly.
A biomimetic ZIF nanoagent for synergistic regulation of glutamine metabolism and intracellular acidosis of cancer
Authors: Wang Mengzhen , Lu Fei , Li Na , Pan Wei , Tang Bo
Published: December 2021

A homotypic cancer cell membrane camouflaged ZIF-based nanoagent was developed to improve anticancer efficiency through synergistic metabolism regulation and acidosis aggravation.
Carbon dots/ZnO quantum dots composite-based white phosphors for white light-emitting diodes
Authors: Li Wenjing , Wu Min , Jiang Hang , Yang Longhui , Liu Chao , Gong Xiao
Published: December 2021

White phosphors based on B-CDs/ZnO QDs composites were fabricated directly by electrostatic force, which could be applied for fabrication of high-performance LEDs.
Development of chiral potassium strong Brønsted base catalysts for enantioselective carbon–carbon bond-forming reactions
Authors: Yamashita Yasuhiro
Published: December 2021

New chiral potassium strong Brønsted base catalysts were developed. They were successfully employed in enantioselective 1,4-addition and Mannich-type reactions of weakly acidic carbon pronucleophiles.
Artemisinin–acetylenedicarboxylic acid cocrystal: screening, structure determination, and physicochemical property characterisation
Authors: Makadia Jay , Madu Shadrack J. , Arroo Randolph , Seaton Colin C. , Li Mingzhong
Published: December 2021

Artemisinin is used to treat multi-drug resistant strains of malaria and is also in the early stages of development as an anti-cancer drug.
A highly stable Eu-MOF multifunctional luminescent sensor for the effective detection of Fe3+, Cr2O72−/CrO42− and aspartic acid in aqueous systems
Authors: Sun Yin-Xia , Guo Geng , Ding Wen-Min , Han Wen-Yu , Li Juan , Deng Zhe-Peng
Published: December 2021

As multifunctional luminescence sensor, EU MOF has good thermal stability and water stability. It is used for the detection of Fe3+, Cr2O72−, CrO42− and aspartic acid in water system with low detection limit. And it has good recycling performance.
Matrix effects on hydrogen bonding and proton transfer in fluoropyridine – HCl complexes
Authors: Soares Camilla , Ley Anna R. , Zehner Brittany C. , Treacy Patrick W. , Phillips James A.
Published: December 2021

We report an extensive computational and spectroscopic study of several fluoropyridine–HCl complexes, and the parent, pyridine–HCl system.
Cyclization or bridging: which occurs faster is the key to the self-assembly mechanism of Pd6L3 coordination prisms
Authors: Zhang Xinman , Takahashi Satoshi , Aratsu Keisuke , Kikuchi Isamu , Sato Hirofumi , Hiraoka Shuichi
Published: December 2021

QASAP and NASAP reveal that the macrocyclization faster than the bridging reaction in the intermediate leads to the Pd6L3 coordination prisms, while kinetically trapped species are produced when the bridging reaction takes place faster.
High hydrogen production in the InSe/MoSi2N4van der Waals heterostructure for overall water splitting
Authors: He Yong , Zhu Yao-hui , Zhang Min , Du Juan , Guo Wen-hui , Liu Shi-ming , Tian Chong , Zhong Hong-xia , Wang Xinqiang , Shi Jun-jie
Published: December 2021

Two-dimensional InSe/MoSi2N4van der Waals heterostructure is a potential photocatalyst for overall water splitting because of its suitable band gap (1.61 eV) and strong visible-light absorption.
Group 6 transition metal-based molecular complexes for sustainable catalytic CO2activation
Authors: Rajeshwaree B. , Ali Afsar , Mir Ab Qayoom , Grover Jagrit , Lahiri Goutam Kumar , Dutta Arnab , Maiti Debabrata
Published: December 2021

CO2activation is one of the key steps towards CO2mitigation. In this context, the group 6 transition metal-based molecular catalysts can lead the way.
Predicting 3D shapes, masks, and properties of materials inside transparent containers, using the TransProteus CGI dataset
Authors: Eppel Sagi , Xu Haoping , Wang Yi Ru , Aspuru-Guzik Alan
Published: December 2021

We present TransProteus, a dataset, and methods for predicting the 3D structure, annotations and properties of materials inside transparent vessels from a single image.
Precrystallization solute assemblies and crystal symmetry
Authors: Warzecha Monika , Verma Lakshmanji , Chakrabarti Rajshree , Hadjiev Viktor G. , Florence Alastair J. , Palmer Jeremy C. , Vekilov Peter G.
Published: December 2021

The structures of the dominant solute species and of the incorporating solute complexes do not correlate with the symmetry of the crystal lattice. Crystal symmetry provides no shortcuts on the road to the understanding and control of crystallization.
Designed hybrid anticancer nuclear-localized peptide inhibits aggressive cancer cell proliferation
Authors: Mondal Prasenjit , Mohapatra Saswat , Bhunia Debmalya , Gharai Prabir Kumar , Mukherjee Nabanita , Gupta Varsha , Ghosh Satyajit , Ghosh Surajit
Published: December 2021

p16 and AVPI fused hybrid peptide containing NLS sequence promotes caspase-3 dependent apoptosis pathway by targeting both nuclear (CDK4/CyclinD) and cellular (XIAP) factors, and acts as a potent therapeutic agent against aggresive leukemia cells.
Synthesis of novel highly-dispersed manganese oxide on porous calcium silicate for the catalytic oxidation of toluene
Authors: Wang Ziqiang , Hao Zhifei , Zhang Yinmin , Sun Junmin , Zhang Yongfeng
Published: December 2021

Highly-dispersed MnOx with abundant oxygen vacancy on porous calcium silicate for the catalytic oxidation of toluene.
Crystal structure and electrochemistry properties of one two-dimensional heteropolyoxoniobate based on four- and five-vanadium-capped Keggin anions
Authors: Guo Hui-Li , Wang Yi-Kun , Qu Xiao-Jie , Feng Rui , Pang Jing-Yu , Bai Yan , Dang Dong-Bin
Published: December 2021

One two-dimensional heteropolyoxoniobate compound H9[Cu(H4dap)2(H2O)]8{K[Cu(H3dap)2]4}2[VNb12O40(VO)4]3[VNb12O40(VO)4(VO)]·48H2O (1) (H4dap = 1,2-diaminopropane) was obtained by a hydrothermal method.
Imidazolium-based poly(ionic liquid)s@MIL-101 for CO2 adsorption and subsequent catalytic cycloaddition without additional cocatalyst and solvent
Authors: Jiang Yichen , Zhao Yifei , Liang Lin , Zhang Xiao , Sun Jianmin
Published: December 2021

Poly(ionic liquid)@MIL-101 incorporates an ionic liquid in a MOF and can be used in CO2 capture and conversion.
Rongalite-induced transition-metal and hydride-free reductive aldol reaction: a rapid access to 3,3′-disubstituted oxindoles and its mechanistic studies
Authors: Golla Sivaparwathi , Anugu Naveenkumar , Jalagam Swathi , Kokatla Hari Prasad
Published: December 2021

A rongalite-induced transition-metal and hydride-free reductive aldol reaction has been developed for the synthesis of 3,3′-disubstituted oxindoles. In this method, rongalite plays a vital role as a reducing agent and a source of the C1 unit.
Benzohexacene guide in accurate determination of field effect carrier mobilities in long acenes
Authors: Bedel Pereira E. , Bassaler J. , Laval H. , Holec J. , Monflier R. , Mesnilgrente F. , Salvagnac L. , Daran E. , Duployer B. , Tenailleau C. , Gourdon A. , Jancarik A. , Séguy I.
Published: December 2021

Four-probes mobility vs. VGS in the linear regime (VDS = −10 V) for benzohexacene based transistor.
Photoinduced and ground state conversions in a cyclic β-thioxoketone
Authors: Pietrzak Mariusz , Buczyńska Joanna , Duus Fritz , Waluk Jacek , Hansen Poul Erik
Published: December 2021

The photochemistry of a cyclic β-thioxoketone (2-methyl-1-(2-thioxycyclohexyl)propan-1-one (MTPO)) is investigated by NMR, UV, and IR experiments supported by DFT calculations.
In situ transmission electron microscopy observation of the deformation and fracture processes of an epoxy/silica nanocomposite
Authors: Wang Pangpang , Maeda Ryusei , Aoki Mika , Kubozono Tatsuya , Yoshihara Daisuke , Shundo Atsuomi , Kobayashi Takaya , Yamamoto Satoru , Tanaka Keiji , Yamada Sunao
Published: December 2021

Contour map of the true strain of an epoxy/silica nanocomposite film under a tensile condition.
High-performance protonic ceramic fuel cell cathode using protophilic mixed ion and electron conducting material
Authors: Hu Dingyue , Kim Junyoung , Niu Hongjun , Daniels Luke M. , Manning Troy D. , Chen Ruiyong , Liu Bowen , Feetham Richard , Claridge John B. , Rosseinsky Matthew J.
Published: December 2021

High-performance and stability for protonic ceramic fuel cell cathode applications are realised in a self-assembled nanocomposite material Ba0.5Sr0.5(Co0.7Fe0.3)0.6875W0.3125O3−δ (BSCFW) through interplay of single and double perovskite phases.
“Light on” fluorescence carbon dots with intramolecular hydrogen bond-regulated co-planarization for cell imaging and temperature sensing
Authors: Wang Chan , He Yimin , Xu Yalan , Sui Laizhi , Jiang Tao , Ran Guoxia , Song Qijun
Published: December 2021

The co-planarization and electron cloud density distribution of carbon dots (CDs) can be regulated with intramolecular hydrogen bonds, resulting in the temperature turn-on fluorescence response of the CDs.
Bioinspired photo-responsive membrane enhanced with “light-cleaning” feature for controlled molecule release
Authors: Ye Qisheng , Wang Rui , Yan Saitao , Chen Baoliang , Zhu Xiaoying
Published: December 2021

Inspired by the stomatal feature of plant leaves, a photo-responsive membrane was developed to enhance the removal of irreversible membrane fouling and to control molecule release.
A highly sensitive electrochemical cytosensor based on a triple signal amplification strategy using both nanozyme and DNAzyme
Authors: Liu Jinxia , Liu Xiaodi , Yang Luxia , Cai Aiting , Zhou Xiaobo , Zhou Chu , Li Guo , Wang Qi , Wu Mingmin , Wu Li , Ji Haiwei , Qin Yuling
Published: December 2021

A triple signal amplification strategy with nanozymes, DNAzyme and an electron transfer medium was developed to improve cytosensing performance.
Compositional engineering of metal-xanthate precursors toward (Bi1−xSbx)2S3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.05) films with enhanced room temperature thermoelectric performance
Authors: Hu Zhenyu , Deng Longhui , Wu Tingjun , Wang Jing , Wu Feiyan , Chen Lie , Li Qikai , Liu Weishu , Lien Shui-Yang , Gao Peng
Published: December 2021

Metal-xanthate precursors could achieve high quality (Bi1-xSbx)2S3 Films. Via manipulating phonon scattering and dislocation density, improved Seebeck coefficient and power factor can be achieved as −516.35 μV K−1 and 170.10 μW m−1 K−2, respectively.
Recent progress of sulphur-containing high-efficiency organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs)
Authors: Feng Zijun , Cheng Zhuang , Jin Haixu , Lu Ping
Published: December 2021

Recent progress of efficient OLEDs based on sulphur-containing heterocyclic compounds, thiophene, phenylsulfone, thiazole and phenothiazine, as appealing building blocks for the new generation of luminogens, is systematically summarized.
Deuterated N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF-d7) as an additive to enhance the CsPbI3 solar cell efficiency
Authors: Xu Youkui , Li Yingtao , Lei Yutian , Wang Qian , Yao Huanhuan , Zhou Xufeng , Zhou Qing , Ci Zhipeng , Jin Zhiwen
Published: December 2021

By introducing DMF-d7 with hydrogen isotope effect, we successfully and regulate the crystallization kinetics of CsPbI3 films. Thus, a high-quality film with large grains and few defects is obtained, the PCE of optimized device reached to 18.55%.
Identifying new molecular players in extracellular proteostasis
Authors: Satapathy Sandeep , Wilson Mark R.
Published: December 2021

Proteostasis refers to a delicately tuned balance between the processes of protein synthesis, folding, localization, and the degradation of proteins found inside and outside cells. Our understanding of extracellular proteostasis is rather limited and largely restricted to knowledge of 11 currently established extracellular chaperones (ECs). This review will briefly outline what is known of the established ECs, before moving on to discuss experimental strategies used to identify new members of this growing family, and an examination of a group of putative new ECs identified using one of these approaches. An observation that emerges from an analysis of the expanding number of ECs is that all of these proteins are multifunctional. Strikingly, the armory of activities each possess uniquely suit them as a group to act together at sites of tissue damage, infection, and inflammation to restore homeostasis. Lastly, we highlight outstanding questions to guide future research in this field.
Regulatory long non-coding RNAs in root growth and development
Authors: Roulé Thomas , Crespi Martin , Blein Thomas
Published: December 2021

As sessile organisms, plants have evolved sophisticated mechanisms of gene regulation to cope with changing environments. Among them, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of RNAs regulating gene expression at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. They are highly responsive to environmental cues or developmental processes and are generally involved in fine-tuning plant responses to these signals. Roots, in addition to anchoring the plant to the soil, allow it to absorb the major part of its mineral nutrients and water. Furthermore, roots directly sense environmental constraints such as mineral nutrient availability and abiotic or biotic stresses and dynamically adapt their growth and architecture. Here, we review the role of lncRNAs in the control of root growth and development. In particular, we highlight their action in fine-tuning primary root growth and the development of root lateral organs, such as lateral roots and symbiotic nodules. Lastly, we report their involvement in plant response to stresses and the regulation of nutrient assimilation and homeostasis, two processes leading to the modification of root architecture. LncRNAs could become interesting targets in plant breeding programs to subtly acclimate crops to coming environmental changes.