bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increasing the complexity of isolated musical chords benefits concurrent associative memory formation
Authors: Kurzom Nawras , Lorenzi Ilaria , Mendelsohn Avi
Published: May 2023

The effects of background music on learning and memory are inconsistent, partially due to the intrinsic complexity and diversity of music, as well as variability in music perception and preference. By stripping down musical harmony to its building blocks, namely discrete chords, we explored their effects on memory formation of unfamiliar word-image associations. Chords, defined as two or more simultaneously played notes, differ in the number of tones and inter-tone intervals, yielding varying degrees of harmonic complexity, which translate into a continuum of consonance to dissonance percepts. In the current study, participants heard four different types of musical chords (major, minor, medium complex, and high complex chords) while they learned new word-image pairs of a foreign language. One day later, their memory for the word-image pairs was tested, along with a chord rating session, in which they were required to assess the musical chords in terms of perceived valence, tension, and the extent to which the chords grabbed their attention. We found that musical chords containing dissonant elements were associated with higher memory performance for the word-image pairs compared with consonant chords. Moreover, tension positively mediated the relationship between roughness (a key feature of complexity) and memory, while valence negatively mediated this relationship. The reported findings are discussed in light of the effects that basic musical features have on tension and attention, in turn affecting cognitive processes of associative learning.
A deep learning method for optimizing semantic segmentation accuracy of remote sensing images based on improved UNet
Authors: Wang Xiaolei , Hu Zirong , Shi Shouhai , Hou Mei , Xu Lei , Zhang Xiang
Published: May 2023

Semantic segmentation of remote sensing imagery (RSI) is critical in many domains due to the diverse landscapes and different sizes of geo-objects that RSI contains, making semantic segmentation challenging. In this paper, a convolutional network, named Adaptive Feature Fusion UNet (AFF-UNet), is proposed to optimize the semantic segmentation performance. The model has three key aspects: (1) dense skip connections architecture and an adaptive feature fusion module that adaptively weighs different levels of feature maps to achieve adaptive feature fusion, (2) a channel attention convolution block that obtains the relationship between different channels using a tailored configuration, and (3) a spatial attention module that obtains the relationship between different positions. AFF-UNet was evaluated on two public RSI datasets and was quantitatively and qualitatively compared with other models. Results from the Potsdam dataset showed that the proposed model achieved an increase of 1.09% over DeepLabv3 + in terms of the average F1 score and a 0.99% improvement in overall accuracy. The visual qualitative results also demonstrated a reduction in confusion of object classes, better performance in segmenting different sizes of object classes, and better object integrity. Therefore, the proposed AFF-UNet model optimizes the accuracy of RSI semantic segmentation.
Functional and phosphoproteomic analysis of β-adrenergic receptor signaling at excitatory synapses in the CA1 region of the ventral hippocampus
Authors: Jami Shekib A. , Wilkinson Brent J. , Guglietta Ryan , Hartel Nicolas , Babiec Walter E. , Graham Nicholas A. , Coba Marcelo P. , O’Dell Thomas J.
Published: May 2023

Activation of β-adrenergic receptors (β-ARs) not only enhances learning and memory but also facilitates the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP), a form of synaptic plasticity involved in memory formation. To identify the mechanisms underlying β-AR-dependent forms of LTP we examined the effects of the β-AR agonist isoproterenol on LTP induction at excitatory synapses onto CA1 pyramidal cells in the ventral hippocampus. LTP induction at these synapses is inhibited by activation of SK-type K+ channels, suggesting that β-AR activation might facilitate LTP induction by inhibiting SK channels. However, although the SK channel blocker apamin enhanced LTP induction, it did not fully mimic the effects of isoproterenol. We therefore searched for potential alternative mechanisms using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to determine how β-AR activation regulates phosphorylation of postsynaptic density (PSD) proteins. Strikingly, β-AR activation regulated hundreds of phosphorylation sites in PSD proteins that have diverse roles in dendritic spine structure and function. Moreover, within the core scaffold machinery of the PSD, β-AR activation increased phosphorylation at several sites previously shown to be phosphorylated after LTP induction. Together, our results suggest that β-AR activation recruits a diverse set of signaling pathways that likely act in a concerted fashion to regulate LTP induction.
Streamlined quantitative analysis of histone modification abundance at nucleosome-scale resolution with siQ-ChIP version 2.0
Authors: Dickson Bradley M. , Kupai Ariana , Vaughan Robert M. , Rothbart Scott B.
Published: May 2023

We recently introduced an absolute and physical quantitative scale for chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq). The scale itself was determined directly from measurements routinely made on sequencing samples without additional reagents or spike-ins. We called this approach sans spike-in quantitative ChIP, or siQ-ChIP. Herein, we extend those results in several ways. First, we simplified the calculations defining the quantitative scale, reducing practitioner burden. Second, we reveal a normalization constraint implied by the quantitative scale and introduce a new scheme for generating ‘tracks’. The constraint requires that tracks are probability distributions so that quantified ChIP-seq is analogous to a mass distribution. Third, we introduce some whole-genome analyses that allow us, for example, to project the IP mass (immunoprecipitated mass) onto the genome to evaluate how much of any genomic interval was captured in the IP. We applied siQ-ChIP to p300/CBP inhibition and compare our results to those of others. We detail how the same data-level observations are misinterpreted in the literature when tracks are not understood as probability densities and are compared without correct quantitative scaling, and we offer new interpretations of p300/CBP inhibition outcomes.
Predicting tumor recurrence on baseline MR imaging in patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma using deep machine learning
Authors: Kucukkaya Ahmet Said , Zeevi Tal , Chai Nathan Xianming , Raju Rajiv , Haider Stefan Philipp , Elbanan Mohamed , Petukhova-Greenstein Alexandra , Lin MingDe , Onofrey John , Nowak Michal , Cooper Kirsten , Thomas Elizabeth , Santana Jessica , Gebauer Bernhard , Mulligan David , Staib Lawrence , Batra Ramesh , Chapiro Julius
Published: May 2023

Tumor recurrence affects up to 70% of early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, depending on treatment option. Deep learning algorithms allow in-depth exploration of imaging data to discover imaging features that may be predictive of recurrence. This study explored the use of convolutional neural networks (CNN) to predict HCC recurrence in patients with early-stage HCC from pre-treatment magnetic resonance (MR) images. This retrospective study included 120 patients with early-stage HCC. Pre-treatment MR images were fed into a machine learning pipeline (VGG16 and XGBoost) to predict recurrence within six different time frames (range 1–6 years). Model performance was evaluated with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC–ROC). After prediction, the model’s clinical relevance was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier analysis with recurrence-free survival (RFS) as the endpoint. Of 120 patients, 44 had disease recurrence after therapy. Six different models performed with AUC values between 0.71 to 0.85. In Kaplan–Meier analysis, five of six models obtained statistical significance when predicting RFS (log-rank p < 0.05). Our proof-of-concept study indicates that deep learning algorithms can be utilized to predict early-stage HCC recurrence. Successful identification of high-risk recurrence candidates may help optimize follow-up imaging and improve long-term outcomes post-treatment.
Possible involvement of silent mutations in cancer pathogenesis and evolution
Authors: Kikutake Chie , Suyama Mikita
Published: May 2023

Recent studies have shown that some silent mutations can be harmful to various processes. In this study, we performed a comprehensive in silico analysis to elucidate the effects of silent mutations on cancer pathogenesis using exome sequencing data derived from the Cancer Genome Atlas. We focused on the codon optimality scores of silent mutations, which were defined as the difference between the optimality of synonymous codons, calculated using the codon usage table. The relationship between cancer evolution and silent mutations showed that the codon optimality score of the mutations that occurred later in carcinogenesis was significantly higher than of those that occurred earlier. In addition, mutations with higher scores were enriched in genes involved in the cell cycle and cell division, while those with lower scores were enriched in genes involved in apoptosis and cellular senescence. Our results demonstrate that some silent mutations can be involved in cancer pathogenesis.
Autocitrullination confers monocyte chemotactic properties to peptidylarginine deiminase 4
Authors: Yoshida Ken , Ito Haruyasu , Kurosaka Daisaburo , Ikeda Ryo , Noda Kentaro , Saito Mitsuru , Kurosaka Daitaro
Published: May 2023

Peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) contributes to the production of citrullinated proteins as autoantigens for anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). PAD4 can also self-deiminate via autocitrullination. However, the role of this process in RA pathogenesis has not been elucidated. This study aimed to clarify PAD4 function before and after autocitrullination and identify citrullinated PAD4 in the synovial fluid of patients with RA. The autocitrullination of recombinant human PAD4 (rhPAD4) was catalyzed in vitro and determined using anti-modified citrulline immunoblotting. Monocyte chemotaxis was evaluated using Boyden chambers, and citrullinated rhPAD4’s ability to induce arthritis was assessed in a C57BL/6J mouse model. Citrullinated PAD4 levels were measured in the synovial fluid of patients with RA and osteoarthritis using a novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Chemotactic findings showed that citrullinated rhPAD4 recruited monocytes in vitro, whereas unmodified rhPAD4 did not. Compared to unmodified rhPAD4, citrullinated rhPAD4 induced greater inflammation in mouse joints through monocyte migration. More citrullinated PAD4 was found in the synovial fluid of patients with RA than in those with osteoarthritis. Citrullinated PAD4 was even detected in ACPA-negative patients with RA. The autocitrullination of PAD4 amplified inflammatory arthritis through monocyte recruitment, suggesting an ACPA-independent role of PAD4 in RA pathogenesis.
Pancancer analysis of oncogenic BARX2 identifying its prognostic value and immunological function in liver hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Yu Shian , Yang Yu , Yang Hanqing , Peng Long , Wu Zhipeng , Sun Liang , Wu Zhengyi , Yu Xuzhe , Yin Xiangbao
Published: May 2023

The transcription factor BarH-like homeobox 2 (BARX2), a member of the Bar-like homeobox gene family, is involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, immune responses and tumorigenesis. However, the potential role of BARX2 in the development of liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to study the biological role of BARX2 in hepatocellular carcinoma. Through the UALCAN, GTEx PORTAL, TIMER 2.0, LinkedOmics, SMART, MethSurv, Metascape, GSEA and STRING public databases, the BARX2 mRNA level, prognostic value, coexpressed genes, associated differentially expressed genes, DNA methylation and functional enrichment of LIHC patients were studied. The relationships between BARX2 expression and various clinical or genetic parameters of LIHC patients were determined using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and BEAT LIHC databases. In addition, the biological function of BARX2 in LIHC was studied in vitro. Through large-scale data mining, our study showed that BARX2 was differentially expressed between different normal and tumour tissues.BARX2 expression in LIHC tissues was significantly lower than that in corresponding controls, especially in patients with T2-4 stage disease. In patients with LIHC, overexpression of BARX2 was an independent poor prognostic factor associated with poor cytogenetic risk and gene mutations. Genomic hypermethylation of the BARX2 gene was associated with upregulated BARX2 expression and poor overall survival (OS) in LIHC. Functional enrichment analysis showed that BARX2 had an immunomodulatory role and was involved in the inflammatory response in LIHC occurrence. In conclusion, the oncogene BARX2 may serve as a new biomarker and prognostic factor for patients with LIHC. The immunomodulatory function of BARX2 deserves further validation in LIHC.
Biodiversity is overlooked in the diets of different social groups in Brazil
Authors: Gomes Sávio Marcelino , Chaves Viviany Moura , de Carvalho Aline Martins , da Silva Elenilma Barros , de Menezes Neto Elias Jacob , de Farias Moura Gabriela , da Silva Chaves Leonardo , Alves Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega , de Albuquerque Ulysses Paulino , de Oliveira Pereira Fillipe , Jacob Michelle Cristine Medeiros
Published: May 2023

Food biodiversity is essential for improving nutrition and reducing hunger in populations worldwide. However, in middle and low-income countries, the biodiversity of food production does not necessarily represent food consumption patterns by population. We used Brazil, one of the world's megabiodiverse countries, as a case study to investigate the following questions: what is the prevalence of consumption of biodiverse foods in Brazil, and what are the socioeconomic factors that influence their consumption throughout the country? We used data from a Brazilian representative national dietary survey to estimate the frequency of food consumption of unconventional food plants, edible mushrooms, and wild meat, in according to socioeconomic variables. Thus, we investigated the socioeconomic predictors of Unconventional Food Plants consumption using methods of Machine Learning (ML) and multiple zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) regression. We showed that biodiverse food consumption in Brazil is low, just related by 1.3% of the population, varying in according to area, ethnicity, age, food insecurity, sex, and educational level. Our findings of low utilization of biodiversity suggest an important mismatch between the rich biodiversity of the country and its representation in the human diet.
The role of final-state interaction in tensor polarization effects of the reaction $$\gamma d \rightarrow p n \pi ^{0}$$
Authors: Gauzshtein Vyacheslav , Fix Alexander , Vasilishin Bogdan , Darwish Eed , Kuzin Matvey , Levchuk Michael , Loginov Alexey , Nikolenko Dmitry , Rachek Igor , Shestakov Yuriy , Toporkov Dmitry , Yurchenko Arseniy , Zevakov Sergey , Mahmoud Zakaria
Published: May 2023

Tensor analyzing-power components $$T_{20}$$

T
20

, $$T_{21}$$

T
21

, and $$T_{22}$$

T
22

for the reaction $$\gamma d\rightarrow np\pi ^0$$

γ
d
→
n
p

π
0

have been studied for the first time in the photon energy range from 280 to 500 MeV. The data are extracted from the experimental statistics accumulated at the VEPP-3 storage ring in 2002–2003. The measured asymmetries are compared with the results of statistical simulations performed with the $$\gamma d\rightarrow np\pi ^0$$

γ
d
→
n
p

π
0

amplitude from a spectator model, taking into account corrections for the final-state interaction. The comparison demonstrates quite good agreement between the experimental results and the theory.
Evaluation of extraction methods for untargeted metabolomic studies for future applications in zebrafish larvae infection models
Authors: Schippers Philip , Rasheed Sari , Park Yu Mi , Risch Timo , Wagmann Lea , Hemmer Selina , Manier Sascha K. , Müller Rolf , Herrmann Jennifer , Meyer Markus R.
Published: May 2023

Sample preparation in untargeted metabolomics should allow reproducible extractions of as many molecules as possible. Thus, optimizing sample preparation is crucial. This study compared six different extraction procedures to find the most suitable for extracting zebrafish larvae in the context of an infection model. Two one-phase extractions employing methanol (I) and a single miscible phase of methanol/acetonitrile/water (II) and two two-phase methods using phase separation between chloroform and methanol/water combinations (III and IV) were tested. Additional bead homogenization was used for methods III and IV (III_B and IV_B). Nine internal standards and 59 molecules of interest (MoInt) related to mycobacterial infection were used for method evaluation. Two-phase methods (III and IV) led to a lower feature count, higher peak areas of MoInt, especially amino acids, and higher coefficients of variation in comparison to one-phase extractions. Adding bead homogenization increased feature count, peak areas, and CVs. Extraction I showed higher peak areas and lower CVs than extraction II, thus being the most suited one-phase method. Extraction III and IV showed similar results, with III being easier to execute and less prone to imprecisions. Thus, for future applications in zebrafish larvae metabolomics and infection models, extractions I and III might be chosen.
Efficient production of recombinant proteins in suspension CHO cells culture using the Tol2 transposon system coupled with cycloheximide resistance selection
Authors: Yamaguchi Keina , Ogawa Risa , Tsukahara Masayoshi , Kawakami Koichi
Published: May 2023

DNA recombination techniques in mammalian cells has been applied to the production of therapeutic proteins for several decades. To be used for commercial production, established cell lines should stably express target proteins with high productivity and acceptable quality for human use. In the conventional transfection method, the screening process is laborious and time-consuming since superior cell lines had to be selected from an enormous number of transfected cell pools and clonal cell lines with a wide variety of transgene insertion locations. In this study, we demonstrated that the combination of a Tol2 transposon system and cell selection by cycloheximide resistance is an efficient method to express therapeutic proteins, such as human antibody in suspension culture of Chinese hamster ovary cells. The resulting stable cell lines showed constant productivity and cell growth over a long enough cultivation periods for recombinant protein production. We anticipate that this approach will prove widely applicable to protein production in research and development of pharmaceutical products.
Systemic changes in cell size throughout the body of Drosophila melanogaster associated with mutations in molecular cell cycle regulators
Authors: Privalova Valeriya , Labecka Anna Maria , Szlachcic Ewa , Sikorska Anna , Czarnoleski Marcin
Published: May 2023

Along with different life strategies, organisms have evolved dramatic cellular composition differences. Understanding the molecular basis and fitness effects of these differences is key to elucidating the fundamental characteristics of life. TOR/insulin pathways are key regulators of cell size, but whether their activity determines cell size in a systemic or tissue-specific manner awaits exploration. To that end, we measured cells in four tissues in genetically modified Drosophila melanogaster (rictorΔ2 and Mnt1) and corresponding controls. While rictorΔ2 flies lacked the Rictor protein in TOR complex 2, downregulating the functions of this element in TOR/insulin pathways, Mnt1 flies lacked the transcriptional regulator protein Mnt, weakening the suppression of downstream signalling from TOR/insulin pathways. rictorΔ2 flies had smaller epidermal (leg and wing) and ommatidial cells and Mnt1 flies had larger cells in these tissues than the controls. Females had consistently larger cells than males in the three tissue types. In contrast, dorsal longitudinal flight muscle cells (measured only in males) were not altered by mutations. We suggest that mutations in cell cycle control pathways drive the evolution of systemic changes in cell size throughout the body, but additional mechanisms shape the cellular composition of some tissues independent of these mutations.
Sound waves for solving the problem of recrystallization in cryopreservation
Authors: Alcalá Enrique , Encabo Laura , Barroso Fatima , Puentes Adriana , Risco Isabel , Risco Ramon
Published: May 2023

Organ biobanking is the pending subject of cryopreservation. Although the problem is multifaceted, advances in recent decades have largely related it to achieving rapid and uniform rewarming of cryopreserved samples. This is a physical challenge largely investigated in past in addition to cryoprotectant toxicity studies, which have also shown a great amount of advancement. This paper presents a proof-of-principle, based on the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, of a technology capable of performing such a function: high intensity focused ultrasound. Thus, avoiding the problem of recrystallization, this worm, in its adult state, preserved at − $$80\;^\circ{\rm C}$$

80

∘

C

, has been systematically brought back to life after being heated with High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) waves. The great advantage of this technology is that it is scalable; in addition, rewarming can be monitored in real time by MRI thermography and can be controlled by acoustic interferometry. We anticipate that our findings are the starting point for a possible approach to rewarming that can be used for cryopreservation of millimeter scale systems: either alone or in combination with other promising ways of heating, like nanowarming or dielectric heating, the present technology provides new ways of solving the physical aspects of the problem of recrystallization in cryopreservation, opening the door for the long-term storage of larger samples.
Aeolus winds impact on volcanic ash early warning systems for aviation
Authors: Amiridis Vassilis , Kampouri Anna , Gkikas Antonis , Misios Stergios , Gialitaki Anna , Marinou Eleni , Rennie Michael , Benedetti Angela , Solomos Stavros , Zanis Prodromos , Vasardani Olympia , Eleftheratos Konstantinos , Paschou Peristera , Georgiou Thanasis , Scollo Simona , Mona Lucia , Papagiannopoulos Nikolaos , Retscher Christian , Parrinello Tommaso , Straume Anne Grete
Published: May 2023

Forecasting volcanic ash atmospheric pathways is of utmost importance for aviation. Volcanic ash can interfere with aircraft navigational instruments and can damage engine parts. Early warning systems, activated after volcanic eruptions can alleviate the impacts on aviation by providing forecasts of the volcanic ash plume dispersion. The quality of these short-term forecasts is subject to the accuracy of the meteorological wind fields used for the initialization of regional models. Here, we use wind profiling data from the first high spectral resolution lidar in space, Aeolus, to examine the impact of measured wind fields on regional NWP and subsequent volcanic ash dispersion forecasts, focusing on the case of Etna’s eruption on March 2021. The results from this case study demonstrate a significant improvement of the volcanic ash simulation when using Aeolus-assimilated meteorological fields, with differences in wind speed reaching up to 8 m/s when compared to the control run. When comparing the volcanic ash forecast profiles with downwind surface-based aerosol lidar observations, the modeled field is consistent with the measurements only when Aeolus winds are assimilated. This result clearly demonstrates the potential of Aeolus and highlights the necessity of future wind profiling satellite missions for improving volcanic ash forecasting and hence aviation safety.
Subarctic-scale transport of 134Cs to ocean surface off northeastern Japan in 2020
Authors: Inoue Mutsuo , Mashita Kaisei , Kameyama Hiroaki , Mitsunushi Hayata , Hatakeyama Yota , Taniuchi Yukiko , Nakanowatari Takuya , Morita Takami , Nagao Seiya
Published: May 2023

We studied the spatiotemporal variations in134Cs,137Cs, and228Ra concentrations at the sea surface off southeastern Hokkaido, Japan (off-Doto region) from 2018 to 2022 using low-background γ-spectrometry. The134Cs concentrations in the off-Doto region, decay-corrected to the date of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, exhibited wide lateral variation each year (e.g., 0.7–1.1 mBq/L in 2020). By studying the228Ra concentrations and salinity, this variation was explained based on the current mixing patterns. Furthermore, the134Cs concentrations in the waters highly affected by the Oyashio Current (OYC) gradually increased from 2018 to 2020, and subsequently decreased in 2022. This implies that the water mass maximally contaminated with134Cs was transported back to the side of the Japanese islands 10 years after the FDNPP accident along with counter-clockwise currents (e.g., the OYC) in the northern North Pacific Ocean. The134Cs concentrations in the OYC-affected waters in the off-Doto region in 2020 were ~ 1/6 times those in the134Cs-enriched core of waters off the western American Coast in 2015, which can be ascribed to dilution via spatial dispersion during subarctic current circulation. Overall, we elucidated the ocean-scale subarctic current systems in the northwestern North Pacific Ocean, including water circulation timespans.
Anti-human-TIGIT agonistic antibody ameliorates autoimmune diseases by inhibiting Tfh and Tph cells and enhancing Treg cells
Authors: Kojima Marenori , Suzuki Katsuya , Takeshita Masaru , Ohyagi Masaki , Iizuka Mana , Yamane Humitsugu , Koga Keiko , Kouro Taku , Kassai Yoshiaki , Yoshihara Tomoki , Adachi Ryutaro , Hashikami Kentarou , Ota Yuichiro , Yoshimoto Keiko , Kaneko Yuko , Morita Rimpei , Yoshimura Akihiko , Takeuchi Tsutomu
Published: May 2023

T cells play important roles in autoimmune diseases, but it remains unclear how to optimally manipulate them. We focused on the T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT), a coinhibitory molecule that regulates and is expressed in T cells. In autoimmune diseases, the association between TIGIT-expressing cells and pathogenesis and the function of human-TIGIT (hu-TIGIT) signalling modification have not been fully elucidated. Here we generated anti-hu-TIGIT agonistic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and generated hu-TIGIT knock-in mice to accurately evaluate the efficacy of mAb function. Our mAb suppressed the activation of CD4+ T cells, especially follicular helper T and peripheral helper T cells that highly expressed TIGIT, and enhanced the suppressive function of naïve regulatory T cells. These results indicate that our mAb has advantages in restoring the imbalance of T cells that are activated in autoimmune diseases and suggest potential clinical applications for anti-hu-TIGIT agonistic mAbs as therapeutic agents.
It takes two to tango: cardiac fibroblast-derived NO-induced cGMP enters cardiac myocytes and increases cAMP by inhibiting PDE3
Authors: Menges Lukas , Giesen Jan , Yilmaz Kerem , Mergia Evanthia , Füchtbauer Annette , Füchtbauer Ernst-Martin , Koesling Doris , Russwurm Michael
Published: May 2023

The occurrence of NO/cGMP signalling in cardiac cells is a matter of debate. Recent measurements with a FRET-based cGMP indicator in isolated cardiac cells revealed NO-induced cGMP signals in cardiac fibroblasts while cardiomyocytes were devoid of these signals. In a fibroblast/myocyte co-culture model though, cGMP formed in fibroblasts in response to NO entered cardiomyocytes via gap junctions. Here, we demonstrate gap junction-mediated cGMP transfer from cardiac fibroblasts to myocytes in intact tissue. In living cardiac slices of mice with cardiomyocyte-specific expression of a FRET-based cGMP indicator (αMHC/cGi-500), NO-dependent cGMP signals were shown to occur in myocytes, to depend on gap junctions and to be degraded mainly by PDE3. Stimulation of NO-sensitive guanylyl cyclase enhanced Forskolin- and Isoproterenol-induced cAMP and phospholamban phosphorylation. Genetic inactivation of NO-GC in Tcf21-expressing cardiac fibroblasts abrogated the synergistic action of NO-GC stimulation on Iso-induced phospholamban phosphorylation, identifying fibroblasts as cGMP source and substantiating the necessity of cGMP-transfer to myocytes. In sum, NO-stimulated cGMP formed in cardiac fibroblasts enters cardiomyocytes in native tissue where it exerts an inhibitory effect on cAMP degradation by PDE3, thereby increasing cAMP and downstream effects in cardiomyocytes. Hence, enhancing β-receptor-induced contractile responses appears as one of NO/cGMP’s functions in the non-failing heart.
Magnonic Klein and acausal tunneling enabled by breaking the anti parity-time symmetry in antiferromagnets
Authors: Yuan Shaohua , Sui Chaowei , Fan Zhengduo , Berakdar Jamal , Xue Desheng , Jia Chenglong
Published: May 2023

Klein tunneling associated with particle-antiparticle pair productions across a potential barrier is a key prediction of quantum-field theory for relativistic particles. Yet, a direct experimental realization is hampered by the particles large rest mass resulting in high potential barrier. Here, for non-Hermitian antiferromagnets, at the verge of the anti-parity-time symmetry transition, chiral magnons are demonstrated to offer a bosonic platform to access Klein tunneling at meV energies in experimentally feasible settings. Our analytical and numerical simulations evidence that magnetic damping renders a low energy mechanism for the breakdown of the magnonic vacuum and for creating particle-antiparticle pairs in strong magnetic fields. Adopting Feynman’s picture for antiparticles, the tunneling time of an incident magnon wave packet across a supercritical barrier is found to be negative. The uncovered aspects point to the potential of chiral magnons for addressing fundamental physics in a conceptually simple setup with the potential for use in chirality-dependent magnonic computing.
Structured air lasing of N2+
Authors: Gao Jingsong , Zhang Xiang , Wang Yang , Fang Yiqi , Lu Qi , Li Zheng , Liu Yi , Wu Chengyin , Gong Qihuang , Liu Yunquan , Jiang Hongbing
Published: May 2023

Air lasing is a simple and promising technique to efficiently produce coherent light in the atmosphere. Yet, its capability to obtain structured light like optical vortices or vector beams is still unexplored. Here, we demonstrate the generation of vortex superfluorescent radiation with the same orbital angular momentum as the pump beam, obtained via N2+ lasing by focusing a vortex pump beam on N2 gas. The vortex superfluorescence is amplified without altering the vorticity when seeded by a Gaussian beam, in which the vortex pump beam transfers the spatial spiral phase into the N2+ gain medium and the N2+ lasing obtains the phase information. The same mechanism is applied for a vector pump beam, turning the Gaussian seed into an amplified cylindrical vector beam. We corroborate our mechanism for generating vectorially structured light via air lasing with numerical calculations. This work provides a promising approach to generating structured light via superfluorescence.
Activated Carbon for Environmental Applications
Authors: Kumar Ashish , Aslam Ruby , Verma Chandrabhan , Rodríguez-Narváez Oscar M.
Published: May 2023

Since the beginning of this century, one of the biggest issues has been the growing concern about the conservation of natural resources. Along with the rise in global population, there has been a corresponding rise in garbage production, which has contaminated the environment more. Lately, activated carbon (AC) with better-evolved porosities has been used for the adsorption of environmental contaminants. When pollutants such as medicinal drugs, dyes, mercury, cadmium, lead, and chromium enter water streams, they are regarded as dangerous contaminants because they may affect both people and other living things. Water treatment, removal of organic and inorganic pollutants from the environment, cleaning up of oil spills, gas storage, the pharmaceutical industry, and environmental decontamination techniques are just a few of the numerous applications for AC. This chapter's objective is to concentrate on the environmental applications of AC using a literature review as support.
Alcoholic Beverage Purification Applications of Activated Carbon
Authors: Thakur Abhinay , Kumar Ashish , Zhang Renhui
Published: May 2023

Activated carbon (AC) is frequently employed in the manufacturing and purification of alcoholic beverages (ABs) to dechlorinate the treated water employed in bottling plants, clean the water, eliminate undesired elements and pollutants, and modify aroma and color. Based on the grade of the raw materials, there are more undesirable secondary constituents in ABs. Consequently, high-grade ACs are frequently chosen for specific tasks, such as chemically activated carbon types for decolorization and steam-activated carbon types for flavors and odorants flavor and odorant control, to enhance the production of alcohol and suppress the production of such undesirable secondary components. A common example is the decolorization of red wine using powdered AC while using dark grapes to produce white wine or vermouth. The objective of this chapter is to evaluate the integrity and use of ACs as chemical and physical markers for preparing ABs and demonstrating their ability to remove contaminants from alcohol blends.
Study of routine metabolism and acute toxicity of mycogenic silver nanoparticles on Palaemon pandaliformis (shrimp)
Authors: Ribeiro Luiz Gustavo , Rezende Karina Fernandes Oliveira , Barbieri Edison , de Souza Ana Olívia
Published: May 2023

Palaemon pandaliformis is a shrimp species considered as an important indicator of environmental conditions.
Influence of exopolysaccharide EPSKar1–iron complexation on iron bioavailability and alleviating iron deficiency anaemia in Wistar rats
Authors: Nataraj Basavaprabhu Haranahalli , Shashank Gowda B. G. , Kapila Suman , Arora Sumit , Puniya Anil Kumar , Nagpal Ravinder , Behare Pradip V.
Published: May 2023

The prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia is a significant issue worldwide, affecting individuals of all ages and often associated with inadequate iron bioavailability.
Chitosan-grafted-caffeic acid combined with ultrasound inhibits the oxidation and degradation of myofibrillar proteins in pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) during ice storage
Authors: Lan Weiqing , Zhao Jiaxin , Wei Xiaoyi , Sun Yuqing , Liu Shucheng , Sun Xiaohong
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to investigate the impact of chitosan-grafted-caffeic acid (CS-g-CA) and ultrasound (US) on myofibrillar proteins (MPs) in pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) during 24 days of ice storage.
Post-annealing optimization of the heteroepitaxial La-doped SrSnO3 integrated on silicon via ALD
Authors: Zhang Yu , Hu Shen , Chen Pei-Yu , Zhu Jiyuan , Chen Bojia , Bai Rongxu , Zhu Hao , Chen Lin , Zhang David W. , Lee Jack C. , Sun Qingqing , Ekerdt John G. , Ji Li
Published: May 2023

This study demonstrated the successful epitaxy of La-SrSnO3/BaTiO3 on SrTiO3-buffered Si (001) with ALD-deposited La-SrSnO3 and explored the optimization of post-annealing to enhance the capacitance properties of heterostructure.
Stability of carbon quantum dots: a critical review
Authors: Dua Shweta , Kumar Pawan , Pani Balaram , Kaur Amarjeet , Khanna Manoj , Bhatt Geeta
Published: May 2023

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are fluorescent carbon nanomaterials with unique optical and structural properties. The detailed stability analysis of CQDs is very much needed for their commercial applications.
Structural identification ofin vitrometabolites for 23-nordeoxycholic acid by structural analogue matching
Authors: Cao Yan , Niu Xiaoya , Li Wenzheng , Chen Wei , Ren Luyao , Cao Zheng , Li Jun , Song Yuelin
Published: May 2023

23-Nordeoxycholic acid was deployed to probe metabolism pathways of endogenous bile acids, and metabolite identification was achieved by applying the rule that C23–CH2defect quantitatively modifies both MS2spectrum and retention time features.
Correction: Crystalline matrix-activated spin-forbidden transitions of engineered organic crystals
Authors: Zhang Heming , Ke Lianbao , Nie Yufang , Tu Zhengqian , Wang Jiaxuan , Saikin Semion K. , Bi Hai , Wang Yue
Published: May 2023

Correction for ‘Crystalline matrix-activated spin-forbidden transitions of engineered organic crystals’ by Heming Zhang et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2023, 25, 11102–11110, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/d3cp00187c.
Reversible adsorption with oriented arrangement of a zwitterionic additive stabilizes electrodes for ultralong-life Zn-ion batteries
Authors: Yu Huaming , Chen Dongping , Ni Xuyan , Qing Piao , Yan Chunshuang , Wei Weifeng , Ma Jianmin , Ji Xiaobo , Chen Yuejiao , Chen Libao
Published: May 2023

A zwitterionic additive (l-CN) with a positively charged quaternary ammonium site and multifunctional polar groups was employed to achieve ultralong-life Zn-ion batteries.
Controllable hydrogen-bonded poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) membranes for ultrafast alcohol recovery
Authors: Zhu Tengyang , Dong Jiayu , Liu Huan , Wang Yan
Published: May 2023

PDMS supramolecular membranes with low H-bond content exhibit better molecular chain flexibility than that with high H-bond content, thereby achieving ultrafast alcohol transport properties, superior to the state-of the-art polymeric membranes.
Surface-modified Ti3C2 MXene nanosheets for mesenchymal stem cell osteogenic differentiation via photothermal conversion
Authors: Zhang Jiebing , Tang Shuang , Ding Ning , Ma Ping , Zhang Zutai
Published: May 2023

This investigation explored the prospective efficacy of 2D Ti3C2 MXene nanosheets in promoting osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs through photothermal conversion.
Coordinated water molecule-induced solid-state superprotonic conduction by a highly scalable and pH-stable coordination polymer (CP)
Authors: Sahoo Rupam , Luo Shaozhen , Pendyala Naresh Kumar , Chand Santanu , Fu Zhi-Hua , Das Madhab C.
Published: May 2023

A highly scalable and pH-stable (2–10) Cu(ii)-bpy chain-based coordination polymer, IITKGP-101, is reported, where the SBUs are coordinated with ample water molecules acting as proton sources, thus leading to superprotonic conductivity.
A substituent-dependent deep-blue pyrene-based chemosensor for trace nitroaniline sensing
Authors: Li Hua-Long , Cao Jing-Yi , Yu Ze-Dong , Yang Guang , Xue Zeng-Min , Wang Chuan-Zeng , Zhao Wen-Xuan , Zhao Yi , Redshaw Carl , Yamato Takehiko
Published: May 2023

Two K-region multiple substituted pyrene-based luminogens were found to exhibit a sensitive response towards p-NA with a limit of detection as low as 8.58 × 10−9 M.
Iodine-catalyzed cyclization–allylation of N-allyl-2-alkynylanilines via an iodocyclization–rearrangement–deiodination sequence
Authors: Tsubata Sae , Tsubouchi Akira , Saito Akio
Published: May 2023

This work presents the first report of iodine-catalysis via carbo-deiodination with rearrangement of functional groups.
Base-catalyzed addition of silylacetylenes to ketones: a route to protected tertiary propargyl alcohols
Authors: Kuciński Krzysztof , Łuczak Alicja , Mankouski Aliaksei , Hreczycho Grzegorz
Published: May 2023

Novel protocol for base-catalyzed addition of silylacetylenes to ketones – exceptional scope, gram scale and derivatization.
Facile fabrication of hierarchical ultrathin Rh-based nanosheets for efficient hydrogen evolution
Authors: Jin Changhui , Fu Ruijing , Ran Longqiao , Wang Wenhui , Wang Fuxin , Zheng Dezhou , Feng Qi , Wang Guangxia
Published: May 2023

Hierarchical ultrathin Rh-based nanosheets exhibit excellent HER activities due to the advantages of structure, prepared with urea as directing agent.
Reversible adsorption of iridium in lyophilized cells of the unicellular red alga Galdieria sulphuraria
Authors: Minoda Ayumi , Ueda Shuya , Miyashita Shin-ichi , Ogura Toshihiko , Natori Sachika , Sun Jing , Takahashi Yoshio
Published: May 2023

Iridium (Ir) is one of the rarest elements in the Earth's crust and is valuable in industry due to its high corrosion resistance.
Strongly bound Wannier–Mott exciton in pristine (LaO)MnAs and origin of ferrimagnetism in F-doped (LaO)MnAs
Authors: Manopo Jessie , Lubis Tio Prince , Maryono Muhammad Arief Mustajab Enha , Arifin Pepen , Winata Toto , Widita Rena , Darma Yudi
Published: May 2023

High excitonic binding energy of pristine (LaO)MnAs and change from antiferromagnetic into ferrimagnetic due to F doping.
Optimization of hierarchical ZSM-5 structure from kaolin as catalysts for biofuel production
Authors: Maharani Dina Kartika , Kusumawati Yuly , Safitri Widiya Nur , Nugraha Reva Edra , Holilah Holilah , Sholeha Novia Amalia , Jalil Aishah Abdul , Bahruji Hasliza , Prasetyoko Didik
Published: May 2023

Optimization of hierarchical ZSM-5 structure by variation of the first hydrothermal step at different times provides insight into the evolution of micro/mesopores and its effect as a catalyst for deoxygenation reaction.
β-Ketoadipic acid production from poly(ethylene terephthalate) waste via chemobiological upcycling
Authors: You Sang-Mook , Lee Si Seon , Ryu Mi Hee , Song Hye Min , Kang Min Soo , Jung Ye Jean , Song Eun Chae , Sung Bong Hyun , Park Si Jae , Joo Jeong Chan , Kim Hee Taek , Cha Hyun Gil
Published: May 2023

The upcycling of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) waste can simultaneously produce value-added chemicals and reduce the growing environmental impact of plastic waste.
Correction: Analysis of canthin-6-one alkaloids derived from Eurycoma spp. by micellar liquid chromatography and conventional high-performance liquid chromatography: a comparative evaluation
Authors: Sakdamas Attapon , Makkliang Fonthip , Putalun Waraporn , Juengwatanatrakul Thaweesak , Kanchanapoom Tripetch , Sakamoto Seiichi , Yusakul Gorawit
Published: May 2023

Correction for ‘Analysis of canthin-6-one alkaloids derived from Eurycoma spp. by micellar liquid chromatography and conventional high-performance liquid chromatography: a comparative evaluation’ by Attapon Sakdamas et al., RSC Adv., 2023, 13, 6317–6326, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2RA07034K.
Horizontal proton transfer across the antiporter-like subunits in mitochondrial respiratory complex I
Authors: Zdorevskyi Oleksii , Djurabekova Amina , Lasham Jonathan , Sharma Vivek
Published: May 2023

Proton transfer in the membrane domain of complex I.
Quantitative and biosafe modification of bifunctional groups onto carbon dots by click chemistry
Authors: He Qian , Wu Zewen , Li Jingxuan , Li Ruijiao , Zhang Liyun , Liu Yaodong
Published: May 2023

The quantitative and bifunctional modification of carbon dots is achieved by adjusting the content of precursors through click chemistry. The triazole structure introduced is almost nontoxic and could even promote cell proliferation.
Magnetic phase separation in the EuPdSn2ground state
Authors: Martinelli Alberto , Ryan Dominic , Sereni Julian , Ritter Clemens , Leineweber Andreas , Čurlík Ivan , Freccero Riccardo , Giovannini Mauro
Published: May 2023

The chemical bonding, structural and magnetic properties of EuPdSn2have been investigated by DFT, synchrotron X-ray and neutron powder diffraction and151Eu Mössbauer spectroscopy.
NIR responsive and conductive PNIPAM/PANI nanocomposite hydrogels with high stretchability for self-sensing actuators
Authors: Qian Changhao , Li Yueqin , Liu Lingke , Chen Chen , Han Lin
Published: May 2023

A novel NIR-light-driving PNIPAM/PANI hydrogel with high stretchability has achieved simultaneous self-sensing and actuation underwater.
Vector piezoelectric response and ferroelectric domain formation in Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 films
Authors: Tan Huan , Song Tingfeng , Dix Nico , Sánchez Florencio , Fina Ignasi
Published: May 2023

The evolution of the vector piezoelectric response of Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 films on SrTiO3 substrates with different orientations shows the large and anisotropic in-plane piezoelectric response in films grown on SrTiO3(110).
Exploiting heterocycle aromaticity to fabricate new hot exciton materials
Authors: Guo Shaoting , Wang Long , Deng Qianqian , Wang Guoliang , Tian Xiangbin , Wang Xiyu , Liu Zuyuan , Zhang Mengfan , Wang Senhao , Miao Yanqin , Zhu Jun , Wang Hua
Published: May 2023

We present a novel design strategy for exploiting heterocycle aromaticity to fabricate new hot exciton materials. A series of new blue-emitting hot exciton materials based on non-aromatic pyrazolines has been successfully developed.
Real‐time precise orbit determination for FY‐3C and FY‐3D based on BDS and GPS onboard observation
Authors: Wang Zhiyu , Wang Liang , Li Zishen , Hoque Mainul , Wang Ningbo , Wei Dongyan , Yuan Hong
Published: May 2023

The code multipath error associated with elevation in BDS‐2 is one of the main factors whose impact on the precision of real‐time reduced‐dynamic precise orbit determination (POD) using spaceborne multi‐global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) observation data for FengYun‐3C (FY‐3C) and FengYun‐3D (FY‐3D) satellites. The aim is to construct a code multipath piece‐wise linear error model and analyse the contribution of BDS‐2 to the performance of low earth orbit POD. Conclusions are drawn out from the experimental results: (1) the real‐time POD average precision of FY‐3C and FY‐3D is improved by about 11% and 12% after the correction of BDS‐2 code multipath error; (2) Due to the small number of available BDS‐2 satellites and the limited accuracy of geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite real‐time orbit products, the precision of the real‐time overlapping comparison for FY‐3C/FY‐3D by using the BDS‐2 onboard observation data can only reach the decimetre level. However, with the BDS‐2 signal capture capability of the FY‐3D onboard GNSS Occultation Sounder upgraded, the average precision of the BDS‐2‐based POD for FY‐3D is better than that of FY‐3C in each direction and with 10% improvement in the average 3 dimensional‐root mean square (3D‐RMS); (3) Cases of onboard global positioning system (GPS), GPS + BDS‐2 (with GEO), and GPS + BDS‐2 (without GEO) for real‐time POD can meet 5–8 cm precision requirement. The average 3D‐RMS of the real‐time POD for FY‐3C/FY‐3D, which utilises onboard GPS + BDS‐2 data is inferior only to GPS data, owing to the influence of the orbit accuracy of GEO satellites. However, after excluding the influence of GEO satellites, the average result (3D‐RMS) of the real‐time POD for FY‐3C (6.11 cm) and FY‐3D (5.95 cm) is better than those of other cases.