bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On an Extensive Late Hydrologic Event in Gale Crater as Indicated by Water‐Rich Fracture Halos
Authors: Gabriel Travis S. J. , Hardgrove Craig , Achilles Cherie N. , Rampe Elizabeth B. , Rapin William N. , Nowicki Suzanne , Czarnecki Sean , Thompson Lucy , Nikiforov Sergei , Litvak Maxim , Mitrofanov Igor , Lisov Denis , Frydenvang Jens , Yen Albert , Wiens Roger C. , Treiman Allan , McAdam Amy
Published: December 2022

We analyze spatially pervasive, light‐toned “halos” associated with fractures in a sedimentary unit (Stimson) of Gale crater, Mars, and report a similar network of halos discovered in a separate geologic group (Bradbury). Through a dedicated active neutron measurement campaign, we provide independent confirmation of the water‐rich nature of these features. Together with mineralogical and geochemical data, these features are consistent with abundant hydrated amorphous silica (opal‐A). We suggest that the mineral and amorphous assemblages are indicative of formation under low‐temperature and predominantly low‐pH conditions (passive silica enrichment) with minor contribution of silica (active silica enrichment) from adjacent units. We show that there is significant amorphous silica in the array of sedimentary rocks in Gale crater, allowing them to play a role in an active silica enrichment phase of halo formation. We suggest that the involved alteration event was short lived and our finding of vast halo networks in a distant, older unit implies a more vast network of hydrologic subsurface conduits than previously known. This relatively recent subsurface hydrologic system was present long after the transition from a warm and wet to a cold and dry Martian environment, extending the habitability conditions on Mars to an epoch that is generally considered not favorable for life on the surface. Finally, our bulk H quantification of these features, which ranges from ∼3–6 wt% H2O‐equivalent‐H, suggests that the amorphous material in halos hosts ample supplies of readily released water, making them a considerable resource at the otherwise dry Martian equator.
Opposite‐Sign Sea Surface Salinity Anomalies Over the Northeastern and Southwestern South Atlantic Ocean From 2010 to 2017
Authors: Liu Hao , Nie Xunwei , Wei Zexun , Richter Ingo
Published: December 2022

Using seven sea surface salinity (SSS) data sets, the dominant modes of interannual SSS variability over the South Atlantic Ocean are examined for the period 2010–2017, which features strong anomalies (>0.1 g/kg). The empirical orthogonal function analysis and composite analysis are used, and the results show that the South Atlantic Ocean features opposite‐sign SSS anomalies over the southwestern (45°–20°S/40°–60°W) and northeastern (0°–15°E/0°–15°S) regions. SSS budget analyses based on the Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean model estimate suggest that horizontal advection promotes the opposite‐sign SSS anomalies over the two regions. The interannual changes in the horizontal advection can be attributed to changes in the advection of mean salinity by the anomalous horizontal flow, in which the Ekman velocities play the dominant role. The anomalous wind stress and sea level pressure patterns suggest that the opposite SSS variations in poles A and B are probably associated with atmospheric forcings under alternating Atlantic Nino and Benguela Nina conditions. This study offers a connection in interannual SSS variations over two remote regions within the South Atlantic Ocean and suggests the possible role of the climate mode in setting up interannual salinity anomalies over the South Atlantic Ocean.
A Two Martian Years Survey of Water Ice Clouds on Mars With ACS Onboard TGO
Authors: Stcherbinine Aurélien , Montmessin Franck , Vincendon Mathieu , Wolff Michael J. , Vals Margaux , Korablev Oleg , Fedorova Anna , Trokhimovskiy Alexander , Lacombe Gaetan , Baggio Lucio
Published: December 2022

The middle infrared (MIR) channel of the atmospheric chemistry suite (ACS) instrument onboard the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter ESA‐Roscosmos mission has performed Solar occultation measurements of the Martian atmosphere in the 2.3–4.2 μm spectral range since March 2018, which now covers two Martian years (MY). We use the methodology previously developed for the study of the MY 34 global dust storm (GDS) (Stcherbinine et al., 2020, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019je006300) to monitor the properties (effective radii, extinction, and altitude) of the Martian water ice clouds over the first two Martian years covered by ACS‐MIR. The observations encompass the period Ls = 163° in MY 34 to Ls = 181° in MY 36. We determine that the typical altitude of the clouds varies by 20–40 km between the summer and winter, with a maximum extension up to 80 km during summer in the midlatitudes. Similarly, we also note that for a limited temporal range, the altitude of the clouds also varies by 20–40 km between the polar regions and the midlatitudes. We also compare observations acquired during the MY 34 GDS to observations from the same period in MY 35, using the latter as a reference to characterize the effects of this GDS on the clouds' properties. In addition, we compare our retrievals with the predictions of the Mars planetary climate model, which shows a reasonable agreement overall for the altitude of the clouds, although the model usually predicts lower altitudes for the top of the clouds.
Stabilization of MCL-1 by E3 ligase TRAF4 confers radioresistance
Authors: Li Ming , Gao Feng , Li Xiaoying , Gan Yu , Han Shuangze , Yu Xinfang , Liu Haidan , Li Wei
Published: December 2022

The E3 ligase TNF receptor-associated factor 4 (TRAF4) is frequently overexpressed and closely related to poor prognosis in human malignancies. However, its effect on carcinogenesis and radiosensitivity in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains unclear. The present study found that TRAF4 was significantly upregulated in primary and relapsed OSCC tumor tissues. Depletion of TRAF4 markedly improved the sensitivity of OSCC cells to irradiation (IR) treatment, showing that tumor cell proliferation, colony formation and xenograft tumor growth were reduced. Mechanistically, IR promoted the interaction between TRAF4 and Akt to induce Akt K63-mediated ubiquitination and activation. TRAF4 knockout inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt and upregulated GSK3β activity, resulting in increased myeloid cell leukemia-1 (MCL-1) S159 phosphorylation, which disrupted the interaction of MCL-1 with Josephin domain containing 1 (JOSD1), and ultimately induced MCL-1 ubiquitination and degradation. Moreover, TRAF4 was positively correlated with MCL-1 in primary and in radiotherapy-treated, relapsed tumor tissues. An MCL-1 inhibitor overcame radioresistance in vitro and in vivo. Altogether, the present findings suggest that TRAF4 confers radioresistance in OSCC by stabilizing MCL-1 through Akt signaling, and that targeting TRAF4 may be a promising therapeutic strategy to overcome radioresistance in OSCC.
An epitaxial graphene platform for zero-energy edge state nanoelectronics
Authors: Prudkovskiy Vladimir S. , Hu Yiran , Zhang Kaimin , Hu Yue , Ji Peixuan , Nunn Grant , Zhao Jian , Shi Chenqian , Tejeda Antonio , Wander David , De Cecco Alessandro , Winkelmann Clemens B. , Jiang Yuxuan , Zhao Tianhao , Wakabayashi Katsunori , Jiang Zhigang , Ma Lei , Berger Claire , de Heer Walt A.
Published: December 2022

Graphene’s original promise to succeed silicon faltered due to pervasive edge disorder in lithographically patterned deposited graphene and the lack of a new electronics paradigm. Here we demonstrate that the annealed edges in conventionally patterned graphene epitaxially grown on a silicon carbide substrate (epigraphene) are stabilized by the substrate and support a protected edge state. The edge state has a mean free path that is greater than 50 microns, 5000 times greater than the bulk states and involves a theoretically unexpected Majorana-like zero-energy non-degenerate quasiparticle that does not produce a Hall voltage. In seamless integrated structures, the edge state forms a zero-energy one-dimensional ballistic network with essentially dissipationless nodes at ribbon–ribbon junctions. Seamless device structures offer a variety of switching possibilities including quantum coherent devices at low temperatures. This makes epigraphene a technologically viable graphene nanoelectronics platform that has the potential to succeed silicon nanoelectronics.
Climate warming has compounded plant responses to habitat conversion in northern Europe
Authors: Auffret Alistair G. , Svenning Jens-Christian
Published: December 2022

Serious concerns exist about potentially reinforcing negative effects of climate change and land conversion on biodiversity. Here, we investigate the tandem and interacting roles of climate warming and land-use change as predictors of shifts in the regional distributions of 1701 plant species in Sweden over 60 years. We show that species associated with warmer climates have increased, while grassland specialists have declined. Our results also support the hypothesis that climate warming and vegetation densification through grazing abandonment have synergistic effects on species distribution change. Local extinctions were related to high levels of warming but were reduced by grassland retention. In contrast, colonisations occurred more often in areas experiencing high levels of both climate and land-use change. Strong temperature increases were experienced by species across their ranges, indicating time lags in expected warming-related local extinctions. Our results highlight that the conservation of threatened species relies on both reduced greenhouse gas emissions and the retention and restoration of valuable habitat.
Self-growing photonic composites with programmable colors and mechanical properties
Authors: Xue Juan , Yin Xuewu , Xue Lulu , Zhang Chenglin , Dong Shihua , Yang Li , Fang Yuanlai , Li Yong , Li Ling , Cui Jiaxi
Published: December 2022

Many organisms produce stunning optical displays based on structural color instead of pigmentation. This structural or photonic color is achieved through the interaction of light with intricate micro-/nano-structures, which are “grown” from strong, sustainable biological materials such as chitin, keratin, and cellulose. In contrast, current synthetic structural colored materials are usually brittle, inert, and produced via energy-intensive processes, posing significant challenges to their practical uses. Inspired by the brilliantly colored peacock feathers which selectively grow keratin-based photonic structures with different photonic bandgaps, we develop a self-growing photonic composite system in which the photonic bandgaps and hence the coloration can be easily tuned. This is achieved via the selective growth of the polymer matrix with polymerizable compounds as feeding materials in a silica nanosphere-polymer composite system, thus effectively modulating the photonic bandgaps without compromising nanostructural order. Such strategy not only allows the material system to continuously vary its colors and patterns in an on-demand manner, but also endows it with many appealing properties, including flexibility, toughness, self-healing ability, and reshaping capability. As this innovative self-growing method is simple, inexpensive, versatile, and scalable, we foresee its significant potential in meeting many emerging requirements for various applications of structural color materials.
Passive margins in accreting Archaean archipelagos signal continental stability promoting early atmospheric oxygen rise
Authors: Peng Yaying , Kusky Timothy , Wang Lu , Luan Zhikang , Wang Chuanhai , Liu Xuanyu , Zhong Yating , Evans Noreen J.
Published: December 2022

Significant changes in tectonic style and climate occurred from the late Archaean to early Proterozoic when continental growth and emergence provided opportunities for photosynthetic life to proliferate by the initiation of the Great Oxidation Event (GOE). In this study, we report a Neoarchaean passive-margin-type sequence (2560–2500 million years ago) from the Precambrian basement of China that formed in an accretionary orogen. Tectonostratigraphic and detrital zircon analysis reveal that thermal subsidence on the backside of a recently amalgamated oceanic archipelago created a quiet, shallow water environment, marked by deposition of carbonates, shales, and shallow water sediments, likely hosts to early photosynthetic microbes. Distinct from the traditional understanding of passive margins generated by continental rifting, post-collisional subsidence of archipelago margins represents a novel stable niche, signalling initial continental maturity and foreshadowing great changes at the Archaean-Proterozoic boundary.
Targeting the transcription factor HES1 by L-menthol restores protein phosphatase 6 in keratinocytes in models of psoriasis
Authors: Wang Zhikai , Sun Yang , Lou Fangzhou , Bai Jing , Zhou Hong , Cai Xiaojie , Sun Libo , Yin Qianqian , Tang Sibei , Wu Yue , Fan Li , Xu Zhenyao , Wang Hong , Hu Xiaoyu , Wang Honglin
Published: December 2022

Protein Phosphatase 6 down-regulation in keratinocytes is a pivotal event that amplifies the inflammatory circuits in psoriasis, indicating that restoration of protein phosphatase 6 can be a rational strategy for psoriasis treatment. Through the phenotypic screen, we here identify L-menthol that ameliorates psoriasis-like skin inflammation by increasing protein phosphatase 6 in keratinocytes. Target identification approaches reveal an indispensable role for the transcription factor hairy and enhancer of split 1 in governing the protein phosphatase 6-upregulating function of L-menthol in keratinocytes. The transcription factor hairy and enhancer of split 1 is diminished in the epidermis of psoriasis patients and imiquimod-induced mouse model, while L-menthol upregulates the transcription factor hairy and enhancer of split 1 by preventing its proteasomal degradation. Mechanistically, the transcription factor hairy and enhancer of split 1 transcriptionally activates the expression of immunoglobulin-binding protein 1 which promotes protein phosphatase 6 expression and inhibits its ubiquitination. Collectively, we discover a therapeutic compound, L-menthol, for psoriasis, and uncover the dysfunctional the transcription factor hairy and enhancer of split 1- immunoglobulin-binding protein 1- protein phosphatase 6 axis that contributes to psoriasis pathology by using L-menthol as a probe.
The Milky Way’s plane of satellites is consistent with ΛCDM
Authors: Sawala Till , Cautun Marius , Frenk Carlos , Helly John , Jasche Jens , Jenkins Adrian , Johansson Peter H. , Lavaux Guilhem , McAlpine Stuart , Schaller Matthieu
Published: December 2022

The Milky Way is surrounded by 11 ‘classical’ satellite galaxies in a remarkable configuration: a thin plane that is possibly rotationally supported. Such a structure is thought to be highly unlikely to arise in the standard (ΛCDM) cosmological model (Λ cold dark matter model, where Λ is the cosmological constant). While other apparent discrepancies between predictions and observations of Milky Way satellite galaxies may be explained either through baryonic effects or by invoking alternative forms of dark matter particles, there is no known mechanism for making rotating satellite planes within the dispersion-supported dark matter haloes predicted to surround galaxies such as the Milky Way. This is the so-called ‘plane of satellites problem’, which challenges not only the ΛCDM model but the entire concept of dark matter. Here we show that the reportedly exceptional anisotropy of the Milky Way satellites is explained, in large part, by their lopsided radial distribution combined with the temporary conjunction of the two most distant satellites, Leo I and Leo II. Using Gaia proper motions, we show that the orbital pole alignment is much more common than previously reported, and reveal the plane of satellites to be transient rather than rotationally supported. Comparing with new simulations, where such short-lived planes are common, we find the Milky Way satellites to be compatible with standard model expectations.
Nano3P-seq: transcriptome-wide analysis of gene expression and tail dynamics using end-capture nanopore cDNA sequencing
Authors: Begik Oguzhan , Diensthuber Gregor , Liu Huanle , Delgado-Tejedor Anna , Kontur Cassandra , Niazi Adnan Muhammad , Valen Eivind , Giraldez Antonio J. , Beaudoin Jean-Denis , Mattick John S. , Novoa Eva Maria
Published: December 2022

RNA polyadenylation plays a central role in RNA maturation, fate, and stability. In response to developmental cues, polyA tail lengths can vary, affecting the translation efficiency and stability of mRNAs. Here we develop Nanopore 3′ end-capture sequencing (Nano3P-seq), a method that relies on nanopore cDNA sequencing to simultaneously quantify RNA abundance, tail composition, and tail length dynamics at per-read resolution. By employing a template-switching-based sequencing protocol, Nano3P-seq can sequence RNA molecule from its 3′ end, regardless of its polyadenylation status, without the need for PCR amplification or ligation of RNA adapters. We demonstrate that Nano3P-seq provides quantitative estimates of RNA abundance and tail lengths, and captures a wide diversity of RNA biotypes. We find that, in addition to mRNA and long non-coding RNA, polyA tails can be identified in 16S mitochondrial ribosomal RNA in both mouse and zebrafish models. Moreover, we show that mRNA tail lengths are dynamically regulated during vertebrate embryogenesis at an isoform-specific level, correlating with mRNA decay. Finally, we demonstrate the ability of Nano3P-seq in capturing non-A bases within polyA tails of various lengths, and reveal their distribution during vertebrate embryogenesis. Overall, Nano3P-seq is a simple and robust method for accurately estimating transcript levels, tail lengths, and tail composition heterogeneity in individual reads, with minimal library preparation biases, both in the coding and non-coding transcriptome.
Microglia ferroptosis is regulated by SEC24B and contributes to neurodegeneration
Authors: Ryan Sean K. , Zelic Matija , Han Yingnan , Teeple Erin , Chen Luoman , Sadeghi Mahdiar , Shankara Srinivas , Guo Lilu , Li Cong , Pontarelli Fabrizio , Jensen Elizabeth H. , Comer Ashley L. , Kumar Dinesh , Zhang Mindy , Gans Joseph , Zhang Bailin , Proto Jonathan D. , Saleh Jacqueline , Dodge James C. , Savova Virginia , Rajpal Deepak , Ofengeim Dimitry , Hammond Timothy R.
Published: December 2022

Iron dysregulation has been implicated in multiple neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease (PD). Iron-loaded microglia are frequently found in affected brain regions, but how iron accumulation influences microglia physiology and contributes to neurodegeneration is poorly understood. Here we show that human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived microglia grown in a tri-culture system are highly responsive to iron and susceptible to ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of cell death. Furthermore, iron overload causes a marked shift in the microglial transcriptional state that overlaps with a transcriptomic signature found in PD postmortem brain microglia. Our data also show that this microglial response contributes to neurodegeneration, as removal of microglia from the tri-culture system substantially delayed iron-induced neurotoxicity. To elucidate the mechanisms regulating iron response in microglia, we performed a genome-wide CRISPR screen and identified novel regulators of ferroptosis, including the vesicle trafficking gene SEC24B. These data suggest a critical role for microglia iron overload and ferroptosis in neurodegeneration.
Pseudogene SNRPFP1 derived long non-coding RNA facilitates hepatocellular carcinoma progress in vitro by sponging tumor-suppressive miR-126-5p
Authors: Wang Nan , Guo Simin , Hao Fengjie , Zhang Yifan , Chen Yongjun , Fei Xiaochun , Wang Junqing
Published: December 2022

Pseudogene-derived transcripts, especially those barely transcribed in normal tissues, have been regarded as a kind of non-coding RNAs, and present potential functions in tumorigenicity and tumor development in human beings. However, their exact effects on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain largely unknown. On basis of our previous research and the constructed online database for the non-coding RNAs related to HCC, a series of pseudogene transcripts have been discovered, and SNRPFP1, the homologous pseudogene of SNRPF, was found to produce an anomalously high expression long non-coding RNA in HCC. In this study, we validated the expression of the SNRPFP1 transcript in both HCC tissues and cell lines. The adverse correlation between SNRPFP1 expression and patients’ outcomes was observed. And depletion of SNRPF1 in HCC cells significantly suppressed cell proliferation and apoptosis resistance. Meanwhile, the motility of HCC cells was potently impaired. Interestingly, miR-126-5p, one of the tumor-suppressive genes commonly decreased in HCC, was found negatively expressed and correlated with SNRPF1, and a specific region of SNRPF1 transcript is directly binding to miR-126-5p in a molecular sponge way. The rescue experiment by knock-out miR-126-5p significantly reversed the cell growth suppression and a higher ratio of cell apoptosis induced by SNRPF1 depletion. Lastly, we concluded that SNRPF1 is a pseudogene active in HCC, and its abnormally over-expressed transcript is a strong promoter of HCC cell progress in vitro by sponging miR-126-5p. We believe that the findings in this study provide new strategies for HCC prevention and therapeutic treatment.
The experienced positive and negative influence of HIV on quality of life of people with HIV and vulnerable to HIV in the Netherlands
Authors: Romijnders Kim A. G. J. , de Groot Laura , Vervoort Sigrid C. J. M. , Basten Maartje , van Welzen Berend J. , Kretzschmar Mirjam E. , Reiss Peter , Davidovich Udi , van der Loeff Maarten F. Schim , Rozhnova Ganna
Published: December 2022

This qualitative study aimed to explore the experienced influence of HIV on the quality of life (QoL) of people with HIV (PHIV) and key populations without but are vulnerable to HIV in the Netherlands. We conducted and thematically analyzed interviews with 29 PHIV and 13 participants from key populations without HIV (i.e., men who have sex with men). PHIV and key populations shared positive meaningful experiences regarding HIV, i.e., feeling grateful for ART, life, and the availability of PrEP, being loved and supported in the light of HIV, and providing support to the community. Negative predominant experiences regarding HIV were described by both PHIV and key populations as the negative effects of ART, challenges with regards to disclosing HIV, social stigmatization, and self-stigma. It remains important to support HIV community organizations in their efforts to reduce social stigmatization and to continue improving biomedical interventions for HIV.
Epidemiology and renal injury following 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) poisoning
Authors: Wijerathna Thilini M. , Buckley Nicholas A. , Gawarammana Indika B. , Raubenheimer Jacques , Shahmy Seyed , Chathuranga Umesh , Palangasinghe Chathura , Shihana Fathima , Mohamed Fahim
Published: December 2022

2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) is a widely used chlorophenoxy herbicide. MCPA poisoning causes mitochondrial dysfunction, which can lead to kidney injury and death. The objective of this study is to describe the epidemiology, case fatality and extent of renal injury in a large cohort of MCPA self-poisonings. The study consists of two parts: (1) A report of epidemiological data and clinical outcomes in MCPA poisoned patients in Sri Lanka between 2002 and 2019; (2) Evaluation of acute kidney injury (AKI) using renal biomarkers in a subset from this cohort. Serum creatinine (sCr) and biomarkers were measured soon after hospitalization (2 [IQR 1–3] h) and at different time intervals. We measured serum biomarkers: sCr, cystatin C (sCysC), creatine kinase (CK), and urinary biomarkers: creatinine, kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), clusterin, albumin, beta-2-microglobulin (β2M), cystatin C, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), osteopontin (OPN), trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) and cytochrome C (CytoC). Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria was used to define acute kidney injury (AKI). There were 1653 patients; 65% were male. The median time from ingestion to examination was 3:54 (IQR 2:19–6:57) h. The overall case-fatality rate was 5.3%. Patients who died were older (42 [IQR 33.5–54] vs 27 [IQR 20–37] for survivors). The median estimated amount of MCPA ingested by patients who died was also greater (88 [IQR 34–200] vs. 30 [IQR 15–63] ml in survivors). Moderate to severe AKI (AKI2/3) was uncommon (6/59 patients in the biomarker study had KDIGO stage 2 or 3). Most patients in AKI2/3 group with increased sCr were older (median age 35 years [IQR 27–41]) compared to No AKI (23 years (19–29) years) or AKI1 (26 years (21–40) years) group who had no or mild increase in sCr. These patients had no pre-existing kidney diseases. In these patients, serum creatinine (maximum medium concentration; 1.12 [IQR 0.93–1.67] mg/dl) and CK (maximum medium concentration; 284 [IQR 94–428] U/l) were increased but sCysC (maximum medium concentration; 0.79 [IQR 0.68–0.81] mg/l) remained in the normal range within 72 h. All urinary biomarkers performed poorly in diagnosing AKI (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve < 0.68). The higher numbers of men with MCPA poisoning likely reflects greater occupational access to pesticides. Fatal outcome and higher ingested dose were more common in the elderly. Significant AKI with tubular injury biomarkers was uncommon. Most people with raised sCr were older and appeared to have no pre-existing kidney disease.
Diagnostic comparison of vibration-controlled transient elastography and MRI techniques in overweight and obese patients with NAFLD
Authors: Nogami Asako , Yoneda Masato , Iwaki Michihiro , Kobayashi Takashi , Kessoku Takaomi , Honda Yasushi , Ogawa Yuji , Imajo Kento , Higurashi Takuma , Hosono Kunihiro , Kirikoshi Hiroyuki , Saito Satoru , Nakajima Atsushi
Published: December 2022

Non-invasive imaging techniques have greatly advanced the assessment of liver fibrosis and steatosis but are not fully evaluated in overweight patients. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) and magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) to assess fibrosis and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and MR imaging (MRI)-proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) to assess steatosis in overweight and obese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We included 163 biopsy-proven patients with NAFLD who underwent VCTE, MRE/MRI-PDFF, and liver biopsy (years 2014–2020) who were classified according to their body mass index (BMI) as normal (BMI < 25 kg/m2, n = 38), overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30 kg/m2, n = 68), and obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, n = 57). VCTE and MRE detected fibrosis of stages ≥ 2, ≥ 3, and 4 with an area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) of 0.83–0.94 (VCTE) and 0.85–0.95 (MRE) in all groups, without considerable differences. MRI-PDFF detected steatosis of grades ≥ 2 and 3 with high AUROC in all groups (0.81–1.00). CAP’s diagnostic ability (0.63–0.95) was lower than that of MRI-PDFF and decreased with increasing BMI compared to MRI-PDFF. VCTE and MRE similarly accurately assess fibrosis, although MRI-PDFF is more accurate than CAP in detecting steatosis in overweight and obese patients with NAFLD.
Localization and classification of space objects using EfficientDet detector for space situational awareness
Authors: AlDahoul Nouar , Karim Hezerul Abdul , De Castro Angelo , Tan Myles Joshua Toledo
Published: December 2022

Space situational awareness (SSA) systems play a significant role in space navigation missions. One of the most essential tasks of this system is to recognize space objects such as spacecrafts and debris for various purposes including active debris removal, on-orbit servicing, and satellite formation. The complexity of object recognition in space is due to several sensing conditions, including the variety of object sizes with high contrast, low signal-to-noise ratio, noisy backgrounds, and several orbital scenarios. Existing methods have targeted the classification of images containing space objects with complex backgrounds using various convolutional neural networks. These methods sometimes lose attention on the objects in these images, which leads to misclassification and low accuracy. This paper proposes a decision fusion method that involves training an EfficientDet model with an EfficientNet-v2 backbone to detect space objects. Furthermore, the detected objects were augmented by blurring and by adding noise, and were then passed into the EfficientNet-B4 model for training. The decisions from both models were fused to find the final category among 11 categories. The experiments were conducted by utilizing a recently developed space object dataset (SPARK) generated from realistic space simulation environments. The dataset consists of 11 categories of objects with 150,000 RGB images and 150,000 depth images. The proposed object detection solution yielded superior performance and its feasibility for use in real-world SSA systems was demonstrated. Results show significant improvement in accuracy (94%), and performance metric (1.9223%) for object classification and in mean precision (78.45%) and mean recall (92.00%) for object detection.
Effects of application of rice husk biochar and limestone on cadmium accumulation in wheat under glasshouse and field conditions
Authors: Niu Zehui , Ma Jiayan , Fang Xianzhi , Xue Zhaokun , Ye Zhengqian
Published: December 2022

Cadmium (Cd) has seriously threatened the safe production of food crops. Passivator amendments are commonly used to control the soil Cd availability. Yet, few studies are tested to explore the effect of the combination of various amendments. Here, we investigated the effects of different amendments (2% rice husk biochar, 2% limestone, and 1% rice husk biochar + 1% limestone) on the growth and Cd accumulation of wheat in pot and field experiments. The results showed that under the low soil Cd condition, the maximum increase of soil pH (1.83) was found in the limestone treatment compared to CK in pot experiment. Compared with the CK, the treatment of rice husk biochar decreased soil Cd availability and grain Cd content by about 25% and 31.2%, respectively. In contrast, under high soil Cd condition, the highest soil pH was observed in limestone, while the lowest soil Cd availability and grain Cd concentrations were found in rice husk biochar treatment. In the field experiment, the treatment of 1% rice husk biochar + 1% limestone caused a significant increase of soil pH by about 28.2%, whereas the treatment of 2% rice husk biochar reduced soil Cd availability and grain Cd content by about 38.9% and 38.5% compared to the CK. Therefore, rice husk biochar showed great potential to reduce Cd availability and ensure safe food production.
Controlled attenuation parameter-insulin resistance (CIR) score to predict non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Macias Juan , Parra-Membrives Pablo , Sosa-Moreno Francisco , Rincon Pilar , Martinez-Baena Dario , Fernandez-Fuertes Marta , Lorente-Herce Jose M. , Martinez Rafael C. , Jimenez-Riera Granada , Corma-Gomez Anaïs , Gonzalez-Serna Alejandro , Pineda Juan A. , Real Luis Miguel
Published: December 2022

The diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) requires liver biopsy. Patients with NASH are at risk of progression to advanced fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. A reliable non-invasive tool for the detection of NASH is needed. We aimed at developing a tool to diagnose NASH based on a predictive model including routine clinical and transient hepatic elastography (TE) data. All subjects undergoing elective cholecystectomy in our center were invited to participate, if alcohol intake was < 30 g/d for men and < 15 g/d for women. TE with controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) was obtained before surgery. A liver biopsy was taken during surgery. Multivariate logistic regression models to predict NASH were constructed with the first 100 patients, the elaboration group, and the results were validated in the next pre-planned 50 patients. Overall, 155 patients underwent liver biopsy. In the elaboration group, independent predictors of NASH were CAP value [adjusted OR (AOR) 1.024, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.002–1.046, p = 0.030] and HOMA value (AOR 1.847, 95% CI 1.203–2.835, p < 0.001). An index derived from the logistic regression equation to identify NASH was designated as the CAP-insulin resistance (CIR) score. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (95%CI) of the CIR score was 0.93 (0.87–0.99). Positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) of the CIR score were 82% and 91%, respectively. In the validation set, PPV was 83% and NPV was 88%. In conclusion, the CIR score, a simple index based on CAP and HOMA, can reliably identify patients with and without NASH.
Direction of theoretical and experimental investigation into the mechanism of n-HA/Si-PA-SC@Ag as a bio-based heterogeneous catalyst in the reduction reactions
Authors: Sisakhti Zohreh Nouripour , Malmir Masoume , Bisafar Masoumeh Bagheri , Heravi Majid M. , Hosseinnejad Tayebeh
Published: December 2022

In the present study, a natural-based heterogeneous catalyst is synthesized. For this purpose, nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA) is prepared, silica-modified and functionalized with phthalimide. Finally, Ag2+was immobilized onto n-HA/Si-PA-SC and reduced to Ag nanoparticles byBellis perennisflowers extract. n-HA/Si-PA-SC@Ag characterized by TGA, FTIR, SEM/EDX, XRD, TEM, BET and ICP-AES techniques. Moreover, metal–ligand interactions in n-HA/Si-PA-SC@Ag complex models were assessed to make a quantitative representation for the immobilization behavior of Ag NPs on the surface of n-HA/Si-PA-SC through quantum chemistry computations. Furthermore, the performance of n-HA/Si-PA-SC@Ag was studied in the nitroarene, methylene blue and congo red reductions. Finally, the recyclability study as well as Ag-leaching verified that, n-HA/Si-PA-SC@Ag was stable and reused-up to four times without losing its activity.
Study on physical properties of four pH responsive Spodoptera exigua multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (SeMNPV) microcapsules as controlled release carriers
Authors: Luo Meng , Lin Juntao , Zhou Xinhua , Pu Xia
Published: December 2022

This study provides a promising controlled release form of nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) for targeted control of lepidopteran pests. However, the application of NPV is limited due to its sensitivity to UV inactivation. This study investigated the anti-UV properties of microcapsules of SeMNPV occlusion bodies (OBs) encapsulated by calcium alginate (CA), and also the influence of the modification of CA by chitosan (CS), whey protein (WP), and polydopamine (PDA). These capsules were used to deliver, in a controlled release manner virions under alkaline pH conditions. Characterization of the structure, morphology, particle size, encapsulation efficiency, contact angle, insecticidal activity, UV resistance and in vitro release of the microcapsules was conducted. The modified microcapsules had better sphericity, and were devoid of SeMNPV OBs on the surface. The encapsulation rate was 84.76 ± 0.59%. PDA@CA-NPV had the highest wettability and the contact angle was 74.51 ± 0.53°. The 50% lethal concentration values (LC50) of CA-NPV, CS@CA-NPV, WP@CA-NPV and PDA@CA-NPV were 11.5, 10.7, 10.5 and 1.2 times that of SeMNPV OBs alone. The modified microcapsules all improved the anti-UV performance of the virus, and PDA@CA-NPV was the most UV-resistant. Using qPCR, it was observed that under alkaline conditions, a large number of virions were released from PDA@CA-NPV, CA-NPV and SeMNPV OBs. Microencapsulated virus under alkaline conditions did not change the release pattern of virions.
Vitality as a measure of animal welfare during purse seine pumping related crowding of Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scrombrus)
Authors: Anders Neil , Hannaas Sigurd , Saltskår Jostein , Schuster Erik , Tenningen Maria , Totland Bjørn , Vold Aud , Øvredal Jan Tore , Breen Mike
Published: December 2022

The impacts of wild capture fishing on animal welfare are poorly understood. During purse seine fishing for Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scrombrus), catches are crowded to high densities to facilitate pumping onboard. This study aimed to monitor fish welfare during crowding events in the Norwegian purse seine fishery, and to identify relevant drivers. We first correlated a suite of neuro-endocrine, physiological and physical stress responses (integrated into a single measure of welfare using multivariate analysis) to the behavioural vitality of individual mackerel in controlled crowding trials in aquaculture cages. Vitality was found to be a useful measure of welfare. We then assessed individual fish vitality onboard a commercial purse seiner. Catch welfare, measured using vitality, was observed to be negatively impacted during pumping related crowding. Larger catches and longer crowding exposure times resulted in greater negative impacts. Vitality was not significantly impacted by crowding density or dissolved oxygen concentrations inside the net, although methodological limitations limited accurate measurement of these parameters. Blood lactate levels correlated negatively with vitality, suggesting that high-intensity anaerobic locomotory activity was associated with the reduction in welfare. Based on these findings, catch welfare could be improved by targeting smaller schools to minimise crowding exposure times.
A meta-analysis: the efficacy and effectiveness of polypeptide vaccines protect pigs from foot and mouth disease
Authors: Jiao Jiao , Wu Peng
Published: December 2022

The protective effects of peptides on pigs are controversial. In this study, meta-analysis was used to analyze the protective immune response of peptides. The China National Knowledge Infrastructure, PubMed, Wanfang Data, Cochrane Library, Embase, and gray literature sources were searched for FMDV articles published from the inception of the databases to March 2022. Of the 1403 articles obtained, 14 were selected using inclusion criteria. The experimental data on polypeptide vaccines were analyzed using Microsoft Office Home and Student 2019 Software. From the results, polypeptide vaccine doses (PPVDs) ≤ 1 mg offered protection against FMDV in 69.41% pigs lower than World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) standard (75%, 12/16). PPVDs ≥ 2 mg provided protection against FMDV in 97.22% pigs. When the two groups were compared directly, PPVDs ≥ 2 mg (93.75%) was higher than PPVDs ≤ 1 mg (63.16%). PPVDs ≤ 1 mg provided protection 56% pigs and the inactivated vaccine was 93.33% in direct comparison. In conclusion, PPVDs has a dose-dependent protective effect on pigs and PPVDs ≤ 1 mg group was lower than the inactivated vaccines group.
Differences in motor response to stability perturbations limit fall-resisting skill transfer
Authors: Werth J. , Epro G. , König M. , Santuz A. , Seeley J. , Arampatzis A. , Karamanidis K.
Published: December 2022

This study investigated transfer of improvements in stability recovery performance to novel perturbations. Thirty adults (20-53 yr) were assigned equally to three treadmill walking groups: groups exposed to eight trip perturbations of either low or high magnitude and a third control group that walked unperturbed. Following treadmill walking, participants were exposed to stability loss from a forward-inclined position (lean-and-release) and an overground trip. Lower limb joint kinematics for the swing phase of recovery steps was compared for the three tasks using statistical parametric mapping and recovery performance was analysed by margin of stability and base of support. The perturbation groups improved stability (greater margin of stability) over the eight gait perturbations. There was no group effect for stability recovery in lean-and-release. For the overground trip, both perturbation groups showed similar enhanced stability recovery (margin of stability and base of support) compared to controls. Differences in joint angle kinematics between treadmill-perturbation and lean-and-release were more prolonged and greater than between the two gait perturbation tasks. This study indicates that: (i) practising stability control enhances human resilience to novel perturbations; (ii) enhancement is not necessarily dependent on perturbation magnitude; (iii) differences in motor response patterns between tasks may limit transfer.
The protective effect of mushroom consumption on depressive symptoms in Korean population
Authors: Park Sung Keun , Oh Chang-Mo , Ryoo Jae-Hong , Jung Ju Young
Published: December 2022

Mushrooms are nutraceutical food with health benefit. However, available data is still limited in identifying the effect of mushrooms consumption on depressive symptoms. In a cohort of 87,822 Korean, we longitudinally assessed the risk of depressive symptoms according to mushrooms consumption. Study participants were categorized into 5 groups by the frequency of one serving size of mushrooms (30 g) as follows: rare/never, < 1/month, 1/month–1/week, 1–3/week, ≥ 3/week. The development of depressive symptoms was determined in Center for epidemiological studies-depression scale ≥ 16. Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for depressive symptoms (adjusted HR [95% CI]). Subgroup analysis was performed for gender and age. Compared with group with rare/never consumption, groups with mushrooms consumption ≥ one serving size/month had the significantly decreased levels in adjusted HR and 95% CI for depressive symptoms (rare/never consumption: reference, < 1/month: 0.92 [0.83–1.02], 1/month–1/week: 0.88 [0.83–0.94], 1–3/week: 0.88 [0.82–0.94], ≥ 3/week: 0.86 [0.80–0.93]). This association was similarly observed in both gender and age subgroup analyses. However, women and participants ≥ age of 40 showed the more prominent association than men and participants < age of 40.
Plasmodium malariae structure and genetic diversity in sub-Saharan Africa determined from microsatellite variants and linked SNPs in orthologues of antimalarial resistance genes
Authors: Oriero Eniyou C. , Demba Martha A. , Diop Mouhamadou F. , Ishengoma Deus S. , Amenga-Etego Lucas N. , Ghansah Anita , Apinjoh Tobias , Issiaka Soulama , Djimde Abdoulaye , D’Alessandro Umberto , Meremikwu Martin , Amambua-Ngwa Alfred
Published: December 2022

Plasmodium malariae, a neglected human malaria parasite, contributes up to 10% of malaria infections in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA). Though P. malariae infection is considered clinically benign, it presents mostly as coinfections with the dominant P. falciparum. Completion of its reference genome has paved the way to further understand its biology and interactions with the human host, including responses to antimalarial interventions. We characterized 75 P. malariae isolates from seven endemic countries in sSA using highly divergent microsatellites. The P. malariae infections were highly diverse and five subpopulations from three ancestries (independent of origin of isolates) were determined. Sequences of 11 orthologous antimalarial resistance genes, identified low frequency single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), strong linkage disequilibrium between loci that may be due to antimalarial drug selection. At least three sub-populations were detectable from a subset of denoised SNP data from mostly the mitochondrial cytochrome b coding region. This evidence of diversity and selection calls for including P. malariae in malaria genomic surveillance towards improved tools and strategies for malaria elimination.
Quantum-derived embedding schemes for local excitations
Authors: Jansen Marina , Thi Minh Nghia Nguyen , Hedegård Erik D. , König Carolin
Published: December 2022

Quantum-mechanical and classical embedding schemes both employ effective operators that incorporate the environmental effects for local properties. Despite their common goal, the two methods follow rather different philosophies: quantum-mechanical density-based embedding schemes aim at a reformulation of density-functional theory methods through a subsystem formalism, while in classical polarizable embedding models, perturbation theory is employed to derive and parametrize the effective operators. In this book chapter, we derive these two methodologies in a common framework, highlighting the common ideas as well as differences between them. We further review the latest extensions to these methodologies as well as recent applications to local absorption properties of small molecules as well as the green fluorescent protein.
Developing electron dynamics into a tool for 21st century chemistry simulations
Authors: Bande Annika
Published: December 2022

The theory of electron dynamics solves the time-dependent Schrödinger equation and allows to predict the electronic motion in molecular structures. It enables an understanding of the fundamentals of chemical reactivity and of intricate ultrafast and light-driven processes. However, the most accurate wave function-based techniques reach their computational limits at an order of some ten electrons! At the same time, electron dynamics is challenged by complex and large-scale material-scientific problems relevant to modern society. This review shows how some of the major methodological and computational obstacles can be overcome. A most intuitive, fundamental understanding of electron dynamics is fostered by didactically sound visualization tools. For realistic calculations of (large) target structures in their true environment, description of energy and charge transfer processes among electrons and nuclei in the neighborhood are established. Moreover, different ways of modeling nano-sized structures are considered. For those, real-time density-functional theory develops into a versatile compute technology. Last but not least, modern compute strategies, machine learning from the field of data science, and quantum simulations from the field of quantum information technology, are explored for their use in electron dynamics computations.
Recent advances in machine learning for electronic excited state molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Bachmair Brigitta , Reiner Madlen Maria , Tiefenbacher Maximilian Xaver , Marquetand Philipp
Published: December 2022

Machine learning has proven useful in countless different areas over the past years, including theoretical and computational chemistry, where various issues can be addressed by means of machine learning methods. Some of these involve electronic excited-state calculations, such as those performed in nonadiabatic molecular dynamics simulations. Here, we review the current literature highlighting recent developments and advances regarding the application of machine learning to computer simulations of molecular dynamics involving electronically excited states.
Fractionation and online mass spectrometry based on imaged capillary isoelectric focusing (icIEF) for characterizing charge heterogeneity of therapeutic antibody
Authors: Kwok Teresa , Zhou Mike , Schaefer Anna , Bo Tao , Li Victor , Huang Tiemin , Chen Tong
Published: December 2022

A hybrid platform of icIEF fractionation and online icIEF-MS was developed for charge variant analysis after analytical icIEF-UV profiling, and successfully utilized for in-depth charge variant characterization of therapeutic antibodies.
Photocatalyst-free visible-light triggered amination of benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole: direct C–N bond formation from C(sp2)–H bond
Authors: Murugesh V. , Reddy Patlolla Ravinder , Singh Surya Prakash
Published: December 2022

The photoredox amination of arene protocols mostly comprises photocatalyst-mediated transformations.
Amplification-free CRISPR/Cas detection technology: challenges, strategies, and perspectives
Authors: Li Huimin , Xie Yi , Chen Fumin , Bai Huiwen , Xiu Leshan , Zhou Xiaonong , Guo Xiaokui , Hu Qinqin , Yin Kun
Published: December 2022

This review summarizes the recent advances and the main strategies to improve the sensitivity of amplification-free CRISPR/Cas-based detection techniques.