bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Boundary‐Crossing Field Research Marks the Way to Evidence‐Based Management of Mercury in Forest Landscapes
Authors: Bishop Kevin , Eklöf Karin
Published: August 2022

The atmospheric deposition of long‐range atmospheric mercury pollution presents forest managers with a “wicked” problem—forestry operations run the risk of mobilizing this pollution legacy. Management of that risk would benefit from a process‐based understanding of how forest management influences the mercury cycle. This commentary highlights the value for building such an understanding of a comprehensive Before‐After‐Control‐Impact study reported by McCarter et al. (2022), https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JG006826 on the Marcel Experimental Forest in the north‐central continental US. That study looked at how different types of forest harvest influenced the movement of mercury through the landscape. The results of this study place it at the minimal end of the range of impacts on Hg mobilization resulting from forest harvest. What makes this paper, together with the companion papers resulting from this study, particularly valuable for improving the understanding of forestry influences on mercury is the number of system boundaries that the study crossed: between land and atmosphere, from a forested hillslope down into a wetland, and finally up into the biota on that wetland.
Unveiling the Space Weather During the Starlink Satellites Destruction Event on 4 February 2022
Authors: Dang Tong , Li Xiaolei , Luo Bingxian , Li Ruoxi , Zhang Binzheng , Pham Kevin , Ren Dexin , Chen Xuetao , Lei Jiuhou , Wang Yuming
Published: August 2022

On 4 February 2022, 38 Starlink satellites were destroyed by the geomagnetic storm, which brought significant financial, aerospace and public influences. In this letter, we reveal the space weather process during 3–4 February 2022 geomagnetic disturbances, from the Sun all the way to the satellite orbiting atmosphere. Initiated by an M1.0 class flare and the following coronal mass ejection (CME), a moderate geomagnetic storm was stimulated on 3rd February by the CME arrival at Earth. Subsequently, another moderate storm was triggered on 4th February by the passage of another CME. Model simulations driven by solar wind show that the first geomagnetic storm induced around 20% atmospheric density perturbations at 210 km altitude on 3rd February. The unexpected subsequent storm on 4th February led to a density enhancement of around 20%–30% at around 210 km. The resulting atmospheric drag can be even larger, since the regional density enhancement was over 60% and the satellite orbits were continuously decaying. This event brings forth the urgent requirements of better understanding and accurate prediction of the space weather as well as collaborations between industry and space weather community.
The Thinnest Crust in South China Associated With the Cretaceous Lithospheric Extension: Evidence From SINOPROBE Seismic Reflection Profiling
Authors: Li Jianhua , Dong Shuwen , Gao Rui , Cawood Peter A. , Zhang Yueqiao , Zhao Guochun , Li Qiusheng , Xin Yujia , Wang Jinming , Lü Fang
Published: August 2022

Long‐standing debates exist over the mechanism of continental lithospheric extension and, more specifically, over the strain distribution across the lithosphere in intraplate settings. The Cretaceous extensional system in South China extends up to ∼800 km inboard of the Paleo‐Pacific convergent margin and enables investigation of the mechanism(s) of intraplate lithospheric extension. Here we use high‐resolution seismic reflection data to image the crustal and upper‐mantle architecture of the central segment of the extensional system. We identify a compositionally stratified upper lithosphere that has undergone depth‐dependent extension, expressed by heterogeneous normal faulting in the upper crust, widely distributed ductile stretching in the lower crust, mantle influx into the crust, a broadly smooth Moho with localized uplift, and mantle shear‐zone generation. We detect, beneath the center of the Ganzhou Rift, the thinnest crust (28–30 km thick) in South China. It spatially correlates with the locus of strong lithospheric thinning and asthenospheric upwelling. We suggest that the generation of the thinnest crust was assisted by lower‐crustal ductile stretching, mantle shearing, and exhumation during depth‐dependent extension. Our study provides insights into the partitioning of depth‐dependent extensional strain into an intraplate stratified lithosphere and the feedback between crustal and mantle processes that shaped the thinnest crust at a position ∼300 km inboard of the convergent margin during continental extension.
Stem cell-based therapy for human diseases
Authors: Hoang Duc M. , Pham Phuong T. , Bach Trung Q. , Ngo Anh T. L. , Nguyen Quyen T. , Phan Trang T. K. , Nguyen Giang H. , Le Phuong T. T. , Hoang Van T. , Forsyth Nicholas R. , Heke Michael , Nguyen Liem Thanh
Published: August 2022

Recent advancements in stem cell technology open a new door for patients suffering from diseases and disorders that have yet to be treated. Stem cell-based therapy, including human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), has recently emerged as a key player in regenerative medicine. hPSCs are defined as self-renewable cell types conferring the ability to differentiate into various cellular phenotypes of the human body, including three germ layers. MSCs are multipotent progenitor cells possessing self-renewal ability (limited in vitro) and differentiation potential into mesenchymal lineages, according to the International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy (ISCT). This review provides an update on recent clinical applications using either hPSCs or MSCs derived from bone marrow (BM), adipose tissue (AT), or the umbilical cord (UC) for the treatment of human diseases, including neurological disorders, pulmonary dysfunctions, metabolic/endocrine-related diseases, reproductive disorders, skin burns, and cardiovascular conditions. Moreover, we discuss our own clinical trial experiences on targeted therapies using MSCs in a clinical setting, and we propose and discuss the MSC tissue origin concept and how MSC origin may contribute to the role of MSCs in downstream applications, with the ultimate objective of facilitating translational research in regenerative medicine into clinical applications. The mechanisms discussed here support the proposed hypothesis that BM-MSCs are potentially good candidates for brain and spinal cord injury treatment, AT-MSCs are potentially good candidates for reproductive disorder treatment and skin regeneration, and UC-MSCs are potentially good candidates for pulmonary disease and acute respiratory distress syndrome treatment.
Oxidative stress-mediated mitochondrial fission promotes hepatic stellate cell activation via stimulating oxidative phosphorylation
Authors: Zhou Yanni , Long Dan , Zhao Ying , Li Shengfu , Liang Yan , Wan Lin , Zhang Jingyao , Xue Fulai , Feng Li
Published: August 2022

Previous studies have demonstrated dysregulated mitochondrial dynamics in fibrotic livers and hepatocytes. Little is currently known about how mitochondrial dynamics are involved, nor is it clear how mitochondrial dynamics participate in hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. In the present study, we investigated the role of mitochondrial dynamics in HSC activation and the underlying mechanisms. We verified that mitochondrial fission was enhanced in human and mouse fibrotic livers and active HSCs. Moreover, increased mitochondrial fission driven by fis1 overexpression could promote HSC activation. Inhibiting mitochondrial fission using mitochondrial fission inhibitor-1 (Mdivi-1) could inhibit activation and induce apoptosis of active HSCs, indicating that increased mitochondrial fission is essential for HSC activation. Mdivi-1 treatment also induced apoptosis in active HSCs in vivo and thus ameliorated CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. We also found that oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) was increased in active HSCs, and OxPhos inhibitors inhibited activation and induced apoptosis in active HSCs. Moreover, increasing mitochondrial fission upregulated OxPhos, while inhibiting mitochondrial fission downregulated OxPhos, suggesting that mitochondrial fission stimulates OxPhos during HSC activation. Next, we found that inhibition of oxidative stress using mitoquinone mesylate (mitoQ) and Tempol inhibited mitochondrial fission and OxPhos and induced apoptosis in active HSCs, suggesting that oxidative stress contributes to excessive mitochondrial fission during HSC activation. In conclusion, our study revealed that oxidative stress contributes to enhanced mitochondrial fission, which triggers OxPhos during HSC activation. Importantly, inhibiting mitochondrial fission has huge prospects for alleviating liver fibrosis by eliminating active HSCs.
The CRTC-CREB axis functions as a transcriptional sensor to protect against proteotoxic stress in Drosophila
Authors: Yin Youjie , Ma Peng , Wang Saifei , Zhang Yao , Han Ruolei , Huo Chunyu , Wu Meixian , Deng Hansong
Published: August 2022

cAMP Responsible Element Binding Protein (CREB) is an evolutionarily conserved transcriptional factor that regulates cell growth, synaptic plasticity and so on. In this study, we unexpectedly found proteasome inhibitors, such as MLN2238, robustly increase CREB activity in adult flies through a large-scale compound screening. Mechanistically, reactive oxidative species (ROS) generated by proteasome inhibition are required and sufficient to promote CREB activity through c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). In 293 T cells, JNK activation by MLN2238 is also required for increase of CREB phosphorylation at Ser133. Meanwhile, transcriptome analysis in fly intestine identified a group of genes involved in redox and proteostatic regulation are augmented by overexpressing CRTC (CREB-regulated transcriptional coactivator). Intriguingly, CRTC overexpression in muscles robustly restores protein folding and proteasomal activity in a fly Huntington’s disease (HD) model, and ameliorates HD related pathogenesis, such as protein aggregates, motility, and lifespan. Moreover, CREB activity increases during aging, and further enhances its activity can suppress protein aggregates in aged muscles. Together, our results identified CRTC/CREB downstream ROS/JNK signaling as a conserved sensor to tackle oxidative and proteotoxic stresses. Boosting CRTC/CREB activity is a potential therapeutic strategy to treat aging related protein aggregation diseases.
USP22 controls type III interferon signaling and SARS-CoV-2 infection through activation of STING
Authors: Karlowitz Rebekka , Stanifer Megan L. , Roedig Jens , Andrieux Geoffroy , Bojkova Denisa , Bechtel Marco , Smith Sonja , Kowald Lisa , Schubert Ralf , Boerries Melanie , Cinatl Jindrich , Boulant Steeve , van Wijk Sjoerd J. L.
Published: August 2022

Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and interferons (IFNs) serve as essential antiviral defense against SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic. Type III IFNs (IFN-λ) exhibit cell-type specific and long-lasting functions in auto-inflammation, tumorigenesis, and antiviral defense. Here, we identify the deubiquitinating enzyme USP22 as central regulator of basal IFN-λ secretion and SARS-CoV-2 infections in human intestinal epithelial cells (hIECs). USP22-deficient hIECs strongly upregulate genes involved in IFN signaling and viral defense, including numerous IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs), with increased secretion of IFN-λ and enhanced STAT1 signaling, even in the absence of exogenous IFNs or viral infection. Interestingly, USP22 controls basal and 2′3′-cGAMP-induced STING activation and loss of STING reversed STAT activation and ISG and IFN-λ expression. Intriguingly, USP22-deficient hIECs are protected against SARS-CoV-2 infection, viral replication, and the formation of de novo infectious particles, in a STING-dependent manner. These findings reveal USP22 as central host regulator of STING and type III IFN signaling, with important implications for SARS-CoV-2 infection and antiviral defense.
Intermittent hypoxia-induced METTL3 downregulation facilitates MGLL-mediated lipolysis of adipocytes in OSAS
Authors: Huang Xiuji , Huang Xuming , Guo Haiyan , Li Jin , Zhou Chunxia , Huang Yuanli , Lai Chunliu , Zeng Wan , Tan Xiaozhen , Niu Lihong , Li Hui , Qi Jian , Xie Canmao
Published: August 2022

Intermittent hypoxia (IH) is the core pathological feature of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), and insulin resistance (IR) is the most common metabolic complication of OSAS. Studies have shown that the levels of free fatty acids (FFAs), which are mainly released from adipocytes by lipolysis, are elevated in OSAS and play an important role in the development of IR. However, whether and how IH regulates adipocyte lipolysis in OSAS is not clear. Here, we revealed that the apnea hypopnea index was positively correlated with the serum levels of FFAs and FFA release from adipocytes in OSAS. In addition, IH facilitated lipolysis and FFA release from adipocytes by downregulating the level of METTL3. METTL3 downregulation impaired N6-methyladenosine (m6A) levels in MGLL mRNA and reduced MGLL expression, thereby promoting lipolysis. In addition, we identified YTHDF2 as the m6A reader that interacts with MGLL mRNA, accelerating its degradation. Furthermore, our data showed reduced levels of METTL3 and elevated levels of MGLL in the adipose tissues of OSAS patients and indicated an effect of METTL3 on lowering FFA levels and improving IR in rats with chronic IH. In conclusion, our study provides new insights into the development and treatment of IR in OSAS.
Data-driven load profiles and the dynamics of residential electricity consumption
Authors: Anvari Mehrnaz , Proedrou Elisavet , Schäfer Benjamin , Beck Christian , Kantz Holger , Timme Marc
Published: August 2022

The dynamics of power consumption constitutes an essential building block for planning and operating sustainable energy systems. Whereas variations in the dynamics of renewable energy generation are reasonably well studied, a deeper understanding of the variations in consumption dynamics is still missing. Here, we analyse highly resolved residential electricity consumption data of Austrian, German and UK households and propose a generally applicable data-driven load model. Specifically, we disentangle the average demand profiles from the demand fluctuations based purely on time series data. We introduce a stochastic model to quantitatively capture the highly intermittent demand fluctuations. Thereby, we offer a better understanding of demand dynamics, in particular its fluctuations, and provide general tools for disentangling mean demand and fluctuations for any given system, going beyond the standard load profile (SLP). Our insights on the demand dynamics may support planning and operating future-compliant (micro) grids in maintaining supply-demand balance.
Three-dimensional imaging of waves and floes in the marginal ice zone during a cyclone
Authors: Alberello Alberto , Bennetts Luke G. , Onorato Miguel , Vichi Marcello , MacHutchon Keith , Eayrs Clare , Ntamba Butteur Ntamba , Benetazzo Alvise , Bergamasco Filippo , Nelli Filippo , Pattani Rohinee , Clarke Hans , Tersigni Ippolita , Toffoli Alessandro
Published: August 2022

The marginal ice zone is the dynamic interface between the open ocean and consolidated inner pack ice. Surface gravity waves regulate marginal ice zone extent and properties, and, hence, atmosphere-ocean fluxes and ice advance/retreat. Over the past decade, seminal experimental campaigns have generated much needed measurements of wave evolution in the marginal ice zone, which, notwithstanding the prominent knowledge gaps that remain, are underpinning major advances in understanding the region’s role in the climate system. Here, we report three-dimensional imaging of waves from a moving vessel and simultaneous imaging of floe sizes, with the potential to enhance the marginal ice zone database substantially. The images give the direction–frequency wave spectrum, which we combine with concurrent measurements of wind speeds and reanalysis products to reveal the complex multi-component wind-plus-swell nature of a cyclone-driven wave field, and quantify evolution of large-amplitude waves in sea ice.
Narrative thinking lingers in spontaneous thought
Authors: Bellana Buddhika , Mahabal Abhijit , Honey Christopher J.
Published: August 2022

Some experiences linger in mind, spontaneously returning to our thoughts for minutes after their conclusion. Other experiences fall out of mind immediately. It remains unclear why. We hypothesize that an input is more likely to persist in our thoughts when it has been deeply processed: when we have extracted its situational meaning rather than its physical properties or low-level semantics. Here, participants read sequences of words with different levels of coherence (word-, sentence-, or narrative-level). We probe participants’ spontaneous thoughts via free word association, before and after reading. By measuring lingering subjectively (via self-report) and objectively (via changes in free association content), we find that information lingers when it is coherent at the narrative level. Furthermore, and an individual’s feeling of transportation into reading material predicts lingering better than the material’s objective coherence. Thus, our thoughts in the present moment echo prior experiences that have been incorporated into deeper, narrative forms of thinking.
The superconductivity of Sr2RuO4 under c-axis uniaxial stress
Authors: Jerzembeck Fabian , Røising Henrik S. , Steppke Alexander , Rosner Helge , Sokolov Dmitry A. , Kikugawa Naoki , Scaffidi Thomas , Simon Steven H. , Mackenzie Andrew P. , Hicks Clifford W.
Published: August 2022

Applying in-plane uniaxial pressure to strongly correlated low-dimensional systems has been shown to tune the electronic structure dramatically. For example, the unconventional superconductor Sr2RuO4 can be tuned through a single Van Hove point, resulting in strong enhancement of both Tc and Hc2. Out-of-plane (c axis) uniaxial pressure is expected to tune the quasi-two-dimensional structure even more strongly, by pushing it towards two Van Hove points simultaneously. Here, we achieve a record uniaxial stress of 3.2 GPa along the c axis of Sr2RuO4. Hc2 increases, as expected for increasing density of states, but unexpectedly Tc falls. As a first attempt to explain this result, we present three-dimensional calculations in the weak interaction limit. We find that within the weak-coupling framework there is no single order parameter that can account for the contrasting effects of in-plane versus c-axis uniaxial stress, which makes this new result a strong constraint on theories of the superconductivity of Sr2RuO4.
PCGF6 controls neuroectoderm specification of human pluripotent stem cells by activating SOX2 expression
Authors: Lan Xianchun , Ding Song , Zhang Tianzhe , Yi Ying , Li Conghui , Jin Wenwen , Chen Jian , Liang Kaiwei , Wang Hengbin , Jiang Wei
Published: August 2022

Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are known to repress developmental genes during embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. Here, we report that PCGF6 controls neuroectoderm specification of human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) by activating SOX2 gene. Human PSCs with PCGF6 depletion display impaired neuroectoderm differentiation coupled with increased mesendoderm outcomes. Transcriptome analysis reveals that de-repression of the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway is responsible for the differentiation of PSC toward the mesendodermal lineage. Interestingly, PCGF6 and MYC directly interact and co-occupy a distal regulatory element of SOX2 to activate SOX2 expression, which likely accounts for the regulation in neuroectoderm differentiation. Supporting this notion, genomic deletion of the SOX2-regulatory element phenocopies the impaired neuroectoderm differentiation, while overexpressing SOX2 rescues the neuroectoderm phenotype caused by PCGF6-depletion. Together, our study reveals that PCGF6 can function as lineage switcher between mesendoderm and neuroectoderm in human PSCs by both suppression and activation mechanisms.
Realization of unpinned two-dimensional dirac states in antimony atomic layers
Authors: Lu Qiangsheng , Cook Jacob , Zhang Xiaoqian , Chen Kyle Y. , Snyder Matthew , Nguyen Duy Tung , Reddy P. V. Sreenivasa , Qin Bingchao , Zhan Shaoping , Zhao Li-Dong , Kowalczyk Pawel J. , Brown Simon A. , Chiang Tai-Chang , Yang Shengyuan A. , Chang Tay-Rong , Bian Guang
Published: August 2022

Two-dimensional (2D) Dirac states with linear dispersion have been observed in graphene and on the surface of topological insulators. 2D Dirac states discovered so far are exclusively pinned at high-symmetry points of the Brillouin zone, for example, surface Dirac states at $$\overline{{{\Gamma }}}$$

Γ

¯

in topological insulators Bi2Se(Te)3 and Dirac cones at K and $$K^{\prime}$$

K

′

points in graphene. The low-energy dispersion of those Dirac states are isotropic due to the constraints of crystal symmetries. In this work, we report the observation of novel 2D Dirac states in antimony atomic layers with phosphorene structure. The Dirac states in the antimony films are located at generic momentum points. This unpinned nature enables versatile ways such as lattice strains to control the locations of the Dirac points in momentum space. In addition, dispersions around the unpinned Dirac points are highly anisotropic due to the reduced symmetry of generic momentum points. The exotic properties of unpinned Dirac states make antimony atomic layers a new type of 2D Dirac semimetals that are distinct from graphene.
Molecular mechanism for the synchronized electrostatic coacervation and co-aggregation of alpha-synuclein and tau
Authors: Gracia Pablo , Polanco David , Tarancón-Díez Jorge , Serra Ilenia , Bracci Maruan , Oroz Javier , Laurents Douglas V. , García Inés , Cremades Nunilo
Published: August 2022

Amyloid aggregation of α-synuclein (αS) is the hallmark of Parkinson’s disease and other synucleinopathies. Recently, Tau protein, generally associated with Alzheimer’s disease, has been linked to αS pathology and observed to co-localize in αS-rich disease inclusions, although the molecular mechanisms for the co-aggregation of both proteins remain elusive. We report here that αS phase-separates into liquid condensates by electrostatic complex coacervation with positively charged polypeptides such as Tau. Condensates undergo either fast gelation or coalescence followed by slow amyloid aggregation depending on the affinity of αS for the poly-cation and the rate of valence exhaustion of the condensate network. By combining a set of advanced biophysical techniques, we have been able to characterize αS/Tau liquid-liquid phase separation and identified key factors that lead to the formation of hetero-aggregates containing both proteins in the interior of the liquid protein condensates.
A non-Hermitian optical atomic mirror
Authors: Wang Yi-Cheng , You Jhih-Shih , Jen H. H.
Published: August 2022

Explorations of symmetry and topology have led to important breakthroughs in quantum optics, but much richer behaviors arise from the non-Hermitian nature of light-matter interactions. A high-reflectivity, non-Hermitian optical mirror can be realized by a two-dimensional subwavelength array of neutral atoms near the cooperative resonance associated with the collective dipole modes. Here we show that exceptional points develop from a nondefective degeneracy by lowering the crystal symmetry of a square atomic lattice, and dispersive bulk Fermi arcs that originate from exceptional points are truncated by the light cone. From its nontrivial energy spectra topology, we demonstrate that the geometry-dependent non-Hermitian skin effect emerges in a ribbon geometry. Furthermore, skin modes localized at a boundary show a scale-free behavior that stems from the long-range interaction and whose mechanism goes beyond the framework of non-Bloch band theory. Our work opens the door to the study of the interplay among non-Hermiticity, topology, and long-range interaction.
Low-voltage ultrafast nonvolatile memory via direct charge injection through a threshold resistive-switching layer
Authors: Li Yuan , Zhang Zhi Cheng , Li Jiaqiang , Chen Xu-Dong , Kong Ya , Wang Fu-Dong , Zhang Guo-Xin , Lu Tong-Bu , Zhang Jin
Published: August 2022

The explosion in demand for massive data processing and storage requires revolutionary memory technologies featuring ultrahigh speed, ultralong retention, ultrahigh capacity and ultralow energy consumption. Although a breakthrough in ultrafast floating-gate memory has been achieved very recently, it still suffers a high operation voltage (tens of volts) due to the Fowler–Nordheim tunnelling mechanism. It is still a great challenge to realize ultrafast nonvolatile storage with low operation voltage. Here we propose a floating-gate memory with a structure of MoS2/hBN/MoS2/graphdiyne oxide/WSe2, in which a threshold switching layer, graphdiyne oxide, instead of a dielectric blocking layer in conventional floating-gate memories, is used to connect the floating gate and control gate. The volatile threshold switching characteristic of graphdiyne oxide allows the direct charge injection from control gate to floating gate by applying a nanosecond voltage pulse (20 ns) with low magnitude (2 V), and restricts the injected charges in floating gate for a long-term retention (10 years) after the pulse. The high operation speed and low voltage endow the device with an ultralow energy consumption of 10 fJ. These results demonstrate a new strategy to develop next-generation high-speed low-energy nonvolatile memory.
Harmol promotes α-synuclein degradation and improves motor impairment in Parkinson’s models via regulating autophagy-lysosome pathway
Authors: Xu Jie , Ao Yun-Lin , Huang Chunhui , Song Xiubao , Zhang Guiliang , Cui Wei , Wang Yuqiang , Zhang Xiao-Qi , Zhang Zaijun
Published: August 2022

The abnormal accumulation of α-synuclein (α-syn) is a crucial factor for the onset and pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD), and the autophagy-lysosome pathway (ALP) contributes to α-syn turnover. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) regulate autophagy by initiating the macroautophagy cascade and promoting lysosomal biogenesis via increased transcription factor EB (TFEB) activity. Hence, activation of AMPK-mTOR-TFEB axis-mediated autophagy might promote α-syn clearance in PD. Harmol is a β-carboline alkaloid that has been extensively studied in a variety of diseases but rarely in PD models. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect and underlying mechanism of harmol in PD models in vitro and in vivo. We show that harmol reduces α-syn via ALP in a dose- and time-dependent manner in cell model that overexpressed human A53T mutant α-syn. We also demonstrate that harmol promotes the translocation of TFEB into the nucleus and accompanies the restoration of autophagic flux and lysosomal biogenesis. Importantly, harmol improves motor impairment and down-regulates α-syn levels in the substantia nigra and prefrontal cortex in the α-syn transgenic mice model. Further studies revealed that harmol might activate ALP through AMPK-mTOR-TFEB to promote α-syn clearance. These in vitro and in vivo improvements demonstrate that harmol activates the AMPK-mTOR-TFEB mediated ALP pathway, resulting in reduced α-syn, and suggesting the potential benefit of harmol in the treatment of PD.
Unraveling the effect of intra- and intercellular processes on acetaminophen-induced liver injury
Authors: Heldring M. M. , Shaw A. H. , Beltman J. B.
Published: August 2022

In high dosages, acetaminophen (APAP) can cause severe liver damage, but susceptibility to liver failure varies across individuals and is influenced by factors such as health status. Because APAP-induced liver injury and recovery is regulated by an intricate system of intra- and extracellular molecular signaling, we here aim to quantify the importance of specific modules in determining the outcome after an APAP insult and of potential targets for therapies that mitigate adversity. For this purpose, we integrated hepatocellular acetaminophen metabolism, DNA damage response induction and cell fate into a multiscale mechanistic liver lobule model which involves various cell types, such as hepatocytes, residential Kupffer cells and macrophages. Our model simulations show that zonal differences in metabolism and detoxification efficiency are essential determinants of necrotic damage. Moreover, the extent of senescence, which is regulated by intracellular processes and triggered by extracellular signaling, influences the potential to recover. In silico therapies at early and late time points after APAP insult indicated that prevention of necrotic damage is most beneficial for recovery, whereas interference with regulation of senescence promotes regeneration in a less pronounced way.
A multimodal psychological, physiological and behavioural dataset for human emotions in driving tasks
Authors: Li Wenbo , Tan Ruichen , Xing Yang , Li Guofa , Li Shen , Zeng Guanzhong , Wang Peizhi , Zhang Bingbing , Su Xinyu , Pi Dawei , Guo Gang , Cao Dongpu
Published: August 2022

Human emotions are integral to daily tasks, and driving is now a typical daily task. Creating a multi-modal human emotion dataset in driving tasks is an essential step in human emotion studies. we conducted three experiments to collect multimodal psychological, physiological and behavioural dataset for human emotions (PPB-Emo). In Experiment I, 27 participants were recruited, the in-depth interview method was employed to explore the driver’s viewpoints on driving scenarios that induce different emotions. For Experiment II, 409 participants were recruited, a questionnaire survey was conducted to obtain driving scenarios information that induces human drivers to produce specific emotions, and the results were used as the basis for selecting video-audio stimulus materials. In Experiment III, 40 participants were recruited, and the psychological data and physiological data, as well as their behavioural data were collected of all participants in 280 times driving tasks. The PPB-Emo dataset will largely support the analysis of human emotion in driving tasks. Moreover, The PPB-Emo dataset will also benefit human emotion research in other daily tasks.
Chromosome-level genome assembly of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) using PacBio and Hi-C technologies
Authors: He Kuo , Zhao Liulan , Yuan Zihao , Canario Adelino , Liu Qiao , Chen Siyi , Guo Jiazhong , Luo Wei , Yan Haoxiao , Zhang Dongmei , Li Lisen , Yang Song
Published: August 2022

The largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) has become a cosmopolitan species due to its widespread introduction as game or domesticated fish. Here a high-quality chromosome-level reference genome of M. salmoides was produced by combining Illumina paired-end sequencing, PacBio single molecule sequencing technique (SMRT) and High-through chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) technologies. Ultimately, the genome was assembled into 844.88 Mb with a contig N50 of 15.68 Mb and scaffold N50 length of 35.77 Mb. About 99.9% assembly genome sequences (844.00 Mb) could be anchored to 23 chromosomes, and 98.03% assembly genome sequences could be ordered and directed. The genome contained 38.19% repeat sequences and 2693 noncoding RNAs. A total of 26,370 protein-coding genes from 3415 gene families were predicted, of which 97.69% were functionally annotated. The high-quality genome assembly will be a fundamental resource to study and understand how M. salmoides adapt to novel and changing environments around the world, and also be expected to contribute to the genetic breeding and other research.
Towards seasonal forecasting of flood probabilities in Europe using climate and catchment information
Authors: Steirou Eva , Gerlitz Lars , Sun Xun , Apel Heiko , Agarwal Ankit , Totz Sonja , Merz Bruno
Published: August 2022

We investigate whether the distribution of maximum seasonal streamflow is significantly affected by catchment or climate state of the season/month ahead. We fit the Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) distribution to extreme seasonal streamflow for around 600 stations across Europe by conditioning the GEV location and scale parameters on 14 indices, which represent the season-ahead climate or catchment state. The comparison of these climate-informed models with the classical GEV distribution, with time-constant parameters, suggests that there is a substantial potential for seasonal forecasting of flood probabilities. The potential varies between seasons and regions. Overall, the season-ahead catchment wetness shows the highest potential, although climate indices based on large-scale atmospheric circulation, sea surface temperature or sea ice concentration also show some skill for certain regions and seasons. Spatially coherent patterns and a substantial fraction of climate-informed models are promising signs towards early alerts to increase flood preparedness already a season ahead.
Investigating calcification-related candidates in a non-symbiotic scleractinian coral, Tubastraea spp.
Authors: Capasso Laura , Aranda Manuel , Cui Guoxin , Pousse Melanie , Tambutté Sylvie , Zoccola Didier
Published: August 2022

In hermatypic scleractinian corals, photosynthetic fixation of CO2and the production of CaCO3are intimately linked due to their symbiotic relationship with dinoflagellates of the Symbiodiniaceae family. This makes it difficult to study ion transport mechanisms involved in the different pathways. In contrast, most ahermatypic scleractinian corals do not share this symbiotic relationship and thus offer an advantage when studying the ion transport mechanisms involved in the calcification process. Despite this advantage, non-symbiotic scleractinian corals have been systematically neglected in calcification studies, resulting in a lack of data especially at the molecular level. Here, we combined a tissue micro-dissection technique and RNA-sequencing to identify calcification-related ion transporters, and other candidates, in the ahermatypic non-symbiotic scleractinian coralTubastraeaspp. Our results show thatTubastraeaspp. possesses several calcification-related candidates previously identified in symbiotic scleractinian corals (such as SLC4-γ, AMT-1like, CARP, etc.). Furthermore, we identify and describe a role in scleractinian calcification for several ion transporter candidates (such as SLC13, -16, -23, etc.) identified for the first time in this study. Taken together, our results provide not only insights about the molecular mechanisms underlying non-symbiotic scleractinian calcification, but also valuable tools for the development of biotechnological solutions to better control the extreme invasiveness of corals belonging to this particular genus.
Developing machine learning algorithms for dynamic estimation of progression during active surveillance for prostate cancer
Authors: Lee Changhee , Light Alexander , Saveliev Evgeny S. , van der Schaar Mihaela , Gnanapragasam Vincent J.
Published: August 2022

Active Surveillance (AS) for prostate cancer is a management option that continually monitors early disease and considers intervention if progression occurs. A robust method to incorporate “live” updates of progression risk during follow-up has hitherto been lacking. To address this, we developed a deep learning-based individualised longitudinal survival model using Dynamic-DeepHit-Lite (DDHL) that learns data-driven distribution of time-to-event outcomes. Further refining outputs, we used a reinforcement learning approach (Actor-Critic) for temporal predictive clustering (AC-TPC) to discover groups with similar time-to-event outcomes to support clinical utility. We applied these methods to data from 585 men on AS with longitudinal and comprehensive follow-up (median 4.4 years). Time-dependent C-indices and Brier scores were calculated and compared to Cox regression and landmarking methods. Both Cox and DDHL models including only baseline variables showed comparable C-indices but the DDHL model performance improved with additional follow-up data. With 3 years of data collection and 3 years follow-up the DDHL model had a C-index of 0.79 (±0.11) compared to 0.70 (±0.15) for landmarking Cox and 0.67 (±0.09) for baseline Cox only. Model calibration was good across all models tested. The AC-TPC method further discovered 4 distinct outcome-related temporal clusters with distinct progression trajectories. Those in the lowest risk cluster had negligible progression risk while those in the highest cluster had a 50% risk of progression by 5 years. In summary, we report a novel machine learning approach to inform personalised follow-up during active surveillance which improves predictive power with increasing data input over time.
The evolution of conglobation in Ceratocanthinae
Authors: Lu Yuanyuan , Ballerio Alberto , Wang Shuo , Zou Zhengting , Gorb Stanislav N. , Wang Tao , Li Lulu , Ji Shen , Zhao Zhengyu , Li Sheng , Tong Yijie , Chen Yandong , Zhuo De , Luo Cihang , Zhang Weiwei , Liu Ning , Gu Qi , Bai Ming
Published: August 2022

Conglobation is an adaptive behaviour occurring independently in various animal groups. Here, we study the evolution of conglobation in Ceratocanthinae, a beetle group with the ability to roll three body segments into a tight ball. It is here implied that this ability evolved only once in the Mesozoic. Evidence is offered suggesting that the high defensive strength of Ceratocanthinae is due not only to the spherical body shape but also to the thickness and stronger mechanical properties of the dorsal cuticle. We further validate five adaptive characters including the allometrically thickened body wall and find that the specific adaptation of different body segments are likely separate evolutionary events. Finally, we propose an “attackers stress” hypothesis to explain the origin of conglobation behaviours. This work contributes to understanding how and why conglobation behaviour may have evolved in this group.
Alpine shrub growth follows bimodal seasonal patterns across biomes – unexpected environmental controls
Authors: Dobbert Svenja , Albrecht Eike Corina , Pape Roland , Löffler Jörg
Published: August 2022

Under climate change, cold-adapted alpine ecosystems are turning into hotspots of warming. However, the complexity of driving forces of growth, associated biomass gain and carbon storage of alpine shrubs is poorly understood. We monitored alpine growth mechanisms of six common shrub species across contrasting biomes, Mediterranean and tundra, using 257 dendrometers, recording stem diameter variability at high temporal resolution. Linking shrub growth to on-site environmental conditions, we modelled intra-annual growth patterns based on distributed lag non-linear models implemented with generalized additive models. We found pronounced bimodal growth patterns across biomes, and counterintuitively, within the cold-adapted biome, moisture, and within the drought-adapted biome, temperature was crucial, with unexpected consequences. In a warmer world, the Mediterranean alpine might experience strong vegetation shifts, biomass gain and greening, while the alpine tundra might see less changes in vegetation patterns, minor modifications of biomass stocks and rather browning.
Variational quantum eigensolver techniques for simulating carbon monoxide oxidation
Authors: Sapova Mariia D. , Fedorov Aleksey K.
Published: August 2022

Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE) methods aim to maximize the resources of existing noisy devices. However, they encounter difficulties in simulating molecules of industrially-relevant sizes, such as constructing the efficient ansatz. Adaptive variational algorithms (ADAPT-VQE) can solve this problem but with a significant increase in the number of measurements. Here, we reduce the measurement overhead of ADAPT-VQE via adding operator batches to the ansatz while keeping it compact. We reformulate the previously proposed qubit pool completeness criteria for the tapered qubit space and propose an automated pool construction procedure. Our numerical results indicate that reducing the qubit pool size from polynomial to linear conversely increases the number of measurements. We simulate a set of molecules, participating in the carbon monoxide oxidation processes using the statevector simulator and compare the results with VQE-UCCSD and classical methods. Our results pave the way towards usage of variational approaches for solving practically relevant chemical problems.
A unique two-phase heterostructure with cubic NiSe2 and orthorhombic NiSe2 for enhanced lithium ion storage and electrocatalysis
Authors: Wang Dong , Li Li , Liu Zhichao , Gao Shanshan , Zhang Guangshuai , Hou Yongzhao , Wen Guangwu , Zhang Lijuan , Gu Hao , Zhang Rui
Published: August 2022

A unique heterostructure constructed with cubic NiSe2 and orthorhombic NiSe2 is developed, demonstrating enhanced lithium-ion storage and electrocatalytic HER properties.
Unprecedented toughness in transparent, luminescent, self-healing polymers enabled via hierarchical rigid domain design
Authors: Zhao Di , Zhou Xinzhe , Li Qianrui , Yang Jing , Li Huanrong
Published: August 2022

A novel luminescent self-healing elastomer, HPU-TPy0.25-Ln, is fabricated by hierarchical hard domain design. The obtained elastomers show high strength (11.21 MPa), unprecedented toughness (133.35 MJ m−3), and multi-color emission performance.
DFT insights into superelectrophilic activation of α,β-unsaturated nitriles and ketones in superacids
Authors: Genaev Alexander M. , Salnikov George E. , Koltunov Konstantin Yu.
Published: August 2022

Density functional theory studies have confirmed that N,C-diprotonation of α,β-unsaturated nitriles, and likewise O,C-diprotonation of isoelectronic ketones, provide the best rationale for their electrophilic reactions with weak nucleophiles, such as benzene.
“Breathing” organic cation to stabilize multiple structures in low-dimensional Ge-, Sn-, and Pb-based hybrid iodide perovskites
Authors: Chen Congcong , Morgan Emily E. , Liu Yang , Chen Jian , Seshadri Ram , Mao Lingling
Published: August 2022

By using S-(2-aminoethyl)isothiouronium (ETU) as the templating cation, five new metal iodide hybrids, (ETU)GeI4, (ETU)4Ge5I18, (ETU)PbI4 and (ETU)3Pb2I10 are reported with varied C–S–C angles in the organic cation.
Binder-free 3D SnO2-based nanocomposite anode with high areal capacity for advanced sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Yangang , Wang Zewei , Zhang Yaohui , Wang Kai , Chen Jiangchun , Guo Xuxu , Wu Jinlei , Xu Yuqi , Zhu Jian , Zhao Hewei , Liang Junfei , Wang Hua
Published: August 2022

A binder-free 3D SnO2 nanosheet/holey graphene composite electrode with an areal capacity of 2.5 mA h cm−2 shows great potential for SIBs.
Microflow chemistry and its electrification for sustainable chemical manufacturing
Authors: Chen Tai-Ying , Hsiao Yung Wei , Baker-Fales Montgomery , Cameli Fabio , Dimitrakellis Panagiotis , Vlachos Dionisios G.
Published: August 2022

This review presents the recent advancements in utilizing microflow systems combined with plasma and microwave heating for sustainable manufacturing. The technology holds promise in increasing process efficiency while minimizing carbon footprint.
Comprehending radicals, diradicals and their bondings in aggregates of imide-fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Authors: Liu Jiani , Zeng Jiarui , Zhao Duokai , Yao Yao , Hu Dehua , Ma Yuguang
Published: August 2022

The structures and optical properties of imide-fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon radicals, which exhibit room-temperature ferromagnetism as discovered recently and the strong pancake bondings in NDI radical aggregates are investigated.
A novel strategy for encapsulating metal sulfide nanoparticles inside hollow carbon nanosphere-aggregated microspheres for efficient potassium ion storage
Authors: Park Jin-Sung , Yang Soo Young , Lee Jung-Kul , Kang Yun Chan
Published: August 2022

An innovative strategy that enables the synthesis of microspherical superstructures comprising metal sulfide@carbon yolk–shell structured nanospheres is introduced. When tested as the anode for potassium ion batteries, they exhibited stable cycle performance and good rate capability.
Stochastic stability and stabilization of positive Markov jump linear impulsive systems with time delay
Authors: Zhao Ping , Kang Yu , Niu Ben , Wang Xinjun
Published: August 2022

This paper investigates the stochastic stability and stabilization of positive Markov jump linear impulsive systems (PMJLIS) with time delay. First, by choosing appropriate co‐positive Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional and using the impulsive average dwell‐time method, a stochastic stability criterion is provided for PMJLIS with time delay. Based on this criterion, for PMJLIS with time delay, the stabilization conditions are given using state feedback and impulse feedback, respectively. According to this criteria, the stochastic stability of the systems can be judged and the controllers can be designed only from some relations of the coefficient matrices, Markov jump parameters and delay. To illustrate the main results, a simulation example is provided at the end with a state‐feedback controller and an impulsive controller is designed, respectively, which makes the corresponding closed‐loop systems be positive, globally asymptotically stable in probability and globally asymptotically stable in mean.
Incorporating baryon-driven contraction of dark matter halos in rotation curve fits
Authors: Li Pengfei , McGaugh Stacy S. , Lelli Federico , Schombert James M. , Pawlowski Marcel S.
Published: August 2022

The condensation of baryons within a dark matter (DM) halo during galaxy formation should result in some contraction of the halo as the combined system settles into equilibrium. We quantify this effect on the cuspy primordial halos predicted by DM-only simulations for the baryon distributions observed in the galaxies of the SPARC database. We find that the DM halos of high surface brightness galaxies (with Σeff ≳ 100 L⊙ pc−2 at 3.6 μm) experience strong contraction. Halos become more cuspy as a result of compression: the inner DM density slope increases with the baryonic surface mass density. We iteratively fit rotation curves to find the balance between initial halo parameters (constrained by abundance matching), compression, and stellar mass-to-light ratio. The resulting fits often require lower stellar masses than expected for stellar populations, particularly in galaxies with bulges: stellar mass must be reduced to make room for the DM it compresses. This trade off between dark and luminous mass is reminiscent of the cusp-core problem in dwarf galaxies, but occurs in more massive systems: the present-epoch DM halos cannot follow from cuspy primordial halos unless (1) the stellar mass-to-light ratios are systematically smaller than expected from standard stellar population synthesis models, and/or (2) there is a net outward mass redistribution from the initial cusp, even in massive galaxies widely considered to be immune from such effects.