bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Open‐Top Transparent TiO2 Nanotubes Photoanodes from Evaporated Ti Layers on Fluorine‐Doped Tin Oxide
Authors: Hwang Imgon , Schmuki Patrik , Mazare Anca
Published: July 2024

Herein, the growth of transparent TiO2 nanotube (NT) layers is investigated by complete self‐organized anodization of a metallic Ti layer on fluorine‐doped tin oxide glass, deposited by electron beam evaporation. An initiation‐free open‐top tube morphology can be obtained for such transparent TiO2 NTs using an optimized second anodization approach combined with a post‐ultrasonication process. The photoelectrochemical properties of open‐top tubes exhibit notable enhancement, primarily attributed to their rapid electron‐transfer kinetics, with a ≈33% increase in the incident‐photon‐to‐electron conversion efficiency value (at 350 nm wavelength) in comparison to classical (initiation‐covered) NTs with a comparable morphology.
Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non‐uniform warming
Authors: Calvert Bruce T. T.
Published: July 2024

To estimate changes in global mean surface temperature (GMST), one must infer past temperatures for regions of the planet that lacked observations. While current global instrumental temperature datasets (GITDs) estimate different rates of warming for different regions of the planet, this non‐uniform warming is often modelled as residuals relative to underlying trends of spatially uniform warming. To better account for spatial non‐uniform trends in warming, a new GITD was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface air temperature (LSAT) anomalies of non‐infilled HadCRUT5 with the sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies of HadSST4. This GITD better accounts for non‐uniform trends in warming in two ways. Firstly, the underlying warming trends in the model are allowed to vary spatially and by the time of year. Secondly, climatological differences between open‐sea and sea ice regions are used to better account for changes in sea ice concentrations (SICs). These improvements increase the estimate of GMST change from the late 19th century (1850–1900) to 2023 by 0.006°C and 0.079°C, respectively. Although, for the latter improvement, tests suggest that there may be an overcorrection by a factor of two and estimates of SICs for the late 19th century are a significant source of unquantified uncertainty. In addition, this new GITD has other improvements compared to the HadCRUT5 Analysis dataset, including correcting for a small underestimation of LSAT warming between 1961 and 1990, taking advantage of temporal correlations of observations, taking advantage of correlations between land and open‐sea observations, and better treatment of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Overall, the median estimate of GMST change from the late 19th century to 2023 is 1.548°C, with a 95% confidence interval of [1.449°C, 1.635°C].
Estimation of the Argentinean Vertical Datum Parameter with Respect to the International Height Reference Frame (IHRF)
Authors: Gómez Agustín R. , Tocho Claudia N. , Antokoletz Ezequiel D. , Guagni Hernán J. , Piñón Diego A.
Published: July 2024

One of the current goals of the International Association of Geodesy (IAG) through its Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS) is the unification of the existing local vertical datums towards the realization of the International Height Reference System (IHRS), i.e. the International Height Reference Frame (IHRF). To achieve this goal, one possible solution is to compute the offset between the equipotential surface of the Earth’s gravity field realized by the conventional$$W_0^{\text{IHRF}}$$W0IHRFvalue of the IHRS and the unknown geopotential value of the local vertical datum. This offset is known as vertical datum parameter. In this study, the determination of the vertical datum parameter of the Argentinean National Vertical Reference System 2016 (SRVN16) using two approaches is presented. The first approach is based on the Geodetic Boundary Value Problem (GBVP). The second approach combines geopotential numbers obtained with levelling and gravity with geopotential numbers derived from a quasigeoid model. Both methods require GNSS/Levelling data and a high-precision gravimetric quasigeoid model. The quasigeoid model was computed using the remove-compute-restore technique and applying a Fourier representation of Molodensky’s integral formula. The vertical datum parameter estimation was carried out in a flat area in the Buenos Aires province due to the availability of high-quality gravity observations and benchmarks with GNSS/Levelling-derived height anomalies, all located near the tide gauge station used to define the Argentinean vertical datum. Estimation results with the first and second approach were$$-0.46 \pm 1.78 \text{ m}^2\text{s}^{-2}$$−0.46±1.78m2s−2and$$-0.46 \pm 1.37\ \text{m}^2\text{s}^{-2}$$−0.46±1.37m2s−2, respectively. The vertical datum parameter can be further used to integrate SRVN16 into the IHRF.
Energy Efficiency Optimization of Pumping Stations and Fan Stations
Authors: Yao Fulai , Yao Yaming
Published: July 2024

Many occasions and fields have requirements for transporting liquids and gases, so pumps and fans are widely used in chemical industry, pharmaceuticals, power plants, steel mills, papermaking, oil refining, water conservancy, water supply, drainage and irrigation, sewage, secondary water supply, hospitals, office buildings, shopping malls, hotels, hotels and other occasions. The total electricity consumption of pumps and fans accounts for 30–35% of the world's total electricity consumption.
Commonly Used Energy Parameter Sensors
Authors: Yao Fulai , Yao Yaming
Published: July 2024

From the discussion in Chapter Two, we know that energy-related parameters include: liquid pressure, liquid level, liquid flow, temperature, torque, speed, rotational speed, voltage, current, power, etc. These parameters are measured by sensors, and turned into standard analog signals or digital signals, then output to the energy-saving control system. We will discuss these sensors in this chapter.
Controllers Used in Energy-Saving Control Systems—PLC
Authors: Yao Fulai , Yao Yaming
Published: July 2024

PLC is short for Programmable Logic Controller. At present, PLC has two external forms: integrated (compact) and modular.
A Critical Review of Short Antimicrobial Peptides from Scorpion Venoms, Their Physicochemical Attributes, and Potential for the Development of New Drugs
Authors: Fong-Coronado Pedro Alejandro , Ramirez Verónica , Quintero-Hernández Verónica , Balleza Daniel
Published: July 2024

Scorpion venoms have proven to be excellent sources of antimicrobial agents. However, although many of them have been functionally characterized, they remain underutilized as pharmacological agents, despite their evident therapeutic potential. In this review, we discuss the physicochemical properties of short scorpion venom antimicrobial peptides (ssAMPs). Being generally short (13–25 aa) and amidated, their proven antimicrobial activity is generally explained by parameters such as their net charge, the hydrophobic moment, or the degree of helicity. However, for a complete understanding of their biological activities, also considering the properties of the target membranes is of great relevance. Here, with an extensive analysis of the physicochemical, structural, and thermodynamic parameters associated with these biomolecules, we propose a theoretical framework for the rational design of new antimicrobial drugs. Through a comparison of these physicochemical properties with the bioactivity of ssAMPs in pathogenic bacteria such asStaphylococcus aureusorAcinetobacter baumannii, it is evident that in addition to the net charge, the hydrophobic moment, electrostatic energy, or intrinsic flexibility are determining parameters to understand their performance. Although the correlation between these parameters is very complex, the consensus of our analysis suggests that there is a delicate balance between them and that modifying one affects the rest. Understanding the contribution of lipid composition to their bioactivities is also underestimated, which suggests that for each peptide, there is a physiological context to consider for the rational design of new drugs.

Graphical Abstract
Total bilirubin level is associated with acute kidney injury in neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care units: based on MIMIC-III database
Authors: Zhou Huan
Published: July 2024

Objective

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between total bilirubin and acute kidney injury (AKI) in neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICU).

Methods

All data utilized were extracted from Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-III (MIMIC-III) in this retrospective cohort study. The primary outcome was the occurrence of AKI during hospitalization in the NICU, and the exposure was the initial measurement of total bilirubin levels within 24 h of neonatal admission to the NICU. The relationship between serum total bilirubin and AKI was evaluated by employing univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Additionally, subgroup analyses were conducted based on birth weight, sepsis, and mechanical ventilation.

Results

This retrospective cohort study included a population of 1,726 neonates, and 95 neonates developed AKI. Total bilirubin, as a continuous variable, was linked with decreased AKI risk among neonates admitted to the NICU [odds ratio (OR) = 0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.64–0.92]. Similarly, when total bilirubin levels were categorized by tertiles, tertiles 3 showed a significant association with decreased AKI risk (OR = 0.39, 95%CI: 0.19–0.83). The relationship of total bilirubin level and AKI was also existent among neonates admitted to the NICU who were underweight, had not sepsis, and received mechanical ventilation.

Conclusion

Total bilirubin level may be a protective factor for the risk of developing AKI.
Effect of Coenzyme Q10 on early wound healing after recession coverage surgery with the modified coronally advanced tunnel technique and a connective tissue graft: A 6-month, triple-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial
Authors: Stähli Alexandra , De Ry Siro P. , Roccuzzo Andrea , Imber Jean-Claude , Sculean Anton
Published: July 2024

Objectives

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) or ubiquinone is one of a cell’s most important electron carriers during oxidative phosphorylation and many other cellular processes. As a strong anti-oxidant with further anti-inflammatory effects CoQ10 is of potential therapeutical value. The aim of this randomized controlled clinical trial was to investigate the effect of topical CoQ10 on early wound healing after recession coverage surgery using the modified coronally advanced tunnel (MCAT) and palatal connective tissue graft (CTG).

Materials and methods

Thirty patients with buccal gingival recessions were evaluated after being randomly allocated to: 1) MCAT and CTG with topical application of a coenzyme Q10 spray for 21 days or 2) MCAT and CTG with placebo spray. Wound healing was evaluated by the early wound healing index (EHI). Patient-reported pain was analyzed by a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS) at day 2, 7, 14 and 21 post-surgically. Mean recession coverage, gain of keratinized tissue and esthetic outcomes were assessed at 6 months.

Results

EHI and pain scores showed no significant differences. Time to recovery defined as VAS<10 mm was shorter in the test group. Mean root coverage after 6 months was 84.62 ± 26.57% and 72.19 ± 26.30% for test and placebo, p=0.052. Complete root coverage was obtained in 9 (60%) test and in 2 (13.3%) placebo patients. Increase in keratinized tissue width and esthetical outcomes were similar for both groups.

Conclusion

CoQ10 had no significant effect on early wound healing and on mean root coverage after 6 months.

Clinical relevance

Early wound healing: in young healthy patients with no inflammatory oral conditions topical CoQ10 does not improve early healing.
An initial user model design for adaptive interface development in learning management system based on cognitive load
Authors: Suryani Mira , Sensuse Dana Indra , Santoso Harry Budi , Aji Rizal Fathoni , Hadi Setiawan , Suryono Ryan Randy , Kautsarina
Published: July 2024

The cognitive aspect is crucial in developing interactive and adaptive systems, including learning management systems (LMS). By understanding human cognitive processes, developers can create adaptive systems that are sustainably used by targeted users. Cognitive traits need to be explored to become part of the user model, especially especially to develop an LMS with an adaptive interface based on cognitive load. However, there is limited research exploring the correlation between cognitive load and adaptive interfaces, as well as the visualization of information, within online learning settings, including those specifically within LMS platforms. Additionally, a lack of understanding of cognitive processes renders the use of LMS static and unable to adapt to learners’ abilities. Therefore, information regarding the specific characteristics or model of cognitive load that accurately represent LMS users as triggers for adaptive interfaces needs to be further examined. A total of four experts in the cognitive field were interviewed. The interview process was conducted in a semi-structured manner to obtain information about problems in the use of e-learning, the nature of cognitive, and the process of capturing cognitive load during learning using LMS. By using a soft system methodology, the results from the interviews are mapped into a cognitive load-based LMS user model design. The initial model design includes information on working memory capacity, task performance (time, true/false rate), learning behavior (learner log), physiological (in a lab scale), and self-reporting (Likert scale). This model design is a promising first step towards a more technical process in developing adaptive and interactive systems.
Ensuring People Living with HIV Inform the Future of HIV Treatment in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review and Recommendations for a Community-Led Research Agenda
Authors: Resar Danielle F. , Sapire Rachel , Caldwell Benvy , Jenkins Sarah , Sikwese Kenly , Wambui Jacque , Nzano Brian , Amole Carolyn
Published: July 2024

The HIV treatment landscape in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is rapidly evolving, exemplified by the expansion of differentiated service delivery (DSD) during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Long-acting products represent a new frontier that will require a significant redesign of health systems. It is critical to understand service delivery and product preferences of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and ensure evidence generation is guided by community priorities. We conducted a scoping review to identify gaps among preference studies and inform future research. Peer-reviewed articles published from January 2014-May 2022 reporting acceptability or preference data from PLHIV or caregivers for one or more service delivery or product attribute were eligible. Service delivery studies were restricted to LMIC populations while product studies had no geographical restrictions. Based on gaps identified, we consulted advocates to develop community-led research agenda recommendations. Of 6,493 studies identified, 225 studies on service delivery attributes and 47 studies on product preferences were eligible. The most frequently studied delivery models were integration (n = 59) and technology-based interventions (n = 55). Among product literature, only 15 studies included LMIC populations. Consultation with advocates highlighted the need for research on long-acting products, including among pediatric, pregnant, and breastfeeding PLHIV, PLHIV on second-line regimens, and key populations. Consultation also emphasized the need to understand preferences on clinic visit frequency, side effects, and choice. While the preference literature has expanded, gaps remain around long-acting regimens and their delivery. To fill these gaps, the research agenda must be guided by the priorities of communities of PLHIV.
Off-pump Versus On-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Diabetic patients: A Meta-analysis of Observational Studies with a Propensity-Score Analysis
Authors: Ren Qiushi , Li Gang , Chu Tongxin , Liu Quan , Huang Yang , Liu KaiZheng , Pan Jinyu , Wu Zhongkai
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The debate between off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) and on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (ONCAB) in diabetic patients remains. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate outcomes after OPCAB versus ONCAB for patients with diabetes.

Methods

Literature research was conducted up to December 2023 using Ovid Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Eligible studies were observational studies with a propensity-score analysis of OPCAB versus ONCAB. The primary outcomes were early mortality and mid-term survival. The secondary outcomes were cerebrovascular accidents, reoperation for bleeding, incomplete revascularization, myocardial infarction, low cardiac output, and renal replacement therapy.

Results

Our research identified seven observational studies with a propensity-score analysis enrolling 13,085 patients. There was no significant difference between OPCAB and ONCAB for early mortality, mid-term survival, myocardial infarction, low cardiac output, and renal replacement therapy. OPCAB was associated with a lower risk of cerebrovascular accidents (OR 0.43; 95% CI, 0.24–0.76, P = 0.004) and reoperation for bleeding (OR 0.60; 95% CI, 0.41–0.88, P = 0.009). However, OPCAB was associated with a higher risk of incomplete revascularization (OR 2.07; 95% CI, 1.60–2.68, P < 0.00001).

Conclusion

Among patients with diabetes, no difference in early mortality and mid-term survival was observed. However, OPCAB was associated with a lower incidence of morbidity, including cerebrovascular accidents and reoperation for bleeding.
Disrupting Dehumanizing Norms of the Academy: A Model for Conducting Research in a Collective Space
Authors: Camargo Elsa , Ramos Delma , Bennett Cathryn B. , Talley Destiny Z. , Silva Ricardo G.
Published: July 2024

Academic research and knowledge production are frequently pervaded by elitism (Torres-Olave et al., 2019), epistemic exclusion (Dotson, 2014; Settles et al., 2020), and racialization (Ray, 2019; Thelin, 2019; Wilder, 2013). These discriminatory, exclusionary, and biased systems delegitimize the work of minoritized scholars, stifle innovation, and deter progress toward less violent processes to engage in knowledge production. Literature documenting innovative efforts to advance these commitments is scarce (Creamer, 2004), further underscoring the need and urgency for additional research examining how scholars incorporate and center equitable approaches in knowledge production in the Academy. As such, the central purpose of this qualitative autoethnographic study is to examine our experiences as minoritized scholars who center equity in the U.S. South; a secondary purpose of this work is to document the confluence of place, counterspace creation, and linkages between humanization and scholarly knowledge production. This research revealed our different yet shared negative socialization experiences in the Academy and, centrally, how our research collective diverges from traditionalist and power-imbalanced collaborative research. We foreground how we purposefully elect to humanize our fellow co-researchers, support each other’s learning and growth, and prioritize healing for ourselves as scholars with minoritized identities and transformation of the social inequities that permeate higher education. Based on our findings, we present a conceptual model of our research collective as a counterspace (Ong et al., 2018) to de facto scholarly socialization and dehumanization within the Academy.
Determination of Various Physical–Chemical Properties of bis(2-Methylbutyl) Itaconate and bis(3-Methylbutyl) Itaconate from Bio-Based Resources
Authors: Zapletal Martin , Dlugoš Tomáš , Plachý Marek , Sommer Tomáš , Trejbal Jiří
Published: July 2024

Alternative sources for an industrial production of essential substances represent an exciting field of study for many researchers. Based on the previous research, itaconic acid and its esters were intensively studied as one of the sources. This paper relates to a determination of the basic physical–chemical properties of bis(2-methylbutyl) itaconate and bis(3-methylbutyl) itaconate that are produced from itaconic acid and 2-methylbutan-1-ol and 3-methylbutan-1-ol, respectively, from biomass. According to our best knowledge, physical–chemical properties of these substances, such as density, viscosity, and saturated vapor pressure, are not presented in the literature, and these are important for the future research of their production.
Weakly Compressible Two-Layer Shallow-Water Flows Along Channels
Authors: Shah Sarswati , Hernández-Dueñas Gerardo
Published: July 2024

In this paper, we formulate a model for weakly compressible two-layer shallow water flows with friction in general channels. The formulated model is non-conservative, and in contrast to the incompressible limit, our system is strictly hyperbolic. The generalized Rankine–Hugoniot conditions are provided for the present system with non-conservative products to define weak solutions. We write the Riemann invariants along each characteristic field for channels with constant width in an appendix. A robust well-balanced path-conservative semi-discrete central-upwind scheme is proposed and implemented to validate exact solutions to the Riemann problem. We also present numerical tests in general channels to show the merits of the scheme.
Disaster assessment from social media using multimodal deep learning
Authors: Shetty Nisha P. , Bijalwan Yash , Chaudhari Pranav , Shetty Jayashree , Muniyal Balachandra
Published: July 2024

Real-time global event detection particularly catastrophic events has benefited significantly due to the ubiquitous adoption of social media platforms and advancements in image classification and natural language processing. Social media is a rich repository of multimedia content during disasters, encompassing reports on casualties, infrastructure damage, and information about missing individuals. While previous research has predominantly concentrated on textual or image analysis, the proposed study presents a multimodal middle fusion paradigm that includes Cross-modal attention and Self-attention to improve learning from both image and text modalities. Through rigorous experimentation, we validate the effectiveness of our proposed middle fusion paradigm in leveraging complementary information from both textual and visual sources.The proposed intermediate design outperforms current late and early fusion structures, achieving an accuracy of 91.53% and 91.07% in the informativeness and disaster type recognition categories, respectively. This study is among the few that examine all three tasks in the CrisisMMD dataset by combining textual and image analysis, demonstrating an approximate improvement of about 2% in prediction accuracy compared to similar studies on the same dataset.Additionally, ablation studies indicate that it outperforms the best-selected unimodal classifiers, with a 3-5% increase in prediction accuracies across various tasks. Thus, the method aims to bolster emergency response capabilities by offering more precise insights into evolving events.
Stability and change in maternal wellbeing and illbeing from pregnancy to three years postpartum
Authors: Mayerhofer Lilian , Nes Ragnhild Bang , Yu Baeksan , Ayorech Ziada , Lan Xiaoyu , Ystrom Eivind , Røysamb Espen
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Motherhood affects women’s mental health, encompassing aspects of both wellbeing and illbeing. This study investigated stability and change in wellbeing (i.e., relationship satisfaction and positive affect) and illbeing (i.e., depressive and anxiety symptoms) from pregnancy to three years postpartum. We further investigated the mutual and dynamic relations between these constructs over time and the role of genetic propensities in their time-invariant stability.

Data and methods

This four-wave longitudinal study included 83,124 women from the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) linked to the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. Data were collected during pregnancy (30 weeks) and at 6, 18 and 36 months postpartum. Wellbeing and illbeing were based on the Relationship Satisfaction Scale, the Differential Emotions Scale and Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-8. Genetics were measured by the wellbeing spectrum polygenic index. Analyses were based on random intercept cross-lagged panel models using R.

Results

All four outcomes showed high stability and were mutually interconnected over time, with abundant cross-lagged predictions. The period of greatest instability was from pregnancy to 6 months postpartum, followed by increasing stability. Prenatal relationship satisfaction played a crucial role in maternal mental health postpartum. Women’s genetic propensity to wellbeing contributed to time-invariant stability of all four constructs.

Conclusion

Understanding the mutual relationship between different aspects of wellbeing and illbeing allows for identifying potential targets for health promotion interventions. Time-invariant stability was partially explained by genetics. Maternal wellbeing and illbeing develop in an interdependent way from pregnancy to 36 months postpartum.
Pragma-dialectics and the problem of agreement
Authors: Aikin Scott F. , Casey John
Published: July 2024

Pragma-Dialectics (PD) is an approach to argumentation that can be described as disagreement-centric. On PD, disagreement is the condition which defines argument, it is the practical problem to be solved by it, and disagreement’s management is the ultimate source of argument’s normativity. On PD, arguing in the context of agreement is taken to be “incorrect” and arguments where agreement already reigns are “pointless.” Even the PD account of fallacies is disagreement-centered: a fallacy is something that impedes resolution of a dispute. We argue here that the disagreement-focus of PD yields procedural errors of application in cases of arguments given explicitly for agreement-management, that there are explanations of fallacies better understood as agreement-focused (straw man and ad hominem in particular), and that there are unique meta-argumentative errors emergent in instances of agreement.
Can Siphon Hole Morphometrics Be Used for Population Assessments of Intertidal Soft-Shell Clams, Mya arenaria?
Authors: Clements Jeff C. , Harrison Sarah , Hunt Jillian , Brennan Isabelle , Hunt Heather L. , Sonier Rémi
Published: July 2024

Measuring infaunal population dynamics relies on destructive sampling that disturbs sediments and removes animals from their habitat. Establishing effective, non-invasive sampling methods for monitoring infaunal populations can reduce the impact of scientific sampling and facilitate efficient population assessments. Using intertidal soft-shell clams (Mya arenaria L.) in eastern Canada, we explored whether population density and size structure could be estimated from visible siphon holes. Across four sites with varying sediment characteristics and infaunal species assemblages, we predicted the presence of M. arenaria with 78–100% accuracy by visually assessing siphon holes. Smaller holes (< 7.5 mm) were more likely to be misidentified. Siphon hole count was a strong predictor of actual clam count and biomass at most sites, except the site with wet muddy sediment and high densities of other infaunal species. Siphon hole length was positively related to clam shell length and wet weight at all sites; however, relationships typically had low R2 values (< 0.35). Ultimately, visual assessments of intertidal siphon holes can be effective for estimating M. arenaria densities and size structure in some habitats. Testing the application of this method to other habitats and species is warranted.
Structural superlubricity at homogenous interface of penta-graphene
Authors: Zhang Xinqi , Fan Jiayi , Cui Zichun , Cao Tengfei , Shi Junqin , Zhou Feng , Liu Weimin , Fan Xiaoli
Published: July 2024

Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals layered materials have been widely used as lubricant. Penta-graphene (PG), a 2D carbon allotrope exclusively composed of irregular carbon pentagons has recently been predicted to have superlubricating property. In the present study, by combining the molecular dynamics simulation and first-principles calculations, we investigated the frictional property of PG in both commensurate and incommensurate contacts. Our calculations show the ultra-low friction at the interface of relatively rotated bilayer PG with twist angles of more than 10° away from the commensurate configuration. Meanwhile, our calculations demonstrate the isotropy of the ultra-low friction at the interface of incommensurate contact, in contrast to the anisotropic of the commensurate contacting interface. Additionally, the evolution of friction force and the fluctuation of potential energy along sliding path correlate closely with the interface’s structure. The energetics and charge density explain the difference between the friction at the interfaces of the commensurate and incommensurate contacts. Not only that, we found the correlation between the intrinsic structural feature and interlayer binding energy. Importantly, our findings on the retainment of the ultra-low friction under work conditions indicates that the superlubricating state of PG has good practical adaptability.
The Archaeology of Southern Africa
Authors: Mitchell Peter
Published: July 2024

Some of humanity's earliest ancestors lived in southern Africa and evidence from sites there has inspired key debates on human origins and the emergence of complex cognition. Building on its rich rock art heritage, archaeologists have developed theoretical work that continues to influence rock art studies worldwide, with the relationship between archaeological and anthropological data central to understanding past hunter-gatherer, pastoralist, and farmer communities alike. New work on pre-colonial states contests models that previously explained their emergence via external trade, while the transformations wrought by European colonialism are being rewritten to emphasise Indigenous agency, feeding into efforts to decolonise the discipline itself. Inhabited by humans longer than almost anywhere else and with an unusually varied, complex past, southern Africa thus has much to contribute to archaeology worldwide. In this revised and updated edition, Peter Mitchell provides a comprehensive and extensively illustrated synthesis of its archaeology over more than three million years.
Competing Influences of Earthward Convection and Azimuthal Drift Loss on the Pitch Angle Distribution of Energetic Electrons
Authors: Yuan H. C. , Li L. Y. , Yang L. , Cao J. B.
Published: July 2024

Utilizing the multi‐point observations by Van Allen Probe A, GOES 13 and 15, we analyzed the competing influences of earthward convection and azimuthal drift loss on the pitch angle distributions of energetic electrons during the simultaneous increases in solar wind flow velocity and pressure. The increase in solar wind speed amplifies the dawn‐dusk convection electric field and causes the earthward transport of energetic electrons, and meanwhile the enhancement of solar wind dynamic pressure causes the inward displacement of dayside magnetopause and triggers the azimuthal drift loss of energetic electrons. The earthward convection of low‐energy electrons (<60 keV) is much faster than their azimuthal drift loss at most pitch angles, and the fast earthward convections make the butterfly‐like electron pitch angle distributions formed early become pancake‐like distributions. The 60–530 keV electrons maintain the butterfly‐like pitch angle distributions during the earthward convections, whereas the high‐energy electrons above 530 keV are not transported to the low‐L shells because of fast drift loss in the high‐L source region. The competition between the earthward convection and the azimuthal drift loss finally determines the pitch angle distributions of energetic electrons near the trapping boundary during the increases in solar wind flow speed and pressure.
Dexmedetomidine and argon in combination against ferroptosis through tackling TXNIP-mediated oxidative stress in DCD porcine livers
Authors: Chen Qian , Sun Jiashi , Liu Xiangfeng , Qin Zhigang , Li Jieyu , Ma Jianbo , Xue Zhengwei , Li Yirong , Yang Ziheng , Sun Qizhe , Wu Lingzhi , Chang Enqiang , Zhao Hailin , Zhang Yiwen , Gu Jianteng , Ma Daqing
Published: July 2024

Graft availability from donation after circulatory death (DCD) is significantly limited by ischaemia reperfusion (IR) injury. Effective strategies to mitigate IR injury in DCD grafts are essential to improve graft quality and expand the donor pool. In this study, liver grafts from DCD pigs were preserved in the University of Wisconsin (UW) solution saturated with 0.1 nM dexmedetomidine (Dex) and various concentrations of noble gases Argon (Ar) and/or Xenon (Xe) at 4 °C for 24 or 72 h. The combined 50% Ar and Dex provided maximum protection to liver grafts by reducing morphological damage, apoptosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, hepatocyte glycogen depletion, reticulin framework collapse, iron deposition, and oxidative stress. In vitro, human liver Hep G2 cells were preserved in the UW solution saturated with 0.1 nM Dex and 50% Ar in combination at 4 °C for 24 h, followed by recovery in medium at 37 °C for up to 48 h to mimic clinical IR injury. This treatment significantly increased the expression of anti-oxidative stress proteins by promoting the translocation of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) to mitochondria, thereby inhibiting ferroptosis, increasing plasma membrane integrity, and maintaining cell viability.In summary, The combination of 0.1 nM Dex and 50% Ar may be a promising strategy to reduce ferroptosis and other form cell death, and preserve liver grafts.
Precision arbovirus serology with a pan-arbovirus peptidome
Authors: Morgenlander William R. , Chia Wan Ni , Parra Beatriz , Monaco Daniel R. , Ragan Izabela , Pardo Carlos A. , Bowen Richard , Zhong Diana , Norris Douglas E. , Ruczinski Ingo , Durbin Anna , Wang Lin-Fa , Larman H. Benjamin , Robinson Matthew L.
Published: July 2024

Arthropod-borne viruses represent a crucial public health threat. Current arboviral serology assays are either labor intensive or incapable of distinguishing closely related viruses, and many zoonotic arboviruses that may transition to humans lack any serologic assays. In this study, we present a programmable phage display platform, ArboScan, that evaluates antibody binding to overlapping peptides that represent the proteomes of 691 human and zoonotic arboviruses. We confirm that ArboScan provides detailed antibody binding information from animal sera, human sera, and an arthropod blood meal. ArboScan identifies distinguishing features of antibody responses based on exposure history in a Colombian cohort of Zika patients. Finally, ArboScan details epitope level information that rapidly identifies candidate epitopes with potential protective significance. ArboScan thus represents a resource for characterizing human and animal arbovirus antibody responses at cohort scale.
High throughput platform technology for rapid target identification in personalized phage therapy
Authors: Bayat Fereshteh , Hilal Arwa , Thirugnanasampanthar Mathura , Tremblay Denise , Filipe Carlos D. M. , Moineau Sylvain , Didar Tohid F. , Hosseinidoust Zeinab
Published: July 2024

As bacteriophages continue to gain regulatory approval for personalized human therapy against antibiotic-resistant infections, there is a need for transformative technologies for rapid target identification through multiple, large, decentralized therapeutic phages biobanks. Here, we design a high throughput phage screening platform comprised of a portable library of individual shelf-stable, ready-to-use phages, in all-inclusive solid tablets. Each tablet encapsulates one phage along with luciferin and luciferase enzyme stabilized in a sugar matrix comprised of pullulan and trehalose capable of directly detecting phage-mediated adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release through ATP bioluminescence reaction upon bacterial cell burst. The tablet composition also enhances desiccation tolerance of all components, which should allow easier and cheaper international transportation of phages and as a result, increased accessibility to therapeutic phages. We demonstrate high throughput screening by identifying target phages for select multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus with targets identified within 30-120 min.
‘Rewritable’ and ‘liquid-specific’ recognizable wettability pattern
Authors: Dhar Manideepa , Sarkar Debasmita , Das Avijit , Rahaman S. K. Asif , Ghosh Dibyendu , Manna Uttam
Published: July 2024

Bio-inspired surfaces with wettability patterns display a unique ability for liquid manipulations. Sacrificing anti-wetting property for confining liquids irrespective of their surface tension (γLV), remains a widely accepted basis for developing wettability patterns. In contrast, we introduce a ‘liquid-specific’ wettability pattern through selectively sacrificing the slippery property against only low γLV (<30 mN m−1) liquids. This design includes a chemically reactive crystalline network of phase-transitioning polymer, which displays an effortless sliding of both low and high γLV liquids. Upon its strategic chemical modification, droplets of low γLV liquids fail to slide, rather spill arbitrarily on the tilted interface. In contrast, droplets of high γLV liquids continue to slide on the same modified interface. Interestingly, the phase–transition driven rearrangement of crystalline network allows to revert the slippery property against low γLV liquids. Here, we report a ‘rewritable’ and ‘liquid-specific’ wettability pattern for high throughput screening, separating, and remoulding non-aqueous liquids.
Turn-on protein switches for controlling actin binding in cells
Authors: Effiong Unyime M. , Khairandish Hannah , Ramirez-Velez Isabela , Wang Yanran , Belardi Brian
Published: July 2024

Within a shared cytoplasm, filamentous actin (F-actin) plays numerous and critical roles across the cell body. Cells rely on actin-binding proteins (ABPs) to organize F-actin and to integrate its polymeric characteristics into diverse cellular processes. Yet, the multitude of ABPs that engage with and shape F-actin make studying a single ABP’s influence on cellular activities a significant challenge. Moreover, without a means of manipulating actin-binding subcellularly, harnessing the F-actin cytoskeleton for synthetic biology purposes remains elusive. Here, we describe a suite of designed proteins, Controllable Actin-binding Switch Tools (CASTs), whose actin-binding behavior can be controlled with external stimuli. CASTs were developed that respond to different external inputs, providing options for turn-on kinetics and enabling orthogonality and multiplexing. Being genetically encoded, we show that CASTs can be inserted into native protein sequences to control F-actin association locally and engineered into structures to control cell and tissue shape and behavior.
Patritumab deruxtecan in HER2-negative breast cancer: part B results of the window-of-opportunity SOLTI-1805 TOT-HER3 trial and biological determinants of early response
Authors: Brasó-Maristany Fara , Ferrero-Cafiero Juan Manuel , Falato Claudette , Martínez-Sáez Olga , Cejalvo Juan Miguel , Margelí Mireia , Tolosa Pablo , Salvador-Bofill Francisco Javier , Cruz Josefina , González-Farré Blanca , Sanfeliu Esther , Òdena Andreu , Serra Violeta , Pardo Francisco , Luna Barrera Ana María , Arumi Miriam , Guerra Juan Antonio , Villacampa Guillermo , Sánchez-Bayona Rodrigo , Ciruelos Eva , Espinosa-Bravo Martín , Izarzugaza Yann , Galván Patricia , Matito Judith , Pernas Sonia , Vidal Maria , Santhanagopal Anu , Sellami Dalila , Esker Stephen , Fan Pang-Dian , Suto Fumitaka , Vivancos Ana , Pascual Tomás , Prat Aleix , Oliveira Mafalda
Published: July 2024

Patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd) exhibits promising efficacy in breast cancer, with its activity not directly correlated to baseline ERBB3/HER3 levels. This research investigates the genetic factors affecting HER3-DXd’s response in women with early-stage hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative (HR+/HER2-) breast cancer. In the SOLTI-1805 TOT-HER3 trial, a single HER3-DXd dose was administered to 98 patients across two parts: 78 patients received 6.4 mg/kg (Part A), and 44 received a lower 5.6 mg/kg dose (Part B). The CelTIL score, measuring tumor cellularity and infiltrating lymphocytes from baseline to day 21, was used to assess drug activity. Part A demonstrated increased CelTIL score after one dose of HER3-DXd. Here we report CelTIL score and safety for Part B. In addition, the exploratory analyses of part A involve a comprehensive study of gene expression, somatic mutations, copy-number segments, and DNA-based subtypes, while Part B focuses on validating gene expression. RNA analyses show significant correlations between CelTIL responses, high proliferation genes (e.g., CCNE1, MKI67), and low expression of luminal genes (e.g., NAT1, SLC39A6). DNA findings indicate that CelTIL response is significantly associated with TP53 mutations, proliferation, non-luminal signatures, and a distinct DNA-based subtype (DNADX cluster-3). Critically, low HER2DX ERBB2 mRNA, correlates with increased HER3-DXd activity, which is validated through in vivo patient-derived xenograft  models. This study proposes chemosensitivity determinants, DNA-based subtype classification, and low ERBB2 expression as potential markers for HER3-DXd activity in HER2-negative breast cancer.
Direct presentation of inflammation-associated self-antigens by thymic innate-like T cells induces elimination of autoreactive CD8+ thymocytes
Authors: You Yuanyuan , Dunst Josefine , Ye Kewei , Sandoz Patrick A. , Reinhardt Annika , Sandrock Inga , Comet Natalia R. , Sarkar Rupak Dey , Yang Emily , Duprez Estelle , Agudo Judith , Brown Brian D. , Utz Paul J. , Kastenmüller Wolfgang , Gerlach Carmen , Prinz Immo , Önfelt Björn , Kreslavsky Taras
Published: July 2024

Upregulation of diverse self-antigens that constitute components of the inflammatory response overlaps spatially and temporally with the emergence of pathogen-derived foreign antigens. Therefore, discrimination between these inflammation-associated self-antigens and pathogen-derived molecules represents a unique challenge for the adaptive immune system. Here, we demonstrate that CD8+ T cell tolerance to T cell-derived inflammation-associated self-antigens is efficiently induced in the thymus and supported by redundancy in cell types expressing these molecules. In addition to thymic epithelial cells, this included thymic eosinophils and innate-like T cells, a population that expressed molecules characteristic for all major activated T cell subsets. We show that direct T cell-to-T cell antigen presentation by minute numbers of innate-like T cells was sufficient to eliminate autoreactive CD8+ thymocytes. Tolerance to such effector molecules was of critical importance, as its breach caused by decreased thymic abundance of a single model inflammation-associated self-antigen resulted in autoimmune elimination of an entire class of effector T cells.
Lipidome changes due to improved dietary fat quality inform cardiometabolic risk reduction and precision nutrition
Authors: Eichelmann Fabian , Prada Marcela , Sellem Laury , Jackson Kim G. , Salas Salvadó Jordi , Razquin Burillo Cristina , Estruch Ramon , Friedén Michael , Rosqvist Frederik , Risérus Ulf , Rexrode Kathryn M. , Guasch-Ferré Marta , Sun Qi , Willett Walter C. , Martinez-Gonzalez Miguel Angel , Lovegrove Julie A. , Hu Frank B. , Schulze Matthias B. , Wittenbecher Clemens
Published: July 2024

Current cardiometabolic disease prevention guidelines recommend increasing dietary unsaturated fat intake while reducing saturated fats. Here we use lipidomics data from a randomized controlled dietary intervention trial to construct a multilipid score (MLS), summarizing the effects of replacing saturated fat with unsaturated fat on 45 lipid metabolite concentrations. In the EPIC-Potsdam cohort, a difference in the MLS, reflecting better dietary fat quality, was associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of cardiovascular disease (−32%; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): −21% to −42%) and type 2 diabetes (−26%; 95% CI: −15% to −35%). We built a closely correlated simplified score, reduced MLS (rMLS), and observed that beneficial rMLS changes, suggesting improved dietary fat quality over 10 years, were associated with lower diabetes risk (odds ratio per standard deviation of 0.76; 95% CI: 0.59 to 0.98) in the Nurses’ Health Study. Furthermore, in the PREDIMED trial, an olive oil-rich Mediterranean diet intervention primarily reduced diabetes incidence among participants with unfavorable preintervention rMLS levels, suggestive of disturbed lipid metabolism before intervention. Our findings indicate that the effects of dietary fat quality on the lipidome can contribute to a more precise understanding and possible prediction of the health outcomes of specific dietary fat modifications.
Unfolding the downloads of datasets: A multifaceted exploration of influencing factors
Authors: Liu Zhifeng , Luo Pengcheng , Tang Xinglong , Wang Jimin , Nie Lei
Published: July 2024

Scientific data are essential to advancing scientific knowledge and are increasingly valued as scholarly output. Understanding what drives dataset downloads is crucial for their effective dissemination and reuse. Our study, analysing 55,473 datasets from 69 data repositories, identifies key factors driving dataset downloads, focusing on interpretability, reliability, and accessibility. We find that while lengthy descriptive texts can deter users due to complexity and time requirements, readability boosts a dataset’s appeal. Reliability, evidenced by factors like institutional reputation and citation counts of related papers, also significantly increases a dataset’s attractiveness and usage. Additionally, our research shows that open access to datasets increases their downloads and amplifies the importance of interpretability and reliability. This indicates that easy access enhances the overall attractiveness and usage of datasets in the scholarly community. By emphasizing interpretability, reliability, and accessibility, this study offers a comprehensive framework for future research and guides data management practices toward ensuring clarity, credibility, and open access to maximize the impact of scientific datasets.