bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
L'ORIZZONTE DELLA COOPERAZIONE. LA CONTROVERSIA SUI VANTAGGI RELATIVI NELLE RELAZIONI INTERNAZIONALI
Authors: Andreatta Filippo , Koenig-Archibugi Mathias
Published: January 2021

Introduzione

Gli studiosi di politica internazionale evocano spesso l'immagine dello «Stato di natura» per descrivere sinteticamente i rapporti tra gli Statio Per i pili pessimisti, descrivere i rapporti internazionali in questo modo equivale a postulare uno stato di guerra permanente, attuale o potenziale. Thomas Hobbes, che pose l'idea dello stato di natura tra le basi della sua dottrina dell' autorita politica, riconosceva che esso probabilmente non era altro che un'utile costruzione euristica se riferito ai rapporti tra singoli individui, rna ne difendeva il carattere di descrizione realistica se applicato ai rapporti tra i sovrani del suo tempo e non solo. Per Hobbes, anche se «non vi e mai stata un'epoca nella quale ogni uomo era in guerra contro un altro uomo», i re e gli altri sovrani, a causa della loro indipendenza, permanentemente «si trovano nella posizione di gladiatori, con Ie armi puntate, con i loro forti, Ie loro guarnigioni ed i loro fucili alle frontiere: la quale e una posizione guerresca» (Hobbes [1651] 1911, XIII, 103).
L'EREDITà DI HERBERT SIMON: TRA PSICOLOGIA COGNITIVA E SCIENZA POLITICA
Authors: Campus Donatella
Published: January 2021

Introduzione

Di Herbert Simon, scomparso nel febbraio scorso all'età di ottantaquattro anni, si può certamente dire che ha lasciato un segno tangibile in tutte le discipline di cui si è occupato nel corso della sua lunga e particolarmente versatile carriera scientifica. Anzi, seguendo l'esempio di Goodin (1999, 60), si dovrebbe forse parlare di diverse carriere parallele, di volta in volta teorico delle organizzazioni e scienziato politico, psicologo cognitivo, metodologo e filosofo della scienza, economista e studioso di intelligenza artificiale. Lo scopo di questa nota è, in particolare, esaminare il contributo di Simon a quella che egli stesso ha definito la sua «tribù di appartenenza», cioè la scienza politica. Più precisamente, il mio proposito è, da un lato, quello di analizzare l'apporto innovativo dato da Simon allo sviluppo della scienza politica; dall'altro, quello di ricostruire come le sue idee siano state recepite e sviluppate all'interno dei vari ambiti disciplinari.
Can we predict and prevent the postthrombotic syndrome?
Authors: Urbanek Tomasz , Labropoulos Nicos
Published: January 2021

Summary: Postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) remains one of the major late complications of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with a reported prevalence from 10 to 50%. Many factors were found to be related with the development and severity of PTS such as ipsilateral recurrent DVT, advanced age, obesity, ilio-femoral DVT and primary chronic venous disease presence. Some PTS prediction models have been proposed based on risk factor weight. However, it is still difficult to predict which patient with DVT will develop PTS and thus, the clinical application of these models remains limited. Among the identified problems the heterogeneity of the DVT patient population together with the variety of PTS clinical presentations and difficulties concerning PTS severity assessment should be mentioned. Difficulties on the implementation of the specific and objective PTS identification method have also the significant influence on the research focusing on PTS prevention modalities including risk factor modification, compression treatment, anticoagulation and invasive DVT treatment. In this review, the current approach and knowledge on PTS prediction and prevention are presented, including the conservative and invasive DVT treatment possibilities.
Homer1 promotes dendritic spine growth through ankyrin-G and its loss reshapes the synaptic proteome
Authors: Yoon Sehyoun , Piguel Nicolas H. , Khalatyan Natalia , Dionisio Leonardo E. , Savas Jeffrey N. , Penzes Peter
Published: January 2021

Homer1 is a synaptic scaffold protein that regulates glutamatergic synapses and spine morphogenesis. HOMER1 knockout (KO) mice show behavioral abnormalities related to psychiatric disorders, and HOMER1 has been associated with psychiatric disorders such as addiction, autism disorder (ASD), schizophrenia (SZ), and depression. However, the mechanisms by which it promotes spine stability and its global function in maintaining the synaptic proteome has not yet been fully investigated. Here, we used computational approaches to identify global functions for proteins containing the Homer1-interacting PPXXF motif within the postsynaptic compartment. Ankyrin-G was one of the most topologically important nodes in the postsynaptic peripheral membrane subnetwork, and we show that one of the PPXXF motifs, present in the postsynaptically-enriched 190 kDa isoform of ankyrin-G (ankyrin-G 190), is recognized by the EVH1 domain of Homer1. We use proximity ligation combined with super-resolution microscopy to map the interaction of ankyrin-G and Homer1 to distinct nanodomains within the spine head and correlate them with spine head size. This interaction motif is critical for ankyrin-G 190’s ability to increase spine head size, and for the maintenance of a stable ankyrin-G pool in spines. Intriguingly, lack of Homer1 significantly upregulated the abundance of ankyrin-G, but downregulated Shank3 in cortical crude plasma membrane fractions. In addition, proteomic analysis of the cortex in HOMER1 KO and wild-type (WT) mice revealed a global reshaping of the postsynaptic proteome, surprisingly characterized by extensive upregulation of synaptic proteins. Taken together, we show that Homer1 and its protein interaction motif have broad global functions within synaptic protein-protein interaction networks. Enrichment of disease risk factors within these networks has important implications for neurodevelopmental disorders including bipolar disorder, ASD, and SZ.
Robust and efficient hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds catalysed by mixed donor Mn(I) pincer complexes
Authors: Yang Wenjun , Chernyshov Ivan Yu. , van Schendel Robin K. A. , Weber Manuela , Müller Christian , Filonenko Georgy A. , Pidko Evgeny A.
Published: January 2021

Any catalyst should be efficient and stable to be implemented in practice. This requirement is particularly valid for manganese hydrogenation catalysts. While representing a more sustainable alternative to conventional noble metal-based systems, manganese hydrogenation catalysts are prone to degrade under catalytic conditions once operation temperatures are high. Herein, we report a highly efficient Mn(I)-CNP pre-catalyst which gives rise to the excellent productivity (TOF° up to 41 000 h−1) and stability (TON up to 200 000) in hydrogenation catalysis. This system enables near-quantitative hydrogenation of ketones, imines, aldehydes and formate esters at the catalyst loadings as low as 5–200 p.p.m. Our analysis points to the crucial role of the catalyst activation step for the catalytic performance and stability of the system. While conventional activation employing alkoxide bases can ultimately provide catalytically competent species under hydrogen atmosphere, activation of Mn(I) pre-catalyst with hydride donor promoters, e.g. KHBEt3, dramatically improves catalytic performance of the system and eliminates induction times associated with slow catalyst activation.
A framework to predict the price of energy for the end-users with applications to monetary and energy policies
Authors: Baratsas Stefanos G. , Niziolek Alexander M. , Onel Onur , Matthews Logan R. , Floudas Christodoulos A. , Hallermann Detlef R. , Sorescu Sorin M. , Pistikopoulos Efstratios N.
Published: January 2021

Energy affects every single individual and entity in the world. Therefore, it is crucial to precisely quantify the “price of energy” and study how it evolves through time, through major political and social events, and through changes in energy and monetary policies. Here, we develop a predictive framework, an index to calculate the average price of energy in the United States. The complex energy landscape is thoroughly analysed to accurately determine the two key factors of this framework: the total demand of the energy products directed to the end-use sectors, and the corresponding price of each product. A rolling horizon predictive methodology is introduced to estimate future energy demands, with excellent predictive capability, shown over a period of 174 months. The effectiveness of the framework is demonstrated by addressing two policy questions of significant public interest.
A tied Fermi liquid to Luttinger liquid model for nonlinear transport in conducting polymers
Authors: Wang Jiawei , Niu Jiebin , Shao Bin , Yang Guanhua , Lu Congyan , Li Mengmeng , Zhou Zheng , Chuai Xichen , Chen Jiezhi , Lu Nianduan , Huang Bing , Wang Yeliang , Li Ling , Liu Ming
Published: January 2021

Organic conjugated polymers demonstrate great potential in transistors, solar cells and light-emitting diodes, whose performances are fundamentally governed by charge transport. However, the morphology–property relationships and the underpinning charge transport mechanisms remain unclear. Particularly, whether the nonlinear charge transport in conducting polymers is appropriately formulated within non-Fermi liquids is not clear. In this work, via varying crystalline degrees of samples, we carry out systematic investigations on the charge transport nonlinearity in conducting polymers. Possible charge carriers’ dimensionality is discussed when varying the molecular chain’s crystalline orders. A heterogeneous-resistive-network (HRN) model is proposed based on the tied-link between Fermi liquids (FL) and Luttinger liquids (LL), related to the high-ordered crystalline zones and weak-coupled amorphous regions, respectively. The HRN model is supported by precise electrical and microstructural characterizations, together with theoretic evaluations, which well describes the nonlinear transport behaviors and provides new insights into the microstructure-correlated charge transport in organic solids.
Direct printing of functional 3D objects using polymerization-induced phase separation
Authors: Deore Bhavana , Sampson Kathleen L. , Lacelle Thomas , Kredentser Nathan , Lefebvre Jacques , Young Luke Steven , Hyland Joseph , Amaya Rony E. , Tanha Jamshid , Malenfant Patrick R. L. , de Haan Hendrick W. , Paquet Chantal
Published: January 2021

3D printing has enabled materials, geometries and functional properties to be combined in unique ways otherwise unattainable via traditional manufacturing techniques, yet its adoption as a mainstream manufacturing platform for functional objects is hindered by the physical challenges in printing multiple materials. Vat polymerization offers a polymer chemistry-based approach to generating smart objects, in which phase separation is used to control the spatial positioning of materials and thus at once, achieve desirable morphological and functional properties of final 3D printed objects. This study demonstrates how the spatial distribution of different material phases can be modulated by controlling the kinetics of gelation, cross-linking density and material diffusivity through the judicious selection of photoresin components. A continuum of morphologies, ranging from functional coatings, gradients and composites are generated, enabling the fabrication of 3D piezoresistive sensors, 5G antennas and antimicrobial objects and thus illustrating a promising way forward in the integration of dissimilar materials in 3D printing of smart or functional parts.
Steroid hormones sulfatase inactivation extends lifespan and ameliorates age-related diseases
Authors: Pérez-Jiménez Mercedes M. , Monje-Moreno José M. , Brokate-Llanos Ana María , Venegas-Calerón Mónica , Sánchez-García Alicia , Sansigre Paula , Valladares Amador , Esteban-García Sara , Suárez-Pereira Irene , Vitorica Javier , Ríos José Julián , Artal-Sanz Marta , Carrión Ángel M. , Muñoz Manuel J.
Published: January 2021

Aging and fertility are two interconnected processes. From invertebrates to mammals, absence of the germline increases longevity. Here we show that loss of function of sul-2, the Caenorhabditis elegans steroid sulfatase (STS), raises the pool of sulfated steroid hormones, increases longevity and ameliorates protein aggregation diseases. This increased longevity requires factors involved in germline-mediated longevity (daf-16, daf-12, kri-1, tcer-1 and daf-36 genes) although sul-2 mutations do not affect fertility. Interestingly, sul-2 is only expressed in sensory neurons, suggesting a regulation of sulfated hormones state by environmental cues. Treatment with the specific STS inhibitor STX64, as well as with testosterone-derived sulfated hormones reproduces the longevity phenotype of sul-2 mutants. Remarkably, those treatments ameliorate protein aggregation diseases in C. elegans, and STX64 also Alzheimer’s disease in a mammalian model. These results open the possibility of reallocating steroid sulfatase inhibitors or derivates for the treatment of aging and aging related diseases.
Humanizing the yeast origin recognition complex
Authors: Lee Clare S. K. , Cheung Ming Fung , Li Jinsen , Zhao Yongqian , Lam Wai Hei , Ho Vincy , Rohs Remo , Zhai Yuanliang , Leung Danny , Tye Bik-Kwoon
Published: January 2021

The Origin Recognition Complex (ORC) is an evolutionarily conserved six-subunit protein complex that binds specific sites at many locations to coordinately replicate the entire eukaryote genome. Though highly conserved in structure, ORC’s selectivity for replication origins has diverged tremendously between yeasts and humans to adapt to vastly different life cycles. In this work, we demonstrate that the selectivity determinant of ORC for DNA binding lies in a 19-amino acid insertion helix in the Orc4 subunit, which is present in yeast but absent in human. Removal of this motif from Orc4 transforms the yeast ORC, which selects origins based on base-specific binding at defined locations, into one whose selectivity is dictated by chromatin landscape and afforded with plasticity, as reported for human. Notably, the altered yeast ORC has acquired an affinity for regions near transcriptional start sites (TSSs), which the human ORC also favors.
π-phase modulated monolayer supercritical lens
Authors: Qin Fei , Liu Boqing , Zhu Linwei , Lei Jian , Fang Wei , Hu Dejiao , Zhu Yi , Ma Wendi , Wang Bowen , Shi Tan , Cao Yaoyu , Guan Bai-ou , Qiu Cheng-wei , Lu Yuerui , Li Xiangping
Published: January 2021

The emerging monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides have provided an unprecedented material platform for miniaturized opto-electronic devices with integrated functionalities. Although excitonic light–matter interactions associated with their direct bandgaps have received tremendous research efforts, wavefront engineering is less appreciated due to the suppressed phase accumulation effects resulting from the vanishingly small thicknesses. By introducing loss-assisted singular phase behaviour near the critical coupling point, we demonstrate that integration of monolayer MoS2 on a planar ZnO/Si substrate, approaching the physical thickness limit of the material, enables a π phase jump. Moreover, highly dispersive extinctions of MoS2 further empowers broadband phase regulation and enables binary phase-modulated supercritical lenses manifesting constant sub-diffraction-limited focal spots of 0.7 Airy units (AU) from the blue to yellow wavelength range. Our demonstrations downscaling optical elements to atomic thicknesses open new routes for ultra-compact opto-electronic systems harnessing two-dimensional semiconductor platforms with integrated functionalities.
Order and stochasticity in the folding of individual Drosophila genomes
Authors: Ulianov Sergey V. , Zakharova Vlada V. , Galitsyna Aleksandra A. , Kos Pavel I. , Polovnikov Kirill E. , Flyamer Ilya M. , Mikhaleva Elena A. , Khrameeva Ekaterina E. , Germini Diego , Logacheva Mariya D. , Gavrilov Alexey A. , Gorsky Alexander S. , Nechaev Sergey K. , Gelfand Mikhail S. , Vassetzky Yegor S. , Chertovich Alexander V. , Shevelyov Yuri Y. , Razin Sergey V.
Published: January 2021

Mammalian and Drosophila genomes are partitioned into topologically associating domains (TADs). Although this partitioning has been reported to be functionally relevant, it is unclear whether TADs represent true physical units located at the same genomic positions in each cell nucleus or emerge as an average of numerous alternative chromatin folding patterns in a cell population. Here, we use a single-nucleus Hi-C technique to construct high-resolution Hi-C maps in individual Drosophila genomes. These maps demonstrate chromatin compartmentalization at the megabase scale and partitioning of the genome into non-hierarchical TADs at the scale of 100 kb, which closely resembles the TAD profile in the bulk in situ Hi-C data. Over 40% of TAD boundaries are conserved between individual nuclei and possess a high level of active epigenetic marks. Polymer simulations demonstrate that chromatin folding is best described by the random walk model within TADs and is most suitably approximated by a crumpled globule build of Gaussian blobs at longer distances. We observe prominent cell-to-cell variability in the long-range contacts between either active genome loci or between Polycomb-bound regions, suggesting an important contribution of stochastic processes to the formation of the Drosophila 3D genome.
Controlling hot electron flux and catalytic selectivity with nanoscale metal-oxide interfaces
Authors: Lee Si Woo , Kim Jong Min , Park Woonghyeon , Lee Hyosun , Lee Gyu Rac , Jung Yousung , Jung Yeon Sik , Park Jeong Young
Published: January 2021

Interaction between metal and oxides is an important molecular-level factor that influences the selectivity of a desirable reaction. Therefore, designing a heterogeneous catalyst where metal-oxide interfaces are well-formed is important for understanding selectivity and surface electronic excitation at the interface. Here, we utilized a nanoscale catalytic Schottky diode from Pt nanowire arrays on TiO2 that forms a nanoscale Pt-TiO2 interface to determine the influence of the metal-oxide interface on catalytic selectivity, thereby affecting hot electron excitation; this demonstrated the real-time detection of hot electron flow generated under an exothermic methanol oxidation reaction. The selectivity to methyl formate and hot electron generation was obtained on nanoscale Pt nanowires/TiO2, which exhibited ~2 times higher partial oxidation selectivity and ~3 times higher chemicurrent yield compared to a diode based on Pt film. By utilizing various Pt/TiO2 nanostructures, we found that the ratio of interface to metal sites significantly affects the selectivity, thereby enhancing chemicurrent yield in methanol oxidation. Density function theory (DFT) calculations show that formation of the Pt-TiO2 interface showed that selectivity to methyl formate formation was much larger in Pt nanowire arrays than in Pt films because of the different reaction mechanism.
Neuromorphic van der Waals crystals for substantial energy generation
Authors: Kim Sungsoon , Choi Sangjin , Lee Hae Gon , Jin Dana , Kim Gwangmook , Kim Taehoon , Lee Joon Sang , Shim Wooyoung
Published: January 2021

Controlling ion transport in nanofluidics is fundamental to water purification, bio-sensing, energy storage, energy conversion, and numerous other applications. For any of these, it is essential to design nanofluidic channels that are stable in the liquid phase and enable specific ions to pass. A human neuron is one such system, where electrical signals are transmitted by cation transport for high-speed communication related to neuromorphic computing. Here, we present a concept of neuro-inspired energy harvesting that uses confined van der Waals crystal and demonstrate a method to maximise the ion diffusion flux to generate an electromotive force. The confined nanochannel is robust in liquids as in neuron cells, enabling steady-state ion diffusion for hundred of hours and exhibiting ion selectivity of 95.8%, energy conversion efficiency of 41.4%, and power density of 5.26 W/m2. This fundamental understanding and rational design strategy can enable previously unrealisable applications of passive-type large-scale power generation.
A cooperative biphasic MoOx–MoPx promoter enables a fast-charging lithium-ion battery
Authors: Lee Sang-Min , Kim Junyoung , Moon Janghyuk , Jung Kyu-Nam , Kim Jong Hwa , Park Gum-Jae , Choi Jeong-Hee , Rhee Dong Young , Kim Jeom-Soo , Lee Jong-Won , Park Min-Sik
Published: January 2021

The realisation of fast-charging lithium-ion batteries with long cycle lifetimes is hindered by the uncontrollable plating of metallic Li on the graphite anode during high-rate charging. Here we report that surface engineering of graphite with a cooperative biphasic MoOx–MoPx promoter improves the charging rate and suppresses Li plating without compromising energy density. We design and synthesise MoOx–MoPx/graphite via controllable and scalable surface engineering, i.e., the deposition of a MoOx nanolayer on the graphite surface, followed by vapour-induced partial phase transformation of MoOx to MoPx. A variety of analytical studies combined with thermodynamic calculations demonstrate that MoOx effectively mitigates the formation of resistive films on the graphite surface, while MoPx hosts Li+ at relatively high potentials via a fast intercalation reaction and plays a dominant role in lowering the Li+ adsorption energy. The MoOx–MoPx/graphite anode exhibits a fast-charging capability (<10 min charging for 80% of the capacity) and stable cycling performance without any signs of Li plating over 300 cycles when coupled with a LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 cathode. Thus, the developed approach paves the way to the design of advanced anode materials for fast-charging Li-ion batteries.
Bariatric surgery induces a new gastric mucosa phenotype with increased functional glucagon-like peptide-1 expressing cells
Authors: Ribeiro-Parenti Lara , Jarry Anne-Charlotte , Cavin Jean-Baptiste , Willemetz Alexandra , Le Beyec Johanne , Sannier Aurélie , Benadda Samira , Pelletier Anne-Laure , Hourseau Muriel , Léger Thibaut , Morlet Bastien , Couvelard Anne , Anini Younes , Msika Simon , Marmuse Jean-Pierre , Ledoux Sévérine , Le Gall Maude , Bado André
Published: January 2021

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) undergoes rapid inactivation by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) suggesting that target receptors may be activated by locally produced GLP-1. Here we describe GLP-1 positive cells in the rat and human stomach and found these cells co-expressing ghrelin or somatostatin and able to secrete active GLP-1 in the rats. In lean rats, a gastric load of glucose induces a rapid and parallel rise in GLP-1 levels in both the gastric and the portal veins. This rise in portal GLP-1 levels was abrogated in HFD obese rats but restored after vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) surgery. Finally, obese rats and individuals operated on Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and SG display a new gastric mucosa phenotype with hyperplasia of the mucus neck cells concomitant with increased density of GLP-1 positive cells. This report brings to light the contribution of gastric GLP-1 expressing cells that undergo plasticity changes after bariatric surgeries, to circulating GLP-1 levels.
The order and logic of CD4 versus CD8 lineage choice and differentiation in mouse thymus
Authors: Karimi Mohammad M. , Guo Ya , Cui Xiaokai , Pallikonda Husayn A. , Horková Veronika , Wang Yi-Fang , Gil Sara Ruiz , Rodriguez-Esteban Gustavo , Robles-Rebollo Irene , Bruno Ludovica , Georgieva Radina , Patel Bhavik , Elliott James , Dore Marian H. , Dauphars Danielle , Krangel Michael S. , Lenhard Boris , Heyn Holger , Fisher Amanda G. , Štěpánek Ondřej , Merkenschlager Matthias
Published: January 2021

CD4 and CD8 mark helper and cytotoxic T cell lineages, respectively, and serve as coreceptors for MHC-restricted TCR recognition. How coreceptor expression is matched with TCR specificity is central to understanding CD4/CD8 lineage choice, but visualising coreceptor gene activity in individual selection intermediates has been technically challenging. It therefore remains unclear whether the sequence of coreceptor gene expression in selection intermediates follows a stereotypic pattern, or is responsive to signaling. Here we use single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to classify mouse thymocyte selection intermediates by coreceptor gene expression. In the unperturbed thymus, Cd4+Cd8a- selection intermediates appear before Cd4-Cd8a+ selection intermediates, but the timing of these subsets is flexible according to the strength of TCR signals. Our data show that selection intermediates discriminate MHC class prior to the loss of coreceptor expression and suggest a model where signal strength informs the timing of coreceptor gene activity and ultimately CD4/CD8 lineage choice.
Simultaneous Zn2+ tracking in multiple organelles using super-resolution morphology-correlated organelle identification in living cells
Authors: Fang Hongbao , Geng Shanshan , Hao Mingang , Chen Qixin , Liu Minglun , Liu Chunyan , Tian Zhiqi , Wang Chengjun , Takebe Takanori , Guan Jun-Lin , Chen Yuncong , Guo Zijian , He Weijiang , Diao Jiajie
Published: January 2021

Zn2+ plays important roles in metabolism and signaling regulation. Subcellular Zn2+ compartmentalization is essential for organelle functions and cell biology, but there is currently no method to determine Zn2+ signaling relationships among more than two different organelles with one probe. Here, we report simultaneous Zn2+ tracking in multiple organelles (Zn-STIMO), a method that uses structured illumination microscopy (SIM) and a single Zn2+ fluorescent probe, allowing super-resolution morphology-correlated organelle identification in living cells. To guarantee SIM imaging quality for organelle identification, we develop a new turn-on Zn2+ fluorescent probe, NapBu-BPEA, by regulating the lipophilicity of naphthalimide-derived Zn2+ probes to make it accumulate in multiple organelles except the nucleus. Zn-STIMO with this probe shows that CCCP-induced mitophagy in HeLa cells is associated with labile Zn2+ enhancement. Therefore, direct organelle identification supported by SIM imaging makes Zn-STIMO a reliable method to determine labile Zn2+ dynamics in various organelles with one probe. Finally, SIM imaging of pluripotent stem cell-derived organoids with NapBu-BPEA demonstrates the potential of super-resolution morphology-correlated organelle identification to track biospecies and events in specific organelles within organoids.
Epidemic growth and Griffiths effects on an emergent network of excited atoms
Authors: Wintermantel T. M. , Buchhold M. , Shevate S. , Morgado M. , Wang Y. , Lochead G. , Diehl S. , Whitlock S.
Published: January 2021

Whether it be physical, biological or social processes, complex systems exhibit dynamics that are exceedingly difficult to understand or predict from underlying principles. Here we report a striking correspondence between the excitation dynamics of a laser driven gas of Rydberg atoms and the spreading of diseases, which in turn opens up a controllable platform for studying non-equilibrium dynamics on complex networks. The competition between facilitated excitation and spontaneous decay results in sub-exponential growth of the excitation number, which is empirically observed in real epidemics. Based on this we develop a quantitative microscopic susceptible-infected-susceptible model which links the growth and final excitation density to the dynamics of an emergent heterogeneous network and rare active region effects associated to an extended Griffiths phase. This provides physical insights into the nature of non-equilibrium criticality in driven many-body systems and the mechanisms leading to non-universal power-laws in the dynamics of complex systems.
Cardiomyocytes stimulate angiogenesis after ischemic injury in a ZEB2-dependent manner
Authors: Gladka Monika M. , Kohela Arwa , Molenaar Bas , Versteeg Danielle , Kooijman Lieneke , Monshouwer-Kloots Jantine , Kremer Veerle , Vos Harmjan R. , Huibers Manon M. H. , Haigh Jody J. , Huylebroeck Danny , Boon Reinier A. , Giacca Mauro , van Rooij Eva
Published: January 2021

The disruption in blood supply due to myocardial infarction is a critical determinant for infarct size and subsequent deterioration in function. The identification of factors that enhance cardiac repair by the restoration of the vascular network is, therefore, of great significance. Here, we show that the transcription factor Zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2) is increased in stressed cardiomyocytes and induces a cardioprotective cross-talk between cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells to enhance angiogenesis after ischemia. Single-cell sequencing indicates ZEB2 to be enriched in injured cardiomyocytes. Cardiomyocyte-specific deletion of ZEB2 results in impaired cardiac contractility and infarct healing post-myocardial infarction (post-MI), while cardiomyocyte-specific ZEB2 overexpression improves cardiomyocyte survival and cardiac function. We identified Thymosin β4 (TMSB4) and Prothymosin α (PTMA) as main paracrine factors released from cardiomyocytes to stimulate angiogenesis by enhancing endothelial cell migration, and whose regulation is validated in our in vivo models. Therapeutic delivery of ZEB2 to cardiomyocytes in the infarcted heart induces the expression of TMSB4 and PTMA, which enhances angiogenesis and prevents cardiac dysfunction. These findings reveal ZEB2 as a beneficial factor during ischemic injury, which may hold promise for the identification of new therapies.
Real-time multispeckle spectral-temporal measurement unveils the complexity of spatiotemporal solitons
Authors: Guo Yuankai , Wen Xiaoxiao , Lin Wei , Wang Wenlong , Wei Xiaoming , Yang Zhongmin
Published: January 2021

The dynamics of three-dimensional (3D) dissipative solitons originated from spatiotemporal interactions share many common characteristics with other multi-dimensional phenomena. Unveiling the dynamics of 3D solitons thus permits new routes for tackling multidisciplinary nonlinear problems and exploiting their instabilities. However, this remains an open challenge, as they are multi-dimensional, stochastic and non-repeatable. Here, we report the real-time speckle-resolved spectral-temporal dynamics of a 3D soliton laser using a single-shot multispeckle spectral-temporal technology that leverages optical time division multiplexing and photonic time stretch. This technology enables the simultaneous observation on multiple speckle grains to provide long-lasting evolutionary dynamics on the planes of cavity time (t) – roundtrip and spectrum (λ) – roundtrip. Various non-repeatable speckly-diverse spectral-temporal dynamics are discovered in both the early and established stages of the 3D soliton formation.
Author Correction: Prediction-based highly sensitive CRISPR off-target validation using target-specific DNA enrichment
Authors: Kang Seung-Hun , Lee Wi-jae , An Ju-Hyun , Lee Jong-Hee , Kim Young-Hyun , Kim Hanseop , Oh Yeounsun , Park Young-Ho , Jin Yeung Bae , Jun Bong-Hyun , Hur Junho K. , Kim Sun-Uk , Lee Seung Hwan
Published: January 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-20559-5.
Author Correction: Charge-generating mid-gap trap states define the thermodynamic limit of organic photovoltaic devices
Authors: Zarrabi Nasim , Sandberg Oskar J. , Zeiske Stefan , Li Wei , Riley Drew B. , Meredith Paul , Armin Ardalan
Published: January 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-20626-x
Mitochondrial health is enhanced in rats with higher vs. lower intrinsic exercise capacity and extended lifespan
Authors: Aon Miguel A. , Cortassa Sonia , Juhaszova Magdalena , González-Reyes José A. , Calvo-Rubio Miguel , Villalba José M. , Lachance Andrew D. , Ziman Bruce D. , Mitchell Sarah J. , Murt Kelsey N. , Axsom Jessie E. C. , Alfaras Irene , Britton Steven L. , Koch Lauren G. , de Cabo Rafael , Lakatta Edward G. , Sollott Steven J.
Published: January 2021

The intrinsic aerobic capacity of an organism is thought to play a role in aging and longevity. Maximal respiratory rate capacity, a metabolic performance measure, is one of the best predictors of cardiovascular- and all-cause mortality. Rats selectively bred for high-(HCR) vs. low-(LCR) intrinsic running-endurance capacity have up to 31% longer lifespan. We found that positive changes in indices of mitochondrial health in cardiomyocytes (respiratory reserve, maximal respiratory capacity, resistance to mitochondrial permeability transition, autophagy/mitophagy, and higher lipids-over-glucose utilization) are uniformly associated with the extended longevity in HCR vs. LCR female rats. Cross-sectional heart metabolomics revealed pathways from lipid metabolism in the heart, which were significantly enriched by a select group of strain-dependent metabolites, consistent with enhanced lipids utilization by HCR cardiomyocytes. Heart–liver–serum metabolomics further revealed shunting of lipidic substrates between the liver and heart via serum during aging. Thus, mitochondrial health in cardiomyocytes is associated with extended longevity in rats with higher intrinsic exercise capacity and, probably, these findings can be translated to other populations as predictors of outcomes of health and survival.
Cobalt-based magnetic Weyl semimetals with high-thermodynamic stabilities
Authors: Luo Wei , Nakamura Yuma , Park Jinseon , Yoon Mina
Published: January 2021

Recent experiments identified Co3Sn2S2as the first magnetic Weyl semimetal (MWSM). Using first-principles calculation with a global optimization approach, we explore the structural stabilities and topological electronic properties of cobalt (Co)-based shandite and alloys, Co3MM’X2(M/M’ = Ge, Sn, Pb, X = S, Se, Te), and identify stable structures with different Weyl phases. Using a tight-binding model, for the first time, we reveal that the physical origin of the nodal lines of a Co-based shandite structure is the interlayer coupling between Co atoms in different Kagome layers, while the number of Weyl points and their types are mainly governed by the interaction between Co and the metal atoms, Sn, Ge, and Pb. The Co3SnPbS2alloy exhibits two distinguished topological phases, depending on the relative positions of the Sn and Pb atoms: a three-dimensional quantum anomalous Hall metal, and a MWSM phase with anomalous Hall conductivity (~1290 Ω−1 cm−1) that is larger than that of Co2Sn2S2. Our work reveals the physical mechanism of the origination of Weyl fermions in Co-based shandite structures and proposes topological quantum states with high thermal stability.
Electron correlation effects on exchange interactions and spin excitations in 2D van der Waals materials
Authors: Ke Liqin , Katsnelson Mikhail I.
Published: January 2021

Despite serious effort, the nature of the magnetic interactions and the role of electron-correlation effects in magnetic two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals materials remains elusive. Using CrI3 as a model system, we show that the calculated electronic structure including nonlocal electron correlations yields spin excitations consistent with inelastic neutron-scattering measurements. Remarkably, this approach identifies an unreported correlation-enhanced interlayer super-superexchange, which rotates the magnon Dirac lines off, and introduces a gap along the high-symmetry Γ-K-M path. This discovery provides a different perspective on the gap-opening mechanism observed in CrI3, which was previously associated with spin–orbit coupling through the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction or Kitaev interaction. Our observation elucidates the critical role of electron correlations on the spin ordering and spin dynamics in magnetic van der Waals materials and demonstrates the necessity of explicit treatment of electron correlations in the broad family of 2D magnetic materials.
Plasma-borne indicators of inflammasome activity in Parkinson’s disease patients
Authors: Anderson Faith L. , von Herrmann Katharine M. , Andrew Angeline S. , Kuras Yuliya I. , Young Alison L. , Scherzer Clemens R. , Hickey William F. , Lee Stephen L. , Havrda Matthew C.
Published: January 2021

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms and loss of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra. Inflammation and cell death are recognized aspects of PD suggesting that strategies to monitor and modify these processes may improve the management of the disease. Inflammasomes are pro-inflammatory intracellular pattern recognition complexes that couple these processes. The NLRP3 inflammasome responds to sterile triggers to initiate pro-inflammatory processes characterized by maturation of inflammatory cytokines, cytoplasmic membrane pore formation, vesicular shedding, and if unresolved, pyroptotic cell death. Histologic analysis of tissues from PD patients and individuals with nigral cell loss but no diagnosis of PD identified elevated expression of inflammasome-related proteins and activation-related “speck” formation in degenerating mesencephalic tissues compared with controls. Based on previous reports of circulating inflammasome proteins in patients suffering from heritable syndromes caused by hyper-activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, we evaluated PD patient plasma for evidence of inflammasome activity. Multiple circulating inflammasome proteins were detected almost exclusively in extracellular vesicles indicative of ongoing inflammasome activation and pyroptosis. Analysis of plasma obtained from a multi-center cohort identified elevated plasma-borne NLRP3 associated with PD status. Our findings are consistent with others indicating inflammasome activity in neurodegenerative disorders. Findings suggest mesencephalic inflammasome protein expression as a histopathologic marker of early-stage nigral degeneration and suggest plasma-borne inflammasome-related proteins as a potentially useful class of biomarkers for patient stratification and the detection and monitoring of inflammation in PD.
Feasibility of satellite-to-ground continuous-variable quantum key distribution
Authors: Dequal Daniele , Trigo Vidarte Luis , Roman Rodriguez Victor , Vallone Giuseppe , Villoresi Paolo , Leverrier Anthony , Diamanti Eleni
Published: January 2021

Establishing secure communication links at a global scale is a major potential application of quantum information science but also extremely challenging for the underlying technology. Although milestone experiments using satellite-to-ground links and exploiting singe-photon encoding for implementing quantum key distribution have shown recently that this goal is achievable, it is still necessary to further investigate practical solutions compatible with classical optical communication systems. Here, we examine the feasibility of establishing secret keys in a satellite-to-ground downlink configuration using continuous-variable encoding, which can be implemented using standard telecommunication components certified for space environment and able to operate at high symbol rates. Considering a realistic channel model and state-of-the-art technology, and exploiting an orbit subdivision technique for mitigating fluctuations in the transmission efficiency, we find positive secret key rates for a low-Earth-orbit scenario, whereas finite-size effects can be a limiting factor for higher orbits. Our analysis determines regions of values for important experimental parameters where secret key exchange is possible and can be used as a guideline for experimental efforts in this direction.
A polarization encoded photon-to-spin interface
Authors: Chen K. C. , Bersin E. , Englund D.
Published: January 2021

We propose an integrated photonics device for mapping qubits encoded in the polarization of a photon onto the spin state of a solid-state defect coupled to a photonic crystal cavity: a “polarization-encoded photon-to-spin interface” (PEPSI). We perform a theoretical analysis of the state fidelity’s dependence on the device’s polarization extinction ratio and atom–cavity cooperativity. Furthermore, we explore the rate-fidelity trade-off through analytical and numerical models. In simulation, we show that our design enables efficient, high fidelity photon-to-spin mapping.
The bulk-corner correspondence of time-reversal symmetric insulators
Authors: Kooi Sander , van Miert Guido , Ortix Carmine
Published: January 2021

The topology of insulators is usually revealed through the presence of gapless boundary modes: this is the so-called bulk-boundary correspondence. However, the many-body wavefunction of a crystalline insulator is endowed with additional topological properties that do not yield surface spectral features, but manifest themselves as (fractional) quantized electronic charges localized at the crystal boundaries. Here, we formulate such bulk-corner correspondence for the physical relevant case of materials with time-reversal symmetry and spin-orbit coupling. To do so we develop partial real-space invariants that can be neither expressed in terms of Berry phases nor using symmetry-based indicators. These previously unknown crystalline invariants govern the (fractional) quantized corner charges both of isolated material structures and of heterostructures without gapless interface modes. We also show that the partial real-space invariants are able to detect all time-reversal symmetric topological phases of the recently discovered fragile type.
Bio-artificial pleura using autologous dermal fibroblast sheets to mitigate air leaks during thoracoscopic lung resection
Authors: Kanzaki Masato , Takagi Ryo , Washio Kaoru , Kokubo Mami , Mitsuboshi Shota , Isaka Tamami , Yamato Masayuki
Published: January 2021

Lung air leaks (LALs) due to visceral pleura injury during surgery are a difficult-to-avoid complication in thoracic surgery (TS). Reliable LAL closure is an important patient management issue after TS. We demonstrated both safeties of transplantation of a cultured human autologous dermal fibroblast sheet (DFS) to LALs. From May 2016 to March 2018, five patients who underwent thoracoscopic lung resection met all the inclusion criteria. Skin biopsies were acquired from each patient to source autologous dermal cells for DFS fabrication. During the primary culture, fibroblasts migrated from the dermal tissue pieces and proliferated to form cell monolayers. These fibroblasts were subcultured to confluence. Transplantable DFSs were fabricated from these subcultured fibroblasts that were trypsinized and seeded onto temperature-responsive culture dishes. After 10 days of fabrication culture, intact patient-specific DFS were harvested. DFSs were analyzed for fibroblast cell content and tissue contaminants prior to application. For closing intraoperative LAL, mean number of transplanted autologous DFS per patient was 6 ± 2 sheets. Mean chest drainage duration was 5.0 ± 4.8 days. The two patients with major LAL had a drainage duration of more than 7 days. All patients currently have no LAL recurrence after discharge. DFSs effectively maintain LAL closure via remodeling of the deposited extracellular matrix. The use of autologous DFSs to permanently close air leaks using a patient-derived source is expected to reduce surgical complications during high-risk lung resections.
A non-human primate in vitro functional assay for the early evaluation of TB vaccine candidates
Authors: Tanner Rachel , White Andrew D. , Boot Charelle , Sombroek Claudia C. , O’Shea Matthew K. , Wright Daniel , Hoogkamer Emily , Bitencourt Julia , Harris Stephanie A. , Sarfas Charlotte , Wittenberg Rachel , Satti Iman , Fletcher Helen A. , Verreck Frank A. W. , Sharpe Sally A. , McShane Helen
Published: January 2021

We present a non-human primate mycobacterial growth inhibition assay (MGIA) using in vitro blood or cell co-culture with the aim of refining and expediting early tuberculosis vaccine testing. We have taken steps to optimise the assay using cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells, transfer it to end-user institutes, and assess technical and biological validity. Increasing cell concentration or mycobacterial input and co-culturing in static 48-well plates compared with rotating tubes improved intra-assay repeatability and sensitivity. Standardisation and harmonisation efforts resulted in high consistency agreements, with repeatability and intermediate precision <10% coefficient of variation (CV) and inter-site reproducibility <20% CV; although some systematic differences were observed. As proof-of-concept, we demonstrated ability to detect a BCG vaccine-induced improvement in growth inhibition in macaque samples, and a correlation between MGIA outcome and measures of protection from in vivo disease development following challenge with either intradermal BCG or aerosol/endobronchial Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) at a group and individual animal level.
Gendered movement ecology and landscape use in Hadza hunter-gatherers
Authors: Wood Brian M. , Harris Jacob A. , Raichlen David A. , Pontzer Herman , Sayre Katherine , Sancilio Amelia , Berbesque Colette , Crittenden Alyssa N. , Mabulla Audax , McElreath Richard , Cashdan Elizabeth , Jones James Holland
Published: January 2021

Understanding how gendered economic roles structure space use is critical to evolutionary models of foraging behaviour, social organization and cognition. Here, we examine hunter-gatherer spatial behaviour on a very large scale, using GPS devices worn by Hadza foragers to record 2,078 person-days of movement. Theory in movement ecology suggests that the density and mobility of targeted foods should predict spatial behaviour and that strong gender differences should arise in a hunter-gatherer context. As predicted, we find that men walked further per day, explored more land, followed more sinuous paths and were more likely to be alone. These data are consistent with the ecology of male- and female-targeted foods and suggest that male landscape use is more navigationally challenging in this hunter-gatherer context. Comparisons of Hadza space use with space use data available for non-human primates suggest that the sexual division of labour likely co-evolved with increased sex differences in spatial behaviour and landscape use.
Author Correction: An atlas of dynamic chromatin landscapes in mouse fetal development
Authors: Gorkin David U. , Barozzi Iros , Zhao Yuan , Zhang Yanxiao , Huang Hui , Lee Ah Young , Li Bin , Chiou Joshua , Wildberg Andre , Ding Bo , Zhang Bo , Wang Mengchi , Strattan J. Seth , Davidson Jean M. , Qiu Yunjiang , Afzal Veena , Akiyama Jennifer A. , Plajzer-Frick Ingrid , Novak Catherine S. , Kato Momoe , Garvin Tyler H. , Pham Quan T. , Harrington Anne N. , Mannion Brandon J. , Lee Elizabeth A. , Fukuda-Yuzawa Yoko , He Yupeng , Preissl Sebastian , Chee Sora , Han Jee Yun , Williams Brian A. , Trout Diane , Amrhein Henry , Yang Hongbo , Cherry J. Michael , Wang Wei , Gaulton Kyle , Ecker Joseph R. , Shen Yin , Dickel Diane E. , Visel Axel , Pennacchio Len A. , Ren Bing
Published: January 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-03089-4.
Publisher Correction: Mathematical Analysis of a Modified Closed-Form Formula for Design a Uniform Leaky-Wave Antenna With Ultra-Low SLL
Authors: Kiani A. , Geran F. , Hashemi S. M. , Forooraghi K.
Published: January 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.