bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of English in Language Maintenance in Taiwan: a Threat or an Opportunity?
Authors: Yang Chia-Ying
Published: September 2023

This study explores localized language education—Daighi—in the plurilingual context of Taiwan focusing on the potential role that English might play in Daighi education, through a pluriliteracies lens. Research suggests that English is perceived as a threat to local languages like Daighi (Hong, 2002; Yang, 2020). However, this study proposes rethinking English as a resource that not only helps the maintenance of Daighi but also provides a potential opportunity to develop literacies across both languages. Twenty primary school Daighi teachers were interviewed with classroom observations as supplementary data. The research questions explore the role of English in Daighi classrooms: how it is perceived by Daighi teachers and used in practice. The findings indicate that English is seen as an important language that links to internationalization; in terms of English use in practice, it was observed that Daighi teachers draw on English as a resource to communicate, teach grammar, spelling, and pronunciation. English can therefore be (re)conceptualized as an important resource in Daighi learning and teaching. This calls for further research to explore the potential that a pluriliteracies approach may bring in order to benefit both languages and bridge threatened language learning and teaching through English, specifically in a plurilingual community such as Taiwan.
Which month to give a birth? The analysis on birth seasonality of China
Authors: Zhang Cuiling , Wang Danyin , Zhang Xuying
Published: September 2023

A series of medical and biological studies have identified a strong link between the season during which a child is born and early childhood development and adult health. While providing an explanation for the seasonal determinants of birth remains one of the key challenges for demographers, understanding seasonal birth peaks and troughs can inform both public health planning and efforts to prevent childhood diseases. The seasonality of births varies across and within countries. Nonetheless, there has been scant research into the seasonality of births in China. This study takes an in depth look at the seasonal fluctuations in China’s births since 1960 and investigates the effects on seasonality of several key factors such as parity, residence (urban or rural area), and changes to fertility policies. Traditionally, winter has been the peak season of births in China, while spring and summer have been lean seasons, a pattern which is quite different than patterns in Europe and the United States. After 1990, the sweeping implementation of one-child policy and the wider use of modern contraceptives among Chinese women prompted a fundamental shift in the seasonality of births, with the deviation of births from month to month gradually diminishing over time. People's self-control may serve as a key determinant accounting for such seasonal changes. First births exhibit pronounced and steady seasonality, while second and subsequent births follow a vague seasonal pattern, suggesting that later births are more likely affected by self-choice and self-intervention. The analysis also reveals that the monthly distribution pattern of second births experienced a dramatic change following the roll-out of the selective-two-child policy and the Universal Two-child Policy in 2014 and 2016, changes that reflects the adjustments people made to achieve their fertility plans under the new policy.
Ultradifferentiable classes of entire functions
Authors: Nenning David Nicolas , Schindl Gerhard
Published: September 2023

We study classes of ultradifferentiable functions defined in terms of small weight sequences violating standard growth and regularity requirements. First, we show that such classes can be viewed as weighted spaces of entire functions for which the crucial weight is given by the associated weight function of the so-called conjugate weight sequence. Moreover, we generalize results from M. Markin from the so-called small Gevrey setting to arbitrary convenient families of (small) sequences and show how the corresponding ultradifferentiable function classes can be used to detect boundedness of normal linear operators on Hilbert spaces (associated with an evolution equation problem). Finally, we study the connection between small sequences and the recent notion of dual sequences introduced in the Ph.D. thesis of J. Jiménez-Garrido.
Alpha-lipoic acid, apocynin or probiotics influence glutathione status and selected inflammatory parameters in C57/BL6 mice when combined with a low-fat diet
Authors: Kleniewska Paulina , Pawliczak Rafał
Published: September 2023

Background

The aim of the study was to determine the potential of a low-fat diet (LFD) to protect against oxidative and inflammatory damage in the course of asthma and obesity when combined with antioxidants (alpha-lipoic acid–ALA, apocynin–APO) or a probiotic (P) (Lactobacillus casei).

Methods

The experiments were carried out on ten groups of male C57/BL6 mice that were fed standard fat (SFD), low-fat (LFD), or high-fat (HFD) diets. Ovalbumin (OVA, administered subcutaneously and by inhalation) was used to sensitize the animals. IL-1α, IL-10, eotaxin-1, leptin, and TNF-α concentrations were examined in blood, while total glutathione (GSHt), reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and –SH groups were measured in lung homogenates.

Results

LFD in combination with the analyzed compounds (APO, P, ALA) significantly decreased the concentration of IL-1α compared to the OVA + HFD group (p < 0.01; p = 0.025; p = 0.002, respectively). Similarly, the treated mice demonstrated lower eotaxin-1 concentrations compared to the HFD group (p < 0.001). Moreover, supplementation of LFD with probiotics significantly increased the concentration of IL-10 vs. controls (p < 0.001) and vs. untreated OVA-sensitized and challenged/obese mice (p < 0.001). Animals administered APO/ALA with LFD displayed a significant decrease in TNF-α concentration compared to OVA + HFD mice (p = 0.013; p = 0.002 respectively). Those treated with ALA displayed significantly improved GSH levels (p = 0.035) compared to OVA + HFD mice.

Conclusions

Supplementation of the tested compounds with LFD appears to have a positive influence on the glutathione redox status of pulmonary tissues and selected inflammatory parameters in mouse blood.
Multi-strategy Improved Seagull Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Li Yancang , Li Weizhi , Yuan Qiuyu , Shi Huawang , Han Muxuan
Published: September 2023

Aiming at the shortcomings of seagull optimization algorithm in the process of searching for optimization, such as slow convergence speed, low precision, easy falling into local optimal, and performance dependent on the selection of parameters, this paper proposes an improved gull optimization algorithm based on multi-strategy fusion based on the analysis of gull population characteristics. Firstly, L–C cascade chaotic mapping is used to initialize the population so that seagulls are more evenly distributed in the initial solution space. Secondly, to improve the algorithm’s global exploration ability in the early stage, the nonlinear convergence factor is incorporated to adjust the position of seagulls in the migration stage. At the same time, the group learning strategy was introduced after the population position update to improve the population quality and optimization accuracy further. Finally, in the late stage of the algorithm, the golden sine strategy of the Levy flight guidance mechanism is used to update the population position to improve the population’s diversity and enhance the local development ability of the algorithm in the late stage. To verify the optimization performance of the improved algorithm, CEC2017 and CEC2022 test suites are selected for simulation experiments, and box graphs are drawn. The test results show that the proposed algorithm has apparent convergence speed, accuracy, and stability advantages. The engineering case results demonstrate the proposed algorithm’s advantages in solving complex problems with unknown search spaces.
Indeterminism belief protects against uncertainty: first empirical findings
Authors: Grüning David J. , Krueger Joachim I.
Published: September 2023

We empirically explore whether perceptions of (in)determinism are related to the willingness to tolerate uncertainty. We argue that the belief in indeterminism supports a sense of personal autonomy and independence from external influence, a stance that provides protection from perceived uncertainties. Our preliminary study (N = 61) suggests that the belief in an indeterminate world is positively associated with uncertainty tolerance, whereas beliefs in free will and metaphysical dualism are not. We extend these findings by examining proxies of indeterminism belief in a cross-national dataset (N = 31 countries). We find that greater political and personal freedom is associated with higher tolerance for uncertainty, whereas religious belief, which posits a world determined by divine powers, is negatively associated with uncertainty tolerance. With these theoretical ideas and empirical findings, we hope to stimulate research to further advance our understanding of the association between belief in indeterminism and tolerating uncertainty.
Efficacy of sleep interventions on postoperative delirium: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Tang Xuemiao , Li Jia , Yang Bo , Lei Chong , Dong Hailong
Published: September 2023

Sleep disturbances are risk factors for postoperative delirium (POD), and sleep interventions have been proposed as potential preventive measures. However, the effectiveness of sleep interventions in preventing POD is uncertain. We performed a systematic literature search using the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases from inception until December 24, 2022. We included randomized controlled trials on sleep interventions and POD in adult surgery patients. The screening of titles, abstracts, and full texts was performed independently by two reviewers. Another two reviewers independently performed the data extraction and assessed the risk of bias. Pooled-effect estimates were calculated with a random effect model. Our primary outcome was POD, which was assessed with the confusion assessment method (CAM), CAM for the intensive care unit (CAM-ICU), or other delirium assessment tools. We used trial sequential analysis to control for type I and II statistical errors. We also conducted prespecified subgroup analyses, according to the type of intervention, efficacy of the intervention on postoperative sleep, sample size, participant age, delirium assessment tool used, and the type of surgery. Data were obtained from 25 trials, including 4799 participants. Sleep interventions had a statistically significant difference in the incidence of POD (relative risk (RR) = 0.60; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.46–0.77; I2 = 58%). Stratified analyses indicated that the beneficial effects of sleep interventions were evident in trials where the interventions promoted postoperative sleep (RR = 0.51; 95% CI, 0.36–0.71) as compared to trials that did not (RR = 1.01; 95% CI, 0.77–1.31) (p-value for interaction between subgroups = 0.004). Our primary analysis demonstrated that in adult patients following elective surgery, interventions that improved postoperative sleep, as compared to the standard care or placebo groups, were associated with a lower risk of POD. However, such evidences are limited by the heterogeneity among trials and the small sample sizes of some trials.

Graphical Abstract
Stability for hyperbolic groups acting on boundary spheres
Authors: Mann Kathryn , Manning Jason Fox
Published: September 2023

A hyperbolic group G acts by homeomorphisms on its Gromov boundary. We show that if

$\partial G$

is a topological n–sphere, the action is topologically stable in the dynamical sense: any nearby action is semi-conjugate to the standard boundary action.
Tower Gaps in Multicolour Ramsey Numbers
Authors: Dubroff Quentin , Girão António , Hurley Eoin , Yap Corrine
Published: September 2023

Resolving a problem of Conlon, Fox and Rödl, we construct a family of hypergraphs with arbitrarily large tower height separation between their

$2$

-colour and q-colour Ramsey numbers. The main lemma underlying this construction is a new variant of the Erdős–Hajnal stepping-up lemma for a generalized Ramsey number

$r_k(t;q,p)$

, which we define as the smallest integer n such that every q-colouring of the k-sets on n vertices contains a set of t vertices spanning fewer than p colours. Our results provide the first tower-type lower bounds on these numbers.
Getting our piece of the “national cake”: the Islamists' attitude toward Yudhoyono's and Jokowi's China policies
Authors: Yeremia Ardhitya Eduard , Raditio Klaus Heinrich
Published: September 2023

Studies on Indonesia–China relations have emphasized the central role of Indonesia's domestic politics in shaping its foreign policy toward China. However, there has been little discussion on the context in which and the extent to which internal struggles for power have contributed to shape Indonesia's China policy. Contributing to such a discussion, this article specifically focuses on the roles of Indonesian Islamist groups in affecting Jakarta–Beijing ties. It examines their political maneuvers in responses to the attitudes and policies of two governments, the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (2004–2014) administration and that of Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (2014–), on China-related foreign policy issues. Both Yudhoyono's and Jokowi's governments display the same friendly attitude toward China. On the South China Sea issues, nevertheless, Jokowi's government adopts tougher measures against China's maneuvers. Despite Jokowi's implementation of such policy, the Islamists put up considerable resistance to his China policy, even compared to his predecessor. This article finds that the extent of power sharing between the Islamists and the regime in power determines the former's responses toward the latter's China policy. This suggests that in the management of bilateral relations, the Islamists are not a hindrance per se in Indonesia–China relations.
Are International PhD Courses an Important Part of PhD Education in Sport and Exercise Psychology?
Authors: Leisterer Sascha , Elbe Anne-Marie
Published: September 2023

Abstract: PhD courses aim to improve PhD candidates’ research skills and, by that, to support their development process during their PhD studies. To investigate this objective, former PhD candidates ( N = 88, 51 % female, response rate 49 %), who participated in international PhD-courses in Sport and Exercise Psychology, were asked to complete an online survey to evaluate course elements of international PhD-courses hosted at Copenhagen and Leipzig University between 2009 and 2018. Networking opportunities, intercultural skill development, communicating in English, and acquisition of knowledge about Sport and Exercise Psychology-specific topics are reported as the most valuable aspects of international PhD-courses. Additionally, participants evaluated PhD-project presentations, workshops focusing on academic skills (e. g., publishing) and opportunities for social interaction as most profitable. Independent of participants’ PhD-phase, the majority of students reported sustainable benefits from their participation (e. g., co-publications). Academic funding (e. g., scholarships) seems to be an important factor for course participation. Recommendations for the implementation of international PhD-courses in Sport and Exercise Psychology include creating networking opportunities, offering workshops on academic skills, allowing time for informal interactions, and focusing on inclusion of PhD candidates from across the globe.
„Meine Tochter wurde ausgewechselt und ich fühlte mich selbst aus dem Spiel genommen“
Authors: Eckardt Valeria C. , Linz Lara , Lobinger Babett H.
Published: September 2023

Zusammenfassung: Als Karrierebegleiter_innen und Unterstützer_innen sind Eltern zentral im Nachwuchssport eingebunden. Besonders ihr Erleben und Verhalten bei Wettkämpfen wird durch emotionale Belastungen beeinflusst. Bisherige Literatur untersucht zumeist die Erfahrungen von Eltern in leistungsorientierten Sport-Kontexten. Ziel dieser Studie war es daher, eine Übertragung der aus der Literatur etablierten wettkampf-bezogenen Stressoren auf Eltern im Breitensport zu prüfen. Dazu wurden bisher unveröffentlichte qualitative Daten von 90 Elternteilen aus dem breitensportorientierten Fußball analysiert und anschließend mit den Ergebnissen einer mixed-method Studie aus dem leistungsorientierten Fußball verglichen. Mittels Qualitativer Inhaltsanalyse wurden 11 wettkampfbezogene Stressbereiche von 90 Elternteilen identifiziert. Situationen mit dem eigenen Kind (32 %), anderen Eltern (17 %) sowie Trainer_innen (15 %) bildeten den Großteil der insgesamt 239 Stressoren ab. Im Vergleich zu Daten aus Fußball-Leistungszentren zeigt sich weitgehende Übereinstimmung der berichteten Stressoren, jedoch scheinen stressauslösende Situationen mit dem eigenen Kind weniger salient zu sein. Abschließend werden Handlungsempfehlungen für angewandt arbeitende Sportpsycholog_innen, Vereine und Trainer_innen gegeben.
How Publishers Can Support the UN SDGs: Examples from AGU
Authors: Ricci Mia , Lunn Jenny , Wooden Paige , Dzekon Tanya
Published: September 2023

AGU Publications is committed to supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals through publishing and drawing attention to scientific research that addresses issues of global and societal concern.
The Response of Ionospheric Currents to External Drivers Investigated Using a Neural Network‐Based Model
Authors: Cao Xin , Chu Xiangning , Bortnik Jacob , Weygand James M. , Li Jinxing , Aryan Homayon , Ma Donglai
Published: September 2023

A predictive model for the variation of ionospheric currents is of great scientific and practical importance to our modern industrial society. To study the response of ionospheric currents to external drivers including geomagnetic indices and solar radiation, we developed a feedforward neural network model trained on the Equivalent Ionospheric Current (EIC) data from 1st January 2007 to 31st December 2019. Due to the highly imbalanced nature of the ionospheric currents data, which means that the data of extreme events are much less than those of quiet times, we utilized different loss functions to improve the model performance. Our model demonstrates the potential to predict the active events of ionospheric currents reasonably well (e.g., EICs during substorms) within a timescale of a few minutes. Although the data used for training are measurements over the North American and Greenland sectors, our model is not only able to predict EICs within this region, but is also able to provide a promising out‐of‐sample prediction on a global scale.
Computer vision meets microfluidics: a label-free method for high-throughput cell analysis
Authors: Zhou Shizheng , Chen Bingbing , Fu Edgar S. , Yan Hong
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we review the integration of microfluidic chips and computer vision, which has great potential to advance research in the life sciences and biology, particularly in the analysis of cell imaging data. Microfluidic chips enable the generation of large amounts of visual data at the single-cell level, while computer vision techniques can rapidly process and analyze these data to extract valuable information about cellular health and function. One of the key advantages of this integrative approach is that it allows for noninvasive and low-damage cellular characterization, which is important for studying delicate or fragile microbial cells. The use of microfluidic chips provides a highly controlled environment for cell growth and manipulation, minimizes experimental variability and improves the accuracy of data analysis. Computer vision can be used to recognize and analyze target species within heterogeneous microbial populations, which is important for understanding the physiological status of cells in complex biological systems. As hardware and artificial intelligence algorithms continue to improve, computer vision is expected to become an increasingly powerful tool for in situ cell analysis. The use of microelectromechanical devices in combination with microfluidic chips and computer vision could enable the development of label-free, automatic, low-cost, and fast cellular information recognition and the high-throughput analysis of cellular responses to different compounds, for broad applications in fields such as drug discovery, diagnostics, and personalized medicine.
AIFM2 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis by enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis through activation of SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling
Authors: Guo Sanxing , Li Fengying , Liang Yixuan , Zheng Yufei , Mo Yingyi , Zhao Deyao , Jiang Zhixiong , Cui Mengmeng , Qi Lixia , Chen Jiaxing , Wan Lixin , Chen Guoyong , Wei Sidong , Yang Qi , Liu Junqi
Published: September 2023

AIFM2 is a crucial NADH oxidase involved in the regulation of cytosolic NAD+. However, the role of AIFM2 in the progression of human cancers remains largely unexplored. Here, we elucidated the clinical implications, biological functions, and molecular mechanisms of AIFM2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We found that AIFM2 is significantly upregulated in HCC, which is most probably caused by DNA hypomethylation and downregulation of miR-150-5p. High expression of AIFM2 is markedly associated with poor survival in patients with HCC. Knockdown of AIFM2 significantly impaired, while forced expression of AIFM2 enhanced the metastasis of HCC both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, increased mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation by activation of SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling contributed to the promotion of metastasis by AIFM2 in HCC. In conclusion, AIFM2 upregulation plays a crucial role in the promotion of HCC metastasis by activating SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling, which strongly suggests that AIFM2 could be targeted for the treatment of HCC.
U2AF1 pathogenic variants in myeloid neoplasms and precursor states: distribution of co-mutations and prognostic heterogeneity
Authors: Badar Talha , Vanegas Yenny A. Moreno , Nanaa Ahmad , Foran James M. , Al-Kali Aref , Mangaonkar Abhishek , Murthy Hemant , Alkhateeb Hassan B. , Viswanatha David , He Rong , Shah Mithun , Yi Cecilia Arana , Litzow Mark R. , Gangat Naseema , Tefferi Ayalew , Patnaik Mrinal M.
Published: September 2023

We have previously recognized the genotypic and prognostic heterogeneity of U2AF1 mutations (MT) in myelofibrosis (MF) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). In the current study, we considered 179 U2AF1-mutated patients with clonal cytopenia of undetermined significance (CCUS; n = 22), MDS (n = 108), MDS/acute myeloid leukemia (AML; n = 18) and AML (n = 31). U2AF1 variants included S34 (60%), Q157 (35%), and others (5%): corresponding mutational frequencies were 45%, 55%, and 0% in CCUS; 57%, 39%, and 4% in MDS; 61%, 33%, and 6% in MDS/AML; and 55%, 35% and 10% in AML (P = 0.17, 0.36 and 0.09), respectively. Concurrent mutations included ASXL1 (37%), BCOR (19%), RUNX1 (14%), TET2 (15%), DNMT3A (10%), NRAS/KRAS (8%), TP53 (8%), JAK2 (5.5%) and SETBP1 (5%). The two most frequent U2AF1 MT were S34F (n = 97) and Q157P (n = 46); concurrent MT were more likely to be seen with the latter (91% vs 74%; P = 0.01) and abnormal karyotype with the former (70% vs 62%; P = 0.05). U2AF1 S34F MT clustered with BCOR (P = 0.04) and Q157P MT with ASXL1 (P = 0.01) and TP53 (P = 0.03). The median overall survival (OS) in months was significantly worse in AML (14.2) vs MDS/AML (27.3) vs MDS (33.7; P = 0.001); the latter had similar OS with CCUS (30.0). In morphologically high-risk disease (n = 49), defined by ≥10% blood or bone marrow blasts (i.e., AML or MDS/AML), median OS was 14.2 with Q157P vs 37.1 months in the presence of S34F (P = 0.008); transplant-adjusted multivariable analysis confirmed the detrimental impact of Q157P (P = 0.01) on survival and also identified JAK2 MT as an additional risk factor (P = 0.02). OS was favorably affected by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HR: 0.16, 95% CI; 0.04-0.61, P = 0.007). The current study defines the prevalence and co-mutational profiles of U2AF1 pathogenic variants in AML, MDS/AML, MDS, and CCUS, and suggests prognostic heterogeneity in patients with ≥10% blasts.
A new vulnerability to BET inhibition due to enhanced autophagy in BRCA2 deficient pancreatic cancer
Authors: Lee EunJung , Archasappawat Suyakarn , Ji Keely , Pena Jocelyn , Fernandez-Vega Virneliz , Gangaraju Ritika , Beesabathuni Nitin Sai , Kim Martin Jean , Tian Qi , Shah Priya S. , Scampavia Louis , Spicer Timothy P. , Hwang Chang-Il
Published: September 2023

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest diseases in human malignancies. Among total pancreatic cancer patients, ~10% of patients are categorized as familial pancreatic cancer (FPC) patients, carrying germline mutations of the genes involved in DNA repair pathways (e.g., BRCA2). Personalized medicine approaches tailored toward patients’ mutations would improve patients’ outcome. To identify novel vulnerabilities of BRCA2-deficient pancreatic cancer, we generated isogenic Brca2-deficient murine pancreatic cancer cell lines and performed high-throughput drug screens. High-throughput drug screening revealed that Brca2-deficient cells are sensitive to Bromodomain and Extraterminal Motif (BET) inhibitors, suggesting that BET inhibition might be a potential therapeutic approach. We found that BRCA2 deficiency increased autophagic flux, which was further enhanced by BET inhibition in Brca2-deficient pancreatic cancer cells, resulting in autophagy-dependent cell death. Our data suggests that BET inhibition can be a novel therapeutic strategy for BRCA2-deficient pancreatic cancer.
Priority areas to protect mangroves and maximise ecosystem services
Authors: Dabalà Alvise , Dahdouh-Guebas Farid , Dunn Daniel C. , Everett Jason D. , Lovelock Catherine E. , Hanson Jeffrey O. , Buenafe Kristine Camille V. , Neubert Sandra , Richardson Anthony J.
Published: September 2023

Anthropogenic activities threaten global biodiversity and ecosystem services. Yet, area-based conservation efforts typically target biodiversity protection whilst minimising conflict with economic activities, failing to consider ecosystem services. Here we identify priority areas that maximise both the protection of mangrove biodiversity and their ecosystem services. We reveal that despite 13.5% of the mangrove distribution being currently strictly protected, all mangrove species are not adequately represented and many areas that provide disproportionally large ecosystem services are missed. Optimising the placement of future conservation efforts to protect 30% of global mangroves potentially safeguards an additional 16.3 billion USD of coastal property value, 6.1 million people, 1173.1 Tg C, and 50.7 million fisher days yr−1. Our findings suggest that there is a pressing need for including ecosystem services in protected area design and that strategic prioritisation and coordination of mangrove conservation could provide substantial benefits to human wellbeing.
Kapitza-resistance-like exciton dynamics in atomically flat MoSe2-WSe2 lateral heterojunction
Authors: Lamsaadi Hassan , Beret Dorian , Paradisanos Ioannis , Renucci Pierre , Lagarde Delphine , Marie Xavier , Urbaszek Bernhard , Gan Ziyang , George Antony , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Turchanin Andrey , Lombez Laurent , Combe Nicolas , Paillard Vincent , Poumirol Jean-Marie
Published: September 2023

Being able to control the neutral excitonic flux is a mandatory step for the development of future room-temperature two-dimensional excitonic devices. Semiconducting Monolayer Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (TMD-ML) with extremely robust and mobile excitons are highly attractive in this regard. However, generating an efficient and controlled exciton transport over long distances is a very challenging task. Here we demonstrate that an atomically sharp TMD-ML lateral heterostructure (MoSe2-WSe2) transforms the isotropic exciton diffusion into a unidirectional excitonic flow through the junction. Using tip-enhanced photoluminescence spectroscopy (TEPL) and a modified exciton transfer model, we show a discontinuity of the exciton density distribution on each side of the interface. We introduce the concept of exciton Kapitza resistance, by analogy with the interfacial thermal resistance referred to as Kapitza resistance. By comparing different heterostructures with or without top hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) layer, we deduce that the transport properties can be controlled, over distances far greater than the junction width, by the exciton density through near-field engineering and/or laser power density. This work provides a new approach for controlling the neutral exciton flow, which is key toward the conception of excitonic devices.
The TNFR Wengen regulates the FGF pathway by an unconventional mechanism
Authors: Letizia Annalisa , Espinàs Maria Lluisa , Giannios Panagiotis , Llimargas Marta
Published: September 2023

Unveiling the molecular mechanisms of receptor activation has led to much understanding of development as well as the identification of important drug targets. We use the Drosophila tracheal system to study the activity of two families of widely used and conserved receptors, the TNFRs and the RTK-FGFRs. Breathless, an FGFR, controls the program of differentiation of the tracheal terminal cells in response to ligand activation. Here we identify a role for Wengen, a TNFR, in repressing the terminal cell program by regulating the MAPK pathway downstream of Breathless. We find that Wengen acts independently of both its canonical ligand and downstream pathway genes. Wengen does not stably localise at the membrane and is instead internalised—a trafficking that seems essential for activity. We show that Breathless and Wengen colocalise in intracellular vesicles and form a complex. Furthermore, Wengen regulates Breathless accumulation, possibly regulating Breathless trafficking and degradation. We propose that, in the tracheal context, Wengen interacts with Breathless to regulate its activity, and suggest that such unconventional mechanism, involving binding by TNFRs to unrelated proteins, may be a general strategy of TNFRs.
Anomalous spin current anisotropy in a noncollinear antiferromagnet
Authors: Cao Cuimei , Chen Shiwei , Xiao Rui-Chun , Zhu Zengtai , Yu Guoqiang , Wang Yangping , Qiu Xuepeng , Liu Liang , Zhao Tieyang , Shao Ding-Fu , Xu Yang , Chen Jingsheng , Zhan Qingfeng
Published: September 2023

Cubic materials host high crystal symmetry and hence are not expected to support anisotropy in transport phenomena. In contrast to this common expectation, here we report an anomalous anisotropy of spin current can emerge in the (001) film of Mn3Pt, a noncollinear antiferromagnetic spin source with face-centered cubic structure. Such spin current anisotropy originates from the intertwined time reversal-odd ($${{{{{\mathscr{T}}}}}}$$
T
-odd) and time reversal-even ($${{{{{\mathscr{T}}}}}}$$
T
-even) spin Hall effects. Based on symmetry analyses and experimental characterizations of the current-induced spin torques in Mn3Pt-based heterostructures, we find that the spin current generated by Mn3Pt (001) exhibits exotic dependences on the current direction for all the spin components, deviating from that in conventional cubic systems. We also demonstrate that such an anisotropic spin current can be used to realize low-power spintronic applications such as the efficient field-free switching of the perpendicular magnetizations.
Structural basis of the activation of TRPV5 channels by long-chain acyl-Coenzyme-A
Authors: Lee Bo-Hyun , De Jesús Pérez José J. , Moiseenkova-Bell Vera , Rohacs Tibor
Published: September 2023

Long-chain acyl-coenzyme A (LC-CoA) is a crucial metabolic intermediate that plays important cellular regulatory roles, including activation and inhibition of ion channels. The structural basis of ion channel regulation by LC-CoA is not known. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 5 and 6 (TRPV5 and TRPV6) are epithelial calcium-selective ion channels. Here, we demonstrate that LC-CoA activates TRPV5 and TRPV6 in inside-out patches, and both exogenously supplied and endogenously produced LC-CoA can substitute for the natural ligand phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) in maintaining channel activity in intact cells. Utilizing cryo-electron microscopy, we determined the structure of LC-CoA-bound TRPV5, revealing an open configuration with LC-CoA occupying the same binding site as PI(4,5)P2 in previous studies. This is consistent with our finding that PI(4,5)P2 could not further activate the channels in the presence of LC-CoA. Our data provide molecular insights into ion channel regulation by a metabolic signaling molecule.
pH-gated nanoparticles selectively regulate lysosomal function of tumour-associated macrophages for cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Tang Mingmei , Chen Binlong , Xia Heming , Pan Meijie , Zhao Ruiyang , Zhou Jiayi , Yin Qingqing , Wan Fangjie , Yan Yue , Fu Chuanxun , Zhong Lijun , Zhang Qiang , Wang Yiguang
Published: September 2023

Tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs), as one of the most abundant tumour-infiltrating immune cells, play a pivotal role in tumour antigen clearance and immune suppression. M2-like TAMs present a heightened lysosomal acidity and protease activity, limiting an effective antigen cross-presentation. How to selectively reprogram M2-like TAMs to reinvigorate anti-tumour immune responses is challenging. Here, we report a pH-gated nanoadjuvant (PGN) that selectively targets the lysosomes of M2-like TAMs in tumours rather than the corresponding organelles from macrophages in healthy tissues. Enabled by the PGN nanotechnology, M2-like TAMs are specifically switched to a M1-like phenotype with attenuated lysosomal acidity and cathepsin activity for improved antigen cross-presentation, thus eliciting adaptive immune response and sustained tumour regression in tumour-bearing female mice. Our findings provide insights into how to specifically regulate lysosomal function of TAMs for efficient cancer immunotherapy.
Rapid design of top-performing metal-organic frameworks with qualitative representations of building blocks
Authors: Comlek Yigitcan , Pham Thang Duc , Snurr Randall Q. , Chen Wei
Published: September 2023

Data-driven materials design often encounters challenges where systems possess qualitative (categorical) information. Specifically, representing Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) through different building blocks poses a challenge for designers to incorporate qualitative information into design optimization, and leads to a combinatorial challenge, with large number of MOFs that could be explored. In this work, we integrated Latent Variable Gaussian Process (LVGP) and Multi-Objective Batch-Bayesian Optimization (MOBBO) to identify top-performing MOFs adaptively, autonomously, and efficiently. We showcased that our method (i) requires no specific physical descriptors and only uses building blocks that construct the MOFs for global optimization through qualitative representations, (ii) is application and property independent, and (iii) provides an interpretable model of building blocks with physical justification. By searching only ~1% of the design space, LVGP-MOBBO identified all MOFs on the Pareto front and 97% of the 50 top-performing designs for the CO2 working capacity and CO2/N2 selectivity properties.
Effect of nitrogen content on corrosion behavior of high-nitrogen austenitic stainless steel
Authors: Gao Fengyin , Qiao Yanxin , Chen Jian , Yang Lanlan , Zhou Huiling , Zheng Zhibin , Zhang Lianmin
Published: September 2023

A series of electrochemical tests combined with the techniques of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to study the effect of nitrogen content on the composition, structure and protectiveness of passive films, which were formed on the surfaces of high-nitrogen austenitic stainless steels (HNSS) in 0.5 mol/L NaCl solution. The results showed that the HNSS with higher nitrogen content had a larger proportion of low-angle grain boundaries, and it also had a lower corrosion current density in 0.5 mol/L NaCl solution and thus a lower corrosion rate. The existence of a larger proportion of stable oxides (e.g., Cr2O3) in the passive films facilitates the passivation/repassivation process and contributes to the high corrosion resistance of HNSS.
Uncovering the neurophysiology of mood, motivation and behavioral symptoms in Parkinson’s disease through intracranial recordings
Authors: Ricciardi Lucia , Apps Matthew , Little Simon
Published: September 2023

Neuropsychiatric mood and motivation symptoms (depression, anxiety, apathy, impulse control disorders) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) are highly disabling, difficult to treat and exacerbated by current medications and deep brain stimulation therapies. High-resolution intracranial recording techniques have the potential to undercover the network dysfunction and cognitive processes that drive these symptoms, towards a principled re-tuning of circuits. We highlight intracranial recording as a valuable tool for mapping and desegregating neural networks and their contribution to mood, motivation and behavioral symptoms, via the ability to dissect multiplexed overlapping spatial and temporal neural components. This technique can be powerfully combined with behavioral paradigms and emerging computational techniques to model underlying latent behavioral states. We review the literature of intracranial recording studies investigating mood, motivation and behavioral symptomatology with reference to 1) emotional processing, 2) executive control 3) subjective valuation (reward & cost evaluation) 4) motor control and 5) learning and updating. This reveals associations between different frequency specific network activities and underlying cognitive processes of reward decision making and action control. If validated, these signals represent potential computational biomarkers of motivational and behavioural states and could lead to principled therapy development for mood, motivation and behavioral symptoms in PD.
Graph-based analysis of EEG for schizotypy classification applying flicker Ganzfeld stimulation
Authors: Zandbagleh Ahmad , Mirzakuchaki Sattar , Daliri Mohammad Reza , Sumich Alexander , Anderson John D. , Sanei Saeid
Published: September 2023

Ganzfeld conditions induce alterations in brain function and pseudo-hallucinatory experiences, particularly in people with high positive schizotypy. The current study uses graph-based parameters to investigate and classify brain networks under Ganzfeld conditions as a function of positive schizotypy. Participants from the general population (14 high schizotypy (HS), 29 low schizotypy (LS)) had an electroencephalography assessment during Ganzfeld conditions, with varying visual activation (8 frequencies of random light flicker) and soundscape-induced mood (neutral, serenity, and anxiety). Weighted functional networks were computed in six frequency sub-bands (delta, theta, alpha-low, alpha-high, beta, and gamma) as a function of light-flicker frequency and mood. The brain network was analyzed using graph theory parameters, including clustering coefficient (CC), strength, and global efficiency (GE). It was found that the LS groups had higher CC and strength than the HS groups, especially in bilateral temporal and frontotemporal brain regions. Moreover, some decreases in CC and strength measures were found in LS groups among occipital and parieto-occipital brain regions. LS groups also had significantly higher GE in all Ganzfeld conditions compared to the HS groups. The random under-sampling boosting (RUSBoost) algorithm achieved the best classification performance with an accuracy of 95.34%, specificity of 96.55%, and sensitivity of 92.85% during an anxiety-induction Ganzfeld condition. This is the first exploration of the relationship between brain functional state changes under Ganzfeld conditions in individuals who vary in positive schizotypy. The accuracy of graph-based parameters in classifying brain states as a function of schizotypy is shown, particularly for brain activity during anxiety induction, and should be investigated in psychosis.
Defining E3 ligase–substrate relationships through multiplex CRISPR screening
Authors: Timms Richard T. , Mena Elijah L. , Leng Yumei , Li Mamie Z. , Tchasovnikarova Iva A. , Koren Itay , Elledge Stephen J.
Published: September 2023

Specificity within the ubiquitin–proteasome system is primarily achieved through E3 ubiquitin ligases, but for many E3s their substrates—and in particular the molecular features (degrons) that they recognize—remain largely unknown. Current approaches for assigning E3s to their cognate substrates are tedious and low throughput. Here we developed a multiplex CRISPR screening platform to assign E3 ligases to their cognate substrates at scale. A proof-of-principle multiplex screen successfully performed ~100 CRISPR screens in a single experiment, refining known C-degron pathways and identifying an additional pathway through which Cul2FEM1B targets C-terminal proline. Further, by identifying substrates for Cul1FBXO38, Cul2APPBP2, Cul3GAN, Cul3KLHL8, Cul3KLHL9/13 and Cul3KLHL15, we demonstrate that the approach is compatible with pools of full-length protein substrates of varying stabilities and, when combined with site-saturation mutagenesis, can assign E3 ligases to their cognate degron motifs. Thus, multiplex CRISPR screening will accelerate our understanding of how specificity is achieved within the ubiquitin–proteasome system.
Bifidobacteria define gut microbiome profiles of golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia) and marmoset (Callithrix sp.) metagenomic shotgun pools
Authors: Malukiewicz Joanna , D’arc Mirela , Dias Cecilia A. , Cartwright Reed A. , Grativol Adriana D. , Moreira Silvia Bahadian , Souza Antonizete R. , Tavares Maria Clotilde Henriques , Pissinatti Alcides , Ruiz-Miranda Carlos R. , Santos André F. A.
Published: September 2023

Gut microbiome disruptions may lead to adverse effects on wildlife fitness and viability, thus maintaining host microbiota biodiversity needs to become an integral part of wildlife conservation. The highly-endangered callitrichid golden lion tamarin (GLT-Leontopithecus rosalia) is a rare conservation success, but allochthonous callitrichid marmosets (Callithrix) serve as principle ecological GLT threats. However, incorporation of microbiome approaches to GLT conservation is impeded by limited gut microbiome studies of Brazilian primates. Here, we carried out analysis of gut metagenomic pools from 114 individuals of wild and captive GLTs and marmosets. More specifically, we analyzed the bacterial component of ultra filtered samples originally collected as part of a virome profiling study. The major findings of this study are consistent with previous studies in showing thatBifidobacterium, a bacterial species important for the metabolism of tree gums consumed by callitrichids, is an important component of the callitrichid gut microbiome - although GTLs and marmosets were enriched for different species ofBifidobacterium. Additionally, the composition of GLT and marmoset gut microbiota is sensitive to host environmental factors. Overall, our data expand baseline gut microbiome data for callitrichids to allow for the development of new tools to improve their management and conservation.
The influence of general knowledge test performance on self-ratings of and perceived relationships between intelligence, knowledge, and memory
Authors: Coane Jennifer H. , Cipollini John , Beaulieu Charlotte , Song Julianna , Umanath Sharda
Published: September 2023

The present study examined how taking a general knowledge (GK) test affects perceptions of one’s intelligence, memory, and knowledge and the relationship between these three constructs. Participants rated their abilities on each construct and the strength of the relationships between them before and after completing an easy or hard GK test or control task. In Experiment 1, participants were (mis)informed that GK questions were correctly answered by 50% of the population; in Experiment 2, no such information was provided. Regardless of (mis)information about others’ performance, participants in the Hard condition believed they had a worse memory, were less knowledgeable, and were less intelligent post-task. However, the strength of the perceived relationship between GK and intelligence decreased only when participants were misled. Judgments of one’s intelligence, memory, and knowledge can be manipulated by taking a GK test, and individuals engage in self-protective behavior to reduce the potential threat to one’s self-concept.
Possible role of selenium in ameliorating lead-induced neurotoxicity in the cerebrum of adult male rats: an experimental study
Authors: Hegazy Abdelmonem Awad , Domouky Ayat M. , Akmal Fatma , El-wafaey Dalia Ibrahim
Published: September 2023

Chronic lead (Pb) poisoning is one of the greatest public health risks. The nervous system is the primary and most vulnerable target of Pb poisoning. Selenium (Se) has been shown to be a potential protection against heavy metal toxicity through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Therefore, the present study aimed to elucidate the possible protective role of Se in ameliorating the effects of Pb on rat cerebral structure by examining oxidative stress and markers of apoptosis. The rats were divided into 6 groups: control group, Se group, low Pb group, high Pb group, low Pb + Se group, high Pb + Se group. After the 4-week experiment period, cerebral samples were examined using biochemical and histological techniques. Pb ingestion especially when administered in high doses resulted in cerebral injury manifested by a significant increase in glial fibrillary acidic protein, malondialdehyde (MDA) marker of brain oxidation and DNA fragmentation. Moreover, Pb produced alteration of the normal cerebral structure and cellular degeneration with a significant reduction in the total number of neurons and thickness of the frontal cortex with separation of meninges from the cerebral surface. There was also a decrease in total antioxidant capacity. All these changes are greatly improved by adding Se especially in the low Pb + Se group. The cerebral structure showed a relatively normal histological appearance with normally attached pia and an improvement in neuronal structure. There was also a decrease in MDA and DNA fragmentation and an increase TAC. Selenium is suggested to reduce Pb-induced neurotoxicity due to its modulation of oxidative stress and apoptosis.
A low dimensional embedding of brain dynamics enhances diagnostic accuracy and behavioral prediction in stroke
Authors: Idesis Sebastian , Allegra Michele , Vohryzek Jakub , Sanz Perl Yonatan , Faskowitz Joshua , Sporns Olaf , Corbetta Maurizio , Deco Gustavo
Published: September 2023

Large-scale brain networks reveal structural connections as well as functional synchronization between distinct regions of the brain. The latter, referred to as functional connectivity (FC), can be derived from neuroimaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). FC studies have shown that brain networks are severely disrupted by stroke. However, since FC data are usually large and high-dimensional, extracting clinically useful information from this vast amount of data is still a great challenge, and our understanding of the functional consequences of stroke remains limited. Here, we propose a dimensionality reduction approach to simplify the analysis of this complex neural data. By using autoencoders, we find a low-dimensional representation encoding the fMRI data which preserves the typical FC anomalies known to be present in stroke patients. By employing the latent representations emerging from the autoencoders, we enhanced patients’ diagnostics and severity classification. Furthermore, we showed how low-dimensional representation increased the accuracy of recovery prediction.