bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Cost of Wrongdoing to Bystander Firms
Authors: Lee Minjung , Lee Mina , Lee Seung-Hyun
Published: May 2023

We argue that a taken-for-granted category gives way to a new category when strategic behavior becomes stigmatized. As a result, even bystander firms that have engaged in similar strategic behavior, such as lobbying, will be penalized by their association with the culpable strategic behavior. The extent of their association with the culpable behavior will determine the level of punishment they receive. However, if a trustworthy third party administers a corrective measure, the affected firms can regain their lost legitimacy. The extent of their restoration is proportional to the amount of legitimacy that was lost. We provide empirical evidence for this argument by analyzing the Jack Abramoff case, one of the most notorious corrupt lobbying cases in US history. We find that bystander firms were penalized by shareholders when the corrupt lobbying was revealed. Furthermore, the penalty was more severe for bystander firms that engaged in more lobbying activities and hired more revolving-door lobbyists. We also find that the subsequent legal remedy helped the bystander firms that were penalized the most to recover the most from their losses. We confirm the theoretical notion using the Enron case as well.
Angehrn-Siu-Helmke’s method applied to abelian varieties
Authors: Jiang Zhi
Published: May 2023

We apply Angehrn-Siu-Helmke’s method to estimate basepoint freeness thresholds of higher dimensional polarized abelian varieties. We showed that a conjecture of Caucci holds for very general polarized abelian varieties in the moduli spaces

$\mathcal {A}_{g, l}$

with only finitely many possible exceptions of primitive polarization types l in each dimension g. We improved the bound of basepoint freeness thresholds of any polarized abelian

$4$

-folds and simple abelian

$5$

-folds.
Caught in the Act: Karl Rahner, Brian Flanagan, and the Problem of Liturgical Failure
Authors: Karst Layla A.
Published: May 2023

This article explores the limitations of theological reasoning that have attempted to reconcile the claim of faith that the church is holy with the experience of a broken and sinful church. A recent case study from an Easter Vigil celebration shows how attention to liturgical practice can challenge assumptions that scholars have made about the church's liturgies and reframe the fundamental theological question at stake in this conversation in such a way that the declaration that the church is sinful does not necessarily negate or preclude the declaration that the church is also holy.
Making inroads to precision medicine for the treatment of autoimmune diseases: Harnessing genomic studies to better diagnose and treat complex disorders
Authors: Baglaenko Yuriy , Wagner Catriona , Bhoj Vijay G. , Brodin Petter , Gershwin M. Eric , Graham Daniel , Invernizzi Pietro , Kidd Kenneth K. , Korsunsky Ilya , Levy Michael , Mammen Andrew L. , Nizet Victor , Ramirez-Valle Francisco , Stites Edward C. , Williams Marc S. , Wilson Michael , Rose Noel R. , Ladd Virginia , Sirota Marina
Published: May 2023

Precision Medicine is an emerging approach for disease treatment and prevention that takes into account individual variability in genes, environment, and lifestyle. Autoimmune diseases are those in which the body’s natural defense system loses discriminating power between its own cells and foreign cells, causing the body to mistakenly attack healthy tissues. These conditions are very heterogeneous in their presentation and therefore difficult to diagnose and treat. Achieving precision medicine in autoimmune diseases has been challenging due to the complex etiologies of these conditions, involving an interplay between genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. However, recent technological and computational advances in molecular profiling have helped identify patient subtypes and molecular pathways which can be used to improve diagnostics and therapeutics. This review discusses the current understanding of the disease mechanisms, heterogeneity, and pathogenic autoantigens in autoimmune diseases gained from genomic and transcriptomic studies and highlights how these findings can be applied to better understand disease heterogeneity in the context of disease diagnostics and therapeutics.
The Smart Beta Mirage
Authors: Huang Shiyang , Song Yang , Xiang Hong
Published: May 2023

We document and explain the sharp performance deterioration of smart beta indexes after the corresponding exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are launched for investment. While smart beta is purported to deliver excess returns through factor exposures, the market-adjusted return of smart beta indexes drops from about 3% “on paper” before ETF listings to about −0.50% to −1% after ETF listings. This performance decline cannot be explained by variation in factor premia, strategic timing, or diminishing returns to scale. Instead, we find strong evidence of data mining in the construction of smart beta indexes, which helps ETFs attract flows, as investors respond positively to backtests.
Shouting absences: Disentangling the ghosts of Ukraine in occupied Crimea
Authors: Volvach Natalia
Published: May 2023

This article aims to illuminate absences in the semiotic landscape of Crimea, resulting from the erasure of Ukraine after Russia's occupation of Crimea in 2014. By foregrounding what is not there, the study expands semiotic landscapes studies and critical sociolinguistic research more generally by interrogating absence and its haunting effects. More than 3,500 photographs of semiotic landscapes collected over two months of fieldwork between 2017 and 2019 together with fieldnotes serve as ethnographic data. The production of absence is interrogated through an analysis of its material effects, that is, voids, holes, and blank walls. It concludes that erasure does not simply negate Ukraine. Instead, pasts remain present, visible, and audible in semiotic landscapes. Absences, as part of a relational ontology of materiality, discourse, and affect, shout about complex invisibilized histories of violence. In this way, they suggest the need to probe traditional approaches in semiotic landscape research that rely on an ontology of presence. (Absence, trace, materiality, ghost, spectre, haunting, Crimea, Ukraine, semiotic landscape, linguistic landscape, interdiscursivity)*
From Naming Verb to Copula: The Case of Wangerooge Frisian Heit
Authors: Hoekstra Jarich
Published: May 2023

In the now extinct Frisian dialect of the island of Wangerooge, the naming verb heit ‘to be called’ had partially grammaticalized into a copular verb ‘to be’ competing, to some extent, with the original copula wízze ‘to be’. In this paper, I discuss the development and the status of the copula heit in some detail and consider what it might tell one about the taxonomy of copular clauses (Higgins 1979). I show that the functional change from naming verb to copula initially occurred in identificational copular clauses. From there heit spread to classifi-cational and specificational copular clauses, but not to predicational ones. This development suggests a principled distinction between predicational copular clauses on the one hand and identificational copular clauses (conceived as comprising classifying, specifying, and equating ones) on the other. This does not imply, however, that heit is an identificational copula or that it selects an identificational small clause. I analyze copular heit used with an identificational small clause as a suppletive allomorph of wízze ‘to be’.*
The Relationship Between Air Quality, Health Outcomes, and Socioeconomic Impacts of the COVID‐19 Pandemic in the US
Authors: Rives Robin , Elshorbany Yasin , Kaylor Sydney
Published: May 2023

COVID‐19 lockdowns caused significant improvements in air quality in US states where traffic emissions are the main pollution source. In this study, we investigate the socioeconomic impacts of the COVID‐19‐related lockdowns in states which experienced the greatest changes in air quality, especially among different demographic populations and those with contraindications to health. We administered a 47‐question survey and collected 1,000 valid responses in these cities. Our results show that 74% of respondents within our survey sample had some level of concern regarding air quality. In agreement with previous literature, perceptions of air quality were not significantly correlated with measured air quality criteria but rather seemed to be influenced by other factors. Respondents in Los Angeles were the most concerned about air quality followed by Miami, San Francisco, and New York City. However, those from Chicago and Tampa Bay expressed the least amount of concern about air quality. Age, education, and ethnicity were all factors affecting peoples' concerns about air quality. Respiratory conditions, living in proximity to industrial areas, and financial impacts from the COVID‐19 lockdowns influenced concerns about air quality. About 40% of the survey sample reported greater concern for air quality during the pandemic, while approximately 50% stated that the lockdown didn’t affect their perception. Furthermore, respondents seemed concerned about air quality in general, not a specific pollutant, and are willing to adopt additional measures and more stringent policies to improve air quality in all investigated cities.
High‐Resolution Gridded Temperature and Salinity Fields From Argo Floats Based on a Spatiotemporal Four‐Dimensional Multigrid Analysis Method
Authors: Zhou Gongfu , Han Guijun , Li Wei , Wang Xuan , Wu Xiaobo , Cao Lige , Li Chaoliang
Published: May 2023

The shortage of in situ ocean observations greatly limits the development of gridded ocean subsurface environmental analysis products. Fully using the correlated information of the observations in time and space is an appropriate approach to this problem. Here we adopt a method of spatiotemporal four‐dimensional multigrid analysis. A weekly gridded Argo product is also constructed in the Northwest Pacific Ocean (0°–40°N, 120°–152°E) from 2005 to 2020, with a horizontal resolution of 0.5° × 0.5° and 65 layers in the upper 1,500 m. Then, the gridded Argo product is evaluated by using in situ Argo floats, satellite altimeter data, the Tropical Atmosphere Ocean/Triangle Trans‐Ocean Buoy Network (TAO/TRITON), high‐resolution shipboard observations and some global gridded Argo products. Compared with in situ Argo floats, the reconstructed fields retain the spatiotemporal information of Argo floats well. The maximum vertical root mean square errors of temperature and salinity between the gridded Argo product and in situ Argo floats are less than 0.47°C and 0.06 psu respectively. In addition, the product agrees well with independent observations of satellite altimeter data, TAO/TRITON. Compared with shipboard observations, the product can well reflect the structure of mesoscale eddies and detect some small‐scale water masses. Compared with global gridded Argo products, our product retains more mesoscale features and has spatiotemporal correlation.
Accelerating the Lagrangian Particle Tracking in Hydrologic Modeling to Continental‐Scale
Authors: Yang Chen , Ponder Carl , Wang Bei , Tran Hoang , Zhang Jun , Swilley Jackson , Condon Laura , Maxwell Reed
Published: May 2023

Unprecedented climate change and anthropogenic activities have induced increasing ecohydrological problems, motivating the development of large‐scale hydrologic modeling for solutions. Water age/quality is as important as water quantity for understanding the terrestrial water cycle. However, scientific progress in tracking water parcels at large‐scale with high spatiotemporal resolutions is far behind that in simulating water balance/quantity owing to the lack of powerful modeling tools. EcoSLIM is a particle tracking model working with ParFlow‐CLM that couples integrated surface‐subsurface hydrology with land surface processes. Here, we demonstrate a parallel framework on distributed, multi‐Graphics Processing Unit platforms with Compute Unified Device Architecture‐Aware Message Passing Interface for accelerating EcoSLIM to continental‐scale. In tests from catchment‐, to regional‐, and then to continental‐scale using 25‐million to 1.6‐billion particles, EcoSLIM shows significant speedup and excellent parallel performance. The parallel framework is portable to atmospheric and oceanic particle tracking models, where the parallelization is inadequate, and a standard parallel framework is also absent. The parallelized EcoSLIM is a promising tool to accelerate our understanding of the terrestrial water cycle and the upscaling of subsurface hydrology to Earth System Models.
Cenozoic Shortening and Propagation in the Eastern Kuqa Fold‐And‐Thrust Belt, South Tian Shan, NW China
Authors: Li Feng , Cheng Xiaogan , Chen Hanlin , Shi Xuhua , Li Yong , Charreau Julien , Weldon Ray
Published: May 2023

In an orogen‐foreland basin system, syn‐orogenic sedimentation and deformation records within the foreland basin provide critical evidence for understanding uplift and erosion processes of adjacent orogenic belts. Foreland fold‐and‐thrust belts (FTBs) are widely developed around the Tian Shan range, Central Asia. Problem of how crustal shortening accumulates and propagates from the Tian Shan to adjacent foreland basins is essential for understanding the overall dynamics of Tian Shan. In this study, we interpreted three high‐resolution seismic reflection profiles to estimate the magnitude and distribution of Cenozoic shortening across the Eastern Kuqa FTB, South Tian Shan foreland. Combined with well‐dated syntectonic stratigraphy, we further evaluate the timing, rate, and migration of the deformation front of the Kuqa FTB. Our results suggest that the Kuqa FTB's total crustal shortening increases westward. The distribution of crustal shortening across secondary structural belts shows a gradual, basinward decrease, which can be explained by the telescoped mechanism. Propagation rates of the Kuqa FTB's deformation front indicate an episodic propagation of the foreland thrust wedge, with an acceleration after ∼12 Ma. Similar episodic propagation pattern has also been observed in other foreland FTBs around the Tian Shan, but they show significant spatio‐temporal variations in the propagation stages and related rates.
Rocky Exoplanet May Have Magnetic Field
Authors: Cartier Kimberly
Published: May 2023

Magnetic interactions between stellar wind and the planet likely caused extrasolar space weather.
Thank You to Our 2022 Peer Reviewers
Authors: Rajaram Harihar , Camargo Suzana , Cappa Christopher D. , Dombard Andrew J. , Donohue Kathleen A. , Feakins Sarah , Flesch Lucy , Giannini Alessandra , Gu Yu , Huber Christian , Ivanov Valeriy , Karnauskas Kristopher , Korte Monika , Lu Gang , Magnusdottir Gudrun , Morlighem Mathieu , Prieto Germán A. , Qiu Bo , Su Hui , Sun Daoyuan , Wang Kaicun , Whalen Caitlin , White Angelicque E. , Williams Quentin , Yau Andrew
Published: May 2023

On behalf of the journal, AGU, and the scientific community, the editors of Geophysical Research Letters would like to sincerely thank those who reviewed manuscripts for us in 2022. The hours reading and commenting on manuscripts not only improve the manuscripts, but also increase the scientific rigor of future research in the field. With the advent of AGU's data policy, many reviewers have also helped immensely to evaluate the accessibility and availability of data, and many have provided insightful comments that helped to improve the data presentation and quality. We greatly appreciate the assistance of the reviewers in advancing open science, which is a key objective of AGU's data policy. We particularly appreciate the timely reviews in light of the demands imposed by the rapid review process at Geophysical Research Letters. We received 6,687 submissions in 2022 and 5,247 reviewers contributed to their evaluation by providing 8,720 reviews in total. We deeply appreciate their contributions in these challenging times.
An Efficient, Time‐Dependent High Speed Stream Model and Application to Solar Wind Forecasts
Authors: Kay C. , Nieves‐Chinchilla T. , Hofmeister S. J. , Palmerio E.
Published: May 2023

Predicting space weather effects of the solar wind requires knowing the location and properties of any embedded high speed streams (HSSs) or stream interactions regions (SIRs) that form as the fast solar wind catches up to slow preceding wind. Additionally, this background solar wind affects the evolution of coronal mass ejections. We present the Mostly Empirical Operation Wind with a High Speed Stream (MEOW‐HiSS) model, which runs nearly instantaneously. This model is derived from magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of an idealized HSS emanating from a circular coronal hole. We split the MHD HSS radial profiles into small regions well‐described by simple functions (e.g., flat, linear, exponential, sinusoidal) that can be constrained using the MHD values. We then determine how the region boundaries and the constraining values change with CH area and the radial distance of the HSS front. MEOW‐HiSS only requires this area and distance to reproduce the corresponding radial profile with an error of less than 10% for most parameters. MEOW‐HiSS produces profiles at any subsequent times with almost no loss in accuracy. We compare MEOW‐HiSS results to four HSS observed in situ at 1 au. We present a method for determining MEOW‐HiSS inputs from extreme ultra‐violet images and use these values to hindcast the observed cases. We find average accuracies of 2.8 cm−3 in the number density (50% error over the full profile), 56.7 km/s in the radial velocity (10%), 2.2 nT in the absolute radial magnetic field (50%), 1.6 nT in the absolute longitudinal magnetic field (50%), and 7 × 104 K in the temperature (50%).
Glycerol metabolism supports oral commensal interactions
Authors: Treerat Puthayalai , Anderson David , Giacaman Rodrigo A , Merritt Justin , Kreth Jens
Published: May 2023

During oral biofilm development, interspecies interactions drive species distribution and biofilm architecture. To understand what molecular mechanisms determine these interactions, we used information gained from recent biogeographical investigations demonstrating an association of corynebacteria with streptococci. We previously reported that Streptococcus sanguinis and Corynebacterium durum have a close relationship through the production of membrane vesicle and fatty acids leading to S. sanguinis chain elongation and overall increased fitness supporting their commensal state. Here we present the molecular mechanisms of this interspecies interaction. Coculture experiments for transcriptomic analysis identified several differentially expressed genes in S. sanguinis. Due to its connection to fatty acid synthesis, we focused on the glycerol-operon. We further explored the differentially expressed type IV pili genes due to their connection to motility and biofilm adhesion. Gene inactivation of the glycerol kinase glpK had a profound impact on the ability of S. sanguinis to metabolize C. durum secreted glycerol and impaired chain elongation important for their interaction. Investigations on the effect of type IV pili revealed a reduction of S. sanguinis twitching motility in the presence of C. durum, which was caused by a decrease in type IV pili abundance on the surface of S. sanguinis as determined by SEM. In conclusion, we identified that the ability to metabolize C. durum produced glycerol is crucial for the interaction of C. durum and S. sanguinis. Reduced twitching motility could lead to a closer interaction of both species, supporting niche development in the oral cavity and potentially shaping symbiotic health-associated biofilm communities.
Atomistic learning in the electronically grand-canonical ensemble
Authors: Chen Xi , El Khatib Muammar , Lindgren Per , Willard Adam , Medford Andrew J. , Peterson Andrew A.
Published: May 2023

A strategy is presented for the machine-learning emulation of electronic structure calculations carried out in the electronically grand-canonical ensemble. The approach relies upon a dual-learning scheme, where both the system charge and the system energy are predicted for each image. The scheme is shown to be capable of emulating basic electrochemical reactions at a range of potentials, and coupling it with a bootstrap-ensemble approach gives reasonable estimates of the prediction uncertainty. The method is also demonstrated to accelerate saddle-point searches, and to extrapolate to systems with one to five water layers. We anticipate that this method will allow for larger length- and time-scale simulations necessary for electrochemical simulations.
Shorter planning depth and higher response noise during sequential decision-making in old age
Authors: Steffen Johannes , Marković Dimitrije , Glöckner Franka , Neukam Philipp T. , Kiebel Stefan J. , Li Shu-Chen , Smolka Michael N.
Published: May 2023

Forward planning is crucial to maximize outcome in complex sequential decision-making scenarios. In this cross-sectional study, we were particularly interested in age-related differences of forward planning. We presumed that especially older individuals would show a shorter planning depth to keep the costs of model-based decision-making within limits. To test this hypothesis, we developed a sequential decision-making task to assess forward planning in younger (age < 40 years; n = 25) and older (age > 60 years; n = 27) adults. By using reinforcement learning modelling, we inferred planning depths from participants' choices. Our results showed significantly shorter planning depths and higher response noise for older adults. Age differences in planning depth were only partially explained by well-known cognitive covariates such as working memory and processing speed. Consistent with previous findings, this indicates age-related shifts away from model-based behaviour in older adults. In addition to a shorter planning depth, our findings suggest that older adults also apply a variety of heuristical low-cost strategies.
Shallow shotgun sequencing reduces technical variation in microbiome analysis
Authors: La Reau Alex J. , Strom Noah B. , Filvaroff Ellen , Mavrommatis Konstantinos , Ward Tonya L. , Knights Dan
Published: May 2023

The microbiome is known to play a role in many human diseases, but identifying key microbes and their functions generally requires large studies due to the vast number of species and genes, and the high levels of intra-individual and inter-individual variation. 16S amplicon sequencing of the rRNA gene is commonly used for large studies due to its comparatively low sequencing cost, but it has poor taxonomic and functional resolution. Deep shotgun sequencing is a more accurate and comprehensive alternative for small studies, but can be cost-prohibitive for biomarker discovery in large populations. Shallow or moderate-depth shotgun metagenomics may serve as a viable alternative to 16S sequencing for large-scale and/or dense longitudinal studies, but only if resolution and reproducibility are comparable. Here we applied both 16S and shallow shotgun stool microbiome sequencing to a cohort of 5 subjects sampled twice daily and weekly, with technical replication at the DNA extraction and the library preparation/sequencing steps, for a total of 80 16S samples and 80 shallow shotgun sequencing samples. We found that shallow shotgun sequencing produced lower technical variation and higher taxonomic resolution than 16S sequencing, at a much lower cost than deep shotgun sequencing. These findings suggest that shallow shotgun sequencing provides a more specific and more reproducible alternative to 16S sequencing for large-scale microbiome studies where costs prohibit deep shotgun sequencing and where bacterial species are expected to have good coverage in whole-genome reference databases.
Perceptual learning based on a temporal stimulus enhances visual function in adult amblyopic subjects
Authors: Eisen-Enosh Auria , Farah Nairouz , Polat Uri , Mandel Yossi
Published: May 2023

Studies have shown that Perceptual Learning (PL) can lead to enhancement of spatial visual functions in amblyopic subjects. Here we aimed to determine whether a simple flickering stimulus can be utilized in PL to enhance temporal function performance and whether enhancement will transfer to spatial functions in amblyopic subjects. Six adult amblyopic and six normally sighted subjects underwent an evaluation of their performance of baseline psychophysics spatial functions (Visual acuity (VA), contrast sensitivity (CS), temporal functions (critical fusion frequency (CFF) test), as well as a static and flickering stereopsis test, and an electrophysiological evaluation (VEP). The subjects then underwent 5 training sessions (on average, a total of 150 min over 2.5 weeks), which included a task similar to the CFF test using the method of constant stimuli. After completing the training sessions, subjects repeated the initial performance evaluation tasks. All amblyopic subjects showed improved temporal visual performance (CFF) in the amblyopic eye (on average, 17%, p << 0.01) following temporal PL. Generalization to spatial, spatio-temporal, and binocular tasks was also found: VA increased by 0.12 logMAR (p = 0.004), CS in backward masking significantly increased (by up to 19%, p = 0.003), and flickering stereopsis increased by 85 arcsec (p = 0.048). These results were further electrophysiologically manifested by an increase in VEP amplitude (by 43%, p = 0.03), increased Signal-to-Noise ratio (SNR) (by 39%, p = 0.024) to levels not different from normally sighted subjects, along with an improvement in inter-ocular delay (by 5.8 ms, p = 0.003). In contrast, no significant effect of training was found in the normally sighted group. These results highlight the potential of PL based on a temporal stimulus to improve the temporal and spatial visual performance in amblyopes. Future work is needed to optimize this method for clinical applications.
Distinct nonlinear spectrotemporal integration in primary and secondary auditory cortices
Authors: Kline Amber M. , Aponte Destinee A. , Kato Hiroyuki K.
Published: May 2023

Animals sense sounds through hierarchical neural pathways that ultimately reach higher-order cortices to extract complex acoustic features, such as vocalizations. Elucidating how spectrotemporal integration varies along the hierarchy from primary to higher-order auditory cortices is a crucial step in understanding this elaborate sensory computation. Here we used two-photon calcium imaging and two-tone stimuli with various frequency-timing combinations to compare spectrotemporal integration between primary (A1) and secondary (A2) auditory cortices in mice. Individual neurons showed mixed supralinear and sublinear integration in a frequency-timing combination-specific manner, and we found unique integration patterns in these two areas. Temporally asymmetric spectrotemporal integration in A1 neurons suggested their roles in discriminating frequency-modulated sweep directions. In contrast, temporally symmetric and coincidence-preferring integration in A2 neurons made them ideal spectral integrators of concurrent multifrequency sounds. Moreover, the ensemble neural activity in A2 was sensitive to two-tone timings, and coincident two-tones evoked distinct ensemble activity patterns from the linear sum of component tones. Together, these results demonstrate distinct roles of A1 and A2 in encoding complex acoustic features, potentially suggesting parallel rather than sequential information extraction between these regions.
Genome-wide identification and comparative analysis of Dmrt genes in echinoderms
Authors: Wang Quanchao , Cao Tiangui , Wang Yanxia , Li Xiaojing , Wang Yue
Published: May 2023

The Dmrt (Doublesex-mab3-related transcription factor) gene family is a class of crucial transcription factors characterized by one or several conserved DM (Doublesex/Mab-3) domains. Dmrt family genes can participate in various physiological developmental processes, especially in sex determination/differentiation. Echinoderms are extremely important research objects in various fields, such as sex determination/differentiation and neuroscience. However, to date, the genome-wide characterization and analysis of Dmrt genes in echinoderms have not been investigated. In this study, the identification and analysis of Dmrt genes in 11 representative echinoderms were performed using bioinformatics methods. A total of 43 Dmrt genes have been found in the studied echinoderms, and the number of Dmrt genes in different species ranges from 2 to 5. The phylogenetic tree showed that all Dmrt genes from echinoderms can be subdivided into 5 classes, the Dmrt2-like class, Dmrt3-like class, Dmrt4/5-like class, Dsx-like class, and a novel Dmrt (starfish-specific) class. Furthermore, selective pressure assessment suggested that the Dmrt genes underwent purifying selection pressure. In general, this study provides a molecular basis for echinoderm Dmrt genes and may serve as a reference for in-depth phylogenomics.
Combinatorial immunotherapy with gemcitabine and ex vivo-expanded NK cells induces anti-tumor effects in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Koh Eun-Kyoung , Lee Hong-Rae , Son Woo-Chang , Park Ga-Young , Kim Juhee , Bae Jae-Ho , Park You-Soo
Published: May 2023

Pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose at the initial stage and is often discovered after metastasis to nearby organs. Gemcitabine is currently used as a standard treatment for pancreatic cancer. However, since chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer has not yet reached satisfactory therapeutic results, adjuvant chemotherapy methods are attempted. It can be expected that combining immune cell therapy with existing anticancer drug combination treatment will prevent cancer recurrence and increase survival rates. We isolated natural killer (NK) cells and co-cultured them with strongly activated autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as feeder cells, activated using CD3 antibody, IFN-r, IL-2, and γ-radiation. NK cells expanded in this method showed greater cytotoxicity than resting NK cells, when co-cultured with pancreatic cancer cell lines. Tumor growth was effectively inhibited in a pancreatic cancer mouse xenograft model. Therapeutic efficacy was increased by using gemcitabine and erlotinib in combination. These findings suggest that NK cells cultured by the method proposed here have excellent anti-tumor activity. We demonstrate that activated NK cells can efficiently inhibit pancreatic tumors when used in combination with gemcitabine-based therapy.
A tetranuclear polypyridylruthenium(ii) complex as a selective stain for extracellular vesicle penetration through brain microvascular endothelium
Authors: Wardhani Kartika , Levina Aviva , Sun Biyun , Grau Georges E. R. , Keene F. Richard , Collins J. Grant , Lay Peter A.
Published: May 2023

A tetranuclear Ru dye for selective staining of extracellular vesicles for studies of in vitro blood–brain barrier permeability.
Probing the binding and activation of small molecules by gas-phase transition metal clustersviaIR spectroscopy
Authors: Fielicke André
Published: May 2023

Complexes of transition metal clusters are useful model systems in surface chemistry and catalysis. Their structures can be analyzed in the gas phase by infrared action spectroscopies that detect vibrational excitation by means of mass spectrometry.
Unraveling the core of fuel cell performance: engineering the ionomer/catalyst interface
Authors: Li Chenzhao , Yu Kang , Bird Ashley , Guo Fei , Ilavsky Jan , Liu Yadong , Cullen David A. , Kusoglu Ahmet , Weber Adam Z. , Ferreira Paulo J. , Xie Jian
Published: May 2023

The interface between the ionomer and catalyst can be engineered by tuning the interactions through surface functionalization of carbon supports of catalysts. Attractive interactions can enhance the performance, while repelling interactions can hinder the performance.
Multifunctional porous microspheres encapsulating oncolytic bacterial spores and their potential for cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Bae Ga-Hyun , Ryu Young-Hyun , Han Jieun , Kim Song Hee , Park Chun Gwon , Park Jung-Hoon , Kim Dong-Hyun , Chon Hong Jae , Kim Chan , Choi Sung-Wook , Park Wooram
Published: May 2023

Multifunctional porous microspheres (MPMs) containing oncolytic bacterial spores provide a promising strategy for targeted cancer immunotherapy.
Targeting membrane-bound bacterial cell wall precursors: a tried and true antibiotic strategy in nature and the clinic
Authors: Buijs Ned P. , Matheson Eilidh J. , Cochrane Stephen A. , Martin Nathaniel I.
Published: May 2023

The bacterial cell wall is assembled via a coordinated biosynthetic cycle employing various membrane-anchored precursors. Sequestration of these uniquely bacterial building blocks remains a highly effective antibiotic strategy.
Synthesis of open-[70]fullerenes bearing huge orifices
Authors: Hashikawa Yoshifumi , Sadai Shumpei , Murata Yasujiro
Published: May 2023

Huge orifices with ring-atom counts of 17, 18, and 20 were created on [70]fullerene, enabling the spontaneous encapsulation of small guests such as H2O, N2, and Ar.
Investigation of reversible metal ion (Li+, Na+, Mg2+, Al3+) insertion in MoTe2 for rechargeable aqueous batteries
Authors: Nandi Sunny , Yan Yichen , Yuan Xintong , Wang Chongzhen , He Ximin , Li Yuzhang , Das Shyamal K.
Published: May 2023

The Al3+ ion electrochemistry of MoTe2 in aqueous batteries is illustrated.
Distinct doorway states lead to triplet excited state generation in epigenetic RNA nucleosides
Authors: Wang Danhong , Wang Xueli , Jin Peipei , Zhou Yusong , Jia Menghui , Pan Haifeng , Sun Zhenrong , Chen Jinquan
Published: May 2023

Triplet excited species are clearly identified in both hm6A and f6A after UV excitation, which is in sharp contrast to the 10−3level triplet yield of adenosine scaffolds.
Like aggregation from unlike attraction: stripes in symmetric mixtures of cross-attracting hard spheres
Authors: Munaò Gianmarco , Costa Dino , Malescio Gianpietro , Bomont Jean-Marc , Prestipino Santi
Published: May 2023

Introducing a flat and sufficiently long-ranged cross attraction in an equimolar mixture of identical hard spheres induces the spontaneous formation of stripes, the longer the attraction range, the thicker the stripes.
A seven-coordinate Mn(ii) complex with a pyridine-based 15-membered macrocyclic ligand containing one acetate pendant arm: structure, stability and relaxation properties
Authors: Pražáková Marie , Ndiaye Daouda , Tóth Éva , Drahoš Bohuslav
Published: May 2023

A novel seven-coordinate monohydrated Mn(ii) chelate of a pyridine-based macrocycle was investigated in the context of MRI contrast agent development.
Improving the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells using π-conjugated aromatic additives with differing hydrophobicities
Authors: Wang Ran , Altujjar Amal , Zibouche Nourdine , Wang Xuelian , Spencer Ben F. , Jia Zhenyu , Thomas Andrew G. , Mokhtar Muhamad Z. , Cai Rongsheng , Haigh Sarah J. , Saunders Jennifer M. , Islam M. Saiful , Saunders Brian R.
Published: May 2023

Perovskite solar cell efficiency and stability are improved by π-conjugated aromatic additives that are hydrophobic or hydrophilic due to strong binding with the perovskite.
Perovskite ionics – elucidating degradation mechanisms in perovskite solar cells via device modelling and iodine chemistry
Authors: Bitton Sapir , Tessler Nir
Published: May 2023

Accounting for the perovskite ionic transport and reactions reveals the importance of the electron blocking (hole transporting) layer in determining device stability.
The fate of organic peroxides indoors: quantifying humidity-dependent uptake on naturally soiled indoor window glass
Authors: Webb Marc , Cui Liyong , Morrison Glenn , Baumann Karsten , Surratt Jason D. , Zhang Zhenfa , Atkin Joanna , Turpin Barbara J.
Published: May 2023

The effect of humidity on organic hydroperoxide (ROOH) removal from air to real indoor surface films was investigated. A novel flow reactor for studying uptake kinetics of indoor pollutants on indoor materials is introduced.
Renewable lignin and its macromolecule derivatives: an emerging platform toward sustainable electrochemical energy storage
Authors: Yang Xueru , Zhang Yufei , Ye Minghui , Tang Yongchao , Wen Zhipeng , Liu Xiaoqing , Li Cheng Chao
Published: May 2023

This review overviews recent advances of the utilization of lignin-based/-derived macromolecules as key components of electrochemical energy storage devices. An outlook on future directions in this rapidly developing field is also envisioned.
Recent progress of manganese dioxide based electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: He Yunlong , Kang Zhenye , Li Jing , Li Yawei , Tian Xinlong
Published: May 2023

This review discusses the OER reaction mechanism (AEM and LOM) and the research progress of MnO2-based OER catalysts. The optimization strategy of MnO2-based catalysts was summarized.
Accelerated screening of Cu–Ga–Fe oxide semiconductors by combinatorial spray deposition and high-throughput analysis
Authors: Wolf Maximilian , Madsen Georg K. H. , Dimopoulos Theodoros
Published: May 2023

Platform for assessing opto-electronic materials through spray deposition of composition gradients coupled with (semi-)automatized SEM/EDS, XRD, and FTS measurements.
A computational study on cobalt-catalyzed allylic substitution of racemic allylic carbonates with amines: inner-sphere C–N reductive elimination and origins of regio- and enantioselectivities
Authors: Shen Zhen , Wu Hongli , Yang Jinjin , Kong Deping , Ge Jiaao , Huang Genping
Published: May 2023

DFT calculations reveal an inner-sphere C–N reductive elimination pathway for the cobalt/bisoxazolinephosphine-catalyzed allylic substitution of racemic allylic carbonates with amines.
A strategy for regioselective B–H functionalization ofo-carboranesviabase metal catalysis
Authors: Zhang Jie , Xie Zuowei
Published: May 2023

This frontier article summarizes the recent developments in base metal-catalyzed regioselective cage B–H functionalization of carboranes and discusses the related challenging issues.
Solvent and catalyst free vitrimeric poly(ionic liquid) electrolytes
Authors: Katcharava Zviadi , Zhou Xiaozhuang , Bhandary Rajesh , Sattler Rene , Huth Heiko , Beiner Mario , Marinow Anja , Binder Wolfgang H.
Published: May 2023

Vitrimeric PILs: conductive, reprocessable, self-healable, 3D-printable material as promising electrolyte for Li-ion batteries.
Magnetic field enabled in situ control over the structure and dynamics of colloids interacting via SALR potentials
Authors: Gauri Hashir M. , Sherman Zachary M. , Al Harraq Ahmed , Truskett Thomas M. , Bharti Bhuvnesh
Published: May 2023

A model system of tunable, competing short-range attraction (SA) and long-range repulsion (LR) among colloidal particles is developed which encompasses a diverse range of assembled states, including fractal clusters and a Wigner glass state.
Revisiting organosolv strategies for sustainable extraction of valuable lignin: the CoffeeCat process
Authors: Vuillemin Marie E. , Quesada-Salas María Catalina , Hadad Caroline , Jasniewski Jordane , Husson Eric , Sarazin Catherine
Published: May 2023

The CoffeeCat process is an innovative and sustainable strategy for the selective extraction and co-valorisation of polymers from lignocellulosic biomass requiring only green solvents and reagents: water, coffee furanone, glutamic acid.
Barley – a yet un-tapped feedstock for improved vegetable protein-based wood adhesives
Authors: Zeng Guodong , Zhu Feng , Aladejana John Tosin , Zhou Ying , Li Kuang , Luo Jing , Li Xiaona , Dong Youming , Wang Kaili , Li Jianzhang
Published: May 2023

A desirable green biomass adhesive has been developed from industrial waste (barley brewers' grains) and soy protein.
A molecularly imprinted fiber array solid-phase microextraction strategy for simultaneous detection of multiple estrogens
Authors: Zhou Qingqing , Duan Yunli , Xu Zhigang , Tian Yu , Liu Zhimin , Liu Chunbo , He Pei , Liu Zhihua , Si Xiaoxi
Published: May 2023

A kind of selective enrichment material based on a homemade molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) fiber array with high adsorption capacity was developed for the accurate analysis of estrogens in food samples.
Centripetal triazine chromophores: towards efficient two-photon absorbers and highly emissive polyimide films
Authors: Šimon Pavel , Klikar Milan , Burešová Zuzana , Vourdaki Chrisovalantou , Katsidas Alexandros , Tydlitát Jiří , Kulhánek Jiří , Zelenka Jiří , Fakis Mihalis , Bureš Filip
Published: May 2023

Centripetal chromophores based on the s-triazine core with tuneable properties and excellent two-photon absorption properties were used for the construction of high-quality and well-transparent emissive polyimide films.
Data‐driven chance‐constrained dispatch for integrated power and natural gas systems considering wind power prediction errors
Authors: Zhao Yuehao , Li Zhiyi , Ju Ping , Zhou Yue
Published: May 2023

Stochastic wind power prediction errors hurt the normal operation of integrated power and natural gas systems (IPGS). First, the data‐driven stochastic chance‐constrained programming method is applied to deal with wind power prediction errors, and its probability distribution is accurately fitted by variational Bayesian Gaussian mixture model with massive historical data. In addition, the data‐driven chance constraints of tie‐line power and reserve capacity of gas turbine are built. Next, to utilize wind power more reasonably, the operational characteristics and optimal commitment of power‐to‐hydrogen devices are considered and modelled in proposed strategy to reflect the actual situation of IPGS. Then, the original complicated dispatch problem is converted into a tractable second‐order cone programming problem via convex relaxation and quantile‐based analytical reformulation techniques. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed strategy is validated by numerical experiments based on a modified IEEE 33‐bus system integrated with a 10‐node natural gas system and a micro hydrogen system.
Participation of energy hubs in the market clearing price‐based energy market considering generation and consumption uncertainty modelling
Authors: Farsani Ahmad Torabi , Joorabin Mahmood , Mortazavi Seyed Saeidollah
Published: May 2023

The market clearing pricing (MCP) model is used to operate electricity, gas, and heating networks (EGHNs) with flexible energy hubs (EHs) in the day‐ahead energy market. It's two‐level optimization. Its higher level refers to EHs' participation in the market and their profit maximization bound by the operational model of power sources, storage devices, and responsive loads in the form of EHs and their flexibility limit. In the lower‐level problem, the MCP model calculates energy price and evaluates EH performance's effects on the networks' technical and economic indices. It optimizes power flow in the networks to reduce centralized generator operating costs. This approach is linear approximation. Unscented transformation (UT) model load and renewable power uncertainties. This technique contains the fewest situations, reducing issue volume and computing time. Benders decomposition (BD) technique calculates energy prices, EHs, and networks. Finally, the numerical results show that the proposed scheme can extract the optimal economic and flexibility states of EHs. EHs' optimal performance enhanced energy networks' economic and operating status compared to power flow studies and promoted societal welfare by lowering energy prices.
Low‐voltage ride‐through handling in wind farm with doubly fed induction generators based on variable‐step model predictive control
Authors: Nie Yonghui , Zhang Jie , Liu Tianyu , Cui Jiaxu , Zhang Lidong
Published: May 2023

A severe voltage sag on the wind‐farm grid side with doubly fed induction generators (DFIGs) can induce a peak inrush current in the rotors and damage converters, resulting in wind‐turbine disconnection from the grid. To prevent this from happening, a variable‐step model predictive control (VS‐MPC) strategy is proposed for improving the wind turbines’ ability to operate without disconnecting themselves from the grid when a fault occurs. First, the predictive‐control state‐space model of a doubly fed wind farm is established according to its working principle. Second, model predictive control (MPC) is applied on the rotor side of the DFIG to realize the rapid tracking of the rotor current to the reference value during low‐voltage ride‐through (LVRT) of the DFIG. Finally, a variable‐step size algorithm is introduced into the MPC controller to change the step size continuously during the LVRT period. This increases the control accuracy, realizing rapid attenuation of each transient component, whereby the wind‐farm LVRT capability is enhanced. The proposed control strategy was simulated and verified using MATLAB/Simulink. The simulation results indicated that VS‐MPC can effectively handle LVRT, allowing the recovery of a wind farm that uses DFIGs and improving the performance of wind‐farm.
The Neurotoxicity Effect and Molecular Mechanism of Fine Particulate Expose-Induced Nervous System Injury
Authors: Dong Weili , Bie Qingfeng , Wen Bo , Zhang Xu , Ma Guoyuan
Published: May 2023

The potential harm of atmospheric fine particulate matter to human health has been widely concerned around the world. A growing number of studies have shown that PMs exposure can cause damage to respiratory and cardiovascular systems. However, whether PMs can enter the brain and produce neurotoxicity has been an important research topic in the field of neurotoxicity and public health hazards in recent years. In this paper, we review the existing epidemiological evidence and related experimental results to discuss the potential pathways and mechanisms of neurotoxicological effects of PMs on brain. It has been reported that atmospheric PMs can affect the nervous system through the olfactory nerve pathway, blood circulation and other pathways, causing oxidative stress, glial cell activation, neuroinflammation, synaptic plasticity changes and organelle damage and other neurotoxicity. On this basis, it is pointed out that future research in this field should be carried out by multidisciplinary experts in atmospheric chemistry, toxicology and epidemiology.
Comparison of the Influence of Organic and Conventional Cultivation on Yield and Inner Quality in Spinach (Spinacia Oleracea L.)
Authors: Bao Jinhua , Wang Cheng , Shen Xiangjun , Zhuang Defeng , Sasakid Eriko
Published: May 2023

This essay establishes three factors, i.e. organic fertilizer, chemical fertilizer and organic fertilizer with cow carbide. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate influence of organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizer on yield and inner quality in spinach with fifteen treatments at five levels. The results showed that the contents of reducing sugar and nitrate nitrogen of spinach in organic fertilizer handling area was less than those in chemical fertilizer. No significant difference was found among the fresh weight, total sugar content and vitamin C content by utilization of organic fertilizer or chemical fertilizer.
Pharmacokinetic Modeling of VV116 for Treatment of COVID-19
Authors: Liu Zhijun , Wang Weijia
Published: May 2023

SARS-Cov-2 is still impacting global health and potentially will live with human in the near future. Therefore, effective oral medicines such as VV116 will play an important role in treating numerous patients and ending the pandemic. From this research, these simulated results can be used to guide clinical decisions to maximize therapeutic benefits of VV116 while avoiding potential toxicities. This compartmental modeling approach can be readily used for other drugs that have identical physiochemical properties in the clinical trial. However, caution should be exercised when the dose exceeds the linear PK range (up to 1200 mg in this case), where the model becomes invalid. As such, future study is needed to examine mixed-order or zero order PK where the dose-response is not linear. The importance of biomedical research has also inspired me to pursue a future career to fighting diseases with unmet medical needs.