bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Agricultural Exceptionalism in the Climate Change Treaties
Authors: Zahar Alexander
Published: January 2023

Agricultural emissions in most countries have been increasing against a backdrop of decreasing non-agricultural emissions. The climate change treaties contain a qualification that appears to exempt the agricultural sector from mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions where there is a ‘threat to food production’. This potential mitigation exception gives rise to the risk that states will invoke a threat to food production in order to shield their agricultural sector from intensifying mitigation pressure. A systematic analysis of documentation issued pursuant to the climate treaties reveals that many states, both developed and developing, have made statements suggesting that their agricultural sector is relieved of some or all of the pressure placed on other economic sectors to deliver mitigation outcomes. However, this concern that mitigation of agricultural emissions will threaten food production is only weakly supported, even as it threatens achievement of the Paris Agreement's goal of keeping global warming ‘well below 2°C’.
Freshwater Transport Over the Northeast Greenland Shelf in Fram Strait
Authors: Karpouzoglou T. , de Steur L. , Dodd P. A.
Published: January 2023

We assess the contribution of flow over the Northeast Greenland Shelf (NEGS) to the total freshwater transport (FWT) through the Fram Strait. We analyze available observations since 2013 consisting of hydrographic sections, new mooring data, and surface‐geostrophic velocity and ERA5 winds. We provide first seasonal estimates of the FWT over the entire shelf and find a net southward FWT between 47 and 56 mSv (reference salinity 34.9), or ∼40%–45% of the total FWT through the Fram Strait. In summer, the long‐term mean FWT east of 8°W cumulates to 27 mSv southward, there is no trend toward increasing FWT, and new mooring data show a large seasonal cycle. We show that the NEGS contributes significantly to the Arctic freshwater outflow, however, uncertainty is high. To close the Arctic freshwater budget and provide better FWT estimates to the North Atlantic, sustained year‐round observations on the NEGS are essential.
Statistics of Unusual Naturally Occurring VLF Radio Emissions Termed Bursty‐Patches Observed at Kannuslehto, Finland
Authors: Martinez‐Calderon C. , Manninen J. K. , Manninen J. T. , Turunen T.
Published: January 2023

We report the results from a statistical study of a new type of naturally occurring, but differently structured very low frequency (VLF) radio waves called “VLF bursty‐patches.” Their main characteristic is that they are detected at frequencies above the electron gyrofrequency (fce) in the equatorial plane for the L‐shell of observation. Here we use the data from the station of Kannuslehto, Finland (KAN, MLAT = 64.4°N, L = 5.5) with fce ∼ 5–6 kHz where VLF bursty‐patches are commonly detected on at least 43% of its campaign days. We analyzed all available data for 2017 (∼8 months) separating the observations by spectral type, periodicity, number of bursts, observed frequency, and accompanying usual VLF emissions at lower frequencies (f < 6 kHz). We found that the overall highest occurrence rate is in the morning sector (05–12 MLT) correlating with general VLF occurrence rate at KAN (07–13 MLT, MLT = UT + 1.5 hr). Grouping usual VLF emissions and bursty‐patches showing similar spectral features, suggests that both groups are being generated by the same mechanisms (e.g., temperature anisotropy magnetospheric plasma distribution). However, unlike the situation for usual VLF emissions, the daily occurrence of bursty‐patches did not show a clear relationship with AE index. Superposed epoch analysis of magnetic components from the Sodankylä magnetometer (∼45 km from KAN) shows that VLF bursty‐patches are detected when the horizontal component of the magnetic field shows minimum variations. This suggests that propagation to the ground of bursty‐patches is conditioned to localized low variations of magnetic activity.
A Coupled Deep Learning Model for Estimating Surface NO2 Levels From Remote Sensing Data: 15‐Year Study Over the Contiguous United States
Authors: Ghahremanloo Masoud , Lops Yannic , Choi Yunsoo , Mousavinezhad Seyedali , Jung Jia
Published: January 2023

This study proposes a novel two‐step deep learning (DL) model for estimating surface NO2 concentrations using satellite data over the contiguous United States (CONUS) from 2005 to 2019. The first phase of the model uses partial convolutional neural network (PCNN), an advanced DL model that accurately imputes gaps between surface NO2 stations and creates 5,478 daily‐mean NO2 grids (PCNN‐NO2) of the 2005–2019 period over the study area. We then feed the PCNN‐NO2, along with other predictor variables, into a deep neural network (DNN) to estimate surface NO2 levels, achieving exceptional performance with a correlation coefficient of 0.975–0.978, a mean absolute bias of 0.99–1.38 ppb, and a root mean square error of 1.47–1.97 ppb. Spatial cross‐validation results also indicate strong spatial performance of PCNN‐DNN surface NO2 estimates. In addition to its accurate estimates, the PCNN‐DNN model consistently generates estimated NO2 grids without any missing values, improving the quality of various applications such as emission reduction strategies and public health studies. Between 2005 and 2019, the 5,478 daily estimated NO2 grids over the CONUS reveal significant reductions in NO2 levels in 14 major urban environments: Washington D.C. (−43%), New York (−45%), Los Angeles (−38%), Chicago (−25%), Boston (−43%), Houston (−34%), Dallas (−40%), Philadelphia (−41%), Phoenix (−38%), Detroit (−20%), Denver (−23%), Atlanta (−0.7%), Cincinnati (−38%), and Pittsburgh (−56%). Furthermore, the study shows that the denser urban regions that in‐situ stations are installed in, the higher the difference between in‐situ observations and regional‐mean NO2 levels.
Evolution and Features of Dust Devil‐Like Vortices in Turbulent Rayleigh‐Bénard Convection—An Experimental Study
Authors: Kaestner Christian , Schneider Julien David , du Puits Ronald
Published: January 2023

We present an experimental study simulating atmospheric dust devils in a controlled laboratory experiment. The experimental facility, called the “Barrel of Ilmenau” (www.ilmenauer-fass.de) represents a classical Rayleigh‐Bénard set‐up and is believed to model the phenomena in a convective atmospheric boundary layer fairly well. Our work complements and extends the numerical work of Giersch and Raasch (2021)https//doi.org/10.1029/2020jd034334 by experiments. Dust devils are thermal convective vortices with a vertical axis of rotation visualized by entrained soil particles. They evolve in the convective atmospheric boundary layer and are believed to substantially contribute to the aerosol transport into the atmosphere. Thus, their evolution, size, lifetime, and frequency of occurrence are of particular research interest. Extensive experimental studies have been conducted by field measurements and laboratory experiments so far. Beyond that, our study is the first attempt of Rayleigh‐Bénard convection (RBC) in air to investigate dust devil‐like vortices in a laboratory experiment. Up to now, this set‐up mimics the natural process of dust devil evolution as closest to reality. The flow measurement was carried out by particle tracking velocimetry using neutrally buoyant soap bubbles. We initially identified dust devil‐like vortices by eye from the Lagrangian velocity field, and in a later, more sophisticated analysis by a specific algorithm from the corresponding Eulerian velocity field. We analyzed their frequency of occurrence, observation time, and size. With our work, we could demonstrate that turbulent RBC is an appropriate model to mimic the natural process of the evolution of dust devils in the convective atmospheric boundary layer without artificial stimulation.
Statistical Temporal Variations in the Auroral Electrojet Estimated With Ground Magnetometers in Fennoscandia
Authors: Walker Simon , Laundal Karl , Reistad Jone , Ohma Anders , Hatch Spencer
Published: January 2023

We present the implementation of an improved technique to coherently model the high‐latitude ionospheric equivalent current. Using a fixed selection of 20 ground magnetometers in Fennoscandia, we present a method based on Spherical Elementary Current Systems (SECS) to model the currents coherently during 2000–2020. Due to the north‐south extent of the magnetometers, we focus on the model output along the 105° magnetic meridian. Our improvements involve fixed data locations and SECS analysis grid and using a priori knowledge of the large‐scale currents improving the robustness of the inverse problem solution. We account for contributions from ground induced currents assuming so‐called mirror currents. This study produces a new data set of divergence‐free (DF) currents and magnetic field perturbations along the 105° magnetic meridian with 1‐min resolution. By comparing averages of the data set with an empirical model of the ionosphere we demonstrate the validity of the data set. We show how our data set, in particular its temporal nature, is distinct from empirical models and other studies. Not only can the temporal evolution of the DF currents and magnetic field perturbations be investigated, but the time derivative of said quantities can be analyzed. For application in ground induced currents, we present the statistical properties of where (in magnetic latitude and local time) and at what rate (∂Br/∂t) the radial magnetic field component fluctuates, a temporal derivative that has received very little attention. We show that ∂Br/∂t is dependent on latitude, local time, and solar cycle. We present other applications such as Ultra Low Frequency Waves monitoring.
Catecholamine induces Kupffer cell apoptosis via growth differentiation factor 15 in alcohol-associated liver disease
Authors: Kim Hee-Hoon , Shim Young-Ri , Choi Sung Eun , Kim Myung-Ho , Lee Giljae , You Hyun Ju , Choi Won-Mook , Yang Keungmo , Ryu Tom , Kim Kyurae , Kim Min Jeong , Woo Chaerin , Chung Katherine Po Sin , Hong Song Hwa , Eun Hyuk Soo , Kim Seok-Hwan , Ko GwangPyo , Park Jong-Eun , Gao Bin , Kim Won , Jeong Won-Il
Published: January 2023

Chronic alcohol consumption often induces hepatic steatosis but rarely causes severe inflammation in Kupffer cells (KCs) despite the increased hepatic influx of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), suggesting the presence of a veiled tolerance mechanism. In addition to LPS, the liver is affected by several gut-derived neurotransmitters through the portal blood, but the effects of catecholamines on KCs have not been clearly explored in alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). Hence, we investigated the regulatory roles of catecholamine on inflammatory KCs under chronic alcohol exposure. We discovered that catecholamine levels were significantly elevated in the cecum, portal blood, and liver tissues of chronic ethanol-fed mice. Increased catecholamines induced mitochondrial translocation of cytochrome P450 2E1 in perivenous hepatocytes expressing the β2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2), leading to the enhanced production of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15). Subsequently, GDF15 profoundly increased ADRB2 expression in adjacent inflammatory KCs to facilitate catecholamine/ADRB2-mediated apoptosis. Single-cell RNA sequencing of KCs confirmed the elevated expression of Adrb2 and apoptotic genes after chronic ethanol intake. Genetic ablation of Adrb2 or hepatic Gdf15 robustly decreased the number of apoptotic KCs near perivenous areas, exacerbating alcohol-associated inflammation. Consistently, we found that blood and stool catecholamine levels and perivenous GDF15 expression were increased in patients with early-stage ALD along with an increase in apoptotic KCs. Our findings reveal a novel protective mechanism against ALD, in which the catecholamine/GDF15 axis plays a critical role in KC apoptosis, and identify a unique neuro-metabo-immune axis between the gut and liver that elicits hepatoprotection against alcohol-mediated pathogenic challenges.
Epithelial plasticity enhances regeneration of committed taste receptor cells following nerve injury
Authors: Adpaikar Anish Ashok , Lee Jong-Min , Lee Dong-Joon , Cho Hye-Yeon , Ohshima Hayato , Moon Seok Jun , Jung Han-Sung
Published: January 2023

Taste receptor cells are taste bud epithelial cells that are dependent upon the innervating nerve for continuous renewal and are maintained by resident tissue stem/progenitor cells. Transection of the innervating nerve causes degeneration of taste buds and taste receptor cells. However, a subset of the taste receptor cells is maintained without nerve contact after glossopharyngeal nerve transection in the circumvallate papilla in adult mice. Here, we revealed that injury caused by glossopharyngeal nerve transection triggers the remaining differentiated K8-positive taste receptor cells to dedifferentiate and acquire transient progenitor cell-like states during regeneration. Dedifferentiated taste receptor cells proliferate, express progenitor cell markers (K14, Sox2, PCNA) and form organoids in vitro. These data indicate that differentiated taste receptor cells can enter the cell cycle, acquire stemness, and participate in taste bud regeneration. We propose that dedifferentiated taste receptor cells in combination with stem/progenitor cells enhance the regeneration of taste buds following nerve injury.
CRISPR-Cas provides limited phage immunity to a prevalent gut bacterium in gnotobiotic mice
Authors: Rasmussen Torben Sølbeck , Koefoed Anna Kirstine , Deng Ling , Muhammed Musemma K , Rousseau Geneviève M , Kot Witold , Sprotte Sabrina , Neve Horst , Franz Charles M A P , Hansen Axel Kornerup , Vogensen Finn Kvist , Moineau Sylvain , Nielsen Dennis Sandris
Published: January 2023

Many bacteria and archaea harbor the adaptive CRISPR-Cas system, which stores small nucleotide fragments from previous invasions of nucleic acids via viruses or plasmids. This molecular archive blocks further invaders carrying identical or similar nucleotide sequences. However, few of these systems have been confirmed experimentally to be active in gut bacteria. Here, we demonstrate experimentally that the type I-C CRISPR-Cas system of the prevalent gut bacterium Eggerthella lenta can specifically target and cleave foreign DNA in vitro by using a plasmid transformation assay. We also show that the CRISPR-Cas system acquires new immunities (spacers) from the genome of a virulent E. lenta phage using traditional phage assays in vitro but also in vivo using gnotobiotic (GB) mice. Both high phage titer and an increased number of spacer acquisition events were observed when E. lenta was exposed to a low multiplicity of infection in vitro, and three phage genes were found to contain protospacer hotspots. Fewer new spacer acquisitions were detected in vivo than in vitro. Longitudinal analysis of phage-bacteria interactions showed sustained coexistence in the gut of GB mice, with phage abundance being approximately one log higher than the bacteria. Our findings show that while the type I-C CRISPR-Cas system is active in vitro and in vivo, a highly virulent phage in vitro was still able to co-exist with its bacterial host in vivo. Taken altogether, our results suggest that the CRISPR-Cas defense system of E. lenta provides only partial immunity in the gut.
Sleep disturbance as a transdiagnostic marker of psychiatric risk in children with neurodevelopmental risk genetic conditions
Authors: Chawner Samuel J. R. A. , Evans Alexandra ,   IMAGINE-ID consortium, Wolstencroft Jeanne , Chawner Samuel J. R. A. , Hall Jeremy , van den Bree Marianne B. M. , Owen Michael J. , Skuse David , Raymond F. Lucy , Williams Nigel , Owen Michael J. , Hall Jeremy , van den Bree Marianne B. M.
Published: January 2023

Children with rare neurodevelopmental genetic conditions (ND-GCs) are at high risk for a range of neuropsychiatric conditions. Sleep symptomatology may represent a transdiagnostic risk indicator within this patient group. Here we present data from 629 children with ND-GCs, recruited via the United Kingdom’s National Health Service medical genetic clinics. Sibling controls (183) were also invited to take part. Detailed assessments were conducted to characterise the sleep phenotype of children with ND-GCs in comparison to controls. Latent class analysis was conducted to derive subgroups of children with an ND-GC based on sleep symptomatology. Assessment of cognition and psychopathology allowed investigation of whether the sleep phenotypic subgroup was associated with neuropsychiatric outcomes. We found that children with an ND-GC, when compared to control siblings, were at elevated risk of insomnia (ND-GC = 41% vs Controls = 17%, p < 0.001) and of experiencing at least one sleep symptom (ND-GC = 66% vs Controls = 39%, p < 0.001). On average, insomnia was found to have an early onset (2.8 years) in children with an ND-GC and to impact across multiple contexts. Children in subgroups linked to high sleep symptomatology were also at high risk of psychiatric outcomes (OR ranging from 2.0 to 21.5 depending on psychiatric condition). Our findings demonstrate that children with high genetic vulnerability for neurodevelopmental outcomes exhibit high rates of insomnia and sleep symptomatology. Sleep disruption has wide-ranging impacts on psychosocial function, and indexes those children at greater neuropsychiatric risk. Insomnia was found to onset in early childhood, highlighting the potential for early intervention strategies for psychiatric risk informed by sleep profile.
The Stroop effect involves an excitatory–inhibitory fronto-cerebellar loop
Authors: Okayasu Moe , Inukai Tensei , Tanaka Daiki , Tsumura Kaho , Shintaki Reiko , Takeda Masaki , Nakahara Kiyoshi , Jimura Koji
Published: January 2023

The Stroop effect is a classical, well-known behavioral phenomenon in humans that refers to robust interference between language and color information. It remains unclear, however, when the interference occurs and how it is resolved in the brain. Here we show that the Stroop effect occurs during perception of color–word stimuli and involves a cross-hemispheric, excitatory–inhibitory loop functionally connecting the lateral prefrontal cortex and cerebellum. Participants performed a Stroop task and a non-verbal control task (which we term the Swimmy task), and made a response vocally or manually. The Stroop effect involved the lateral prefrontal cortex in the left hemisphere and the cerebellum in the right hemisphere, independently of the response type; such lateralization was absent during the Swimmy task, however. Moreover, the prefrontal cortex amplified cerebellar activity, whereas the cerebellum suppressed prefrontal activity. This fronto–cerebellar loop may implement language and cognitive systems that enable goal-directed behavior during perceptual conflicts.
Senescent cells perturb intestinal stem cell differentiation through Ptk7 induced noncanonical Wnt and YAP signaling
Authors: Yun Jina , Hansen Simon , Morris Otto , Madden David T. , Libeu Clare Peters , Kumar Arjun J. , Wehrfritz Cameron , Nile Aaron H. , Zhang Yingnan , Zhou Lijuan , Liang Yuxin , Modrusan Zora , Chen Michelle B. , Overall Christopher C. , Garfield David , Campisi Judith , Schilling Birgit , Hannoush Rami N. , Jasper Heinrich
Published: January 2023

Cellular senescence and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) are implicated in aging and age-related disease, and SASP-related inflammation is thought to contribute to tissue dysfunction in aging and diseased animals. However, whether and how SASP factors influence the regenerative capacity of tissues remains unclear. Here, using intestinal organoids as a model of tissue regeneration, we show that SASP factors released by senescent fibroblasts deregulate stem cell activity and differentiation and ultimately impair crypt formation. We identify the secreted N-terminal domain of Ptk7 as a key component of the SASP that activates non-canonical Wnt / Ca2+signaling through FZD7 in intestinal stem cells (ISCs). Changes in cytosolic [Ca2+] elicited by Ptk7 promote nuclear translocation of YAP and induce expression of YAP/TEAD target genes, impairing symmetry breaking and stem cell differentiation. Our study discovers secreted Ptk7 as a factor released by senescent cells and provides insight into the mechanism by which cellular senescence contributes to tissue dysfunction in aging and disease.
Controllable branching of robust response patterns in nonlinear mechanical resonators
Authors: Eriksson Axel M. , Shoshani Oriel , López Daniel , Shaw Steven W. , Czaplewski David A.
Published: January 2023

In lieu of continuous time active feedback control in complex systems, nonlinear dynamics offers a means to generate desired long-term responses using short-time control signals. This type of control has been proposed for use in resonators that exhibit a plethora of complex dynamic behaviors resulting from energy exchange between modes. However, the dynamic response and, ultimately, the ability to control the response of these systems remains poorly understood. Here, we show that a micromechanical resonator can generate diverse, robust dynamical responses that occur on a timescale five orders of magnitude larger than the external harmonic driving and these responses can be selected by inserting small pulses at specific branching points. We develop a theoretical model and experimentally show the ability to control these response patterns. Hence, these mechanical resonators may represent a simple physical platform for the development of springboard concepts for nonlinear, flexible, yet robust dynamics found in other areas of physics, chemistry, and biology.
Tunable unconventional kagome superconductivity in charge ordered RbV3Sb5 and KV3Sb5
Authors: Guguchia Z. , Mielke C. , Das D. , Gupta R. , Yin J.-X. , Liu H. , Yin Q. , Christensen M. H. , Tu Z. , Gong C. , Shumiya N. , Hossain Md Shafayat , Gamsakhurdashvili Ts. , Elender M. , Dai Pengcheng , Amato A. , Shi Y. , Lei H. C. , Fernandes R. M. , Hasan M. Z. , Luetkens H. , Khasanov R.
Published: January 2023

Unconventional superconductors often feature competing orders, small superfluid density, and nodal electronic pairing. While unusual superconductivity has been proposed in the kagome metals AV3Sb5, key spectroscopic evidence has remained elusive. Here we utilize pressure-tuned and ultra-low temperature muon spin spectroscopy to uncover the unconventional nature of superconductivity in RbV3Sb5 and KV3Sb5. At ambient pressure, we observed time-reversal symmetry breaking charge order below $${T}_{{{{{{{{\rm{1}}}}}}}}}^{*}\simeq$$

T

1

*

≃
110 K in RbV3Sb5 with an additional transition at $${T}_{{{{{{{{\rm{2}}}}}}}}}^{*}\simeq$$

T

2

*

≃
50 K. Remarkably, the superconducting state displays a nodal energy gap and a reduced superfluid density, which can be attributed to the competition with the charge order. Upon applying pressure, the charge-order transitions are suppressed, the superfluid density increases, and the superconducting state progressively evolves from nodal to nodeless. Once optimal superconductivity is achieved, we find a superconducting pairing state that is not only fully gapped, but also spontaneously breaks time-reversal symmetry. Our results point to unprecedented tunable nodal kagome superconductivity competing with time-reversal symmetry-breaking charge order and offer unique insights into the nature of the pairing state.
Deciphering the catalytic mechanism of superoxide dismutase activity of carbon dot nanozyme
Authors: Gao Wenhui , He Jiuyang , Chen Lei , Meng Xiangqin , Ma Yana , Cheng Liangliang , Tu Kangsheng , Gao Xingfa , Liu Cui , Zhang Mingzhen , Fan Kelong , Pang Dai-Wen , Yan Xiyun
Published: January 2023

Nanozymes with superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity have attracted increasing interest due to their ability to scavenge superoxide anion, the origin of most reactive oxygen species in vivo. However, SOD nanozymes reported thus far have yet to approach the activity of natural enzymes. Here, we report a carbon dot (C-dot) SOD nanozyme with a catalytic activity of over 10,000 U/mg, comparable to that of natural enzymes. Through selected chemical modifications and theoretical calculations, we show that the SOD-like activity of C-dots relies on the hydroxyl and carboxyl groups for binding superoxide anions and the carbonyl groups conjugated with the π-system for electron transfer. Moreover, C-dot SOD nanozymes exhibit intrinsic targeting ability to oxidation-damaged cells and effectively protect neuron cells in the ischemic stroke male mice model. Together, our study sheds light on the structure-activity relationship of C-dot SOD nanozymes, and demonstrates their potential for treating of oxidation stress related diseases.
The unifying catalytic mechanism of the RING-between-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase family
Authors: Wang Xiangyi S. , Cotton Thomas R. , Trevelyan Sarah J. , Richardson Lachlan W. , Lee Wei Ting , Silke John , Lechtenberg Bernhard C.
Published: January 2023

The RING-between-RING (RBR) E3 ubiquitin ligase family in humans comprises 14 members and is defined by a two-step catalytic mechanism in which ubiquitin is first transferred from an E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme to the RBR active site and then to the substrate. To define the core features of this catalytic mechanism, we here structurally and biochemically characterise the two RBRs HOIL-1 and RNF216. Crystal structures of both enzymes in their RBR/E2-Ub/Ub transthiolation complexes capturing the first catalytic step, together with complementary functional experiments, reveal the defining features of the RBR catalytic mechanism. RBRs catalyse ubiquitination via a conserved transthiolation complex structure that enables efficient E2-to-RBR ubiquitin transfer. Our data also highlight a conserved RBR allosteric activation mechanism by distinct ubiquitin linkages that suggests RBRs employ a feed-forward mechanism. We finally identify that the HOIL-1 RING2 domain contains an unusual Zn2/Cys6 binuclear cluster that is required for catalytic activity and substrate ubiquitination.
Sub-nanometer-scale mapping of crystal orientation and depth-dependent structure of dislocation cores in SrTiO3
Authors: Sha Haozhi , Ma Yunpeng , Cao Guoping , Cui Jizhe , Yang Wenfeng , Li Qian , Yu Rong
Published: January 2023

Defects in crystals play a fundamental role in modulating mechanical, electrical, luminescent, and magnetic behaviors of materials. However, accurate measurement of defect structures is hindered by symmetry breaking and the corresponding complex modifications in atomic configuration and/or crystal tilt at the defects. Here, we report the deep-sub-angstrom resolution imaging of dislocation cores via multislice electron ptychography with adaptive propagator, which allows sub-nanometer scale mapping of crystal tilt in the vicinity of dislocation cores and simultaneous recovery of depth-dependent atomic structure of dislocations. The realization of deep-sub-angstrom resolution and depth-dependent imaging of defects shows great potential in revealing microstructures and properties of real materials and devices.
Skin-integrated stretchable actuators toward skin-compatible haptic feedback and closed-loop human-machine interactions
Authors: Chen Si , Chen Yanjun , Yang Ji , Han Teng , Yao Shanshan
Published: January 2023

Skin-integrated haptic interfaces that can relay a wealth of information from the machine to the human are of great interest. However, existing haptic devices are not yet able to produce haptic cues that are compatible with the skin. In this work, we present the stretchable soft actuators for haptic feedback, which can match the perception range, spatial resolution, and stretchability of the skin. Pressure-amplification structures are fabricated using a scalable self-assembly process to ensure an output pressure beyond the skin perception threshold. Due to the minimized device size, the actuator array can be fabricated with a sufficiently high spatial resolution, which makes the haptic device applicable for skin locations with the highest spatial acuity. A haptic feedback system is demonstrated by employing the developed soft actuators and highly sensitive pressure sensors. Two proof-of-concept applications are developed to illustrate the capability of transferring information related to surface textures and object shapes acquired at the robot side to the user side.
Numerical simulation of carbon steel atmospheric corrosion under varying electrolyte-film thickness and corrosion product porosity
Authors: Li Wenchao , Liu Kangning , Wu Jiangshun , Lian Qinglin , Qiang Yujie , Pan Jinshan , Jin Ying
Published: January 2023

A finite element model is developed to study dynamics of atmospheric corrosion of carbon steel, focusing on the influence of thin electrolyte film thickness under varying corrosion product porosity. Calculations have been done to evaluate the impact of electrolyte film thickness and corrosion product porosity on oxygen diffusion path, and the hindrance effect of corrosion products on the metal surface activity. The time evolution of corrosion current density and controlling steps in the corrosion process are explored. When the corrosion products are loose, oxygen diffusion is the dominant controlling step, and the thicker the electrolyte film, the lower the corrosion rate. When they are dense, the corrosion process is controlled by the mixture of oxygen diffusion and the surface discharge. The oxygen diffusion path is determined only by the corrosion product porosity, and therefore the corrosion rate is not affected by the electrolyte film thickness.
Experimental investigation of porous carbon for cooling and desalination applications
Authors: Alsaman Ahmed S. , Ahmed M. Salem , Ibrahim E. M. M. , Ali Ehab S. , Farid A. M. , Askalany Ahmed A.
Published: January 2023

Adsorption cooling and desalination (ACD) system presents a solution for water, energy, and environmental dilemma. This study expresses an enhancement of adsorption system performance in terms of cooling and desalination effects by improving an activated carbon Maxsorb III (Max) as an adsorbent. Max has been initially treated with HCl. Then, it has been activated by impregnating it in salt hydrates ((NH4)2CO3). Characterization methods, including XRD, N2 and water adsorption isotherm, and water adsorption kinetics have been conducted for raw Max, treated Max, and activated Max with (NH4)2CO3. The experimental values have been fitted with the Dubinin & Astakhov equilibrium model for isotherm and the model of linear driving force for kinetics. These fitted parameters have been utilized in a previously validated model to estimate adsorption cooling-desalination system performance with and without heat recovery. Max/(NH4)2CO3 achieves a water uptake of 0.53 kgH2O.kg-1. Max/(NH4)2CO3 produces 13.2 m3.ton-1 of freshwater per day with a specific cooling power of 373 W.kg-1 and 0.63 COP. Also, the freshwater reaches 22.5 m3.ton-1 of Max/(NH4)2CO3 per day with condenser-evaporator heat recovery. These results indicate the potential of utilizing the Max material in dual cooling and desalination applications to achieve double what silica gel can offer.
Periclase deforms more slowly than bridgmanite under mantle conditions
Authors: Cordier Patrick , Gouriet Karine , Weidner Timmo , Van Orman James , Castelnau Olivier , Jackson Jennifer M. , Carrez Philippe
Published: January 2023

Transport of heat from the interior of the Earth drives convection in the mantle, which involves the deformation of solid rocks over billions of years. The lower mantle of the Earth is mostly composed of iron-bearing bridgmanite MgSiO3 and approximately 25% volume periclase MgO (also with some iron). It is commonly accepted that ferropericlase is weaker than bridgmanite1. Considerable progress has been made in recent years to study assemblages representative of the lower mantle under the relevant pressure and temperature conditions2,3. However, the natural strain rates are 8 to 10 orders of magnitude lower than in the laboratory, and are still inaccessible to us. Once the deformation mechanisms of rocks and their constituent minerals have been identified, it is possible to overcome this limitation thanks to multiscale numerical modelling, and to determine rheological properties for inaccessible strain rates. In this work we use 2.5-dimensional dislocation dynamics to model the low-stress creep of MgO periclase at lower mantle pressures and temperatures. We show that periclase deforms very slowly under these conditions, in particular, much more slowly than bridgmanite deforming by pure climb creep. This is due to slow diffusion of oxygen in periclase under pressure. In the assemblage, this secondary phase hardly participates in the deformation, so that the rheology of the lower mantle is very well described by that of bridgmanite. Our results show that drastic changes in deformation mechanisms can occur as a function of the strain rate.
NeuroLINCS Proteomics: Defining human-derived iPSC proteomes and protein signatures of pluripotency
Authors: Matlock Andrea D. , Vaibhav Vineet , Holewinski Ronald , Venkatraman Vidya , Dardov Victoria , Manalo Danica-Mae , Shelley Brandon , Ornelas Loren , Banuelos Maria , Mandefro Berhan , Escalante-Chong Renan , Li Jonathan , Finkbeiner Steve , Fraenkel Ernest , Rothstein Jeffrey , Thompson Leslie , Sareen Dhruv , Svendsen Clive N. ,   NIH NeuroLINCS Consortium, Van Eyk Jennifer E. , Ho Ritchie , Wassie Brook , Patel-Murray Natasha , Milani Pamela , Adam Miriam , Sachs Karen , Lenail Alex , Ramamoorthy Divya , Daigle Gavin , Hussain Uzma , Kaye Julia , Lima Leandro , Kalra Jaslin , Coyne Alyssa , Lim Ryan G , Wu Jie , Stocksdale Jennifer , Thompson Terri G , Van Eyk Jennifer E.
Published: January 2023

The National Institute of Health (NIH) Library of integrated network-based cellular signatures (LINCS) program is premised on the generation of a publicly available data resource of cell-based biochemical responses or “signatures” to genetic or environmental perturbations. NeuroLINCS uses human inducible pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), derived from patients and healthy controls, and differentiated into motor neuron cell cultures. This multi-laboratory effort strives to establish i) robust multi-omic workflows for hiPSC and differentiated neuronal cultures, ii) public annotated data sets and iii) relevant and targetable biological pathways of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here, we focus on the proteomics and the quality of the developed workflow of hiPSC lines from 6 individuals, though epigenomics and transcriptomics data are also publicly available. Known and commonly used markers representing 73 proteins were reproducibly quantified with consistent expression levels across all hiPSC lines. Data quality assessments, data levels and metadata of all 6 genetically diverse human iPSCs analysed by DIA-MS are parsable and available as a high-quality resource to the public.
A literature-derived dataset on risk factors for dry eye disease
Authors: Yang Wanju , Yang Kuiliang , Pan Yumiao , Wu Shangcao , Chen Xiangxi , Shen Lei , Zeng Qingyan , Wu Jianhua , Lv Minzhi , Zhang Junyan , Yang Yanning , Xing Yiqiao
Published: January 2023

Dry eye disease (DED) is a common disease associated with disorder of tear secretion. Research on risk factors for DED, such as depression, arthritis, thyroid disease, stroke and diabetes, is important to facilitate its diagnosis and prognosis. We created a dataset on risk factors for DED (DrDED) with public access that can provide up-to-date and validated data acquired from systematically searched and screened, high-quality studies. The established DrDED contained 119 studies published between 2000 and 2022. The range of the study sample size was from 43 to 4,871,504. The study types were, as follows: cross-sectional (n = 92), retrospective cohort (n = 9), prospective cohort (n = 10), and case-control (n = 8) studies. Data from eligible studies were collected and presented for the present study, including the publication information, study characteristics, definition and prevalence of the disease, and risk factors for DED, together with the strength of association. With the publication of new relevant studies, the DrDED will be updated, and the data will be made accessible to the users.

Design Type(s)
Dataset creation objective

Measurement Type(s)
Patient outcome • scientific publication • risk factors • dry eye disease

Technology Type(s)
Digital curation • documenting • meta-analysis

Factor Type(s)
Depression • arthritis • thyroid disease • stroke disease • diabetes

Sample Characteristic(s)
Homo sapiens • dry eye disease • global
High-performance Fe(Se,Te) films on chemical CeO2-based buffer layers
Authors: Piperno L. , Vannozzi A. , Augieri A. , Masi A. , Mancini A. , Rufoloni A. , Celentano G. , Braccini V. , Cialone M. , Iebole M. , Manca N. , Martinelli A. , Meinero M. , Putti M. , Meledin A.
Published: January 2023

The fabrication of a Fe-based coated conductor (CC) becomes possible when Fe(Se,Te) is grown as an epitaxial film on a metallic oriented substrate. Thanks to the material’s low structural anisotropy, less strict requirements on the template microstructure allow for the design of a simplified CC architecture with respect to the REBCO multi-layered layout. This design, though, still requires a buffer layer to promote the oriented growth of the superconducting film and avoid diffusion from the metallic template. In this work, Fe(Se,Te) films are grown on chemically-deposited, CeO2-based buffer layers via pulsed laser deposition, and excellent properties are obtained when a Fe(Se,Te) seed layer is used. Among all the employed characterization techniques, transmission electron microscopy proved essential to determine the actual effect of the seed layer on the final film properties. Also, systematic investigation of the full current transport properties J(θ, H, T) is carried out: Fe(Se,Te) samples are obtained with sharp superconducting transitions around 16 K and critical current densities exceeding 1 MA cm−2 at 4.2 K in self-field. The in-field and angular behavior of the sample are in line with data from the literature. These results are the demonstration of the feasibility of a Fe-based CC, with all the relative advantages concerning process simplification and cost reduction.
Candida albicans-induced activation of the TGF-β/Smad pathway and upregulation of IL-6 may contribute to intrauterine adhesion
Authors: Zhao Xingping , Sun Dan , Zhang Aiqian , Huang Huan , Li Yueran , Xu Dabao
Published: January 2023

Iatrogenic injury to endometrial tissue is the main cause of intrauterine adhesions (IUA) and infection can also damage the endometrium. The microbiota plays an important role in the health of the female reproductive tract. However, the mechanism is still unclear. In total, 908 patients with IUA and 11,389 healthy individuals were retrospectively selected for this clinical study. Participant information including vaginal microecological results and human papillomavirus (HPV) status were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify the factors related to IUA. Next, animal experiments were performed in a curettage-induced IUA rat model. After the procedure, rats in the experimental group received a vaginal infusion of a Candida albicans (C. albicans) fungal solution. On days 3, 7, and 14 after curettage and infusion, the expression levels of IL-6, fibrotic pathway-related factors (TGF-β1, Smad 2, and COL1), and estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) in rat endometrial tissues were assessed. Fungal infection of the reproductive tract was found to be an independent risk factor for IUA (P < 0.05). The inflammatory response and degree of fibrosis were greater in rats infected with C. albicans than in the controls. The levels of IL-6, TGF-β1, Smad 2, and COL1 expression in endometrial tissues were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (P < 0.05). However, the ER and PR levels were lower in the IUA group than in the non-IUA group (P < 0.05). C. albicans infection may be related to IUA. C. albicans elicits a strong inflammatory response that can lead to more severe endometrial fibrosis.
Retarding breast tumor growth with nanoparticle-facilitated intravenous delivery of BRCA1 and BRCA2 tumor suppressor genes
Authors: Ibnat Nabilah , Chowdhury Ezharul Hoque
Published: January 2023

Gene augmentation therapy entails replacement of the abnormal tumor suppressor genes in cancer cells. In this study, we performed gene augmentation for BRCA1/2 tumor suppressors in order to retard tumor development in breast cancer mouse model. We formulated inorganic carbonate apatite (CA) nanoparticles (NPs) to carry and deliver the purified BRCA1/2 gene- bearing plasmid DNA both in vitro and in vivo. The outcome of BRCA1/2 plasmid-loaded NPs delivery on cellular viability of three breast cancer cell lines such as MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 were evaluated by MTT assay. The result in MCF-7 cell line exhibited that transfection of BRCA 1/2 plasmids with CA NPs significantly reduced cancer cell growth in comparison to control group. Moreover, we noticed a likely pattern of cellular cytotoxicity in 4T1 murine cancer cell line. Following transfection with BRCA1 plasmid-loaded NPs, and Western blot analysis, a notable reduction in the phospho-MAPK protein of MAPK signaling pathway was detected, revealing reduced growth signal. Furthermore, in vivo study in 4T1 induced breast cancer mouse model showed that the tumor growth rate and final volume were decreased significantly in the mouse group treated intravenously with BRCA1 + NPs and BRCA2 + NPs formulations. Our results established that BRCA1/2 plasmids incorporated into CA NPs mitigated breast tumor growth, signifying their application in the therapy for breast cancer.
Effects of monensin supplementation on lactation performance of dairy cows: a systematic review and dose–response meta‑analysis
Authors: Rezaei Ahvanooei M. R. , Norouzian M. A. , Piray A. H. , Vahmani P. , Ghaffari M. H.
Published: January 2023

The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive review with meta-analysis to determine the effects of the dose–response relationship between monensin supplementation and dairy cow performance and milk composition. Results from 566 full-text articles and 48 articles with 52 studies were meta-analyzed for pooled estimates. Monensin supplementation up to 23 ppm increased milk production, with the optimal dose being 12.6 ppm. Monensin supplementation at doses ranging from 16 to 96 ppm increased milk production in the prepartum phase (− 28 to 0 day relative to calving). From 60 to 150 DIM, monensin supplementation up to 21 ppm had a significant positive effect on this outcome, while supplementation in the 37 to 96 ppm range caused a decrease in this variable. At 0 to 60 and > 150 DIM, monensin supplementation had no effect on milk yield. At dosages of 22 to 96 ppm, 12 to 36 ppm, and below 58 ppm and 35 ppm, respectively, monensin supplementation resulted in significant decreases in dry matter intake (DMI), milk protein percentage, milk fat percentage, and milk fat yield. Overall, based on the results of this meta-analysis and considering all variables, the recommended optimal dose of monensin could be about 16 ppm.
Generation of highly realistic microstructural images of alloys from limited data with a style-based generative adversarial network
Authors: Lambard Guillaume , Yamazaki Kazuhiko , Demura Masahiko
Published: January 2023

In materials science, the amount of observational data is often limited by operating protocols that require a high level of expertise, often machine-dependent, developed for a time-consuming integration of valuable data. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is one of those methodologies of characterisation for which the number of observations of a given material is limited to just a few images. In the present study, we present the possibility to artificially inflate the size of SEM image datasets from a limited ($$\mathrm \sim 100s-1000s$$

∼
100
s
-
1000
s

of images) to a virtually unbounded number thanks to a generative adversarial network (GAN). For this purpose, we use one of the latest developments in GAN architectures and training methodologies, the StyleGAN2 with adaptive discriminator augmentation (ADA), to generate a diversity of high-quality SEM images of $$\mathrm 512\times 512$$

512
×
512

pixels. Overall, coarse and fine microstructural details are successfully reproduced when training a StyleGAN2 with ADA from scratch on at most 3000 SEM images, and interpolations between microstructures are performed without significant modifications to the training protocol when applied to natural images.
Students stress patterns in a Kenyan socio-cultural and economic context: toward a public health intervention
Authors: Mutiso Victoria N. , Ndetei David M. , Muia Esther N. , Musyimi Christine , Masake Monicah , Osborn Tom L. , Sourander Andre , Weisz John R. , Mamah Daniel
Published: January 2023

This study aimed at determining the prevalence of stress, different types of stress, their severity and their determinants in Kenyan university, college and high school students. The following tools were administered to 9741 students: (1) Researcher-designed socio-demographic tool, (2) Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire (PDSQ) for psychiatric disorders, (3) WERC Stress Screen for stress, (4) Washington Early Recognition Center Affectivity and Psychosis (WERCAP) screen for psychosis and affectivity, (5) Wealth Index Questionnaire for economic indicators. Descriptive analysis for the prevalence of different types of stress and inferential analysis for stress and independent variables were done. Significant variables (p < 0.05) were fitted into generalized linear model to determine independent predictors. The mean age of the respondents was 21.4 years (range 16–43). Money issues were the commonest stressors while alcohol and drug use were the least. The independent predictors of stress were females, college students and use of gas stove. In conclusion, up to 30% of the students suffer from mild to severe stress. The students experience a wide range of stressors. The most important stressors include money and finances, family related problems and concerns about their future. Our findings suggest a public health approach to create stress awareness in students.