bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A wireless controlled robotic insect with ultrafast untethered running speeds
Authors: Liu Zhiwei , Zhan Wencheng , Liu Xinyi , Zhu Yangsheng , Qi Mingjing , Leng Jiaming , Wei Lizhao , Han Shousheng , Wu Xiaoming , Yan Xiaojun 
Published: May 2024

AbstractRunning speed degradation of insect-scale (less than 5 cm) legged microrobots after carrying payloads has become a bottleneck for microrobots to achieve high untethered locomotion performance. In this work, we present a 2-cm legged microrobot (BHMbot, BeiHang Microrobot) with ultrafast untethered running speeds, which is facilitated by the complementary combination of bouncing length and bouncing frequency in the microrobot’s running gait. The untethered BHMbot (2-cm-long, 1760 mg) can achieve a running speed of 17.5 BL s−1and a turning centripetal acceleration of 65.4 BL s−2at a Cost of Transport of 303.7 and a power consumption of 1.77 W. By controlling its two front legs independently, the BHMbot demonstrates various locomotion trajectories including circles, rectangles, letters and irregular paths across obstacles through a wireless control module. Such advancements enable the BHMbot to carry out application attempts including sound signal detection, locomotion inside a turbofan engine and transportation via a quadrotor.
Structural basis and synergism of ATP and Na+ activation in bacterial K+ uptake system KtrAB
Authors: Chiang Wesley Tien , Chang Yao-Kai , Hui Wei-Han , Chang Shu-Wei , Liao Chen-Yi , Chang Yi-Chuan , Chen Chun-Jung , Wang Wei-Chen , Lai Chien-Chen , Wang Chun-Hsiung , Luo Siou-Ying , Huang Ya-Ping , Chou Shan-Ho , Horng Tzyy-Leng , Hou Ming-Hon , Muench Stephen P. , Chen Ren-Shiang , Tsai Ming-Daw , Hu Nien-Jen 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe K+ uptake system KtrAB is essential for bacterial survival in low K+ environments. The activity of KtrAB is regulated by nucleotides and Na+. Previous studies proposed a putative gating mechanism of KtrB regulated by KtrA upon binding to ATP or ADP. However, how Na+ activates KtrAB and the Na+ binding site remain unknown. Here we present the cryo-EM structures of ATP- and ADP-bound KtrAB from Bacillus subtilis (BsKtrAB) both solved at 2.8 Å. A cryo-EM density at the intra-dimer interface of ATP-KtrA was identified as Na+, as supported by X-ray crystallography and ICP-MS. Thermostability assays and functional studies demonstrated that Na+ binding stabilizes the ATP-bound BsKtrAB complex and enhances its K+ flux activity. Comparing ATP- and ADP-BsKtrAB structures suggests that BsKtrB Arg417 and Phe91 serve as a channel gate. The synergism of ATP and Na+ in activating BsKtrAB is likely applicable to Na+-activated K+ channels in central nervous system.
Converting inorganic sulfur into degradable thermoplastics and adhesives by copolymerization with cyclic disulfides
Authors: Deng Yuanxin , Huang Zhengtie , Feringa Ben L. , Tian He , Zhang Qi , Qu Da-Hui 
Published: May 2024

AbstractConverting elementary sulfur into sulfur-rich polymers provides a sustainable strategy to replace fossil-fuel-based plastics. However, the low ring strain of eight-membered rings, i.e., S8 monomers, compromises their ring-opening polymerization (ROP) due to lack of an enthalpic driving force and as a consequence, poly(sulfur) is inherently unstable. Here we report that copolymerization with cyclic disulfides, e.g., 1,2-dithiolanes, can enable a simple and energy-saving way to convert elementary sulfur into sulfur-rich thermoplastics. The key strategy is to combine two types of ROP—both mediated by disulfide bond exchange—to tackle the thermodynamic instability of poly(sulfur). Meanwhile, the readily modifiable sidechain of the cyclic disulfides provides chemical space to engineer the mechanical properties and dynamic functions over a large range, e.g., self-repairing ability and degradability. Thus, this simple and robust system is expected to be a starting point for the organic transformation of inorganic sulfur toward sulfur-rich functional and green plastics.
Repression of developmental transcription factor networks triggers aging-associated gene expression in human glial progenitor cells
Authors: Mariani John N. , Mansky Benjamin , Madsen Pernille M. , Salinas Dennis , Kesmen Deniz , Huynh Nguyen P. T. , Kuypers Nicholas J. , Kesel Erin R. , Bates Janna , Payne Casey , Chandler-Militello Devin , Benraiss Abdellatif , Goldman Steven A. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractHuman glial progenitor cells (hGPCs) exhibit diminished expansion competence with age, as well as after recurrent demyelination. Using RNA-sequencing to compare the gene expression of fetal and adult hGPCs, we identify age-related changes in transcription consistent with the repression of genes enabling mitotic expansion, concurrent with the onset of aging-associated transcriptional programs. Adult hGPCs develop a repressive transcription factor network centered on MYC, and regulated by ZNF274, MAX, IKZF3, and E2F6. Individual over-expression of these factors in iPSC-derived hGPCs lead to a loss of proliferative gene expression and an induction of mitotic senescence, replicating the transcriptional changes incurred during glial aging. miRNA profiling identifies the appearance of an adult-selective miRNA signature, imposing further constraints on the expansion competence of aged GPCs. hGPC aging is thus associated with acquisition of a MYC-repressive environment, suggesting that suppression of these repressors of glial expansion may permit the rejuvenation of aged hGPCs.
Controlling chaos using edge computing hardware
Authors: Kent Robert M. , Barbosa Wendson A. S. , Gauthier Daniel J. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractMachine learning provides a data-driven approach for creating a digital twin of a system – a digital model used to predict the system behavior. Having an accurate digital twin can drive many applications, such as controlling autonomous systems. Often, the size, weight, and power consumption of the digital twin or related controller must be minimized, ideally realized on embedded computing hardware that can operate without a cloud-computing connection. Here, we show that a nonlinear controller based on next-generation reservoir computing can tackle a difficult control problem: controlling a chaotic system to an arbitrary time-dependent state. The model is accurate, yet it is small enough to be evaluated on a field-programmable gate array typically found in embedded devices. Furthermore, the model only requires 25.0 $$\pm 7.0$$
±
7.0
nJ per evaluation, well below other algorithms, even without systematic power optimization. Our work represents the first step in deploying efficient machine learning algorithms to the computing “edge.”
Predicting vaccine effectiveness for mpox
Authors: Berry Matthew T. , Khan Shanchita R. , Schlub Timothy E. , Notaras Adriana , Kunasekaran Mohana , Grulich Andrew E. , MacIntyre C. Raina , Davenport Miles P. , Khoury David S. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe Modified Vaccinia Ankara vaccine developed by Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN) was widely deployed to prevent mpox during the 2022 global outbreak. This vaccine was initially approved for mpox based on its reported immunogenicity (from phase I/II trials) and effectiveness in animal models, rather than evidence of clinical efficacy. However, no validated correlate of protection after vaccination has been identified. Here we performed a systematic search and meta-analysis of the available data to test whether vaccinia-binding ELISA endpoint titer is predictive of vaccine effectiveness against mpox. We observe a significant correlation between vaccine effectiveness and vaccinia-binding antibody titers, consistent with the existing assumption that antibody levels may be a correlate of protection. Combining this data with analysis of antibody kinetics after vaccination, we predict the durability of protection after vaccination and the impact of dose spacing. We find that delaying the second dose of MVA-BN vaccination will provide more durable protection and may be optimal in an outbreak with limited vaccine stock. Although further work is required to validate this correlate, this study provides a quantitative evidence-based approach for using antibody measurements to predict the effectiveness of mpox vaccination.
Probing the activated complex of the F + NH3 reaction via a dipole-bound state
Authors: Zhang Rui , Yan Shuaiting , Song Hongwei , Guo Hua , Ning Chuangang 
Published: May 2024

AbstractExperimental characterization of the transition state poses a significant challenge due to its fleeting nature. Negative ion photodetachment offers a unique tool for probing transition states and their vicinity. However, this approach is usually limited to Franck-Condon regions. For example, high-lying Feshbach resonances with an excited HF stretching mode (vHF = 2-4) were recently identified in the transition-state region of the F + NH3 → HF + NH2 reaction through photo-detaching FNH3− anions, but the direct photodetachment failed to observe the lower-lying vHF = 0,1 resonances and bound states due apparently to negligible Franck-Condon factors. Indeed, these weak transitions can be resonantly enhanced via a dipole-bound state (DBS) formed between an electron and the polar FNH3 species. In this study, we unveil a series of Feshbach resonances and bound states along the F + NH3 reaction path via a DBS by combining high-resolution photoelectron spectroscopy with high-level quantum dynamical computations. This study presents an approach for probing the activated complex in a reaction by negative ion photodetachment through a DBS.
General strategy for developing thick-film micro-thermoelectric coolers from material fabrication to device integration
Authors: Sun Xiaowen , Yan Yuedong , Kang Man , Zhao Weiyun , Yan Kaifen , Wang He , Li Ranran , Zhao Shijie , Hua Xiaoshe , Wang Boyi , Zhang Weifeng , Deng Yuan 
Published: May 2024

AbstractMicro-thermoelectric coolers are emerging as a promising solution for high-density cooling applications in confined spaces. Unlike thin-film micro-thermoelectric coolers with high cooling flux at the expense of cooling temperature difference due to very short thermoelectric legs, thick-film micro-thermoelectric coolers can achieve better comprehensive cooling performance. However, they still face significant challenges in both material preparation and device integration. Herein, we propose a design strategy which combines Bi2Te3-based thick film prepared by powder direct molding with micro-thermoelectric cooler integrated via phase-change batch transfer. Accurate thickness control and relatively high thermoelectric performance can be achieved for the thick film, and the high-density-integrated thick-film micro-thermoelectric cooler exhibits excellent performance with maximum cooling temperature difference of 40.6 K and maximum cooling flux of 56.5 W·cm−2at room temperature. The micro-thermoelectric cooler also shows high temperature control accuracy (0.01 K) and reliability (over 30000 cooling cycles). Moreover, the device demonstrates remarkable capacity in power generation with normalized power density up to 214.0 μW · cm−2 · K−2. This study provides a general and scalable route for developing high-performance thick-film micro-thermoelectric cooler, benefiting widespread applications in thermal management of microsystems.
Common conditions of use elements. Atomic concepts for consistent and effective information governance
Authors: Sanchez Gonzalez Maria del Carmen , Kamerling Pim , Iermito Mariapia , Casati Sara , Riaz Umar , Veal Colin D. , Maini Monika , Jeanson Francis , Benhamed Oussama Mohammed , van Enckevort Esther , Landi Annalisa , Mimouni Yanis , Le Cornec Clèmence , Coviello Domenico A. , Franchin Tiziana , Fusco Francesca , Ramírez García Jose Antonio , van der Zanden Loes F. M. , Bernier Alexander , Wilkinson Mark D. , Mueller Heimo , Gibson Spencer J. , Brookes Anthony J. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractMyriad policy, ethical and legal considerations underpin the sharing of biological resources, implying the need for standardised and yet flexible ways to digitally represent diverse ‘use conditions’. We report a core lexicon of terms that are atomic, non-directional ‘concepts of use’, called Common Conditions of use Elements. This work engaged biobanks and registries relevant to the European Joint Programme for Rare Diseases and aimed to produce a lexicon that would have generalised utility. Seventy-six concepts were initially identified from diverse real-world settings, and via iterative rounds of deliberation and user-testing these were optimised and condensed down to 20 items. To validate utility, support software and training information was provided to biobanks and registries who were asked to create Sharing Policy Profiles. This succeeded and involved adding standardised directionality and scope annotations to the employed terms. The addition of free-text parameters was also explored. The approach is now being adopted by several real-world projects, enabling this standard to evolve progressively into a universal basis for representing and managing conditions of use.
Beyond NGS data sharing for plant ecological resilience and improvement of agronomic traits
Authors: Kwon Ji-Su , Shilpha Jayabalan , Lee Junesung , Yeom Seon-In 
Published: May 2024

AbstractDecoding complex plant omics is essential for advancing our understanding of plant biology, evolution, and breeding as well as for practical applications in agriculture, conservation, and biotechnology. The advent of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized global plant genomic research, offering high-throughput, cost-effective, and accurate methods for generating genomic data. However, challenges still exist that suggest an entirely unresolved genome characterized by high heterozygosity, extensive repetitive sequences, and complex ploidy features. In addition, individual investigation of genomic information from various genetic resources is essential for omics research, as there are differences in traits within a single breed beyond a species due to the uniqueness of sequence variation. This article provides high-quality genomic and transcriptomic insights targeted at the agronomical background.
A study on nickel application methods for optimizing soybean growth
Authors: Rodak Bruna Wurr , Freitas Douglas Siqueira , Rossi Monica Lanzoni , Linhares Francisco Scaglia , Moro Edemar , Campos Cid Naudi Silva , Reis André Rodrigues , Guilherme Luiz Roberto Guimarães , Lavres José 
Published: May 2024

AbstractFertilization with nickel (Ni) can positively affect plant development due to the role of this micronutrient in nitrogen (N) metabolism, namely, through urease and NiFe-hydrogenase. Although the application of Ni is an emerging practice in modern agriculture, its effectiveness strongly depends on the chosen application method, making further research in this area essential. The individual and combined effects of different Ni application methods—seed treatment, leaf spraying and/or soil fertilization—were investigated in soybean plants under different edaphoclimatic conditions (field and greenhouse). Beneficial effects of the Soil, Soil + Leaf and Seed + Leaf treatments were observed, with gains of 7 to 20% in biological nitrogen fixation, 1.5-fold in ureides, 14% in shoot dry weight and yield increases of up to 1161 kg ha−1. All the Ni application methods resulted in a 1.1-fold increase in the SPAD index, a 1.2-fold increase in photosynthesis, a 1.4-fold increase in nitrogenase, and a 3.9-fold increase in urease activity. Edaphoclimatic conditions exerted a significant influence on the treatments. The integrated approaches, namely, leaf application in conjunction with soil or seed fertilization, were more effective for enhancing yield in soybean cultivation systems. The determination of the ideal method is crucial for ensuring optimal absorption and utilization of this micronutrient and thus a feasible and sustainable management technology. Further research is warranted to establish official guidelines for the application of Ni in agricultural practices.
Cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet is associated with erectile dysfunction in young Taiwanese men
Authors: Chang Che-Jui , Fan Yu-Hua , Chiu Yi-Chun , Cheng Wei-Ming 
Published: May 2024

AbstractCold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet (CHHF) is a protective or predisposing factor for many diseases; however, the relationship between CHHF and erectile dysfunction (ED) remains unclear. We aimed to investigate associations between CHHF and ED among young men of Southeast Asian origin. In this cross-sectional study, sexually active Taiwanese men aged 20–40 years were enrolled via an online questionnaire comprising general demographic information, comorbidities, subjective thermal sensations of their hands and feet in the past 6 months, and their erectile function using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5). Participants who reported cold sensation of hands and feet were classified to have CHHF; those with IIEF-5 score ≤ 21 were considered to have ED. Total 54.2% and 27.9% of participants had ED and CHHF, respectively. Men with CHHF were significantly younger, had lower body mass index and IIEF-5 scores (p < 0.001), and a lower prevalence of diabetes mellitus (p = 0.033) along with higher prevalence of ED, psychiatric disorders, and insomnia (p < 0.001). After adjusting for predisposing factors of ED, CHHF (odds ratio 1.410, 95% confidence interval 1.159–1.714; p = 0.001) remained an independent predictor of ED. Thus, CHHF is independently associated with ED, affecting more than a quarter of young Taiwanese men. Autonomic dysregulation and subclinical endothelial dysfunction may be common pathophysiologies of CHHF and ED.
The impact of mobility costs on cooperation and welfare in spatial social dilemmas
Authors: Bara Jacques , Santos Fernando P. , Turrini Paolo 
Published: May 2024

AbstractFrom over-exploitation of resources to urban pollution, sustaining well-being requires solving social dilemmas of cooperation. Often such dilemmas are studied assuming that individuals occupy fixed positions in a network or lattice. In spatial settings, however, agents can move, and such movements involve costs. Here we investigate how mobility costs impact cooperation dynamics. To this end, we study cooperation dilemmas where individuals are located in a two-dimensional space and can be of two types: cooperators–or cleaners, who pay an individual cost to have a positive impact on their neighbours–and defectors–or polluters, free-riding on others’ effort to sustain a clean environment. Importantly, agents can pay a cost to move to a cleaner site. Both analytically and through agent-based simulations we find that, in general, introducing mobility costs increases pollution felt in the limit of fast movement (equivalently slow strategy revision). The effect on cooperation of increasing mobility costs is non-monotonic when mobility co-occurs with strategy revision. In such scenarios, low (yet non-zero) mobility costs minimise cooperation in low density environments; whereas high costs can promote cooperation even when a minority of agents initially defect. Finally, we find that heterogeneity in mobility cost affects the final distribution of strategies, leading to differences in who supports the burden of having a clean environment.
Comparative analysis of infected cassava root transcriptomics reveals candidate genes for root rot disease resistance
Authors: Hohenfeld Camila Santiago , de Oliveira Saulo Alves Santos , Ferreira Claudia Fortes , Mello Victor Hugo , Margarido Gabriel Rodrigues Alves , Passos Adriana Rodrigues , de Oliveira Eder Jorge 
Published: May 2024

AbstractCassava root-rot incited by soil-borne pathogens is one of the major diseases that reduces root yield. Although the use of resistant cultivars is the most effective method of management, the genetic basis for root-rot resistance remains poorly understood. Therefore, our work analyzed the transcriptome of two contrasting genotypes (BRS Kiriris/resistant and BGM-1345/susceptible) using RNA-Seq to understand the molecular response and identify candidate genes for resistance. Cassava seedlings (resistant and susceptible to root-rot) were both planted in infested and sterilized soil and samples from Initial-time and Final-time periods, pooled. Two controls were used: (i) seedlings collected before planting in infested soil (absolute control) and, (ii) plants grown in sterilized soil (mock treatments). For the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analysis 23.912 were expressed in the resistant genotype, where 10.307 were differentially expressed in the control treatment, 15 DEGs in the Initial Time-period and 366 DEGs in the Final Time-period. Eighteen candidate genes from the resistant genotype were related to plant defense, such as the MLP-like protein 31 and the peroxidase A2-like gene. This is the first model of resistance at the transcriptional level proposed for the cassava × root-rot pathosystem. Gene validation will contribute to screening for resistance of germplasm, segregating populations and/or use in gene editing in the pursuit to develop most promising cassava clones with resistance to root-rot.
Characterizing the blood microbiota in healthy and febrile domestic cats via 16s rRNA sequencing
Authors: Kitson Liam , Becker Anne A. M. J. , Hartmann Katrin , Bergmann Michèle , Sepulveda-Garcia Paulina , Canales Nivia , Muller Ananda 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the blood bacterial microbiota in healthy and febrile cats. High-quality sequencing reads from the 16S rRNA gene variable region V3-V4 were obtained from genomic blood DNA belonging to 145 healthy cats, and 140 febrile cats. Comparisons between the blood microbiota of healthy and febrile cats revealed dominant presence of Actinobacteria, followed by Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, and a lower relative abundance of Bacteroidetes. Upon lower taxonomic levels, the bacterial composition was significantly different between healthy and febrile cats. The families Faecalibacterium and Kineothrix (Firmicutes), and Phyllobacterium (Proteobacteria) experienced increased abundance in febrile samples. Whereas Thioprofundum (Proteobacteria) demonstrated a significant decrease in abundance in febrile. The bacterial composition and beta diversity within febrile cats was different according to the affected body system (Oral/GI, systemic, skin, and respiratory) at both family and genus levels. Sex and age were not significant factors affecting the blood microbiota of febrile cats nor healthy ones. Age was different between young adult and mature adult healthy cats. Alpha diversity was unaffected by any factors. Overall, the findings suggest that age, health status and nature of disease are significant factors affecting blood microbiota diversity and composition in cats, but sex is not.