bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rational molecular and device design enables organic solar cells approaching 20% efficiency
Authors: Fu Jiehao , Yang Qianguang , Huang Peihao , Chung Sein , Cho Kilwon , Kan Zhipeng , Liu Heng , Lu Xinhui , Lang Yongwen , Lai Hanjian , He Feng , Fong Patrick W. K. , Lu Shirong , Yang Yang , Xiao Zeyun , Li Gang 
Published: February 2024

AbstractFor organic solar cells to be competitive, the light-absorbing molecules should simultaneously satisfy multiple key requirements, including weak-absorption charge transfer state, high dielectric constant, suitable surface energy, proper crystallinity, etc. However, the systematic design rule in molecules to achieve the abovementioned goals is rarely studied. In this work, guided by theoretical calculation, we present a rational design of non-fullerene acceptor o-BTP-eC9, with distinct photoelectric properties compared to benchmark BTP-eC9. o-BTP-eC9 based device has uplifted charge transfer state, therefore significantly reducing the energy loss by 41 meV and showing excellent power conversion efficiency of 18.7%. Moreover, the new guest acceptor o-BTP-eC9 has excellent miscibility, crystallinity, and energy level compatibility with BTP-eC9, which enables an efficiency of 19.9% (19.5% certified) in PM6:BTP-C9:o-BTP-eC9 based ternary system with enhanced operational stability.
Functional regulation of aquaporin dynamics by lipid bilayer composition
Authors: Nguyen Anh T. P. , Weigle Austin T. , Shukla Diwakar 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWith the diversity of lipid-protein interactions, any observed membrane protein dynamics or functions directly depend on the lipid bilayer selection. However, the implications of lipid bilayer choice are seldom considered unless characteristic lipid-protein interactions have been previously reported. Using molecular dynamics simulation, we characterize the effects of membrane embedding on plant aquaporin SoPIP2;1, which has no reported high-affinity lipid interactions. The regulatory impacts of a realistic lipid bilayer, and nine different homogeneous bilayers, on varying SoPIP2;1 dynamics are examined. We demonstrate that SoPIP2;1’s structure, thermodynamics, kinetics, and water transport are altered as a function of each membrane construct’s ensemble properties. Notably, the realistic bilayer provides stabilization of non-functional SoPIP2;1 metastable states. Hydrophobic mismatch and lipid order parameter calculations further explain how lipid ensemble properties manipulate SoPIP2;1 behavior. Our results illustrate the importance of careful bilayer selection when studying membrane proteins. To this end, we advise cautionary measures when performing membrane protein molecular dynamics simulations.
Mode-multiplexing deep-strong light-matter coupling
Authors: Mornhinweg Joshua , Diebel Laura Katharina , Halbhuber Maike , Prager Michael , Riepl Josef , Inzenhofer Tobias , Bougeard Dominique , Huber Rupert , Lange Christoph 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDressing electronic quantum states with virtual photons creates exotic effects ranging from vacuum-field modified transport to polaritonic chemistry, and squeezing or entanglement of modes. The established paradigm of cavity quantum electrodynamics maximizes the light-matter coupling strength $${\varOmega }_{{{{{{\rm{R}}}}}}}/{\omega }_{{{{{{\rm{c}}}}}}}$$

Ω

R

/

ω

c

, defined as the ratio of the vacuum Rabi frequency and the frequency of light, by resonant interactions. Yet, the finite oscillator strength of a single electronic excitation sets a natural limit to $${\varOmega }_{{{{{{\rm{R}}}}}}}/{\omega }_{{{{{{\rm{c}}}}}}}$$

Ω

R

/

ω

c

. Here, we enter a regime of record-strong light-matter interaction which exploits the cooperative dipole moments of multiple, highly non-resonant magnetoplasmon modes tailored by our metasurface. This creates an ultrabroadband spectrum of 20 polaritons spanning 6 optical octaves, calculated vacuum ground state populations exceeding 1 virtual excitation quantum, and coupling strengths equivalent to $${\varOmega }_{{{{{{\rm{R}}}}}}}/{\omega }_{{{{{{\rm{c}}}}}}}=3.19$$

Ω

R

/

ω

c

=
3.19
. The extreme interaction drives strongly subcycle energy exchange between multiple bosonic vacuum modes akin to high-order nonlinearities, and entangles previously orthogonal electronic excitations solely via vacuum fluctuations.
BTLA contributes to acute-on-chronic liver failure infection and mortality through CD4+ T-cell exhaustion
Authors: Yu Xueping , Yang Feifei , Shen Zhongliang , Zhang Yao , Sun Jian , Qiu Chao , Zheng Yijuan , Zhao Weidong , Yuan Songhua , Zeng Dawu , Zhang Shenyan , Long Jianfei , Zhu Mengqi , Zhang Xueyun , Wu Jingwen , Ma Zhenxuan , Zhu Haoxiang , Su Milong , Xu Jianqing , Li Bin , Mao Richeng , Su Zhijun , Zhang Jiming 
Published: February 2024

AbstractB- and T-lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) levels are increased in patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF). This condition is characterized by susceptibility to infection and T-cell immune exhaustion. However, whether BTLA can induce T-cell immune exhaustion and increase the risk of infection remains unclear. Here, we report that BTLA levels are significantly increased in the circulating and intrahepatic CD4+ T cells from patients with HBV-ACLF, and are positively correlated with disease severity, prognosis, and infection complications. BTLA levels were upregulated by the IL-6 and TNF signaling pathways. Antibody crosslinking of BTLA activated the PI3K-Akt pathway to inhibit the activation, proliferation, and cytokine production of CD4+ T cells while promoting their apoptosis. In contrast, BTLA knockdown promoted their activation and proliferation. BTLA-/- ACLF mice exhibited increased cytokine secretion, and reduced mortality and bacterial burden. The administration of a neutralizing anti-BTLA antibody reduced Klebsiella pneumoniae load and mortality in mice with ACLF. These data may help elucidate HBV-ACLF pathogenesis and aid in identifying novel drug targets.
Myriad Mapping of nanoscale minerals reveals calcium carbonate hemihydrate in forming nacre and coral biominerals
Authors: Schmidt Connor A. , Tambutté Eric , Venn Alexander A. , Zou Zhaoyong , Castillo Alvarez Cristina , Devriendt Laurent S. , Bechtel Hans A. , Stifler Cayla A. , Anglemyer Samantha , Breit Carolyn P. , Foust Connor L. , Hopanchuk Andrii , Klaus Connor N. , Kohler Isaac J. , LeCloux Isabelle M. , Mezera Jaiden , Patton Madeline R. , Purisch Annie , Quach Virginia , Sengkhammee Jaden S. , Sristy Tarak , Vattem Shreya , Walch Evan J. , Albéric Marie , Politi Yael , Fratzl Peter , Tambutté Sylvie , Gilbert Pupa U.P.A. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractCalcium carbonate (CaCO3) is abundant on Earth, is a major component of marine biominerals and thus of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks and it plays a major role in the global carbon cycle by storing atmospheric CO2 into solid biominerals. Six crystalline polymorphs of CaCO3 are known—3 anhydrous: calcite, aragonite, vaterite, and 3 hydrated: ikaite (CaCO3·6H2O), monohydrocalcite (CaCO3·1H2O, MHC), and calcium carbonate hemihydrate (CaCO3·½H2O, CCHH). CCHH was recently discovered and characterized, but exclusively as a synthetic material, not as a naturally occurring mineral. Here, analyzing 200 million spectra with Myriad Mapping (MM) of nanoscale mineral phases, we find CCHH and MHC, along with amorphous precursors, on freshly deposited coral skeleton and nacre surfaces, but not on sea urchin spines. Thus, biomineralization pathways are more complex and diverse than previously understood, opening new questions on isotopes and climate. Crystalline precursors are more accessible than amorphous ones to other spectroscopies and diffraction, in natural and bio-inspired materials.
Coordinated inflammatory responses dictate Marburg virus control by reservoir bats
Authors: Guito Jonathan C. , Kirejczyk Shannon G. M. , Schuh Amy J. , Amman Brian R. , Sealy Tara K. , Graziano James , Spengler Jessica R. , Harmon Jessica R. , Wozniak David M. , Prescott Joseph B. , Towner Jonathan S. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBats are increasingly recognized as reservoirs of emerging zoonotic pathogens. Egyptian rousette bats (ERBs) are the known reservoir of Marburg virus (MARV), a filovirus that causes deadly Marburg virus disease (MVD) in humans. However, ERBs harbor MARV asymptomatically, likely due to a coadapted and specific host immunity-pathogen relationship. Recently, we measured transcriptional responses in MARV-infected ERB whole tissues, showing that these bats possess a disease tolerant strategy that limits pro-inflammatory gene induction, presumably averting MVD-linked immunopathology. However, the host resistant strategy by which ERBs actively limit MARV burden remains elusive, which we hypothesize requires localized inflammatory responses unresolvable at bulk-tissue scale. Here, we use dexamethasone to attenuate ERB pro-inflammatory responses and assess MARV replication, shedding and disease. We show that MARV-infected ERBs naturally mount coordinated pro-inflammatory responses at liver foci of infection, comprised of recruited mononuclear phagocytes and T cells, the latter of which proliferate with likely MARV-specificity. When pro-inflammatory responses are diminished, ERBs display heightened MARV replication, oral/rectal shedding and severe MVD-like liver pathology, demonstrating that ERBs balance immunoprotective tolerance with discreet MARV-resistant pro-inflammatory responses. These data further suggest that natural ERB immunomodulatory stressors like food scarcity and habitat disruption may potentiate viral shedding, transmission and therefore outbreak risk.
Variational quantum algorithm for experimental photonic multiparameter estimation
Authors: Cimini Valeria , Valeri Mauro , Piacentini Simone , Ceccarelli Francesco , Corrielli Giacomo , Osellame Roberto , Spagnolo Nicolò , Sciarrino Fabio 
Published: February 2024

AbstractVariational quantum metrology represents a powerful tool to optimize estimation strategies, resulting particularly beneficial for multiparameter estimation problems that often suffer from limitations due to the curse of dimensionality and computational complexity. To overcome these challenges, we develop a variational approach able to efficiently optimize a quantum multiphase sensor. Leveraging the reconfigurability of an integrated photonic device, we implement a hybrid quantum-classical feedback loop able to enhance the estimation performances. The quantum circuit evaluations are used to compute the system partial derivatives by applying the parameter-shift rule, and thus reconstruct experimentally the Fisher information matrix. This in turn is adopted as the cost function of a classical learning algorithm run to optimize the measurement settings. Our experimental results showcase significant improvements in estimation accuracy and noise robustness, highlighting the potential of variational techniques for practical applications in quantum sensing and more generally in quantum information processing using photonic circuits.
Durable and efficient gene silencing in vivo by hit-and-run epigenome editing
Authors: Cappelluti Martino Alfredo , Mollica Poeta Valeria , Valsoni Sara , Quarato Piergiuseppe , Merlin Simone , Merelli Ivan , Lombardo Angelo 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPermanent epigenetic silencing using programmable editors equipped with transcriptional repressors holds great promise for the treatment of human diseases1–3. However, to unlock its full therapeutic potential, an experimental confirmation of durable epigenetic silencing after the delivery of transient delivery of editors in vivo is needed. To this end, here we targeted Pcsk9, a gene expressed in hepatocytes that is involved in cholesterol homeostasis. In vitro screening of different editor designs indicated that zinc-finger proteins were the best-performing DNA-binding platform for efficient silencing of mouse Pcsk9. A single administration of lipid nanoparticles loaded with the editors’ mRNAs almost halved the circulating levels of PCSK9 for nearly one year in mice. Notably, Pcsk9 silencing and accompanying epigenetic repressive marks also persisted after forced liver regeneration, further corroborating the heritability of the newly installed epigenetic state. Improvements in construct design resulted in the development of an all-in-one configuration that we term evolved engineered transcriptional repressor (EvoETR). This design, which is characterized by a high specificity profile, further reduced the circulating levels of PCSK9 in mice with an efficiency comparable with that obtained through conventional gene editing, but without causing DNA breaks. Our study lays the foundation for the development of in vivo therapeutics that are based on epigenetic silencing.
On the genetic basis of tail-loss evolution in humans and apes
Authors: Xia Bo , Zhang Weimin , Zhao Guisheng , Zhang Xinru , Bai Jiangshan , Brosh Ran , Wudzinska Aleksandra , Huang Emily , Ashe Hannah , Ellis Gwen , Pour Maayan , Zhao Yu , Coelho Camila , Zhu Yinan , Miller Alexander , Dasen Jeremy S. , Maurano Matthew T. , Kim Sang Y. , Boeke Jef D. , Yanai Itai 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe loss of the tail is among the most notable anatomical changes to have occurred along the evolutionary lineage leading to humans and to the ‘anthropomorphous apes’1–3, with a proposed role in contributing to human bipedalism4–6. Yet, the genetic mechanism that facilitated tail-loss evolution in hominoids remains unknown. Here we present evidence that an individual insertion of an Alu element in the genome of the hominoid ancestor may have contributed to tail-loss evolution. We demonstrate that this Alu element—inserted into an intron of the TBXT gene7–9—pairs with a neighbouring ancestral Alu element encoded in the reverse genomic orientation and leads to a hominoid-specific alternative splicing event. To study the effect of this splicing event, we generated multiple mouse models that express both full-length and exon-skipped isoforms of Tbxt, mimicking the expression pattern of its hominoid orthologue TBXT. Mice expressing both Tbxt isoforms exhibit a complete absence of the tail or a shortened tail depending on the relative abundance of Tbxt isoforms expressed at the embryonic tail bud. These results support the notion that the exon-skipped transcript is sufficient to induce a tail-loss phenotype. Moreover, mice expressing the exon-skipped Tbxt isoform develop neural tube defects, a condition that affects approximately 1 in 1,000 neonates in humans10. Thus, tail-loss evolution may have been associated with an adaptive cost of the potential for neural tube defects, which continue to affect human health today.
Mutualisms weaken the latitudinal diversity gradient among oceanic islands
Authors: Delavaux Camille S. , Crowther Thomas W. , Bever James D. , Weigelt Patrick , Gora Evan M. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG) dominates global patterns of diversity1,2, but the factors that underlie the LDG remain elusive. Here we use a unique global dataset3 to show that vascular plants on oceanic islands exhibit a weakened LDG and explore potential mechanisms for this effect. Our results show that traditional physical drivers of island biogeography4—namely area and isolation—contribute to the difference between island and mainland diversity at a given latitude (that is, the island species deficit), as smaller and more distant islands experience reduced colonization. However, plant species with mutualists are underrepresented on islands, and we find that this plant mutualism filter explains more variation in the island species deficit than abiotic factors. In particular, plant species that require animal pollinators or microbial mutualists such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi contribute disproportionately to the island species deficit near the Equator, with contributions decreasing with distance from the Equator. Plant mutualist filters on species richness are particularly strong at low absolute latitudes where mainland richness is highest, weakening the LDG of oceanic islands. These results provide empirical evidence that mutualisms, habitat heterogeneity and dispersal are key to the maintenance of high tropical plant diversity and mediate the biogeographic patterns of plant diversity on Earth.
The CRL5–SPSB3 ubiquitin ligase targets nuclear cGAS for degradation
Authors: Xu Pengbiao , Liu Ying , Liu Chong , Guey Baptiste , Li Lingyun , Melenec Pauline , Ricci Jonathan , Ablasser Andrea 
Published: February 2024

AbstractCyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) senses aberrant DNA during infection, cancer and inflammatory disease, and initiates potent innate immune responses through the synthesis of 2′3′-cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP)1–7. The indiscriminate activity of cGAS towards DNA demands tight regulatory mechanisms that are necessary to maintain cell and tissue homeostasis under normal conditions. Inside the cell nucleus, anchoring to nucleosomes and competition with chromatin architectural proteins jointly prohibit cGAS activation by genomic DNA8–15. However, the fate of nuclear cGAS and its role in cell physiology remains unclear. Here we show that the ubiquitin proteasomal system (UPS) degrades nuclear cGAS in cycling cells. We identify SPSB3 as the cGAS-targeting substrate receptor that associates with the cullin–RING ubiquitin ligase 5 (CRL5) complex to ligate ubiquitin onto nuclear cGAS. A cryo-electron microscopy structure of nucleosome-bound cGAS in a complex with SPSB3 reveals a highly conserved Asn-Asn (NN) minimal degron motif at the C terminus of cGAS that directs SPSB3 recruitment, ubiquitylation and cGAS protein stability. Interference with SPSB3-regulated nuclear cGAS degradation primes cells for type I interferon signalling, conferring heightened protection against infection by DNA viruses. Our research defines protein degradation as a determinant of cGAS regulation in the nucleus and provides structural insights into an element of cGAS that is amenable to therapeutic exploitation.
Latitudinal patterns in stabilizing density dependence of forest communities
Authors: Hülsmann Lisa , Chisholm Ryan A. , Comita Liza , Visser Marco D. , de Souza Leite Melina , Aguilar Salomon , Anderson-Teixeira Kristina J. , Bourg Norman A. , Brockelman Warren Y. , Bunyavejchewin Sarayudh , Castaño Nicolas , Chang-Yang Chia-Hao , Chuyong George B. , Clay Keith , Davies Stuart J. , Duque Alvaro , Ediriweera Sisira , Ewango Corneille , Gilbert Gregory S. , Holík Jan , Howe Robert W. , Hubbell Stephen P. , Itoh Akira , Johnson Daniel J. , Kenfack David , Král Kamil , Larson Andrew J. , Lutz James A. , Makana Jean-Remy , Malhi Yadvinder , McMahon Sean M. , McShea William J. , Mohamad Mohizah , Nasardin Musalmah , Nathalang Anuttara , Norden Natalia , Oliveira Alexandre A. , Parmigiani Renan , Perez Rolando , Phillips Richard P. , Pongpattananurak Nantachai , Sun I-Fang , Swanson Mark E. , Tan Sylvester , Thomas Duncan , Thompson Jill , Uriarte Maria , Wolf Amy T. , Yao Tze Leong , Zimmerman Jess K. , Zuleta Daniel , Hartig Florian 
Published: February 2024

AbstractNumerous studies have shown reduced performance in plants that are surrounded by neighbours of the same species1,2, a phenomenon known as conspecific negative density dependence (CNDD)3. A long-held ecological hypothesis posits that CNDD is more pronounced in tropical than in temperate forests4,5, which increases community stabilization, species coexistence and the diversity of local tree species6,7. Previous analyses supporting such a latitudinal gradient in CNDD8,9 have suffered from methodological limitations related to the use of static data10–12. Here we present a comprehensive assessment of latitudinal CNDD patterns using dynamic mortality data to estimate species-site-specific CNDD across 23 sites. Averaged across species, we found that stabilizing CNDD was present at all except one site, but that average stabilizing CNDD was not stronger toward the tropics. However, in tropical tree communities, rare and intermediate abundant species experienced stronger stabilizing CNDD than did common species. This pattern was absent in temperate forests, which suggests that CNDD influences species abundances more strongly in tropical forests than it does in temperate ones13. We also found that interspecific variation in CNDD, which might attenuate its stabilizing effect on species diversity14,15, was high but not significantly different across latitudes. Although the consequences of these patterns for latitudinal diversity gradients are difficult to evaluate, we speculate that a more effective regulation of population abundances could translate into greater stabilization of tropical tree communities and thus contribute to the high local diversity of tropical forests.
Crym-positive striatal astrocytes gate perseverative behaviour
Authors: Ollivier Matthias , Soto Joselyn S. , Linker Kay E. , Moye Stefanie L. , Jami-Alahmadi Yasaman , Jones Anthony E. , Divakaruni Ajit S. , Kawaguchi Riki , Wohlschlegel James A. , Khakh Baljit S. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAstrocytes are heterogeneous glial cells of the central nervous system1–3. However, the physiological relevance of astrocyte diversity for neural circuits and behaviour remains unclear. Here we show that a specific population of astrocytes in the central striatum expresses μ-crystallin (encoded by Crym in mice and CRYM in humans) that is associated with several human diseases, including neuropsychiatric disorders4–7. In adult mice, reducing the levels of μ-crystallin in striatal astrocytes through CRISPR–Cas9-mediated knockout of Crym resulted in perseverative behaviours, increased fast synaptic excitation in medium spiny neurons and dysfunctional excitatory–inhibitory synaptic balance. Increased perseveration stemmed from the loss of astrocyte-gated control of neurotransmitter release from presynaptic terminals of orbitofrontal cortex–striatum projections. We found that perseveration could be remedied using presynaptic inhibitory chemogenetics8, and that this treatment also corrected the synaptic deficits. Together, our findings reveal converging molecular, synaptic, circuit and behavioural mechanisms by which a molecularly defined and allocated population of striatal astrocytes gates perseveration phenotypes that accompany neuropsychiatric disorders9–12. Our data show that Crym-positive striatal astrocytes have key biological functions within the central nervous system, and uncover astrocyte–neuron interaction mechanisms that could be targeted in treatments for perseveration.