bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DNA T-shaped crossover tiles for 2D tessellation and nanoring reconfiguration
Authors: Yang Qi , Chang Xu , Lee Jung Yeon , Saji Minu , Zhang Fei 
Published: November 2023

AbstractDNA tiles serve as the fundamental building blocks for DNA self-assembled nanostructures such as DNA arrays, origami, and designer crystals. Introducing additional binding arms to DNA crossover tiles holds the promise of unlocking diverse nano-assemblies and potential applications. Here, we present one-, two-, and three-layer T-shaped crossover tiles, by integrating T junction with antiparallel crossover tiles. These tiles carry over the orthogonal binding directions from T junction and retain the rigidity from antiparallel crossover tiles, enabling the assembly of various 2D tessellations. To demonstrate the versatility of the design rules, we create 2-state reconfigurable nanorings from both single-stranded tiles and single-unit assemblies. Moreover, four sets of 4-state reconfiguration systems are constructed, showing effective transformations between ladders and/or rings with pore sizes spanning ~20 nm to ~168 nm. These DNA tiles enrich the design tools in nucleic acid nanotechnology, offering exciting opportunities for the creation of artificial dynamic DNA nanopores.
High speed underwater hydrogel robots with programmable motions powered by light
Authors: Ni Chujun , Chen Di , Wen Xin , Jin Binjie , He Yi , Xie Tao , Zhao Qian 
Published: November 2023

AbstractStimuli-responsive shape-changing hydrogels are attractive candidates for use as underwater soft robots. The bottleneck lies in the low actuation speed inherently limited by the water diffusion between hydrogels and their surrounding environment. In addition, accessing complex motions is restricted by the material fabrication methods. Here we report a hitherto unknown mechanism to achieve high-speed and programmable actuations for a disulfide crosslinked thermally responsive hydrogel. The dynamic photo-activated disulfide bond exchange allows photo-mechanical programming to introduce spatio-selective network anisotropy. This gives rise to an actuation behavior dominated by thermally driven conformation change of the locally oriented polymer chains instead of the common mass-diffusion-based mechanism. With the incorporation of photothermal fillers, light-powered oscillation at frequencies as high as 1.7 Hz is realized. This, coupled with the versatility of the programming, allows access to robots with diverse high-speed motions including continuous swimming, step-wise walking, and rotating.
Ligand-modulated nickel-catalyzed regioselective silylalkylation of alkenes
Authors: Ding Chao , Ren Yaoyu , Yu Yue , Yin Guoyin 
Published: November 2023

AbstractOrganosilicon compounds have shown tremendous potential in drug discovery and their synthesis stimulates wide interest. Multicomponent cross-coupling of alkenes with silicon reagents is used to yield complex silicon-containing compounds from readily accessible feedstock chemicals but the reaction with simple alkenes remains challenging. Here, we report a regioselective silylalkylation of simple alkenes, which is enabled by using a stable Ni(II) salt and an inexpensive trans−1,2-diaminocyclohexane ligand as a catalyst. Remarkably, this reaction can tolerate a broad range of olefins bearing various functional groups, including alcohol, ester, amides and ethers, thus it allows for the efficient and selective assembly of a diverse range of bifunctional organosilicon building blocks from terminal alkenes, alkyl halides and the Suginome reagent. Moreover, an expedient synthetic route toward alpha-Lipoic acid has been developed by this methodology.
Buried palaeo-polygonal terrain detected underneath Utopia Planitia on Mars by the Zhurong radar
Authors: Zhang Lei , Li Chao , Zhang Jinhai , Zhou Bin , Zhao Yu-Yan Sara , Liu Yang , Di Kaichang , Mitchell Ross N. , Li Juan , Zhang Zhigang , Chen Lin , Liang Xiaofeng , Sun Weijia , Liu Yike , Zhao Xu , Hao Jinlai , Xu Changyi , Zheng Yikang , Wang Yibo , Wang Xin , Zhao Pan , Lv Wenmin , Li Yang , Lan Haiqiang , Li Yuxi , Wang Wei , Lu Yang , Lin Honglei , Fang Peng , Lin Wei , Wei Yong , Chen Ling , Fang Guangyou , Lin Yangting , Yao Zhenxing , Pan Yongxin 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAs the largest basin on Mars, Utopia Planitia has both experienced and recorded variations of the Martian palaeoclimate. Layered subsurface structures have been identified by ground-penetrating radar in southern Utopia Planitia but lateral variations of the subsurface, potentially linked to the Martian palaeoclimatic evolution, have not been investigated. Here we report the lateral frequency-variation patterns of Zhurong radar reflections and interpret them as buried polygonal terrain below a depth of 35 m. Sixteen polygonal wedges were identified within ∼1.2 km distance, suggesting a wide distribution of such terrain under Utopia Planitia. The contrast above and below ∼35 m depth represents a notable transformation of aqueous activity or thermal conditions in the Late Hesperian–Early Amazonian. The interpreted buried polygons, possibly generated by freeze–thaw cycles, imply that there was a strong palaeoclimatic variability at low-to-mid latitudes (∼25° N), potentially due to the high obliquity of ancient Mars.
Fluorescence to measure light intensity
Authors: Lahlou Aliénor , Tehrani Hessam Sepasi , Coghill Ian , Shpinov Yuriy , Mandal Mrinal , Plamont Marie-Aude , Aujard Isabelle , Niu Yuxi , Nedbal Ladislav , Lazár Dusan , Mahou Pierre , Supatto Willy , Beaurepaire Emmanuel , Eisenmann Isabelle , Desprat Nicolas , Croquette Vincent , Jeanneret Raphaël , Le Saux Thomas , Jullien Ludovic 
Published: November 2023

AbstractDespite the need for quantitative measurements of light intensity across many scientific disciplines, existing technologies for measuring light dose at the sample of a fluorescence microscope cannot simultaneously retrieve light intensity along with spatial distribution over a wide range of wavelengths and intensities. To address this limitation, we developed two rapid and straightforward protocols that use organic dyes and fluorescent proteins as actinometers. The first protocol relies on molecular systems whose fluorescence intensity decays and/or rises in a monoexponential fashion when constant light is applied. The second protocol relies on a broad-absorbing photochemically inert fluorophore to back-calculate the light intensity from one wavelength to another. As a demonstration of their use, the protocols are applied to quantitatively characterize the spatial distribution of light of various fluorescence imaging systems, and to calibrate illumination of commercially available instruments and light sources.
Intra-promoter switch of transcription initiation sites in proliferation signaling-dependent RNA metabolism
Authors: Wragg Joseph W. , White Paige-Louise , Hadzhiev Yavor , Wanigasooriya Kasun , Stodolna Agata , Tee Louise , Barros-Silva Joao D. , Beggs Andrew D. , Müller Ferenc 
Published: November 2023

AbstractGlobal changes in transcriptional regulation and RNA metabolism are crucial features of cancer development. However, little is known about the role of the core promoter in defining transcript identity and post-transcriptional fates, a potentially crucial layer of transcriptional regulation in cancer. In this study, we use CAGE-seq analysis to uncover widespread use of dual-initiation promoters in which non-canonical, first-base-cytosine (C) transcription initiation occurs alongside first-base-purine initiation across 59 human cancers and healthy tissues. C-initiation is often followed by a 5′ terminal oligopyrimidine (5′TOP) sequence, dramatically increasing the range of genes potentially subjected to 5′TOP-associated post-transcriptional regulation. We show selective, dynamic switching between purine and C-initiation site usage, indicating transcription initiation-level regulation in cancers. We additionally detail global metabolic changes in C-initiation transcripts that mark differentiation status, proliferative capacity, radiosensitivity, and response to irradiation and to PI3K–Akt–mTOR and DNA damage pathway-targeted radiosensitization therapies in colorectal cancer organoids and cancer cell lines and tissues.
Analysis of spatial and temporal changes and driving forces of arable land in the Weibei dry plateau region in China
Authors: Zhang Panpan , Xia Liheng , Sun Zenghui , Zhang Tingyu 
Published: November 2023

AbstractArable land is the lifeblood of food production, it is of great significance to promote the protection of arable land and ensure national food security by accurately understanding the change law of cultivated land and its driving mechanism. This study takes the Weibei dry plateau region of China as an example, explores its spatial and temporal change characteristics through the center of gravity shift and land use shift matrix, and couples the geographic probe model to reveal the driving mechanisms affecting arable land change. The results show that in the past 25 years, the total arable land area in the Weibei Dry Plateau Region of China has decreased by 5.58%, and the stability of arable land resources in the whole region has weakened. The center of gravity of arable land shifts to the northeast, and the standard deviation ellipse of arable land mainly undergoes the change process of "increase (1995–2015)-decrease (2015–2020)", and the spatial distribution of arable land tends to be dispersed. In the LISA frequency mapping, the proportion of stable constant and low-frequency areas is as high as 89.58%, and the spatial pattern of cultivated land is relatively stable. Medium and high frequency areas. The transformation mode is mainly "low-low" aggregation, "low–high" aggregation is not significant, and the decline of cultivated land in the study area is more obvious. In the past 25 years, a total of 1017.26 km2 of arable land was converted to construction land. The explanatory power of the influencing factors varies in each period (0.299 to 0.731), with total agricultural machinery power has the strongest explanatory power of 0.694, 0.592, and 0.731, respectively. The interaction between slope and annual average temperature and other factors being the highest, both greater than 0.8. Through the construction of LISA frequency mapping, combined with the center of gravity model and standard deviation ellipse, the spatial evolution trend of regional arable land is more comprehensively and dynamically grasped. By using the geodetector model, the driving mechanism of the changes of arable land is revealed comprehensively, which provides a theoretical basis for the scientific management and effective protection of arable land resources and a basis for decision-making.
Influence of two kinds of clearance joints on the dynamics of planar mechanical system based on a modified contact force model
Authors: Tan Haiyan , Li Li , Huang Qiang , Jiang Zhuoda , Li Qingxiang , Zhang Youming , Yu Donglin 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis study takes the slider-crank mechanism with revolute joint and translational joint as the research object and studies the contact force model of the clearance joint and the influence of the hybrid clearance joints on the nonlinear dynamic behavior of the mechanism. A modified contact force model is established based on the simplified elastic oscillator model, which can be used as a normal force in clearance joint. In the new contact force model, the component n of the indentation depth can be arbitrarily selected and it can support the calculation of contact force for both fully elastic recovery, non-elastic recovery and fully inelastic recovery. Based on the LuGre friction model, the tangential friction model of the clearance joint is given. Thus, the normal force and tangential force during the dynamic contact of the clearance joint are formed. Combining Lagrange’s equations of the first kind with the modified normal force and tangential friction force, the dynamic equations of the multi-body system with clearance joints are established. The Baumgarte stabilization method is used to improve the numerical stability. The correctness of the dynamic prediction model in the mechanism with clearance joint is verified by experiment. The dynamic analysis of the slider-crank mechanism with mixed clearance joints shows that the revolute clearance joint has a greater influence on the mechanism than the translational clearance, and the revolute clearance joint plays a leading role in the dynamic response.
Delay in diagnosis to treatment and impact on survival of gastric adenocarcinoma in a low income setting without screening facility
Authors: Subasinghe D. , Mahesh P. K. B. , Wijesinghe G. K. , Sivaganesh S. , Samarasekera A. , Lokuhetty M. D. S. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe treatment modality of gastric adenocarcinoma (GCA) depends on the stage of the disease at the clinical presentation. Long delays are probably an unfavorable factor for the patient's prognosis. A prospective longitudinal, study involving 145 consecutive GCA was conducted at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL). The overall delay (in weeks) was recorded for each patient and divided into four periods-patient, endoscopy, pathology and treatment. The median and Interquartile Range (IQR) duration of delays were calculated and differences were explored with chi square test and Mann Whitney U test Survival analysis was done with Kaplan Meier technique and Cox regression. The median duration of delays for patient, endoscopy, histology reporting delay, other histology delay (specimen transfer delay and report receipt delay) and treatment were 18 (IQR 14–27), 2 (IQR 2–3), 3 (IQR 2–3), 2 (IQR 1–2) and 6 (IQR 4–8) weeks respectively. Delayed patient presentation to hospital was associated with significant adverse median survival 16 (IQR 11.5–22.5) weeks versus 20 (IQR 16–27.5) weeks, p = 0.004. Delay in initiating treatment was associated with significantly lower median survival 04 (IQR 4–6) weeks versus 06 (IQR 4–8) weeks, p = 0.003. Over 60% of both proximal and distal GCA presented at an advanced radiological stage (stage III/IV). The Kaplan Meier analysis showed that the higher hazard function was associated with a higher tumour stage and undergoing chemotherapy. Age of the patient and the treatment modality were significant predictors of the survival. Patient delay and delay in initiation of definitive treatment are the most important factors that adversely affect the outcomes of GCA. Public health interventions aiming to shorten the patient delay time with proper referral for specialist care would play an important role. Also, it is important to minimize these preventable delays and there should be time limits in producing the histopathology report and to establish online portals of hospital and laboratory information systems for easy access of histology reports in future.
Heat pump supply chain environmental impact reduction to improve the UK energy sustainability, resiliency and security
Authors: Shamoushaki Moein , Koh S. C. Lenny 
Published: November 2023

AbstractVarious heat pump technologies are examined from an environmental perspective using a life cycle assessment approach. The investigated heat pump systems utilize air, ground, and water as their energy sources. Additionally, an innovative heat pump powered by green hydrogen is investigated in this study, to evaluate its environmental impacts and potential to commercialise on a large scale. A range of supply chain scenarios is explored, considering the main suppliers of the UK market. The reshoring heat pump industry and supply chain are evaluated to enhance energy resilience and security within the UK. The findings indicate that the hydrogen-based heat pump presents a promising option for the UK market, offering the advantages of reducing stress on the national grid network and minimizing the environmental impacts associated with the supply chain. Furthermore, a forecasting analysis is conducted based on the UK's net-zero emission plan to provide insight into future developments.
Modelling variations of emergency attendances using data on community mobility, climate and air pollution
Authors: Weismann Dirk , Möckel Martin , Paeth Heiko , Slagman Anna 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAir pollution is associated with morbidity and mortality worldwide. We investigated the impact of improved air quality during the economic lockdown during the SARS-Cov2 pandemic on emergency room (ER) admissions in Germany. Weekly aggregated clinical data from 33 hospitals were collected in 2019 and 2020. Hourly concentrations of nitrogen and sulfur dioxide (NO2, SO2), carbon and nitrogen monoxide (CO, NO), ozone (O3) and particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) measured by ground stations and meteorological data (ERA5) were selected from a 30 km radius around the corresponding ED. Mobility was assessed using aggregated cell phone data. A linear stepwise multiple regression model was used to predict ER admissions. The average weekly emergency numbers vary from 200 to over 1600 cases (total n = 2,216,217). The mean maximum decrease in caseload was 5 standard deviations. With the enforcement of the shutdown in March, the mobility index dropped by almost 40%. Of all air pollutants, NO2 has the strongest correlation with ER visits when averaged across all departments. Using a linear stepwise multiple regression model, 63% of the variation in ER visits is explained by the mobility index, but still 6% of the variation is explained by air quality and climate change.
Analysis of liquid–vapor mixed migration mechanism in unsaturated soil based on the effect of temperature on soil microstructure
Authors: Zhang Jianxun , Mao Xuesong 
Published: November 2023

AbstractMoisture migration in unsaturated soils is a result of the interaction between temperature and soil microstructure. In order to reveal the mechanism of moisture increase of subgrade soils under diurnal cycle conditions, a series of macro and microscopic tests were carried out on the unsaturated silty clay and sand soil, including liquid–vapor mixed migration tests simulating a one-dimensional subgrade, environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM), and matrix suction test. Then, the soil microstructure in microscopic images was investigated using the particle (pores) and cracks analysis system (PACS). Next, the relationship between the thermal effects of the soil–water characteristic curve (SWCC) and changes in soil microstructure was analyzed. Finally, the change mechanism of liquid–vapor mixed migration based on the change in soil microstructural under thermal effects was analyzed. The results showed under the diurnal cycle, both the silty clay and sand soil columns appeared in the phenomenon of a “diurnal cycle of water vapor migration”, which led to moisture accumulation at the top of the soil layer. In silty clay soil column, moisture was primarily driven by water vapor pressure and migrated upwards. Additionally, moisture redistribution led to changes in soil microstructure, which in turn influenced the process of moisture migration. The moisture content in the upper soil layer increased making both inter-aggregate and intra-aggregate pores decrease. The moisture content in the lower soil later decreased, leading to the water-holding capacity of the lower soil layer to increase. So, the moisture migration gradually decreased at night. In the sand soil column, moisture migration was mainly driven by gravity potential and migrated downwards. Moisture redistribution made inter-aggregate pore and matrix suction of the upper soil layer increase, leading to an increase in moisture migration at night.
Geospatial distribution and machine learning algorithms for assessing water quality in surface water bodies of Morocco
Authors: El Morabet Rachida , Barhazi Larbi , Bouhafa Soufiane , Dahim Mohammed Abdullah , Khan Roohul Abad , Khan Nadeem A. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractSurface waterbodies being primary source of water for human consumption are being investigated for its quality globally. This study evaluated water quality in three rivers (River Nfifikh, Hassar and El Maleh) of Mohammedia prefecture, Morocco in terms of heavy metals occurrence during two seasons of winter and spring. The heavy metals analyzed were cadmium, iron, copper, zinc, and lead. Heavy metal pollution index was derived to quantify water quality and pollution. Hazard quotient and carcinogenic risk were calculated to determine possible health risk. Modelling and prediction were performed using random forest, support vector machine and artificial neural network. The heavy metal concentration was lower in the winter season than in the spring season. Heavy metal pollution index (H.P.I.) was in the range of 1.5–2 during the winter season and 2–3 during the spring season. In the Nfifikh river, Cd2+ and Fe were the main polluting heavy metal. H.Q. was < 1 in all three rivers, which signified no adverse health effect from exposure to heavy metals. However, carcinogenic risk assessment revealed that 1 in every 100 people was susceptible to cancer during the life span of 70 years. Based on the control point reference, it was found that Mohammedia prefecture as river water was already contaminated before it entered the prefecture boundary. This was again validated with the water lagoon Douar El Marja which is located near the industrial zones of Mohammedia prefecture. Future studies are required to investigate pollution of rivers prior to their entry in Mohammedia prefecture to identify potential source and adopt mitigation measures accordingly.
Intracellular and in vivo activities of oxazolidinone drugs against Mycobacterium avium complex infection
Authors: Lee Ju Mi , Kim Lee-Han , Kim Su-Young , Jhun Byung Woo , Lee Wonsik , Shin Sung Jae 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe prevalence of Mycobacterium avium complex-pulmonary disease (MAC-PD) has become a growing concern worldwide, and current treatments involving macrolides (clarithromycin [CLR] or azithromycin), ethambutol, and rifampicin have limited success, highlighting the need for better therapeutic strategies. Recently, oxazolidinone drugs have been identified as novel anti-tuberculosis drugs effective against drug-resistant M. tuberculosis. However, the effects of these drugs against MAC are still controversial due to limited data. Here, we first evaluated the intracellular anti-MAC activities of two oxazolidinone drugs, linezolid (LZD) and delpazolid (DZD), against 10 macrolide-susceptible MAC strains and one macrolide-resistant M. avium strain in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and found that both drugs demonstrated similar potential. The synergistic efficacies with CLR were then determined in a chronic progressive MAC-PD murine model by initiating a 4-week treatment at 8 weeks post-infection. Upon assessment of bacterial burdens and inflamed lesions, oxazolidinone drugs exhibited no anti-MAC effect, and there was no significant difference in the synergistic effect of CLR between LZD and DZD. These findings suggest that oxazolidinone drugs inhibit intracellular bacterial growth, even against macrolide-resistant MAC, but their clinical application requires further consideration.