bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ZnT8 loss-of-function accelerates functional maturation of hESC-derived β cells and resists metabolic stress in diabetes
Authors: Ma Qing , Xiao Yini , Xu Wenjun , Wang Menghan , Li Sheng , Yang Zhihao , Xu Minglu , Zhang Tengjiao , Zhang Zhen-Ning , Hu Rui , Su Qiang , Yuan Fei , Xiao Tinghui , Wang Xuan , He Qing , Zhao Jiaxu , Chen Zheng-jun , Sheng Zhejin , Chai Mengyao , Wang Hong , Shi Weiyang , Deng Qiaolin , Cheng Xin , Li Weida 
Published: July 2022

AbstractHuman embryonic stem cell-derived β cells (SC-β cells) hold great promise for treatment of diabetes, yet how to achieve functional maturation and protect them against metabolic stresses such as glucotoxicity and lipotoxicity remains elusive. Our single-cell RNA-seq analysis reveals that ZnT8 loss of function (LOF) accelerates the functional maturation of SC-β cells. As a result, ZnT8 LOF improves glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) by releasing the negative feedback of zinc inhibition on insulin secretion. Furthermore, we demonstrate that ZnT8 LOF mutations endow SC-β cells with resistance to lipotoxicity/glucotoxicity-triggered cell death by alleviating endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress through modulation of zinc levels. Importantly, transplantation of SC-β cells with ZnT8 LOF into mice with preexisting diabetes significantly improves glycemia restoration and glucose tolerance. These findings highlight the beneficial effect of ZnT8 LOF on the functional maturation and survival of SC-β cells that are useful as a potential source for cell replacement therapies.
Super-broadband on-chip continuous spectral translation unlocking coherent optical communications beyond conventional telecom bands
Authors: Kong Deming , Liu Yong , Ren Zhengqi , Jung Yongmin , Kim Chanju , Chen Yong , Wheeler Natalie V. , Petrovich Marco N. , Pu Minhao , Yvind Kresten , Galili Michael , Oxenløwe Leif K. , Richardson David J. , Hu Hao 
Published: July 2022

AbstractToday’s optical communication systems are fast approaching their capacity limits in the conventional telecom bands. Opening up new wavelength bands is becoming an appealing solution to the capacity crunch. However, this ordinarily requires the development of optical transceivers for any new wavelength band, which is time-consuming and expensive. Here, we present an on-chip continuous spectral translation method that leverages existing commercial transceivers to unlock the vast and currently unused potential new wavelength bands. The spectral translators are continuous-wave laser pumped aluminum gallium arsenide on insulator (AlGaAsOI) nanowaveguides that provide a continuous conversion bandwidth over an octave. We demonstrate coherent transmission in the 2-μm band using well-developed conventional C-band transmitters and coherent receivers, as an example of the potential of the spectral translators that could also unlock communications at other wavelength bands. We demonstrate 318.25-Gbit s−1Nyquist wavelength-division multiplexed coherent transmission over a 1.15-km hollow-core fibre using this approach. Our demonstration paves the way for transmitting, detecting, and processing signals at wavelength bands beyond the capability of today’s devices.
Endless Dirac nodal lines in kagome-metal Ni3In2S2
Authors: Zhang Tiantian , Yilmaz T. , Vescovo E. , Li H. X. , Moore R. G. , Lee H. N. , Miao H. , Murakami S. , McGuire M. A. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractTopological semimetals are a frontier of quantum materials. In multiband electronic systems, topological band crossings can form closed curves, known as nodal lines. In the presence of spin–orbit coupling and/or symmetry-breaking operations, topological nodal lines can break into Dirac/Weyl nodes and give rise to interesting transport properties, such as the chiral anomaly and giant anomalous Hall effect. Recently, the time-reversal symmetry-breaking induced Weyl fermions are observed in a kagome-metal Co3Sn2S2, triggering interests in nodal-line excitations in multiband kagome systems. Here, using first-principles calculations and symmetry-based indicator theories, we find six endless nodal lines along the stacking direction of kagome layers and two nodal rings in the kagome plane in nonmagnetic Ni3In2S2. The linear dipsersive electronic structure, confirmed by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, induces large magnetoresistance up to 2000% at 9 T. Our results establish a diverse topological landscape of multiband kagome metals.
Sensory sweetness and sourness interactive response of sucrose-citric acid mixture based on synergy and antagonism
Authors: Mao Yuezhong , Tian Shiyi , Qin Yumei , Chen Shiwen 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe clarity of taste sensation interaction is a key basis for promoting the food sensory science research and its application to the beverage and food additive industries. This study explored the synergy and antagonism effect of sucrose-citric acid mixture and established an optimized method to determine the human sweetness and sourness interactive response. Sucrose-citric acid mixtures were evaluated by the “close type” question. According to the sensory difference strength curves and Weber–Fechner law, citric acid increased the sucrose’s absolute threshold (0.424–0.624%) and weber fraction (20.5–33.0%). Meanwhile, sucrose increased citric acid’s absolute threshold (0.0057–0.0082%) and decreased its weber fraction (17.96–9.53%). By fitting absolute threshold and weber fraction variation equations, the sweet–sour taste sensory strength variation models (SSTVM) were derived, which could be used to explain the synergy and antagonism effect of sweet–sour taste. According to the SSTVM, the interactive response to sweet–sour taste could be quantitatively calculated. The high coincidence between SSTVM and human evaluation (1.02% of relative error) indicated that it could be applied in the food industry, health management, and intelligent sensory science.
Redesigning navigational aids using virtual global landmarks to improve spatial knowledge retrieval
Authors: Liu Jia , Singh Avinash Kumar , Wunderlich Anna , Gramann Klaus , Lin Chin-Teng 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAlthough beacon- and map-based spatial strategies are the default strategies for navigation activities, today’s navigational aids mostly follow a beacon-based design where one is provided with turn-by-turn instructions. Recent research, however, shows that our reliance on these navigational aids is causing a decline in our spatial skills. We are processing less of our surrounding environment and relying too heavily on the instructions given. To reverse this decline, we need to engage more in map-based learning, which encourages the user to process and integrate spatial knowledge into a cognitive map built to benefit flexible and independent spatial navigation behaviour. In an attempt to curb our loss of skills, we proposed a navigation assistant to support map-based learning during active navigation. Called the virtual global landmark (VGL) system, this augmented reality (AR) system is based on the kinds of techniques used in traditional orienteering. Specifically, a notable landmark is always present in the user’s sight, allowing the user to continuously compute where they are in relation to that specific location. The efficacy of the unit as a navigational aid was tested in an experiment with 27 students from the University of Technology Sydney via a comparison of brain dynamics and behaviour. From an analysis of behaviour and event-related spectral perturbation, we found that participants were encouraged to process more spatial information with a map-based strategy where a silhouette of the compass-like landmark was perpetually in view. As a result of this technique, they consistently navigated with greater efficiency and better accuracy.
Measuring the gaps in drinking water quality and policy across regional and remote Australia
Authors: Wyrwoll Paul R. , Manero Ana , Taylor Katherine S. , Rose Evie , Quentin Grafton R. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractDrinking water quality remains a persistent challenge across regional and remote Australia. We reviewed public reporting by 177 utilities and conducted a national assessment of reported exceedances against the health-based and aesthetic guideline values of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG). Four definitions of a basic level of drinking water quality were tested to quantify service gaps across regional and remote areas of each subnational jurisdiction in 2018–2019. At least 25,245 people across 99 locations with populations <1000 reportedly accessed water services that did not comply with health-based guideline values. Including larger towns and water systems, the estimated service gap rises to at least 194,572 people across more than 115 locations. Considering health parameters and the ADWG definition of ‘good’ aesthetic characteristics, the reported service gap rises further to at least 627,736 people across 408 locations. Forty percent of all locations with recorded health exceedances were remote Indigenous communities. Monitoring and reporting gaps indicate that the actual incidence of non-compliance with the guideline values of the ADWG could be much higher than our estimates. Our results quantified the divergence in the assessment of water quality outcomes between Sustainable Development Goal Target 6.1 and the ADWG, demonstrated disparities between service levels in capital cities and the rest of Australia, and highlighted the need for place-based solutions. The methods and dataset provide a ‘proof-of-concept’ for an Australian national drinking water quality database to guide government investments in water services.
A 0.01-degree gridded precipitation dataset for Japan, 1926-2020
Authors: Hatono Misako , Kiguchi Masashi , Yoshimura Kei , Kanae Shinjiro , Kuraji Koichiro , Oki Taikan 
Published: July 2022

AbstractWe developed a 0.01-degree gridded precipitation dataset of Japan based on historical observation datasets covering 1926 to 2020. Historical observations conducted by the Japan Meteorological Agency and other Japanese bureaucratic agencies were spatially interpolated using the inverse distance weighting method at daily and hourly temporal resolutions. Optimal parameterization for our interpolation process was selected by comparing interpolated results of various parameter combinations with precipitation observation conducted by the University of Tokyo Forests. We conducted cross-validation for over 1,000 stations with sufficient data throughout our data period and verified our product can reproduce the temporal variability of local precipitation. The strong points of our precipitation dataset are its high spatiotemporal resolution and the abundance of point precipitation source data. We expect our dataset to be highly relevant to various future studies as it can serve multiple purposes such as forcing data for hydrological models or a database for analyzing the characteristics of historical rainfall events.
A multi-proxy bioarchaeological approach reveals new trends in Bronze Age diet in Italy
Authors: Varalli Alessandra , Moggi-Cecchi Jacopo , Goude Gwenaëlle 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThis study investigates changes in dietary practices and subsistence strategies in Bronze Age Italy integrating isotopic analyses with archaeobotanical and archaeozoological data. By investigating food habits, we contribute to reconstructing human lifestyles and highlighting possible links with the economic/social organization when the rise of stratified societies and new economic activities affected subsistence practices. Stable isotopes analyses in humans and animals were performed on 6 Italian sites dating from 2300 to 900 cal. BC, followed by a complete review of additional 19 sites, which forms the basis of a diachronic and geographic comparison for Bronze Age Italy. The geographic analysis shows a more varied diet in northern and central Italy, compared to the south. The diachronic analysis highlights the homogeneity of food habits during the Early Bronze Age, contrary to the later phases when an increase in dietary variability and a higher animal protein consumption are revealed. The Middle Bronze Age appears as a pivotal moment in protohistoric societies, a phase of transition. The consumption of different foodstuffs highlights the importance of cultural exchanges, resulting in a sort of “food globalization”, although environmental and climatic fluctuations could also have affected dietary patterns, favoring some crops over others.
Human recreation impacts seasonal activity and occupancy of American black bears (Ursus americanus) across the anthropogenic-wildland interface
Authors: Hubbard Tru , Cove Michael V. , Lafferty Diana J. R. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractProtected areas serve an important role in wildlife conservation, yet most wildlife occur outside these areas, subject to varying degrees of human disturbance. In the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, American black bears (Ursus americanus), a highly mobile, opportunistic species, are common despite an extensive outdoor recreation industry with the potential to affect black bear spatial and temporal activity. We investigated how environmental and anthropogenic factors influence black bear occupancy, detection, and diel activity patterns across the anthropogenic–wildland interface before and after hibernation. Using 30 camera traps deployed across a rural–wildland interface, we captured black bears at 23 camera sites (~ 77%), which exhibited co-occurrence with humans at 10 sites (~ 33%), revealing that human presence and human population density exert negative effects on black bear seasonal occupancy. Bears were more nocturnal during the hunting season, before hibernation. Human recreational activity increased ~ 38% after hibernation, but bear diurnal activity also increased ~ 36%, except when cubs were present. Our results suggest bears prioritize avoiding humans spatially, rather than temporally, except during the hunting season and when cubs are present. Understanding black bear responses to human recreation patterns and environmental variation is essential for minimizing human-mediated disturbance, and fueling conservation efforts of large, charismatic carnivores.
A homogeneous bioluminescent immunoassay for parallel characterization of binding between a panel of antibodies and a family of Fcγ receptors
Authors: Nath Nidhi , Godat Becky , Flemming Rod , Urh Marjeta 
Published: July 2022

AbstractFc engineering efforts are increasingly being employed to modulate interaction of antibodies with variety of Fc receptors in an effort to improve the efficacy and safety of the therapeutic antibodies. Among the various Fc receptors, Fc gamma receptors (FcγRs) present on variety of immune cells are especially relevant since they can activate multiple effector functions including antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP). Depending on the desired mechanism of action (MOA) of the antibody, interactions between Fc domain of the antibody and FcγR (denoted as Fc/FcγR) may need to be enhanced or abolished. Therefore, during the antibody discovery process, biochemical methods are routinely used to measure the affinities of Fc/FcγR interactions. To enable such screening, we developed a plate based, simple to use, homogeneous immunoassays for six FcγRs by leveraging a luminescent protein complementation technology (NanoBiT). An added advantage of the NanoBiT immunoassays is their solution-based format, which minimizes well known surface related artifacts associated with traditional biosensor platforms (e.g., surface plasmon resonance and biolayer interferometry). With NanoBiT FcγRs assays, we demonstrate that assays are specific, report IgG subclass specific affinities and detect modulation in Fc/FcγR interactions in response to the changes in the Fc domain. We subsequently screen a panel of therapeutic antibodies including seven monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and four polyclonal intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) products and highlight the advantages of parallel screening method for developing new antibody therapies.
Hepatitis C virus NS3/4A inhibitors and other drug-like compounds as covalent binders of SARS-CoV-2 main protease
Authors: Andi Babak , Kumaran Desigan , Kreitler Dale F. , Soares Alexei S. , Keereetaweep Jantana , Jakoncic Jean , Lazo Edwin O. , Shi Wuxian , Fuchs Martin R. , Sweet Robert M. , Shanklin John , Adams Paul D. , Schmidt Jurgen G. , Head Martha S. , McSweeney Sean 
Published: July 2022

AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), threatens global public health. The world needs rapid development of new antivirals and vaccines to control the current pandemic and to control the spread of the variants. Among the proteins synthesized by the SARS-CoV-2 genome, main protease (Mproalso known as 3CLpro) is a primary drug target, due to its essential role in maturation of the viral polyproteins. In this study, we provide crystallographic evidence, along with some binding assay data, that three clinically approved anti hepatitis C virus drugs and two other drug-like compounds covalently bind to the MproCys145 catalytic residue in the active site. Also, molecular docking studies can provide additional insight for the design of new antiviral inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 using these drugs as lead compounds. One might consider derivatives of these lead compounds with higher affinity to the Mproas potential COVID-19 therapeutics for further testing and possibly clinical trials.
Electrostatic interactions between single arginine and phospholipids modulate physiological properties of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase
Authors: Yamasaki Kazuo , Daiho Takashi , Yasuda Satoshi , Danko Stefania , Kawabe Jun-ichi , Suzuki Hiroshi 
Published: July 2022

AbstractArg324 of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase forms electrostatic interactions with the phosphate moiety of phospholipids in most reaction states, and a hydrogen bond with Tyr122 in other states. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we explored the functional roles of Arg324 interactions, especially those with lipids, which at first glance might seem too weak to modulate the function of such a large membrane protein. The hydrogen bond forms transiently and facilitates Ca2+ binding from the cytoplasmic side. The contributions of the electrostatic interactions to the reaction steps were quantified using a rate vs activity coefficient plot. We found that the interaction between Arg324 and lipids decreases the affinity for luminal Ca2+. The transformation rate of the phosphoenzyme intermediate is facilitated by the electrostatic interactions, and the function of these interactions depends not only on the type but also on the composition of the phospholipids. The properties observed in microsomes could not be reproduced with any single phospholipid, but with a mixture of phospholipids that mimics the native membrane. These results suggest the importance of swapping of the lipid partners of different headgroups in the reaction step. This study shows that Arg324 plays a role in the reaction cycle via complex intra-protein and protein-lipid interactions.
A human tissue-based assay identifies a novel carrion blowfly strain for maggot debridement therapy
Authors: Yoshida Takuma , Aonuma Hiroka , Otsuka Saori , Ichimura Hidetoshi , Saiki Erisha , Hashimoto Kosei , Ote Manabu , Matsumoto Sari , Iwadate Kimiharu , Miyawaki Takeshi , Kanuka Hirotaka 
Published: July 2022

AbstractMaggot debridement therapy (MDT) is a form of therapeutic wound treatment in which live fly larvae are used intentionally to debride necrotic tissues. MDT has been widely used to treat chronic wounds in humans or animals, such as diabetic foot ulcers. Larvae of a carrion blowfly, Lucilia sericata (green bottle fly), debride wounds by consuming necrotic tissue and removing pathogenic bacteria, promoting effective wound healing. Most medical L. sericata strains were initially collected from natural environments using animal meat as bait and reared on artificial protein-rich media or ground meat. It remains to be examined which strain would be more appropriate for MDT, whereas any method for evaluating the fly’s therapeutic potential in humans has not been available. A feeding assay was developed using minced human tissues obtained from surgical waste. To establish L. sericata strains highly eligible for MDT, carrion fly larvae were collected from 45 corpses subjected to forensic autopsy (such as decomposed bodies). Four corpse-derived L. sericata strains were obtained and evaluated using the feeding assay. One strain showed that its feeding activity was 1.4 times higher than the control strain used in conventional MDT. The body length of the adult fly of the corpse-derived strain was longer than the control, which was consistent with the observation that its cell size was enlarged. The human tissue-based assay developed in this study accurately evaluated the ability of fly larvae to debride necrotic wounds. The L. sericata strain newly established from human corpses harboring high feeding activity may offer a clinically significant improvement in MDT.
Dynamic response and failure characteristics of combined rocks under confining pressure
Authors: Ma Cong , Zhu Chuanjie , Zhou Jingxuan , Ren Jie , Yu Qi 
Published: July 2022

AbstractGas explosions or coal and gas outbursts can cause transient destruction of combined coal–rock, and the dynamic mechanical response of combined coal–rock masses plays a key role in accident failure, but we now know little about the dynamic mechanical responses of combined coal–rock. In this article, we selected three rocks (limestone, shale, sandstone) and two coals (bituminous coal and anthracite coal) to form combined coal–rock, and analyze their dynamic mechanical properties by using the SHPB system. We find that the dynamic compressive strength and elastic modulus of combined rock–coal are lower than the average value of single rock and coal, while the ultimate strain and strain rate of combined coal–rock are higher than the average values of single rock and coal. Compressive strength and elastic modulus of the combined body increase gradually with increasing confining pressure, and the strain decreases accordingly. The dynamic stress–strain curve demonstrates an obvious double-peak at high strain rate (85.55 s−1 and above in the present work), while there is no obvious double-peak of the curve at low strain rate. Dynamic compressive strength of combined coal–rock body increases significantly with increasing confining pressure at low strain rate, but it increases more smoothly at higher strain rate. The elastic modulus also increases with increasing confining pressure, and it seems to be stable as confining pressure increases at low strain rate. The ultimate strain decreases gradually with increasing confining pressure but more gently compared with that at low strain rate. Besides, longitudinal fractures of combined coal–rock bodies include penetrating fractures, partially penetrating fractures, and interrupted fractures stopped at the coal–rock interface. The dynamic mechanical response of combined coal–rock is of guiding significance for maintaining the stability of the roadway and formulating the support measures for the roadway.