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Fully addressable designer superstructures assembled from one single modular DNA origami
Abstract DNA nanotechnology and especially the DNA origami method are primal tools to create precise nanoscale objects. For DNA origami, a long ssDNA scaffold strand is folded by a multitude of smaller staple strands into base-pair accurate shapes, allowing for precise modification and incorporation of guest molecules. However, DNA origami are limited in size, and thus is the area that can be controlled with nanoscale precision. Prior methods of creating larger assemblies were either costly or lacked structural control. Here, we incorporate two methods of modularity into one exemplary modular DNA origami (moDON). The modularity allows for the creation of over 50,000 diverse monomers and subsequently the assembly of a plethora of fully addressable designer superstructures while keeping the construction cost very low. The here-introduced methods for modularity in DNA origami design offer an efficient, cost-effective solution for constructing precisely organized, and fully addressable structures on a variety of scales.
Genome-wide profiling of circulating microRNAs in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and their relation to spinal deformity severity, and disease pathophysiology
Advancing Ag2Se thin-film thermoelectrics via selenization-driven anisotropy control
Effects of mobile application interventions on quality of life in patients with cancer: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Cancer is a public health burden that seriously affects patients’ daily quality of life. Mobile applications are increasingly being used in the field of health promotion, but the intervention effect of mobile apps on the quality of life of cancer patients is still inconsistent. Methods We will use key words and medical subject headings to search for randomized controlled trials in nine databases until January 10, 2024. The quality of the studies will be assessed using the risk of bias tool recommended in the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, and a pooled analysis of data will be conducted using random effects models to assess the impact of mobile application interventions on pain and quality of life in cancer patients. Results We will publish our findings in a peer-reviewed journal. Conclusion We will draw conclusions based on the outcomes of the systematic review and meta-analysis. Prospero registration number CRD42024497649.
Thioredoxin related transmembrane protein 1acts as a prognostic indictor and promotes proliferation and TMZ resistance of lower-grade glioma
Vulnerability of benthic trait diversity across the Mediterranean Sea following mass mortality events
Abstract Unraveling the functional future of marine ecosystems amid global change poses a pressing challenge. This is particularly critical in the Mediterranean Sea, which is highly impacted by global and local drivers. Utilizing extensive mass mortality events (MMEs) datasets spanning from 1986 to 2020 across the Mediterranean Sea, we investigated the trait vulnerability of benthic species that suffered from MMEs induced by nine distinct mortality drivers. By analyzing changes in ten ecological traits across 389 benthic species—constituting an extensive compendium of Mediterranean ecological traits to date—we identified 228 functional entities (FEs), defined as groups of species sharing the same trait values. Our findings indicate that of these 55 FEs were impacted by MMEs, accentuating a heightened vulnerability within specific trait categories. Notably, more than half of the mortality records showed severe impacts on calcifying and larger species with slower growth which mostly account for tree-like and massive forms. Altogether, we highlight that 29 FEs suffered extreme mortality, leading to a maximum increase of 19.1% of the global trait volume vulnerability over 35 years. We also reveal that 10.8% of the trait volume may have been temporarily lost over the last five years, emphasizing the risk of a rapid ecological transformation in the Mediterranean Sea.
Correction: Barriers and facilitators to implementing comprehensive sex education in Texas public schools: A qualitative study
Social first impressions and perceived gender in autistic and non-autistic youth
Author Correction: Transcription Factor 4 loss-of-function is associated with deficits in progenitor proliferation and cortical neuron content
“I don’t see a reason why we should be hidden from view”: Views of a convenience sample of people living with HIV on sharing HIV status data in routinely collected health and care databases in England
Introduction People living with HIV (PLWH) now have near-normal life-expectancy, but still experience stigma, and HIV status is treated as sensitive health information. When UK healthcare patient data is curated into anonymised datasets for research, HIV diagnostic codes are stripped out. As PLWH age, we must research how HIV affects conditions of ageing, but cannot do so in current NHS research datasets. We aimed to elicit views on HIV status being shared in NHS datasets, and identify appropriate safeguards. Methods We conducted three focus groups with a convenience sample of PLWH recruited through HIV charities, presenting information on data governance, data-sharing, patient privacy, law, and research areas envisaged for HIV and ageing. Each focus group involved two presentations, a question session, and facilitated breakout discussion groups. Discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. Results 37 PLWH (age range 23-58y) took part. The overarching theme was around trust, both the loss of trust experienced by participants due to previous negative or discriminatory experiences, and the need to slowly build trust in data-sharing initiatives. Further themes showed that participants were supportive of data being used for research and health care improvements, but needed a guarantee that their privacy would be protected. A loss of trust in systems and organisations using the data, suspicion of data users’ agendas, and worry about increased discrimination and stigmatisation made them cautious about data sharing. To rebuild trust participants wanted to see transparent security protocols, accountability for following these, and communication about data flows and uses, as well as awareness training about HIV, and clear involvement of PLWH as full stakeholders on project teams and decision-making panels. Conclusions PLWH were cautiously in favour of their data being shared for research into HIV, where this could be undertaken with high levels of security, and the close involvement of PLWH to set research agendas and avoid increased stigma.
Blockchain-integrated IoT device for advanced inspection of casting defects
Potential impact of the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy on the formation of young O-rich stars
Set stability and synchronization of generalized asynchronous probabilistic Boolean networks with impulsive effects
This paper investigates the set stability of generalized asynchronous probabilistic Boolean networks (GAPBNs) with impulsive effects. To this end, an efficient algorithm is designed to determine the largest invariant set of a given set. A necessary and sufficient criterion is then derived to determine set stability of GAPBNs with impulsive effects. Subsequently, the global stability and synchronization of GAPBNs with impulsive effects were verified by selecting different sets. Finally, examples are given to illustrate the results on set stability and synchronization.
Observation of Kelvin–Helmholtz billows in the marine atmospheric boundary layer by a ship-borne Doppler wind lidar
Abstract Kelvin–Helmholtz billows (KHB) and the associated turbulence characteristics in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) are mainly investigated through simulations and limited observations. Traditional methods using in-situ wind sensors are constrained by mast height, resulting in a limited understanding of KHBs at higher altitudes. Lidar remote sensing provides a promising approach for studying KHBs at altitudes above 100 m. This study presents observations of KHBs in the marine ABL above 600 m, through ship-borne lidar observations. Two Doppler wind lidars, one scanning lidar, and one wind profiler, were installed for several months on a crew transfer vessel, operating in the Rødsand 2 wind farm off the coast of Denmark. On 2023-02-22, KHBs were detected between 600 and 800 m altitude over 10 min. The standard deviation of vertical turbulence was found to increase by a factor of two during KHB occurrence. The power spectral density of vertical fluctuations showed a greater increase in the frequency range below 0.1 Hz, with a peak indicating a periodic pattern with a period of 55 s. The kurtosis of the vertical component also showed a large increase near the edge of the billows, as documented in the scientific literature for billows occurring near the surface. The billows triggered a downward mixing of aerosols and momentum to around 550 m. Although no interaction between the wind farm and the KHBs was observed, we hypothesise that KHB may reduce wind farm wake losses in shallower stable layers above the farm by enhancing vertical mixing and downward momentum transport.
Temporal phosphoproteomics reveals circuitry of phased propagation in insulin signaling
Diagnosis of neonatal and adult sepsis using a Serum Amyloid A lateral flow test
Sepsis is the overwhelming immunological response to infection, which if not treated can lead to multi-organ failure, shock and death. Specifically, neonatal sepsis results in 225,000 neonatal deaths globally per annum. Moreover, Uganda experiences one of the highest materno-fetal death rates (62,000 p.a.), with neonatal sepsis deaths at approximately 6,500 p.a.. The difficulty in diagnosing neonatal sepsis lies in the non-specific signs and symptoms associated with sepsis and an absence of definitive sepsis-specific biomarkers. However, serum amyloid A (SAA) detection has potential as a superior biomarker for the diagnosis of probable neonatal sepsis. Herein, in ethically-approved studies we have deployed a competitive lateral flow test (NeoSep-SAA (research-use only)) to detect SAA in whole blood at patient bedside in a resource-limited environment. Results are available within 10 minutes and test format is compatible with small blood volumes available from neonates (5 μl). NeoSep-SAA exhibited a high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of adult sepsis, and in neonates showed a sensitivity and specificity of 92% (89%, 95%) and 73% (68%, 77%) with PPV and NPV of 78% (75%, 81%) and 90% (86%, 93%), respectively (n = 714 individuals; 95% CI). NeoSep-SAA showed superior sensitivity for neonatal sepsis over C-Reactive Protein detection (sensitivity: 37%), albeit with some sacrifice of specificity. NeoSep-SAA enabled rapid diagnosis, which combined with minimally-invasive blood withdrawal, was less stressful for neonates. Overall, NeoSep-SAA can readily identify infection/inflammation and has the potential to enable rapid and informed clinical decisions to combat sepsis. This approach has potential to improve neonatal sepsis detection and reduce neonatal mortality in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.2 objectives.
The impact of the combined application of biochar and organic fertilizer on the growth and nutrient distribution in wheat under reduced chemical fertilizer conditions
Impact of mothers’ and fathers’ math self-concept of ability, child-specific beliefs and behaviors on girls’ and boys’ math self-concept of ability
The present study investigated the longitudinal direct and indirect relations between mothers’ and fathers’ math ability self-concept, their child-specific math performance expectations and encouragement of math and science-related activities at home, and girls’ and boys’ math ability self-concept. Structural equation models were performed with longitudinal data from three waves of the Childhood and Beyond Study (CAB). The final sample consisted of 517 children and their mothers and fathers. The majority of children attended 2nd (26.1%), 3rd (25.5%) or 5th (40.4%) grade at first measurement point. Our results suggest that mothers and fathers with higher math ability self-concepts had higher expectations of their sons and encouraged their sons more, but not their daughters. Fathers’ math ability self-concept was indirectly related to the self-concept of their sons and this association was mediated by performance expectations. Furthermore, both boys and girls profited from their fathers’ expectations and girls benefitted from their fathers’ encouragement of math and science-related activities at home. In contrast, we found no effects from mothers’ beliefs and behaviors on child’s math ability self-concept. The findings underscore the relevance of fathers’ educational participation in the development of the math self-concept of ability of their children.