Fatal Feline Leukemia Virus-Associated Enteritis in a Wild Eurasian Lynx () in Germany.

The Eurasian lynx (), a widespread wild felid on the Eurasian continent, is currently classified as "critically endangered" in Germany. Understanding the impact of infectious agents is of particular importance for the continued conservation of these animals, especially regarding pathogens with broad host ranges and risk of interspecies transmission. Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is known to infect wild and domestic felids worldwide, including several species of lynx, but it has not been reported thus far in the Eurasian lynx.

Operando Investigation of Zr Doping in NMC811 Cathode for High Energy Density Lithium Ion Batteries.

LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.

Susceptibility of calf lung slice cultures to H5N1 influenza virus.

The current outbreak of HPAI H5N1 virus infections in dairy cattle in the USA underscores the need for easily accessible methods to rapidly assess host susceptibility for infection with known and emerging influenza viruses. Here we show that lung slice cultures from calves provide a useful method to rapidly screen host susceptibility to a range of influenza A viruses.

Umatilla Virus in Zoo-Dwelling Cape Penguins with Hepatitis, Germany.

Analysis of liver tissue from a Cape penguin that died with hepatitis at a zoo in Germany revealed Umatilla virus. Testing uncovered Umatilla virus RNA in samples from 2 other deceased Cape penguins at the zoo. Our results expand knowledge of the prevalence of this virus in bird species across Germany.

Monitoring the Structural Changes in Iridium Nanoparticles during Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysis with X-ray Total Scattering.

Understanding the structure of nanoparticles under (electro)catalytic operating conditions is crucial for uncovering structure-property relationships. By combining X-ray total scattering and pair distribution function analysis with small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), we obtained comprehensive structural information on ultrasmall (<3 nm) iridium nanoparticles and tracked their changes during oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in acid. When subjected to electrochemical conditions at reducing potentials, the metallic Ir nanoparticles are found to be decahedral.

ICP-MS Assisted EDX Tomography: A Robust Method for Studying Electrolyte Penetration Phenomena in Gas Diffusion Electrodes Applied to CO Electrolysis.

A carbon paper-based gas diffusion electrode (GDE) is used with a bismuth(III) subcarbonate active catalyst phase for the electrochemical reduction of CO in a gas/electrolyte flow-by configuration electrolyser at high current density. It is demonstrated that in this configuration, the gas and catholyte phases recombine to form KCO/KHCO precipitates to an extent that after electrolyses, vast amount of K ions is found by EDX mapping in the entire GDE structure. The fact that the entirety of the GDE gets wetted during electrolysis should, however, not be interpreted as a sign of flooding of the catalyst layer, since electrolyte perspiring through the GDE can largely be removed with the outflow gas, and the efficiency of electrolysis (toward the selective production of formate) can thus be maintained high for several hours.

Comprehensive Study of Zr-Doped Ni-Rich Cathode Materials Upon Lithiation and Co-Precipitation Synthesis Steps.

Ni-rich layered oxides LiNiMnCoO (NMC811, = 0.1 and = 0.1) are considered promising cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) due to their high energy density.

Filamentous fungus-produced human monoclonal antibody provides protection against SARS-CoV-2 in hamster and non-human primate models.

Monoclonal antibodies are an increasingly important tool for prophylaxis and treatment of acute virus infections like SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, their use is often restricted due to the time required for development, variable yields and high production costs, as well as the need for adaptation to newly emerging virus variants. Here we use the genetically modified filamentous fungus expression system Thermothelomyces heterothallica (C1), which has a naturally high biosynthesis capacity for secretory enzymes and other proteins, to produce a human monoclonal IgG1 antibody (HuMab 87G7) that neutralises the SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron.

Concurrent Detection of a Papillomatous Lesion and Sequence Reads Corresponding to a Member of the Family in a Bell's Hinge-Back Tortoise ().

An adult male Bell's hinge-back tortoise () was admitted to a veterinary clinic due to a swelling in the oral cavity. Physical examination revealed an approximately 2.5 × 1.

Defects and nanostrain gradients control phase transition mechanisms in single crystal high-voltage lithium spinel.

Lithiation dynamics and phase transition mechanisms in most battery cathode materials remain poorly understood, because of the challenge in differentiating inter- and intra-particle heterogeneity. In this work, the structural evolution inside LiMnNiO single crystals during electrochemical delithiation is directly resolved with operando X-ray nanodiffraction microscopy. Metastable domains of solid-solution intermediates do not appear associated with the reaction front between the lithiated and delithiated phases, as predicted by current phase transition theory.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus (HPAIV) H5N1 infection in two European grey seals () with encephalitis.

Recent reports documenting sporadic infections in carnivorous mammals worldwide with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.

Case report: Canine distemper virus infection as a cause of central nervous system disease in a Eurasian lynx ().

The Eurasian lynx () represents an endangered species with only small populations remaining in Central Europe. Knowledge about the threat posed by potential infectious agents to these animals is crucial for informing ongoing protection measures. Canine distemper virus (CDV) is known to have a wide host range with infection reported in many mammalian species including several lynx species (), but is an extremely rare finding in the Eurasian lynx.

Driving Force of the Initial Step in Electrochemical Pt(111) Oxidation.

The first step of electrochemical surface oxidation is extraction of a metal atom from its lattice site to a location in a growing oxide. Here we show by fast simultaneous electrochemical and in situ high-energy surface X-ray diffraction measurements that the initial extraction of Pt atoms from Pt(111) is a fast, potential-driven process, whereas charge transfer for the related formation of adsorbed oxygen-containing species occurs on a much slower time scale and is evidently uncoupled from the extraction process. It is concluded that potential plays a key independent role in electrochemical surface oxidation.

Evidence for a Novel Gammaherpesvirus as the Putative Agent of Malignant Catarrhal Fever Disease in Roan Antelopes ().

Upon the sudden death of two captive roan antelopes () that had suffered from clinical signs reminiscent of malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) in a German zoo, next generation sequencing of organ samples provided evidence of the presence of a novel gammaherpesvirus species. It shares 82.40% nucleotide identity with its so far closest relative (AlHV-1) at the polymerase gene level.

Ca Cations Impact the Local Environment inside HZSM-5 Pores during the Methanol-to-Hydrocarbons Reaction.

The methanol-to-hydrocarbons (MTH) process is an industrially relevant method to produce valuable light olefins such as propylene. One of the ways to enhance propylene selectivity is to modify zeolite catalysts with alkaline earth cations. The underlying mechanistic aspects of this type of promotion are not well understood.

Selenium Nanowire Formation by Reacting Selenate with Magnetite.

The mobility of Se, a fission product of U and long-lived radioisotope, is an important parameter in the safety assessment of radioactive nuclear waste disposal systems. Nonradioactive selenium is also an important contaminant of drainage waters from black shale mountains and coal mines. Highly mobile and soluble in its high oxidation states, selenate (Se()O) and selenite (Se()O) oxyanions can interact with magnetite, a mineral present in anoxic natural environments and in steel corrosion products, thereby being reduced and consequently immobilized by forming low-solubility solids.

SARS-CoV-2-Specific Antibodies in Domestic Cats during First COVID-19 Wave, Europe.

We conducted a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 antibody seroprevalence study among >2,000 domestic cats from 4 countries during the first coronavirus disease wave in Europe. We found 4.4% seroprevalence using a virus neutralization test and 4.

Electrochemical Strain Dynamics in Noble Metal Nanocatalysts.

The theoretical design of effective metal electrocatalysts for energy conversion and storage devices relies greatly on supposed unilateral effects of catalysts structure on electrocatalyzed reactions. Here, by using high-energy X-ray diffraction from the new Extremely Brilliant Source of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF-EBS) on device-relevant Pd and Pt nanocatalysts during cyclic voltammetry experiments in liquid electrolytes, we reveal the near ubiquitous feedback from various electrochemical processes on nanocatalyst strain. Beyond challenging and extending the current understanding of practical nanocatalysts behavior in electrochemical environment, the reported electrochemical strain provides experimental access to nanocatalysts absorption and adsorption trends (i.

Reactivity and Potential Profile across the Electrochemical LiCoO-LiPS Interface Probed by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy.

All-solid-state lithium batteries are a promising alternative for next-generation safe energy storage devices, provided that parasitic side reactions and the resulting hindrances in ionic transport at the electrolyte-electrode interface can be overcome. Motivated by the need for a fundamental understanding of such an interface, we present here real-time measurements of the (electro-)chemical reactivity and local surface potential at the electrified interface (LiS)-PS (LPS) and LiCoO (LCO) using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) supplemented by X-ray photoemission electron microscopy (XPEEM). We identify three main degradation mechanisms: (i) reactivity at open circuit potential leading to the formation of reduced Co in the +2 oxidation state at the LCO surface, detected in the Co L-edge, which is further increased upon cycling, (ii) onset of electrochemical oxidation of the LPS at 2.

Unveiling the Complex Redox Reactions of SnO in Li-Ion Batteries Using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy.

We experimentally determine the redox reactions during (de-)lithiation of the SnO working electrode cycled in (LiS)-PS solid electrolyte by combining X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Specifically, we have accurately determined the composition changes in the SnO working electrode upon cycling and identified the onset voltage formation of the various phases. Starting from the open-circuit potential, we find that, on lithiation, the Sn M-edge absorption spectra reveal unequivocally the formation of SnO ( ≤ 1) and LiSnO already at a potential of 1.

Multi-length-scale x-ray spectroscopies for determination of surface reactivity at high voltages of LiNiCoAlO vs LiTiO.

The surface evolution of LiNiCoAlO (NCA) and LiTiO (LTO) electrodes cycled in a carbonate-based electrolyte was systematically investigated using the high lateral resolution and surface sensitivity of x-ray photoemission electron microscopy combined with x-ray absorption spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. On the cathode, we attest that the surface of the pristine particles is composed of adventitious LiCO together with reduced Ni and Co in a +2 oxidation state, which is directly responsible for the overpotential observed during the first de-lithiation. This layer decomposes at 3.

and XPEEM: a Surface-Sensitive Tool for Studying Single Particles in Li-Ion Battery Composite Electrodes.

X-ray photoemission electron microscopy (XPEEM), with its excellent spatial resolution, is a well-suited technique for elucidating the complex electrode-electrolyte interface reactions in Li-ion batteries. It provides element-specific contrast images that allows the study of the surface morphology and the identification of the various components of the composite electrode. It also enables the acquisition of local X-ray absorption spectra (XAS) on single particles of the electrode, such as the C and O K-edges to track the stability of carbonate-based electrolytes, F K-edge to study the electrolyte salt and binder stability, and the transition metal L-edges to gain insights into the oxidation/reduction processes of positive and negative active materials.

Multi-Step Regulation of the TLR4 Pathway by the miR-125a~99b~let-7e Cluster.

An appropriate immune response requires a tight balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. IL-10 is induced at late time-points during acute inflammatory conditions triggered by TLR-dependent recognition of infectious agents and is involved in setting this balance, operating as a negative regulator of the TLR-dependent signaling pathway. We identified miR-125a~99b~let-7e as an evolutionary conserved microRNA cluster late-induced in human monocytes exposed to the TLR4 agonist LPS as an effect of this IL-10-dependent regulatory loop.

The atypical chemokine receptor ACKR2 drives pulmonary fibrosis by tuning influx of CCR2 and CCR5 IFNγ-producing γδT cells in mice.

Chemokines coordinate lung inflammation and fibrosis by acting on chemokine receptors expressed on leukocytes and other cell types. Atypical chemokine receptors (ACKRs) bind, internalize, and degrade chemokines, tuning homeostasis and immune responses. ACKR2 recognizes and decreases the levels of inflammatory CC chemokines.

Controlling the growth of Bi(110) and Bi(111) films on an insulating substrate.

We demonstrate the controlled growth of Bi(110) and Bi(111) films on an α-AlO(0001) substrate by surface x-ray diffraction and x-ray reflectivity using synchrotron radiation. At temperatures as low as 40 K, unanticipated pseudo-cubic Bi(110) films are grown with thicknesses ranging from a few to tens of nanometers. The roughness at the film-vacuum as well as the film-substrate interface, can be reduced by mild heating, where a crystallographic orientation transition of Bi(110) towards Bi(111) is observed at 400 K.