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Article
| Open AccessTowards establishing a fungal economics spectrum in soil saprobic fungi
Challenges in obtaining empirical trait data hinder the development of trait-based frameworks for soil microbes. Here, the authors analyse traits of saprobic fungal isolates from a grassland site to propose a fungal economics spectrum, suggesting a general trait framework for soil fungi.
- Tessa Camenzind
- , Carlos A. Aguilar-Trigueros
- & Matthias C. Rillig
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Article
| Open AccessMonkeypox virus genomic accordion strategies
The 2023 monkeypox outbreak was caused by a subclade IIb monkeypox virus (MPXV). Here, using advanced sequencing techniques, the authors identify variations on low-complexity regions of the MPXV genome and describe their potential as evolutionary drivers.
- Sara Monzón
- , Sarai Varona
- & Gustavo Palacios
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Article
| Open AccessRNA targeting and cleavage by the type III-Dv CRISPR effector complex
Here, Schwartz, Bravo, and Ahsan et al. show how multi-subunit fusion proteins are arranged around a crRNA in a type III CRISPR-Cas effector to cleave target RNA. Structures and molecular dynamics of this complex show three distinct active sites that can be used for programmable RNA cleavage.
- Evan A. Schwartz
- , Jack P. K. Bravo
- & David W. Taylor
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Article
| Open AccessMmcA is an electron conduit that facilitates both intracellular and extracellular electron transport in Methanosarcina acetivorans
Methanogens conserve energy through methane generation, however the biochemical details of anaerobic respiration in methanogens remain unclear. Here, authors show a multiheme c-type cytochrome, MmcA, plays a critical role in methanogenesis and anaerobic respiration.
- Dinesh Gupta
- , Keying Chen
- & Dipti D. Nayak
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Article
| Open AccessSurvival and rapid resuscitation permit limited productivity in desert microbial communities
Prompt physiological reactivation after rainfall pulses may be key for microbial survival in arid ecosystems. Here, the authors use stable isotope tracers, single-cell NanoSIMS and metatranscriptomics to shed light on how desert biocrust microbial communities respond to rewetting.
- Stefanie Imminger
- , Dimitri V. Meier
- & Dagmar Woebken
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Article
| Open AccessImprovement of immune dysregulation in individuals with long COVID at 24-months following SARS-CoV-2 infection
Post-acute sequelae of COVID (PASC) or long-COVID can affect a proportion of those infected but this is not well understood. Here the authors perform a single cell transcriptomics analysis of immune cells from long-COVID patients at 24 months and find that cell changes observed at 3 and 8 months do not persist to 24 months.
- Chansavath Phetsouphanh
- , Brendan Jacka
- & Gail V. Matthews
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Article
| Open AccessData-driven recombination detection in viral genomes
Here, the authors present RecombinHunt, a computational method based on big data analysis, that enhances community-based detection of recombinant viral lineages.
- Tommaso Alfonsi
- , Anna Bernasconi
- & Stefano Ceri
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Article
| Open AccessSynergistic effect of two human-like monoclonal antibodies confers protection against orthopoxvirus infection
In this study, the authors show that a single dose of a combination of two human-like monoclonal antibodies protect mice in therapeutic treatment against challenges with ectromelia virus and monkeypox virus. Combination treatment provided more effective viral clearance than single antibody treatment.
- Hadas Tamir
- , Tal Noy-Porat
- & Tomer Israely
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Matters Arising
| Open AccessReply to: Population genetic considerations regarding the interpretation of within-patient SARS-CoV-2 polymorphism data
- Chase W. Nelson
- , Leo L. M. Poon
- & Haogao Gu
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Matters Arising
| Open AccessPopulation genetic considerations regarding the interpretation of within-patient SARS-CoV-2 polymorphism data
- Vivak Soni
- , John W. Terbot II
- & Jeffrey D. Jensen
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Article
| Open AccessHost response during unresolved urinary tract infection alters female mammary tissue homeostasis through collagen deposition and TIMP1
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can elicit systemic host-responses. Here the authors report that, in a mouse model, unresolved UTI is associated with alterations of the mammary tissue, including collagen deposition and hyperplasia.
- Samantha Henry
- , Steven Macauley Lewis
- & Camila Oresco dos Santos
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Article
| Open AccessEmerging variants develop total escape from potent monoclonal antibodies induced by BA.4/5 infection
Many emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants partially escape the humoral immune response. Here, Liu et al. characterize 28 antibodies from BA.4/5 breakthrough infections and find attrition of neutralization and complete loss of function for variants with Spike mutations at positions 455 and 456.
- Chang Liu
- , Raksha Das
- & Gavin R. Screaton
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Article
| Open AccessUltrasensitive single-step CRISPR detection of monkeypox virus in minutes with a vest-pocket diagnostic device
The recent monkeypox outbreak highlighted the need for rapid and accurate diagnosis of this disease. Here, authors develop an ultrasensitive and streamlined CRISPR assay using miniaturized device, which can detect monkeypox virus in rash fluid swab, oral swab, saliva, and urine within 15 minutes.
- Yunxiang Wang
- , Hong Chen
- & Shengqi Wang
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Article
| Open AccessAn experimental framework to assess biomolecular condensates in bacteria
The small cell size of bacteria is a key hurdle in studying condensates. To address this challenge, the authors develop an experimental framework to assess bacterial condensates based on how they form, dissolve, tune shape and size, and transition between material states.
- Y Hoang
- , Christopher A. Azaldegui
- & Anthony G. Vecchiarelli
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Article
| Open AccessTrace gas oxidation sustains energy needs of a thermophilic archaeon at suboptimal temperatures
Diverse bacteria can use the low levels of hydrogen and carbon monoxide present in the air as energy sources for growth and survival. Here, Leung et al. show that ability is also found in thermophilic archaea of the order Sulfolobales.
- Pok Man Leung
- , Rhys Grinter
- & Chris Greening
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Article
| Open AccessDiversity and potential host-interactions of viruses inhabiting deep-sea seamount sediments
Little is known about viral communities in deep-sea seamounts. In this study, the authors performed metagenomic and virome analysis from sediments in the western Pacific Ocean and characterize the diversity, distribution and potential ecological roles of viruses in deep-sea seamount sediments.
- Meishun Yu
- , Menghui Zhang
- & Min Jin
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Article
| Open AccessSm-like protein Rof inhibits transcription termination factor ρ by binding site obstruction and conformational insulation
Said et al. used cryoEM, biochemistry and bioinformatics to uncover how the Sm-like protein Rof regulates transcription termination. Rof binds termination factor ρ, inhibiting ρ ring closure and its association with RNA or transcription complexes.
- Nelly Said
- , Mark Finazzo
- & Markus C. Wahl
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Article
| Open AccessKdpD is a tandem serine histidine kinase that controls K+ pump KdpFABC transcriptionally and post-translationally
KdpD is known as the sensory histidine kinase of two-component system KdpDE that controls the transcription of the kdpFABC genes. Here, the authors show that KdpD acts as atypical serine kinase, which post-translationally regulates KdpFABC.
- Jakob M. Silberberg
- , Sophie Ketter
- & Inga Hänelt
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Article
| Open AccessA widely conserved protein Rof inhibits transcription termination factor Rho and promotes Salmonella virulence program
Bacterial protein Rof (Rho-off) directly interacts with bacterial factor Rho and inhibits Rho-dependent transcription termination. Here, authors report cryo-EM structure of Rho-Rof antitermination complex and reveal their role in bacterial pathogenesis.
- Jing Zhang
- , Shuo Zhang
- & Chengyuan Wang
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Article
| Open AccessPerinatal outcomes after admission with COVID-19 in pregnancy: a UK national cohort study
The impacts of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on newborns are not well understood. Here, the authors perform a national cohort study using data on births in the UK from March 2020—March 2022 and find that moderate to severe maternal COVID-19 was associated with adverse perinatal outcomes.
- Hilde Marie Engjom
- , Rema Ramakrishnan
- & Marian Knight
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Article
| Open AccessPositive selection underlies repeated knockout of ORF8 in SARS-CoV-2 evolution
SARS-CoV-2 constantly evolves but the roles of resulting mutations are not always clear. In this study, the authors report that ORF8 knockout confers a fitness advantage to SARS-CoV-2 using genomic surveillance data, highlighting how different types of adaptations across the SARS-CoV-2 genome can drive variant fitness.
- Cassia Wagner
- , Kathryn E. Kistler
- & Trevor Bedford
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Article
| Open AccessA plant NLR receptor employs ABA central regulator PP2C-SnRK2 to activate antiviral immunity
Huang et al. show how plant Sw-5b NLR mimics the ABA receptor to activate ABA-dependent antiviral immunity via the PP2C-SnRK2 complex. They reveal that Sw-5b NLR induces ABA accumulation, upregulates ABA response genes, and triggers defense against viral infections by releasing SnRK2 from PP2C inhibition.
- Shen Huang
- , Chunli Wang
- & Xiaorong Tao
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Comment
| Open AccessAll-inclusive nitrifiers in Antarctic soils
Multidisciplinary culture-dependent and -independent techniques elucidate the unique microbial nitrogen cycle in nutrient-poor coastal Antarctica soils and reveal the contribution of novel key microbes to their nitrogen budget.
- Maximiliano Ortiz
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Article
| Open AccessDiverse and abundant phages exploit conjugative plasmids
Some phages use plasmid-encoded conjugation proteins as receptors to infect their bacterial hosts, making their host range dependent on horizontal transfer of the plasmid. Here, the authors present a method for identification of new plasmid-dependent phages, and find that they are common and abundant in wastewater and their genetic diversity is largely unexplored.
- Natalia Quinones-Olvera
- , Siân V. Owen
- & Michael Baym
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Article
| Open AccessA modular and synthetic biosynthesis platform for de novo production of diverse halogenated tryptophan-derived molecules
De novo fermentation and synthetic pathway construction for halogen-containing molecules remain relatively underexplored. Here, the authors report a mix-and-match co-culture platform to de novo generate a large array of halogenated tryptophan derivatives in E. coli from glucose.
- Kevin B. Reed
- , Sierra M. Brooks
- & Hal S. Alper
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Article
| Open AccessA hemoprotein with a zinc-mirror heme site ties heme availability to carbon metabolism in cyanobacteria
Heme is an abundant cofactor required by nearly all known organisms. Here, authors discover a cyanobacterial protein with a distinct Zn-mirror heme site, which may function to sense heme and regulate energy metabolism.
- Nicolas Grosjean
- , Estella F. Yee
- & Crysten E. Blaby-Haas
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Article
| Open AccessUnveiling unique microbial nitrogen cycling and nitrification driver in coastal Antarctica
This study reveals a unique microbial nitrogen cycling process in Antarctica’s coastal regions, with nitrification playing a significant role. The research notably identifies comammox Nitrospira clade B as a key driver of this process.
- Ping Han
- , Xiufeng Tang
- & Guitao Shi
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Article
| Open AccessEpidemiological, clinical, and genomic landscape of coccidioidomycosis in northeastern Brazil
Coccidioidomycosis, a WHO-listed mycosis, is neglected in South America. Analysis of 292 cases in Brazil, often tied to armadillo hunting, unveils unique disease patterns, environmental factors and pathogen genetics causing the disease.
- Kelsen Dantas Eulálio
- , Daniel R. Kollath
- & Marcus de Melo Teixeira
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Article
| Open AccessPlasmids in the human gut reveal neutral dispersal and recombination that is overpowered by inflammatory diseases
Here, the authors analyze the plasmidome in 3,467 human gut microbiome samples across continents and disease states, revealing that plasmid dispersal in the human gut is predominantly neutral, but becomes more selective in inflammatory diseases, shedding light on microbial evolution in health and disease.
- Alvah Zorea
- , David Pellow
- & Itzhak Mizrahi
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Article
| Open AccessStructural basis for dimerization of a paramyxovirus polymerase complex
The structure and function of polymerase dimers of non-segmented, negative-strand RNA viruses are poorly understood. Here, this study presents the structural basis for dimerization of a paramyxovirus L–P polymerase and its role in genome replication.
- Jin Xie
- , Mohamed Ouizougun-Oubari
- & Shuai Chen
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Article
| Open AccessGenetically encoded transcriptional plasticity underlies stress adaptation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Transcriptional plasticity (TP) governs gene expression variability, yet remains unexplored in prokaryotes. This study examines Mycobacterium tuberculosis genes’ TP via RNA-seq meta-analysis, uncovering genetic and functional traits impacting mycobacterial TP.
- Cheng Bei
- , Junhao Zhu
- & Qingyun Liu
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Article
| Open AccessVaccination impairs de novo immune response to omicron breakthrough infection, a precondition for the original antigenic sin
Immune imprinting can affect the response to future infection with pathogen variants. Here, Pušnik et. al. demonstrate that previous vaccination with wild-type SARS-CoV-2 vaccine hampers the formation of an immune response to mutated regions of omicron surface proteins following omicron breakthrough infection.
- Jernej Pušnik
- , Jasmin Zorn
- & Hendrik Streeck
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Article
| Open AccessSalmonella exploits membrane reservoirs for invasion of host cells
The plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells can fold inwards to create reservoirs that store or release excess membrane. Zhu et al. show that Salmonella-secreted effectors modulate these reservoirs to facilitate host cell invasion.
- Hongxian Zhu
- , Andrew M. Sydor
- & John H. Brumell
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Article
| Open AccessElectrochemically coupled CH4 and CO2 consumption driven by microbial processes
The microbial valorisation of greenhouse gases could offer promising approaches climate change mitigation. Here, authors demonstrate the coupling of methane oxidation and carbon dioxide reduction by microbial consortia, facilitated by the redox cycling of iron minerals.
- Yue Zheng
- , Huan Wang
- & Feng Zhao
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Article
| Open AccessImmunoglobulin G N-glycan markers of accelerated biological aging during chronic HIV infection
In this study, Giron et al. find that people living with chronic HIV experience accelerated aging-associated alterations in antibody glycans. These alterations, attributed to senescence enzymes, predict comorbidities and reduce the antiviral function of antibodies.
- Leila B. Giron
- , Qin Liu
- & Mohamed Abdel-Mohsen
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Article
| Open AccessPrey killing without invasion by Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus defective for a MIDAS-family adhesin
The bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus is a predator of other bacteria, invading the prey’s periplasm and forming a rounded killed cell where it replicates. Here, Tyson et al. identify a B. bacteriovorus protein that is important for successful invasion of prey, and show that prey killing can occur without invasion.
- Jess Tyson
- , Paul Radford
- & R. Elizabeth Sockett
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Article
| Open AccessMetabolic plasticity, essentiality and therapeutic potential of ribose-5-phosphate synthesis in Toxoplasma gondii
Ribose-5-phosphate (R5P) is a precursor for nucleic acid biogenesis. Here, Guo and Ji et al. show that multiple routes can flexibly supply R5P to enable Toxoplasma gondii growth.
- Xuefang Guo
- , Nuo Ji
- & Ningbo Xia
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Article
| Open AccessComparative characterization of the infant gut microbiome and their maternal lineage by a multi-omics approach
Here, the authors employ multi-omics on a cohort comprising three generations of family members, showing that fecal microbiota populations, functions, and metabolome of infants vary greatly from their maternal lineage, exhibiting a less diverse microbiota and differences in various metabolite classes including short- and branched-chain fatty acids.
- Tomás Clive Barker-Tejeda
- , Elisa Zubeldia-Varela
- & Alma Villaseñor
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Article
| Open AccessThe assembly platform FimD is required to obtain the most stable quaternary structure of type 1 pili
Type 1 pili are crucial cell surface bacterial virulence factors. Here, the authors show that FimD is required to assemble the most stable quaternary pilus structure by ensuring that the resulting protein polymer is free of structural defects.
- Dawid S. Zyla
- , Thomas Wiegand
- & Rudi Glockshuber
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Article
| Open AccessDermal injury drives a skin to gut axis that disrupts the intestinal microbiome and intestinal immune homeostasis in mice
The microbial community in the intestine can affect other organs such as the skin but it is not clear if the opposite can occur. Here the authors show that skin wounding affects the microbial composition of the intestinal flora which then enhances DSS induced colitis and intestinal inflammation.
- Tatsuya Dokoshi
- , Yang Chen
- & Richard L. Gallo
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Article
| Open AccessA live attenuated vaccine to prevent severe neonatal Escherichia coli K1 infections
Authors utilise a murine model of Escherichia coli infection to immunologically characterise the properties of their live attenuated vaccine candidate. They also demonstrate protection of newborn mice following maternal immunisation.
- Youssouf Sereme
- , Cécile Schrimp
- & David Skurnik
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Article
| Open AccessPhage-specific immunity impairs efficacy of bacteriophage targeting Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus in a murine model
Bacteriophage can be used to target bacterial infection and used as a therapeutic approach for antibiotic resistant bacteria. Here the authors show that the use of bacteriophage to target antibiotic resistant bacteria in a mouse model of infection can induce phage specific immune responses and may impair their therapeutic efficacy.
- Julia D. Berkson
- , Claire E. Wate
- & Paul E. Carlson Jr.
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Article
| Open AccessDifferentiation granules, a dynamic regulator of T. brucei development
The African trypanosome Trypanosoma brucei has been shown to form stress granules in vitro that might be repurposed to enable differentiation and facilitate parasite transmission. Here, Cayla et al. show that differentiation between slender and stumpy forms does involve membrane-less granules that are different from nutritional stress granules.
- Mathieu Cayla
- , Christos Spanos
- & Keith R. Matthews
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Article
| Open AccessPotent human neutralizing antibodies against Nipah virus derived from two ancestral antibody heavy chains
Nipah virus is a WHO priority pathogen, and there is currently no approved drug for clinical therapy. Here, the authors identified potent human neutralizing antibodies that block receptor binding and provide protection against NiV infection in vivo.
- Li Chen
- , Mengmeng Sun
- & Sandra Chiu
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Article
| Open AccessThe secreted protein Amuc_1409 from Akkermansia muciniphila improves gut health through intestinal stem cell regulation
Microbiome-secreted proteins act as key modulators of host-microbiome crosstalk. Here, the authors show that Amuc_1409 protein, secreted from Akkermansia muciniphila, plays a key role in intestinal homeostasis by regulating intestinal stem cells through interaction with E-cadherin, indicating its potential as a biomolecule for improving gut health.
- Eun-Jung Kang
- , Jae-Hoon Kim
- & Chul-Ho Lee
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Article
| Open AccessProbing altered receptor specificities of antigenically drifting human H3N2 viruses by chemoenzymatic synthesis, NMR, and modeling
Binding modes of antigenically drifted hemagglutinins of human influenza A viruses have been determined by NMR using synthetic N-glycans having 13C-labeled monosaccharides to pinpoint which monosaccharides of extended LacNAc chains engage with the HAs.
- Luca Unione
- , Augustinus N. A. Ammerlaan
- & Geert-Jan Boons
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Article
| Open AccessOrigin and dispersal history of Hepatitis B virus in Eastern Eurasia
Hepatitis B virus is an ancient human pathogen that dates back more than 10,000 years. Here, the authors investigate the evolutionary history of the virus in Eastern Eurasia by sequencing 34 genomes dating from approximately 400–5,000 years ago and comparing them with other contemporary sequences.
- Bing Sun
- , Aida Andrades Valtueña
- & Yinqiu Cui
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Article
| Open AccessA genome-centric view of the role of the Acropora kenti microbiome in coral health and resilience
This study provides insights into the functional roles of microbial symbionts within the reef-building coral Acropora kenti. The findings reveal molecular mechanisms underpinning coral health and adaptation to local environmental stressors, which may support host resilience in the face of anthropogenic climate change and pollution.
- Lauren F. Messer
- , David G. Bourne
- & Gene W. Tyson
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Article
| Open AccessLegume rhizodeposition promotes nitrogen fixation by soil microbiota under crop diversification
Sustainability in agriculture can be improved harnessing biological N2 fixation in legumes. Here, the authors combine different crops with peanut plants finding that maize and oilseed rape are the most successful combinations which have potential to enhance rhizosphere microbiota N2 fixation.
- Mengjie Qiao
- , Ruibo Sun
- & Yan Chen
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