Blue Moon Research Articles

Once in a Blue Moon: Crescentic Diabetic Kidney Disease

Once in a Blue Moon: Crescentic Diabetic Kidney Disease

Metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis revealed theresponse mechanism of alfalfa to combined cold and saline-alkali stress.

Cold and saline-alkali stress are frequently encountered by plants, and they often occur simultaneously in saline-alkali soils at mid to high latitudes, constraining forage crop distribution and production. However, the mechanisms by which forage crops respond to the combination of cold and saline-alkali stress remain unknown. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is one of the most essential forage grasses in the world. In this study, we analyzed the complex response mechanisms of two alfalfa species (Zhaodong [ZD] and Blue Moon [BM]) to combined cold and saline-alkali stress using multi-omics. The results revealed that ZD had a greater ability to tolerate combined stress than BM. The tricarboxylic acid cycles of the two varieties responded positively to the combined stress, with ZD accumulating more sugars, amino acids, and jasmonic acid. The gene expression and flavonoid content of the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway were significantly different between the two varieties. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis and co-expression network analysis based on RNA-Seq data suggested that the MsMYB12 gene may respond to combined stress by regulating the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. MsMYB12 can directly bind to the promoter of MsFLS13 and promote its expression. Moreover, MsFLS13 overexpression can enhance flavonol accumulation and antioxidant capacity, which can improve combined stress tolerance. These findings provide new insights into improving alfalfa resistance to combined cold and saline-alkali stress, showing that flavonoids are essential for plant resistance to combined stresses, and provide theoretical guidance for future breeding programs.

Once in a blue moon: coronavirus disease complicates pregnancy in a patient with unknown pulmonary hypertension and subsequent left ventricular dysfunction

During COVID-19 pandemic, several clinical manifestations have been described beyond respiratory compromise that characterizes the viral disease. Cardiovascular manifestations are one of the main complications. In this case, we report an unusual association between the novo diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension in a pregnant patient with SARS Cov-2, with subsquent development of left ventricular dysfunction.

Phytochemical profile, cytotoxic assay, antibacterial activity and In-silico evaluation of essential oil extracted from Nepeta nervosa , blue moon catmint

Phytochemical profile, cytotoxic assay, antibacterial activity and <i>In-silico</i> evaluation of essential oil extracted from <i>Nepeta nervosa</i> , blue moon catmint

Acceleration of xenon kick-out exchange in a cryptophane host explained by ab initio simulation.

The degenerate exchange involving xenon and anti-cryptophane-222-(OCH2COOH)6 in basic water is studied. The reaction consists of the intrusion of a xenon atom into a cavity hosting another xenon and the escape of the latter from the cage to reach the aqueous solution. A series of constrained ab initio molecular dynamics simulations were performed according to the Blue Moon ensemble method to reconstruct the free-energy profile for the degenerate exchange reaction at ambient temperature. In addition to the estimation of the free-energy barrier height of the reaction, analysis of the trajectories provides details on its mechanism as well as on the nature of its transition state, where both Xe atoms interact through strong dispersion forces owing to moderate confinement effects.

Once in a Blue Moon: Second Primary P16-Negative Tonsillar Carcinoma after Temporal Bone Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Second primary malignancy (SPM) is a well-known long-term cause of mortality in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The high incidence of head and neck SPM after HNSCC is related to field cancerisation, tobacco and alcohol exposure. Early detection of head and neck SPM is paramount to allow appropriate treatment and have better functional and survival outcomes. Further genomic study is warranted for better understanding about the risk, outcome and to improve survival of SPM. We reported the first case of second primary tonsillar carcinoma that was presented sixteen years after diagnosis of temporal bone squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in a non-smoker patient. We highlighted the importance of having a long-term surveillance follow up in HNSCC, not only to look for locoregional recurrence and metastases but also to asses for SPM.

Complete Intraventricular Migration of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt: Once in a Blue Moon Phenomenon of Shunt Surgery

AbstractShunt surgery is a very common neurosurgical procedure for hydrocephalus. It is associated with numerous complications, and intraventricular shunt migration is one of rarest. Various mechanisms have been described to explain this rare entity. Hereby we present an index case of this rare complication of shunt surgery in which patient presented with tuberculous meningitis with hydrocephalus having intraventricular shunt migration and will discuss possible mechanisms responsible for it. A 1-year old male infant, previously diagnosed case of tuberculous meningitis with hydrocephalus with right-sided ventriculoperitoneal shunt in situ, presented to the emergency department with bulging fontanelles secondary to shunt malfunction. Left-sided ventriculoperitoneal shunt was inserted. After few months, patient turned up again with left-sided shunt malfunction and right-sided intraventricular migrated shunt. Endoscopy-assisted removal of intraventricular migrated shunt and simultaneous third ventriculostomy was done. Patient improved in postoperative period. Being an extremely uncommon complication, intraventricular migration of shunt described as “once in a blue moon” phenomenon. It can be avoided by proper surgical technique with adequate-sized burr hole. Removal of shunt is preferred for prevention of infection.

Margarete Heck (1959-2023): Cell biologist, geneticist, and incandescent social spark.

Margarete M.S. Heck, professor of cell biology and genetics, University of Edinburgh, died peacefully at home amid her loving family under a blue moon on August 30, 2023, after a long journey with ovarian cancer.

A Study on the Imagology of Tibetan People and Shangri-La in Lost Horizon

“There is only one valley of Blue Moon, and those who expect to find another are asking too much of Nature” (Hilton 63). After the First World War in the 1930s, several war-persecuted Europeans discovered the Shangri-La utopia in China. This essay uses imagology to analyze the foreign culture in Lost Horizon from both character and setting perspectives and the cultural conflicts of the Orient and the Occident. Written by James Hilton, Lost Horizon adequately illustrates the image of Tibet from a Western perspective of that era. Mystical Shangri-La is scenic and full of romantic fantasy, a symbol of peace and tranquility. Apart from the remarkable scenery, the book also contains inequalities between the social status of East and West, especially the prejudiced contempt and discrimination against the Chinese people in Tibetan areas. Lurking in the background are omnifarious ethnic, political and cultural conflicts and severe oppression. Behind the yearning for an Eastern land is the Eurocentrism, colonialism and racial superiority rooted in Western ethnicity.

Sports in the State of Puntland-Somalia: Not Just Beyond a Physical Exercise

Revealing the status of sports in State of Puntland-Somalia, this article presents a new information and insights, in which of its kind has not presented before that reflects the reality and can be generalized to rest of Somalia at all. The study employed qualitative analysis of the FGDs and a semi-structured KII, collection of documented materials and observations that were participated in 39 (30 by FGDs, 9 by interview) sports community aged 25-65 years. Generally, the respondents validated the hypothesis of the study: Sports in Puntland is no just beyond a physical exercise by providing more information about the kinds of sports, sports clubs, their management, capacities; professionalism; governance; financial situation and source of revenue, sports facilities and the legal frameworks that shape their functionalities administratively and politically and other key challenges sports club encounter. The study found that sports in Puntland is administratively and politically failure because sport activities are outright amateurism-oriented rather than professionalism. Moreover, sports science as a disciple is not taught as academic programmes nor as a physical education in schools or as subject mainstreamed in the school curriculum. The study also uncovered that sport in Puntland is suffering for lacking technical capacity in sports management and inadequate and insufficient financial support. It seems that the government has no interest in sports in general because there are no governing documents in place, for example, sports policy, sports act, strategic plan and fundraising strategy. The only sport facility available in Puntland is soccer field owned and administered by the state government ministry in charge of sports. The study also revealed the sports in Puntland is just for physical exercise, and the only game performed in tournament format is a football and it is played by male, and held once in a blue moon.

Production potential of new varieties of plums in the ecological conditions of the south of Russia

The introduction of new varieties of fruit crops remains an important direction in improving the assortment and is associated with their study in new soil and climatic conditions. The article presents the results of a variety study of new introduced varieties of plum (Prunus domestica L.) – Big Stanley, Blue Moon, August Delight and Chinese plum (Prunus salicina L.) – Dark Sunlight and Crimson Glo in conditions of southern gardening. The aim of the research was a comprehensive assessment of the introduced varieties of common plum and Chinese plum, the selection of varieties - sources of valuable traits for breeding use and renewal of a group of promising industrial varieties. It has been established that, according to the ripening time, the introduced plum varieties August Delight, Blue Moon belong to the group of medium-late ones, Big Stanley, Crimson Glo, Dark Sunlight - to the group of late ones. The duration of the fruit ripening period of the studied varieties is 137-152 days, depending on the characteristics of the variety. It was revealed that the trees of the Dark Sunlight variety are characterized by a restrained growth force, not exceeding 2.5 m. More active growth (3.0-3.5 m) was noted in the trees of the Big Stanley, Blue Moon, August Delight and Crimson Glo varieties. On the basis of "fruit weight", the studied varieties belong to the group of large-fruited. Chinese plum varieties Crimson Glo (71.5 g) and Dark Sunlight (79.0 g) are classified as very large-fruited, domestic plum varieties August Delight (44.6 g) and Big Stanley (48.0 g) are classified as large-fruited. It is confirmed that in the conditions of the southern region, new varieties of Chinese and domestic plums are productive. Higher yields were formed in Chinese plum varieties Dark Sunlight (36.4 t/ha) and Crimson Glo (34.6 t/ha), domestic plum Big Stanley (32.4 t/ha) and August Delight (29.0 t/ha), it was lower in the Blue Moon variety (24.7 t/ha). The introduced varieties Big Stanley, Blue Moon, Dark Sunlight have high taste qualities of fruits, confirmed by the sugar-acid index – 14.1-14.9. New introduced varieties Crimson Glo, Dark Sunlight, Blue Moon and Big Stanley, recommended for creating modern plum plantations and breeding for individual traits, have been identified based on a set of economically valuable traits.

Isomer-Dependent Escape Rate of Xenon from a Water-Soluble Cryptophane Cage Studied by Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics.

The escape of xenon from the anti and syn diastereomers of hexacarboxylic-cryptophane-222 in water has been studied by ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. The structures of both complexes, when the xenon atom is trapped inside their cages, have been compared and show no major differences. The free-energy profiles corresponding to the escape reaction have been calculated with the Blue Moon ensemble method using the distance between Xe and the center of mass of the cage as the reaction coordinate. The resulting free-energy barriers are very different; the escape rate is much faster in the case of the syn diastereomer, in agreement with experimental data obtained in hyperpolarized 129 Xe NMR. Our simulations reveal the mechanistic details for each diastereomer and provide an explanation for the different in-out xenon rates based on the solvation structure around the cages.

Salt intrusion length in well-mixed Moroccan estuaries during infrequent events: a simple empirical equation development

ABSTRACT Infrequent events, such as periodical total moon or sun eclipses can affect the water resources in the estuaries. The Super Blue Blood Moon on (31/01/2018) and Total Solar eclipse on (21/08/2017) were investigated. The Bouregreg and Sebou estuaries (Morocco) were selected as an example location due to the availability of field survey data during infrequent events; and during these events both estuaries are well-mixed. Results showed that during these phenomena, the gravitational pull on the ocean is strong, so the high water is at its highest point and the low water at its lowest point. Water level rise affects the hydrodynamic balance and can increase salt water intrusion into the river estuaries, causing many ecological problems. The paper also presents a straightforward empirical equation for estimating salt intrusion length during high water levels. This equation proves valuable in offering initial estimates of salt intrusion length (LHWS) in estuaries during infrequent events in Moroccan estuaries.

The New Approach to Channel Marketing in the FMCG Industry: Based on the Comparative Analysis of Few Cases of Blue Moon and NAIS

The epidemics impact has led to the adjustment of global supply chains, and the upgrading of Chinese consumers' consumption concepts has brought challenges to the FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) industry. At the same time, the product homogenization of the consumer goods daily chemical industry is serious, and the brand lacks innovation and vitality. The development of the IT (Information Technology) era to the DT (Data Technology) era has changed the mainstream publicity method of advertising media. In this context, innovation has become the core product of the FMCG industry. Therefore, this paper will analyze the effective new channel marketing scheme from the perspective of channel marketing through the comparison method of a few cases, and study how to use channel marketing to improve the marketing vitality of brands and obtain market growth. The research in this paper will provide theoretical support for the channel marketing of FMCG daily chemical products, and propose a channel marketing model from a new perspective to solve the lack of product innovation and improve brand vitality.

Cherax woworae, a new freshwater crayfish (Decapoda: Parastacidae) from Southwest Papua Province, Indonesia.

Cherax woworae n. sp. is a moderately-sized burrowing freshwater crayfish endemic to the Teminabuan District, South Sorong Regency, Southwest Papua Province, Indonesia. This species is one of many freshwater crayfish species from the region that are popular ornamental animals. In the pet trade, it is commonly known as the Blue Moon Crayfish or Blue Kong Crayfish. Cherax woworae is genetically and morphologically similar to Cherax gherardii Patoka, Blha & Kouba, 2015, but both species may be easily distinguished morphologically and by their substantial genetic divergence.

Once in a blue moon: a Jarish-Herxheimer reaction in an early molecular-diagnosed pulmonary leptospirosis

Once in a blue moon: a Jarish-Herxheimer reaction in an early molecular-diagnosed pulmonary leptospirosis

Jejuno-Jejunal Intussusception in An Adult-An Unusual Presentation of Malignant Melanoma: A Case Report

Background: Small bowel intussusception is common presentation in children and rare in adults but malignant melanoma as primary cause is once in a blue moon event. It accounts for 1% of all bowel obstructions. Jejuno-Jejunal intussusception is a rare mode of metastatic malignant melanoma presentation. It may be metastatic and rarely primary cause of this type of presentation. In literature no such case s reported from our country before and perhaps seventh case of malignant melanoma as primary cause of jejuno-jejunal intussusception in literature. Case Presentation: Here we report a case of a 40 years old male who presented to us with features of intestinal obstruction. On exploration, Jejuno-Jejunal intussusception was found secondary to some mass in jejunum. Resection anastomosis of Jejunum was performed. Histopathological examination of mass revealed metastatic malignant melanoma. On further work up, CT scan abdomen showed multiple enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes and few enlarged bilateral inguinal lymph nodes. Patient post-operative recovery was uneventful and discharged. Conclusion: One should suspect metastatic melanoma as a lead point in cases of jejuno-jejunal intussusception in adults presenting with intestinal obstruction.

Anharmonic Correction to Free Energy Barriers from DFT-Based Molecular Dynamics Using Constrained Thermodynamic Integration.

For the calculation of anharmonic contributions to free energy barriers, constrained thermodynamic λ-path integration (λ-TI) from a harmonic reference force field to density functional theory is presented as an alternative to the established Blue Moon ensemble method (ξ-TI), in which free energy gradients along the reaction coordinate ξ are integrated. With good agreement in all cases, the λ-TI method is benchmarked against the ξ-TI method for several reactions, including the internal CH3 group rotation in ethane, a nucleophilic substitution of CH3Cl, a retro-Diels-Alder reaction, and a proton transfer in zeolite H-SSZ-13. An advantage of λ-TI is that one can use virtually any reference state to compute anharmonic contributions to reaction free energies or free energy barriers. This is particularly relevant for catalysis, where it is now possible to compute anharmonic corrections to the free energy of a transition state relative to any reference, for example, the most stable state of the active site and the reactants in the gas phase. This is in contrast to ξ-TI, where free energy barriers can only be computed relative to an initial state with all reactants coadsorbed. Finally, the Bennett acceptance ratio method combined with λ-TI is demonstrated to reduce the number of required integration grid points with tolerable accuracy, favoring thus λ-TI over ξ-TI in terms of computational efficiency.

Once in a Blue Moon: Iatrogenic Coronary Dissection in Anomalous Coronary Artery

Coronary anomalies present as a rare phenomenon. One of the most observed coronary anomalies is the single coronary artery (SCA) originating from one coronary ostium and dividing into the coronary arteries in various configurations1Angelini P. Coronary artery anomalies: an entity in search of an identity.Circulation. 2007; 115: 1296-1305Crossref PubMed Scopus (532) Google Scholar, classified by Lipton’s Classification.2Lipton M.J. Barry W.H. Obrez I. Silverman J.F. Wexler L. Isolated single coronary artery: diagnosis, angiographic classification, and clinical significance.Radiology. 1979; 130: 39-47Crossref PubMed Scopus (414) Google Scholar A 38-year-old male patient was admitted to a community hospital with typical signs of non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) but without any known comorbidities. Urgent coronary angiography revealed a rare anomaly (incidence of 0.008%3Yamanaka O. Hobbs R.E. Coronary artery anomalies in 126,595 patients undergoing coronary arteriography.Cathet Cardiovasc Diagn. 1990; 21: 28-40Crossref PubMed Google Scholar,4Mohanty A. Chandra S. A rare case of 'superdominant' single coronary artery.Indian Heart J. 2015; 67: 389-391Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Google Scholar) of an SCA with the left coronary system originating from the right coronary periphery, posterior to the great vessels (Lipton’s Classification R-IP, table 1) and occlusion of the circumflex artery (CX) (figure 1a-b, video 1). A culprit-lesion percutaneous coronary intervention was attempted. However, despite the use of various flexible guidewires and angled microcatheters (90°) CX passage through the left main artery equivalent (LMA) was not achieved (video 2) and resulted in ST elevation. A prompt control demonstrated a dissection of the LMA (figure 1c, video 3). Further interventional approaches were waived and the patient was transferred for surgical revascularization.Table 1Lipton’s Single Coronary Artery Classification2Lipton M.J. Barry W.H. Obrez I. Silverman J.F. Wexler L. Isolated single coronary artery: diagnosis, angiographic classification, and clinical significance.Radiology. 1979; 130: 39-47Crossref PubMed Scopus (414) Google ScholarCodeDescriptionOstial LocationRRight Sinus of ValsalvaLLeft Sinus of ValsalvaAnatomical DistributionIThe solitary domain vessel follows the course of either a normal right or left coronary arteryIIOne coronary artery arises from the proximal part of the normally located other coronary arteryIIILAD and CX arise separately from a common trunk originating from the right sinus of ValsalvaCourse of the Transverse TrunkAAnterior to the great vesselsBBetween the aorta and the pulmonary arteriesPPosterior to the great vesselsSSeptal Type: A part of the route passes through the interventricular septumCCombined Type: Combination of diverse routes Open table in a new tab Intraoperatively, coronary dissection could be confirmed, whereas the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and CX were identified in the typical locations. Coronary revascularization was performed by anastomosis of the left internal mammary artery to the LAD, and a saphenous vein graft to the CX in perfusion-assisted beating heart technique. The postoperative course remained uneventful and the patient was discharged on the 10th postoperative day. The main issue in SCA persists in the dependency on one system with fatal results in proximal occlusion. Since the overall incidence of coronary anomalies is very low3Yamanaka O. Hobbs R.E. Coronary artery anomalies in 126,595 patients undergoing coronary arteriography.Cathet Cardiovasc Diagn. 1990; 21: 28-40Crossref PubMed Google Scholar, the treatment strategy for acute coronary syndromes in patients with anomalous coronary anatomy remains questionable. In particular, an interventional approach in complex coronary anatomy can result in coronary injury. Since in cases of myocardial infarction time matters most, a deep – even inter-hospital – heart team approach is crucial to maintain in-time life-saving treatments. •Lipton’s Classification R-IP is the rarest form of single coronary artery configuration with the left coronary system originating from the right coronary periphery.•Percutaneous coronary intervention of the left coronary system may be very challenging in Lipton’s Classification R-IP•Surgical revascularization is a reasonable strategy in particular when the coronary periphery location is in typical location.•A deep heart team approach is crucial to maintain in-time life-saving treatments in such critical and complex cases. eyJraWQiOiI4ZjUxYWNhY2IzYjhiNjNlNzFlYmIzYWFmYTU5NmZmYyIsImFsZyI6IlJTMjU2In0.eyJzdWIiOiI1ZWIwZTk5NTRiZWEzMDA2MGVlNzI5MmM4OTZjNDlmYyIsImtpZCI6IjhmNTFhY2FjYjNiOGI2M2U3MWViYjNhYWZhNTk2ZmZjIiwiZXhwIjoxNjc2MjA3NTg4fQ.My1bJvayG27S7R8PKVtQsWVd9XLKhwldpsEWqzuMHIzYxOz_VIFRiJulyjzbngC4CyNUqZMU_qmU-_r_3QPgVbNU2xkwNmcDVsxgXDGD3oSMx3rmyXQK-bNXjlY-qh_YzCrTQ4UEB8jH1qiVcNVpHyrGc-MtRjc7v89p3xEBD1aa_Ns-xk1OOfXUrdGlF9O7EQX7iWrHtaVkLbdCUhgxc55eQP4YI97gKqxSTzFKe4nOdxPc5K41oBsMkajdNYt83O5oDph59QzDCmbWJJDlinjzvGQqRFcavZjX7emVYeuqr5DOGxgmXTA36j331owW-wzHpdKn7wy_SAu2l1u30g Download .mp4 (3.49 MB) Help with .mp4 files eyJraWQiOiI4ZjUxYWNhY2IzYjhiNjNlNzFlYmIzYWFmYTU5NmZmYyIsImFsZyI6IlJTMjU2In0.eyJzdWIiOiIzYjhkMDgxYzg2OTRiYTM0MDZmYTgyZDcyYzcxMmI1NyIsImtpZCI6IjhmNTFhY2FjYjNiOGI2M2U3MWViYjNhYWZhNTk2ZmZjIiwiZXhwIjoxNjc2MjA3NTg4fQ.gH37xsv4GXLcsKMdb-SAuac7Xh_CpCm5C0UOpTzC6x5WB68zYxcjtSgpUhdMHve6TUbPHbeu4gyaKxxZOZFAyXhaMk3R4CzuIFQGSdNyQ3UbqN2MXekQOyGM0i6FNEiLMnWIlxCoQlwOvXWyQ1sI5cKCz5qIkr0f6r_5o2C3gv15nrn3mBIX3vPynprGA_1gHGfLtCQXAvMvVUwYfg-Ba-GOjt1NTSJ0ccCjlQefWR_6jSDTk7NX3BfZ5jU-ybtSzeAxEfALNpfSP2YHm960AaPVaXDNtI0CYb5bkGWLepuD3vzkGAahQrf2K23VUEfho5FELp_CpUVjx4EUMLZ3gA Download .mp4 (1.48 MB) Help with .mp4 files eyJraWQiOiI4ZjUxYWNhY2IzYjhiNjNlNzFlYmIzYWFmYTU5NmZmYyIsImFsZyI6IlJTMjU2In0.eyJzdWIiOiI2MTc2OTE5MTY2ZDM1OTQ1NTUzYTQ3MzcwOTc1OWJlNiIsImtpZCI6IjhmNTFhY2FjYjNiOGI2M2U3MWViYjNhYWZhNTk2ZmZjIiwiZXhwIjoxNjc2MjA3NTg4fQ.G5pvhhPUt-Kl_kxjdKfL-lOu-rH4hRhKzFlVwwANSrmNUjBoRc_thtwNvFupLmPpm1meakrWBTvBZ-JrBLOAlq6fW3AXl46Qy5drW5RxsehHs52zYd8GMPUQ9Trimxz6LG5NH50cVzlCWKi_iaZKUGpRueErVe1WFrp0YqXxkauvv-qmuoIW2pTQS1IpP-6E3u_z8OpKdj53TlaNfpGQJq3z28Uqw5FsY44sS9OP0k_A6uhflBqSRFLKU22pDTS3TPOUSqoxJAATd7yxU-H9QckIiu6lEHsAS2AKowXlAZiXHJnAcRaOBWAFkXx7eJ-MkLy7Eqms1glQNP6hxmoK4Q Download .mp4 (0.95 MB) Help with .mp4 files

Evidence for nitrogen binding to surface defects for topological insulator Bi2Se3

Using scanning tunneling spectroscopy and theoretical simulations we have studied the effects of nitrogen gas exposure on the electronic density of states of Bi2Se3, a well-studied topological insulator. In carefully controlled measurements, Bi2Se3 crystals were initially cleaved in a helium gas environment and then exposed to a 22 SCFH flow of ultra-high purity N2 gas. We observe a resulting change in the spectral curves, with the exposure effect saturating after approximately 50 min, ultimately bringing the Dirac point about 50 meV closer to the Fermi level. These results are compared to density functional theory calculations, which support a picture of N2 molecules physisorbing near Se vacancies. Furthermore, ab initio molecular dynamics simulations aided by a Blue Moon ensemble method reveal the dissociative adsorption of N2 molecules which then bind strongly to Se vacancies at the surface. In this scenario, the binding of the N atom to a Se vacancy site removes the surface defect state created by the vacancy and changes the position of the Fermi energy with respect to the Dirac point.