bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automated Detection Algorithm for Mesoscale Heated Regions in TWINS Ion Temperature Maps
Authors: Keesee A. M. , Katus R. , Tibbetts J. , Liu J. , Zhang X. , Sorathia K. A.
Published: September 2022

Earth's magnetotail plays a critical role in the dynamics of the magnetosphere, particularly during intervals of geomagnetic activity. To improve our understanding of the ion dynamics in this region, energetic neutral atom (ENA) imaging can provide global measurements to place in situ measurements in context and validate simulations. The NASA Two Wide‐angle Imaging Neutral‐atom Spectrometers mission provided near‐continuous observations using ENA imagers. ENA data can be used to calculate maps of equatorial ion temperatures that often show observations of regions of enhanced temperatures associated with phenomena in the magnetotail such as magnetic reconnection and narrow flow channels. We present an algorithm that can be used to search through a collection of these maps to identify intervals with such enhancements for further study. The algorithm results are validated against two sets of related phenomena: (a) a database of dipolarizing flux bundle (DFB) measurements from THEMIS and (b) a list of substorm onsets from SuperMAG. We demonstrate that the algorithm is very good at identifying intervals when there are DFB measurements or substorm onsets as long as there sufficient ENA data. We discuss some potential scientific studies that can result from use of the algorithm. We also show a preliminary application of the algorithm to simulation output to demonstrate the usefulness for other datasets, facilitate comparative studies, and introduce a new method for model validation.
Morphodynamics of Bedrock‐Alluvial Rivers Subsequent to Landslide Dam Outburst Floods
Authors: Lin Yongpeng , An Chenge , Parker Gary , Liu Weiming , Fu Xudong
Published: September 2022

Tectonically active mountain regions such as Southwestern China are frequently hit by catastrophic floods caused by the breach of landslide dams. However, how these extreme events influence the morphodynamics of bedrock‐alluvial rivers is not well understood. More specifically, during a landslide dam outburst flood, bedrock can be eroded by intensive transport of sediment (i.e., tools effect), but can also be buried under thick alluvial cover (i.e., cover effect). Here, we implement the MRSAA‐c (Corrected Macro‐Roughness‐based Saltation‐Abrasion‐Alluviation) model to simulate the morphodynamics of bedrock‐alluvial rivers subject to landslide dam outburst flood(s). For a single dam breach event, the evolution of a bedrock‐alluvial river shows different characteristics at different time scales. At flood time scale (within one day), bedrock is eroded by about 10 mm. The landslide deposit then mainly provides a cover effect in the decadal‐century scale, which leads to a net uplift of the bedrock underneath, and thus the formation of a bedrock “bump.” The bedrock profile returns to its initial equilibrium state at a millennial time scale, after the bedrock bump migrates upstream beyond the inlet. When subject to repeated dam breach events, the bedrock‐alluvial river can reach a dynamic equilibrium after sufficient time (tens of thousands of years). The equilibrium is characterized by sharply increased bedrock slope around the dam site, and gently decreased slope downstream. The impact of dam breach events is constrained within a scale of hundreds of kilometers, indicating the existence of a sedimentograph boundary layer.
Entangled photons enabled time-frequency-resolved coherent Raman spectroscopy and applications to electronic coherences at femtosecond scale
Authors: Zhang Zhedong , Peng Tao , Nie Xiaoyu , Agarwal Girish S. , Scully Marlan O.
Published: September 2022

Quantum entanglement has emerged as a great resource for spectroscopy and its importance in two-photon spectrum and microscopy has been demonstrated. Current studies focus on the two-photon absorption, whereas the Raman spectroscopy with quantum entanglement still remains elusive, with outstanding issues of temporal and spectral resolutions. Here we study the new capabilities provided by entangled photons in coherent Raman spectroscopy. An ultrafast frequency-resolved Raman spectroscopy with entangled photons is developed for condensed-phase molecules, to probe the electronic and vibrational coherences. Using quantum correlation between the photons, the signal shows the capability of both temporal and spectral resolutions not accessible by either classical pulses or the fields without entanglement. We develop a microscopic theory for this Raman spectroscopy, revealing the electronic coherence dynamics even at timescale of 50fs. This suggests new paradigms of optical signals and spectroscopy, with potential to push detection below standard quantum limit.
Frequency-modulated continuous waves controlled by space-time-coding metasurface with nonlinearly periodic phases
Authors: Ke Jun Chen , Dai Jun Yan , Zhang Jun Wei , Chen Zhanye , Chen Ming Zheng , Lu Yunfeng , Zhang Lei , Wang Li , Zhou Qun Yan , Li Long , Ding Jin Shan , Cheng Qiang , Cui Tie Jun
Published: September 2022

The rapid development of space-time-coding metasurfaces (STCMs) offers a new avenue to manipulate spatial electromagnetic beams, waveforms, and frequency spectra simultaneously with high efficiency. To date, most studies are primarily focused on harmonic generations and independent controls of finite-order harmonics and their spatial waves, but the manipulations of continuously temporal waveforms that include much rich frequency spectral components are still limited in both theory and experiment based on STCM. Here, we propose a theoretical framework and method to generate frequency-modulated continuous waves (FMCWs) and control their spatial propagation behaviors simultaneously via a novel STCM with nonlinearly periodic phases. Since the carrier frequency of FMCW changes with time rapidly, we can produce customized time-varying reflection phases at will by the required FMCW under the illumination of a monochromatic wave. More importantly, the propagation directions of the time-varying beams can be controlled by encoding the metasurface with different initial phase gradients. A programmable STCM prototype with a full-phase range is designed and fabricated to realize reprogrammable FMCW functions, and experimental results show good agreement with the theoretical analyses.
Strain-tunable optical microlens arrays with deformable wrinkles for spatially coordinated image projection on a security substrate
Authors: Choi In Sik , Park Seongho , Jeon Sangheon , Kwon Young Woo , Park Rowoon , Taylor Robert A. , Kyhm Kwangseuk , Hong Suck Won
Published: September 2022

As a new concept in materials design, a variety of strategies have been developed to fabricate optical microlens arrays (MLAs) that enable the miniaturization of optical systems on the micro/nanoscale to improve their characteristic performance with unique optical functionality. In this paper, we introduce a cost-effective and facile fabrication process on a large scale up to ~15 inches via sequential lithographic methods to produce thin and deformable hexagonally arranged MLAs consisting of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Simple employment of oxygen plasma treatment on the prestrained MLAs effectively harnessed the spontaneous formation of highly uniform nanowrinkled structures all over the surface of the elastomeric microlenses. With strain-controlled tunability, unexpected optical diffraction patterns were characterized by the interference combination effect of the microlens and deformable nanowrinkles. Consequently, the hierarchically structured MLAs presented here have the potential to produce desirable spatial arrangements, which may provide easily accessible opportunities to realize microlens-based technology by tunable focal lengths for more advanced micro-optical devices and imaging projection elements on unconventional security substrates.
Flexible multifunctional platform based on piezoelectric acoustics for human–machine interaction and environmental perception
Authors: Zhang Qian , Wang Yong , Li Dongsheng , Xie Jin , Tao Ran , Luo Jingting , Dai Xuewu , Torun Hamdi , Wu Qiang , Ng Wai Pang , Binns Richard , Fu YongQing
Published: September 2022

Flexible human–machine interfaces show broad prospects for next-generation flexible or wearable electronics compared with their currently available bulky and rigid counterparts. However, compared to their rigid counterparts, most reported flexible devices (e.g., flexible loudspeakers and microphones) show inferior performance, mainly due to the nature of their flexibility. Therefore, it is of great significance to improve their performance by developing and optimizing new materials, structures and design methodologies. In this paper, a flexible acoustic platform based on a zinc oxide (ZnO) thin film on an aluminum foil substrate is developed and optimized; this platform can be applied as a loudspeaker, a microphone, or an ambient sensor depending on the selection of its excitation frequencies. When used as a speaker, the proposed structure shows a high sound pressure level (SPL) of ~90 dB (with a standard deviation of ~3.6 dB), a low total harmonic distortion of ~1.41%, and a uniform directivity (with a standard deviation of ~4 dB). Its normalized SPL is higher than those of similar devices reported in the recent literature. When used as a microphone, the proposed device shows a precision of 98% for speech recognition, and the measured audio signals show a strong similarity to the original audio signals, demonstrating its equivalent performance compared to a rigid commercial microphone. As a flexible sensor, this device shows a high temperature coefficient of frequency of −289 ppm/K and good performance for respiratory monitoring.
Maternal immune activation induces autism-like changes in behavior, neuroinflammatory profile and gut microbiota in mouse offspring of both sexes
Authors: Tartaglione Anna Maria , Villani Annacandida , Ajmone-Cat Maria Antonietta , Minghetti Luisa , Ricceri Laura , Pazienza Valerio , De Simone Roberta , Calamandrei Gemma
Published: September 2022

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a sex-biased neurodevelopmental disorder with a male to female prevalence of 4:1, characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction and restricted-repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities. Microbiota alterations as well as signs of neuroinflammation have been also reported in ASD. The involvement of immune dysregulation in ASD is further supported by evidence suggesting that maternal immune activation (MIA), especially during early pregnancy, may be a risk factor for ASD. The present study was aimed at characterizing the effects of MIA on behavior, gut microbiota and neuroinflammation in the mouse offspring also considering the impact of MIA in the two sexes. MIA offspring exhibited significant ASD-like behavioral alterations (i.e., deficits in sociability and sensorimotor gating, perseverative behaviors). The analysis of microbiota revealed changes in specific microbial taxa that recapitulated those seen in ASD children. In addition, molecular analyses indicated sex-related differences in the neuroinflammatory responses triggered by MIA, with a more prominent effect in the cerebellum. Our data suggest that both sexes should be included in the experimental designs of preclinical studies in order to identify those mechanisms that confer different vulnerability to ASD to males and females.
A blind benchmark of analysis tools to infer kinetic rate constants from single-molecule FRET trajectories
Authors: Götz Markus , Barth Anders , Bohr Søren S.-R. , Börner Richard , Chen Jixin , Cordes Thorben , Erie Dorothy A. , Gebhardt Christian , Hadzic Mélodie C. A. S. , Hamilton George L. , Hatzakis Nikos S. , Hugel Thorsten , Kisley Lydia , Lamb Don C. , de Lannoy Carlos , Mahn Chelsea , Dunukara Dushani , de Ridder Dick , Sanabria Hugo , Schimpf Julia , Seidel Claus A. M. , Sigel Roland K. O. , Sletfjerding Magnus Berg , Thomsen Johannes , Vollmar Leonie , Wanninger Simon , Weninger Keith R. , Xu Pengning , Schmid Sonja
Published: September 2022

Single-molecule FRET (smFRET) is a versatile technique to study the dynamics and function of biomolecules since it makes nanoscale movements detectable as fluorescence signals. The powerful ability to infer quantitative kinetic information from smFRET data is, however, complicated by experimental limitations. Diverse analysis tools have been developed to overcome these hurdles but a systematic comparison is lacking. Here, we report the results of a blind benchmark study assessing eleven analysis tools used to infer kinetic rate constants from smFRET trajectories. We test them against simulated and experimental data containing the most prominent difficulties encountered in analyzing smFRET experiments: different noise levels, varied model complexity, non-equilibrium dynamics, and kinetic heterogeneity. Our results highlight the current strengths and limitations in inferring kinetic information from smFRET trajectories. In addition, we formulate concrete recommendations and identify key targets for future developments, aimed to advance our understanding of biomolecular dynamics through quantitative experiment-derived models.
Mild dyslipidemia accelerates tumorigenesis through expansion of Ly6Chi monocytes and differentiation to pro-angiogenic myeloid cells
Authors: Tran Thi , Lavillegrand Jean-Remi , Lereverend Cedric , Esposito Bruno , Cartier Lucille , Montabord Melanie , Tran-Rajau Jaouen , Diedisheim Marc , Gruel Nadège , Ouguerram Khadija , Paolini Lea , Lenoir Olivia , Pinteaux Emmanuel , Brabencova Eva , Tanchot Corinne , Urquia Pauline , Lehmann-Che Jacqueline , Le Naour Richard , Merrouche Yacine , Stockmann Christian , Mallat Ziad , Tedgui Alain , Ait-Oufella Hafid , Tartour Eric , Potteaux Stephane
Published: September 2022

Cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) share common risk factors such as dyslipidemia, obesity and inflammation. However, the role of pro-atherogenic environment and its associated low-grade inflammation in tumor progression remains underexplored. Here we show that feeding C57BL/6J mice with a non-obesogenic high fat high cholesterol diet (HFHCD) for two weeks to induce mild dyslipidemia, increases the pool of circulating Ly6Chi monocytes available for initial melanoma development, in an IL-1β-dependent manner. Descendants of circulating myeloid cells, which accumulate in the tumor microenvironment of mice under HFHCD, heighten pro-angiogenic and immunosuppressive activities locally. Limiting myeloid cell accumulation or targeting VEGF-A production by myeloid cells decrease HFHCD-induced tumor growth acceleration. Reverting the HFHCD to a chow diet at the time of tumor implantation protects against tumor growth. Together, these data shed light on cross-disease communication between cardiovascular pathologies and cancer.
In situ analysis of nanoparticle soft corona and dynamic evolution
Authors: Baimanov Didar , Wang Jing , Zhang Jun , Liu Ke , Cong Yalin , Shi Xiaomeng , Zhang Xiaohui , Li Yufeng , Li Xiumin , Qiao Rongrong , Zhao Yuliang , Zhou Yunlong , Wang Liming , Chen Chunying
Published: September 2022

How soft corona, the protein corona’s outer layer, contributes to biological identity of nanomaterials is largely because capturing protein composition of the soft corona in situ remains challenging. We herein develop an in situ Fishing method that can monitor the dynamic formation of protein corona on ultra-small chiral Cu2S nanoparticles (NPs) allowing us to directly separate and identify the corona protein composition. Our method detects spatiotemporal processes in the evolution of hard and soft coronas on chiral NPs, revealing subtle differences in NP − protein interactions even within several minutes. This study highlights the importance of in situ and dynamic analysis of soft/hard corona, provides insights into the role of soft corona in mediating biological responses of NPs, and offers a universal strategy to characterize soft corona to guide the rational design of biomedical nanomaterials.
A pilot study of neoadjuvant combination of anti-PD-1 camrelizumab and VEGFR2 inhibitor apatinib for locally advanced resectable oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Ju Wu-tong , Xia Rong-hui , Zhu Dong-wang , Dou Sheng-jin , Zhu Guo-pei , Dong Min-jun , Wang Li-zhen , Sun Qi , Zhao Tong-chao , Zhou Zhi-hang , Liang Si-yuan , Huang Ying-ying , Tang Yong , Wu Si-cheng , Xia Jing , Chen Shi-qing , Bai Yue-zong , Li Jiang , Zhu Qi , Zhong Lai-ping
Published: September 2022

Novel neoadjuvant therapy regimens are warranted for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In this phase I trial (NCT04393506), 20 patients with locally advanced resectable OSCC receive three cycles of camrelizumab (200 mg, q2w) and apatinib (250 mg, once daily) before surgery. The primary endpoints are safety and major pathological response (MPR, defined as ≤10% residual viable tumour cells). Secondary endpoints include 2-year survival rate and local recurrence rate (not reported due to inadequate follow-up). Exploratory endpoints are the relationships between PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS, defined as the number of PD-L1-stained cells divided by the total number of viable tumour cells, multiplied by 100) and other immunological and genomic biomarkers and response. Neoadjuvant treatment is well-tolerated, and the MPR rate is 40% (8/20), meeting the primary endpoint. All five patients with CPS ˃10 achieve MPR. Post-hoc analysis show 18-month locoregional recurrence and survival rates of 10.5% (95% CI: 0%–24.3%) and 95% (95% CI: 85.4%–100.0%), respectively. Patients achieving MPR show more CD4+ T-cell infiltration than those without MPR (P = 0.02), and decreased CD31 and ɑ-SMA expression levels are observed after neoadjuvant therapy. In conclusion, neoadjuvant camrelizumab and apatinib is safe and yields a promising MPR rate for OSCC.
Mettl3-dependent m6A modification attenuates the brain stress response in Drosophila
Authors: Perlegos Alexandra E. , Shields Emily J. , Shen Hui , Liu Kathy Fange , Bonini Nancy M.
Published: September 2022

N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most prevalent internal modification on eukaryotic mRNA, plays an essential role in various stress responses. The brain is uniquely vulnerable to cellular stress, thus defining how m6A sculpts the brain’s susceptibility may provide insight to brain aging and disease-related stress. Here we investigate the impact of m6A mRNA methylation in the adult Drosophila brain with stress. We show that m6A is enriched in the adult brain and increases with heat stress. Through m6A-immunoprecipitation sequencing, we show 5′UTR Mettl3-dependent m6A is enriched in transcripts of neuronal processes and signaling pathways that increase upon stress. Mettl3 knockdown results in increased levels of m6A targets and confers resilience to stress. We find loss of Mettl3 results in decreased levels of nuclear m6A reader Ythdc1, and knockdown of Ythdc1 also leads to stress resilience. Overall, our data suggest that m6A modification in Drosophila dampens the brain’s biological response to stress.
Biochemical and structural insights of multifunctional flavin-dependent monooxygenase FlsO1-catalyzed unexpected xanthone formation
Authors: Yang Chunfang , Zhang Liping , Zhang Wenjun , Huang Chunshuai , Zhu Yiguang , Jiang Xiaodong , Liu Wei , Zhao Mengran , De Bidhan Chandra , Zhang Changsheng
Published: September 2022

Xanthone-containing natural products display diverse pharmacological properties. The biosynthetic mechanisms of the xanthone formation have not been well documented. Here we show that the flavoprotein monooxygenase FlsO1 in the biosynthesis of fluostatins not only functionally compensates for the monooxygenase FlsO2 in converting prejadomycin to dehydrorabelomycin, but also unexpectedly converts prejadomycin to xanthone-containing products by catalyzing three successive oxidations including hydroxylation, epoxidation and Baeyer-Villiger oxidation. We also provide biochemical evidence to support the physiological role of FlsO1 as the benzo[b]-fluorene C5-hydrolase by using nenestatin C as a substrate mimic. Finally, we resolve the crystal structure of FlsO1 in complex with the cofactor flavin adenine dinucleotide close to the “in” conformation to enable the construction of reactive substrate-docking models to understand the basis of a single enzyme-catalyzed multiple oxidations. This study highlights a mechanistic perspective for the enzymatic xanthone formation in actinomycetes and sets an example for the versatile functions of flavoproteins.
Effects of biological sex mismatch on neural progenitor cell transplantation for spinal cord injury in mice
Authors: Pitonak Michael , Aceves Miriam , Kumar Prakruthi Amar , Dampf Gabrielle , Green Peyton , Tucker Ashley , Dietz Valerie , Miranda Diego , Letchuman Sunjay , Jonika Michelle M. , Bautista David , Blackmon Heath , Dulin Jennifer N.
Published: September 2022

Despite advancement of neural progenitor cell transplantation to spinal cord injury clinical trials, there remains a lack of understanding of how biological sex of transplanted cells influences outcomes after transplantation. To address this, we transplanted GFP-expressing sex-matched, sex-mismatched, or mixed donor cells into sites of spinal cord injury in adult male and female mice. Biological sex of the donor cells does not influence graft neuron density, glial differentiation, formation of the reactive glial cell border, or graft axon outgrowth. However, male grafts in female hosts feature extensive hypervascularization accompanied by increased vascular diameter and perivascular cell density. We show greater T-cell infiltration within male-to-female grafts than other graft types. Together, these findings indicate a biological sex-specific immune response of female mice to male donor cells. Our work suggests that biological sex should be considered in the design of future clinical trials for cell transplantation in human injury.
Epigenetic activation of the FLT3 gene by ZNF384 fusion confers a therapeutic susceptibility in acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Zhao Xujie , Wang Ping , Diedrich Jonathan D. , Smart Brandon , Reyes Noemi , Yoshimura Satoshi , Zhang Jingliao , Yang Wentao , Barnett Kelly , Xu Beisi , Li Zhenhua , Huang Xin , Yu Jiyang , Crews Kristine , Yeoh Allen Eng Juh , Konopleva Marina , Wei Chia-Lin , Pui Ching-Hon , Savic Daniel , Yang Jun J.
Published: September 2022

FLT3is an attractive therapeutic target in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) but the mechanism for its activation in this cancer is incompletely understood. Profiling global gene expression in large ALL cohorts, we identify over-expression ofFLT3inZNF384-rearranged ALL, consistently across cases harboring different fusion partners withZNF384. Mechanistically, we discover an intergenic enhancer element at theFLT3locus that is exclusively activated inZNF384-rearranged ALL, with the enhancer-promoter looping directly mediated by the fusion protein. There is also a global enrichment of active enhancers within ZNF384 binding sites across the genome inZNF384-rearranged ALL cells. Downregulation ofZNF384bluntsFLT3activation and decreases ALL cell sensitivity to FLT3 inhibitor gilteritinib in vitro. In patient-derived xenograft models ofZNF384-rearranged ALL, gilteritinib exhibits significant anti-leukemia efficacy as a monotherapy in vivo. Collectively, our results provide insights into FLT3 regulation in ALL and point to potential genomics-guided targeted therapy for this patient population.
Machine learning-based detection of immune-mediated diseases from genome-wide cell-free DNA sequencing datasets
Authors: Che Huiwen , Jatsenko Tatjana , Lannoo Lore , Stanley Kate , Dehaspe Luc , Vancoillie Leen , Brison Nathalie , Parijs Ilse , Van Den Bogaert Kris , Devriendt Koenraad , Severi Sabien , De Langhe Ellen , Vermeire Severine , Verstockt Bram , Van Calsteren Kristel , Vermeesch Joris Robert
Published: September 2022

The early detection of tissue and organ damage associated with autoimmune diseases (AID) has been identified as key to improve long-term survival, but non-invasive biomarkers are lacking. Elevated cell-free DNA (cfDNA) levels have been observed in AID and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), prompting interest to use cfDNA as a potential non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic biomarker. Despite these known disease-related changes in concentration, it remains impossible to identify AID and IBD patients through cfDNA analysis alone. By using unsupervised clustering on large sets of shallow whole-genome sequencing (sWGS) cfDNA data, we uncover AID- and IBD-specific genome-wide patterns in plasma cfDNA in both the obstetric and general AID and IBD populations. We demonstrate that pregnant women with AID and IBD have higher odds of receiving inconclusive non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPS) results. Supervised learning of the genome-wide patterns allows AID prediction with 50% sensitivity at 95% specificity. Importantly, the method has the potential to identify pregnant women with AID during routine NIPS. Since AID pregnancies have an increased risk of severe complications, early recognition or detection of new-onset AID can redirect pregnancy management and limit potential adverse events. This method opens up new avenues for screening, diagnosis and monitoring of AID and IBD.
A dataset of hourly sea surface temperature from drifting buoys
Authors: Elipot Shane , Sykulski Adam , Lumpkin Rick , Centurioni Luca , Pazos Mayra
Published: September 2022

A dataset of sea surface temperature (SST) estimates is generated from the temperature observations of surface drifting buoys of NOAA’s Global Drifter Program. Estimates of SST at regular hourly time steps along drifter trajectories are obtained by fitting to observations a mathematical model representing simultaneously SST diurnal variability with three harmonics of the daily frequency, and SST low-frequency variability with a first degree polynomial. Subsequent estimates of non-diurnal SST, diurnal SST anomalies, and total SST as their sum, are provided with their respective standard uncertainties. This Lagrangian SST dataset has been developed to match the existing and on-going hourly dataset of position and velocity from the Global Drifter Program.
Agreement between two photoplethysmography-based wearable devices for monitoring heart rate during different physical activity situations: a new analysis methodology
Authors: Alfonso Carla , Garcia-Gonzalez Miguel A. , Parrado Eva , Gil-Rojas Jessyca , Ramos-Castro Juan , Capdevila Lluis
Published: September 2022

Wearables are being increasingly used to monitor heart rate (HR). However, their usefulness for analyzing continuous HR in research or at clinical level is questionable. The aim of this study is to analyze the level of agreement between different wearables in the measurement of HR based on photoplethysmography, according to different body positions and physical activity levels, and compared to a gold-standard ECG. The proposed method measures agreement among several time scales since different wearables obtain HR at different sampling rates. Eighteen university students (10 men, 8 women; 22 ± 2.45 years old) participated in a laboratory study. Participants simultaneously wore an Apple Watch and a Polar Vantage watch. ECG was measured using a BIOPAC system. HR was recorded continuously and simultaneously by the three devices, for consecutive 5-min periods in 4 different situations: lying supine, sitting, standing and walking at 4 km/h on a treadmill. HR estimations were obtained with the maximum precision offered by the software of each device and compared by averaging in several time scales, since the wearables obtained HR at different sampling rates, although results are more detailed for 5 s and 30 s epochs. Bland–Altman (B-A) plots show that there is no noticeable difference between data from the ECG and any of the smartwatches while participants were lying down. In this position, the bias is low when averaging in both 5 s and 30 s. Differently, B-A plots show that there are differences when the situation involves some level of physical activity, especially for shorter epochs. That is, the discrepancy between devices and the ECG was greater when walking on the treadmill and during short time scales. The device showing the biggest discrepancy was the Polar Watch, and the one with the best results was the Apple Watch. We conclude that photoplethysmography-based wearable devices are suitable for monitoring HR averages at regular intervals, especially at rest, but their feasibility is debatable for a continuous analysis of HR for research or clinical purposes, especially when involving some level of physical activity. An important contribution of this work is a new methodology to synchronize and measure the agreement against a gold standard of two or more devices measuring HR at different and not necessarily even paces.
SMAD3 contributes to ascending aortic dilatation independent of transforming growth factor-beta in bicuspid and unicuspid aortic valve disease
Authors: Balint Brittany , Federspiel Jan , Kollmann Catherine , Teping Paul , Schwab Tanja , Schäfers Hans-Joachim
Published: September 2022

We sought to determine whether there are differences in transforming growth factor-beta (TGFß) signaling in aneurysms associated with bicuspid (BAV) and unicuspid (UAV) aortic valves versus normal aortic valves. Ascending aortic aneurysms are frequently associated with BAV and UAV. The mechanisms are not yet clearly defined, but similarities to transforming growth factor-beta TGFß vasculopathies (i.e. Marfan, Loeys-Dietz syndromes) are reported. Non-dilated (ND) and aneurysmal (D) ascending aortic tissue was collected intra-operatively from individuals with a TAV (N = 10ND, 10D), BAV (N = 7ND, 8D) or UAV (N = 7ND, 8D). TGFß signaling and aortic remodeling were assessed through immuno-assays and histological analyses. TGFß1 was increased in BAV/UAV-ND aortas versus TAV (P = 0.02 and 0.04, respectively). Interestingly, TGFß1 increased with dilatation in TAV (P = 0.03) and decreased in BAV/UAV (P = 0.001). In TAV, SMAD2 and SMAD3 phosphorylation (pSMAD2, pSMAD3) increased with dilatation (all P = 0.04) and with TGFß1 concentration (P = 0.04 and 0.03). No relationship between TGFß1 and pSMAD2 or pSMAD3 was observed for BAV/UAV (all P > 0.05). pSMAD3 increased with dilatation in BAV/UAV aortas (P = 0.01), whereas no relationship with pSMAD2 was observed (P = 0.56). Elastin breaks increased with dilatation in all groups (all P < 0.05). In TAV, elastin degradation correlated with TGFß1, pSMAD2 and pSMAD3 (all P < 0.05), whereas in BAV and UAV aortas, elastin degradation correlated only with pSMAD3 (P = 0.0007). TGFß signaling through SMAD2/SMAD3 contributes to aortic remodeling in TAV, whereas TGFß-independent activation of SMAD3 may underlie aneurysm formation in BAV/UAV aortas. Therefore, SMAD3 should be further investigated as a therapeutic target against ascending aortic dilatation in general, and particularly in BAV/UAV patients.
Friction control of elastic materials on glass by means of textured surfaces
Authors: Fujita Naoki , Kinoshita Takumi , Iwao Masaru , Masuda Noriaki , Nakanishi Yoshitaka
Published: September 2022

To investigate the friction behaviors of elastomer and polyacetal writing tips sliding on various textured glass surfaces, the influences of the pitch size and height of sub-millimeter to millimeter sized texture on friction were examined via reciprocating friction tests. The friction coefficients of each writing tip could be systematically varied by changing the pitch and height of the texture. These changes in friction were based on the relationship between the convex-concave shapes and the contact parts of the writing tip, and hence, influence the adhesive, abrasive, and deformation frictions. By inducing a surface texture with a pitch smaller than the contact area of the writing tip, the friction coefficient could be reduced effectively. By inducing a surface texture with a larger height, the friction coefficient of the elastomer could be increased due to deformation friction. These behaviors indicate the possibility of controlling the friction by changing the parameters such as the pitch and height of the textured glass surfaces.
Effects of luseogliflozin and voglibose on high-risk lipid profiles and inflammatory markers in diabetes patients with heart failure
Authors: Ejiri Kentaro , Miyoshi Toru , Kihara Hajime , Hata Yoshiki , Nagano Toshihiko , Takaishi Atsushi , Toda Hironobu , Namba Seiji , Nakamura Yoichi , Akagi Satoshi , Sakuragi Satoru , Minagawa Taro , Kawai Yusuke , Nishii Nobuhiro , Fuke Soichiro , Yoshikawa Masaki , Nakamura Kazufumi , Ito Hiroshi ,   The MUSCAT-HF Study Investigators, Ejiri Kentaro , Miyoshi Toru , Nakamura Kazufumi , Ito Hiroshi , Kihara Hajime , Hata Yoshiki , Nagano Toshihiko , Takaishi Atsushi , Toda Hironobu , Namba Seiji , Nakamura Yoichi , Akagi Satoshi , Sakuragi Satoru , Minagawa Taro , Kawai Yusuke , Nishii Nobuhiro , Sato Tetsuya , Fuke Soichiro , Yoshikawa Masaki , Sugiyama Hiroyasu , Imai Michio , Gotoh Naoki , Segawa Tomonori , Noda Toshiyuki , Koshiji Masatoshi
Published: September 2022

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors could reduce cardiovascular events in patients with heart failure irrespective of diabetes status. In this prespecified sub-analysis of randomised-controlled trial, we investigated the efficacy of luseogliflozin (2.5 mg daily), a sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, with that of voglibose (0.6 mg daily), an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, on high-risk lipid profile and inflammatory markers in patients with type-2 diabetes and heart failure. Among the 157 patients studied, there were no significant differences in the mean malondialdehyde LDL or small-dense LDL cholesterol levels between the luseogliflozin and voglibose groups (percent change: 0.2% vs. − 0.6%, p = 0.93; − 1.7% vs. − 8.6%, p = 0.21) after 12 weeks in comparison to levels at the baseline. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in the adiponectin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels after 12 weeks compared to the baseline levels (percent change, − 1.6% vs. − 4.0% and 22.5% vs. 10.0%; p = 0.52 and p = 0.55, respectively). In conclusion, in patients with type-2 diabetes and heart failure, compared to voglibose, luseogliflozin did not significantly improve the high-risk lipoprotein profile including malondialdehyde LDL and small-dense LDL cholesterol or the levels of inflammatory markers, including adiponectin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.

Trial registration:Trial number: UMIN-CTR, UMIN000018395; Registered 23 July 2015; URL:https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm.
Electrospun non-wovens potential wound dressing material based on polyacrylonitrile/chicken feathers keratin nanofiber
Authors: Serag Eman , El-Aziz Asmaa M. Abd , El-Maghraby Azza , Taha Nahla A.
Published: September 2022

Electrospinning nanofibers have a tremendous interest in biomedical applications such as tissue engineering, drug administration, and wound healing because of their ability to replicate and restore the function of the natural extracellular matrix found in tissues. The study’s highlight is the electrospinning preparation and characterization of polyacrylonitrile with chicken feather keratin as an additive. In this study, keratin was extracted from chicken feather waste using an environmentally friendly method and used to reinforce polymeric nanofiber mats. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used to examine the morphology and the structure of the prepared nanofiber mats. The effect of keratin on the porosity and the tensile strength of reinforcing nanofibers is investigated. The porosity ratio of the nanofiber mats goes up from 24.52 ± 2.12 for blank polyacrylonitrile (PAN (NF)) to 90.89 ± 1.91% for polyacrylonitrile nanofiber with 0.05 wt% keratin (PAN/0.05% K). Furthermore, keratin reinforcement improves the nanofiber's mechanical properties, which are important for wound dressing application, as well as its antibacterial activity without causing hemolysis (less than 2%). The best antibacterial activities were observed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (30 ± 0.17 mm inhibition zone) and Staphylococcus aureus (29 ± 0.31 mm inhibition zone) for PAN/0.05% K sample, according to the antibacterial test. This research has a good potential to broaden the use of feather keratin-based nanofibers in wound healing.
SARS-CoV-2 specific T cell and humoral immune responses upon vaccination with BNT162b2: a 9 months longitudinal study
Authors: Takeuchi Junko S. , Fukunaga Ami , Yamamoto Shohei , Tanaka Akihito , Matsuda Kouki , Kimura Moto , Kamikawa Azusa , Kito Yumiko , Maeda Kenji , Ueda Gohzoh , Mizoue Tetsuya , Ujiie Mugen , Mitsuya Hiroaki , Ohmagari Norio , Sugiura Wataru
Published: September 2022

The humoral and cellular immune responses against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) upon the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination remain to be clarified. Hence, we aimed to investigate the long-term chronological changes in SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibody, neutralizing antibody, and T cell responses during and after receiving the BNT162b2 vaccine. We performed serological, neutralization, and T cell assays among 100 hospital workers aged 22–73 years who received the vaccine. We conducted seven surveys up to 8 months after the second vaccination dose. SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-specific IgG (IgG-S) titers and T cell responses increased significantly following the first vaccination dose. The highest titers were observed on day 29 and decreased gradually until the end of the follow-up period. There was no correlation between IgG-S and T cell responses. Notably, T cell responses were detected on day 15, earlier than the onset of neutralizing activity. This study demonstrated that both IgG-S and T cell responses were detected before acquiring sufficient levels of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies. These immune responses are sustained for approximately 6 to 10 weeks but not for 7 months or later following the second vaccination, indicating the need for the booster dose (i.e., third vaccination).
The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and serum albumin as predictors of acute kidney injury after coronary artery bypass grafting
Authors: Ishikawa Masashi , Iwasaki Masae , Namizato Dai , Yamamoto Makiko , Morita Tomonori , Ishii Yosuke , Sakamoto Atsuhiro
Published: September 2022

Postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) is a highly prevalent and serious complication after cardiac surgery. The aim of this study is to identify the predictors of AKI and the cut-off values after isolated off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). A total of 329 adult patients, who underwent isolated OPCAB between December 2008 and February 2021, were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into three groups: non-AKI, early AKI and late AKI groups. The early AKI group or the late AKI group were defined as ‘having AKI that occurred before or after 48 h postoperatively’, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors of AKI. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the cutoff value, the sensitivity, and the specificity of the predictors. On the multivariate analysis, the emergency surgery, the preoperative serum albumin, and the postoperative day 1 neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NL ratio) were identified as the independent predictors of AKI. However, neither albumin nor the NL ratio predicted late AKI. The present study showed the preoperative albumin and the postoperative day 1 NL ratio were the robust and independent predictors of postoperative early AKI in isolated OPCAB.
Adsorption of ice-binding proteins onto whole ice crystal surfaces does not necessarily confer a high thermal hysteresis activity
Authors: Arai Tatsuya , Yamauchi Akari , Yang Yue , Singh Shiv Mohan , Sasaki Yuji C. , Tsuda Sakae
Published: September 2022

Many psychrophilic microorganisms synthesize ice-binding proteins (IBPs) to survive the cold. The functions of IBPs are evaluated by the effect of the proteins on the nonequilibrium water freezing-point depression, which is called “thermal hysteresis (TH)”, and the inhibitory effect of the proteins on the growth of larger ice crystals, which is called “ice recrystallization inhibition (IRI)”. To obtain mechanical insight into the two activities, we developed a modified method of ice affinity purification and extracted two new IBP isoforms from Psychromyces glacialis, an Arctic glacier fungus. One isoform was found to be an approximately 25 kDa protein (PsgIBP_S), while the other is a 28 kDa larger protein (PsgIBP_L) that forms an intermolecular dimer. Their TH activities were less than 1 °C at millimolar concentrations, implying that both isoforms are moderately active but not hyperactive IBP species. It further appeared that both isoforms exhibit high IRI activity even at submicromolar concentrations. Furthermore, the isoforms can bind to the whole surface of a hemispherical single ice crystal, although such ice-binding was generally observed for hyperactive IBP species. These results suggest that the binding ability of IBPs to whole ice crystal surfaces is deficient for hyperactivity but is crucial for significant IRI activity.
Synthesis of vacancy-rich titania particles suitable for the additive manufacturing of ceramics
Authors: Benavides-Guerrero Jaime A. , Gerlein Luis Felipe , Trudeau Charles , Banerjee Debika , Guo Xiaohang , Cloutier Sylvain G.
Published: September 2022

In the last decades, titania (or TiO2) particles played a crucial role in the development of photo-catalysis and better environmentally-friendly energy-harvesting techniques. In this work, we engineer a new generation of TiO2 particles rich in oxygen vacancies using a modified sol–gel synthesis. By design, these vacancy-rich particles efficiently absorb visible light to allow carefully-controlled light-induced conversion to the anatase or rutile crystalline phases. FTIR and micro-Raman spectroscopy reveal the formation of oxygen vacancies during conversion and explain this unique laser-assisted crystallization mechanism. We achieve low-energy laser-assisted crystallization in ambient environment using a modified filament 3D printer equipped with a low-power laser printhead. Since the established high-temperature treatment necessary to convert to crystalline TiO2 is ill-suited to additive manufacturing platforms, this work removes a major fundamental hurdle and opens whole new vistas of possibilities towards the additive manufacturing of ceramics, including carefully-engineered crystalline TiO2 substrates with potential applications for new and better photo-catalysis, fuel cells and energy-harvesting technologies.
Ficus dubia latex extract prevent DMH-induced rat early colorectal carcinogenesis through the regulation of xenobiotic metabolism, inflammation, cell proliferation and apoptosis
Authors: Hu Rentong , Chantana Weerachai , Pitchakarn Pornsiri , Subhawa Subhawat , Chantarasuwan Bhanumas , Temviriyanukul Piya , Chewonarin Teera
Published: September 2022

Ficus dubia latex is recognized as a remedy in Asian traditional medicine with various therapeutic effects. The present study aimed to determine the preventive action of Ficus dubia latex extract (FDLE) on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced rat colorectal carcinogenesis and its mechanisms. The experiment included an initiation model in which rats were orally administered with FDLE daily for 1 week before DMH injection until the end of the experiment, while only after DMH injection until the end in the post-initiation model. The results firstly indicated that FDLE treatment could reduce the level of methylazoxymethanol (MAM) in rat colonic lumen by inhibition of the activities of both phase I xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in the liver and β-glucuronidase in the colon, leading to reduced DNA methylation in colonic mucosal cells, related to the number of ACF in the initiation stage. Besides, FDLE modulated the inflammation which could suppress the growth and induce apoptosis of aberrant colonic mucosal cells, leading to retardation of ACF multiplicity. Therefore, FDLE showed the ability to suppress the DMH-induced rat ACF formation and inflammation promoted growth of ACF. In conclusion, FDLE had the potential to prevent carcinogens-induced rat colorectal carcinogenesis in the initiation stage.
Strontium vanadate-supported graphitic carbon nitride nanocomposite for simultaneous voltammetric determination of acetaminophen and levofloxacin in complex biological samples
Authors: Nataraj Nandini , Chen Shen-Ming , Krishnan Siva Kumar
Published: September 2022

Simultaneous electrochemical determination of antibiotic drugs such as acetaminophen and levofloxacin using SrV NPs decorated graphitic carbon nitride (SrV/GCN) nanocomposite.
Mild and highly selective hydrogenation of cyclohexyl acetate to cyclohexanol over Cu(i) coordinated amino-functionalized poly(ionic liquid)s
Authors: Guang Binxiong , Zhang Wei , Zhang Yiwei , Xiao Yahui , Liu Yong
Published: September 2022

Cu(i) coordinated amino-functionalized poly(ionic liquid)s exhibited an unprecedented performance for mild and highly selective hydrogenation of esters.
Acid pretreatment of support promotes Pd/SiO2 activity for formaldehyde oxidation at room temperature
Authors: Liu Xiaofeng , Wang Chunying , Li Yaobin , He Hong
Published: September 2022

Hydroxyl groups on SiO2 produced by acid pretreatment favored the anchoring of Pd particles and increased their dispersion, which induced more oxygen vacancies on the surface of catalysts and further enhanced H2O activation.
Characterization of rare-earth Gd-doped iron–carbon materials and their effectiveness in treating waste leachate
Authors: Zeng Yalin , Wu Lieshan , Huang Shiwei
Published: September 2022

Gd/Fe–C composites were prepared by hydrothermal reaction and high-temperature sintering, and characterized by SEM, XRD, FTIR and XPS before and after strengthening with rare earth element Gd.
Porphyrin nanotubes based on a hydrogen-bonded organic framework
Authors: Idrees Sumra , Li Zhikai , Fang Fang , He Huowang , Majeed Irfan , Zhang Yihuan , Osuka Atsuhiro , Cao Yan , Zeng Zhuo , Li Xiaopeng , Jiang Hua-Wei
Published: September 2022

In current report, we have demonstrated the synthesis of a one-dimensional tubular assembly comprising porphyrin nanoring subunits. This strategy features the stacking of porphyrin nanoring via hydrogen bonding between the carboxylic groups.
Retrospective analysis of the key molecules involved in the green synthesis of nanoparticles
Authors: Khan Fazlurrahman , Jeong Geum-Jae , Singh Priyanka , Tabassum Nazia , Mijakovic Ivan , Kim Young-Mog
Published: September 2022

Emerging nanotechnology leads to success in synthesizing and applying nanoparticles (NPs) using the green-chemistry approach.
Decisive role of non-rare earth metals in high-regioselectivity addition of μ3-carbido clusterfullerene
Authors: Chen Muqing , Zhao Yaoxiao , Jin Fei , Li Mengyang , Guan Runnan , Xin Jinpeng , Yao Yang-Rong , Zhao Xiang , Wang Guan-Wu , Zhang Qianyan , Xie Su-Yuan , Yang Shangfeng
Published: September 2022

The reaction of μ3-CCF Dy2TiC@Ih-C80 with AdN2 affords only one [6,6]-open monoadduct along with the addition sites adjacent to the Ti4+ ion instead of the two Dy3+ ions, revealing the decisive role of the non-rare earth metal Ti(IV).
A stretchable and adhesive composite hydrogel containing PEDOT:PSS for wide-range and precise motion sensing and electromagnetic interference shielding and as a triboelectric nanogenerator
Authors: Zhou Zixuan , Yuan Weizhong , Xie Xiaoyun
Published: September 2022

The composite hydrogel can be used for wide-range and precise motion sensing and electromagnetic interference shielding and as a triboelectric nanogenerator.
Redox-neutral remote amidation of alkenyl alcoholsvialong-range isomerization/transformation
Authors: Bai Na , Wang Xuchao , Wang Zhenchao , Liu Feipeng , Rong Zi-Qiang
Published: September 2022

A facile and straightforward approach for the construction of amidesviaredox-neutral Ru-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of long-range alkenyl alcohols with amines to realize remote site-selective functionalization has been developed.