bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative oncology chemosensitivity assay for personalized medicine using low-coherence digital holography of dynamic light scattering from cancer biopsies
Authors: Hua Zhen , Li Zhe , Lim Dawith , Ajrouch Ali , Karkash Ahmad , Jalal Shadia , Childress Michael , Turek John , Nolte David
Published: February 2024

Nearly half of cancer patients who receive standard-of-care treatments fail to respond to their first-line chemotherapy, demonstrating the pressing need for improved methods to select personalized cancer therapies. Low-coherence digital holography has the potential to fill this need by performing dynamic contrast OCT on living cancer biopsies treated ex vivo with anti-cancer therapeutics. Fluctuation spectroscopy of dynamic light scattering under conditions of holographic phase stability captures ultra-low Doppler frequency shifts down to 10 mHz caused by light scattering from intracellular motions. In the comparative preclinical/clinical trials presented here, a two-species (human and canine) and two-cancer (esophageal carcinoma and B-cell lymphoma) analysis of spectral phenotypes identifies a set of drug response characteristics that span species and cancer type. Spatial heterogeneity across a centimeter-scale patient biopsy sample is assessed by measuring multiple millimeter-scale sub-samples. Improved predictive performance is achieved for chemoresistance profiling by identifying red-shifted sub-samples that may indicate impaired metabolism and removing them from the prediction analysis. These results show potential for using biodynamic imaging for personalized selection of cancer therapy.
Introduction of a novel mathematical model for the prediction of the preformed particle gel’s swelling in the presence of monovalent and divalent ions
Authors: Mehrabianfar Parviz , Momeni Mehdi , Razzaghi-Koolaee Farnam , Eslahati Mohammad , Malmir Pourya , Soltani Soulgani Bahram
Published: February 2024

Excess water production is one of the challenges that can cause several operational and economic problems. In this work, a comprehensive study of the PPG swelling in the presence of monovalent and divalent ions was conducted. Then, a comprehensive and practical mathematical modified fractal grow (MFG) model that can calculate the amount of PPG swelling in different salinities overtime was introduced. The output of the model was compared with the experimental data and showed a matching of about 80%. The viscosity of the PPGs at various shear rates was studied and matched with the cross-viscosity model. To assess the thermal stability of the particle gels. The TGA result represented the 10% of weight loss up to the reservoir temperature. In the following, core flooding tests with different injection scenarios were conducted. The oil recovery for the water and water/PPG/water scenarios were 39.5% and 71.5%, respectively. Eventually, the relative permeability curves were plotted using the Corey approach, and the effect of the PPG injection on the relative permeability curves was shown. The PPG injection increased oil production and reduced the excess water production by reducing water mobility.
Identification of Maya ruins covered by jungle using Sentinel-1
Authors: Michenot Florent , Hinostroza Israel , Guinvarc’h Regis , Thirion-Lefevre Laetitia
Published: February 2024

Archaeologists commonly use airborne LIDAR technology to produce 3D models of structures, even when obscured by a forest canopy. However, this technology has a high cost, both from the plane itself and from the processing of the LIDAR point cloud. Furthermore, this technique can only be used over limited regions. This paper proposes a technique that uses SAR satellite imagery to identify man-made structures hidden by a forest canopy. To do so, we exploit the Ascending and Descending passes of Sentinel-1 so that we obtain two images of the candidate site but from different sight directions. Because of cardinal effects, a large enough building will sign differently from the comparatively isotropic forest canopy it is obscured by. Practically, the technique is based on the ratio of backscattered intensity from these two illumination angles and is well adapted for large areas. The advantages and shortcomings are discussed for the specific case of Sentinel-1 SAR images over two Maya archaeological sites in Central America. Our analysis shows that SAR satellite imagery might provide a free, global-scale way of preselecting sites with large or tall structures to complement LIDAR technology.
Associations of cholecystectomy with metabolic health changes and incident cardiovascular disease: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Park Sangwoo , Jeong Seogsong , Park Sun Jae , Song Jihun , Kim Sung Min , Chang Jooyoung , Choi Seulggie , Cho Yoosun , Oh Yun Hwan , Kim Ji Soo , Park Young Jun , Son Joung Sik , Ahn Joseph C. , Park Sang Min
Published: February 2024

Although some studies conducted about the risk of cholecystectomy and cardiovascular disease, there was a limit to explaining the relationship. We investigated the short-term and long-term relationship between cholecystectomy and cardiovascular disease, and evidence using the elements of the metabolic index as an intermediate step. It was a retrospective cohort study and we used the National Health Insurance Service database of South Korea between 2002 and 2015. Finally, 5,210 patients who underwent cholecystectomy and 49,457 at 1:10 age and gender-matched controls of subjects were collected. The main results was estimated by Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for risk of cardiovascular disease after cholecystectomy. Regarding short-term effects of cholecystectomy, increased risk of cardiovascular disease (aHR 1.35, 95% CI 1.15–1.58) and coronary heart disease (aHR 1.77, 95% CI 1.44–2.16) were similarly seen within 2 years of surgery. When analyzing the change in metabolic risk factors, cholecystectomy was associated with a change in systolic blood pressure (adjusted mean [aMean]: 1.51, 95% CI: [− 1.50 to − 4.51]), total cholesterol (aMean − 14.14, [− 20.33 to 7.95]) and body mass index (aMean − 0.13, [− 0.37 to 0.11]). Cholecystectomy patients had elevated risk of cardiovascular disease in the short-term, possibly due to the characteristics of the patient before surgery. The association of cholecystectomy and cardiovascular disease has decreased after 2 years in patients who underwent cholecystectomy, suggesting that because of improvement of metabolic health, cholecystectomy-associated elevation of cardiovascular disease risk may be ameliorated 2 years after cholecystectomy.
Crystallization kinetics of nanoconfined GeTe slabs in GeTe/TiTe$$_2$$-like superlattices for phase change memories
Authors: Acharya Debdipto , Abou El Kheir Omar , Campi Davide , Bernasconi Marco
Published: February 2024

Superlattices made of alternating blocks of the phase change compound Sb$$_2$$

2

Te$$_3$$

3

and of TiTe$$_2$$

2

confining layers have been recently proposed for applications in neuromorphic devices. The Sb$$_2$$

2

Te$$_3$$

3

/TiTe$$_2$$

2

heterostructure allows for a better control of multiple intermediate resistance states and for a lower drift with time of the electrical resistance of the amorphous phase. However, Sb$$_2$$

2

Te$$_3$$

3

suffers from a low data retention due to a low crystallization temperature T$$_x$$

x

. Substituting Sb$$_2$$

2

Te$$_3$$

3

with a phase change compound with a higher T$$_x$$

x

, such as GeTe, seems an interesting option in this respect. Nanoconfinement might, however, alters the crystallization kinetics with respect to the bulk. In this work, we investigated the crystallization process of GeTe nanoconfined in geometries mimicking GeTe/TiTe$$_2$$

2

superlattices by means of molecular dynamics simulations with a machine learning potential. The simulations reveal that nanoconfinement induces a mild reduction in the crystal growth velocities which would not hinder the application of GeTe/TiTe$$_2$$

2

heterostructures in neuromorphic devices with superior data retention.
Symbiosis, dysbiosis and the impact of horizontal exchange on bacterial microbiomes in higher fungus-gardening ants
Authors: Bringhurst Blake , Greenwold Matthew , Kellner Katrin , Seal Jon N.
Published: February 2024

Advances in our understanding of symbiotic stability have demonstrated that microorganisms are key to understanding the homeostasis of obligate symbioses. Fungus-gardening ants are excellent model systems for exploring how microorganisms may be involved in symbiotic homeostasis as the host and symbionts are macroscopic and can be easily experimentally manipulated. Their coevolutionary history has been well-studied; examinations of which have depicted broad clade-to-clade specificity between the ants and fungus. Few studies hitherto have addressed the roles of microbiomes in stabilizing these associations. Here, we quantified changes in microbiome structure as a result of experimentally induced horizontal exchange of symbionts. This was done by performing cross-fostering experiments forcing ants to grow novel fungi and comparing known temporally unstable (undergoing dysbiosis) and stable combinations. We found that fungus-gardening ants alter their unstable, novel garden microbiomes into configurations like those found in native gardens. Patterns of dysbiosis/symbiosis appear to be predictable in that two related species with similar specificity patterns also show similar patterns of microbial change, whereas a species with more relaxed specificity does not show such microbiome change or restructuring when growing different fungi. It appears that clade-to-clade specificity patterns are the outcomes of community-level interactions that promote stability or cause symbiotic collapse.
An individually adjusted approach for communicating epidemiological results on health and lifestyle to patients
Authors: Waaler Per Niklas , Bongo Lars Ailo , Rolandsen Christina , Lorem Geir F.
Published: February 2024

If scientific research on modifiable risk factors was more accessible to the general population there is a potential to prevent disease and promote health. Mobile applications can automatically combine individual characteristics and statistical models of health to present scientific information as individually tailored visuals, and thus there is untapped potential in incorporating scientific research into apps aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles. As a proof-of-concept, we develop a statistical model of the relationship between Self-rated-health (SRH) and lifestyle-related factors, and a simple app for conveying its effects through a visualisation that sets the individual as the frame of reference. Using data from the 6th (n = 12 981, 53.4% women and 46.6% men) and 7th (n = 21 083, 52.5% women and 47.5% men) iteration of the Tromsø population survey, we fitted a mixed effects linear regression model that models mean SRH as a function of self-reported intensity and frequency of physical activity (PA), BMI, mental health symptoms (HSCL-10), smoking, support from friends, and HbA1c ≥ 6.5%. We adjusted for socioeconomic and demographic factors and comorbidity. We designed a simple proof-of-concept app to register relevant user information, and use the SRH-model to translate the present status of the user into suggestions for lifestyle changes along with predicted health effects. SRH was strongly related to modifiable health factors. The strongest modifiable predictors of SRH were mental health symptoms and PA. The mean adjusted difference in SRH between those with 10-HSCL index = 1.85 (threshold for mental distress) and HSCL-10 = 1 was 0.59 (CI 0.61–0.57). Vigorous physical activity (exercising to exhaustion ≥ 4 days/week relative to sedentary) was associated with an increase on the SRH scale of 0.64 (CI 0.56–0.73). Physical activity intensity and frequency interacted positively, with large PA-volume (frequency ⨯ intensity) being particularly predictive of high SRH. Incorporating statistical models of health into lifestyle apps have great potential for effectively communicating complex health research to a general audience. Such an approach could improve lifestyle apps by helping to make the recommendations more scientifically rigorous and personalised, and offer a more comprehensive overview of lifestyle factors and their importance.
Green synthesis of collagen nanoparticles by Streptomyces xinghaiensis NEAA-1, statistical optimization, characterization, and evaluation of their anticancer potential
Authors: El-Sawah Asmaa A. , El-Naggar Noura El-Ahmady , Eldegla Heba E. , Soliman Hoda M.
Published: February 2024

Collagen nanoparticles (collagen-NPs) are promising biopolymeric nanoparticles due to their superior biodegradability and biocompatibility. The low immunogenicity and non-toxicity of collagen-NPs makes it preferable for a wide range of applications. A total of eight morphologically distinct actinomycetes strains were newly isolated from various soil samples in Egypt. The cell-free supernatants of these strains were tested for their ability. These strains' cell-free supernatants were tested for their ability to synthesize collagen-NPs. Five isolates had the ability to biosynthesize collagen-NPs. Among these, a potential culture, Streptomyces sp. NEAA-1, was chosen and identified as Streptomyces xinghaiensis NEAA-1 based on 16S rRNA sequence analysis as well as morphological, cultural and physiological properties. The sequence data has been deposited at the GenBank database under the accession No. OQ652077.1. Face-centered central composite design (FCCD) has been conducted to maximize collagen-NPs biosynthesis. Maximum collagen-NPs was 8.92 mg/mL under the condition of 10 mg/mL of collagen concentration, initial pH 7, incubation time of 48 h and temperature of 35 °C. The yield of collagen-NPs obtained via FCCD optimization (8.92 mg/mL) was 3.32-fold compared to the yield obtained under non-optimized conditions (2.5 mg/mL). TEM analysis of collagen-NPs showed hollow sphere nanoscale particles with mean of 32.63 ± 14.59 nm in diameter. FTIR spectra showed major peaks of amide I, amide II and amide III of collagen and also the cell-free supernatant involved in effective capping of collagen-NPs. The biosynthesized collagen-NPs exhibited anti-hemolytic, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. The inhibitory concentrations (IC50) against MCF-7, HeP-G2 and HCT116 cell lines were 11.62 ± 0.8, 19.60 ± 1.2 and 41.67 ± 2.2 µg/mL; respectively. The in-vivo investigation showed that collagen-NPs can suppress Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) growth in mice. The collagen-NPs/DOX combination treatment showed considerable tumor growth suppression (95.58%). Collagen-NPs evaluated as nanocarrier with a chemotherapeutic agent, methotrexate (MTX). The average size of MTX loaded collagen-NPs was 42.73 ± 3.5 nm. Encapsulation efficiency percentage (EE %) was 48.91% and drug loading percentage (DL %) was 24.45%.
Dissolved organic matter quantity and quality response of tropical rainforest headwater rivers to the transition from dry to wet season
Authors: Norouzi S. , Wagner T. , MacDonald A. , Bischoff J. , Brasche J. , Trojahn S. , Spray J. , Pereira R.
Published: February 2024

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) and its composition in aquatic ecosystems is a key indicator of ecosystem function and an important component of the global carbon cycle. Tropical rainforest headwaters play an important role in global carbon cycling. However, there is a large uncertainty on how DOM sources interact during mobilisation and the potential fate of associated carbon and nutrients. Using field techniques to measure dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration and composition, changes in DOM source from headwaters to larger downstream rivers were observed. This study shows that the hydrological connectivity, developed during the transition from dry to wet seasons, changes the DOM supply and transport across a tropical river catchment. The observed variability in the DOC-river discharge relationship provides further evidence of the changes in the DOM supply in a small headwater. This novel insight into the seasonal changes of the dynamics of DOM supply to the river helps understanding the mobilization of terrestrial DOM to tropical headwaters and its export from smaller to larger rivers. It also highlights the data gap in the study of smaller headwaters which may account for uncertainty in estimating the terrestrial carbon transported by inland waters.
Sustaining energetic communities: energy citizenship and participation in an age of upheaval and transition
Authors: Lennon Breffní , Dunphy Niall
Published: February 2024

The human use of energy is inherently understood and experienced through socially constructed frameworks. However, the degree of engagement with this topic on the part of humanities and the social sciences has until recently been uneven at best. This seems strange given current upheavals experienced in Europe and across the globe as the climate and biodiversity crises deepen. At the centre of all these crises is the energy system. Energy flows through various forms of natural and social circuitry (from production, to distribution and consumption) and these energyscapes are sited at the local, national, and transnational scales. The correlation between the (meta)physical flows taken by the various forms of energy we depend on—and the transitory social, cultural, economic, and political relationships that frame them—require much deeper study if we are to achieve the types of sustainable communities envisaged by the United Nations as part of its sustainable development goals (SDGs) for 2030. Arising from a review of current literature, this article presents recent research into the forming of citizen energy communities in Europe and the governance structures designed to facilitate their development. It also highlights the key drivers and barriers to citizen engagement with emergent, novel energetic communities.
Terahertz microscopy using laser feedback interferometry based on a generalised phase-stepping algorithm
Authors: Mohun Daniel , Sulollari Nikollao , Salih Mohammed , Li Lianhe H. , Cunningham John E. , Linfield Edmund H. , Davies A. Giles , Dean Paul
Published: February 2024

In this paper we report an improved method of coherent sensing through the use of a generalized phase-stepping algorithm to extract magnitude and phase information from interferometric fringes acquired by laser feedback interferometry (LFI). Our approach allows for significantly reduced optical sampling and acquisition times whilst also avoiding the need for fitting to complex models of lasers under optical feedback in post-processing. We investigate theoretically the applicability of this method under different levels of optical feedback, different laser parameters, and for different sampling conditions. We furthermore validate its use experimentally for LFI-based sensing using a terahertz (THz)-frequency laser in both far-field and near-field sensing configurations. Finally we demonstrate our approach for two-dimensional nanoscale imaging of the out-of-plane field supported by individual micro-resonators at THz frequencies. Our results show that fully coherent sensing can be achieved reliably with as little as 4 sampling points per imaging pixel, opening up opportunities for fast coherent sensing not only at THz frequencies but across the visible and infra-red spectrum.
Genomic prediction for agronomic traits in a diverse Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) germplasm collection
Authors: Hoque Ahasanul , Anderson James V. , Rahman Mukhlesur
Published: February 2024

Breeding programs require exhaustive phenotyping of germplasms, which is time-demanding and expensive. Genomic prediction helps breeders harness the diversity of any collection to bypass phenotyping. Here, we examined the genomic prediction’s potential for seed yield and nine agronomic traits using 26,171 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in a set of 337 flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) germplasm, phenotyped in five environments. We evaluated 14 prediction models and several factors affecting predictive ability based on cross-validation schemes. Models yielded significant variation among predictive ability values across traits for the whole marker set. The ridge regression (RR) model covering additive gene action yielded better predictive ability for most of the traits, whereas it was higher for low heritable traits by models capturing epistatic gene action. Marker subsets based on linkage disequilibrium decay distance gave significantly higher predictive abilities to the whole marker set, but for randomly selected markers, it reached a plateau above 3000 markers. Markers having significant association with traits improved predictive abilities compared to the whole marker set when marker selection was made on the whole population instead of the training set indicating a clear overfitting. The correction for population structure did not increase predictive abilities compared to the whole collection. However, stratified sampling by picking representative genotypes from each cluster improved predictive abilities. The indirect predictive ability for a trait was proportionate to its correlation with other traits. These results will help breeders to select the best models, optimum marker set, and suitable genotype set to perform an indirect selection for quantitative traits in this diverse flax germplasm collection.
Non-contact assessment of cardiac physiology using FO-MVSS-based ballistocardiography: a promising approach for heart failure evaluation
Authors: Zhan Jing , Wu Xiaoyan , Fu Xuelei , Li Chenze , Deng Ke-Qiong , Wei Qin , Zhang Chao , Zhao Tao , Li Congcong , Huang Longting , Chen Kewei , Wang Qiongxin , Li Zhengying , Lu Zhibing
Published: February 2024

Continuous monitoring of cardiac motions has been expected to provide essential cardiac physiology information on cardiovascular functioning. A fiber-optic micro-vibration sensing system (FO-MVSS) makes it promising. This study aimed to explore the correlation between Ballistocardiography (BCG) waveforms, measured using an FO-MVSS, and myocardial valve activity during the systolic and diastolic phases of the cardiac cycle in participants with normal cardiac function and patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). A high-sensitivity FO-MVSS acquired continuous BCG recordings. The simultaneous recordings of BCG and electrocardiogram (ECG) signals were obtained from 101 participants to examine their correlation. BCG, ECG, and intracavitary pressure signals were collected from 6 patients undergoing cardiac catheter intervention to investigate BCG waveforms and cardiac cycle phases. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) measured cardiac time intervals in 51 participants correlated with BCG intervals. The BCG recordings were further validated in 61 CHF patients to assess cardiac parameters by BCG. For heart failure evaluation machine learning was used to analyze BCG-derived cardiac parameters. Significant correlations were observed between cardiac physiology parameters and BCG's parameters. Furthermore, a linear relationship was found betwen IJ amplitude and cardiac output (r = 0.923, R2 = 0.926, p < 0.001). Machine learning techniques, including K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Decision Tree Classifier (DTC), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Logistic Regression (LR), Random Forest (RF), and XGBoost, respectively, demonstrated remarkable performance. They all achieved average accuracy and AUC values exceeding 95% in a five-fold cross-validation approach. We establish an electromagnetic-interference-free and non-contact method for continuous monitoring of the cardiac cycle and myocardial contractility and measure the different phases of the cardiac cycle. It presents a sensitive method for evaluating changes in both cardiac contraction and relaxation in the context of heart failure assessment.
Genotype F of Echovirus 25 with multiple recombination pattern have been persistently and extensively circulating in Chinese mainland
Authors: Wang Xiaoyi , Cun Jianping , Li Shikang , Shi Yong , Liu Yingying , Wei Haiyan , Zhang Yong , Cong Ruyi , Yang Tingting , Wang Wenhui , Xiao Jinbo , Song Yang , Yan Dongmei , Yang Qian , Sun Qiang , Ji Tianjiao
Published: February 2024

Echovirus 25 (E25), a member of the Enterovirus B (EV-B) species, can cause aseptic meningitis (AM), viral meningitis (VM), and acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). However, systematic studies on the molecular epidemiology of E25, especially those concerning its evolution and recombination, are lacking. In this study, 18 strains of E25, isolated from seven provinces of China between 2009 and 2018, were collected based on the Chinese hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) surveillance network, and 95 sequences downloaded from GenBank were also screened. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of 113 full-length VP1 sequences worldwide, globally occurring E25 strains were classified into 9 genotypes (A–I), and genotype F was the dominant genotype in the Chinese mainland. The average nucleotide substitution rate of E25 was 6.08 × 10–3 substitutions/site/year, and six important transmission routes were identified worldwide. Seventeen recombination patterns were determined, of which genotype F can be divided into 9 recombination patterns. A positive selector site was found in the capsid protein region of genotype F. Recombination analysis and pressure selection analysis for genotype F showed multiple recombination patterns and evolution characteristics, which may be responsible for it being the dominant genotype in the Chinese mainland. This study provides a theoretical basis for the subsequent prevention and control of E25.
Graft-derived neurons and bystander effects are maintained for six months after human iPSC-derived NESC transplantation in mice’s cerebella
Authors: Mendonça Liliana S. , Henriques Daniel , Fernandes Vanessa , Moreira Ricardo , Brás João , Duarte Sónia , Schwamborn Jens C. , de Almeida Luís Pereira
Published: February 2024

Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by widespread neuronal death affecting the cerebellum. Cell therapy can trigger neuronal replacement and neuroprotection through bystander effects providing a therapeutic option for neurodegenerative diseases. Here, human control (CNT) and MJD iPSC-derived neuroepithelial stem cells (NESC) were established and tested for their therapeutic potential. Cells’ neuroectodermal phenotype was demonstrated. Brain organoids obtained from the Control NESC showed higher mRNA levels of genes related to stem cells' bystander effects, such as BDNF, NEUROD1, and NOTCH1, as compared with organoids produced from MJD NESC, suggesting that Control NESC have a higher therapeutic potential. Graft-derived glia and neurons, such as cells positive for markers of cerebellar neurons, were detected six months after NESC transplantation in mice cerebella. The graft-derived neurons established excitatory and inhibitory synapses in the host cerebella, although CNT neurons exhibited higher excitatory synapse numbers compared with MJD neurons. Cell grafts, mainly CNT NESC, sustained the bystander effects through modulation of inflammatory interleukins (IL1B and IL10), neurotrophic factors (NGF), and neurogenesis-related proteins (Msi1 and NeuroD1), for six months in the mice cerebella. Altogether this study demonstrates the long-lasting therapeutic potential of human iPSC-derived NESC in the cerebellum.
A nationwide time-series analysis for short-term effects of ambient temperature on violent crime in South Korea
Authors: Heo Seulkee , Choi Hayon Michelle , Lee Jong-Tae , Bell Michelle L.
Published: February 2024

Psychological theories on heat-aggression relationship have existed for decades and recent models suggest climate change will increase violence through varying pathways. Although observational studies have examined the impact of temperature on violent crime, the evidence for associations is primarily limited to coarse temporal resolution of weather and crime (e.g., yearly/monthly) and results from a few Western communities, warranting studies based on higher temporal resolution data of modern systemic crime statistics for various regions. This observational study examined short-term temperature impacts on violent crime using national crime data for the warm months (Jun.–Sep.) across South Korea (2016–2020). Distributed lag non-linear models assessed relative risks (RRs) of daily violent crime counts at the 70th, 90th, and 99th summer temperature percentiles compared to the reference temperature (10th percentile), with adjustments for long-term trends, seasonality, weather, and air pollution. Results indicate potentially non-linear relationships between daily summer temperature (lag0–lag10) and violent crime counts. Violent crimes consistently increased from the lowest temperature and showed the highest risk at the 70th temperature (~ 28.0 °C). The RR at the 70th and 90th percentiles of daily mean temperature (lag0–lag10), compared to the reference, was 1.11 (95% CI 1.09, 1.15) and 1.04 (95% CI 1.01, 1.07), indicating significant associations. Stratified analysis showed significant increases in assault and domestic violence for increases in temperature. The lagged effects, the influences of heat on subsequent crime incidence, did not persist 21 days after the exposure, possibly due to the displacement phenomenon. We found curvilinear exposure–response relationships, which provide empirical evidence to support the psychological theories for heat and violence. Lower public safety through increased violent crime may be an additional public health harm of climate change.
Exploring the relations of NLR, hsCRP and MCP-1 with type 2 diabetic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Fang Yaxuan , Wang Bin , Pang Bo , Zhou Zijun , Xing Yunze , Pang Pai , Zheng Dingyuan , Zhang Gang , Yang Bo
Published: February 2024

Type 2 diabetic kidney disease (T2DKD) is a common microvascular complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and its incidence is significantly increasing. Microinflammation plays an important role in the development of T2DKD. Based on this, this study investigated the value of inflammatory markers including neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in the prediction of T2DKD. This was a cross-sectional survey study. A total of 90 patients with T2DM, who were hospitalized in the nephrology and endocrinology departments of the First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from June 2021 to January 2022, were included and divided into three groups (A1, A2, A3) according to the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR). Observe and compare the basic information, clinical and laboratory data, and the inflammatory markers NLR, hs-CRP, MCP-1. Results revealed that high levels of NLR (OR = 6.562, 95% CI 2.060–20.902, P = 0.001) and MCP-1 (OR = 1.060, 95% CI 1.026–1.095, P < 0.001) were risk factors in the development of T2DKD. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under curve of NLR and MCP-1 in diagnosing T2DKD were 0.760 (95% CI 0.6577–0.863, P < 0.001) and 0.862 (95% CI 0.7787–0.937, P < 0.001). Therefore, the inflammatory markers NLR and MCP-1 are risk factors affecting the development of T2DKD, which of clinical value may be used as novel markers of T2DKD.
Mapping urban mobility using vehicle telematics to understand driving behaviour
Authors: Xiang Junjun , Ghaffarpasand Omid , Pope Francis D.
Published: February 2024

Telematics data, primarily collected from on-board vehicle devices (OBDs), has been utilised in this study to generate a thorough understanding of driving behaviour. The urban case study area is the large metropolitan region of the West Midlands, UK, but the approach is generalizable and translatable to other global urban regions. The new approach of GeoSpatial and Temporal Mapping of Urban Mobility (GeoSTMUM) is used to convert telematics data into driving metrics, including the relative time the vehicle fleet spends idling, cruising, accelerating, and decelerating. The telematics data is also used to parameterize driving volatility and aggressiveness, which are key factors within road safety, which is a global issue. Two approaches to defining aggressive driving are applied and assessed, they are vehicle jerk (the second derivative of vehicle speed), and the profile of speed versus acceleration/deceleration. The telematics-based approach has a very high spatial resolution (15–150 m) and temporal resolution (2 h), which can be used to develop more accurate driving cycles. The approach allows for the determination of road segments with the highest potential for aggressive driving and highlights where additional safety measures could beneficially be adopted. Results highlight the strong correlation between vehicle road occupancy and aggressive driving.
Tailoring of magnetism & electron transport of manganate thin films by controlling the Mn–O–Mn bond angles via strain engineering
Authors: Henning P. , Gruhl R. , Ross U. , Roddatis V. , Bruchmann-Bamberg V. , Stroh K. P. , Seibt M. , Gegenwart P. , Moshnyaga V.
Published: February 2024

Strain engineering beyond substrate limitation of colossal magnetoresistant thin (La0.6Pr0.4)0.7Ca0.3MnO3 (LPCMO) films on LaAlO3-buffered SrTiO3 (LAO/STO) substrates has been demonstrated using metalorganic aerosol deposition technique. By growing partially relaxed 7–27 nm thick heteroepitaxial LAO buffer layers on STO a perfect lattice matching to the LPCMO has been achieved. As a result, strain-free heteroepitaxial 10–20 nm thick LPCMO/LAO/STO films with bulk-like ferromagnetic metallic ground state were obtained. Without buffer the coherently strained thin LPCMO/STO and LPCMO/LAO films were insulating and weakly magnetic. The reason for the optimized magnetotransport in strain-free LPCMO films was found to be a large octahedral Mn–O–Mn bond angle φOOR ~ 166–168° as compared to the significantly smaller one of φOOR ~ 152–156° determined for the tensile (LPCMO/STO) and compressively (LPCMO/LAO) strained films.
Inkjet-printed high-performance and mechanically flexible organic photodiodes for optical wireless communication
Authors: Ruiz‐Preciado Luis Arturo , Pešek Petr , Guerra-Yánez Carlos , Ghassemlooy Zabih , Zvánovec Stanislav , Hernandez-Sosa Gerardo
Published: February 2024

Emerging areas such as the Internet of Things (IoT), wearable and wireless sensor networks require the implementation of optoelectronic devices that are cost-efficient, high-performing and capable of conforming to different surfaces. Organic semiconductors and their deposition via digital printing techniques have opened up new possibilities for optical devices that are particularly suitable for these innovative fields of application. In this work, we present the fabrication and characterization of high-performance organic photodiodes (OPDs) and their use as an optical receiver in an indoor visible light communication (VLC) system. We investigate and compare different device architectures including spin-coated, partially-printed, and fully-printed OPDs. The presented devices exhibited state-of-the-art performance and reached faster detection speeds than any other OPD previously reported as organic receivers in VLC systems. Finally, our results demonstrate that the high-performance of the fabricated OPDs can be maintained in the VLC system even after the fabrication method is transferred to a fully-inkjet-printed process deposited on a mechanically flexible substrate. A comparison between rigid and flexible samples shows absolute differences of only 0.2 b s−1 Hz−1 and 2.9 Mb s−1 for the spectral efficiency and the data rate, respectively.
Temporal phenotypic variation of spinach root traits and its relation to shoot performance
Authors: Liu Ji , Shui Jiapeng , Xu Chenxi , Cai Xiaofeng , Wang Quanhua , Wang Xiaoli
Published: February 2024

The root system is important for the growth and development of spinach. To reveal the temporal variability of the spinach root system, root traits of 40 spinach accessions were measured at three imaging times (20, 30, and 43 days after transplanting) in this study using a non-destructive and non-invasive root analysis system. Results showed that five root traits were reliably measured by this system (RootViz FS), and two of which were highly correlated with manually measured traits. Root traits had higher variations than shoot traits among spinach accessions, and the trait of mean growth rate of total root length had the largest coefficients of variation across the three imaging times. During the early stage, only tap root length was weakly correlated with shoot traits (plant height, leaf width, and object area (equivalent to plant surface area)), whereas in the third imaging, root fresh weight, total root length, and root area were strongly correlated with shoot biomass-related traits. Five root traits (total root length, tap root length, total root area, root tissue density, and maximal root width) showed high variations with coefficients of variation values (CV ≥ 0.3, except maximal root width) and high heritability (H2 > 0.6) among the three stages. The 40 spinach accessions were classified into five subgroups with different growth dynamics of the primary and lateral roots by cluster analysis. Our results demonstrated the potential of in-situ phenotyping to assess dynamic root growth in spinach and provide new perspectives for biomass breeding based on root system ideotypes.
Enhancement of the catalytic performance of Co-ZIF/WO3 heterostructures for selective catalytic reduction of NOx
Authors: Alamgholiloo Hassan , Asgari Esrafil , Sheikhmohammadi Amir , Ghasemian Naser , Hashemzadeh Bayram , Nourmoradi Heshmatollah
Published: February 2024

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are one of the growing air pollutants in industrial countries, and their emissions are regulated by stringent legislation. Therefore, the design of the catalyst comprised of metal oxides and ZIFs a potential solution for improving selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx. Here, an efficient strategy was described to fabricate Co-ZIF/WO3 heterostructures for SCR of NOx. First, WO3 nanostructures were fabricated by the solvothermal method, and subsequently epitaxial growth of ZIF-67 on the metal oxide surface to create a new type of semiconductor Co-ZIF/WO3 heterostructures. The obtained heterostructures were systemically characterized by wide-angle XRD, FESEM, UV DRS, FT-IR, AFM, and TEM spectroscopies. The Co-ZIF/WO3 heterostructures shift the temperature corresponding to the maximum conversion around 50 °C towards lower temperatures. The maximum conversion is substantially enhanced from 55% at 400 °C to 78% at 350 °C. The enhanced activity is attributed to better interaction and synergic effect of WO3 incorporated into ZIF-67 and also the electron transfer facility between the WO3 and Co species in Co-ZIF/WO3 heterostructures. Moreover, Co-ZIF/WO3 results in a distinct effect on the production of carbon monoxide (CO) in the product gas stream. The current study highlights some of the challenges in the development of semiconductor-based heterostructures for a decrease in air pollution.
Ultrasound-guided versus fluoroscopy-guided lumbar selective nerve root block: a retrospective comparative study
Authors: Wang Bowen , Sun Yang , Zhang Jitao , Meng Hailan , Zhang Hong , Shan Lequn
Published: February 2024

The purpose of this study is to compare the accuracy and effectiveness of ultrasound-guided and fluoroscopy-guided lumbar selective nerve root block (SNRB), and to explore the feasibility of ultrasound-guided methods. This retrospective study included patients with lumbar radicular pain who underwent ultrasound-guided and fluoroscopy-guided selective nerve root block at Honghui Hospital Affiliated to Xi’an Jiaotong University from August 2020 to August 2022. Patients were divided into U-SNRB group and F-SNRB group according to ultrasound-guided or fluoroscopy-guided selective nerve root block. There were 43 patients in U-SNRB group and 20 patients in F-SNRB group. The pain visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, related indexes and complications were recorded and compared between the two groups before, 30 min, 1 month and 6 months after block. To evaluate the feasibility, accuracy and effectiveness of ultrasound-guided selective nerve root block. There were no complications in the process of selective nerve root block in both groups. The operating time and the times of closing needle angle adjustment in U-SNRB group were better than those in F-SNRB group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The VAS score and JOA score of patients in the two groups were significantly improved 30 min after block, 1 month and 6 months after block, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). The accuracy of ultrasound-guided selective nerve root block and the degree of pain relief of patients were similar to those of fluoroscopy guidance, but the operation time and needle angle adjustment times were significantly less than that of fluoroscopy, and could effectively reduce radiation exposure. Therefore, it can be used as a better way to guide for choice.
Development and psychometric validation of a novel scale for measuring ‘psychedelic preparedness’
Authors: McAlpine Rosalind G. , Blackburne George , Kamboj Sunjeev K.
Published: February 2024

Preparing participants for psychedelic experiences is crucial for ensuring these experiences are safe and, potentially beneficial. However, there is currently no validated measure to assess the extent to which participants are well-prepared for such experiences. Our study aimed to address this gap by developing, validating, and testing the Psychedelic Preparedness Scale (PPS). Using a novel iterative Delphi-focus group methodology (‘DelFo’), followed by qualitative pre-test interviews, we incorporated the perspectives of expert clinicians/researchers and of psychedelic users to generate items for the scale. Psychometric validation of the PPS was carried out in two large online samples of psychedelic users (N = 516; N = 716), and the scale was also administered to a group of participants before and after a 5–7-day psilocybin retreat (N = 46). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis identified four factors from the 20-item PPS: Knowledge-Expectations, Intention-Preparation, Psychophysical-Readiness, and Support-Planning. The PPS demonstrated excellent reliability (ω = 0.954) and evidence supporting convergent, divergent and discriminant validity was also obtained. Significant differences between those scoring high and low (on psychedelic preparedness) before the psychedelic experience were found on measures of mental health/wellbeing outcomes assessed after the experience, suggesting that the scale has predictive utility. By prospectively measuring modifiable pre-treatment preparatory behaviours and attitudes using the PPS, it may be possible to determine whether a participant has generated the appropriate mental ‘set’ and is therefore likely to benefit from a psychedelic experience, or at least, less likely to be harmed.
Engineered ice-binding protein (FfIBP) shows increased stability and resistance to thermal and chemical denaturation compared to the wildtype
Authors: Nam Yewon , Nguyen Dieu Linh , Hoang Trang , Kim Bogeun , Lee Jun Hyuck , Do Hackwon
Published: February 2024

Many polar organisms produce antifreeze proteins (AFPs) and ice-binding proteins (IBPs) to protect themselves from ice formation. As IBPs protect cells and organisms, the potential of IBPs as natural or biological cryoprotective agents (CPAs) for the cryopreservation of animal cells, such as oocytes and sperm, has been explored to increase the recovery rate after freezing–thawing. However, only a few IBPs have shown success in cryopreservation, possibly because of the presence of protein denaturants, such as dimethyl sulfoxide, alcohols, or ethylene glycol, in freezing buffer conditions, rendering the IBPs inactive. Therefore, we investigated the thermal and chemical stability of FfIBP isolated from Antarctic bacteria to assess its suitability as a protein-based impermeable cryoprotectant. A molecular dynamics (MD) simulation identified and generated stability-enhanced mutants (FfIBP_CC1). The results indicated that FfIBP_CC1 displayed enhanced resistance to denaturation at elevated temperatures and chemical concentrations, compared to wildtype FfIBP, and was functional in known CPAs while retaining ice-binding properties. Given that FfIBP shares an overall structure similar to DUF3494 IBPs, which are recognized as the most widespread IBP family, these findings provide important structural information on thermal and chemical stability, which could potentially be applied to other DUF3494 IBPs for future protein engineering.
Identification of mine water sources using a multi-dimensional ion-causative nonlinear algorithmic model
Authors: Zheng Qiushuang , Wang Changfeng , Yang Yang , Liu Weitao , Zhu Ye
Published: February 2024

Based on the nonlinear algorithmic theory, the R-SVM water source discrimination model and prediction method were established by using the piper qualitatively to compare the differences between the ionic components and R-type factor approximation indicator input dimensions. Taking the mine water samples of Zhaogezhuang Coal Mine as an example, according to the chemical composition analysis of the water samples from different monitoring points, six indexes of Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl–, SO42– and HCO3– were selected as the discrimination factors. According to the water characteristics of each aquifer and the actual needs of discrimination, the water inrush sources in the mining area were divided into four categories: The goaf water is class I, Ordovician carbonate is class II, Sandstone fracture water from the 13 coal system is class III, and Sandstone fracture water from the 12 coal system is class IV. Taking 56 typical water inrush samples as training samples, 11 groups for prediction samples, establish the input index as typical ion content, output as water source type, using SPSS statistics and MATLAB to realize the R-SVM water source discriminant analysis model, automatically establishing the mapping relationship between the water quality indexes and the evaluation standards, which can achieve the purpose of rapid and accurate discrimination of the water sample data. The results showed that the accuracy of the R-SVM model classification was 90.90% in the verification of the water source discrimination example of Zhaogezhuang mine and the coupled model has high accuracy, good applicability and discriminant ability, and has certain guiding significance for the prevention and control of water damage and the related field work.