bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CHANGES IN COGNITION AND NEUROCOGNITION WHEN THINKING ALOUD DURING DESIGN
Authors: Shealy Tripp , Gero John , Ignacio Paulo , Song Inuk
Published: June 2023

The think-aloud protocol provides researchers an insight into the designer's mental state, but little is understood about how thinking aloud influences design. The study presented in this paper sets out to measure the cognitive and neurocognitive changes in designers when thinking aloud. Engineering students (n=50) were randomly assigned to the think-aloud or control group. Students were outfitted with a functional near-infrared spectroscopy band. Students were asked to design a personal entertainment system. The think-aloud group spent significantly less time designing. Their design sketches included significantly fewer words. The think-aloud group also required significantly more resources in the left and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). The left DLPFC is often recruited for language processing, and the right DLPFC is involved in visual representation and problem-solving. The faster depletion of neurocognitive resources may have contributed to less time designing. Thinking aloud influences design cognition and neurocognition, but these effects are only now becoming apparent. More research and the adoption of neuroscience techniques can help shed light on these differences.
CHARACTERISTICS OF INTERPERSONAL PHONETIC COMMUNICATION IN RESONANCE DURING CO-CREATION
Authors: Matsumae Akane , Shichijo Karen , Shoji Keisuke , Sawai Ken-ichi
Published: June 2023

This study is aimed to understand the relationship between resonance and interpersonal phonetic communication during co-creation from the following points of view: linguistic functional factors and paralinguistic factors. The novice designers were assigned a concept generation task in pairs from the two nouns, “weather” and “stationery”. Linguistic function tags were contracted into five tag groups, Stuckness, Question, Seriousness, Proposition and Positiveness. The results suggest that phonetic communication in resonance showed significantly lower Stuckness and higher Positiveness towards the counterpart's utterances; Silence-based conversation was significantly observed when both were in creative states but had not reached resonance; Resonance was significantly more likely to occur with communication where one mainly spoke and the other also responded with utterances, neither one spoke in dominant amounts, or both spoke in equal amounts.

This study will contribute to understanding and facilitating resonance, which is an essential phenomenon in individual/interpersonal/group creativity, with practical implications, especially for co-creative concept generation and sustainable creative flow in collaborative design.
CHRONOBIOLOGY IN DIVERGENT THINKING: HOW DESIGNERS ARE AFFECTED BY TIME OF DAY
Authors: Colombo Samuele , Gero John S. , Cantamessa Marco
Published: June 2023

Chronobiology is the science that studies the role of time in biology. The study of time in human bodies revealed the presence of internal rhythms related to the time of day. Considering divergent thinking as one of the essential cognitive activities of conceptual design, this paper presents the results of investigating the effect of time of day on designers’ brain activity while performing divergent thinking tasks. An experiment was run with a revised Alternative Uses Task, measuring brain activity with an electroencephalogram (EEG) device. Students with different educational backgrounds were recruited for this experiment, including engineering and industrial design students, to determine if the time of day affected them differently. The brain waves and related power results show significant differences with respect to the time of day and educational background. The differences are particularly evident considering the interaction of these factors. Further studies are required to understand the relationship between the differences detected and the designers’ behavioural performance and to identify which time of day is most effective for idea-generation activities for designers.
CLASSIFICATION OF METHODOLOGIES FOR DESIGN FOR CIRCULAR ECONOMY BASED ON A LITERATURE STUDY
Authors: Stölzle Merlin Gerald , Roth Daniel , Kreimeyer Matthias
Published: June 2023

Global resource consumption is steadily rising. One option for stopping this upward trend is to reduce material consumption in general. With economics built for growth, this is not a practical path to pursue. Another recently explored alternative is the paradigm shift from a linear economy to a circular economy. The most common concept among practitioners and academics comprises the 6R's: Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture, Repurpose, and Recycle. In addition to business cases and supply chains that have been adapted to the circular economy, the products themselves must be circular. Developers face the challenge of developing novel products without appropriate experience from previous tasks.

This paper takes up the challenge of gathering relevant methods in the context of circular product development. A classification with regard to the required input data and use case shall help users effectively and efficiently find development methods suitable for their given development task. With the categorization via a product development framework it is pointed out in which phase existing methods support users and where a lack of support occurs.
CO-DESIGNING TECHNOLOGICAL EXPLORATIONS IN DEVELOPING FUTURES LITERACY THROUGH SPECULATIVE DESIGN AND AN ARTISTIC INTERVENTION
Authors: Aranda Muñoz Álvaro , Bozic Yams Nina , Carlgren Lisa
Published: June 2023

Futures Literacy is the capability to imagine and understand potential futures to prepare ourselves to act and innovate in the present. This pilot study aims to understand how artistic methodologies and speculative design can support the collaborative exploration of futures in the context of work and contribute to developing peoples’ capability of futures literacy. Our premise is that technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of things can augment people and support their needs at work. To illustrate this process, we have presented a collaborative method that integrates an artistic intervention with speculative design activities. We tested the method in a full-day workshop with seventeen (17) participants from a Swedish academy responsible for enabling learning and competence development at work in the healthcare sector. The results indicate that the artistic intervention, combined with the speculative design activities, can challenge current participants’ perspectives and offer them new ways of seeing futures with technologies. These new ways of seeing reveal underlying premises crucial in developing the capability of futures literacy.
Onset of dune construction based on archaeological evidence, White Sands, New Mexico
Authors: Holliday Vance T. , Cuba Matthew , Lee Wayne , Windingstad Jason , Fenerty Brendan , Bustos David
Published: June 2023

The White Sands dune field is the largest gypsum dune system in the world, derived from deflation of paleo-Lake Otero deposits. Understanding the timing of initial dune construction, and therefore lake deflation, is critical for understanding regional landscape evolution, including the history of lake desiccation. The onset of dune construction is currently estimated at ~8000 to 6500 cal yr BP, but numerical age control is limited. Archaeological evidence reported here indicates two older phases of gypsum dune construction. An archaeological site draped over a parabolic dune south of the main dune body contains artifacts dating to >12,200 cal yr BP, providing an upper age limit for the landform. Another site buried within a remnant of the main dune field yielded six statistically identical radiocarbon dates averaging ~8770 cal yr BP. The initial phase of terminal Pleistocene deflation and parabolic dune construction was perhaps localized but correlates with a period of regional aridity. Barchans and crescentic ridges comprising the main dune body developed in the Early Holocene in response to elevated salinity in local ground water and extensive exposures of gypsum available for deflation, likely due to aridity.
Myth, Manchester, and the Battle of British Public Opinion during the American Civil War
Authors: Brown David
Published: June 2023

Manchester ‘working men’ approved an address in support of Abraham Lincoln's emancipation policy and the American Union at the Free Trade Hall on 31 December 1862. The US president described their gesture as ‘sublime Christian heroism’ when hopes of restoring the cotton supply and reopening the mills were better served by Confederate recognition. This transatlantic exchange became an integral part of the scholarly traditional interpretation that the British working class frustrated the pro-Confederate designs of the upper classes during the American Civil War. It formed the historiographical orthodoxy until revisionists countered that Lancashire workers advocated Confederate recognition. The Manchester meeting, revisionists claimed, was contrived to give the impression of working-class support for Lincoln which was, in fact, a myth. These two incompatible interpretations simplify and flatten the complexity of an event with local, national, and international ramifications. This article presents the first detailed examination of who organized the Free Trade Hall meeting and why. It moves scholarly understanding of the British public response to the American Civil War beyond its current stasis of ‘traditional’ versus ‘revisionist’ by placing the field in conversation with the recent history of radicalism and ‘class’ in the Victorian era.
The efficiency of the DoctorVox voice therapy technique in conversion dysphonia and aphonia
Authors: Başer Engin , Denizoğlu İsmail İlter
Published: June 2023

Objective

The main purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the efficiency of DoctorVox voice therapy in psychogenic dysphonia or aphonia patients, and to share the mid- to long-term results of the method.

Methods

The study was carried out on patients who underwent DoctorVox voice therapy for psychogenic dysphonia or aphonia between January 2015 and September 2019. The evaluation methods used were: the Voice Handicap Index-10; the grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia and strain (‘GRBAS’) scale; and videolaryngostroboscopy recordings.

Results

The mean Voice Handicap Index-10 values of the patients were 30.91 ± 2.97 before treatment, 8.14 ± 3.82 after treatment, and 3.36 ± 1.78 in the final follow-up examination. The grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia and strain scale scores were: 9 ± 0.67 pre-treatment, 0.78 ± 0.80 post-treatment, and 0.57 ± 0.64 at the final follow up.

Conclusion

DoctorVox voice therapy seems to be an efficient treatment method for psychogenic dysphonia or aphonia; it helps develop phonatory muscle functions, using multidimensional biofeedback mechanisms, and increases the patients’ therapy adherence.
Bacterial colonisation of surface and core of palatine tonsils among Tanzanian children with recurrent chronic tonsillitis and obstructive sleep apnoea who underwent (adeno)tonsillectomy
Authors: Katundu Denis R , Chussi Desderius , van der Gaast-de Jongh Christa E , Rovers Maroeska M , de Jonge Marien I , Hannink Gerjon , van Heerbeek Niels
Published: June 2023

Objective

Acute and chronic tonsillitis are frequently treated with antibiotics. This study aimed to understand the presence of pathogenic micro-organisms on the surface and core of chronically infected tonsils among Tanzanian children.

Methods

The study enrolled children undergoing adenotonsillectomy. Surface and core tonsillar swabs were taken. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed for Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria meningitidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Results

Surface and core combined, isolated N meningitidis (86.1 per cent) was found the most, followed by H influenzae (74.9 per cent), S pneumoniae (42.6 per cent) and S aureus (28.7 per cent). M catarrhalis and P aeruginosa were only found in a few patients, 5.6 per cent and 0.8 per cent respectively.

Conclusion

Colonisation of the tonsillar surface and core has been found. Potentially pathogenic micro-organisms are likely to be missed based on a throat swab. Hence, the practice of surface tonsillar swabbing may be misleading or insufficient.
Characteristics of betatron radiation in AWAKE Run 2 experiment
Authors: Liang Linbo , Saberi Hossein , Xia Guoxing , Farmer John Patrick , Pukhov Alexander
Published: June 2023

The oscillating relativistic electrons in the accelerating/focusing wakefields of plasma accelerators emit electromagnetic radiation known as betatron radiation (BR). The proton-driven plasma wakefield acceleration has been demonstrated in the Advanced Wakefield Experiment (AWAKE) at CERN; however, its accompanying radiation emission is less explored compared with those in the laser- and electron beam-driven plasma accelerators. In this paper, a detailed simulation study of BR in the AWAKE is presented. Considering the new set-up of the AWAKE Run 2 (2021–), the radiation emission from both the witness electron beam and the seeding electron beam is investigated using particle-in-cell simulations. The influence of radial size mismatch and misaligned off-axis injection on the witness beam dynamics, as well as the spectral features of the relevant BR are studied. These non-ideal electron injections are likely to occur in experiment. The proton self-modulation stage is also investigated with a close look at the seeding electron beam dynamics and its BR. As a footprint of the emitting particles, BR can provide valuable information about the beam dynamics. Some practical challenges to implement the betatron diagnostic in the AWAKE Run 2 experiment are also addressed.
Healthcare priority-setting criteria and social values in Iran: an investigation of local evidence
Authors: Goudarzi Zahra , Bijlmakers Leon , Nouhi Mojtaba , Jahangiri Reza , Heydari Majid , Simangolwa Warren , Hakimzadeh Seyyed Mostafa , Jara Karen Trujillo
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Integrating social values into health technology assessment processes is an important component of proper healthcare priority setting. This study aims to identify social values related to healthcare priority setting in Iran.

Method

A scoping review was conducted on original studies that investigating social values in the healthcare system in Iran. The databases of PubMed, EMBASE, and EBSCO were searched with no restrictions on time and language. The reported criteria were clustered using Sham’s framework of social value analysis in health policy.

Results

Twenty-one studies published between 2008 and 2022 met the inclusion criteria. Fourteen of the included studies followed a quantitative approach with different methods to identify criteria, and the remaining seven studies used a qualitative approach. A total of fifty-five criteria were extracted and clustered into necessity, quality, sustainability, and process categories. Only six studies found criteria that were related to processes. Only three studies used public opinions as a source of value identification and eleven studies investigated the weight of criteria. None of the included studies explored the interdependency of the criteria.

Conclusion

Evidence suggests that several criteria other than cost per health unit also need to be considered in healthcare priority setting. Previous studies have paid little attention to the social values that underlie priority setting and policy-making processes. To reach consensus on social values related to healthcare priority setting, future researches need to involve broader stakeholders’ perspectives as a valuable source of social values in a fair process.
Exposure to intimate partner violence alters longitudinal associations between caregiver depressive symptoms and effortful control in children and adolescents
Authors: Clark Hannah M. , Hankin Benjamin L.
Published: June 2023

Adaptation to intimate partner violence (IPV) exposure involves alterations in transdiagnostic processes including effortful control (EC), and yet little attention has been given to the ways such processes interact with family-level factors, such as caregivers’ psychopathology. This study used latent change score modeling to compare trajectories of EC and caregivers’ depressive (CD) symptoms between children and adolescents (N = 365) ages 7–17 who had witnessed IPV (IPV+; 45.3%) and those who had not (IPV−) across 3 years. Findings suggested that IPV exposure moderated relationships between EC and CD. CD was higher and EC was lower for IPV+ relative to IPV− participants, although there was significant variation around mean-level CD and EC in both groups. CD and EC were only linked for IPV+ participants, where higher baseline CD was associated with lower EC that lagged behind IPV− participants’ EC across the 3 years of the study. Rates of change for CD significantly varied for the IPV+ group only, indicating that individual difference factors interacted with IPV exposure to influence changes in CD. These findings inform literature on transdiagnostic adaptation processes and point to the potential utility of interventions to reduce IPV and CD in supporting EC in children and adolescents across contexts.
The effect of CT reconstruction filter selection on Hounsfield units in radiotherapy treatment planning
Authors: Nhila Oussama , Talbi Mohammed , El Mansouri M’hamed , Youssoufi Moulay Ali , Erraoudi Morad , Chakir El Mahjoub , Azougagh Mohamed
Published: June 2023

Introduction:

This work aims to evaluate the effect of Hitachi 16-slice scanner reconstruction filters on Hounsfield unit (HU) variations. In the literature, there is a lack of information from a wide variety of scanners in this regard. In addition, not all studies have investigated the effect of reconstruction filters on HU in an exhaustive way.

Methods:

The computerised imaging reference system electron density phantom (model 062M) was scanned with different substitute materials of different density from Hitachi 16-slice computed tomography. The raw images were obtained with four tube voltage settings: 80 kVp, 100 kVp, 120 kVp and 140 kVp. The raw images for each energy level were then reconstructed using different reconstruction filters.

Results:

The HU values of dense bone were significantly different when changing the reconstruction filters without beam hardening correction (BHC). Nevertheless, when selecting the BHC, this variation decreases heavily for 80 kVp and decreases slightly for 140 kVp, but it remains outside the tolerance of ±50 HU. However, for 100 kVp and 120 kVp, the differences in HU values become within the tolerances indicated for dense bone.

Conclusions:

Changing image reconstruction filters during a dosimetric scan had a significant effect on HU in dense bone. Therefore, it is recommended to evaluate this effect during the commissioning phase. As a result, this study provides a methodology to comprehensively investigate the effect of reconstruction filters on HU.
Sensitivity of Nocturnal Warm Sector Rainfall Simulation to the Configuration of Initial and Lateral Boundary Conditions: A Case Study in Southern China Based on the Operational TRAMS Model
Authors: Xu D. S. , Chen H. W. , Leung J. C. , Huang H. , Zhang B. L.
Published: June 2023

A heavy nocturnal warm sector rainfall occurred over the western coastal region of South China in June 2020, of which the precipitation magnitude was seriously underestimated by the operational TRAMS (Tropical Regional Atmosphere Model System) model. In this study, by improving the configuration of initial conditions (ICs) and lateral boundary conditions (LBCs) in offline nesting, the simulation of the convection initiation (CI) process can be well improved. The CI simulation is found to be sensitive to the vertical resolution in ICs in this case. When the low‐level vertical resolution of ICs is increased, the nocturnal near‐surface cold layer caused by inland mountains can be resolved better, which is necessary to form the convergence line along the coastline. Another important impact of increasing the vertical resolution of ICs is the successful simulation of horizontal convective rolls (HCRs) over the northern South China Sea. The HCRs apparently increase the depth of the warm‐moist marine boundary layer jet (MBLJ), and finally lead to the CI along the coastline. The increased vertical resolutions of LBCs can reduce the discontinuity of simulated moist tongue across the southern lateral boundary of the TRAMS model, which provides more moisture for the warm sector rainfall through MBLJ. LBCs with Higher temporal frequency help to alleviate the western position bias of rain belt by reducing the temporal interpolation error. Our study highlights the importance of finer ICs and LBCs in offline nesting for regional operational NWP systems in the South China region.
Longitudinal, Latitudinal, and Local Time Variations of the 14.5‐Day Periodic Oscillation in the Ionosphere During 2014–2015 SSW
Authors: Tang Qiong , Li Jinze , Zhou Chen , Du Zhitao , Sun Haiyang , Liu Yi , Yu Zhibin , Zhao Zhengyu , Feng Xueshang
Published: June 2023

Based on global total electron content (TEC) maps from the International Global Navigation Satellite Systems Service (IGS), the ionospheric perturbations during the 2014–2015 sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event were investigated. The analyses revealed both phase‐shifted semidiurnal perturbations and 14.5‐day periodic signal with zonal wavenumber 0 in the IGS TEC, indicating an enhanced lunar tidal impact on the ionosphere during the 2014–2015 SSW period. The 14.5‐day periodic oscillation in the IGS TEC presents an obvious latitudinal variation, with the maximum appearing in Equatorial Ionization Anomaly crest regions, which is due to the modulation of the equatorial ionospheric fountain effect by wind perturbations modulated by the lunar tide. Additionally, the 14.5‐day periodic oscillation presents a longitudinal pattern with three peaks in the northern hemisphere and four peaks in the southern hemisphere. Local time dependence of the 14.5‐day periodic perturbation is also significant.
Etiopathogenic role of ERK5 signaling in sarcoma: prognostic and therapeutic implications
Authors: Sánchez-Fdez Adrián , Matilla-Almazán Sofía , Del Carmen Sofía , Abad Mar , Arconada-Luque Elena , Jiménez-Suárez Jaime , Chinchilla-Tábora Luis Miguel , Ruíz-Hidalgo Mª José , Sánchez-Prieto Ricardo , Pandiella Atanasio , Esparís-Ogando Azucena
Published: June 2023

Sarcomas constitute a heterogeneous group of rare and difficult-to-treat tumors that can affect people of all ages, representing one of the most common forms of cancer in childhood and adolescence. Little is known about the molecular entities involved in sarcomagenesis. Therefore, the identification of processes that lead to the development of the disease may uncover novel therapeutic opportunities. Here, we show that the MEK5/ERK5 signaling pathway plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of sarcomas. By developing a mouse model engineered to express a constitutively active form of MEK5, we demonstrate that the exclusive activation of the MEK5/ERK5 pathway can promote sarcomagenesis. Histopathological analyses identified these tumors as undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas. Bioinformatic studies revealed that sarcomas are the tumors in which ERK5 is most frequently amplified and overexpressed. Moreover, analysis of the impact of ERK5 protein expression on overall survival in patients diagnosed with different sarcoma types in our local hospital showed a 5-fold decrease in median survival in patients with elevated ERK5 expression compared with those with low expression. Pharmacological and genetic studies revealed that targeting the MEK5/ERK5 pathway drastically affects the proliferation of human sarcoma cells and tumor growth. Interestingly, sarcoma cells with knockout of ERK5 or MEK5 were unable to form tumors when engrafted into mice. Taken together, our results reveal a role of the MEK5/ERK5 pathway in sarcomagenesis and open a new scenario to be considered in the treatment of patients with sarcoma in which the ERK5 pathway is pathophysiologically involved.
T cells in health and disease
Authors: Sun Lina , Su Yanhong , Jiao Anjun , Wang Xin , Zhang Baojun
Published: June 2023

T cells are crucial for immune functions to maintain health and prevent disease. T cell development occurs in a stepwise process in the thymus and mainly generates CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets. Upon antigen stimulation, naïve T cells differentiate into CD4+ helper and CD8+ cytotoxic effector and memory cells, mediating direct killing, diverse immune regulatory function, and long-term protection. In response to acute and chronic infections and tumors, T cells adopt distinct differentiation trajectories and develop into a range of heterogeneous populations with various phenotype, differentiation potential, and functionality under precise and elaborate regulations of transcriptional and epigenetic programs. Abnormal T-cell immunity can initiate and promote the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of T cell development, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell classification, and differentiation in physiological settings. We further elaborate the heterogeneity, differentiation, functionality, and regulation network of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in infectious disease, chronic infection and tumor, and autoimmune disease, highlighting the exhausted CD8+ T cell differentiation trajectory, CD4+ T cell helper function, T cell contributions to immunotherapy and autoimmune pathogenesis. We also discuss the development and function of γδ T cells in tissue surveillance, infection, and tumor immunity. Finally, we summarized current T-cell-based immunotherapies in both cancer and autoimmune diseases, with an emphasis on their clinical applications. A better understanding of T cell immunity provides insight into developing novel prophylactic and therapeutic strategies in human diseases.
Reorganization of seagrass communities in a changing climate
Authors: Daru Barnabas H. , Rock Brianna M.
Published: June 2023

Although climate change projections indicate significant threats to terrestrial biodiversity, the effects are much more profound and striking in the marine environment. Here we explore how different facets of locally distinctive α- and β-diversity (changes in spatial composition) of seagrasses will respond to future climate change scenarios across the globe and compare their coverage with the existing network of marine protected areas. By using species distribution modelling and a dated phylogeny, we predict widespread reductions in species’ range sizes that will result in increases in seagrass weighted and phylogenetic endemism. These projected increases of endemism will result in divergent shifts in the spatial composition of β-diversity leading to differentiation in some areas and the homogenization of seagrass communities in other regions. Regardless of the climate scenario, the potential hotspots of these projected shifts in seagrass α- and β-diversity are predicted to occur outside the current network of marine protected areas, providing new priority areas for future conservation planning that incorporate seagrasses. Our findings report responses of species to future climate for a group that is currently under represented in climate change assessments yet crucial in maintaining marine food chains and providing habitat for a wide range of marine biodiversity.
Ground magnetic survey on Mars from the Zhurong rover
Authors: Du Aimin , Ge Yasong , Wang Huapei , Li Haiying , Zhang Ying , Luo Hao , Huang Can , Shan Lican , Han Fei , Liu Yang , Zou Yongliao , Wang Chi , Pan Yongxin , Liu Qingsong , Mitchell Ross N. , Jia Yang , Chen Baichao , Jin Shengyi , Jiang Yi , Zhang Tielong , Zhu Rixiang , Gubbins David , Zhang Keke
Published: June 2023

Mars’ magnetic field has been measured at large scale by orbiting spacecraft and at very small scale via Martian meteorites. Here we report on a ground magnetic survey on metre to kilometre scales. The Zhurong rover made vector measurements at 16 sites along a 1,089 m track in the Utopia Basin on Mars. It recorded an extremely weak magnetic field, with an order of the average intensity less than that inferred from orbit, in contrast to the large magnetic field in Elysium Planitia measured by InSight. A spacecraft measurement samples an area with radius comparable to its altitude, while a ground measurement samples an area with radius comparable to the depth of the magnetized body. The weak magnetic field measured by Zhurong indicates no magnetization anomalies for a depth of many kilometres around and below the rover’s traverse. We suggest two possible explanations for the weak magnetic field: the entire Utopia Basin may have remained unmagnetized since its formation about 4 billion years ago or that the 5-km-radius ghost crater where Zhurong landed may have been been demagnetized by impact.
Gradients of neurotransmitter receptor expression in the macaque cortex
Authors: Froudist-Walsh Sean , Xu Ting , Niu Meiqi , Rapan Lucija , Zhao Ling , Margulies Daniel S. , Zilles Karl , Wang Xiao-Jing , Palomero-Gallagher Nicola
Published: June 2023

Dynamics and functions of neural circuits depend on interactions mediated by receptors. Therefore, a comprehensive map of receptor organization across cortical regions is needed. In this study, we used in vitro receptor autoradiography to measure the density of 14 neurotransmitter receptor types in 109 areas of macaque cortex. We integrated the receptor data with anatomical, genetic and functional connectivity data into a common cortical space. We uncovered a principal gradient of receptor expression per neuron. This aligns with the cortical hierarchy from sensory cortex to higher cognitive areas. A second gradient, driven by serotonin 5-HT1Areceptors, peaks in the anterior cingulate, default mode and salience networks. We found a similar pattern of 5-HT1Aexpression in the human brain. Thus, the macaque may be a promising translational model of serotonergic processing and disorders. The receptor gradients may enable rapid, reliable information processing in sensory cortical areas and slow, flexible integration in higher cognitive areas.
A sub 1 GHz ultra miniaturized folded dipole patch antenna for biomedical applications
Authors: Chishti Abdul Rehman , Aziz Abdul , Aljaloud Khaled , Tahir Farooq A. , Abbasi Qammer H. , Khan Zia Ullah , Hussain Rifaqat
Published: June 2023

A miniaturized folded dipole patch antenna (FDPA) design for biomedical applications operating at sub 1 GHz (434 MHz) band is presented. Antenna is fabricated on FR-4 substrate material having dimensions of 16.40 mm $$\times$$
×
8.60 mm $$\times$$
×
1.52 mm (0.023$$\lambda$$
λ
$$\times$$
×
0.012$$\lambda$$
λ
$$\times$$
×
0.002$$\lambda$$
λ
). Indirect feed coupling is applied through two parallel strips at bottom layer of the substrate. The antenna size is reduced by 83% through lumped inductor placed at the center path of the radiating FDPA, suitable for biomedical (implantable) applications and hyperthermia. Moreover, Impedance matching is achieved without using any Balun transformer or any other complex matching network. The proposed antenna provides an impedance bandwidth of 6 MHz (431–437 MHz) below − 10 dB and a gain of − 31 dB at 434 MHz. The designed antenna is also placed on a human body model to evaluate its performance for hyperthermia through Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), Effective Field Size (EFS), and penetration depth (PD).
Convective heat and mass transfer rate on 3D Williamson nanofluid flow via linear stretching sheet with thermal radiation and heat absorption
Authors: Jagadeesh Shiva , Chenna Krishna Reddy Marpadaga , Tarakaramu Nainaru , Ahmad Hijaz , Askar Sameh , Shukhratovich Abdullaev Sherzod
Published: June 2023

A mathematical analysis is communicated to the thermal radiation and heat absorption effects on 3D MHD Williamson nanoliquid (NFs) motion via stretching sheet. The convective heat and mass boundary conditions are taken in sheet when liquid is motion. As a novelty, the effects of thermal radiation, heat absorption and heat and mass convection are incorporated. The aim is to develop heat transfer. Williamson NFs are most important source of heat absorption, it having many significant applications in “energy generation, HT, aircraft, missiles, electronic cooling systems, gas turbines” etc. The suitable similarity transformations have been utilized for reduce basic governing P.D. E’s into coupled nonlinear system of O.D. E’s. Obtained O.D. Es are calculated by help of R–K–F (“Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg”)4th order procedure with shooting technique in MATLAB programming. We noticed that, the skin friction coefficient is more effective in Williamson liquid motion when compared with NFs motion with higher numerical values of stretching ratio parameter, Williamson liquid motion is high when compared to NFs motion for large values of magnetic field. We compared with present results into previous results for various conditions. Finally, in the present result is good invention of previous results.
Conditions for the origin of homochirality in primordial catalytic reaction networks
Authors: Gagnon Jean-Sébastien , Hochberg David
Published: June 2023

We study the generation of homochirality in a general chemical model (based on the homogeneous, fully connected Smoluchowski aggregation-fragmentation model) that obeys thermodynamics and can be easily mapped onto known origin of life models (e.g. autocatalytic sets, hypercycles, etc.), with essential aspects of origin of life modeling taken into consideration. Using a combination of theoretical modeling and numerical simulations, we look for minimal conditions for which our general chemical model exhibits spontaneous mirror symmetry breaking. We show that our model spontaneously breaks mirror symmetry in various catalytic configurations that only involve a small number of catalyzed reactions and nothing else. Of particular importance is that mirror symmetry breaking occurs in our model without the need for single-step autocatalytis or mutual inhibition, which may be of relevance for prebiotic chemistry.
HOXA3 accelerates wound healing in diabetic and aged non-diabetic mammals
Authors: Parella K. , Moody K. , Wortel D. , Colegrove H. , Elser J. A.
Published: June 2023

Chronic wounds are characterized by a persistent, hyper-inflammatory environment that prevents progression to regenerative wound closure. Such chronic wounds are especially common in diabetic patients, often requiring distal limb amputation, but occur in non-diabetic, elderly patients as well. Induced expression of HoxA3, a member of the Homeobox family of body patterning and master regulatory transcription factors, has been shown to accelerate wound closure in diabetic mice when applied topically as a plasmid encased in a hydrogel. We now provide independent replication of those foundational in vivo diabetic wound closure studies, observing 16% faster healing (3.3 mm wounds vs 3.9 mm wounds at Day 9 post original injury of 6 mm diameter) under treatment with observable microscopic benefits. We then expand upon these findings with minimal dose threshold estimation of 1 μg HoxA3 plasmid delivered topically at a weekly interval. Furthermore, we observed similarities in natural wound healing rates between aged non-diabetic mice and young diabetic mice, which provided motivation to test topical HoxA3 plasmid in aged non-diabetic mice. We observed that HoxA3 treatment achieved complete wound closure (0 mm diameter) at 2 weeks whereas untreated wounds were only 50% closed (3 mm wound diameter). We did not observe any gross adverse effects macroscopically or via histology in these short studies. Whether as a plasmid or future alternative modality, topical HoxA3 is an attractive translational candidate for chronic wounds.
Effect of fenestrated sterile drape and face mask on bacterial dispersion toward the periocular area during intravitreal injection
Authors: Phasukkijwatana Nopasak , Jongpipatchai Rawi , Phuksapaisalsilp Peerawoot , Pharkjaksu Sujiraphong , Ngamskulrungroj Popchai , Prakhunhungsit Supalert
Published: June 2023

This experimental crossover study was performed to investigate whether fenestrated surgical drapes (covering the nose and mouth but with an opening over the periorbital area) with or without patients’ surgical face masks increase periorbital bacterial dispersion during simulated intravitreal injection conditions. Each of the 16 healthy volunteers performed 14 scenarios involving different mask and drape conditions in both silent and speaking situations. In each scenario, the subject lay down flat on the back with a blood agar plate being held at the inferior orbital rim perpendicular to the face to capture airflow from breathing/speaking. Another blood agar plate placed 50 cm away from the subject served as an experimental control. A total of 224 experiments were performed. Speaking situations significantly showed more colony forming units (CFUs) compared with their controls (P = 0.014). There were no significant differences in CFUs between wearing vs not wearing the masks (P = 0.887 for speaking and P = 0.219 for silent) and using vs not using the drapes (P = 0.941 for speaking and P = 0.687 for silent). Reusable and disposable drapes were also not significantly different (P = 1.00 for speaking and P = 0.625 for silent). Streptococcus spp., the oropharyngeal microbiota, were only cultivated from speaking scenarios. While refraining from speaking (for both practitioners and patients) is the mainstay of reducing bacterial dispersion and risks of post-injection endophthalmitis, the use of fenestrated surgical drapes or patients’ face masks did not significantly affect the amount of bacterial dispersion toward the periorbital area.
Allometry of the quasi-pipe (qPipe) model for estimating tree leaf area and tree leaf mass applied to plant functional types
Authors: Sumida Akihiro , Inagaki Yoshiyuki , Kajimoto Takuya , Katsuno-Miyaura Masumi , Komiyama Akira , Kurachi Nahoko , Miyaura Tomiyasu , Hasegawa Shigeaki F. , Hara Toshihiko , Ono Kiyomi , Yamada Masahito
Published: June 2023

The allometry of the pipe model quantifies the approximate proportionality between the tree leaf amount and the stem cross-sectional area at the crown base (ACB). It is useful for estimating and modeling carbon fixation abilities of trees but requires climbing the tree and is thus unsuitable for large-scale studies. Here, we adopted a previously proposed allometry (hereafter the quasi-pipe (qPipe) model allometry) formulating the relationship between the tree leaf amount and a surrogate of ACB, ACB_Est, calculated from tree dimensions measurable from the ground. Using published/unpublished data for 962 trees of 159 species collected between tropical rainforests and boreal forests, we established pipe and qPipe model allometries for evergreen-conifer, deciduous-conifer, evergreen-broadleaf, and deciduous-broadleaf plant functional types (PFTs). For the leaf area per tree (LA), allometric lines on a log–log plane were almost identical among the four PFTs in both models, with slopes of ~ 1. For the leaf mass per tree (LM), however, the allometric lines separated among the four PFTs in both models and had slopes greater than 1, indicating that the proportionality assumed in the pipe model held for LA but not LM. The applicability of the qPipe model in estimating the stand-scale leaf amount was further examined.
Thermodynamics, kinetics and isothermal studies of tartrazine adsorption onto microcline/MWCNTs nanocomposite and the regeneration potentials
Authors: Amaku James Friday , Taziwa Raymond
Published: June 2023

The quest for a cheap, effective, and eco-friendly wastewater treatment technique that is free of secondary toxic byproducts, calls for the fabrication of a nature-friendly adsorbent with a robust capacity to decontaminate polluted water sources and be recycled. To this end, we report the fabrication of novel nanocomposite (KMCM) from microcline (KMC) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The adsorbents (KMC and KMCM) were characterized using XRD, BET, SEM, TGA and FTIR. The novel and low-cost nano sorbent were designed for the elimination of tartrazine (Tatz) from wastewater. The adsorption of Tatz onto KMC and KMCM was influenced by adsorbent dose, initial Tatz concentration, contact time and solution pH. Experimental data acquired from the equilibrium studies were well addressed by the Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum uptake capacity of 37.96 mg g−1 and 67.17 mg g−1 were estimated for KMC and KMCM. The kinetics for the adsorption of Tatz onto KMC and KMCM was best expressed by pseudo-second-order and Elovich models. The thermodynamic parameters revealed that the uptake of Tatz onto KMC and KMCM was an endothermic (ΔH: KMC = 35.0 kJ mol−1 and KMCM = 42.91 kJ mol−1), entropy-driven (ΔS: KMC = 177.6 J K−1 mol−1 and KMCM = 214.2 J K−1 mol−1) and spontaneous process. Meanwhile, KMCM demonstrated good reusability potential and superior adsorption efficiency when compared to other adsorbents.
Radiomics for characterization of the glioma immune microenvironment
Authors: Khalili Nastaran , Kazerooni Anahita Fathi , Familiar Ariana , Haldar Debanjan , Kraya Adam , Foster Jessica , Koptyra Mateusz , Storm Phillip B. , Resnick Adam C. , Nabavizadeh Ali
Published: June 2023

Increasing evidence suggests that besides mutational and molecular alterations, the immune component of the tumor microenvironment also substantially impacts tumor behavior and complicates treatment response, particularly to immunotherapies. Although the standard method for characterizing tumor immune profile is through performing integrated genomic analysis on tissue biopsies, the dynamic change in the immune composition of the tumor microenvironment makes this approach not feasible, especially for brain tumors. Radiomics is a rapidly growing field that uses advanced imaging techniques and computational algorithms to extract numerous quantitative features from medical images. Recent advances in machine learning methods are facilitating biological validation of radiomic signatures and allowing them to “mine” for a variety of significant correlates, including genetic, immunologic, and histologic data. Radiomics has the potential to be used as a non-invasive approach to predict the presence and density of immune cells within the microenvironment, as well as to assess the expression of immune-related genes and pathways. This information can be essential for patient stratification, informing treatment decisions and predicting patients’ response to immunotherapies. This is particularly important for tumors with difficult surgical access such as gliomas. In this review, we provide an overview of the glioma microenvironment, describe novel approaches for clustering patients based on their tumor immune profile, and discuss the latest progress on utilization of radiomics for immune profiling of glioma based on current literature.
Fourier synthesis dispersion engineering of photonic crystal microrings for broadband frequency combs
Authors: Moille Grégory , Lu Xiyuan , Stone Jordan , Westly Daron , Srinivasan Kartik
Published: June 2023

Dispersion engineering of microring resonators is crucial for optical frequency comb applications, to achieve targeted bandwidths and powers of individual comb teeth. However, conventional microrings only present two geometric degrees of freedom – width and thickness – which limits the degree to which dispersion can be controlled. We present a technique where we tune individual resonance frequencies for arbitrary dispersion tailoring. Using a photonic crystal microring resonator that induces coupling to both directions of propagation within the ring, we investigate an intuitive design based on Fourier synthesis. Here, the desired photonic crystal spatial profile is obtained through a Fourier relationship with the targeted modal frequency shifts, where each modal shift is determined based on the corresponding effective index modulation of the ring. Experimentally, we demonstrate several distinct dispersion profiles over dozens of modes in transverse magnetic polarization. In contrast, we find that the transverse electric polarization requires a more advanced model that accounts for the discontinuity of the field at the modulated interface. Finally, we present simulations showing arbitrary frequency comb spectral envelope tailoring using our Fourier synthesis approach.
Sustainable Energy
Authors: Chen Zhongwei , Mendes Souza Glaucia , Zhi Chunyi
Published: June 2023

Energy lies at the heart of modern society, with a wealth of chemical ideas and concepts making a vital impact in the search for a sustainable future. Focussing on exceptionally important and state-of-the-art research, books in this series focus on materials, devices and systems in a wide range of sustainable energy topics such as; energy storage/conversion materials and systems, electric vehicles, solar fuels, bioenergy, electrocatalysis and photocatalysis, carbon capture and storage, fuel cells, batteries, supercapacitors and energy grids and networks. Books look towards future trends, capturing new research directions and innovative concepts that are driving developments within the field. Bringing together internationally recognised experts from multiple disciplines, the series will serve as an important reference for the whole community, including chemists, material scientists, engineers and environmental scientists across academia, industry and government.
Differentiability of cell types enhanced by detrending a non-homogeneous pattern in a line-illumination Raman microscope
Authors: Bhuiyan Abdul Halim , Clément Jean-Emmanuel , Ferdous Zannatul , Mochizuki Kentaro , Tabata Koji , Taylor James Nicholas , Kumamoto Yasuaki , Harada Yoshinori , Bocklitz Thomas , Fujita Katsumasa , Komatsuzaki Tamiki
Published: June 2023

A detrending algorithm for high-speed Raman imaging enhances the detection of cancer cells.
Aptasensors with palladium nanoparticle-modified hemin-containing metal–organic frameworks as the signal marker for detection of exosomes
Authors: Li Wei , Wang Huili , Ying Xinxin , Liang Zhen , Li Jianna , Chen Xiangjuan , Su Lei , Zhang Xueji
Published: June 2023

Zr-metal–organic frameworks (Zr-MOFs) have received increasing interest for their use as the signal marker in the development of sandwich-structured aptasensors for the detection of exosomes.
Aqueous green synthesis of organic/inorganic nanohybrids with an unprecedented synergistic mechanism for enhanced near-infrared photothermal performance
Authors: Nie Xiaobo , Yang Xu , Peng Dongdong , Wang Jun , He Suisui , Yu Cui-Yun , Wei Hua
Published: June 2023

Uniform Ag2S@polydopamine (PDA) nanohybrids with well-modulated sizes are produced via integrating dual photothermal moieties, which exhibit synergistically enhanced NIR photothermal properties with calculated combination indexes (CIs) of 0.3–0.7.
Nanocomposite hydrogels for strain sensing based on optical and electrical signals: a review
Authors: Yue Youfeng
Published: June 2023

This minireview summarizes strain sensing functions of nanocomposite hydrogels by focusing on optical and electrical responses. Appropriate embedding of nanostructures or nanomaterials in hydrogels yield improvements in their performances.
Development of multifunctional ionogels derived from a dynamic deep eutectic solvent
Authors: Li Jintao , Zhang Mingzu , He Jinlin , Ni Peihong
Published: June 2023

A multifunctional ionogel is developed and explored as a flexible conductor by combining thermally-initiated ring-opening polymerization of a dynamic deep eutectic solvent (DDES) containing α-lipoic acid as well as multiple dynamic interactions.
A forgotten participant in pore deblocking of zeolites: dicarbonate in NaMeA zeolites, Me = Na, K, Rb, Cs
Authors: Bryukhanov Ilya A. , Rybakov Andrey A. , Larin Alexander V.
Published: June 2023

Similar opening of the 8R window due to K+ drift (dotted arrow) with CO32− (left) or C2O52− (right).