bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
N6-methyladenosine demethylase FTO promotes growth and metastasis of gastric cancer via m6A modification of caveolin-1 and metabolic regulation of mitochondrial dynamics
Authors: Zhou You , Wang Qi , Deng Haifeng , Xu Bin , Zhou Yi , Liu Jian , Liu Yingting , Shi Yufang , Zheng Xiao , Jiang Jingting
Published: January 2022

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common tumor and the third most deadly cancer worldwide. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification has been reported to play a regulatory role in human cancers. However, the exact role of m6A in GC remains largely unknown, and the dysregulation of m6A on mitochondrial metabolism has never been studied. In the present study, we demonstrated that FTO, a key demethylase for RNA m6A modification, was up-regulated in GC tissues, especially in tissues with liver metastasis. Functionally, FTO acted as a promoter for the proliferation and metastasis in GC. Moreover, FTO enhanced the degradation of caveolin-1 mRNA via its demethylation, which regulated the mitochondrial fission/fusion and metabolism. Collectively, our current findings provided some valuable insights into FTO-mediated m6A demethylation modification and could be used as a new strategy for more careful surveillance and aggressive therapeutic intervention.
Estrogen receptor beta promotes lung cancer invasion via increasing CXCR4 expression
Authors: Liu Shiqing , Hu Chengping , Li Min , An Jian , Zhou Wolong , Guo Jia , Xiao Yao
Published: January 2022

Lung cancer is one of the most lethal malignant tumors in the world. The high recurrence and mortality rate make it urgent for scientists and clinicians to find new targets for better treatment of lung cancer. Early studies indicated that estrogen receptor β (ERβ) might impact the progression of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the detailed mechanisms, especially its linkage to the CXCR4-mediated cell invasion, remain unclear. Here we found that ERβ could promote NSCLC cell invasion via increasing the circular RNA (circRNA), circ-TMX4, expression via directly binding to the 5′ promoter region of its host gene TMX4. ERβ-promoted circ-TMX4 could then sponge and inhibit the micro RNA (miRNA, miR), miR-622, expression, which can then result in increasing the CXCR4 messenger RNA translation via a reduced miRNA binding to its 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR). The preclinical study using an in vivo mouse model with orthotopic xenografts of NSCLC cells confirmed the in vitro data, and the human NSCLC database analysis and tissue staining also confirmed the linkage of ERβ/miR-622/CXCR4 signaling to the NSCLC progression. Together, our findings suggest that ERβ can promote NSCLC cell invasion via altering the ERβ/circ-TMX4/miR-622/CXCR4 signaling, and targeting this newly circ-TMX4/miR-622/CXCR4 signaling may help us find new treatment strategies to better suppress NSCLC progression.
RNA binding protein NKAP protects glioblastoma cells from ferroptosis by promoting SLC7A11 mRNA splicing in an m6A-dependent manner
Authors: Sun Shicheng , Gao Taihong , Pang Bo , Su Xiangsheng , Guo Changfa , Zhang Rui , Pang Qi
Published: January 2022

Ferroptosis is a form of cell death characterized by lipid peroxidation. Previous studies have reported that knockout of NF-κB activating protein (NKAP), an RNA-binding protein, increased lipid peroxidation level in naive T cells and induced cell death in colon cancer cells. However, there was no literature reported the relationship between NKAP and ferroptosis in glioblastoma cells. Notably, the mechanism of NKAP modulating ferroptosis is still unknown. Here, we found NKAP knockdown induced cell death in glioblastoma cells. Silencing NKAP increased the cell sensitivity to ferroptosis inducers both in vitro and in vivo. Exogenous overexpression of NKAP promoted cell resistance to ferroptosis inducers by positively regulating a ferroptosis defense protein, namely cystine/glutamate antiporter (SLC7A11). The regulation of SLC7A11 by NKAP can be weakened by the m6A methylation inhibitor cycloleucine and knockdown of the m6A writer METTL3. NKAP combined the “RGAC” motif which was exactly in line with the m6A motif “RGACH” (R = A/G, H = A/U/C) uncovered by the m6A-sequence. RNA Immunoprecipitation (RIP) and Co-Immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) proved the interaction between NKAP and m6A on SLC7A11 transcript. Following its binding to m6A, NKAP recruited the splicing factor proline and glutamine-rich (SFPQ) to recognize the splice site and then conducted transcription termination site (TTS) splicing event on SLC7A11 transcript and the retention of the last exon, screened by RNA-sequence and Mass Spectrometry (MS). In conclusion, NKAP acted as a new ferroptosis suppressor by binding to m6A and then promoting SLC7A11 mRNA splicing and maturation.
3D micromesh-based hybrid bioprinting: multidimensional liquid patterning for 3D microtissue engineering
Authors: Lee Byungjun , Kim Suryong , Ko Jihoon , Lee Seung-Ryeol , Kim Youngtaek , Park Seonghyuk , Kim Jiho , Hyung Sujin , Kim Ho-Young , Jeon Noo Li
Published: January 2022

Bioprinting has been widely used to fabricate tissue engineering scaffolds and develop in vitro tissue/tumor models. Bioprinting has enabled the fabrication of complex 3D structures using different polymers and hydrogels. However, relatively low resolution and long fabrication times due to the extrusion process has resulted in limited practices for cell-based applications. Here, we present a 3D hybrid-micromesh assisted bioprinting (Hy-MAP) method that combines digital light projection (DLP) 3D-printed micromesh scaffold structures and sequential hydrogel patterning. This novel method of bioprinting enables rapid cell coculture through the allowance of various methods, including injection, dipping and draining. This approach enables the construction of mesoscale (1-50 mm) complex 3D hydrogel structures by extending the micropost-based patterning that has been demonstrated in 2D microfluidic channels to 3D channel networks. We established the design rules for Hy-MAP through both analytical and experimental investigations of the capillary bursting pressure (CBP) dependence on the size and geometry of the mesh as well as other physical parameters. Vascularized tumor spheroids were formed with Hy-MAP by culturing endothelial cells, stromal cell mixtures and tumor spheroids inside separate but adjacent compartments. The novel approach described in this work will provide an alternative method for fabricating mesoscale implantable tissue engineering constructs and organ-on-a-chip applications.
Emerging spin–phonon coupling through cross-talk of two magnetic sublattices
Authors: Weber Mads C. , Guennou Mael , Evans Donald M. , Toulouse Constance , Simonov Arkadiy , Kholina Yevheniia , Ma Xiaoxuan , Ren Wei , Cao Shixun , Carpenter Michael A. , Dkhil Brahim , Fiebig Manfred , Kreisel Jens
Published: January 2022

Many material properties such as superconductivity, magnetoresistance or magnetoelectricity emerge from the non-linear interactions of spins and lattice/phonons. Hence, an in-depth understanding of spin–phonon coupling is at the heart of these properties. While most examples deal with one magnetic lattice only, the simultaneous presence of multiple magnetic orderings yield potentially unknown properties. We demonstrate a strong spin–phonon coupling in SmFeO3 that emerges from the interaction of both, iron and samarium spins. We probe this coupling as a remarkably large shift of phonon frequencies and the appearance of new phonons. The spin–phonon coupling is absent for the magnetic ordering of iron alone but emerges with the additional ordering of the samarium spins. Intriguingly, this ordering is not spontaneous but induced by the iron magnetism. Our findings show an emergent phenomenon from the non-linear interaction by multiple orders, which do not need to occur spontaneously. This allows for a conceptually different approach in the search for yet unknown properties.
Self-assembly and photoinduced fabrication of conductive nanographene wires on boron nitride
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxi , Gärisch Fabian , Chen Zongping , Hu Yunbin , Wang Zishu , Wang Yan , Xie Liming , Chen Jianing , Li Juan , Barth Johannes V. , Narita Akimitsu , List-Kratochvil Emil , Müllen Klaus , Palma Carlos-Andres
Published: January 2022

Manufacturing molecule-based functional elements directly at device interfaces is a frontier in bottom-up materials engineering. A longstanding challenge in the field is the covalent stabilization of pre-assembled molecular architectures to afford nanodevice components. Here, we employ the controlled supramolecular self-assembly of anthracene derivatives on a hexagonal boron nitride sheet, to generate nanographene wires through photo-crosslinking and thermal annealing. Specifically, we demonstrate µm-long nanowires with an average width of 200 nm, electrical conductivities of 106 S m−1 and breakdown current densities of 1011 A m−2. Joint experiments and simulations reveal that hierarchical self-assembly promotes their formation and functional properties. Our approach demonstrates the feasibility of combined bottom-up supramolecular templating and top-down manufacturing protocols for graphene nanomaterials and interconnects, towards integrated carbon nanodevices.
Tissue-specific multi-omics analysis of atrial fibrillation
Authors: Assum Ines , Krause Julia , Scheinhardt Markus O. , Müller Christian , Hammer Elke , Börschel Christin S. , Völker Uwe , Conradi Lenard , Geelhoed Bastiaan , Zeller Tanja , Schnabel Renate B. , Heinig Matthias
Published: January 2022

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for atrial fibrillation (AF) have uncovered numerous disease-associated variants. Their underlying molecular mechanisms, especially consequences for mRNA and protein expression remain largely elusive. Thus, refined multi-omics approaches are needed for deciphering the underlying molecular networks. Here, we integrate genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics of human atrial tissue in a cross-sectional study to identify widespread effects of genetic variants on both transcript (cis-eQTL) and protein (cis-pQTL) abundance. We further establish a novel targeted trans-QTL approach based on polygenic risk scores to determine candidates for AF core genes. Using this approach, we identify two trans-eQTLs and five trans-pQTLs for AF GWAS hits, and elucidate the role of the transcription factor NKX2-5 as a link between the GWAS SNP rs9481842 and AF. Altogether, we present an integrative multi-omics method to uncover trans-acting networks in small datasets and provide a rich resource of atrial tissue-specific regulatory variants for transcript and protein levels for cardiovascular disease gene prioritization.
Adenosine receptor 2a agonists target mouse CD11c+T-bet+ B cells in infection and autoimmunity
Authors: Levack Russell C. , Newell Krista L. , Cabrera-Martinez Berenice , Cox Justin , Perl Andras , Bastacky Sheldon I. , Winslow Gary M.
Published: January 2022

CD11c+T-bet+ B cells are recognized as an important component of humoral immunity and autoimmunity. These cells can be distinguished from other B cells by their higher expression of the adenosine receptor 2a. Here we address whether A2A receptor activation can affect CD11c+T-bet+ B cells. We show that administration of the A2A receptor agonist CGS-21680 depletes established CD11c+T-bet+ B cells in ehrlichial-infected mice, in a B cell-intrinsic manner. Agonist treatment similarly depletes CD11c+T-bet+ B cells and CD138+ B cells and reduces anti-nuclear antibodies in lupus-prone mice. Agonist treatment is also associated with reduced kidney pathology and lymphadenopathy. Moreover, A2A receptor stimulation depletes pathogenic lymphocytes and ameliorates disease even after disease onset, highlighting the therapeutic potential of this treatment. This study suggests that targeting the adenosine signaling pathway may provide a method for the treatment of lupus and other autoimmune diseases mediated by T-bet+ B cells.
f-electron hybridised Fermi surface in magnetic field-induced metallic YbB12
Authors: Liu H. , Hickey A. J. , Hartstein M. , Davies A. J. , Eaton A. G. , Elvin T. , Polyakov E. , Vu T. H. , Wichitwechkarn V. , Förster T. , Wosnitza J. , Murphy T. P. , Shitsevalova N. , Johannes M. D. , Hatnean M. Ciomaga , Balakrishnan G. , Lonzarich G. G. , Sebastian Suchitra E.
Published: January 2022

The nature of the Fermi surface observed in the recently discovered family of unconventional insulators starting with SmB6 is a subject of intense inquiry. Here we shed light on this question by accessing quantum oscillations in the high magnetic field-induced metallic regime above ≈47 T in YbB12, which we compare with the unconventional insulating regime. In the field-induced metallic regime, we find prominent quantum oscillations in the electrical resistivity characterised by multiple frequencies and heavy effective masses. The close similarity in Lifshitz-Kosevich low-temperature growth of quantum oscillation amplitude in insulating YbB12 to field-induced metallic YbB12, points to an origin of quantum oscillations in insulating YbB12 from in-gap neutral low energy excitations. Higher frequency Fermi surface sheets of heavy quasiparticle effective mass emerge in the field-induced metallic regime of YbB12 in addition to multiple heavy Fermi surface sheets observed in both insulating and metallic regimes. f-electron hybridisation is thus observed to persist from the unconventional insulating to the field-induced metallic regime of YbB12, in contrast to the unhybridised conduction electron Fermi surface observed in unconventional insulating SmB6. Our findings thus require an alternative model for YbB12, of neutral in-gap low energy excitations, wherein the f-electron hybridisation is retained.
Identification of differentially methylated genes in first-trimester placentas with trisomy 16
Authors: Tolmacheva Ekaterina N. , Vasilyev Stanislav A. , Nikitina Tatiana V. , Lytkina Ekaterina S. , Sazhenova Elena A. , Zhigalina Daria I. , Vasilyeva Oksana Yu. , Markov Anton V. , Demeneva Victoria V. , Tashireva Liubov A. , Kashevarova Anna A. , Lebedev Igor N.
Published: January 2022

The presence of an extra chromosome in the embryo karyotype often dramatically affects the fate of pregnancy. Trisomy 16 is the most common aneuploidy in first-trimester miscarriages. The present study identified changes in DNA methylation in chorionic villi of miscarriages with trisomy 16. Ninety-seven differentially methylated sites in 91 genes were identified (false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05 and Δβ > 0.15) using DNA methylation arrays. Most of the differentially methylated genes encoded secreted proteins, signaling peptides, and receptors with disulfide bonds. Subsequent analysis using targeted bisulfite massive parallel sequencing showed hypermethylation of the promoters of specific genes in miscarriages with trisomy 16 but not miscarriages with other aneuploidies. Some of the genes were responsible for the development of the placenta and embryo (GATA3-AS1, TRPV6, SCL13A4, and CALCB) and the formation of the mitotic spindle (ANKRD53). Hypermethylation of GATA3-AS1 was associated with reduced expression of GATA3 protein in chorionic villi of miscarriages with trisomy 16. Aberrant hypermethylation of genes may lead to a decrease in expression, impaired trophoblast differentiation and invasion, mitotic disorders, chromosomal mosaicism and karyotype self-correction via trisomy rescue mechanisms.
Unique high Arctic methane metabolizing community revealed through in situ 13CH4-DNA-SIP enrichment in concert with genome binning
Authors: Altshuler Ianina , Raymond-Bouchard Isabelle , Magnuson Elisse , Tremblay Julien , Greer Charles W. , Whyte Lyle G.
Published: January 2022

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Arctic permafrost soils create a positive feedback loop of climate warming and further GHG emissions. Active methane uptake in these soils can reduce the impact of GHG on future Arctic warming potential. Aerobic methane oxidizers are thought to be responsible for this apparent methane sink, though Arctic representatives of these organisms have resisted culturing efforts. Here, we first used in situ gas flux measurements and qPCR to identify relative methane sink hotspots at a high Arctic cytosol site, we then labeled the active microbiome in situ using DNA Stable Isotope Probing (SIP) with heavy13CH4(at 100 ppm and 1000 ppm). This was followed by amplicon and metagenome sequencing to identify active organisms involved in CH4metabolism in these high Arctic cryosols. Sequencing of13C-labeledpmoAgenes demonstrated that type II methanotrophs (Methylocapsa) were overall the dominant active methane oxidizers in these mineral cryosols, while type I methanotrophs (Methylomarinovum) were only detected in the 100 ppm SIP treatment. From the SIP-13C-labeled DNA, we retrieved nine high to intermediate quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) belonging to theProteobacteria,Gemmatimonadetes, andChloroflexi, with three of these MAGs containing genes associated with methanotrophy. A novelChloroflexiMAG contained ammoXgene along with other methane oxidation pathway genes, identifying it as a potential uncultured methane oxidizer. This MAG also contained genes for copper import, synthesis of biopolymers, mercury detoxification, and ammonia uptake, indicating that this bacterium is strongly adapted to conditions in active layer permafrost and providing new insights into methane biogeochemical cycling. In addition,BetaproteobacterialMAGs were also identified as potential cross-feeders with methanotrophs in these Arctic cryosols. Overall, in situ SIP labeling combined with metagenomics and genome binning demonstrated to be a useful tool for discovering and characterizing novel organisms related to specific microbial functions or biogeochemical cycles of interest. Our findings reveal a unique and active Arctic cryosol microbial community potentially involved in CH4cycling.
SPHARM-PDM based image preprocessing pipeline for quantitative morphometric analysis (QMA) for in situ joint assessment in rabbit and rat models
Authors: Durongbhan Pholpat , Davey Catherine E. , Stok Kathryn S.
Published: January 2022

The accessibility of quantitative measurements of joint morphometry depends on appropriate tibial alignment and volume of interest (VOI) selection of joint compartments; often a challenging and time-consuming manual task. In this work, we developed a novel automatic, efficient, and model-invariant image preprocessing pipeline that allows for highly reproducible 3D quantitative morphometric analysis (QMA) of the joint. The pipeline addresses the problem by deploying two modules: an alignment module and a subdivision module. Alignment is achieved by representing the tibia in its basic form using lower degree spherical harmonic basis functions and aligning using principal component analysis. The second module subdivides the joint into lateral and medial VOIs via a watershedding approach based on persistence homology. Multiple repeated micro-computed tomography scans of small (rat) and medium (rabbit) animal knees were processed using the pipeline to demonstrate model invariance. Existing QMA was performed to evaluate the pipeline’s ability to generate reproducible measurements. Intraclass correlation coefficient and mean-normalised root-mean-squared error of more than 0.75 and lower than 9.5%, respectively, were achieved for joint centre of mass, joint contact area under virtual loading, joint space width, and joint space volume. Processing time and technical requirements were reduced compared to manual processing in previous studies.
Assessing the potential of native ecotypes of Poa pratensis L. for forage yield and phytochemical compositions under water deficit conditions
Authors: Shariatipour Nikwan , Heidari Bahram , Shams Zahra , Richards Christopher
Published: January 2022

Evaluation of forage yield and antioxidant activity in Poa pratensis with high quality and good spring green-up forage might help variety improvement for use under water deficit condition. Germplasm and phenotypic diversity evaluations lay a foundation for genotype selection and improvement of varieties for drought tolerance in P. pratensis. The present study was conducted to assess the genetic potential of a collection of P. pratensis accessions for drought stress and to identify the association between polyphenol compounds and forage yield traits. Vegetative clone samples of 100 accessions collected from a diverse geographical area of Iran were clonally propagated in a greenhouse and evaluated in the field under two moisture regimes (non-stress and drought stress) in 2018 and 2019. Drought stress had negative effects on fresh and dry forage yields and reduced phenotypic variances. On average, drought stress reduced fresh and dry forage yields by 45% and 28%, respectively. The results of Mantel test showed no significant correlation between forage yield traits and geographical distances. Genetic coefficients of variation for forage yield and most of the phytochemicals were lower under drought stress, suggesting that deficit irrigation may reduce genetic variation for the tested traits. The estimates of heritability were higher under non-stress conditions than under drought stress treatment for forage yield traits and few polyphenols. However, the majority of polyphenol compounds had higher heritability than forage yield traits under drought stress, which suggests the potential for indirect selection. The ‘Ciakhor’, ‘Damavand’, ‘Karvandan’, ‘Abrumand’, and ‘Abr2’ accessions had high quantities for polyphenols and yield traits under both moisture regimes. These accessions are promising candidates for use in variety crossing programs and for developing high-yielding varieties under water-deficit conditions.
Performance comparison of different classification algorithms applied to the diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia in paediatric subjects
Authors: Albuquerque João , Medeiros Ana Margarida , Alves Ana Catarina , Bourbon Mafalda , Antunes Marília
Published: January 2022

Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited disorder of lipid metabolism, characterized by increased low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) levels. The main purpose of the current work was to explore alternative classification methods to traditional clinical criteria for FH diagnosis, based on several biochemical and biological indicators. Logistic regression (LR), decision tree (DT), random forest (RF) and naive Bayes (NB) algorithms were developed for this purpose, and thresholds were optimized by maximization of Youden index (YI). All models presented similar accuracy (Acc), specificity (Spec) and positive predictive values (PPV). Sensitivity (Sens) and G-mean values were significantly higher in LR and RF models, compared to the DT. When compared to Simon Broome (SB) biochemical criteria for FH diagnosis, all models presented significantly higher Acc, Spec and G-mean values (p < 0.01), and lower negative predictive value (NPV, p < 0.05). Moreover, LR and RF models presented comparable Sens values. Adjustment of the cut-off point by maximizing YI significantly increased Sens values, with no significant loss in Acc. The obtained results suggest such classification algorithms can be a viable alternative to be used as a widespread screening method. An online application has been developed to assess the performance of the LR model in a wider population.
Posterior segment findings by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and clinical associations in active toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis
Authors: Oliver Genevieve F. , Ferreira Lisia Barros , Vieira Barbara R. , Arruda Sigrid , Araújo Michelle , Carr Jillian M. , Smith Justine R. , Furtado João M.
Published: January 2022

Toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis is a common, potentially blinding parasitic infection. We sought to define the spectrum and frequency of signs of active toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and to identify clinical associations. Ninety eyes of 90 individuals presenting consecutively to a tertiary referral uveitis service with active toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis and gradable SD-OCT scans were evaluated prospectively. SD-OCT features were collated, and associations with lesion location, primary versus recurrent episode, serological status, human immunodeficiency virus infection and best-corrected Snellen visual acuity were explored. Active toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis presented with thickened (65%) and hyperreflective (61%) retina, choroidal thickening (55%) and hyporeflectivity (61%), hyperreflective vitreous dots (80%) and deposits (36%), and posterior hyaloid thickening (35%) on SD-OCT. Most signs occurred with similar frequency across clinical groups. Retinal hyporeflectivity (17%) was significantly associated with a visual acuity of 20/200 or worse at resolution. Our observations demonstrate that active toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis has diverse SD-OCT signs and that none are universally present. Retinal hyporeflectivity—suggesting liquefactive necrosis—predicts poor visual outcome.
Context is key: normalization as a novel approach to sport specific preprocessing of KPI’s for match analysis in soccer
Authors: Phatak Ashwin A. , Mehta Saumya , Wieland Franz-Georg , Jamil Mikael , Connor Mark , Bassek Manuel , Memmert Daniel
Published: January 2022

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) have been investigated, validated and applied in multitude of sports for recruiting, coaching, opponent, self-analysis etc. Although a wide variety of in game performance indicators have been used as KPIs, they lack sports specific context. With the introduction of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) in sports, the need for building intrinsic context into the independent variables is even greater as AI/ML models seem to perform better in terms of predictability but lack interpretability. The study proposes domain specific feature preprocessing method (normalization) that can be utilized across a wide range of sports and demonstrates its value through a specific data transformation by using team possession as a normalizing factor while analyzing defensive performance in soccer. The study performed two linear regressions and three gradient boosting machine models to demonstrate the value of normalization while predicting defensive performance. The results demonstrate that the direction of correlation of the relevant variables changes post normalization while predicting defensive performance of teams for the whole season. Both raw and normalized KPIs showing significant correlation with defensive performance (p < 0.001). The addition of the normalized variables contributes towards higher information gain, improved performance and increased interpretability of the models.
The impact of returning a pet to the shelter on future animal adoptions
Authors: Powell Lauren , Reinhard Chelsea L. , Satriale Donya , Morris Margaret , Serpell James , Watson Brittany
Published: January 2022

Unsuccessful animal adoptions are stressful for many owners and may reduce their willingness to adopt again. The goal of this study was to determine the proportion of return owners who adopted post-return and investigate return characteristics that affected the likelihood of post-return adoption. We analyzed adoption records from a South Carolina animal shelter between 2015 and 2019 (n = 1999) using a logistic regression model including post-return adoption (binary) and return reason, species, animal sex and age. We found one in 10 individuals adopted from the shelter within 12 months of return, and post-return adoption was associated with return reason and species. Returns due to owner-related reasons, such as the owner’s health (OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.07, 0.57) or unrealistic expectations (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.19, 0.94) were associated with significantly lower odds of post-return adoption. Owners who returned due to the animal’s health exhibited four times greater odds of post-return adoption compared with behavioral returns (OR 4.20, 95% CI 2.37, 7.45). Our findings highlight the value of ensuring adopters’ expectations are aligned with the reality of ownership and minimizing adopter-animal behavioral incompatibility as unsuccessful animal adoptions can reduce the owner’s willingness to adopt again and may affect the adopter’s relationship with the shelter.
Simulator acceleration and inverse design of fin field-effect transistors using machine learning
Authors: Kim Insoo , Park So Jeong , Jeong Changwook , Shim Munbo , Kim Dae Sin , Kim Gyu-Tae , Seok Junhee
Published: January 2022

The simulation and design of electronic devices such as transistors is vital for the semiconductor industry. Conventionally, a device is intuitively designed and simulated using model equations, which is a time-consuming and expensive process. However, recent machine learning approaches provide an unprecedented opportunity to improve these tasks by training the underlying relationships between the device design and the specifications derived from the extensively accumulated simulation data. This study implements various machine learning approaches for the simulation acceleration and inverse-design problems of fin field-effect transistors. In comparison to traditional simulators, the proposed neural network model demonstrated almost equivalent results (R2 = 0.99) and was more than 122,000 times faster in simulation. Moreover, the proposed inverse-design model successfully generated design parameters that satisfied the desired target specifications with high accuracies (R2 = 0.96). Overall, the results demonstrated that the proposed machine learning models aided in achieving efficient solutions for the simulation and design problems pertaining to electronic devices. Thus, the proposed approach can be further extended to more complex devices and other vital processes in the semiconductor industry.
An explainable machine learning-based clinical decision support system for prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Du Yuhan , Rafferty Anthony R. , McAuliffe Fionnuala M. , Wei Lan , Mooney Catherine
Published: January 2022

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM), a common pregnancy complication associated with many maternal and neonatal consequences, is increased in mothers with overweight and obesity. Interventions initiated early in pregnancy can reduce the rate of GDM in these women, however, untargeted interventions can be costly and time-consuming. We have developed an explainable machine learning-based clinical decision support system (CDSS) to identify at-risk women in need of targeted pregnancy intervention. Maternal characteristics and blood biomarkers at baseline from the PEARS study were used. After appropriate data preparation, synthetic minority oversampling technique and feature selection, five machine learning algorithms were applied with five-fold cross-validated grid search optimising the balanced accuracy. Our models were explained with Shapley additive explanations to increase the trustworthiness and acceptability of the system. We developed multiple models for different use cases: theoretical (AUC-PR 0.485, AUC-ROC 0.792), GDM screening during a normal antenatal visit (AUC-PR 0.208, AUC-ROC 0.659), and remote GDM risk assessment (AUC-PR 0.199, AUC-ROC 0.656). Our models have been implemented as a web server that is publicly available for academic use. Our explainable CDSS demonstrates the potential to assist clinicians in screening at risk patients who may benefit from early pregnancy GDM prevention strategies.
Heat sensitivity of first host and cercariae may restrict parasite transmission in a warming sea
Authors: Díaz-Morales Dakeishla M. , Bommarito Claudia , Vajedsamiei Jahangir , Grabner Daniel S. , Rilov Gil , Wahl Martin , Sures Bernd
Published: January 2022

To predict global warming impacts on parasitism, we should describe the thermal tolerance of all players in host–parasite systems. Complex life-cycle parasites such as trematodes are of particular interest since they can drive complex ecological changes. This study evaluates the net response to temperature of the infective larval stage of Himasthla elongata, a parasite inhabiting the southwestern Baltic Sea. The thermal sensitivity of (i) the infected and uninfected first intermediate host (Littorina littorea) and (ii) the cercarial emergence, survival, self-propelling, encystment, and infection capacity to the second intermediate host (Mytilus edulis sensu lato) were examined. We found that infection by the trematode rendered the gastropod more susceptible to elevated temperatures representing warm summer events in the region. At 22 °C, cercarial emergence and infectivity were at their optimum while cercarial survival was shortened, narrowing the time window for successful mussel infection. Faster out-of-host encystment occurred at increasing temperatures. After correcting the cercarial emergence and infectivity for the temperature-specific gastropod survival, we found that warming induces net adverse effects on the trematode transmission to the bivalve host. The findings suggest that gastropod and cercariae mortality, as a tradeoff for the emergence and infectivity, will hamper the possibility for trematodes to flourish in a warming ocean.
Matrix enrichment by black phosphorus improves ionization and reproducibility of mass spectrometry of intact cells, peptides, and amino acids
Authors: Mandal Govinda , Moráň Lukáš , Pečinka Lukáš , Vaňhara Petr , Havel Josef
Published: January 2022

Intact (whole) cell matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is an established method for biotyping in clinical microbiology as well as for revealing phenotypic shifts in cultured eukaryotic cells. Intact cell MALDI-TOF MS has recently been introduced as a quality control tool for long-term cultures of pluripotent stem cells. Despite the potential this method holds for revealing minute changes in cells, there is still a need for improving the ionization efficiency or peak reproducibility. Here we report for the first time that supplementation by fine particles of black phosphorus to the standard MALDI matrices, such as sinapinic and α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acids enhance intensities of mass spectra of particular amino acids and peptides, presumably by interactions with aromatic groups within the molecules. In addition, the particles of black phosphorus induce the formation of small and regularly dispersed crystals of sinapinic acid and α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid with the analyte on a steel MALDI target plate. Patterns of mass spectra recorded from intact cells using black phosphorus-enriched matrix were more reproducible and contained peaks of higher intensities when compared to matrix without black phosphorus supplementation. In summary, enrichment of common organic matrices by black phosphorus can improve discrimination data analysis by enhancing peak intensity and reproducibility of mass spectra acquired from intact cells.
Stability of hypothetical AgIICl2 polymorphs under high pressure, revisited: a computational study
Authors: Grzelak Adam , Grochala Wojciech
Published: January 2022

A comparative computational study of stability of candidate structures for an as-yet unknown silver dichloride AgCl2 is presented. It is found that all considered candidates have a negative enthalpy of formation, but are unstable towards charge transfer and decomposition into silver(I) chloride and chlorine within the DFT and hybrid-DFT approaches in the entire studied pressure range. Within SCAN approach, several of the “true” AgIICl2 polymorphs (i.e. containing Ag(II) species) exhibit a region of stability below ca. 20 GPa. However, their stability with respect to aforementioned decomposition decreases with pressure by account of all three DFT methods, which suggests a limited possibility of high-pressure synthesis of AgCl2. Some common patterns in pressure-induced structural transitions observed in the studied systems also emerge, which further testify to an instability of hypothetical AgCl2 towards charge transfer and phase separation.
An autonomous TCR signal-sensing switch influences CD4/CD8 lineage choice in mice
Authors: Basu Jayati , Zha Jikun , Nicolas Emmanuelle , Coulton Michael , Czyzewicz Philip , Hua Xiang , Ge Lu , Kappes Dietmar J.
Published: January 2022

How multipotential cells initiate distinct gene expression programs in response to external cues to instruct cell fate choice remains a fundamental question in biology. Establishment of CD4 and CD8 T cell fates during thymocyte development is critically regulated by T cell receptor (TCR) signals, which in turn control expression of the CD4-determining transcription factor ThPOK. However, the mechanism whereby differential TCR signals are molecularly interpreted to promote or antagonize ThPOK expression, and thereby CD4 versus CD8 lineage fates remains unknown. Here we show, using reverse genetic and molecular approaches that an autonomous, position-independent TCR-sensing switch is embedded within the ThPOK locus. Further, using an in vivo mutagenesis approach, we demonstrate that differential TCR signals are interpreted during lineage commitment by relative binding of EGR, NFAT and Ebox factors to this bistable switch. Collectively our study reveals the central molecular mechanism whereby TCR signaling influences differential lineage choice. Ultimately, these findings may provide an important new tool for skewing T cell fate to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Ensemble of coupling forms and networks among brain rhythms as function of states and cognition
Authors: Chen Bolun , Ciria Luis F. , Hu Congtai , Ivanov Plamen Ch.
Published: January 2022

The current paradigm in brain research focuses on individual brain rhythms, their spatiotemporal organization, and specific pairwise interactions in association with physiological states, cognitive functions, and pathological conditions. Here we propose a conceptually different approach to understanding physiologic function as emerging behavior from communications among distinct brain rhythms. We hypothesize that all brain rhythms coordinate as a network to generate states and facilitate functions. We analyze healthy subjects during rest, exercise, and cognitive tasks and show that synchronous modulation in the micro-architecture of brain rhythms mediates their cross-communications. We discover that brain rhythms interact through an ensemble of coupling forms, universally observed across cortical areas, uniquely defining each physiological state. We demonstrate that a dynamic network regulates the collective behavior of brain rhythms and that network topology and links strength hierarchically reorganize with transitions across states, indicating that brain-rhythm interactions play an essential role in generating physiological states and cognition.
Implementation of a conductivity cell electrode as an ion chromatography detector
Authors: Kozaki Daisuke , Tanihata Souma , Sago Yuki , Fujiwara Taku , Mori Masanobu , Yamamoto Atushi
Published: January 2022

This technical note illustrates the possibility of using a conductivity cell electrode (CCE) as an ion chromatography (IC) detector to extend the application fields of this analytical technique.
An origami paper-based analytical device for rapid detection of testosterone in healthcare food
Authors: Li Xiuping , Su Yan , Li Xiaona , Liu Meng
Published: January 2022

An integrated origami paper-based analytical device (oPAD) based on competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for testosterone (TES) detection.
Synthesis of highly active carbon-encapsulated Ni2P catalysts by one-step pyrolysis–phosphidation for hydrodeoxygenation of phenolic compounds
Authors: Wang Shuai , Jiang Nan , Zhu Tianhan , Zhang Qiang , Zhang Chunlei , Wang Huan , Chen Yanguang , Li Feng , Song Hua
Published: January 2022

The deoxygenation selectivity over Ni2P@C(x) was enhanced 22.8 times as compared to the Ni@C catalyst due to addition of P species.
Cognitive improvement effect of nervonic acid and essential fatty acids on rats ingestingAcer truncatum Bungeseed oil revealed by lipidomics approach
Authors: Song Wangting , Zhang Ke , Xue Teng , Han Jiarui , Peng Fangda , Ding Chunguang , Lin Feng , Li Jiujun , Sze Fat Tin Agassi , Gan Jianwen , Chen Xianyang
Published: January 2022

Lipid profiling reveals that the synergistic effects of nervonic acid and other essential fatty acids and their conversion into each other may contribute to enhanced cognition in rats ingestingAcer truncatum Bungeseed oil.
Cryptochlorogenic acid and its metabolites ameliorate myocardial hypertrophy through a HIF1α-related pathway
Authors: Li Jie , Chen Xiaohe , Li Xiang , Tang Jiayang , Li Yan , Liu Bin , Guo Shuzhen
Published: January 2022

Cryptochlorogenic acid (4-CQA) is a member of the phenolic acid family. Thus, exploring the mechanism of 4-CQA against myocardial hypertrophy would be helpful in applying this dietary phenolic compound as a functional food.
Facet-dependent carrier dynamics of cuprous oxide regulating the photocatalytic hydrogen generation
Authors: Toe Cui Ying , Lamers Marlene , Dittrich Thomas , Tahini Hassan A. , Smith Sean C. , Scott Jason , Amal Rose , van de Krol Roel , Abdi Fatwa F. , Ng Yun Hau
Published: January 2022

The photoactivity of rhombic dodecahedral Cu2O with dominant {110} facets is superior to that of cubic Cu2O with {100} surfaces partly owing to the improved charge separation and carrier mobility.
Size-dependent flame retardancy of black phosphorus nanosheets
Authors: Duan Zunbin , Wang Yanfang , Bian Shi , Liu Danni , Zhang Yanli , Zhang Xue , He Rui , Wang Jiahong , Qu Guangbo , Chu Paul K. , Yu Xue-Feng
Published: January 2022

The uniformly dispersed black phosphorus nanosheets with an appropriate size in the epoxy resin improve flame retardancy.
Multi-tunable aggregation behaviors of thermo/pH-responsive toothbrush-like and jellyfish-like copolymers
Authors: Li Siyu , Liu Peng , Wang Zhigang , Lian Lu , Zhao Youliang
Published: January 2022

Rational design of comb-like and linear conjugates comprising PNIPAM and PDMAEMA segments allows the construction of a multi-tunable hierarchical self-assembly platform and insight into the topology effect.
Computational design of next generation atom transfer radical polymerization ligands
Authors: Stewart Madeleine , Yu Li-Juan , Sherburn Michael S. , Coote Michelle L.
Published: January 2022

Computational studies show that the activity of ATRP catalysts can be dramatically improved using quinuclidine bridgehead ligands.
NS3 helicase inhibitory potential of the marine sponge Spongia irregularis
Authors: Abdelaleem Enas Reda , Samy Mamdouh Nabil , Ali Taha F. S. , Mustafa Muhamad , Ibrahim Mahmoud A. A. , Bringmann Gerhard , Ahmed Safwat A. , Abdelmohsen Usama Ramadan , Desoukey Samar Yehia
Published: January 2022

Our study discusses the anti-HCV activity of Spongia irregularis. The results revealed that the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the highest anti-HCV activity and Nakijiquinone F is the most likely anti-HCV candidate among the screened compounds.
Two-step strategy, growth mechanism and optical properties of plasmonic Ag-modified ZnO nanomaterials
Authors: Wang Li-Yuan , Wang Meng-Qi , Yao Cheng-Bao , Yin Hai-Tao , Liu Xiao-Jie , Shi Bing-Yin
Published: January 2022

The plasmonic AZO nanomaterials in a two-step-controlled manner to investigate the effect of compounding different contents of Ag on the linear optical aspects of ZnO materials.
Modification strategies of heterogeneous catalysts for water–gas shift reactions
Authors: Gao Xingyuan , Lin Xinyi , Xie Xiangjuan , Li Jinyu , Wu Xinyi , Li Yuyan , Kawi Sibudjing
Published: January 2022

1. Overview of the reaction mechanism, thermodynamics and kinetics of WGSR. 2. In-depth discussion of the modification strategies and structure–performance relationships.
Salicylate metal-binding isosteres as fragments for metalloenzyme inhibition
Authors: Jackl Moritz K. , Seo Hyeonglim , Karges Johannes , Kalaj Mark , Cohen Seth M.
Published: January 2022

Metal-binding isosteres (MBIs) of salicylic acid have been developed for metalloenzyme drug development.
A nonflammable phosphate-based localized high-concentration electrolyte for safe and high-voltage lithium metal batteries
Authors: Wang Xiaofei , He Wenjun , Xue Haoliang , Zhang Daoming , Wang Jin , Wang Lina , Li Jun
Published: January 2022

The well-designed electrolyte enables high-voltage Li‖Ni6Mn2Co2O2 batteries with both enhanced safety and superior reversibility.
MOF sensors for food safety: ultralow detection of putrescine and cadaverine in protein rich foods
Authors: Leelasree T. , Aggarwal Himanshu
Published: January 2022

Two Co-based fluorescent MOFs are reported to detect biogenic amines in protein rich foods like fish and cheese.
An intelligent method for reducing the overhead of analysing big data flows in Openflow switch
Authors: Abbasi Mahdi , Maleki Shima , Jeon Gwanggil , Khosravi Mohammad R. , Abdoli Hatam
Published: January 2022

Software‐defined networks have been developed to allow the entire network to be managed as a programmable entity. As a well‐known protocol in this field, OpenFlow installs new packet forwarding rules of the distinct packets of Big Data flows (known as flow entries) in the flow tables of network switches in order to implement the desired management policies. Despite the high speed, flow tables have limited capacity to store the information of Big Data flows. As a result of inefficient policy for replacing the entries of the flow table, lack of flow entries corresponding to the incoming packets in the flow table of the switch will increase the references to the controller for forwarding this packet as well as the amount of delay in packet forwarding. The underlying idea of the proposed method is to make use of the popularity of traffic flows in the table to select the intended flow for the replacement. For replacement of flow table entries, a novel and intelligent method is proposed in this research which uses a reference history of flows to assign an importance degree to each table entry. Comparison of the simulation results confirms the superiority of the method for reducing the controller's overflow.
Improving the performance of tasks offloading for internet of vehicles via deep reinforcement learning methods
Authors: Wang Ting , Luo Xiong , Zhao Wenbing
Published: January 2022

With the rapid development of communication technologies, the quality of our daily life has been improved with the applications of smart communications and networking, such as intelligent transportation and mobile service computing. However, high user demands for quality of service (QoS) are forcing intelligent transportation to continuously improve immediacy and reduce the tasks offloading delay for the internet of vehicles (IoV). To meet the low latency of vehicle tasks offloading, an offloading scheme combining mobile edge computing (MEC) and deep reinforcement learning (DRL), is proposed in this article. Firstly, a realistic map is simulated, while initializing the tasks queue and building a tasks offloading environment with multiple service nodes. Then, an algorithm that combines deep learning with reinforcement learning, that is, the deep Q‐learning network (DQN) algorithm, is developed to optimize the offloading scheme by reducing the offload latency. Finally, given that the complete information cannot be observed effectively in the environment, a long short‐term memory (LSTM) model is applied within the DQN to train its neural network to improve offloading efficiency. The simulation results show that the MEC‐based vehicle tasks offloading can effectively reduce the latency of vehicle offloading.