bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The evolving view of thermogenic fat and its implications in cancer and metabolic diseases
Authors: Yin Xinpeng , Chen Yuan , Ruze Rexiati , Xu Ruiyuan , Song Jianlu , Wang Chengcheng , Xu Qiang
Published: September 2022

The incidence of metabolism-related diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus has reached pandemic levels worldwide and increased gradually. Most of them are listed on the table of high-risk factors for malignancy, and metabolic disorders systematically or locally contribute to cancer progression and poor prognosis of patients. Importantly, adipose tissue is fundamental to the occurrence and development of these metabolic disorders. White adipose tissue stores excessive energy, while thermogenic fat including brown and beige adipose tissue dissipates energy to generate heat. In addition to thermogenesis, beige and brown adipocytes also function as dynamic secretory cells and a metabolic sink of nutrients, like glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids. Accordingly, strategies that activate and expand thermogenic adipose tissue offer therapeutic promise to combat overweight, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders through increasing energy expenditure and enhancing glucose tolerance. With a better understanding of its origins and biological functions and the advances in imaging techniques detecting thermogenesis, the roles of thermogenic adipose tissue in tumors have been revealed gradually. On the one hand, enhanced browning of subcutaneous fatty tissue results in weight loss and cancer-associated cachexia. On the other hand, locally activated thermogenic adipocytes in the tumor microenvironment accelerate cancer progression by offering fuel sources and is likely to develop resistance to chemotherapy. Here, we enumerate current knowledge about the significant advances made in the origin and physiological functions of thermogenic fat. In addition, we discuss the multiple roles of thermogenic adipocytes in different tumors. Ultimately, we summarize imaging technologies for identifying thermogenic adipose tissue and pharmacologic agents via modulating thermogenesis in preclinical experiments and clinical trials.
Computer International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) algorithms: a review
Authors: Walden Kristen , Schuld Christian , Noonan Vanessa K. , Rupp Rüdiger
Published: September 2022

Study design

Literature review and survey.

Objectives

To provide an overview of existing computerized International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) algorithms and to evaluate the use of the current algorithms in research and clinical care.

Setting

Not applicable.

Methods

Literature review according to three organizing concepts for evaluation of Health Information Products (reach, usefulness, and use) was conducted.

Results

While the use of computerized ISNCSCI algorithms has been around for many years, many were developed and used internally for specific projects or not maintained. Today the International SCI community has free access to algorithms from the European Multicenter Study about Spinal Cord Injury (EMSCI) and the Praxis Spinal Cord Institute. Both algorithms have been validated in large datasets and are used in different SCI registries for quality control and education purposes. The use of the Praxis Institute algorithm by clinicians was highlighted through the Praxis User Survey (n = 76) which included participants from 27 countries. The survey found that over half of the participants using the algorithm (N = 69) did so on a regular basis (51%), with 54% having incorporated it into their regular workflow.

Conclusions

Validated computerized ISNCSCI classification tools have evolved substantially and support education, clinical documentation, communication between clinicians and their patients, and ISNCSCI data quality around the world. They are not intended to replace well-trained clinicians, but allow for reclassification of ISNCSCI datasets with updated versions of the ISCNSCI, and support rapid classification of large datasets.
Identification of a pleiotropic effect of ADIPOQ on cardiac dysfunction and Alzheimer’s disease based on genetic evidence and health care records
Authors: Paik Hyojung , Lee Junehawk , Jeong Chan-Seok , Park Jun Sung , Lee Jeong Ho , Rappoport Nadav , Kim Younghoon , Sohn Hee-Young , Jo Chulman , Kim Jimin , Cho Seong Beom
Published: September 2022

Observations of comorbidity in heart diseases, including cardiac dysfunction (CD) are increasing, including and cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia (AD/D). This comorbidity might be due to a pleiotropic effect of genetic variants shared between CD and AD/D. Here, we validated comorbidity of CD and AD/D based on diagnostic records from millions of patients in Korea and the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center (odds ratio 11.5 [8.5–15.5, 95% Confidence Interval (CI)]). By integrating a comprehensive human disease–SNP association database (VARIMED, VARiants Informing MEDicine) and whole-exome sequencing of 50 brains from individuals with and without Alzheimer's disease (AD), we identified missense variants in coding regions including APOB, a known risk factor for CD and AD/D, which potentially have a pleiotropic role in both diseases. Of the identified variants, site-directed mutation of ADIPOQ (268 G > A; Gly90Ser) in neurons produced abnormal aggregation of tau proteins (p = 0.02), suggesting a functional impact for AD/D. The association of CD and ADIPOQ variants was confirmed based on domain deletion in cardiac cells. Using the UK Biobank including data from over 500000 individuals, we examined a pleiotropic effect of the ADIPOQ variant by comparing CD- and AD/D-associated phenotypic evidence, including cardiac hypertrophy and cognitive degeneration. These results indicate that convergence of health care records and genetic evidences may help to dissect the molecular underpinnings of heart disease and associated cognitive impairment, and could potentially serve a prognostic function. Validation of disease–disease associations through health care records and genomic evidence can determine whether health conditions share risk factors based on pleiotropy.
The performance of genome sequencing as a first-tier test for neurodevelopmental disorders
Authors: van der Sanden Bart P. G. H. , Schobers Gaby , Corominas Galbany Jordi , Koolen David A. , Sinnema Margje , van Reeuwijk Jeroen , Stumpel Connie T. R. M. , Kleefstra Tjitske , de Vries Bert B. A. , Ruiterkamp-Versteeg Martina , Leijsten Nico , Kwint Michael , Derks Ronny , Swinkels Hilde , den Ouden Amber , Pfundt Rolph , Rinne Tuula , de Leeuw Nicole , Stegmann Alexander P. , Stevens Servi J. , van den Wijngaard Arthur , Brunner Han G. , Yntema Helger G. , Gilissen Christian , Nelen Marcel R. , Vissers Lisenka E. L. M.
Published: September 2022

Genome sequencing (GS) can identify novel diagnoses for patients who remain undiagnosed after routine diagnostic procedures. We tested whether GS is a better first-tier genetic diagnostic test than current standard of care (SOC) by assessing the technical and clinical validity of GS for patients with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). We performed both GS and exome sequencing in 150 consecutive NDD patient-parent trios. The primary outcome was diagnostic yield, calculated from disease-causing variants affecting exonic sequence of known NDD genes. GS (30%,n = 45) and SOC (28.7%,n = 43) had similar diagnostic yield. All 43 conclusive diagnoses obtained with SOC testing were also identified by GS. SOC, however, required integration of multiple test results to obtain these diagnoses. GS yielded two more conclusive diagnoses, and four more possible diagnoses than ES-based SOC (35 vs. 31). Interestingly, these six variants detected only by GS were copy number variants (CNVs). Our data demonstrate the technical and clinical validity of GS to serve as routine first-tier genetic test for patients with NDD. Although the additional diagnostic yield from GS is limited, GS comprehensively identified all variants in a single experiment, suggesting that GS constitutes a more efficient genetic diagnostic workflow.
Parkinson-causing mutations in LRRK2 impair the physiological tetramerization of endogenous α-synuclein in human neurons
Authors: Fonseca-Ornelas Luis , Stricker Jonathan M. S. , Soriano-Cruz Stephanie , Weykopf Beatrice , Dettmer Ulf , Muratore Christina R. , Scherzer Clemens R. , Selkoe Dennis J.
Published: September 2022

α-Synuclein (αSyn) aggregation in Lewy bodies and neurites defines both familial and ‘sporadic’ Parkinson’s disease. We previously identified α-helically folded αSyn tetramers, in addition to the long-known unfolded monomers, in normal cells. PD-causing αSyn mutations decrease the tetramer:monomer (T:M) ratio, associated with αSyn hyperphosphorylation and cytotoxicity in neurons and a motor syndrome of tremor and gait deficits in transgenic mice that responds in part to L-DOPA. Here, we asked whether LRRK2 mutations, the most common genetic cause of cases previously considered sporadic PD, also alter tetramer homeostasis. Patient neurons carrying G2019S, the most prevalent LRRK2 mutation, or R1441C each had decreased T:M ratios and pSer129 hyperphosphorylation of their endogenous αSyn along with increased phosphorylation of Rab10, a widely reported substrate of LRRK2 kinase activity. Two LRRK2 kinase inhibitors normalized the T:M ratio and the hyperphosphorylation in the G2019S and R1441C patient neurons. An inhibitor of stearoyl-CoA desaturase, the rate-limiting enzyme for monounsaturated fatty acid synthesis, also restored the αSyn T:M ratio and reversed pSer129 hyperphosphorylation in both mutants. Coupled with the recent discovery that PD-causing mutations of glucocerebrosidase in Gaucher’s neurons also decrease T:M ratios, our findings indicate that three dominant genetic forms of PD involve life-long destabilization of αSyn physiological tetramers as a common pathogenic mechanism that can occur upstream of progressive neuronal synucleinopathy. Based on αSyn’s finely-tuned interaction with certain vesicles, we hypothesize that the fatty acid composition and fluidity of membranes regulate αSyn’s correct binding to highly curved membranes and subsequent assembly into metastable tetramers.
Motion energy analysis during speech tasks in medication-naïve individuals with at-risk mental states for psychosis
Authors: Lopes-Rocha Ana Caroline , Corcoran Cheryl Mary , Andrade Julio Cesar , Peroni Leonardo , Haddad Natalia Mansur , Hortêncio Lucas , Serpa Mauricio Henriques , van de Bilt Martinus Theodorus , Gattaz Wagner Farid , Loch Alexandre Andrade
Published: September 2022

Movement abnormalities are commonly observed in schizophrenia and at-risk mental states (ARMS) for psychosis. They are usually detected with clinical interviews, such that automated analysis would enhance assessment. Our aim was to use motion energy analysis (MEA) to assess movement during free-speech videos in ARMS and control individuals, and to investigate associations between movement metrics and negative and positive symptoms. Thirty-two medication-naïve ARMS and forty-six healthy control individuals were filmed during speech tasks. Footages were analyzed using MEA software, which assesses movement by differences in pixels frame-by-frame. Two regions of interest were defined—head and torso—and mean amplitude, frequency, and coefficient of variability of movements for them were obtained. These metrics were correlated with the Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndromes (SIPS) symptoms, and with the risk of conversion to psychosis—inferred with the SIPS risk calculator. ARMS individuals had significantly lower mean amplitude of head movement and higher coefficients of movement variability for both head and torso, compared to controls. Higher coefficient of variability was related to higher risk of conversion. Negative correlations were seen between frequency of movement and most SIPS negative symptoms. All positive symptoms were correlated with at least one movement variable. Movement abnormalities could be automatically detected in medication-naïve ARMS subjects by means of a motion energy analysis software. Significant associations of movement metrics with symptoms were found, supporting the importance of movement analysis in ARMS. This could be a potentially important tool for early diagnosis, intervention, and outcome prediction.
gDesigner: computational design of synthetic gRNAs for Cas12a-based transcriptional repression in mammalian cells
Authors: Crone Michael A. , MacDonald James T. , Freemont Paul S. , Siciliano Velia
Published: September 2022

Synthetic networks require complex intertwined genetic regulation often relying on transcriptional activation or repression of target genes. CRISPRi-based transcription factors facilitate the programmable modulation of endogenous or synthetic promoter activity and the process can be optimised by using software to select appropriate gRNAs and limit non-specific gene modulation. Here, we develop a computational software pipeline, gDesigner, that enables the automated selection of orthogonal gRNAs with minimized off-target effects and promoter crosstalk. We next engineered aLachnospiraceaebacterium Cas12a (dLbCas12a)-based repression system that downregulates target gene expression by means of steric hindrance of the cognate promoter. Finally, we generated a library of orthogonal synthetic dCas12a-repressed promoters and experimentally demonstrated it in HEK293FT, U2OS and H1299 cells lines. Our system expands the toolkit of mammalian synthetic promoters with a new complementary and orthogonal CRISPRi-based system, ultimately enabling the design of synthetic promoter libraries for multiplex gene perturbation that facilitate the understanding of complex cellular phenotypes.
Neurophysiology of movement inhibition during full body reaching
Authors: Ho Rachel L. M. , Wang Wei-en , van der Veen Susanne M. , Antony Ajay , Thomas James S. , Coombes Stephen A.
Published: September 2022

Our current understanding of response inhibition comes from go/no-go studies that draw conclusions based on the overt movement of single limbs (i.e., a single finger pushing a button). In general, go/no-go paradigms have found that an individual’s ability to correctly inhibit the motor system is indicative of a healthy central nervous system. However, measuring inhibition by an overt behavioral response may lack the sensitivity to conclude whether the motor system is completely inhibited. Therefore, our goal was to use behavioral and neurophysiological measures to investigate inhibition of the motor system during a full-body reaching task. When directly comparing neurophysiological and behavioral measures, we found that neurophysiological measures were associated with a greater number of errors during no-go trials and faster onset times during go trials. Further analyses revealed a negative correlation between errors and onset times, such that the muscles that activated the earliest during go trials also had the greatest number of errors during no-go trials. Together, our observations show that the absence of an overt behavioral response does not always translate to total inhibition of the motor system.
Predicting conversion to Alzheimer’s disease in individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment using clinically transferable features
Authors: Rye Ingrid , Vik Alexandra , Kocinski Marek , Lundervold Alexander S. , Lundervold Astri J.
Published: September 2022

Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) have an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Early identification of underlying neurodegenerative processes is essential to provide treatment before the disease is well established in the brain. Here we used longitudinal data from the ADNI database to investigate prediction of a trajectory towards AD in a group of patients defined as MCI at a baseline examination. One group remained stable over time (sMCI, n = 357) and one converted to AD (cAD, n = 321). By running two independent classification methods within a machine learning framework, with cognitive function, hippocampal volume and genetic APOE status as features, we obtained a cross-validation classification accuracy of about 70%. This level of accuracy was confirmed across different classification methods and validation procedures. Moreover, the sets of misclassified subjects had a large overlap between the two models. Impaired memory function was consistently found to be one of the core symptoms of MCI patients on a trajectory towards AD. The prediction above chance level shown in the present study should inspire further work to develop tools that can aid clinicians in making prognostic decisions.
The biocompatibility and antifungal effect of Rosmarinus officinalis against Candida albicans in Galleria mellonella model
Authors: Meccatti Vanessa Marques , Figueiredo-Godoi Lívia Mara Alves , Pereira Thaís Cristine , de Lima Patrícia Michelle Nagai , Abu Hasna Amjad , Senna Lavinia Barbosa , Marcucci Maria Cristina , Junqueira Juliana Campos , de Oliveira Luciane Dias
Published: September 2022

This study was performed to evaluate the biocompatibility and antifungal effect of Rosmarinus officinalis against Candida albicans in Galleria mellonella model. Five different concentrations of R. officinalis glycolic extract (50; 25; 12.5 e 6.25 mg/mL) were used to evaluate its biocompatibility in G. mellonella model, in which the nystatin suspension (100; 50; 25; 12.5 e 6.25%) was used as a control group. The antifungal action of R. officinalis glycolic extract was evaluated on C. albicans for 72, 48 and 12 h at two different phases: (1) using the extract as therapeutic agent; and (2) using the extract as prophylactic agent. PBS was used as a negative control group. G. mellonella survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan–Meier method and statistical analysis was performed using the log-rank test (Mantel–Cox) and the significance level was set at (α ≤ 0.05). There was no significant difference among the groups in which all were biocompatible except of a significant death rate of 26.6% with nystatin 100%. In phase 1, it was found that after 7 days, there was no statistically significant difference among the prophylactic treatment groups. In phase 2, the groups of R. officinalis 6.25 mg/mL for 72 h and R. officinalis of 12.5 mg/mL for 24 h promoted the survival rate of the larvae in comparison with the control group with a significant difference (p = 0.017) and (p = 0.032) respectively. Therefore, R. officinalis extract is biocompatible in different concentrations and can be used as a prophylactic agent against fungal infection.
Reconstituted TAD-size chromatin fibers feature heterogeneous nucleosome clusters
Authors: Korolev Nikolay , Zinchenko Anatoly , Soman Aghil , Chen Qinming , Wong Sook Yi , Berezhnoy Nikolay V. , Basak Rajib , van der Maarel Johan R. C. , van Noort John , Nordenskiöld Lars
Published: September 2022

Large topologically associated domains (TADs) contain irregularly spaced nucleosome clutches, and interactions between such clutches are thought to aid the compaction of these domains. Here, we reconstituted TAD-sized chromatin fibers containing hundreds of nucleosomes on native source human and lambda-phage DNA and compared their mechanical properties at the single-molecule level with shorter ‘601’ arrays with various nucleosome repeat lengths. Fluorescent imaging showed increased compaction upon saturation of the DNA with histones and increasing magnesium concentration. Nucleosome clusters and their structural fluctuations were visualized in confined nanochannels. Force spectroscopy revealed not only similar mechanical properties of the TAD-sized fibers as shorter fibers but also large rupture events, consistent with breaking the interactions between distant clutches of nucleosomes. Though the arrays of native human DNA, lambda-phage and ‘601’ DNA featured minor differences in reconstitution yield and nucleosome stability, the fibers’ global structural and mechanical properties were similar, including the interactions between nucleosome clutches. These single-molecule experiments quantify the mechanical forces that stabilize large TAD-sized chromatin domains consisting of disordered, dynamically interacting nucleosome clutches and their effect on the condensation of large chromatin domains.
Experimental validation of a multinomial processing tree model for analyzing eyewitness identification decisions
Authors: Winter Kristina , Menne Nicola M. , Bell Raoul , Buchner Axel
Published: September 2022

To improve police protocols for lineup procedures, it is helpful to understand the processes underlying eyewitness identification performance. The two-high threshold (2-HT) eyewitness identification model is a multinomial processing tree model that measures four latent cognitive processes on which eyewitness identification decisions are based: two detection-based processes (the detection of culprit presence and absence) and two non-detection-based processes (biased and guessing-based selection). The model takes into account the full 2 × 3 data structure of lineup procedures, that is, suspect identifications, filler identifications and rejections in both culprit-present and culprit-absent lineups. Here the model is introduced and the results of four large validation experiments are reported, one for each of the processes specified by the model. The validation experiments served to test whether the model’s parameters sensitively reflect manipulations of the processes they were designed to measure. The results show that manipulations of exposure duration of the culprit’s face at encoding, lineup fairness, pre-lineup instructions and ease of rejection of culprit-absent lineups were sensitively reflected in the parameters representing culprit-presence detection, biased suspect selection, guessing-based selection and culprit-absence detection, respectively. The results of the experiments thus validate the interpretations of the parameters of the 2-HT eyewitness identification model.
Imaging features of intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas and its differentiation from conventional pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Khristenko Ekaterina , Hank Thomas , Gaida Matthias M. , Kauczor Hans-Ulrich , Hackert Thilo , Klauß Miriam , Mayer Philipp
Published: September 2022

Intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasms (ITPN) are rare pancreatic tumors (< 1% of exocrine neoplasms) and are considered to have better prognosis than classical pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The present study aimed to evaluate imaging features of ITPN in computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. We performed monocentric retrospective analysis of 14 patients with histopathologically verified ITPN, operated in 2003–2018. Images were available for 12 patients and were analysed independently by two radiologists, blinded to reports. Imaging features were compared to a matched control group consisting of 43 patients with PDAC, matched for sex and age. Histopathologic analysis showed invasive carcinoma component in all ITPN patients. CT-attenuation values of ITPN were higher in arterial and venous phases (62.3 ± 14.6 HU and 68 ± 15.6 HU) than in unenhanced phase (39.2 ± 7.9 HU), compatible with solid lesion enhancement. Compared to PDAC, ITPN lesions had significantly higher HU-values in both arterial and venous phases (arterial and venous phases, p < 0.001). ITPN were significantly larger than PDAC (4.1 ± 2.0 cm versus 2.6 ± 0.84 cm, p = 0.021). ITPN lesions were more often well-circumscribed (p < 0.002). Employing a multiple logistic regression analysis with forward stepwise method, higher HU density in the arterial phase (p = 0.012) and well-circumscribed lesion margins (p = 0.047) were found to be significant predictors of ITPN versus PDAC. Our study identified key imaging features for differentiation of ITPN and PDAC. Isodensity or moderate hypodensity and well-circumscribed margins favor the diagnosis of ITPN over PDAC. Being familiar with CT-features of these rare pancreatic tumors is essential for radiologists to accelerate the diagnosis and narrow the differentials.
Synthesis of natural product hybrids by the Ugi reaction in complex media containing plant extracts
Authors: Tomohara Keisuke , Ohashi Nao , Uchida Tatsuya , Nose Takeru
Published: September 2022

Plant extracts are rich in a wide variety of molecules with diverse biological activities. Chemical engineering of plant extracts has provided a straightforward and simultaneous synthetic route for artificial molecules derived from plant products. This study achieved the synthesis of 13 natural product-like molecules by the Ugi multicomponent reaction using plant extracts as substrates. In particular, the engineering of a mixture of plant extracts demonstrated a unique synthetic route to a series of natural product hybrids, whereby otherwise unencountered naturally occurring molecules of different origins were chemically hybridized in complex media. Even though these reactions took place in complex media containing plant extracts, the well-designed process achieved a good conversion efficiency (~ 60%), chemoselectivity, and reproducibility. Additionally, some of the Ugi adducts exhibited promising inhibitory activity toward protease.
Evaluation of lung toxicity with bevacizumab using the spontaneous reporting database
Authors: Kanbayashi Yuko , Uchida Mayako , Kashiwagi Misui , Akiba Hitomi , Shimizu Tadashi
Published: September 2022

This study was undertaken to determine the risk of bevacizumab-induced lung toxicity, time to onset, and post hoc outcomes using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database. We analysed data for the period between April 2004 and March 2021. Data on lung toxicities were extracted, and relative risk of adverse events (AEs) was estimated using the reporting odds ratio. We analysed 5,273,115 reports and identified 20,399 reports of AEs caused by bevacizumab. Of these, 1679 lung toxicities were reportedly associated with bevacizumab. Signals were detected for nine lung toxicities. A histogram of times to onset showed occurrence from 35 to 238 days, but some cases occurred even more than one year after the start of administration. Approximately 20% of AEs were thromboembolic events. Among these, pulmonary embolism was the most frequently reported and fatal cases were also reported. The AEs showing the highest fatality rates were pulmonary haemorrhage, pulmonary infarction, and pulmonary thrombosis. In conclusion, we focused on lung toxicities caused by bevacizumab as post-marketing AEs. Some cases could potentially result in serious outcomes, patients should be monitored for signs of onset of AEs not only at the start of administration, but also over a longer period of time.
Socioeconomic inequalities in the continuum of care across women’s reproductive life cycle in Bangladesh
Authors: Parvin Nadira , Rahman Mosiur , Islam Md. Jahirul , Haque Syed Emdadul , Sarkar Prosannajid , Mondal Md. Nazrul Islam
Published: September 2022

We examined the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and continuum of care (CoC) completion rate in maternal, neonatal, and child health among mothers in Bangladesh. We used data from the Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey (BDHS) from 2017 to 2018. Our findings were based on the responses of 1527 married women who had at least one child aged 12 to 23 months at the time of the survey. As a measure of SES, we focused on the standard of living (hereinafter referred to as wealth). The CoC for maternal and child health (MNCH) services is the study's outcome variable. The CoC was calculated using seven MNCH interventions: four or more antenatal care (ANC) visits with a skilled practitioner, delivery by a skilled birth attendant, post-natal care for mothers (PNCM) within two days of giving birth, post-natal care for newborns (PNCM) within two days of birth, immunization, age-appropriate breastfeeding, and maternal current use of modern family planning (FP) methods. Only 18.1% of Bangladeshi women completed all seven MNCH care interventions during the reproductive life span. Participants in the high SES group were 2.30 times (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.61–3.28) more likely than those in the low SES group to have higher composite care index (CCI) scores. Women with secondary or higher secondary education, as well as women who were exposed to mass media at least once a week, women who lived in an urban setting, women who had an intended pregnancy, and women with one parity, are associated with high CCI scores when other sociodemographic variables are considered. The complete CoC for MNCH reveals an extremely low completion rate, which may suggest that Bangladeshi mothers, newborns, and children are not receiving the most out of their present health care. Participants in the high SES group displayed higher CCI values than those in the low SES group, indicating that SES is one of the primary drivers of completion of CoC for MNCH services.
Maize harvester gearbox design modification for improved fatigue life
Authors: Kim Ji-Tae , Lee Ho-Seop , Park Jung-Ho , Woo Jea-Keun , Choi Il-Su , Kim Young-Keun , Cho Seung-Je , Ha Chang-Sub , Park Young-Jun
Published: September 2022

The gearbox has the advantage of being able to change the torque and rotational speed according to the gear ratio and has high power transmission efficiency by transmitting power through the contact of the gear pair. When evaluating the strength and fatigue life of a gearbox using a design load or an equivalent load, there is a possibility that the results will be very different from the actual ones. Therefore, in this study, the load duration distribution (LDD) constructed based on the actual workload was used to evaluate the strength and fatigue life of the gearbox reliably. As a result of evaluating the strength and fatigue life of the gearbox using LDD, it was confirmed that the existing gearbox did not satisfy the target lifespan in the operating environment. Therefore, the reasons for these results were analyzed, and design modification was performed based on the analyzed results. As a result of design modification, shaft deflection decreased by rearrangement of the bearings, from an overhung type to a straddle type, thereby improving the fatigue life of gears and bearings. Finally, the load distribution acting on the gear tooth surface was improved through micro-geometry modification of the gears.
Ecological niche modeling based on ensemble algorithms to predicting current and future potential distribution of African swine fever virus in China
Authors: Li Yue-peng , Gao Xiang , An Qi , Sun Zhuo , Wang Hong-bin
Published: September 2022

African swine fever (ASF) is a tick-borne infectious disease initially described in Shenyang province China in 2018 but is now currently present nationwide. ASF has high infectivity and mortality rates, which often results in transportation and trade bans, and high expenses to prevent and control the, hence causing huge economic losses and a huge negative impact on the Chinese pig farming industry. Ecological niche modeling has long been adopted in the epidemiology of infectious diseases, in particular vector-borne diseases. This study aimed to establish an ecological niche model combined with data from ASF incidence rates in China from August 2018 to December 2021 in order to predict areas for African swine fever virus (ASFV) distribution in China. The model was developed in R software using the biomod2 package and ensemble modeling techniques. Environmental and topographic variables included were mean diurnal range (°C), isothermality, mean temperature of wettest quarter (°C), precipitation seasonality (cv), mean precipitation of warmest quarter(mm), mean precipitation of coldest quarter (mm), normalized difference vegetation index, wind speed (m/s), solar radiation (kJ /day), and elevation/altitude (m). Contribution rates of the variables normalized difference vegetation index, mean temperature of wettest quarter, mean precipitation of coldest quarter, and mean precipitation of warmest quarter were, respectively, 47.61%, 28.85%, 10.85%, and 7.27% (according to CA), which accounted for over 80% of contribution rates related to variables. According to model prediction, most of areas revealed as suitable for ASF distribution are located in the southeast coast or central region of China, wherein environmental conditions are suitable for soft ticks’ survival. In contrast, areas unsuitable for ASFV distribution in China are associated with arid climate and poor vegetation, which are less conducive to soft ticks’ survival, hence to ASFV transmission. In addition, prediction spatial suitability for future ASFV distribution suggests narrower areas for ASFV spread. Thus, the ensemble model designed herein could be used to conceive more efficient prevention and control measure against ASF according to different geographical locations in China.
ZnO/metal/ZnO (metal = Ag, Pt, Au) films for energy-saving in windows application
Authors: Rabizadeh Mina , Ehsani Mohammad Hossein , Shahidi Mohammad Mahdi
Published: September 2022

In this paper, the impact of different metals (Ag, Pt and Au) on the ZnO/metal/ZnO samples, being coated on a Glass substrate via RF/DC magnetron sputtering system, is investigated. The structural, optical, and thermal properties of the as-prepared samples were systematically studied for the purpose of storage and production of energy in industry. Our results show that these layers can be used as suitable coatings on building windows for energy storage applications. In the same experimental conditions, the case of Au as the intermediate layer has shown to have better optical and electrical conditions. Then the Pt layer also led to further improvement of the properties of the samples rather than those of the Ag. Moreover, the ZnO/Au/ZnO sample has shown the highest transmittance at the visible region (68.95%) and the highest FOM (5.1 × 10–4 Ω−1). Therefore, it can be considered as relatively the optimum sample in order for the building windows to save energy because of its low U-value (2.16 W/cm2 K) and low emissivity (0.45). Finally, by applying the equivalent voltage of 12 V at the ends of the sample, the surface temperature of sample has risen from 24 to 120 °C.
Electrocatalytic activity of metal encapsulated, doped, and engineered fullerene-based nanostructured materials towards hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Louis Hitler , Ikenyirimba Onyinye J. , Unimuke Tomsmith O. , Mathias Gideon E. , Gber Terkumbur E. , Adeyinka Adedapo S.
Published: September 2022

The utilization of nanostructured materials as efficient catalyst for several processes has increased tremendously, and carbon-based nanostructured materials encompassing fullerene and its derivatives have been observed to possess enhanced catalytic activity when engineered with doping or decorated with metals, thus making them one of the most promising nanocage catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) during electro-catalysis. Prompted by these, and the reported electrochemical, electronic and stability advantage, an attempt is put forward herein to inspect the metal encapsulated, doped, and decorated dependent HER activity of C24 engineered nanostructured materials as effective electro-catalyst for HER. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been utilized to evaluate the catalytic hydrogen evolution reaction activity of four proposed bare systems: fullerene (C24), calcium encapsulated fullerene (CaencC24), nickel-doped calcium encapsulated fullerene (NidopCaencC24), and silver decorated nickel-doped calcium encapsulated (AgdecNidopCaencC24) engineered nanostructured materials at the TPSSh/GenECP/6-311+G(d,p)/LanL2DZ level of theory. The obtained results divulged that, a potential decrease in energy gap (Egap) occurred in the bare systems, while a sparing increase was observed upon adsorption of hydrogen onto the surfaces, these surfaces where also observed to maintain the least EH–L gap while the AgdecNidopCaencC24 surface exhibited an increased electrocatalytic activity when compared to others. The results also showed that the electronic properties of the systems evinced a correspondent result with their electrochemical properties, the Ag-decorated surface also exhibited a proficient adsorption energy $$({E}_{ads}^{H})$$

(

E

ads

H

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and Gibb’s free energy (ΔGH) value. The engineered Ag-decorated and Ni-doped systems were found to possess both good surface stability and excellent electro-catalytic property for HER activities.
Identification and quantification of giant bioaerosol particles over the Amazon rainforest
Authors: Barbosa Cybelli G. G. , Taylor Philip E. , Sá Marta O. , Teixeira Paulo R. , Souza Rodrigo A. F. , Albrecht Rachel I. , Barbosa Henrique M. J. , Sebben Bruna , Manzi Antônio O. , Araújo Alessandro C. , Prass Maria , Pöhlker Christopher , Weber Bettina , Andreae Meinrat O. , Godoi Ricardo H. M.
Published: September 2022

Eukarya dominate the coarse primary biological aerosol (PBA) above the Amazon rainforest canopy, but their vertical profile and seasonality is currently unknown. In this study, the stratification of coarse and giant PBA >5 µm were analyzed from the canopy to 300 m height at the Amazon Tall Tower Observatory in Brazil during the wet and dry seasons. We show that >2/3 of the coarse PBA were canopy debris, fungal spores commonly found on decaying matter were second most abundant (ranging from 15 to 41%), followed by pollens (up to 5%). The atmospheric roughness layer right above the canopy had the greatest giant PBA abundance. Measurements over 5 years showed an increased abundance of PBA during a low-rainfall period. Giant particles, such as pollen, are reduced at 300 m, suggesting their limited dispersal. These results give insights into the giant PBA emissions of this tropical rainforest, and present a major step in understanding the type of emitted particles and their vertical distribution.
Investigating heterogeneous defects in single-crystalline WS2 via tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Lee Chanwoo , Jeong Byeong Geun , Kim Sung Hyuk , Kim Dong Hyeon , Yun Seok Joon , Choi Wooseon , An Sung-Jin , Lee Dongki , Kim Young-Min , Kim Ki Kang , Lee Seung Mi , Jeong Mun Seok
Published: September 2022

Nanoscale defects in two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) alter their intrinsic optical and electronic properties, and such defects require investigation. Atomic-resolution techniques such as transmission electron microscopy detect nanoscale defects accurately but are limited in terms of clarifying precise chemical and optical characteristics. In this study, we investigated nanoscale heterogeneous defects in a single-crystalline hexagonal WS2 monolayer using tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS). We observed the Raman properties of heterogeneous defects, which are indicated by the shifted A1′(Γ) modes appearing on the W- and S-edge domains, respectively, with defect-induced Raman (D) mode. In the edge region, various Raman features occur with nanoscale defects. In addition, the TERS signals from single-crystalline WS2 indicate the existence of two majority defects in each domain, which imply S- and W-dominated vacancies. Quantum mechanical computations were performed for each majority defect and demonstrated the defect-induced variation in the vibrational phonon modes. TERS imaging promises to be a powerful technique for determining assorted nanoscale heterogeneous defects as well as for investigating the properties of other nanomaterials.
Inhibition of the medial amygdala disrupts escalated aggression in lactating female mice after repeated exposure to male intruders
Authors: Abellán-Álvaro María , Martínez-García Fernando , Lanuza Enrique , Agustín-Pavón Carmen
Published: September 2022

Virgin female laboratory mice readily express pup care when co-housed with dams and pups. However, pup-sensitized virgins fail to express intruder-directed aggression on a single session of testing. To study whether repeated testing would affect the onset and dynamics of maternal or intruder-directed aggression, we tested dams and their accompanying virgins from postpartum day 4 to 6. Repeated testing led to escalated aggression towards male intruders in dams, but virgins never developed aggression. In dams, inhibition of the medial amygdala using DREADD (designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs) vectors carrying the hM4Di receptor blocked the expected increase in maternal aggression on the second testing day. Our data support that the onset of maternal aggression is linked to physiological changes occurring during motherhood, and that medial amygdala, a key centre integrating vomeronasal, olfactory and hormonal information, enables the expression of escalated aggression induced by repeated testing. Future studies selectively targeting specific neuronal populations of the medial amygdala are needed to allow a deeper understanding of the control of experience-dependent aggression increase, a phenomenon leading to the high aggression levels found in violent behaviours.
Genic distribution modelling predicts adaptation of the bank vole to climate change
Authors: Escalante Marco A. , Marková Silvia , Searle Jeremy B. , Kotlík Petr
Published: September 2022

The most likely pathway for many species to survive future climate change is by pre-existing trait variation providing a fitness advantage under the new climate. Here we evaluate the potential role of haemoglobin (Hb) variation in bank voles under future climate change. We model gene-climate relationships for two functionally distinct Hb types, HbS and HbF, which have a north-south distribution in Britain presenting an unusually tractable system linking genetic variation in physiology to geographical and temporal variation in climate. Projections to future climatic conditions suggest a change in relative climatic suitability that would result in HbS being displaced by HbF in northern Britain. This would facilitate local adaptation to future climate—without Hb displacement, populations in northern Britain would likely be suboptimally adapted because their Hb would not match local climatic conditions. Our study shows how pre-existing physiological differences can influence the adaptive capacity of species to climate change.
Males induce premature demise of the opposite sex by multifaceted strategies
Authors: Booth Lauren N. , Shi Cheng , Tantilert Cindy , Yeo Robin W. , Miklas Jason W. , Hebestreit Katja , Hollenhorst Cecilia N. , Maures Travis J. , Buckley Matthew T. , Murphy Coleen T. , Brunet Anne
Published: September 2022

Interactions between the sexes negatively impact health in many species. In Caenorhabditis, males shorten the lifespan of the opposite sex—hermaphrodites or females. Here we use transcriptomic profiling and targeted screens to systematically uncover conserved genes involved in male-induced demise in C. elegans. Some genes (for example, delm-2, acbp-3), when knocked down, are specifically protective against male-induced demise. Others (for example, sri-40), when knocked down, extend lifespan with and without males, suggesting general mechanisms of protection. In contrast, many classical long-lived mutants are impacted more negatively than wild type by the presence of males, highlighting the importance of sexual environment for longevity. Interestingly, genes induced by males are triggered by specific male components (seminal fluid, sperm and pheromone), and manipulating these genes in combination in hermaphrodites induces stronger protection. One of these genes, the conserved ion channel delm-2, acts in the nervous system and intestine to regulate lipid metabolism. Our analysis reveals striking differences in longevity in single sex versus mixed sex environments and uncovers elaborate strategies elicited by sexual interactions that could extend to other species.
Germany’s fourth COVID-19 wave was mainly driven by the unvaccinated
Authors: Maier Benjamin F. , Wiedermann Marc , Burdinski Angelique , Klamser Pascal P. , Jenny Mirjam A. , Betsch Cornelia , Brockmann Dirk
Published: September 2022

Background

While the majority of the German population was fully vaccinated at the time (about 65%), COVID-19 incidence started growing exponentially in October 2021 with about 41% of recorded new symptomatic cases aged twelve or above being symptomatic breakthrough infections, presumably also contributing to the dynamics. So far, it remained elusive how significant this contribution was and whether targeted non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) may have stopped the amplification of the crisis.

Methods

We develop and introduce a contribution matrix approach based on the next-generation matrix of a population-structured compartmental infectious disease model to derive contributions of respective inter- and intragroup infection pathways of unvaccinated and vaccinated subpopulations to the effective reproduction number and new infections, considering empirical data of vaccine efficacies against infection and transmission.

Results

Here we show that about 61%–76% of all new infections were caused by unvaccinated individuals and only 24%–39% were caused by the vaccinated. Furthermore, 32%–51% of new infections were likely caused by unvaccinated infecting other unvaccinated. Decreasing the transmissibility of the unvaccinated by, e. g. targeted NPIs, causes a steeper decrease in the effective reproduction number $${{{{{{{\mathcal{R}}}}}}}}$$
R
than decreasing the transmissibility of vaccinated individuals, potentially leading to temporary epidemic control. Reducing contacts between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals serves to decrease $${{{{{{{\mathcal{R}}}}}}}}$$
R
in a similar manner as increasing vaccine uptake.

Conclusions

A minority of the German population—the unvaccinated—is assumed to have caused the majority of new infections in the fall of 2021 in Germany. Our results highlight the importance of combined measures, such as vaccination campaigns and targeted contact reductions to achieve temporary epidemic control.
A spin crossover FeII4L6 cage based on pyridyl-hydrazone sites
Authors: Li Weiyang , Liu Cuilian , Kfoury Joseph , Oláh Julianna , Robeyns Koen , Singleton Michael L. , Demeshko Serhiy , Meyer Franc , Garcia Yann
Published: September 2022

First FeII-based supramolecular cage with pyridine-hydrazone coordination sites and large cavity volume (306 Å3) exhibits temperature induced spin crossover behaviour.
Inverse design of molecule–metal nanoparticle systems interacting with light for desired photophysical properties
Authors: Shiraogawa Takafumi , Dall’Osto Giulia , Cammi Roberto , Ehara Masahiro , Corni Stefano
Published: September 2022

A computational approach to optimize molecules near metal nanoparticles and incident electric field for desired photophysical properties based on the time-dependent QM/PCM–NP method is proposed.
Efficient direct conversion of methane into methanol on CuZn hetero-diatomic catalysts with certain coordination spheres: a DFT study
Authors: Yang Chunhua , Liu Cailong , Wang Yuxiu , Zhang He-Na , He Qi-Wen , Tang Dai-Song , Wang Xiao-Chun
Published: September 2022

The O atom desires to gain electrons from methane rather than from Cu atoms with high positive atomic charge.
Organo-macrocycle-containing hierarchical metal–organic frameworks and cages: design, structures, and applications
Authors: Liang Yu , Li Errui , Wang Kunyu , Guan Zong-Jie , He Hui-hui , Zhang Liangliang , Zhou Hong-Cai , Huang Feihe , Fang Yu
Published: September 2022

Organo-macrocycles can directly build metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and porous coordination cages (PCCs), or be functionalized on them. These hierarchical assemblies extend the properties and functionalities for recognition, adsorption, catalysis, energy storage and so on.
Fast exploration of potential energy surfaces with a joint venture of quantum chemistry, evolutionary algorithms and unsupervised learning
Authors: Mancini Giordano , Fusè Marco , Lazzari Federico , Barone Vincenzo
Published: September 2022

Contemporary molecular spectroscopy allows the study of flexible molecules, whose conformational behavior is ruled by flat potential energy surfaces (PESs) involving a large number of energy minima with comparable stability.