bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tuberculous meningitis initially manifesting as acute areflexic paraparesis: A case report
Authors: Reynaldo Balintona , Illahi Memon Noor , Iqbal Tarab , Nayyar Sidra M. , Nashwan Abdulqadir J.
Published: July 2023

Key Clinical Message

TBM has a very high rate of adverse sequelae if not treated immediately. Diagnosing can be challenging due to overlapping symptoms with other disease processes, and diagnostic tests are often inconclusive.

A 20‐year‐old man experienced progressive paraplegia and urinary retention. After extensive laboratory and imaging evaluation for tuberculous meningitis and alternative diagnoses, spinal MRI showed features suggestive of arachnoiditis. He was treated empirically with anti‐tuberculosis drugs and corticosteroids. This led to significant improvement and eventual recovery.
Ethical conflicts associated with COVID‐19 pandemic, triage and frailty—unexpected positive disease progression in a 90‐year‐old patient: A case report
Authors: Wehrfritz Andreas , Schmidt Joachim , Bremer Frank , Lang Anne‐Katharina , Welzer Jacob , Castellanos Ixchel
Published: July 2023

Key Clinical Message

During the COVID 19 pandemic, advanced age, scoring systems, and a shortage of ICU beds were used as cut‐offs for ICU admission. This case report describes the epicrisis of an elderly patient who was almost mistakenly not treated in an ICU.
Photocatalyzed Hydroaminodifluoroalkylation of Alkenes
Authors: Fossé Pierre , Pfund Emmanuel , Lequeux Thierry
Published: July 2023

The synthesis of undescribed β‐aminodifluoroethylsulfinates and their uses in the hydroaminodifluoroalkylation of alkenes is reported. This reaction is performed in the presence of a photocatalyst (4CzIPN, Ru complexes) and enables the direct incorporation of a β‐difluoroamine moiety into vinylic aryls, unactivated alkenes, and electron‐rich, or ‐deficient alkenes. The mechanism was studied, and the formation of a gem‐difluoromethyl radical was observed after the selective oxidation of the sulfinate function.
Prisoner's dilemma and the free operant: John Nash, I'd like you to meet Fred Skinner
Authors: Keller John V.
Published: July 2023

In separate chambers, responding by two pairs of pigeons was reinforced under concurrent random‐ratio schedules of reinforcement. For each pair, the birds' schedules were coupled in such a manner that left‐ and right‐key reinforcement probabilities were determined by the key being pecked by the other pigeon of the pair. In this way, a reinforcement matrix, like that of the popular Prisoner's Dilemma game of game theory, was created. The responding of all subjects soon gravitated to the choice combination identified by the mathematician John Nash as the equilibrium of the Prisoner's Dilemma game. This was found both before and after reversal of contingencies on the keys. In a second experiment, with a single pair of pigeons, stimuli signaling the choice of the paired pigeon had little lasting effect: responding again gravitated to the game's equilibrium. The results affirm earlier findings, demonstrating that Skinner's principle of positive reinforcement, together with Nashian mathematics, entirely accounts for iterative game‐theoretic behavior. They extend these findings to the so‐called free operant: to schedules of reinforcement in which responding is not constrained by stimulus–response sequencing (i.e., a trials procedure). The coupled schedule of reinforcement introduced here offers significant promise for the experimental analysis of economic and social behaviors.
Effect of larval thermal conditions on limb regeneration in a ladybird beetle, Cheilomenes sexmaculata
Authors: Rai Shriza , Singh Anupama , Omkar Omkar , Mishra Geetanjali
Published: July 2023

In view of global environmental change, ecological factors especially temperature, affect development of the poikilotherms like insects. Since ladybirds are at risk of injury under mass‐rearing conditions, their ability to regenerate injured limbs is highly crucial for their survival. Therefore, the effect of limb regeneration in relation to temperature forms the basis of the present study. The immature stages of insects, being more vulnerable to the surrounding temperature, were considered to study the effect of the prior thermal experience of larvae on regeneration. We exposed the early larval stages of the ladybird beetle, Cheilomenes sexmaculata, to different temperature conditions pre‐ and postamputation. Exposure of immature stages to extreme temperatures did not affect the ability to regenerate and regeneration occurred at given temperature conditions. However, the regenerated legs were smaller in size across given temperatures as compared to unamputated legs. Body weights in amputated treatments showed no difference and remained unchanged across temperatures when compared to unamputated treatments. Postamputation developmental duration, equivalent to recovery time postlimb amputation, was found to be affected by larval thermal conditions. Recovery was faster in larval treatments exposed to higher temperatures. Thus, larval thermal conditions though did not affect the ability to regenerate lost limbs directly, it does modulate the time taken to regenerate.
The chip crisis and its effect on capital structure dynamics of automobile firms during the pandemic
Authors: Doruk Ömer Tuğsal
Published: July 2023

This study examines the impact of chip shortages on the financial leverage of automobile firms worldwide over the period COVID‐19 using a panel vector autoregression analysis. This paper analyzes the chip crisis as an exogenous shock in a highly heterogeneous and dynamic framework for automobile firms during the pandemic period. The findings show that the chip shortage has a negative effect on financial leverage of automobile firms and increases their internal financing needs during the pandemic. This study adds new insights to the current literature by considering the chip crisis to the corporate dynamics of automobile firms.
La and S Co‐Doping Induced the Synergism of Multiphase Nickel‐Iron Nanosheets with Rich Oxygen Vacancies to Trigger Large‐Current‐Density Oxygen Evolution and Urea Oxidation Reactions
Authors: Gan Yonghao , Ye Ying , Dai Xiaoping , Yin Xueli , Cao Yihua , Cai Run , Feng Bo , Wang Qi , Zhang Xin
Published: July 2023

The development of cost‐effective electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and urea oxidation reaction (UOR) is of great significance for hydrogen production. Herein, La and S co‐doped multiphase electrocatalyst (LSFN‐63) is fabricated by metal‐corrosion process. FeOOH can reduce the formation energy of NiOOH, and enhance the stability of NiOOH as active sites for OER/UOR. The rich oxygen vacancies can increase the number of active sites, optimize the adsorption of intermediates, and improve electrical conductivity. Beyond, La and S co‐doping can also regulate the electronic structure of FeOOH. As a result, LSFN‐63 presents a low overpotential of 210/450 mV at 100/1000 mA cm−2, small Tafel slope (32 mV dec−1), and outstanding stability under 1000 mA cm−2@60 h, and can also display excellent OER activity with 180 mV at 250 mA cm−2 and long‐term catalytic durability at 250 mA cm−2@135 h in 30 wt% KOH under 60 °C. Moreover, LSFN‐63 demonstrates remarkable UOR performance in 1 m KOH + 0.5 m urea, which just requires an ultra‐small overpotential of 140 mV at 100 mA cm−2, and maintain long‐term durability over 120 h. This work opens up a promising avenue for the development of high‐efficiency electrocatalysts by a facile metal‐corrosion strategy.
A process calculus SMrCaIT for IoT
Authors: Chen Ningning , Zhu Huibiao
Published: July 2023

With the rapid popularization of smart devices, the applications and technologies of the Internet of Things (IoT) are in high demand worldwide, especially in improving development efficiency and ensuring system quality, reliability, and security. Formal methods have been successfully used to specify, verify, and analyze software and hardware systems, effectively alleviating the above problems in these systems. However, most of the existing works mainly focus on the practical applications of IoT, and there is a lack of research on modeling and analyzing IoT systems from the perspective of formal methods. In this paper, we first propose a secure mobile real‐time process calculus for specifying and reasoning about IoT systems, called SMrCaIT, which supports not only value‐passing communication but also name‐passing communication. In addition, this calculus can strictly separate process actions and mobility modeling by providing parametric mobility models. Subsequently, we present the operational semantics of this calculus, in particular, the rules on how to secure channel communication by closing the scope of a channel and handling scope extrusion. Taking vehicle ad hoc network (VANET) as a case, the application details of SMrCaIT and its operational semantics are fully demonstrated. By using the rewrite engine Real‐Time Maude, we further implement SMrCaIT and its operational semantics and verify some properties of the VANET case to indicate the effectiveness of our calculus in real‐world scenes.
Structured reporting in radiology enables epidemiological analysis through data mining: urolithiasis as a use case
Authors: Jorg Tobias , Halfmann Moritz C. , Rölz Niklas , Mager René , Pinto dos Santos Daniel , Düber Christoph , Mildenberger Peter , Müller Lukas
Published: July 2023

Purpose

To investigate the epidemiology and distribution of disease characteristics of urolithiasis by data mining structured radiology reports.

Methods

The content of structured radiology reports of 2028 urolithiasis CTs was extracted from the department’s structured reporting (SR) platform. The investigated cohort represented the full spectrum of a tertiary care center, including mostly symptomatic outpatients as well as inpatients. The prevalences of urolithiasis in general and of nephro- and ureterolithasis were calculated. The distributions of age, sex, calculus size, density and location, and the number of ureteral and renal calculi were calculated. For ureterolithiasis, the impact of calculus characteristics on the degree of possible obstructive uropathy was calculated.

Results

The prevalence of urolithiasis in the investigated cohort was 72%. Of those patients, 25% had nephrolithiasis, 40% ureterolithiasis, and 35% combined nephro- and ureterolithiasis. The sex distribution was 2.3:1 (M:F). The median patient age was 50 years (IQR 36–62). The median number of calculi per patient was 1. The median size of calculi was 4 mm, and the median density was 734 HU. Of the patients who suffered from ureterolithiasis, 81% showed obstructive uropathy, with 2nd-degree uropathy being the most common. Calculus characteristics showed no impact on the degree of obstructive uropathy.

Conclusion

SR-based data mining is a simple method by which to obtain epidemiologic data and distributions of disease characteristics, for the investigated cohort of urolithiasis patients. The added information can be useful for multiple purposes, such as clinical quality assurance, radiation protection, and scientific or economic investigations. To benefit from these, the consistent use of SR is mandatory. However, in clinical routine SR usage can be elaborate and requires radiologists to adapt.

Graphical abstract
Interrater reliability of motor severity scales for hemifacial spasm
Authors: Lee Ha Yeon , Park Ingyun , Luu Minnie P. , Zhao Jerry , Vu Jeanne P. , Cisneros Elizabeth , Berman Brian D. , Jinnah H. A. , Kim Han-Joon , Liu Catherine Y. , Perlmutter Joel S. , Richardson Sarah Pirio , Weissbach Anne , Stebbins Glenn T. , Peterson David A.
Published: July 2023

To compare the inter-rater reliability (IRR) of five clinical rating scales for video-based assessment of hemifacial spasm (HFS) motor severity. We evaluated the video recordings of 45 HFS participants recruited through the Dystonia Coalition. In Round 1, six clinicians with expertise in HFS assessed the participants’ motor severity with five scales used to measure motor severity of HFS: the Jankovic rating scale (JRS), Hemifacial Spasm Grading Scale (HSGS), Samsung Medical Center (SMC) grading system for severity of HFS spasms (Lee’s scale), clinical grading of spasm intensity (Chen’s scale), and a modified version of the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (Tunc’s scale). In Round 2, clinicians rated the same cohort with simplified scale wording after consensus training. For each round, we evaluated the IRR using the intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC (2,1) single-rater, absolute-agreement, 2-way random model]. The scales exhibited IRR that ranged from “poor” to “moderate”; the mean ICCs were 0.41, 0.43, 0.47, 0.43, and 0.65 for the JRS, HSGS, Lee’s, Chen’s, and Tunc’s scales, respectively, for Round 1. In Round 2, the corresponding IRRs increased to 0.63, 0.60, 0.59, 0.53, and 0.71. In both rounds, Tunc’s scale exhibited the highest IRR. For clinical assessments of HFS motor severity based on video observations, we recommend using Tunc’s scale because of its comparative reliability and because clinicians interpret the scale easily without modifications or the need for consensus training.
Mimetic finite difference operators and higher order quadratures
Authors: Srinivasan Anand , Dumett Miguel , Paolini Christopher , Miranda Guillermo F. , Castillo José E.
Published: July 2023

Mimetic finite difference operators $$\textbf{D}$$
D
, $$\textbf{G}$$
G
are discrete analogs of the continuous divergence (div) and gradient (grad) operators. In the discrete sense, these discrete operators satisfy the same properties as those of their continuum counterparts. In particular, they satisfy a discrete extended Gauss’ divergence theorem. This paper investigates the higher-order quadratures associated with the fourth- and sixth- order mimetic finite difference operators, and show that they are indeed numerical quadratures and satisfy the divergence theorem. In addition, extensions to curvilinear coordinates are treated. Examples in one and two dimensions to illustrate numerical results are presented that confirm the validity of the theoretical findings.
Towards automatic EEG cyclic alternating pattern analysis: a systematic review
Authors: Mendonça Fábio , Mostafa Sheikh Shanawaz , Morgado-Dias Fernando , Ravelo-García Antonio G. , Rosenzweig Ivana
Published: July 2023

This study conducted a systematic review to determine the feasibility of automatic Cyclic Alternating Pattern (CAP) analysis. Specifically, this review followed the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to address the formulated research question: is automatic CAP analysis viable for clinical application? From the identified 1,280 articles, the review included 35 studies that proposed various methods for examining CAP, including the classification of A phase, their subtypes, or the CAP cycles. Three main trends were observed over time regarding A phase classification, starting with mathematical models or features classified with a tuned threshold, followed by using conventional machine learning models and, recently, deep learning models. Regarding the CAP cycle detection, it was observed that most studies employed a finite state machine to implement the CAP scoring rules, which depended on an initial A phase classifier, stressing the importance of developing suitable A phase detection models. The assessment of A-phase subtypes has proven challenging due to various approaches used in the state-of-the-art for their detection, ranging from multiclass models to creating a model for each subtype. The review provided a positive answer to the main research question, concluding that automatic CAP analysis can be reliably performed. The main recommended research agenda involves validating the proposed methodologies on larger datasets, including more subjects with sleep-related disorders, and providing the source code for independent confirmation.
Applying particle swarm optimization-based dynamic adaptive hyperlink evaluation to focused crawler for meteorological disasters
Authors: Liu Jingfa , Yang Zhihe , Yan Xueming , Chen Duanbing
Published: July 2023

Traditional semantic-based focused crawlers calculate the topical priority of hyperlink by linearly integrating topical similarity evaluation metrics and empirical weights. However, the manually pre-determined weights may introduce bias in evaluating hyperlinks, resulting in topic deviation during crawling. To address this problem, we propose a dynamic adaptive procedure based on particle swarm optimization which dynamically updates weights in every crawling step and put forward a new focused crawler, called FCPSO. In FCPSO, we utilize domain ontology for topic representation and a comprehensive priority evaluation method to evaluate the topical priority of hyperlink. Furthermore, we construct a multi-objective optimization model for hyperlink selection, in which the strategy of the non-dominant sorting with the nearest farthest candidate solution is proposed to select Pareto-optimal hyperlinks and guide the crawling direction. Extensive experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of FCPSO over other strategies that it can obtain more topic-relevant webpages with less time consumption.
Computer vision-based hand gesture recognition for human-robot interaction: a review
Authors: Qi Jing , Ma Li , Cui Zhenchao , Yu Yushu
Published: July 2023

As robots have become more pervasive in our daily life, natural human-robot interaction (HRI) has had a positive impact on the development of robotics. Thus, there has been growing interest in the development of vision-based hand gesture recognition for HRI to bridge human-robot barriers. The aim is for interaction with robots to be as natural as that between individuals. Accordingly, incorporating hand gestures in HRI is a significant research area. Hand gestures can provide natural, intuitive, and creative methods for communicating with robots. This paper provides an analysis of hand gesture recognition using both monocular cameras and RGB-D cameras for this purpose. Specifically, the main process of visual gesture recognition includes data acquisition, hand gesture detection and segmentation, feature extraction and gesture classification, which are discussed in this paper. Experimental evaluations are also reviewed. Furthermore, algorithms of hand gesture recognition for human-robot interaction are examined in this study. In addition, the advances required for improvement in the present hand gesture recognition systems, which can be applied for effective and efficient human-robot interaction, are discussed.
If that’s what she said, then that’s what she said: a usage-based, constructional analysis of pleonastic conditionals in English
Authors: Sommerer Lotte
Published: July 2023

This paper investigates so-called pleonastic conditionals (PCs) in Present Day English, e.g. If you have to, you have to or When duty calls, duty calls. PCs are rhetorical statements in which the antecedent and the consequent are formally and semantically identical. The construction is characterized by stylistic reduplication and semantic redundancy. It is exactly this tautological nature which has a considerable effect on the discourse-pragmatic functions of the construction. The paper analyzes the construction’s frequency, form and functions by looking at data from three BYU corpora: the Movie Corpus (Davies, 2019), the TV Corpus (Davies, 2019), the Corpus of American Soap Operas (Davies, 2011). 2151 examples of if- and when-PCs are analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. It is argued that PCs are functionally too different to be classified as default conditionals in the strict sense simply because they do not express a condition or inference. PCs are constructions used to express acceptance, indifference or certainty of the proposition. On top of that, they also code prototypicality which is a function completely overlooked in the literature so far. A Logistic Regression Model is fitted to predict the choice of the connector if or when. The statistical analysis confirms that the two types have different constructional profiles. With regards to theoretical modeling, the paper analyzes PCs from a usage-based, cognitive, construction grammar point of view and sketches the constructions’ form-meaning parings as well as their horizontal and vertical connections in the constructicon.
Improving land-use-based urbanism through award-winning planning practice and scholarship: a North American case study
Authors: Balsas Carlos J. L.
Published: July 2023

Metropolises in the Sunbelt region of the USA are in need of sensitive land-use-based urbanism comprised of more compact development, sustainable transportation, efficient infrastructure, low-carbon energy, and greenway and environmental planning. Sustainable urbanity can be partially accomplished via co-creative planning pedagogies, which in turn can lead to place-and evidence-based planning practice and scholarship. However, student work is often underappreciated because academia does not create the visibility that it requires. Planning studios and other applied disciplines are invaluable opportunities to conduct in loco research and to produce professional or near-professional documents. Town-gown collaborative projects offer many rewards. This article showcases how various undergraduate and graduate disciplines offered at Arizona State University resulted in state-level professional planning awards. It is stated that students ought to go beyond the delivery of planning documents to their instructors and clients to also seek recognition from their professional associations. More encompassing recognition of award-winning work is sure to receive further visibility not only from professionals but also from the community at large. The methodology comprised mostly qualitative policy evaluation of plan making processes. A set of lessons learned and implications is offered for those who wish to venture out in this type of academic collaborations, namely instructors, students, stakeholders, university administrators, elected officials, and professional planners. The key finding is that the land-use-based urbanism strategies discussed in the paper can encourage land preservation in arid cities and above all increase the quality of urban life in desert environments.
High‐Accuracy Classification of Radiation Waveforms of Lightning Return Strokes
Authors: Wu Ting , Wang Daohong , Takagi Nobuyuki
Published: July 2023

A machine‐learning classifier for radiation waveforms of negative return strokes (RSs) is built and tested based on the Random Forest classifier using a large data set consisting of 14,898 negative RSs and 159,277 intracloud (IC) pulses with 3‐D location information. Eleven simple parameters including three parameters related with pulse characteristics and eight parameters related with the relative strength of pulses are defined to build the classifier. Two parameters for the evaluation of the classifier performance are also defined, including the classification accuracy, which is the percentage of true RSs in all classified RSs, and the identification efficiency, which is the percentage of correctly classified RSs in all true RSs. The tradeoff between the accuracy and the efficiency is examined and simple methods to tune the tradeoff are developed. The classifier achieved the best overall performance with an accuracy of 98.84% and an efficiency of 98.81%. With the same technique, the classifier for positive RSs is also built and tested using a data set consisting of 8,700 positive RSs. The classifier has an accuracy of 99.04% and an efficiency of 98.37%. By examining misclassified waveforms, we show evidence that some RSs and IC discharges produce special radiation waveforms that are almost impossible to correctly classify without 3‐D location information, resulting in a fundamental difficulty to achieve very high accuracy and efficiency in the classification of lightning radiation waveforms.
Herpes zoster vaccine safety in the Aotearoa New Zealand population: a self-controlled case series study
Authors: Mbinta James F. , Wang Alex X. , Nguyen Binh P. , Paynter Janine , Awuni Prosper Mandela A. , Pine Russell , Sporle Andrew A. , Bowe Steve , Simpson Colin R.
Published: July 2023

In Aotearoa New Zealand, zoster vaccine live is used for the prevention of zoster and associated complications in adults. This study assessed the risk of pre-specified serious adverse events following zoster vaccine live immunisation among adults in routine clinical practice. We conducted a self-controlled case series study using routinely collected national data. We compared the incidence of serious adverse events during the at-risk period with the control period. Rate ratios were estimated using Conditional Poisson regression models. Falsification outcomes analyses were used to evaluate biases in our study population. From April 2018 to July 2021, 278,375 received the vaccine. The rate ratio of serious adverse events following immunisation was 0·43 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0·37–0·50). There was no significant increase in the risk of cerebrovascular accidents, acute myocardial infarction, acute pericarditis, acute myocarditis, and Ramsay–Hunt Syndrome. The herpes zoster vaccine is safe in adults in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The muscle-enriched myokine Musclin impairs beige fat thermogenesis and systemic energy homeostasis via Tfr1/PKA signaling in male mice
Authors: Jin Lu , Han Shuang , Lv Xue , Li Xiaofei , Zhang Ziyin , Kuang Henry , Chen Zhimin , Lv Cheng-an , Peng Wei , Yang Zhuoying , Yang Miqi , Mi Lin , Liu Tongyu , Ma Shengshan , Qiu Xinyuan , Wang Qintao , Pan Xiaowen , Shan Pengfei , Feng Yu , Li Jin , Wang Fudi , Xie Liwei , Zhao Xuyun , Fu Jun-Fen , Lin Jiandie D. , Meng Zhuo-Xian
Published: July 2023

Skeletal muscle and thermogenic adipose tissue are both critical for the maintenance of body temperature in mammals. However, whether these two tissues are interconnected to modulate thermogenesis and metabolic homeostasis in response to thermal stress remains inconclusive. Here, we report that human and mouse obesity is associated with elevated Musclin levels in both muscle and circulation. Intriguingly, muscle expression of Musclin is markedly increased or decreased when the male mice are housed in thermoneutral or chronic cool conditions, respectively. Beige fat is then identified as the primary site of Musclin action. Muscle-transgenic or AAV-mediated overexpression of Musclin attenuates beige fat thermogenesis, thereby exacerbating diet-induced obesity and metabolic disorders in male mice. Conversely, Musclin inactivation by muscle-specific ablation or neutralizing antibody treatment promotes beige fat thermogenesis and improves metabolic homeostasis in male mice. Mechanistically, Musclin binds to transferrin receptor 1 (Tfr1) and antagonizes Tfr1-mediated cAMP/PKA-dependent thermogenic induction in beige adipocytes. This work defines the temperature-sensitive myokine Musclin as a negative regulator of adipose thermogenesis that exacerbates the deterioration of metabolic health in obese male mice and thus provides a framework for the therapeutic targeting of this endocrine pathway.
Transcriptional and spatial profiling of the kidney allograft unravels a central role for FcyRIII+ innate immune cells in rejection
Authors: Lamarthée Baptiste , Callemeyn Jasper , Van Herck Yannick , Antoranz Asier , Anglicheau Dany , Boada Patrick , Becker Jan Ulrich , Debyser Tim , De Smet Frederik , De Vusser Katrien , Eloudzeri Maëva , Franken Amelie , Gwinner Wilfried , Koshy Priyanka , Kuypers Dirk , Lambrechts Diether , Marquet Pierre , Mathias Virginie , Rabant Marion , Sarwal Minnie M. , Senev Aleksandar , Sigdel Tara K. , Sprangers Ben , Thaunat Olivier , Tinel Claire , Van Brussel Thomas , Van Craenenbroeck Amaryllis , Van Loon Elisabet , Vaulet Thibaut , Bosisio Francesca , Naesens Maarten
Published: July 2023

Rejection remains the main cause of premature graft loss after kidney transplantation, despite the use of potent immunosuppression. This highlights the need to better understand the composition and the cell-to-cell interactions of the alloreactive inflammatory infiltrate. Here, we performed droplet-based single-cell RNA sequencing of 35,152 transcriptomes from 16 kidney transplant biopsies with varying phenotypes and severities of rejection and without rejection, and identified cell-type specific gene expression signatures for deconvolution of bulk tissue. A specific association was identified between recipient-derived FCGR3A+ monocytes, FCGR3A+ NK cells and the severity of intragraft inflammation. Activated FCGR3A+ monocytes overexpressed CD47 and LILR genes and increased paracrine signaling pathways promoting T cell infiltration. FCGR3A+ NK cells overexpressed FCRL3, suggesting that antibody-dependent cytotoxicity is a central mechanism of NK-cell mediated graft injury. Multiplexed immunofluorescence using 38 markers on 18 independent biopsy slides confirmed this role of FcγRIII+ NK and FcγRIII+ nonclassical monocytes in antibody-mediated rejection, with specificity to the glomerular area. These results highlight the central involvement of innate immune cells in the pathogenesis of allograft rejection and identify several potential therapeutic targets that might improve allograft longevity.
Identification of a deep-branching thermophilic clade sheds light on early bacterial evolution
Authors: Leng Hao , Wang Yinzhao , Zhao Weishu , Sievert Stefan M. , Xiao Xiang
Published: July 2023

It has been proposed that early bacteria, or even the last universal common ancestor of all cells, were thermophilic. However, research on the origin and evolution of thermophily is hampered by the difficulties associated with the isolation of deep-branching thermophilic microorganisms in pure culture. Here, we isolate a deep-branching thermophilic bacterium from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent, using a two-step cultivation strategy (“Subtraction-Suboptimal”, StS) designed to isolate rare organisms. The bacterium, which we name Zhurongbacter thermophilus 3DAC, is a sulfur-reducing heterotroph that is phylogenetically related to Coprothermobacterota and other thermophilic bacterial groups, forming a clade that seems to represent a major, early-diverging bacterial lineage. The ancestor of this clade might be a thermophilic, strictly anaerobic, motile, hydrogen-dependent, and mixotrophic bacterium. Thus, our study provides insights into the early evolution of thermophilic bacteria.
Plug & play origami modules with all-purpose deformation modes
Authors: Zhang Chao , Zhang Zhuang , Peng Yun , Zhang Yanlin , An Siqi , Wang Yunjie , Zhai Zirui , Xu Yan , Jiang Hanqing
Published: July 2023

Three basic deformation modes of an object (bending, twisting, and contraction/extension) along with their various combinations and delicate controls lead to diverse locomotion. As a result, seeking mechanisms to achieve simple to complex deformation modes in a controllable manner is a focal point in related engineering fields. Here, a pneumatic-driven, origami-based deformation unit that offers all-purpose deformation modes, namely, three decoupled basic motion types and four combinations of these three basic types, with seven distinct motion modes in total through one origami module, was created and precisely controlled through various pressurization schemes. These all-purpose origami-based modules can be readily assembled as needed, even during operation, which enables plug-and-play characteristics. These origami modules with all-purpose deformation modes offer unprecedented opportunities for soft robots in performing complex tasks, which were successfully demonstrated in this work.
Hearing of malaria mosquitoes is modulated by a beta-adrenergic-like octopamine receptor which serves as insecticide target
Authors: Georgiades Marcos , Alampounti Alexandros , Somers Jason , Su Matthew P. , Ellis David A. , Bagi Judit , Terrazas-Duque Daniela , Tytheridge Scott , Ntabaliba Watson , Moore Sarah , Albert Joerg T. , Andrés Marta
Published: July 2023

Malaria mosquitoes acoustically detect their mating partners within large swarms that form transiently at dusk. Indeed, male malaria mosquitoes preferably respond to female flight tones during swarm time. This phenomenon implies a sophisticated context- and time-dependent modulation of mosquito audition, the mechanisms of which are largely unknown. Using transcriptomics, we identify a complex network of candidate neuromodulators regulating mosquito hearing in the speciesAnopheles gambiae. Among them, octopamine stands out as an auditory modulator during swarm time. In-depth analysis of octopamine auditory function shows that it affects the mosquito ear on multiple levels: it modulates the tuning and stiffness of the flagellar sound receiver and controls the erection of antennal fibrillae. We show that two α- and β-adrenergic-like octopamine receptors drive octopamine’s auditory roles and demonstrate that the octopaminergic auditory control system can be targeted by insecticides. Our findings highlight octopamine as key for mosquito hearing and mating partner detection and as a potential novel target for mosquito control.
Mitochondria-derived peptide SHLP2 regulates energy homeostasis through the activation of hypothalamic neurons
Authors: Kim Seul Ki , Tran Le Trung , NamKoong Cherl , Choi Hyung Jin , Chun Hye Jin , Lee Yong-ho , Cheon MyungHyun , Chung ChiHye , Hwang Junmo , Lim Hyun-Ho , Shin Dong Min , Choi Yun-Hee , Kim Ki Woo
Published: July 2023

Small humanin-like peptide 2 (SHLP2) is a mitochondrial-derived peptide implicated in several biological processes such as aging and oxidative stress. However, its functional role in the regulation of energy homeostasis remains unclear, and its corresponding receptor is not identified. Hereby, we demonstrate that both systemic and intracerebroventricular (ICV) administrations of SHLP2 protected the male mice from high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and improved insulin sensitivity. In addition, the activation of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons by SHLP2 in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARC) is involved in the suppression of food intake and the promotion of thermogenesis. Through high-throughput structural complementation screening, we discovered that SHLP2 binds to and activates chemokine receptor 7 (CXCR7). Taken together, our study not only reveals the therapeutic potential of SHLP2 in metabolic disorders but also provides important mechanistic insights into how it exerts its effects on energy homeostasis.
Re-expression of CA1 and entorhinal activity patterns preserves temporal context memory at long timescales
Authors: Zou Futing , Wanjia Guo , Allen Emily J. , Wu Yihan , Charest Ian , Naselaris Thomas , Kay Kendrick , Kuhl Brice A. , Hutchinson J. Benjamin , DuBrow Sarah
Published: July 2023

Converging, cross-species evidence indicates that memory for time is supported by hippocampal area CA1 and entorhinal cortex. However, limited evidence characterizes how these regions preserve temporal memories over long timescales (e.g., months). At long timescales, memoranda may be encountered in multiple temporal contexts, potentially creating interference. Here, using 7T fMRI, we measured CA1 and entorhinal activity patterns as human participants viewed thousands of natural scene images distributed, and repeated, across many months. We show that memory for an image’s original temporal context was predicted by the degree to which CA1/entorhinal activity patterns from the first encounter with an image were re-expressed during re-encounters occurring minutes to months later. Critically, temporal memory signals were dissociable from predictors of recognition confidence, which were carried by distinct medial temporal lobe expressions. These findings suggest that CA1 and entorhinal cortex preserve temporal memories across long timescales by coding for and reinstating temporal context information.
Highly specific and non-invasive imaging of Piezo1-dependent activity across scales using GenEPi
Authors: Yaganoglu Sine , Kalyviotis Konstantinos , Vagena-Pantoula Christina , Jülich Dörthe , Gaub Benjamin M. , Welling Maaike , Lopes Tatiana , Lachowski Dariusz , Tang See Swee , Del Rio Hernandez Armando , Salem Victoria , Müller Daniel J. , Holley Scott A. , Vermot Julien , Shi Jian , Helassa Nordine , Török Katalin , Pantazis Periklis
Published: July 2023

Mechanosensing is a ubiquitous process to translate external mechanical stimuli into biological responses. Piezo1 ion channels are directly gated by mechanical forces and play an essential role in cellular mechanotransduction. However, readouts of Piezo1 activity are mainly examined by invasive or indirect techniques, such as electrophysiological analyses and cytosolic calcium imaging. Here, we introduce GenEPi, a genetically-encoded fluorescent reporter for non-invasive optical monitoring of Piezo1-dependent activity. We demonstrate that GenEPi has high spatiotemporal resolution for Piezo1-dependent stimuli from the single-cell level to that of the entire organism. GenEPi reveals transient, local mechanical stimuli in the plasma membrane of single cells, resolves repetitive contraction-triggered stimulation of beating cardiomyocytes within microtissues, and allows for robust and reliable monitoring of Piezo1-dependent activity in vivo. GenEPi will enable non-invasive optical monitoring of Piezo1 activity in mechanochemical feedback loops during development, homeostatic regulation, and disease.
Mechanical properties and crack evolution characteristics of fractured rock with hidden fissures
Authors: Ban Yuxin , Chen Lihong , Xie Qiang , Duan Jun , He Chunbo , Xue Xiaoqiang , Fu Xiang
Published: July 2023

Natural defects, such as joints, structural surfaces and voids, significantly affect the mechanical properties and fracture modes of rock mass. Hidden fissures are widely distributed in magmatic rock, while their influences on the mechanical properties and the cracking mechanism are still unclear. Laboratory tests were conducted on prefabricating hidden-fissured rock-like specimens, as well as intact specimens and close-fissured specimens as a comparison. The real-time digital image correlation technology and acoustic emission monitoring technology were synchronously adopted to capture both the external and internal cracking process. The results show that the hidden fissures can weaken the uniaxial compression strength, while the deterioration effect of hidden fissures is weaker than closed fissures due to the internal cohesion among fissure internal particles. What’s more, the initiation behavior of the α = 90° hidden-fissured specimen is different from that of β = 90° closed-fissured specimen. Finally, the cracking mechanism of hidden-fissured specimens was revealed by analyzing the RA–AF relationship. The failure of the close-fissured specimens is mainly the tensile-shear mixed fracture mode, while the failure of the hidden-fissured specimens is mainly the tensile fracture mode and supplemented by the shear. The experimental results contribute to the understanding of cracking properties in hidden-fissured rock.
A high-gain dual-band shared-aperture array integrating zero-order-resonance patch and higher-order metasurface antenna
Authors: Chen Qian , Cheng You-Feng , Shao Chen-Hao , Feng Ju , Liao Cheng , Ding Xiao
Published: July 2023

This letter proposes a high-gain shared-aperture array for vehicular communications which integrates the hybrid zeroth-order-resonance (ZOR) patch and the higher-order metasurface antenna (MA). In terms of each array element, four hybrid ZOR patches with shorting pins form a metasurface which is fed by slot coupling. Different from some reported designs which have more high-frequency elements than low-frequency ones, the whole array is composed of 4 $$\times$$
×
4 hybrid ZOR patches operating in C band (4.74–5.12 GHz) and 2 $$\times$$
×
2 MAs working in Ku band (13.0–14.0 GHz). Such a layout brings that the designed array has the benefit to reduce Ku-band loss. Measure results validate the dual-band operation and show that the antenna has its peak gains of 12.7 dBi and 17.2 dBi in these two bands, respectively, which can support vehicle-to-base station and vehicle-to-satellite communications.
Uncertainty analysis and optimization of laser thermal pain treatment
Authors: Liu Honghua , She Chang , Huang Zhiliang , Wei Lei , Li Qian , Peng Han , Liu Mailan
Published: July 2023

Uncertainty in operating parameters during laser thermal pain treatment can yield unreliable results. To ensure reliability and effectiveness, we performed uncertainty analysis and optimization on these parameters. Firstly, we conducted univariate analysis to identify significant operational parameters. Next, an agent model using RBNN regression determined the relationship between these parameters, the constraint function, and the target function. Using interval uncertainty analysis, we obtained confidence distributions and established a nonlinear interval optimization model. Introducing RPDI transformed the model into a deterministic optimization approach. Solving this with a genetic algorithm yielded an optimal solution. The results demonstrate that this solution significantly enhances treatment efficacy while ensuring temperature control stability and reliability. Accounting for parameter uncertainties is crucial for achieving dependable and effective laser thermal pain treatment. These findings have important implications for advancing the clinical application of this treatment and enhancing patient outcomes.
Experimental generation of fulgurite under realistic lightning discharge conditions
Authors: Çalışkanoğlu A. Zeynep , Camara Alessandra S. B. , Cimarelli Corrado , Dingwell Donald B. , Hess Kai-Uwe
Published: July 2023

Fulgurites have been documented in geological deposits from throughout Earth's history. They have also been assigned a potential role in prebiotic chemistry as a source of reactants. Fulgurites are generated in nature by cloud-to-ground lightning strikes. The unpredictability in space and time of the occurrence of lightning events has limited the investigation of both the mechanisms by, and the conditions under, which fulgurites form. A laboratory-based approach can mitigate these limitations. Here, we describe experimentally generated fulgurites generated from Laacher See volcanic ash. We employ a DC source with a trigger-pulse setup in a high voltage laboratory, whose capabilities enable experimental conditions that correspond closely to the electrical characteristics of natural lightning strikes. The experimentally generated fulgurites closely resemble naturally-occurring fulgurites in both state and texture. These experimental investigations yield a high reproducibility of the characteristic of fulgurites generated under well-constrained conditions, enabling some inferences to be made regarding the processes involved in the generation of fulgurites in nature. This work provides a basis for a systematic characterization of experimental fulgurites and the characteristic of lightning discharges.
Quantum secure metrology for network sensing-based applications
Authors: Rahim Muhammad Talha , Khan Awais , Khalid Uman , Rehman Junaid ur , Jung Haejoon , Shin Hyundong
Published: July 2023

Quantum secure metrology protocols harness quantum effects to probe remote systems with enhanced precision and security. Traditional QSM protocols require multi-partite entanglement, which limits its near-term implementation due to technological constraints. This paper proposes a QSM scheme that employs Bell pairs to provide unconditional security while offering precision scaling beyond the standard quantum limit. We provide a detailed comparative performance analysis of our proposal under multiple attacks. We found that the employed controlled encoding strategy is far better than the parallel encoding of multi-partite entangled states with regard to the secrecy of the parameter. We also identify and characterize an intrinsic trade-off relationship between the maximum achievable precision and security under the limited availability of resources. The dynamic scalability of the proposed protocol makes it suitable for large-scale network sensing scenarios.
Microfluidic-based prostate cancer model for investigating the secretion of prostate-specific antigen and microRNAs in vitro
Authors: Padmyastuti Adventina , Sarmiento Marina Garcia , Dib Maria , Ehrhardt Jens , Schoon Janosch , Somova Maryna , Burchardt Martin , Roennau Cindy , Pinto Pedro Caetano
Published: July 2023

The study of prostate cancer in vitro relies on established cell lines that lack important physiological characteristics, such as proper polarization and expression of relevant biomarkers. Microphysiological systems (MPS) can replicate cancer microenvironments and lead to cellular phenotypic changes that better represent organ physiology in vitro. In this study, we developed an MPS model comprising conventional prostate cancer cells to evaluate their activity under dynamic culture conditions. Androgen-sensitive (LNCaP) and androgen-insensitive (PC3) cells were grown in conventional and 3D cultures, both static and dynamic. Cell morphology, the secretion of prostate-specific antigen, and the expression of key prostate markers and microRNAs were analyzed. LNCaP formed spheroids in 3D and MPS cultures, with morphological changes supported by the upregulation of cytokeratins and adhesion proteins. LNCaP also maintained a constant prostate-specific antigen secretion in MPS. PC3 cells did not develop complex structures in 3D and MPS cultures. PSA expression at the gene level was downregulated in LNCaP-MPS and considerably upregulated in PC3-MPS. MicroRNA expression was altered by the 3D static and dynamic culture, both intra- and extracellularly. MicroRNAs associated with prostate cancer progression were mostly upregulated in LNCaP-MPS. Overall dynamic cell culture substantially altered the morphology and expression of LNCaP cells, arguably augmenting their prostate cancer phenotype. This novel approach demonstrates that microRNA expression in prostate cancer cells is sensitive to external stimuli and that MPS can effectively promote important physiological changes in conventional prostate cancer models.
Mutations observed in somatic evolution reveal underlying gene mechanisms
Authors: Hall Michael W. J. , Shorthouse David , Alcraft Rachel , Jones Philip H. , Hall Benjamin A.
Published: July 2023

Highly sensitive DNA sequencing techniques have allowed the discovery of large numbers of somatic mutations in normal tissues. Some mutations confer a competitive advantage over wild-type cells, generating expanding clones that spread through the tissue. Competition between mutant clones leads to selection. This process can be considered a large scale, in vivo screen for mutations increasing cell fitness. It follows that somatic missense mutations may offer new insights into the relationship between protein structure, function and cell fitness. We present a flexible statistical method for exploring the selection of structural features in data sets of somatic mutants. We show how this approach can evidence selection of specific structural features in key drivers in aged tissues. Finally, we show how drivers may be classified as fitness-enhancing and fitness-suppressing through different patterns of mutation enrichment. This method offers a route to understanding the mechanism of protein function through in vivo mutant selection.
Anthropogenic secondary organic aerosol and ozone production from asphalt-related emissions
Authors: Seltzer Karl M. , Rao Venkatesh , Pye Havala O. T. , Murphy Benjamin N. , Place Bryan K. , Khare Peeyush , Gentner Drew R. , Allen Christine , Cooley David , Mason Rich , Houyoux Marc
Published: July 2023

Asphalt paving contributes to nationwide reactive organic compound emissions and these emissions can enhance local, predominantly urban, fine particulate matter concentrations.
Urban stormwater capture for water supply: look out for persistent, mobile and toxic substances
Authors: Mutzner Lena , Zhang Kefeng , Luthy Richard G. , Arp Hans Peter H. , Spahr Stephanie
Published: July 2023

Urban stormwater is a source of persistent, mobile and toxic substances, however the risk for water resources is unknown.