bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of blood flow restriction training on pressure pain threshold and hand function among adults with persistent neck pain: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Sidiq Mohammad , Chahal Aksh , Bansal Nitesh , Alam Sajjad , Verma Rituraj , Reddy Vajrala Krishna , Sharma Jyoti , Khan Sumera , Sharma Yamini , Janakiraman Balamurugan , Hirendra Rai Richa , Malhotra Nitesh
Published: August 2023

Background: Persistent neck pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition that affects the quality of life and functional abilities of individuals. Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFRT) is a novel therapeutic approach that involves restricting blood flow to exercising muscles to enhance strength and function. However, limited research has been conducted on the effects of BFRT on pressure pain threshold and hand function in adults with persistent neck pain. This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the potential benefits of BFRT as a treatment intervention for this population.

Methods: This study will be a prospective parallel group active controlled trail done at Physiotherapy Department, Galgotias University. Ethical clearance has been obtained from Departmental Ethics Committee on 19/05/2023 with reference number DEC/PT/GU/2023 and the Trial has been registered with Clinical Trial Registry India CTRI/2023/06/053439. Informed consent will be obtained from all the participants who are eligible to be included in the study. 110 patients with persistent neck pain will be randomly allocated into two groups. The BFRT group will receive supervised training sessions three times a week for eight weeks, performing low-load resistance exercises with blood flow restriction applied using personalized cuff pressure. The control group will receive standard care for neck pain, which may include general advice, manual therapy, and/or home exercises without BFRT. The primary outcome measures will be the pressure pain threshold, assessed using a pressure Algometer, and hand function, evaluated using standardized tests such as Hand Grip Strength and Purdue Peg board Test.

Results: The data obtained will be analyzed using appropriate statistical methods, and the significance level will be set at p<0.05.

Conclusion: This trial will contribute valuable contribution highlighting the potential benefits of BFR training in improving pressure pain threshold and hand function in adults with persistent neck pain.
Fundamentos teóricos para una distinción clara entre el comportamiento ético y el normativo-moral en el desempeño profesional del psicólogo
Authors: García Avitia César Augusto
Published: August 2023

El comportamiento ético profesional es un fenómeno complejo que no puede limitarse al seguimiento literal de los artículos en un código. Las normas deontológicas profesionales, morales o jurídicas son de gran relevancia, pero no representan todos los elementos involucrados en la ética profesional. Para lograr que los psicólogos se desempeñen éticamente es necesario plantear la ética profesional como un tipo de comportamiento y explorar el proceso previo que lo impulsa, siendo insuficiente observar y juzgar una acción concreta o sus consecuencias para identificarlo. El objetivo de este artículo es fundamentar teóricamente la diferencia entre el comportamiento ético y el comportamiento normativo-moral en el desempeño profesional del psicólogo. El método de este estudio es de tipo teórico documental y requirió de procesos de análisis, síntesis y reelaboración conceptual. Para cumplir el objetivo se analizaron los conceptos de ética, moral, deontología profesional y comportamiento; las teorías de la ética de la responsabilidad y la ética dialógica discursiva; diversas declaraciones y códigos éticos-deontológicos profesionales de la psicología; la teoría del sistema dual sobre pensamiento; los modelos de toma de decisiones éticas y teorías del razonamiento moral. Como resultado, se construyó un sustento teórico para respaldar la tesis que defiende que el comportamiento ético profesional del psicólogo debe distinguirse del comportamiento normativo-moral, para lo cual pueden usarse  criterios como la autonomía, los sistemas de  pensamiento, los valores que guían la toma de decisiones, la utilización del diálogo y el tipo de razonamiento moral que determina el comportamiento.
An Optimization Case Study in Analyzing Missouri Redistricting
Authors: Dobbs Kiera W. , Swamy Rahul , King Douglas M. , Ludden Ian G. , Jacobson Sheldon H.
Published: August 2023

Every 10 years, U.S. states redraw their congressional and state legislative district plans. This process decides the political landscape for the subsequent 10 years. Prior to the 2021 redistricting cycle, Missouri enacted new criteria for state legislative districts. The Missouri League of Women Voters (LWV-MO) contacted the authors to analyze the potential impact of these new criteria on the map-drawing process. We apply recombination (a spanning tree method) within a local search optimization framework to analyze the interplay between political geography, constitutional requirements, and political fairness in Missouri. We use this framework to produce district plans that satisfy the new criteria and prioritize different aspects of fairness. The results, quantified by several measures of fairness, reveal an inherent Republican advantage in Missouri because of the state’s political geography and constitutional requirements. We conclude that Missouri’s political geography and constitutional requirements prevent the optimization framework from substantially improving political fairness in state legislative plans. In contrast, the framework can substantially improve political fairness in Missouri congressional plans, which are not subject to the new requirements. The LWV-MO used this work to advocate for fairness and transparency in their testimonies for the Missouri redistricting commission’s public hearings.

History: This paper was refereed.

Funding: This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program [Grant DGE-1746047]. S. H. Jacobson was supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research [Grant FA9550-19-1-0106].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/inte.2022.0037 .
Caring for the brain injured
Authors: Fairclough Philip
Published: August 2023

In previous issues of the BJNN, Philip Fairclough has revealed what it is like to live with a brain injury for 30 years, and has also discussed how the injured and their carers can cope with various challenges and difficulties. Yet, it is crucial that the needs of the families and carers are also well-understood and met. In this article, the author offers friendly insight and advice on the matter to all carers, whether they be professionals, family or friends.
Making sense of bowel care for patients with spinal cord injury
Authors: Whitehouse Tracy
Published: August 2023

This article discusses the life-changing consequences regarding bowel function for patients with a spinal cord injury. In the UK, around 2500 people are newly injured each year (one every 4hours) ( Spinal Injury Association, 2023a ). Only one third of patients will gain access to a specialist spinal centre – there are 11 such centres in the UK. The Spinal Injury Association has launched their ‘This is #SeriousSh1t’ campaign to highlight the lack of continuity of bowel care for these patients on hospital admission. In the What Matters campaign ( Spinal Injury Association, 2023b ), bowel management was identified by 72% of respondents as their biggest medical worry.
Mechanism and recent updates on insulin-related disorders
Authors: Kumar Shashank , Senapati Sabyasachi , Bhattacharya Neetu , Bhattacharya Amit , Maurya Shashank Kumar , Husain Hadiya , Bhatti Jasvinder Singh , Pandey Abhay Kumar
Published: August 2023

Insulin, a small protein with 51 amino acids synthesized by pancreatic β-cells, is crucial to sustain glucose homeostasis at biochemical and molecular levels. Numerous metabolic dysfunctions are related to insulin-mediated altered glucose homeostasis. One of the significant pathophysiological conditions linked to the insulin associated disorder is diabetes mellitus (DM) (type 1, type 2, and gestational). Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the major underlying causes of metabolic disorders despite its association with several physiological conditions. Metabolic syndrome (MS) is another pathophysiological condition that is associated with IR, hypertension, and obesity. Further, several other pathophysiological disorders/diseases are associated with the insulin malfunctioning, which include polycystic ovary syndrome, neuronal disorders, and cancer. Insulinomas are an uncommon type of pancreatic β-cell-derived neuroendocrine tumor that makes up 2% of all pancreatic neoplasms. Literature revealed that different biochemical events, molecular signaling pathways, microRNAs, and microbiota act as connecting links between insulin disorder and associated pathophysiology such as DM, insuloma, neurological disorder, MS, and cancer. In this review, we focus on the insulin-related disorders and the underlying mechanisms associated with the pathophysiology.
Synchronous multiple lung cancers with hilar lymph node metastasis of small cell carcinoma: A case report
Authors: Yoshino Ryusei , Yoshida Nana , Yasuda Shunsuke , Ito Akane , Nakatsubo Masaki , Yuzawa Sayaka , Kitada Masahiro
Published: August 2023

Insulin, a small protein with 51 amino acids synthesized by pancreatic β-cells, is crucial to sustain glucose homeostasis at biochemical and molecular levels. Numerous metabolic dysfunctions are related to insulin-mediated altered glucose homeostasis. One of the significant pathophysiological conditions linked to the insulin associated disorder is diabetes mellitus (DM) (type 1, type 2, and gestational). Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the major underlying causes of metabolic disorders despite its association with several physiological conditions. Metabolic syndrome (MS) is another pathophysiological condition that is associated with IR, hypertension, and obesity. Further, several other pathophysiological disorders/diseases are associated with the insulin malfunctioning, which include polycystic ovary syndrome, neuronal disorders, and cancer. Insulinomas are an uncommon type of pancreatic β-cell-derived neuroendocrine tumor that makes up 2% of all pancreatic neoplasms. Literature revealed that different biochemical events, molecular signaling pathways, microRNAs, and microbiota act as connecting links between insulin disorder and associated pathophysiology such as DM, insuloma, neurological disorder, MS, and cancer. In this review, we focus on the insulin-related disorders and the underlying mechanisms associated with the pathophysiology.
Incomplete distal renal tubular acidosis uncovered during pregnancy: A case report
Authors: Seong Eun Young , Kim Da Woon , Kim Hyo Jin , Rhee Harin , Song Sang Heon
Published: August 2023

Insulin, a small protein with 51 amino acids synthesized by pancreatic β-cells, is crucial to sustain glucose homeostasis at biochemical and molecular levels. Numerous metabolic dysfunctions are related to insulin-mediated altered glucose homeostasis. One of the significant pathophysiological conditions linked to the insulin associated disorder is diabetes mellitus (DM) (type 1, type 2, and gestational). Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the major underlying causes of metabolic disorders despite its association with several physiological conditions. Metabolic syndrome (MS) is another pathophysiological condition that is associated with IR, hypertension, and obesity. Further, several other pathophysiological disorders/diseases are associated with the insulin malfunctioning, which include polycystic ovary syndrome, neuronal disorders, and cancer. Insulinomas are an uncommon type of pancreatic β-cell-derived neuroendocrine tumor that makes up 2% of all pancreatic neoplasms. Literature revealed that different biochemical events, molecular signaling pathways, microRNAs, and microbiota act as connecting links between insulin disorder and associated pathophysiology such as DM, insuloma, neurological disorder, MS, and cancer. In this review, we focus on the insulin-related disorders and the underlying mechanisms associated with the pathophysiology.
Myeloid sarcoma as the only manifestation in a rare mixed lineage leukemia-fusion-driven acute myeloid leukemia: A case report
Authors: Tang Sheng-Jie , Zhang Qi-Guo
Published: August 2023

Insulin, a small protein with 51 amino acids synthesized by pancreatic β-cells, is crucial to sustain glucose homeostasis at biochemical and molecular levels. Numerous metabolic dysfunctions are related to insulin-mediated altered glucose homeostasis. One of the significant pathophysiological conditions linked to the insulin associated disorder is diabetes mellitus (DM) (type 1, type 2, and gestational). Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the major underlying causes of metabolic disorders despite its association with several physiological conditions. Metabolic syndrome (MS) is another pathophysiological condition that is associated with IR, hypertension, and obesity. Further, several other pathophysiological disorders/diseases are associated with the insulin malfunctioning, which include polycystic ovary syndrome, neuronal disorders, and cancer. Insulinomas are an uncommon type of pancreatic β-cell-derived neuroendocrine tumor that makes up 2% of all pancreatic neoplasms. Literature revealed that different biochemical events, molecular signaling pathways, microRNAs, and microbiota act as connecting links between insulin disorder and associated pathophysiology such as DM, insuloma, neurological disorder, MS, and cancer. In this review, we focus on the insulin-related disorders and the underlying mechanisms associated with the pathophysiology.
Dual Mode Photoluminescence Studies of Polyol-mediated Ho3+ Doped CePO4
Authors: Bandi Sirisha , Kanuparthy Phani Raja , Kumar Putta Venkata Nagendra
Published: August 2023

In this work, CePO4:Ho3+ nanomaterials are prepared by a productive polyol method which shows the dual mode of behavior in Photoluminescence. The up-conversion spectra at 980 nm excitation display a sharp brilliant peak at ∼520nm - ∼550nm, ∼630 nm, - 670 nm resulting in the (5F4,5S2→5I8) and (5F5→5I8) of Ho3+ ions, and it is also found that the sample radiates green and red colors. The down-conversion peaks show maximum absorption at 300nm which exhibit peaks at ∼450nm, ∼520nm- ∼550 nm, ∼and 630 nm -∼670 nm respectively. the rare earth ions doped nanomaterials show up-conversion radiation and down-conversion radiation. This type of energetic work has an extensive range of applications, including lasers, metal ion sensors, bio-imaging, temperature and stress sensors, radiation damage sensors, and defense and cyber security.
Ytterbium(III) Chloride: A Superior Reagent for the Synthesis of 4-Chloro-5, 6-Dihydro-2H-Pyran Derivatives via Cyclization of Epoxides and Homopropargyl Alcohols
Authors: Manjula Tirukovela , Arasan Jeyanthi
Published: August 2023

Prins type cyclization reaction of epoxides and homopropargyl alcohols in the presence of Ytterbium trichloride results in high yields of the corresponding dihydropyran derivatives under mild conditions.
Effect of Temperature on Rheology of Corn (Zea mays) oil
Authors: Stanciu Ioana
Published: August 2023

Corn must go through a complex refining process to produce corn oil. This process gives corn oil many unique characteristics, although not all of them are positive. Corn oil is 100% fat, with no protein or carbohydrates. One tablespoon (15 ml) of corn oil contains:calories: 122; fats: 14 g and vitamin E: 13% of the recommended daily intake. This article represents the dependence of dynamic viscosity on temperature for corn oil. It was studied with the Rheotest VT 550 system at shear rates and increasing temperatures.
The surgical care of diabetic feet: a survey about clinics, acute care, and the surgical specialists involved
Authors: Campbell B , Muse S , Welchman S , Hardy T , Guy A
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Diabetic foot problems are becoming increasingly common. Diabetic foot care services are fundamental in managing them, and there is the further issue of acute surgery for foot sepsis. The involvement of different surgical specialists has been variable; this survey aimed to provide information about current service provision.

Methods

Questionnaires were emailed to Vascular Society members, and targeted approaches were then undertaken.

Results

We aimed to obtain information from 61 localities identified as providing shared services, and received informative responses from 46 (75%). These described diabetic foot clinics each day (11%), or once (50%), twice (13%) or three times (17%) weekly – attended regularly by vascular surgeons, and less frequently by orthopaedic surgeons. The frequency of clinics was considered inadequate by 30% of respondents, and only 75% reported written policies for diabetic foot care pathways. Operations for acute foot sepsis are done by vascular surgeons in 98% of localities and by orthopaedic surgeons in 22% (in some localities by both): the latter are orthopaedic foot specialists in all localities but two. Both specialties perform a range of foot procedures, including toe/foot-preserving operations. Major amputations are done by vascular surgeons in 98% of localities and by orthopaedic surgeons in only 9%. All deformity correction procedures are performed by orthopaedic surgeons.

Conclusion

This survey shows that diabetic foot clinics are now held frequently in most localities. There is variation in the involvement of vascular and orthopaedic surgeons. Some localities need to consider increased provision of clinics and better defined pathways of care.
Local Municipalities, Central Fiscal Reform, and Regional Blocs: Revenue Relationships and Local Government in Limpopo, 1980–2020
Authors: Pearson Joel
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACT: This article considers the changing role of the Mogalakwena Local Municipality in the political economy of the Waterberg region of Limpopo. It considers the effects that centre-led processes of municipal fiscal reform over the course of the 1980s and 1990s have had on local and regional politics, and suggest that this offers one dimension through which to understand why Limpopo has long proved a troublesome region for successive national South African governments, across the apartheid and post-apartheid decades. In the first section, I consider the outcomes of attempts by the national government to reform apartheid in the 1980s. Even as the National Party moved to introduce forms of regional government which had greater emphasis on the redistribution of revenues across racial boundaries, ‘lily-white’ Conservative Party-controlled local councils sought to entrench fiscal segregation and resist inclusion in the Regional Services Councils (RSCs). In the second section, I show how this resistance ultimately failed in the face of national transitional processes. By the end of the 1990s, the Conservative Party was a spent force. However, what resulted from the period of the local government transition fell far from the aspirations of ‘wall-to-wall democratic local government’. In the final section, I argue that post-apartheid municipal reform which has overseen an expansion of the developmental role of local government, which entrenched principles of corporate managerialism and outsourcing, has given rise to new forms of local and regional resistance against central government and party control. Against the backdrop of local economic decline, local politicians have used revenues distributed by the national treasury to build an independent political base within regional and provincial structures of the African National Congress.
Transparent nanopaper for ultrashort pulse generation in the near-infrared region
Authors: Zhang Weiguang , Duan Zhixia , Guo Yixuan , Zhong Qize , Wang Haolei , Zhang Xiongxing , Chen Haibin , Zhang Junying , Guo Zilong , Wang Wei , Li Xiaohui
Published: August 2023

Transparent nanopaper (T-paper) can be applied in the field of electromagnetic shielding materials, antistatic materials, composite conductive materials, electric pool materials, super capacitors, and thermal management systems. However, this kind of T-paper has not been employed in ultrafast photonics yet. For the first time, to our knowledge, transparent electrical nanopaper is used in fiber lasers, different from the conventional pulsed fiber laser, which operates in the Q-switched regime under low pump power and then in the mode-locked regime under high pump power. Mode-locking is achieved first with a pulse duration of 550 fs under low pump power (166 mW). When further increasing the pump power up to 198 mW, the proposed fiber laser can be converted from a mode-locked to Q-switched state, which is a result of the two-photon absorption effect. The proposed fiber laser based on T-paper can be potentially applied in optical tomography, metrology, spectroscopy, micro-machining technology, and biomedical diagnostics.
Depth-selective method for time-domain diffuse reflectance measurements: validation study of the dual subtraction technique
Authors: Fazliazar Elham , Sudakou Aleh , Sawosz Piotr , Gerega Anna , Kacprzak Michal , Liebert Adam
Published: August 2023

Research on the spatial distribution of sensitivity of time-domain near infrared diffuse reflectance measurement is reported in this paper. The main objective of the investigation is to validate theoretically calculated sensitivity profiles for a measurement geometry with two detectors and two sources in which sensitivity profiles of statistical moments of distributions of time of flight of photons (DTOFs) are spatially restricted to a region underneath the detectors. For this dual subtraction method, smaller sensitivities to changes appearing in the superficial layer of the medium were observed compared to the single distance and single subtraction methods. Experimental validation of this approach is based on evaluation of changes in the statistical moments of DTOFs measured on a liquid phantom with local absorption perturbations. The spatial distributions of sensitivities, depth-related sensitivity and depth selectivities were obtained from the dual subtraction method and compared with those from single distance and single subtraction approaches. Also, the contrast to noise ratio (CNR) was calculated for the dual subtraction technique and combined with depth selectivity in order to assess the overall performance (product of CNR and depth selectivity) of the method. Spatial sensitivity profiles from phantom experiments are in a good agreement with the results of theoretical studies and feature more locally restricted sensitivity volume with the point of maximal sensitivity located deeper. The highest value of overall performance was obtained experimentally for the second statistical moment in the dual subtraction method (∼10.8) surpassing that of the single distance method (∼8.7). This confirms the advantage of dual subtraction measurement geometries in the suppression of optical signals originated in the superficial layer of the medium.
Enhancing obSTORM imaging performance with cubic spline PSF modeling
Authors: Koo Donghoon , Lee Minchol , Lee Youngseop , Kim Jeongmin
Published: August 2023

Oblique plane microscopy-based single molecule localization microscopy (obSTORM) has shown great potential for super-resolution imaging of thick biological specimens. Despite its compatibility with tissues and small animals, prior uses of the Gaussian point spread function (PSF) model have resulted in limited imaging resolution and a narrow axial localization range. This is due to the poor fit of the Gaussian PSF model with the actual PSF shapes in obSTORM. To overcome these limitations, we have employed cubic splines for a more accurate modeling of the experimental PSF shapes. This refined PSF model enhances three-dimensional localization precision, leading to significant improvements in obSTORM imaging of mouse retina tissues, such as an approximately 1.2 times increase in imaging resolution, seamless stitching of single molecules between adjacent optical sections, and a doubling of the sectional interval in volumetric obSTORM imaging due to the extended axial range of usable section thickness. The cubic spline PSF model thus offers a path towards more accurate and faster volumetric obSTORM imaging of biological specimens.
Neural network approach for correction of multiple scattering errors in the LISST-VSF instrument
Authors: Ugulen Håvard S. , Koestner Daniel , Sandven Håkon , Hamre Børge , Kristoffersen Arne S. , Saetre Camilla
Published: August 2023

The LISST-VSF is a commercially developed instrument used to measure the volume scattering function (VSF) and attenuation coefficient in natural waters, which are important for remote sensing, environmental monitoring and underwater optical wireless communication. While the instrument has been shown to work well at relatively low particle concentration, previous studies have shown that the VSF obtained from the LISST-VSF instrument is heavily influenced by multiple scattering in turbid waters. High particle concentrations result in errors in the measured VSF, as well as the derived properties, such as the scattering coefficient and phase function, limiting the range at which the instrument can be used reliably. Here, we present a feedforward neural network approach for correcting this error, using only the measured VSF as input. The neural network is trained with a large dataset generated using Monte Carlo simulations of the LISST-VSF with scattering coefficients b=0.05−50m−1, and tested on VSFs from measurements with natural water samples. The results show that the neural network estimated VSF is very similar to the expected VSF without multiple scattering errors, both in angular shape and magnitude. One example showed that the error in the scattering coefficient was reduced from 103% to 5% for a benchtop measurement of natural water sample with expected b=10.6m−1. Hence, the neural network drastically reduces uncertainties in the VSF and derived properties resulting from measurements with the LISST-VSF in turbid waters.
Aberration free synthetic aperture second harmonic generation holography
Authors: Murray Gabe , Field Jeff , Xiu Maxine , Farah Yusef , Wang Lang , Pinaud Olivier , Bartels Randy
Published: August 2023

Second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy is a valuable tool for optical microscopy. SHG microscopy is normally performed as a point scanning imaging method, which lacks phase information and is limited in spatial resolution by the spatial frequency support of the illumination optics. In addition, aberrations in the illumination are difficult to remove. We propose and demonstrate SHG holographic synthetic aperture holographic imaging in both the forward (transmission) and backward (epi) imaging geometries. By taking a set of holograms with varying incident angle plane wave illumination, the spatial frequency support is increased and the input and output pupil phase aberrations are estimated and corrected – producing diffraction limited SHG imaging that combines the spatial frequency support of the input and output optics. The phase correction algorithm is computationally efficient and robust and can be applied to any set of measured field imaging data.
Study of electronic and optical properties of CdI2 modulated by electric field: a first-principles study
Authors: Bai Xue , Jiang Qi , Song Pei , Jia Ze-Peng , Lu Sen , Gao Zhi-Kai , Lang Shao-Hua , Cui Hong , Feng Rong , Liang Zhi-Yong , Kang Qin , Yuan Hong-Kuan
Published: August 2023

We found that an out-of-plane vertical electric field of 1.0 V/Ang helps to maintain the thermodynamic and kinetic stability of monolayer CdI2.The results indicated that the electric field modulates monolayer CdI2 to produce the Mexican-hat electronic state and the giant Stark effect of the vertical electric field on monolayer CdI2 originates from electric field lifting its conduction band. The results based on HSE06 + SOC calculations show that electric field induces strong spin polarization, leading to significant energy level splitting and spin flipping in the valence band. Based on GW0 + BSE, the electric field broadens effective optical response range of monolayer CdI2, the new peak in the optical absorption spectrum under electric field indicates that electric field helps to diminish excitonic effect of monolayer CdI2.
Guided spiraling phonon polaritons in rolled one-dimensional MoO3 nanotubes
Authors: Chen Runkun , Li Peining
Published: August 2023

Polaritons in reduced-dimensional materials, such as nanowire, nanoribbon and rolled nanotube, usually provide novel avenues for manipulating electromagnetic fields at the nanoscale. Here, we theoretically propose and study hyperbolic phonon polaritons (HPhPs) with rolled one-dimensional molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) nanotube structure. We find that the HPhPs in rolled MoO3 nanotubes exhibit low propagation losses and tunable electromagnetic confinement along the rolled direction. By rolling the twisted bilayer MoO3, we successfully achieve a canalized phonon polaritons mode in the rolled nanotube, enabling their propagation in a spiraling manner along the nanotube. Our findings demonstrate the considerable potential of the rolled MoO3 nanotubes as promising platforms for various applications in light manipulation and nanophotonics circuits, including negative refraction, waveguiding and routing at the ultimate scale.
Semi-Analytical Finite Ray-Tracing Through the Quadratic Symmetric GRIN Lens
Authors: Flynn Conor , Goncharov Alexander
Published: August 2023

The propagation of light within a gradient index (GRIN) media can be analysed with the use of differential equations for a given non-homogenous refractive index profile. Numerical methods are often necessary to perform ray-tracing in GRIN media, however, analytical solutions exist for several types of GRIN lenses. In this paper, paraxial and non-paraxial differential equations are derived to calculate the ray path in a GRIN lens. It is shown that the paraxial equation has an analytical solution for a GRIN media with a quadratic profile within the paraxial region. The analytical solution can be obtained by using Legendre polynomials, or the Frobenius method involving a power series. Using the Legendre or Frobenius solution, one can calculate the refractive indices along the ray path. A new recursive relationship is proposed to map the trajectory of light at finite heights. To illustrate the finite ray-tracing method utilizing a non-paraxial differential equation, two lenses (with spherical and elliptical iso-indicial contours) are considered. The lenses' back focal distances, for rays entering the lenses at varying finite heights, are calculated. For each lens, its spherical aberration is estimated. The effective focal length and the shape of the principle surface are also obtained. The accuracy of the results are then compared to the numerical ray-tracing using an optical design software, Zemax OpticStudio. The predicted spherical aberration for the spherical lens differs from numerical ray-tracing by less than λ/14 at the marginal zone, while the error for the effective focal length is less than λ/100.
Indium Tin Oxide Ultrafast Laser Lift-Off Ablation Mechanisms and Damage Minimization
Authors: Hallum Goran , Kürschner Dorian , Eulenkamp Constanze , Auer Ramon , Hartmann Bastian , Schulz Wolfgang , Huber Heinz
Published: August 2023

We draw comparisons between the ablation and damage mechanisms that occur for both film and substrate irradiation using atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and pump-probe reflectometry. For substrate irradiation, energy absorbed at the film-substrate interface creates a confined energy situation, resulting in a photomechanical lift-off. A partial ablation at the edges of the ablated zone formed the burr and was reduced in height by minimizing the area subject to the partial ablation threshold fluence. Substrate damage is understood to arise from free electron diffusion from indium tin oxide and subsequent laser heating. We establish a process window for substrate irradiation in a single-pulse ablation regime between approximately two to three times the ablation threshold of 0.18 J/cm², validating the process window seen in literature and provide a crucial understanding for the ablation mechanisms of transparent conductive films.
Human neuronal excitation/inhibition balance explains and predicts neurostimulation induced learning benefits
Authors: van Bueren Nienke E. R. , van der Ven Sanne H. G. , Hochman Shachar , Sella Francesco , Cohen Kadosh Roi
Published: August 2023

Previous research has highlighted the role of the excitation/inhibition (E/I) ratio for typical and atypical development, mental health, cognition, and learning. Other research has highlighted the benefits of high-frequency transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS)—an excitatory form of neurostimulation—on learning. We examined the E/I as a potential mechanism and studied whether tRNS effect on learning depends on E/I as measured by the aperiodic exponent as its putative marker. In addition to manipulating E/I using tRNS, we also manipulated the level of learning (learning/overlearning) that has been shown to influence E/I. Participants (n = 102) received either sham stimulation or 20-minute tRNS over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) during a mathematical learning task. We showed that tRNS increased E/I, as reflected by the aperiodic exponent, and that lower E/I predicted greater benefit from tRNS specifically for the learning task. In contrast to previous magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS)-based E/I studies, we found no effect of the level of learning on E/I. A further analysis using a different data set suggest that both measures of E/I (EEG versus MRS) may reflect, at least partly, different biological mechanisms. Our results highlight the role of E/I as a marker for neurostimulation efficacy and learning. This mechanistic understanding provides better opportunities for augmented learning and personalized interventions.
Rapid structural remodeling of peripheral taste neurons is independent of taste cell turnover
Authors: Whiddon Zachary D. , Marshall Jaleia B. , Alston David C. , McGee Aaron W. , Krimm Robin F.
Published: August 2023

Taste bud cells are constantly replaced in taste buds as old cells die and new cells migrate into the bud. The perception of taste relies on new taste bud cells integrating with existing neural circuitry, yet how these new cells connect with a taste ganglion neuron is unknown. Do taste ganglion neurons remodel to accommodate taste bud cell renewal? If so, how much of the structure of taste axons is fixed and how much remodels? Here, we measured the motility and branching of individual taste arbors (the portion of the axon innervating taste buds) in mice over time with two-photon in vivo microscopy. Terminal branches of taste arbors continuously and rapidly remodel within the taste bud. This remodeling is faster than predicted by taste bud cell renewal, with terminal branches added and lost concurrently. Surprisingly, blocking entry of new taste bud cells with chemotherapeutic agents revealed that remodeling of the terminal branches on taste arbors does not rely on the renewal of taste bud cells. Although terminal branch remodeling was fast and intrinsically controlled, no new arbors were added to taste buds, and few were lost over 100 days. Taste ganglion neurons maintain a stable number of arbors that are each capable of high-speed remodeling. We propose that terminal branch plasticity permits arbors to locate new taste bud cells, while stability of arbor number supports constancy in the degree of connectivity and function for each neuron over time.
Autism-related KLHL17 and SYNPO act in concert to control activity-dependent dendritic spine enlargement and the spine apparatus
Authors: Hu Hsiao-Tang , Lin Yung-Jui , Wang Ueh-Ting Tim , Lee Sue-Ping , Liou Yae-Huei , Chen Bi-Chang , Hsueh Yi-Ping
Published: August 2023

Dendritic spines, the tiny and actin-rich protrusions emerging from dendrites, are the subcellular locations of excitatory synapses in the mammalian brain that control synaptic activity and plasticity. Dendritic spines contain a specialized form of endoplasmic reticulum (ER), i.e., the spine apparatus, required for local calcium signaling and that is involved in regulating dendritic spine enlargement and synaptic plasticity. Many autism-linked genes have been shown to play critical roles in synaptic formation and plasticity. Among them, KLHL17 is known to control dendritic spine enlargement during development. As a brain-specific disease-associated gene, KLHL17 is expected to play a critical role in the brain, but it has not yet been well characterized. In this study, we report that KLHL17 expression in mice is strongly regulated by neuronal activity and KLHL17 modulates the synaptic distribution of synaptopodin (SYNPO), a marker of the spine apparatus. Both KLHL17 and SYNPO are F-actin-binding proteins linked to autism. SYNPO is known to maintain the structure of the spine apparatus in mature spines and contributes to synaptic plasticity. Our super-resolution imaging using expansion microscopy demonstrates that SYNPO is indeed embedded into the ER network of dendritic spines and that KLHL17 is closely adjacent to the ER/SYNPO complex. Using mouse genetic models, we further show that Klhl17 haploinsufficiency and knockout result in fewer dendritic spines containing ER clusters and an alteration of calcium events at dendritic spines. Accordingly, activity-dependent dendritic spine enlargement and neuronal activation (reflected by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and C-FOS expression) are impaired. In addition, we show that the effect of disrupting the KLHL17 and SYNPO association is similar to the results of Klhl17 haploinsufficiency and knockout, further strengthening the evidence that KLHL17 and SYNPO act together to regulate synaptic plasticity. In conclusion, our findings unravel a role for KLHL17 in controlling synaptic plasticity via its regulation of SYNPO and synaptic ER clustering and imply that impaired synaptic plasticity contributes to the etiology of KLHL17-related disorders.
Inhibition of ribosome biogenesis in the epidermis is sufficient to trigger organism-wide growth quiescence independently of nutritional status in C. elegans
Authors: Zhao Qiuxia , Rangan Rekha , Weng Shinuo , Özdemir Cem , Sarinay Cenik Elif
Published: August 2023

Interorgan communication is crucial for multicellular organismal growth, development, and homeostasis. Cell nonautonomous inhibitory cues, which limit tissue-specific growth alterations, are not well characterized due to cell ablation approach limitations. In this study, we employed the auxin-inducible degradation system in C. elegans to temporally and spatially modulate ribosome biogenesis, through depletion of essential factors (RPOA-2, GRWD-1, or TSR-2). Our findings reveal that embryo-wide inhibition of ribosome biogenesis induces a reversible early larval growth quiescence, distinguished by a unique gene expression signature that is different from starvation or dauer stages. When ribosome biogenesis is inhibited in volumetrically similar tissues, including body wall muscle, epidermis, pharynx, intestine, or germ line, it results in proportionally stunted growth across the organism to different degrees. We show that specifically inhibiting ribosome biogenesis in the epidermis is sufficient to trigger an organism-wide growth quiescence. Epidermis-specific ribosome depletion leads to larval growth quiescence at the L3 stage, reduces organism-wide protein synthesis, and induced cell nonautonomous gene expression alterations. Further molecular analysis reveals overexpression of secreted proteins, suggesting an organism-wide regulatory mechanism. We find that UNC-31, a dense-core vesicle (DCV) pathway component, plays a significant role in epidermal ribosome biogenesis-mediated growth quiescence. Our tissue-specific knockdown experiments reveal that the organism-wide growth quiescence induced by epidermal-specific ribosome biogenesis inhibition is suppressed by reducing unc-31 expression in the epidermis, but not in neurons or body wall muscles. Similarly, IDA-1, a membrane-associated protein of the DCV, is overexpressed, and its knockdown in epidermis suppresses the organism-wide growth quiescence in response to epidermal ribosome biogenesis inhibition. Finally, we observe an overall increase in DCV puncta labeled by IDA-1 when epidermal ribosome biogenesis is inhibited, and these puncta are present in or near epidermal cells. In conclusion, these findings suggest a novel mechanism of nutrition-independent multicellular growth coordination initiated from the epidermis tissue upon ribosome biogenesis inhibition.
Auditory cortex ensembles jointly encode sound and locomotion speed to support sound perception during movement
Authors: Vivaldo Carlos Arturo , Lee Joonyeup , Shorkey MaryClaire , Keerthy Ajay , Rothschild Gideon
Published: August 2023

The ability to process and act upon incoming sounds during locomotion is critical for survival and adaptive behavior. Despite the established role that the auditory cortex (AC) plays in behavior- and context-dependent sound processing, previous studies have found that auditory cortical activity is on average suppressed during locomotion as compared to immobility. While suppression of auditory cortical responses to self-generated sounds results from corollary discharge, which weakens responses to predictable sounds, the functional role of weaker responses to unpredictable external sounds during locomotion remains unclear. In particular, whether suppression of external sound-evoked responses during locomotion reflects reduced involvement of the AC in sound processing or whether it results from masking by an alternative neural computation in this state remains unresolved. Here, we tested the hypothesis that rather than simple inhibition, reduced sound-evoked responses during locomotion reflect a tradeoff with the emergence of explicit and reliable coding of locomotion velocity. To test this hypothesis, we first used neural inactivation in behaving mice and found that the AC plays a critical role in sound-guided behavior during locomotion. To investigate the nature of this processing, we used two-photon calcium imaging of local excitatory auditory cortical neural populations in awake mice. We found that locomotion had diverse influences on activity of different neurons, with a net suppression of baseline-subtracted sound-evoked responses and neural stimulus detection, consistent with previous studies. Importantly, we found that the net inhibitory effect of locomotion on baseline-subtracted sound-evoked responses was strongly shaped by elevated ongoing activity that compressed the response dynamic range, and that rather than reflecting enhanced “noise,” this ongoing activity reliably encoded the animal’s locomotion speed. Decoding analyses revealed that locomotion speed and sound are robustly co-encoded by auditory cortical ensemble activity. Finally, we found consistent patterns of joint coding of sound and locomotion speed in electrophysiologically recorded activity in freely moving rats. Together, our data suggest that rather than being suppressed by locomotion, auditory cortical ensembles explicitly encode it alongside sound information to support sound perception during locomotion.
iCircDA-NEAE: Accelerated attribute network embedding and dynamic convolutional autoencoder for circRNA-disease associations prediction
Authors: Yuan Lin , Zhao Jiawang , Shen Zhen , Zhang Qinhu , Geng Yushui , Zheng Chun-Hou , Huang De-Shuang
Published: August 2023

Accumulating evidence suggests that circRNAs play crucial roles in human diseases. CircRNA-disease association prediction is extremely helpful in understanding pathogenesis, diagnosis, and prevention, as well as identifying relevant biomarkers. During the past few years, a large number of deep learning (DL) based methods have been proposed for predicting circRNA-disease association and achieved impressive prediction performance. However, there are two main drawbacks to these methods. The first is these methods underutilize biometric information in the data. Second, the features extracted by these methods are not outstanding to represent association characteristics between circRNAs and diseases. In this study, we developed a novel deep learning model, named iCircDA-NEAE, to predict circRNA-disease associations. In particular, we use disease semantic similarity, Gaussian interaction profile kernel, circRNA expression profile similarity, and Jaccard similarity simultaneously for the first time, and extract hidden features based on accelerated attribute network embedding (AANE) and dynamic convolutional autoencoder (DCAE). Experimental results on the circR2Disease dataset show that iCircDA-NEAE outperforms other competing methods significantly. Besides, 16 of the top 20 circRNA-disease pairs with the highest prediction scores were validated by relevant literature. Furthermore, we observe that iCircDA-NEAE can effectively predict new potential circRNA-disease associations.
E(3) equivariant graph neural networks for robust and accurate protein-protein interaction site prediction
Authors: Roche Rahmatullah , Moussad Bernard , Shuvo Md Hossain , Bhattacharya Debswapna
Published: August 2023

Artificial intelligence-powered protein structure prediction methods have led to a paradigm-shift in computational structural biology, yet contemporary approaches for predicting the interfacial residues (i.e., sites) of protein-protein interaction (PPI) still rely on experimental structures. Recent studies have demonstrated benefits of employing graph convolution for PPI site prediction, but ignore symmetries naturally occurring in 3-dimensional space and act only on experimental coordinates. Here we present EquiPPIS, an E(3) equivariant graph neural network approach for PPI site prediction. EquiPPIS employs symmetry-aware graph convolutions that transform equivariantly with translation, rotation, and reflection in 3D space, providing richer representations for molecular data compared to invariant convolutions. EquiPPIS substantially outperforms state-of-the-art approaches based on the same experimental input, and exhibits remarkable robustness by attaining better accuracy with predicted structural models from AlphaFold2 than what existing methods can achieve even with experimental structures. Freely available at https://github.com/Bhattacharya-Lab/EquiPPIS, EquiPPIS enables accurate PPI site prediction at scale.