bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new class of transformable kirigami metamaterials for reconfigurable electromagnetic systems
Authors: Yang Yunfang , Vallecchi Andrea , Shamonina Ekaterina , Stevens Christopher J. , You Zhong
Published: January 2023

The rapid development of radio frequency (RF) components requires smart multifunctional materials that can adapt their physical shapes and properties according to the environment. While most current reconfigurable systems provide limited flexibility with high manufacturing cost, this research proposes to harness the transformable properties of kirigami-inspired multistable mechanical metasurfaces that can repeatedly deform and lock into different configurations to realize a novel class of low-cost reconfigurable electromagnetic structures with a broad design space. The metasurfaces are formed by designing kinematic-based unit cells with metallised coating that can provide adjustable resonant electromagnetic (EM) properties while rotating with respect to each other. Tailoring the cut length and geometry parameters of the patterns, we demonstrate programming of the topologies and shapes of different configurations. The influence of critical parameters on the structural multistability is illustrated by means of both a simplified energy model and finite element simulations. As examples of the reconfigurable electromagnetic devices that can be realized, we report the development of a tuneable half-wave dipole and two frequency selective surface (FSS) designs featuring isotropic and anisotropic responses. While the kirigami dipole can be tuned by mechanically stretching its arms, the FSSs exhibit distinct transmittance and reflectance spectra in each of the kirigami patterns stable states. The functionality of these kirigami devices is validated both by full-wave EM simulations and experiments. The proposed transformable structures can be mechanically actuated to tune the EM response in frequency or induce anisotropies for wave propagation.
New strategy for silicon supply through fertigation in sugarcane integrating the pre-sprouted seedling phase and field cultivation
Authors: Silva José Lucas Farias da , Prado Renato de Mello , Alves Thayane Leonel , Lata-Tenesaca Luis Felipe , Soares Mariana Bomfim
Published: January 2023

Adopting a Si supply strategy can amplify the sugarcane response. Thus, this study aimed to verify whether Si supply in the pre-sprouted seedling (PSS) formation phase would have an effect after field transplanting similar to Si supply only in the field phase (via foliar spraying or fertigation). Furthermore, this study aimed to verify whether Si supply in the PSS formation phase associated with Si fertigation after transplanting can potentiate or amplify Si benefits. Two experiments were conducted. In experiment I, pre-sprouted seedlings were grown in a nursery without Si (Control) and with Si. Experiment II was conducted in the field on Eutrustox soil with the following treatments: no Si supply (Control); Si supplied during the PSS formation phase; Si supplied through foliar spraying in the field; Si supplied through fertigation in the field; Si supplied in the PSS formation phase and during field development. Silicon used in both crop phases benefited sugarcane by increasing photosynthetic pigment content and the antioxidative defense system. The innovation of Si management to be supplied via fertigation integrated with both crop phases (PSS and in the field) optimizes the element’s use by increasing the crop's productivity and sustainability.
Irregular rupture process of the 2022 Taitung, Taiwan, earthquake sequence
Authors: Yagi Yuji , Okuwaki Ryo , Enescu Bogdan , Lu Junjie
Published: January 2023

In September 2022, two destructive earthquakes of moment magnitude (Mw) 6.6 (foreshock) and 7.1 (mainshock) occurred in Taitung County, south-eastern Taiwan. To understand their complex rupture processes, we analysed these earthquakes using the Potency Density Tensor Inversion method, which can stably estimate the rupture propagation process, including fault geometry, without overfitting the data. The analyses revealed that the major rupture of the foreshock propagated towards shallow depth, in a south–southwest direction, following an initial rupture that propagated towards the deeper part of the fault. The mainshock, with its epicentre on the north–northeast side of that of the foreshock, consists of two distinct episodes. During the first episode (0–10 s), the initial rupture propagated north–northeast, through a deep path, followed by the main rupture that propagated bilaterally in a north–northeast and south–southwest direction. The second rupture episode (10–16 s) started near the hypocentre of the mainshock, and the rupture propagated towards the shallow side of the fault. The results suggest that the stress concentration from both the foreshock and mainshock’s first rupture episode may have caused the second rupture episode in the high fracture surface energy area between the foreshock and the first rupture episode of the mainshock. The irregular rupture process of the foreshock and mainshock may reflect the heterogeneity of stress and structure in the source region.
Dynamic predictions of postoperative complications from explainable, uncertainty-aware, and multi-task deep neural networks
Authors: Shickel Benjamin , Loftus Tyler J. , Ruppert Matthew , Upchurch Gilbert R. , Ozrazgat-Baslanti Tezcan , Rashidi Parisa , Bihorac Azra
Published: January 2023

Accurate prediction of postoperative complications can inform shared decisions regarding prognosis, preoperative risk-reduction, and postoperative resource use. We hypothesized that multi-task deep learning models would outperform conventional machine learning models in predicting postoperative complications, and that integrating high-resolution intraoperative physiological time series would result in more granular and personalized health representations that would improve prognostication compared to preoperative predictions. In a longitudinal cohort study of 56,242 patients undergoing 67,481 inpatient surgical procedures at a university medical center, we compared deep learning models with random forests and XGBoost for predicting nine common postoperative complications using preoperative, intraoperative, and perioperative patient data. Our study indicated several significant results across experimental settings that suggest the utility of deep learning for capturing more precise representations of patient health for augmented surgical decision support. Multi-task learning improved efficiency by reducing computational resources without compromising predictive performance. Integrated gradients interpretability mechanisms identified potentially modifiable risk factors for each complication. Monte Carlo dropout methods provided a quantitative measure of prediction uncertainty that has the potential to enhance clinical trust. Multi-task learning, interpretability mechanisms, and uncertainty metrics demonstrated potential to facilitate effective clinical implementation.
Allelochemical run-off from the invasive terrestrial plant Impatiens glandulifera decreases defensibility in Daphnia
Authors: Diller Jens Georg Peter , Hüftlein Frederic , Lücker Darleen , Feldhaar Heike , Laforsch Christian
Published: January 2023

Invasive species are a major threat for native ecosystems and organisms living within. They are reducing the biodiversity in invaded ecosystems, by outcompeting native species with e. g. novel substances. Invasive terrestrial plants can release allelochemicals, thereby reducing biodiversity due to the suppression of growth of native plants in invaded habitats. Aside from negative effects on plants, allelochemicals can affect other organisms such as mycorrhiza fungi and invertebrates in terrestrial ecosystems. When invasive plants grow in riparian zones, it is very likely that terrestrial borne allelochemicals can leach into the aquatic ecosystem. There, the often highly reactive compounds may not only elicit toxic effects to aquatic organisms, but they may also interfere with biotic interactions. Here we show that the allelochemical 2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (2-MNQ), produced by the ubiquitously occurring invasive terrestrial plant Impatiens glandulifera, interferes with the ability of Daphnia to defend itself against predators with morphological defences. Daphnia magna and Daphnia longicephala responded with morphological defences induced by chemical cues released by their corresponding predators, Triops cancriformis or Notonecta sp. However, predator cues in combination with 2-MNQ led to a reduction in the morphological defensive traits, body- and tail-spine length, in D. magna. In D. longicephala all tested inducible defensive traits were not significantly affected by 2-MNQ but indicate similar patterns, highlighting the importance to study different species to assess the risks for aquatic ecosystems. Since it is essential for Daphnia to adapt defences to the current predation risk, a maladaptation in defensive traits when simultaneously exposed to allelochemicals released by I. glandulifera, may therefore have knock-on effects on population dynamics across multiple trophic levels, as Daphnia is a key species in lentic ecosystems.
Novavax NVX-COV2373 triggers neutralization of Omicron sub-lineages
Authors: Bhiman Jinal N. , Richardson Simone I. , Lambson Bronwen E. , Kgagudi Prudence , Mzindle Nonkululeko , Kaldine Haajira , Crowther Carol , Gray Glenda , Bekker Linda-Gail ,   Novavax trial clinical lead author group, Koen Anthonet , Fairlie Lee , Fouche Leon , Bhorat Qasim , Dheda Keertan , Tameris Michele , Masilela Mduduzi , Hoosain Zaheer , Singh Nishanta , Hanley Sherika , Archary Moherndran , Louw Cheryl , Grobbelaar Coert , Lalloo Umesh , Joseph Natasha , Kruger Gertruida , Shinde Vivek , Bennett Chijioke , Glenn Gregory M. , Madhi Shabir A. , Moore Penny L.
Published: January 2023

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) Variant of Concern (VOC) and its sub-lineages (including BA.2, BA.4, BA.5, BA.2.12.1) contain spike mutations that confer high level resistance to neutralizing antibodies induced by vaccination with ancestral spike or infection with previously circulating variants. The NVX-CoV2373 vaccine, a protein nanoparticle vaccine containing the ancestral spike sequence, has value in countries with constrained cold-chain requirements. Here we report neutralizing titers following two or three doses of NVX-CoV2373. We show that after two doses, Omicron sub-lineages BA.1 and BA.4/BA.5 were resistant to neutralization by 72% (21/29) and 59% (17/29) of samples respectively. However, after a third dose of NVX-CoV2373, we observed high titers against Omicron BA.1 (GMT: 1,197) and BA.4/BA.5 (GMT: 582), with responses similar in magnitude to those triggered by three doses of an mRNA vaccine. These data are of particular relevance as BA.4/BA.5 is dominating in multiple locations, and highlight the potential utility of the NVX-CoV2373 vaccine as a booster in resource-limited environments.
Precision agriculture management based on a surrogate model assisted multiobjective algorithmic framework
Authors: Cheng Du , Yao Yifei , Liu Renyun , Li Xiaoning , Guan Boxu , Yu Fanhua
Published: January 2023

Sustainable intensification needs to optimize irrigation and fertilization strategies while increasing crop yield. To enable more precision and effective agricultural management, a bi-level screening and bi-level optimization framework is proposed. Irrigation and fertilization dates are obtained by upper-level screening and upper-level optimization. Subsequently, due to the complexity of the problem, the lower-level optimization uses a data-driven evolutionary algorithm, which combines the fast non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II), surrogate-assisted model of radial basis function and Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer to handle the expensive objective problem and produce a set of optimal solutions representing a trade-off between conflicting objectives. Then, the lower-level screening quickly finds better irrigation and fertilization strategies among thousands of solutions. Finally, the experiment produces a better irrigation and fertilization strategy, with water consumption reduced by 44%, nitrogen application reduced by 37%, and economic benefits increased by 7 to 8%.
Efficient design and analysis of secure CMOS logic through logic encryption
Authors: Chandra Sai Srinivas , Kannan R. Jagadeesh , Balaji B. Saravana , Veeramachaneni Sreehari , Noor Mahammad Sk.
Published: January 2023

Untrusted third parties and untrustworthy foundries highlighted the significance of hardware security in the present-day world. Because of the globalization of integrated circuit (IC) design flow in the semiconductor industry, hardware security issues must be taken to prevent intellectual property (IP) piracy. Logic encryption is an efficient method to protect circuits from IP piracy, reverse engineering, and malicious tampering of IC for Trojan insertion. Researchers have proposed many logic encryption methods, which lead to overhead in circuit design parameters such as area, power, and performance. This paper aims to bring a trade-off between these parameters, with security being the main key factor, and ensure the design metrics by proposing a novel transistor-level method of logic encryption for CMOS gates. Experimental results show that, on the usage of proposed encrypted key gates, the design overheads such as area, power, delay, and energy are reduced by an average of 42.94%, 37.37%, 26.79%, and 50.96%, respectively, over the existing logic encryption-based topologies.
New ternary powder metallurgy Ti alloys via eutectoid and isomorphous beta stabilisers additions
Authors: Paul M. , Alshammari Y. , Yang F. , Bolzoni L.
Published: January 2023

A group of new ternary Ti alloys bearing eutectoid and isomorphous beta stabilising elements was created to be manufactured through the conventional powder metallurgy route. The effect of the simultaneous addition of the same amount of Mn and Nb on the manufacturability, properties, and hardening behaviour was investigated. The ternary alloys are composed of the α-Ti and β-Ti phases and have a lamellar microstructure resulting from the slow cooling upon sintering. However, the size of the equiaxed α grains and of the α + β lamellae is monotonically reduced, especially the interlamellar spacing, as the amount of alloying elements increases. Due to their physical properties, Mn enhances and Nb hinders densification during sintering resulting in a decreasing trend of the relative density with the alloying elements content. Consequently, the resistance to plastic deformation increases (UTS, 514–726 MPa), the ductility decreases (elongation, 13.2–2.6%), and the fracture mode changes from intergranular to transgranular. The new ternary alloys share the same hardening mechanism, but the amount of deformation after necking is, generally, higher for lower amounts of Mn and Nb.
Comparing avian species richness estimates from structured and semi-structured citizen science data
Authors: Shen Fang-Yu , Ding Tzung-Su , Tsai Jo-Szu
Published: January 2023

Citizen science, including structured and semi-structured forms, has become a powerful tool to collect biodiversity data. However, semi-structured citizen science data have been criticized for higher variability in quality, including less information to adjust for imperfect detection and uneven duration that bias the estimates of species richness. Species richness estimators may quantify bias in estimates. Here, we test the effectiveness of Chao1 estimator in eBird (semi-structured) by comparing it to averaged species richness in Breeding Bird Survey Taiwan, BBS (structured) and quantifying bias. We then fit a power function to compare bias while controlling for differences in count duration. The Chao1 estimator increased the species richness estimates of eBird data from 56 to 69% of the average observed BBS and from 47 to 59% of the average estimated BBS. Effects of incomplete short duration samples and variability in detectability skills of observers can lead to biased estimates. Using the Chao1 estimator improved estimates of species richness from semi-structured and structured data, but the strong effect of singleton species on bias, especially in short duration counts, should be evaluated in advance to reduce the uncertainty of estimation processes.
Current tobacco use and COVID-19 diagnoses in a cohort of adult clients of public dental clinics in Sweden
Authors: Galanti M. R. , Andersson F. , Caspersen I. H. , Peña S. , Karvonen S. , Magnus P. , Raffetti E. , Orsini N. , Magnusson C. , Shaaban A. N. , Hergens M. P. , Skott P.
Published: January 2023

Smoking has been linked with both increased and decreased risk of COVID-19, prompting the hypothesis of a protective role of nicotine in the pathogenesis of the disease. Studies of the association between use of smokeless tobacco and COVID-19 would help refining this hypothesis. We analysed data from 424,386 residents in the Stockholm Region, Sweden, with information on smoking and smokeless tobacco (snus) use prior to the pandemic obtained from dental records. Diagnoses of COVID-19 between February and October 2020 were obtained from health-care registers. We estimated the risk of receiving a diagnosis of COVID-19 for current smokers and for current snus users relative to non-users of tobacco, adjusting for potential confounders (aRR). The aRR of COVID -19 was elevated for current snus users (1.09 ;95%CI = 0.99–1.21 among men and 1.15; 95%CI = 1.00–1.33 among women). The risk for women consuming more than 1 can/day was twice as high as among non-users of tobacco. Current smoking was negatively associated with risk of COVID-19 (aRR = 0.68; 95% CI = 0.61–0.75); including hospital admission (aRR = 0.60; 95% CI = 0.47–0.76) and intensive care (aRR = 0.43; 95% CI = 0.21–0.89). The hypothesis of a protective effect of tobacco nicotine on COVID-19 was not supported by the findings. The negative association between smoking and COVID-19 remains unexplained.
Adaptive physics-informed trajectory reconstruction exploiting driver behavior and car dynamics
Authors: Makridis Michail A. , Kouvelas Anastasios
Published: January 2023

As more and more trajectory data become available, their analysis creates unprecedented opportunities for traffic flow investigations. However, observed physical quantities like speed or acceleration are often measured having unrealistic values. Furthermore, observation devices have different hardware and software specifications leading to heterogeneity in noise levels and limiting the efficiency of trajectory reconstruction methods. Typical strategies prune, smooth, or locally modify vehicle trajectories to infer physically plausible quantities. The filtering strength is usually heuristic. Once the physical quantities reach plausible values, additional improvement is impossible without ground truth data. This paper proposes an adaptive physics-informed trajectory reconstruction framework that iteratively detects the optimal filtering magnitude, minimizing local acceleration variance under stable conditions and ensuring compatibility with feasible vehicle acceleration dynamics and common driver behavior characteristics. Assessment is performed using both synthetic and real-world data. Results show a significant reduction in the speed error and invariability of the framework to different data acquisition devices. The last contribution enables the objective comparison between drivers with different sensing equipment.
Unidirectional motion of C60-based nanovehicles using hybrid substrates with temperature gradient
Authors: Kianezhad Mohammad , Youzi Mehrdad , Vaezi Mehran , Nejat Pishkenari Hossein
Published: January 2023

With the synthesis of nanocar structures the idea of transporting energy and payloads on the surface became closer to reality. To eliminate the concern of diffusive surface motion of nanocars, in this study, we evaluate the motion of C60 and C60-based nanovehicles on graphene and hexagonal boron-nitride (BN) surfaces using molecular dynamics simulations and potential energy analysis. Utilizing the graphene-hBN hybrid substrate, it has been indicated that C60 is more stable on boron-nitride impurity regions in the hybrid substrate and an energy barrier restricts the motion to the boron-nitride impurity. Increasing the temperature causes the molecule to overcome the energy barrier frequently. A nanoroad of boron-nitride with graphene sideways is designed to confine the surface motion of C60 and nanovehicles at 300 K. As expected, the motion of all surface molecules is limited to the boron-nitride nanoroads. Although the motion is restricted to the boron-nitride nanoroad, the diffusive motion is still noticeable in lateral directions. To obtain the unidirectional motion for C60 and nanocars on the surface, a temperature gradient is applied to the surface. The unidirectional transport to the nanoroad regions with a lower temperature occurs in a short period of time due to the lower energies of molecules on the colder parts.
Improving the efficiency of using multivalued logic tools
Authors: Suleimenov Ibragim E. , Vitulyova Yelizaveta S. , Kabdushev Sherniyaz B. , Bakirov Akhat S.
Published: January 2023

Multivalued logics are becoming one of the most important tools of information technology. They are in great demand for creation of artificial intelligence systems that are close to human intelligence, since the functioning of the latter cannot be reduced to the operations of binary logic. At the same time, the problem of improving the efficiency of using the results of research in multivalued logics, as well as the problem of interpreting variables of multivalued logic, is acute. These problems create certain interdisciplinary barriers and make it difficult to implement the results of research in the field of multivalued logics in other fields of knowledge. It is shown that the problem of interpreting multivalued logic variables can be removed by establishing correspondence with fuzzy logic variables. Improving the efficiency of using of operations of multivalued logics and their variables can be provided by using their close connection to Galois fields. This connection, among other things, makes it possible to reduce any operations of multivalued logics, the number of variables in which is equal to a prime number, to algebraic functions whose arguments take values in Galois fields. This allows, among other things, to eliminate the very cumbersome constructions used in works on multivalued logic and make its apparatus convenient for use in related scientific disciplines in information technology. Direct verification of the adequacy of algorithms based on the use of Galois fields can be carried out by means of radio-electronic circuits, examples of which are presented in the present paper.
Predicting and elucidating the post-printing behavior of 3D printed cancer cells in hydrogel structures by integrating in-vitro and in-silico experiments
Authors: Mohammadrezaei Dorsa , Moghimi Nafiseh , Vandvajdi Shadi , Powathil Gibin , Hamis Sara , Kohandel Mohammad
Published: January 2023

A key feature distinguishing 3D bioprinting from other 3D cell culture techniques is its precise control over created structures. This property allows for the high-resolution fabrication of biomimetic structures with controlled structural and mechanical properties such as porosity, permeability, and stiffness. However, analyzing post-printing cellular dynamics and optimizing their functions within the 3D fabricated environment is only possible through trial and error and replicating several experiments. This issue motivated the development of a cellular automata model for the first time to simulate post-printing cell behaviour within the 3D bioprinted construct. To improve our model, we bioprinted a 3D construct using MDA-MB-231 cell-laden hydrogel and evaluated cellular functions, including viability and proliferation in 11 days. The results showed that our model successfully simulated the 3D bioprinted structure and captured in-vitro observations. We demonstrated that in-silico model could predict and elucidate post-printing biological functions for different initial cell numbers in bioink and different bioink formulations with gelatine and alginate, without replicating several costly and time-consuming in-vitro measurements. We believe such a computational framework will substantially impact 3D bioprinting's future application. We hope this study inspires researchers to further realize how an in-silico model might be utilized to advance in-vitro 3D bioprinting research.
Effect analysis of different methods on radial neck fracture in children
Authors: Meng Hailiang , Li Min , Jie Qiang , Wu Yongtao
Published: January 2023

To analyze the curative effect of varying treatment types in 75 pediatric cases of radial neck fracture and explore the prognosis-related factors. Clinical data of 75 children with radial neck fractures treated in our hospital from January 2015 to December 2016 were retrospectively collected. The relationship between age, fracture type, treatment method, X-ray examination after reduction, and prognosis was analyzed. Age was related to prognosis. The excellent and good rate of treatment was 89.25% for children with age ≤ 10 and 57.89% for children over 10 years old. The type of fracture was closely related to the curative effect, 95.0% of O’Brien type I fractures had good curative effects, and the excellent and good rates of O’Brien II type and III type fractures were 87.0 and 66.7%, respectively. According to the type of fracture, the excellent and good rate of patients treated with plaster fixation was the highest (96.42%), but the excellent and good rate was 72.3% in the patients who needed to be reduced by Kirschner wire or elastic intramedullary nail. Although open reduction is superior to closed reduction in imaging evaluation, the excellent and good rate is only 50%.The prognosis of children with radial neck fracture is related to age, type of fracture, and treatment method. In pediatric patients less than 10 years with light, shifted fractures, the excellent and good prognosis rate is higher with less operative intervention. We recommend treating patients with closed reduction and elastic nail fixation according to different fracture types.
Walk-on-Hemispheres first-passage algorithm
Authors: Son Jinseong , Shin Dongheyon , Hwang Chi-Ok
Published: January 2023

Due to the isomorphism between an electrostatic problem and the corresponding Brownian diffusion one, the induced charge density on a conducting surface by a charge is isomorphic to the first-passage probability of the diffusion initiated at the location of the charge. Based on the isomorphism, many diffusion algorithms such as “Walk-on-Spheres” (WOS), “Walk-on-Planes” and so on have been developed. Among them, for fast diffusion simulations WOS algorithm is generally applied with an $$\varepsilon $$
ε
-layer, which is used for diffusion convergence on the boundary but induces another error from the $$\varepsilon $$
ε
-layer in addition to the intrinsic Monte Carlo error. However, for a finite flat boundary it is possible to terminate a diffusion process via “Walk-on-Hemispheres” (WOH) algorithm without the $$\varepsilon $$
ε
-layer. In this paper, we implement and demonstrate this algorithm for the induced charge density distribution on parallel infinite planes when a unit charge is between the plates. In addition, we apply it to the mutual capacitance of two circular parallel plates. In both simulations, WOH algorithm shows much better performance than the previous WOS algorithm.
Sulforaphane ameliorates bisphenol A-induced hepatic lipid accumulation by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Hong Lixia , Xu Yide , Wang Dongdong , Zhang Qi , Li Xiaoting , Xie Chunfeng , Wu Jieshu , Zhong Caiyun , Fu Jinyan , Geng Shanshan
Published: January 2023

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in bisphenol A (BPA) – induced hepatic lipid accumulation as well as the protective effects of Sulforaphane (SFN) in this process. Human hepatocyte cell line (LO2) and C57/BL6J mice were used to examine BPA-triggered hepatic lipid accumulation and the underlying mechanism. Hepatic lipid accumulation, triglycerides (TGs) levels, the expression levels of lipogenesis-related genes and proteins in the ER stress pathway were measured. It was revealed that BPA treatment increased the number of lipid droplets, the levels of TG and mRNAs expression of lipogenesis-related genes, and activated the ER stress pathway. These changes were inhibited by an ER stress inhibitor 4-phenylbutyric acid. SFN treatment abrogated BPA-altered hepatic lipid metabolism and ameliorated BPA-induced ER stress-related markers. Together, these findings suggested that BPA activated ER stress to promote hepatic lipid accumulation, and that SFN reversed those BPA effects by alleviating ER stress.
Food insecurity and health outcomes among community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults in India
Authors: Pengpid Supa , Peltzer Karl
Published: January 2023

The study assessed associations between food insecurity and mental, physical, and behavioural health outcomes in India. The study analysed national cross-sectional population-based data (N = 72,262;  ≥ 45 years) from in India in 2017–2018. The overall prevalence of food insecurity was 9.7%. Food insecurity was significantly positively associated with poor mental health [low life satisfaction (AOR: 2.75, 95% CI 2.35–3.23), low self-reported health (AOR: 1.61, 95% CI 1.11–1.42), insomnia symptoms (AOR: 1.64, 95% CI 1.45–1.85), depressive symptoms (AOR: 2.21, 95% CI 1.97–2.48), major depressive disorder (AOR: 2.37, 95% CI 2.03–2.77), Alzheimer’s/dementia (AOR: 1.75, 95% CI 1.13–2.69), and poorer cognitive functioning (AOR: 0.68, 95% CI 0.49–0.93)], poor physical health [bone or joint disease (AOR: 1.18, 95% CI 1.04–1.34), angina (AOR: 1.80, 95% CI 1.58–2.06), underweight (AOR: 1.28, 95% CI 1.16–1.40), chronic lung disease (AOR: 1.22, 95% CI 1.03–1.45), and functional disability (AOR: 1.68, 95% CI 1.47–1.92)], and health risk behaviour [tobacco use (AOR: 1.13, 95% CI 1.01–1.25), heavy episodic drinking (AOR: 1.45, 95% CI 1.10–1.91) and physical inactivity (AOR: 1.42, 95% CI 1.21–1.67)]. Furthermore, food insecurity was negatively associated with overweight/obesity (AOR: 0.80, 95% CI 0.73–0.88). Food insecurity was associated with seven poor mental health indicators, five poor physical health conditions, and three health risk behaviours. Programmes and policies that improve food availability may help improve mental and physical health among middle-aged and older adults in India.
Comparing the transcriptome of developing native and iPSC-derived mouse retinae by single cell RNA sequencing
Authors: Georges Anouk , Lavergne Arnaud , Mandai Michiko , Lepiemme Fanny , Karim Latifa , Demeulenaere Loic , Aguilar Diego , Schyns Michael , Nguyen Laurent , Rakic Jean-Marie , Takahashi Masayo , Georges Michel , Takeda Haruko
Published: January 2023

We report the generation and analysis of single-cell RNA-Seq data (> 38,000 cells) from mouse native retinae and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived retinal organoids at four matched stages of development spanning the emergence of the major retinal cell types. We combine information from temporal sampling, visualization of 3D UMAP manifolds, pseudo-time and RNA velocity analyses, to show that iPSC-derived 3D retinal organoids broadly recapitulate the native developmental trajectories. However, we observe relaxation of spatial and temporal transcriptome control, premature emergence and dominance of photoreceptor precursor cells, and susceptibility of dynamically regulated pathways and transcription factors to culture conditions in retinal organoids. We demonstrate that genes causing human retinopathies are enriched in cell-type specifying genes and identify a subset of disease-causing genes with expression profiles that are highly conserved between human retinae and murine retinal organoids. This study provides a resource to the community that will be useful to assess and further improve protocols for ex vivo recapitulation and study of retinal development.
Beeswax as a natural alternative to synthetic waxes for fabrication of PLA/diatomaceous earth composites
Authors: Dobrosielska Marta , Dobrucka Renata , Kozera Paulina , Brząkalski Dariusz , Gabriel Ewa , Głowacka Julia , Jałbrzykowski Marek , Kurzydłowski Krzysztof J. , Przekop Robert E.
Published: January 2023

In this study, injection moulding was applied to produce biocomposites consisting of polylactide (PLA) and amorphous diatomaceous earth used as a filler at different concentrations. Natural wax and synthetic wax were added to improve processing properties, comparing the resulting biocomposites. The use of natural beeswax makes the composite environmentally friendly. The prepared composites contained 2.5, 5, 10 and 15% w/w filler. The test samples have been injection moulded. Rheological, mechanical, surface and other properties were assessed for the fabricated composites. The testing has shown that the use of wax additives has a significant influence on the mechanical properties (tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength) and the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of composite surfaces. The addition of natural wax, especially at lower concentration, has a positive effect on the rheological properties of composites (melt flow rate, MFR), flexural modulus and impact strength. Different composite parameters are modified by different wax types so both natural and synthetic waxes, can be used interchangeably, depending on the required final material characteristics.
Cellular senescence affects energy metabolism, immune infiltration and immunotherapeutic response in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Gao Biao , Wang Yafei , Lu Shichun
Published: January 2023

Aging is an inevitable consequence of life, characterized by a progressive decline in tissue and organ function and an increased risk of death. There is growing evidence that aging is closely related to tumor development and immune regulation. However, in hepatocellular carcinoma, the relationship between cellular senescence and immune infiltration, energy metabolism, chemokines, and immunotherapeutic response is unclear and needs further study. We first analyzed 274 cellular senescence-associated genes by the NMF algorithm and identified two cellular senescence-associated clusters. Subsequently, we compared the differences between the two clusters, in terms of immune infiltration, energy metabolism, chemokines, and immunotherapeutic response to treatment. We further constructed risk models using cellular senescence-associated signature genes that could effectively identify the two subpopulations. Finally, we validated the validity and robustness of the risk model using an external dataset. We found significant differences in survival prognosis between two cellular senescence-associated clusters. In addition, we found significant differences in immune cell infiltration, expression of energy metabolism-related genes, expression of chemokine-related genes, expression of immune checkpoint-related genes, Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion between the two clusters. Also, a scoring system associated with cellular senescence was developed and validated as an independent prognostic indicator. It was validated as an independent prognostic factor and immunotherapeutic predictor for HCC. It was validated as an independent prognostic factor and immunotherapeutic predictor for HCC. The cellular senescence-related scoring system was validated as an independent prognostic factor and immunotherapy predictor for HCC, and patients with low CSS were characterized by prolonged survival time. Our study confirmed the relationship between cellular senescence and immune cell infiltration, energy metabolism, chemokines, expression of immune checkpoint-related genes, and response to immunotherapy. This enhances our understanding of cellular senescence and tumor immune microenvironment, energy metabolism, chemokines, and provides new insights to improve immunotherapy outcomes in HCC patients. It provides new insights to improve the outcome of immunotherapy in HCC patients.
Serum cortisol and insulin-like growth factor 1 levels in major depressive disorder and schizophrenia
Authors: Arinami Hiroshi , Watanabe Yuichiro , Suzuki Yutaro , Tajiri Misuzu , Tsuneyama Nobuto , Someya Toshiyuki
Published: January 2023

The pathophysiology underlying major depressive disorder (MDD) and schizophrenia is related to endocrine system functions and includes changes in the blood levels of cortisol and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). However, these hormones have not been investigated simultaneously in patients with MDD and schizophrenia. We investigated the differences in serum cortisol and IGF-1 levels among patients with MDD and schizophrenia and controls. We included 129 patients with MDD, 71 patients with schizophrenia, and 71 healthy volunteers. Blood tests were performed between 6:00 am and 11:00 am after fasting. Serum cortisol levels were significantly higher in patients with schizophrenia than in patients with MDD and controls. Serum cortisol levels were significantly higher in patients with MDD than in controls. Serum IGF-1 levels were higher in both patient groups than in controls, whereas there was no significant difference between patients with MDD and schizophrenia. Both cortisol and IGF-1 levels were positively correlated with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score in patients with MDD, whereas cortisol level was positively correlated and IGF-1 level was negatively correlated with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale score in patients with schizophrenia. The differences in the level of these hormones suggest pathophysiological differences between these disorders.
Single-cell transcriptomics reveal extracellular vesicles secretion with a cardiomyocyte proteostasis signature during pathological remodeling
Authors: Schoger Eric , Bleckwedel Federico , Germena Giulia , Rocha Cheila , Tucholla Petra , Sobitov Izzatullo , Möbius Wiebke , Sitte Maren , Lenz Christof , Samak Mostafa , Hinkel Rabea , Varga Zoltán V. , Giricz Zoltán , Salinas Gabriela , Gross Julia C. , Zelarayán Laura C.
Published: January 2023

Aberrant Wnt activation has been reported in failing cardiomyocytes. Here we present single cell transcriptome profiling of hearts with inducible cardiomyocyte-specific Wnt activation (β-catΔex3) as well as with compensatory and failing hypertrophic remodeling. We show that functional enrichment analysis points to an involvement of extracellular vesicles (EVs) related processes in hearts of β-catΔex3 mice. A proteomic analysis of in vivo cardiac derived EVs from β-catΔex3 hearts has identified differentially enriched proteins involving 20 S proteasome constitutes, protein quality control (PQC), chaperones and associated cardiac proteins including α-Crystallin B (CRYAB) and sarcomeric components. The hypertrophic model confirms that cardiomyocytes reacted with an acute early transcriptional upregulation of exosome biogenesis processes and chaperones transcripts including CRYAB, which is ameliorated in advanced remodeling. Finally, human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes subjected to pharmacological Wnt activation recapitulated the increased expression of exosomal markers, CRYAB accumulation and increased PQC signaling. These findings reveal that secretion of EVs with a proteostasis signature contributes to early patho-physiological adaptation of cardiomyocytes, which may serve as a read-out of disease progression and can be used for monitoring cellular remodeling in vivo with a possible diagnostic and prognostic role in the future.
Alarm communication predates eusociality in termites
Authors: Sillam-Dussès David , Jandák Vojtěch , Stiblik Petr , Delattre Olivier , Chouvenc Thomas , Balvín Ondřej , Cvačka Josef , Soulet Delphine , Synek Jiří , Brothánek Marek , Jiříček Ondřej , Engel Michael S. , Bourguignon Thomas , Šobotník Jan
Published: January 2023

Termites (Blattodea: Isoptera) have evolved specialized defensive strategies for colony protection. Alarm communication enables workers to escape threats while soldiers are recruited to the source of disturbance. Here, we study the vibroacoustic and chemical alarm communication in the wood roach Cryptocercus and in 20 termite species including seven of the nine termite families, all life-types, and all feeding and nesting habits. Our multidisciplinary approach shows that vibratory alarm signals represent an ethological synapomorphy of termites and Cryptocercus. In contrast, chemical alarms have evolved independently in several cockroach groups and at least twice in termites. Vibroacoustic alarm signaling patterns are the most complex in Neoisoptera, in which they are often combined with chemical signals. The alarm characters correlate to phylogenetic position, food type and hardness, foraging area size, and nesting habits. Overall, species of Neoisoptera have developed the most sophisticated communication system amongst termites, potentially contributing to their ecological success.
Single-cell RNA binding protein regulatory network analyses reveal oncogenic HNRNPK-MYC signalling pathway in cancer
Authors: Zhou Weiwei , Jie Qiuling , Pan Tao , Shi Jingyi , Jiang Tiantongfei , Zhang Ya , Ding Na , Xu Juan , Ma Yanlin , Li Yongsheng
Published: January 2023

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are key players of gene expression and perturbations of RBP-RNA regulatory network have been observed in various cancer types. Here, we propose a computational method, RBPreg, to identify the RBP regulators by integration of single cell RNA-Seq (N = 233,591) and RBP binding data. Pan-cancer analyses suggest that RBP regulators exhibit cancer and cell specificity and perturbations of RBP regulatory network are involved in cancer hallmark-related functions. We prioritize an oncogenic RBP-HNRNPK, which is highly expressed in tumors and associated with poor prognosis of patients. Functional assays performed in cancer cells reveal that HNRNPK promotes cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic investigations further demonstrate that HNRNPK promotes tumorigenesis and progression by directly binding to MYC and perturbed the MYC targets pathway in lung cancer. Our results provide a valuable resource for characterizing RBP regulatory networks in cancer, yielding potential biomarkers for precision medicine.
Critical impacts of interfacial water on C–H activation in photocatalytic methane conversion
Authors: Sato Hiromasa , Ishikawa Atsushi , Saito Hikaru , Higashi Taisuke , Takeyasu Kotaro , Sugimoto Toshiki
Published: January 2023

On-site and on-demand photocatalytic methane conversion under ambient conditions is one of the urgent global challenges for the sustainable use of ubiquitous methane resources. However, the lack of microscopic knowledge on its reaction mechanism prevents the development of engineering strategies for methane photocatalysis. Combining real-time mass spectrometry and operando infrared absorption spectroscopy with ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, here we report key molecular-level insights into photocatalytic green utilization of methane. Activation of the robust C–H bond of methane is hardly induced by the direct interaction with photogenerated holes trapped at the surface of photocatalyst; instead, the C–H activation is significantly promoted by the photoactivated interfacial water species. The interfacial water hydrates and properly stabilizes hydrocarbon radical intermediates, thereby suppressing their overstabilization. Owing to these water-assisted effects, the photocatalytic conversion rates of methane under wet conditions are dramatically improved by typically more than 30 times at ambient temperatures (~300 K) and pressures (~1 atm) in comparison to those under dry conditions. This study sheds new light on the role of interfacial water and provides a firm basis for design strategies for non-thermal heterogeneous catalysis of methane under ambient conditions.
Challenges in the development of metal-halide perovskite single crystal solar cells
Authors: Ghasemi Mehri , Yuan Songyang , Fan Jiandong , Jia Baohua , Wen Xiaoming
Published: January 2023

Metal halide perovskites (MHPs), as a new generation optoelectronic materials, have attracted a surge of attention due to their remarkable intrinsic properties.
Activity and composition of the hyperactive comet 46P/Wirtanen during its close approach in 2018
Authors: Moulane Y. , Jehin E. , Manfroid J. , Hutsemékers D. , Opitom C. , Shinnaka Y. , Bodewits D. , Benkhaldoun Z. , Jabiri A. , Hmiddouch S. , Vander Donckt M. , Pozuelos F. J. , Yang B.
Published: January 2023

Context. Hyperactive comets are a small group of comets whose activity is higher than expected. They seem to emit more water than would normally be expected given the size of their nucleus. Comet 46P/Wirtanen (hereafter, 46P) is among these objects of interest. Investigating its activity and composition evolution could provide clues about its origins and its formation region in the Solar nebulae.

Aims. Given the exceptional close approach of comet 46P to the Earth in 2018, we aim to study the evolution of its activity and composition as a function of heliocentric distances before and after perihelion.

Methods. We used both TRAPPIST telescopes to monitor the comet for almost a year with broad and narrow-band filters. We derived the production rates of five gaseous species (OH, NH, CN, C3, and C2) using a Haser model as well as the A(θ)fρ dust proxy parameter. The comet was also observed with the two optical high-resolution spectrographs UVES and ESPRESSO, mounted on the 8-m ESO VLT, to measure the isotopic ratios of C and N, along with the oxygen forbidden-line ratios and the NH2 ortho-to-para ratios.

Results. Over nearly a year, we followed the rise and decline of the production rates of different species as well as the dust activity of 46P on both pre- and post-perihelion. Relative abundances with respect to CN and OH along the orbit of the comet show constant and symmetric abundance ratios and a typical coma composition. We determined the rotation period of the nucleus using high-cadence observations and long series of CN images on several nights. We obtained a value of (9.18±0.05) hours at perihelion. Using the high-resolution spectra of 46P coma, we derived C and N isotopic ratios of 100±20 and 150±30 as well as a green-to-red forbidden oxygen [OI] line ratio of 0.23±0.02. We measured a NH2 ortho-to-para ratio of 3.31 ±0.03 and derived an ammonia ratio of 1.19±0.03, corresponding to a spin temperature of 27±1 K.

Conclusions. Narrow-band observations show that comet 46P is a hyperactive comet for which 40% of its nucleus surface is active. It has a typical composition, similar to other normal comets; however, an asymmetric behavior with respect to perihelion has been seen in its activity, which is typical of seasonal effects. Photometric measurements show no evidence for a change in the rotation period of the nucleus during this apparition. High-resolution spectra show that 46P has typical NH2 ortho-to-para, [OI] lines ratios, and C and N isotopic ratios.