bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of hydrogen bonds in hydrous minerals stable at lower mantle pressure conditions
Authors: Tsuchiya Jun , Thompson Elizabeth C.
Published: November 2022

Over the past few decades, hydrous minerals were thought to be absent in the lower mantle, due to their instability at high-pressure conditions. Recently, however, hydrous phases including phase H (MgSiO$$_4$$

4

H$$_2$$

2

), pyrite-type FeOOH, and $$\delta$$
δ
-AlOOH have been discovered to be thermodynamically stable at lower mantle pressures. Investigations using ab initio calculations methods play a key role in identifying these novel phases and determining their geophysical properties (i.e., compressibility, elasticity, and sound velocities). These calculations suggest that the hydrous minerals which are stable at lower mantle pressure conditions (i.e., phase H, FeOOH, and AlOOH), have symmetric hydrogen bonds at these pressures. This indicates that hydrogen bond strength is closely connected to the stability and physical properties of hydrous minerals at extreme pressures. In this review, we summarize the theoretical and experimental studies of hydrous minerals stable at the high-pressure conditions of the Earth’s lower mantle in light of the role of hydrogen bonding.
HYPR4D kernel method on TOF PET data with validations including image-derived input function
Authors: Cheng Ju-Chieh Kevin , Bevington Connor W. J. , Sossi Vesna
Published: November 2022

Background

Positron emission tomography (PET) images are typically noisy especially in dynamic imaging where the PET data are divided into a number of short temporal frames often with a low number of counts. As a result, image features such as contrast and time–activity curves are highly variable. Noise reduction in PET is thus essential. Typical noise reduction methods tend to not preserve image features/patterns (e.g. contrast and size dependent) accurately. In this work, we report the first application of our HYPR4D kernel method on time-of-flight (TOF) PET data (i.e. PSF-HYPR4D-K-TOFOSEM). The proposed HYPR4D kernel method makes use of the mean 4D high frequency features and inconsistent noise patterns over OSEM subsets as well as the low noise property of the early reconstruction updates to achieve prior-free de-noising. The method was implemented and tested on the GE SIGNA PET/MR and was compared to the TOF reconstructions with PSF resolution modeling available on the system, namely PSF-TOFOSEM with and without standard post filter and PSF-TOFBSREM (TOF Q.Clear) with various beta values (regularization strengths).

Results

Results from experimental contrast phantom and human subject data with various PET tracers showed that the proposed method provides more robust and accurate image features compared to other regularization methods. The preservation of contrast for the PSF-HYPR4D-K-TOFOSEM was observed to be better and less dependent on the contrast and size of the target structures as compared to TOF Q.Clear and PSF-TOFOSEM with filter. At the same contrast level, PSF-HYPR4D-K-TOFOSEM achieved better 4D noise suppression than other methods (e.g. >2 times lower noise than TOF Q.Clear at the highest contrast). We also present a novel voxel search method to obtain an image-derived input function (IDIF) and demonstrate that the obtained IDIF is the most quantitative w.r.t. the measured blood samples when the acquired data are reconstructed with PSF-HYPR4D-K-TOFOSEM.

Conclusions

The overall results support superior performance of the PSF-HYPR4D-K-TOFOSEM for TOF PET data and demonstrate that the proposed method is likely suitable for all imaging tasks including the generation of IDIF without requiring any prior information as well as further improving the effective sensitivity of the imaging system.
Development and validation of a prognostic model for the early identification of COVID-19 patients at risk of developing common long COVID symptoms
Authors: Deforth Manja , Gebhard Caroline E. , Bengs Susan , Buehler Philipp K. , Schuepbach Reto A. , Zinkernagel Annelies S. , Brugger Silvio D. , Acevedo Claudio T. , Patriki Dimitri , Wiggli Benedikt , Twerenbold Raphael , Kuster Gabriela M. , Pargger Hans , Schefold Joerg C. , Spinetti Thibaud , Wendel-Garcia Pedro D. , Hofmaenner Daniel A. , Gysi Bianca , Siegemund Martin , Heinze Georg , Regitz-Zagrosek Vera , Gebhard Catherine , Held Ulrike
Published: November 2022

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic demands reliable prognostic models for estimating the risk of long COVID. We developed and validated a prediction model to estimate the probability of known common long COVID symptoms at least 60 days after acute COVID-19.

Methods

The prognostic model was built based on data from a multicentre prospective Swiss cohort study. Included were adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between February and December 2020 and treated as outpatients, at ward or intensive/intermediate care unit. Perceived long-term health impairments, including reduced exercise tolerance/reduced resilience, shortness of breath and/or tiredness (REST), were assessed after a follow-up time between 60 and 425 days. The data set was split into a derivation and a geographical validation cohort. Predictors were selected out of twelve candidate predictors based on three methods, namely the augmented backward elimination (ABE) method, the adaptive best-subset selection (ABESS) method and model-based recursive partitioning (MBRP) approach. Model performance was assessed with the scaled Brier score, concordance c statistic and calibration plot. The final prognostic model was determined based on best model performance.

Results

In total, 2799 patients were included in the analysis, of which 1588 patients were in the derivation cohort and 1211 patients in the validation cohort. The REST prevalence was similar between the cohorts with 21.6% (n = 343) in the derivation cohort and 22.1% (n = 268) in the validation cohort. The same predictors were selected with the ABE and ABESS approach. The final prognostic model was based on the ABE and ABESS selected predictors. The corresponding scaled Brier score in the validation cohort was 18.74%, model discrimination was 0.78 (95% CI: 0.75 to 0.81), calibration slope was 0.92 (95% CI: 0.78 to 1.06) and calibration intercept was −0.06 (95% CI: −0.22 to 0.09).

Conclusion

The proposed model was validated to identify COVID-19-infected patients at high risk for REST symptoms. Before implementing the prognostic model in daily clinical practice, the conduct of an impact study is recommended.
Early prediction of Alzheimer's disease using convolutional neural network: a review
Authors: Patil Vijeeta , Madgi Manohar , Kiran Ajmeera
Published: November 2022

In this paper, a comprehensive review on Alzheimer's disease (AD) is carried out, and an exploration of the two machine learning (ML) methods that help to identify the disease in its initial stages. Alzheimer's disease is a neurocognitive disorder occurring in people in their early onset. This disease causes the person to suffer from memory loss, unusual behavior, and language problems. Early detection is essential for developing more advanced treatments for AD. Machine learning (ML), a subfield of Artificial Intelligence (AI), uses various probabilistic and optimization techniques to help computers learn from huge and complicated data sets. To diagnose AD in its early stages, researchers generally use machine learning. The survey provides a broad overview of current research in this field and analyses the classification methods used by researchers working with ADNI data sets. It discusses essential research topics such as the data sets used, the evaluation measures employed, and the machine learning methods used. Our presentation suggests a model that helps better understand current work and highlights the challenges and opportunities for innovative and useful research. The study shows which machine learning method holds best for the ADNI data set. Therefore, the focus is given to two methods: the 18-layer convolutional network and the 3D convolutional network. Hence, CNNs with multi-layered fetch more accurate results as compared to 3D CNN. The work also contributes to the use of the ADNI data set, where the classification of training and testing samples is divided with such a number that brings the highest accuracy achieved with 18-layer CNN. The work concentrates on the early prediction of Alzheimer's disease with machine learning methods. Thus, the accuracy achieved is 98% for 18-layer CNN.
Cancer research activity in the Arab world: a 15-year bibliometric analysis
Authors: Machaalani Marc , El Masri Jad , El Ayoubi Lemir Majed , Matar Bassam
Published: November 2022

Background

The Arab region comprises 22 countries located in the Middle East and North Africa, sharing cultural and linguistic ties. Arab countries have continued to lag in terms of biomedical research compared to other nations for several past decades. Cancer is a major public health concern, being the second leading cause of death globally. Given that high research activity on cancer reflects positively on screening programs, awareness, and clinical practice, this article aimed to examine the activity and trend of cancer research in the Arab world between 2005 and 2019.

Methods

Between 2005 and 2019, the number of cancer-related articles published by each Arab country, and regarding 27 different types, was assessed using the PubMed database. Numbers were normalized with respect to each country’s average population and average Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Results

Arab countries contributed to 1.52% of total cancer publications. The number of cancer publications has steadily grown since 2005, with the last 7 years alone witnessing 75.69% of the total Arab cancer-related publications. In terms of publications per million persons, Qatar ranked first (393.74 per million persons), while in terms of publications per national GDP, Egypt ranked first (464.27 per billion US dollars). Breast, liver, and colorectal cancers had the highest numbers of all Arab cancer-related publications, while testicular, vulvar, and gallbladder cancers had the least.

Conclusions

This paper pools information and insight for scientists, clinicians, funders, and decision-makers on the actualities and developments of cancer research in the Arab world. Addressing the barriers facing cancer research remains a cornerstone in the plan to improve the Arab world’s output and contribution to the field of oncology.
Frequency spectrum of engineering structures with time varying masses
Authors: Tu Phung , Vimonsatit Vanissorn , Hansapinyo Chayanon
Published: November 2022

Time varying mass engineering structure is the type of structure where the total mass of the structure changes rapidly, and the loads generated are dependent on the properties of the structure, discharge rate and the properties of the materials inside the structure. A discharging silo is a typical time varying mass civil engineering structure where the total mass of the entire structure changes during the discharge of the stored materials. This paper presents a novel combinatory approach using Hilbert Transform and Variational Mode Decomposition methods to analyse nonlinear and non-stationary signals collected from the experimental silo filled with iron ore and one filled with sand. In particular, the silo filled with sand was producing loud foghorn like sound during discharge. The results revealed the existence of a frequency spectrum that can be developed further to assess the structural integrity of a time varying mass civil engineering structure such as a silo without the impacting silo operation and throughput. The obtained frequency spectrum shows that there is a noticeable difference between the spectra for the silo filled with iron ore and the silo filled with sand.
Lithium in the prevention of suicide in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials
Authors: Riblet Natalie B. , Shiner Brian , Young-Xu Yinong , Watts Bradley V.
Published: November 2022

Controversy exists regarding the efficacy of lithium for suicide prevention. Except for a recent trial that enrolled over 500 patients, available trials of lithium for suicide prevention have involved small samples. It is challenging to measure suicide in a single randomised controlled trial (RCT). Adding a single large study to existing meta-analyses may provide insights into lithium's anti-suicidal effects. We performed a meta-analysis of RCTs comparing lithium with a control condition for suicide prevention. MEDLINE and other databases were searched up to 30 November 2021. Efficacy was assessed by calculating the summary Peto odds ratio (OR) and incidence rate ratio (IRR) with 95% confidence intervals. Among seven RCTs, the odds of suicide were lower among patients receiving lithium versus control (OR = 0.30, 95% CI 0.09–1.02; IRR = 0.22, 95% CI 0.05–1.05), although the findings were still not statistically significant. The role of lithium in suicide prevention remains uncertain.
Mutational Screening of Androgen Receptor Gene in 8224 Men of Infertile Couples
Authors: Rocca Maria Santa , Minervini Giovanni , Vinanzi Cinzia , Bottacin Alberto , Lia Federica , Foresta Carlo , Pennuto Maria , Ferlin Alberto
Published: November 2022

Context

Mutations in the androgen receptor (AR) gene might be associated with infertility mainly because they cause various degrees of androgen insensitivity.

Objective

The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency and type of AR variants in a large cohort of infertile males.

Methods

A total of 8224 males of Italian idiopathic infertile couples were referred to the University Hospital of Padova. The main outcome measures were mutational screening of AR, computational, and functional analyses.

Results

We found 131 patients (1.6%) harboring 45 variants in AR gene, of which 18 were novel missense AR variants. Patients with AR gene variants had lower sperm count (P = .048), higher testosterone (T) concentration (P < .0001), and higher androgen sensitivity index (ASI) (luteinizing hormone × T, P < .001) than patients without variants. Statistical analyses found T ≥ 15.38 nmol/L and ASI ≥ 180 IU × nmol/L2 as the threshold values to discriminate with good accuracy patients with AR variants. Patients with oligozoospermia and T ≥ 15.38 nmol/L had a 9-fold increased risk of harboring mutations compared with patients with normal sperm count and T < 15.38 nmol/L (odds ratio 9.29, 95% CI 5.07-17.02). Using computational and functional approaches, we identified 2 novel variants, L595P and L791I, as potentially pathogenic.

Conclusion

This is the largest study screening AR gene variants in men of idiopathic infertile couples. We found that the prevalence of variants increased to 3.4% in oligozoospermic subjects with T ≥ 15.38 nmol/L. Conversely, more than 80% of men with AR gene variants had low sperm count and high T levels. Based on our findings, we suggest AR sequencing as a routine genetic test in cases of idiopathic oligozoospermia with T ≥ 15.38 nmol/L.
Pyridazine Synthesis from 1,2,4,5-Tetrazines and Alkynes in 1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoro-2-propanol through the Inverse Electron Demand Diels–Alder Reaction
Authors: Yamamoto Chika , Suzuki Minori , Yoshida Suguru
Published: November 2022

A facile method to synthesize pyridazines from 1,2,4,5-tetrazines and alkynes is disclosed. The reaction was significantly facilitated by 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol. The wide scope and the predictable regioselectivity by theoretical calculations will serve to synthesize a wide range of multisubstituted pyridazines.
Hackathon challenge as a pedagogical tool to teach interdisciplinary problem-solving skills for population health
Authors: Radzihovsky Matthew , Trounce Natalia , Sebok-Syer Stefanie , Boukhman Milana
Published: November 2022

Background: Effectively addressing complex challenges involving population health often requires interdisciplinary action. Teaching both the value and the skills to collaborate effectively across disciplines can better equip students to lead and develop solutions to a range of complex challenges.  

Methods: The Biosecurity and Pandemic Resilience course deployed Hackathon, which utilizes Stanford's Design Thinking methodology. In the winter of 2020, Hackathon challenged 187 students to devise implementable solutions that decrease the transmission of COVID-19. Post Hackathon, students responded to an anonymous survey reflecting on their experience.

Results: Students developed 52 solutions to help manage the COVID-19 outbreak. Most students (58%) specifically cited the interdisciplinary approach and diverse group expertise as their most valuable takeaway, and 68% of students indicated that given proper resources they would continue working to implement their project.

Conclusions: The Hackathon challenge utilizing Design Thinking curriculum can be a valuable tool in equipping students to address complex population health issues and can also be deployed in other contexts. The authors plan to further enhance and adapt the Hackathon challenge to explore additional use cases.
Montaigne and the rise of modern cultural diplomacy
Authors: Gherasim Gabriel
Published: November 2022

In the troubling sixteenth century political and religious turmoil in Europe - and particularly in France - the cosmopolitan personality of Michel de Montaigne is not only indicative for acknowledging the more and more meddling resources of culture within the realm of politics, but is also explanatory for reforming and expanding the instruments of traditional diplomacy. Specifically, the consequential insights of Montaigne's post-Renaissance humanist stance highly impacted upon certain salient developments in the field of cultural diplomacy that could be analytically framed as i) a personal imprint on reforming political culture(s) tantamount to a conspicuous signature in the field of cultural pedagogy, and ii) a commendable approach to cultural pluralism, and an influential modus operandi in the practice of cultural relations. The present study purports to reflect upon the rise of modern cultural diplomacy through highlighting the impact of the above-mentioned traits on further developments of the field in one of the most characteristic figures of early modernity, Michel de Montaigne.
Impact of preprocessing methods on the Raman spectra of brain tissue
Authors: Wahl Joel , Klint Elisabeth , Hallbeck Martin , Hillman Jan , Wårdell Karin , Ramser Kerstin
Published: November 2022

Delineating cancer tissue while leaving functional tissue intact is crucial in brain tumor resection. Despite several available aids, surgeons are limited by preoperative or subjective tools. Raman spectroscopy is a label-free optical technique with promising indications for tumor tissue identification. To allow direct comparisons between measurements preprocessing of the Raman signal is required. There are many recognized methods for preprocessing Raman spectra; however, there is no universal standard. In this paper, six different preprocessing methods were tested on Raman spectra (n > 900) from fresh brain tissue samples (n = 34). The sample cohort included both primary brain tumors, such as adult-type diffuse gliomas and meningiomas, as well as metastases of breast cancer. Each tissue sample was classified according to the CNS WHO 2021 guidelines. The six methods include both direct and iterative polynomial fitting, mathematical morphology, signal derivative, commercial software, and a neural network. Data exploration was performed using principal component analysis, t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding, and k-means clustering. For each of the six methods, the parameter combination that explained the most variance in the data, i.e., resulting in the highest Gap-statistic, was chosen and compared to the other five methods. Depending on the preprocessing method, the resulting clusters varied in number, size, and associated spectral features. The detected features were associated with hemoglobin, neuroglobin, carotenoid, water, and protoporphyrin, as well as proteins and lipids. However, the spectral features seen in the Raman spectra could not be unambiguously assigned to tissue labels, regardless of preprocessing method. We have illustrated that depending on the chosen preprocessing method, the spectral appearance of Raman features from brain tumor tissue can change. Therefore, we argue both for caution in comparing spectral features from different Raman studies, as well as the importance of transparency of methodology and implementation of the preprocessing. As discussed in this study, Raman spectroscopy for in vivo guidance in neurosurgery requires fast and adaptive preprocessing. On this basis, a pre-trained neural network appears to be a promising approach for the operating room.
Spot diagram borders are always caustic curves and/or marginal rays: Proof applied by means of the Weierstrass theorem
Authors: Cordero-Dávila Alberto , González-García Jorge , Reyes-Olguín Diego Gabriel
Published: November 2022

Weierstrass theorem and different Zernike polynomials are used to prove that for any optical system with general exit pupil affected by any aberrations, the borders of all leaving rays are curves caustic and/or marginal rays.
Influence of Mo interlayers on the microstructure of layers and reflective characteristics of Ru/Be multilayer mirrors
Authors: Smertin R. M. , Chkhalo N. I. , Drozdov M. N. , Garakhin S. A. , Zuev S. Yu. , Polkovnikov V. N. , Salashchenko N. N. , Yunin P. A.
Published: November 2022

The influence of Mo interlayers on the microstructure of films and boundaries, and the reflective characteristics of Ru/Be multilayer mirrors (MLM) were studied by X-ray reflectometry and diffractometry, and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). An increase in the reflection coefficients of MLM at a wavelength of 11.4 nm to record values of R = 72.2% and FWHM to Δλ1/2 = 0.38 nm is shown. The effect of interlayers on the structural and reflective characteristics of MLM is explained by the barrier properties of the Mo layers, which prevent the mutual mixing of the Ru and Be layers, which leads to the formation of beryllides and a decrease in the X-ray optical contrast at the boundaries.
Unrolled primal-dual networks for lensless cameras
Authors: Kingshott Oliver , Antipa Nick , Bostan Emrah , Akşit Kaan
Published: November 2022

Conventional models for lensless imaging assume that each measurement results from convolving a given scene with a single experimentally measured point-spread function. These models fail to simulate lensless cameras truthfully, as these models do not account for optical aberrations or scenes with depth variations. Our work shows that learning a supervised primal-dual reconstruction method results in image quality matching state of the art in the literature without demanding a large network capacity. We show that embedding learnable forward and adjoint models improves the reconstruction quality of lensless images (+5dB PSNR) compared to works that assume a fixed point-spread function.
Imaging through scattering media using differential intensity transmission matrices with different Hadamard orderings
Authors: Liu Juan , Zhao Wenjing , Zhai Aiping , Wang Dong
Published: November 2022

A transmission matrix (TM) is a powerful tool for light focusing and imaging through scattering media. For measuring it, the normal way requires establishing a multiple-step phase-shifting interferometer, which makes the TM measurement not only complex and sensitive but also time-consuming. Imaging through scattering media using an intensity TM method can make the setup for TM measurement without the phase-shifting interferometer, thus it is much simple, more stable, and several times faster. Here, based upon a differential intensity TM method, we demonstrated it to do imaging through scattering media using different Hadamard orderings. To accelerate the TM measuring speed while degrading as little as possible of the imaging quality, a relatively reasonable strategy to plan Hadamard orderings for the TM measurement is designed since it can suggest us to preferentially measure the components in TM that are more important to the imaging quality. Thanks to the different Hadamard orderings, their influences on the imaging quality at different measuring ratios are investigated, thus an optimal measuring ordering for accelerating the TM measurement can be obtained, while only sacrificing as little as possible of the image fidelity. Simulations and experiments verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
1 GW peak power and 100 J pulsed operation of a diode-pumped Tm:YLF laser
Authors: Tamer Issa , Reagan Brendan A. , Galvin Thomas , Batysta František , Sistrunk Emily , Willard Drew , Church Andrew , Neurath Hansel , Galbraith Justin , Huete Glenn , Spinka Thomas
Published: November 2022

We report on the generation of high energy, high power pulses in a tabletop diode-pumped Tm:YLF-based laser system, which delivers amplified pulse energies up to 108 J, as well as GW peak power performance when seeded with nanosecond duration pulses. Furthermore, the high power and efficiency capabilities of operating Tm:YLF in the multi-pulse extraction (MPE) regime were explored by seeding the experimental setup with a multi-kHz burst of pulses exhibiting a low individual pulse fluence, resulting in a 3.6 kW average power train of multi-joule-level pulses with an optical-to-optical efficiency of 19%.
Inferring a spatial code of cell-cell interactions across a whole animal body
Authors: Armingol Erick , Ghaddar Abbas , Joshi Chintan J. , Baghdassarian Hratch , Shamie Isaac , Chan Jason , Her Hsuan-Lin , Berhanu Samuel , Dar Anushka , Rodriguez-Armstrong Fabiola , Yang Olivia , O’Rourke Eyleen J. , Lewis Nathan E.
Published: November 2022

Cell-cell interactions shape cellular function and ultimately organismal phenotype. Interacting cells can sense their mutual distance using combinations of ligand-receptor pairs, suggesting the existence of a spatial code, i.e., signals encoding spatial properties of cellular organization. However, this code driving and sustaining the spatial organization of cells remains to be elucidated. Here we present a computational framework to infer the spatial code underlying cell-cell interactions from the transcriptomes of the cell types across the whole body of a multicellular organism. As core of this framework, we introduce our tool cell2cell, which uses the coexpression of ligand-receptor pairs to compute the potential for intercellular interactions, and we test it across the Caenorhabditis elegans’ body. Leveraging a 3D atlas of C. elegans’ cells, we also implement a genetic algorithm to identify the ligand-receptor pairs most informative of the spatial organization of cells across the whole body. Validating the spatial code extracted with this strategy, the resulting intercellular distances are negatively correlated with the inferred cell-cell interactions. Furthermore, for selected cell-cell and ligand-receptor pairs, we experimentally confirm the communicatory behavior inferred with cell2cell and the genetic algorithm. Thus, our framework helps identify a code that predicts the spatial organization of cells across a whole-animal body.
Effects of sub-chronic, in vivo administration of sigma-1 receptor ligands on platelet and aortic arachidonate cascade in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Váczi Sándor , Barna Lilla , Laczi Krisztián , Tömösi Ferenc , Rákhely Gábor , Penke Botond , Fülöp Lívia , Bogár Ferenc , Janáky Tamás , Deli Mária A. , Mezei Zsófia
Published: November 2022

Background

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder which induces endothelial dysfunction and platelet activation. Eicosanoids produced from arachidonic acid regulate cellular and vascular functions. Sigma-1 receptors (S1R) are expressed in platelets and endothelial cells and S1R expression is protective in diabetes.

Objectives

Our aim was to examine the influence of sub-chronic, in vivo administered S1R ligands PRE-084, (S)-L1 (a new compound) and NE-100 on the ex vivo arachidonic acid metabolism of platelets and aorta in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Methods

The serum level of the S1R ligands was detected by LC-MS/MS before the ex vivo analysis. Sigma-1 receptor and cyclooxygenase gene expression in platelets were determined by RT-qPCR. The eicosanoid synthesis was examined with a radiolabelled arachidonic acid substrate and ELISA.

Results

One month after the onset of STZ-induced diabetes, in vehicle-treated, diabetic rat platelet TxB2 and aortic 6-k-PGF1α production dropped. Sub-chronic in vivo treatment of STZ-induced diabetes in rats for one week with PRE-084 enhanced vasoconstrictor and platelet aggregator and reduced vasodilator and anti-aggregator cyclooxygenase product formation. (S)-L1 reduced the synthesis of vasodilator and anti-aggregator cyclooxygenase metabolites and promoted the recovery of physiological platelet function in diabetic rats. The S1R antagonist NE-100 produced no significant changes in platelet arachidonic acid metabolism. (S)-L1 decreased the synthesis of vasoconstrictor and platelet aggregator cyclooxygenase metabolites, whereas NE-100 increased the quantity of aortic vasodilator and anti-aggregator cyclooxygenase products and promoted the recovery of diabetic endothelial dysfunction in the aorta. The novel S1R ligand, (S)-L1 had similar effects on eicosanoid synthesis in platelets as the agonist PRE-084 and in aortas as the antagonist NE-100.

Conclusions

S1R ligands regulate cellular functions and local blood circulation by influencing arachidonic acid metabolism. In diabetes mellitus, the cell-specific effects of S1R ligands have a compensatory role and aid in restoring physiological balance between the platelet and vessel.
Effectiveness of short-term isothermic-heat acclimation (4 days) on physical performance in moderately trained males
Authors: Shaw Jake , Walkington Cory , Cole Edward , Gleadall-Siddall Damien O. , Burke Rachel , Bray James , Simpson Andrew J. , Vince Rebecca V. , Garrett Andrew T.
Published: November 2022

Introduction

A typical heat acclimation (HA) protocol takes 5–7 d of 60–90 minutes of heat exposure. Identifying the minimum dose of HA required to elicit a heat adapted phenotype could reduce financial constraints on participants and aid in the tapering phase for competition in hot countries. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate a 4 d HA regimen on physical performance

Methods

Twelve moderately trained males were heat acclimated using controlled hyperthermia (Tre>38.5°C), with no fluid intake for 90 min on 4 consecutive days, with a heat stress test (HST) being completed one week prior to (HST2), and within one-week post (HST3) HA. Eleven completed the control study of HST1 versus HST2, one week apart with no intervention. Heat stress tests comprised of cycling for 90 min @ 40% Peak Power Output (PPO); 35°C; 60%RH followed by 10 minutes of passive recovery before an incremental test to exhaustion. Physical performance outcomes time to exhaustion (TTE), PPO, end rectal temperature (TreEND), and heart rate (HREND) was measured during the incremental test to exhaustion.

Results

Physiological markers indicated no significant changes in the heat; however descriptive statistics indicated mean restingTrelowered 0.24°C (-0.54 to 0.07°C;d =2.35: very large) and end-exercise lowered by 0.32°C (-0.81 to 0.16;d= 2.39: very large). There were significant improvements across multiple timepoints following HA in perceptual measures; Rate of perceived exertion (RPE), Thermal Sensation (TS), and Thermal Comfort (TC) (P<0.05). Mean TTE in the HST increased by 142 s (323±333 to 465±235s;P= 0.04) and mean PPO by 76W (137±128 to 213±77 W;P= 0.03).

Conclusion

Short-term isothermic HA (4 d) was effective in enhancing performance capacity in hot and humid conditions. Regardless of the level of physiological adaptations, behavioural adaptations were sufficient to elicit improved performance and thermotolerance in hot conditions. Additional exposures may be requisite to ensure physiological adaptation.
Contraceptive utilization and associated factors among youths in Hossana town administrative, Hadiya zone, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Babore Getachew Ossabo , Heliso Asnakech Zekiwos
Published: November 2022

Background

In low-income countries out of, 60.7 million unintended pregnancies, 19% of them are subjected to abortion of which 11% of were unsafe. Surprisingly, about 2.5 million occur in women under the age of 20 years. Aim of this study is to measure the level of contraceptive utilization and associated factors among youths in Hosanna town administration.

Method

Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted in Hossana town administration, Hadiya zone, Southern Ethiopia. A multistage sampling procedure was employed by clustering health facilities into reproductive health clubs and health facilities to select 781 study participants. Data was collected by using structured pre-tested, self-administered questionnaires. All coded and cleaned data were entered into EPI-info version 3.5.1 and it was exported to SPSS version 16.0 for recoding and further analysis.

Result

Among youths who had been sexually active within the last 12 months, 67.6% had used contraceptives prior to the survey. Multivariate analysis was found statistically significant association between contraceptive utilization and education status of mothers who attained university AOR = 4.57 [95% CI (1.29, 16.19)], utilization of sexual and reproductive health services within last 12 months AOR = 2.26 [(95% CI: 1.33, 3.86)], age initiation of first sex between 15–19 year OR = 2.63 [(95% CI 1.48,4.64)], discussion with sexual partner AOR = 1.99 [(95% CI: 1.27, 3.13)], good knowledge on contraceptive advantage AOR = [1.89 (95%CI: 1.07, 3.32)]. Whereas educational status: being secondary level decrease utilization of contraceptives by 51% AOR = 0.49 [95% CI (0.27, 0.94)].

Conclusion & recommendation

The findings of our study imply that level of contraceptive utilization is higher than as compared to the previous studies. Discussion with a sexual partner as well as with a spouse, having awareness on contraceptive advantages, early age initiation of sexual intercourse, maternal educational status and getting sexual and reproductive health services recently were identified as predictors of contraceptive utilization.
Classifying fossil Darwin wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) with geometric morphometrics of fore wings
Authors: Viertler Alexandra , Baur Hannes , Spasojevic Tamara , Mennecart Bastien , Klopfstein Seraina
Published: November 2022

Linking fossil species to the extant diversity is often a difficult task, and the correct interpretation of character evidence is crucial for assessing their taxonomic placement. Here, we make use of geometric morphometrics of fore wings to help classify five fossil Darwin wasps from the Early Eocene Fur Formation in Denmark into subfamilies and often tribes. We compile a reference dataset with 342 fore wings of nine extant subfamilies and nine relevant fossil species. Since geometric morphometrics was mostly ignored in the past in Darwin wasp classification, the dataset is first used to examine differences and similarities in wing venation among subfamilies. In a next step, we used the reference dataset to inform the classification of the fossil species, which resulted in the description of one new genus and five new species,Crusopimpla weltiisp. nov.,Ebriosa flavagen. et sp. nov.,Entypoma?duergarisp. nov.,Lathrolestes?zlatorogsp. nov., andTriclistus biborisp. nov., in four different subfamilies. Carefully assessing data quality, we show that the fore wing venation of fossil Darwin wasps is surprisingly suitable to assign them to a subfamily or even lower taxonomic level, especially when used in conjunction with characters from other parts of the body to narrow down a candidate set of potential subfamilies and tribes. Our results not only demonstrate a fast and useful approach to inform fossil classification but provide a basis for future investigations into evolutionary changes in fore wings of ichneumonids. The high informativeness of wing venation for classification furthermore could be harvested for phylogenetic analyses, which are otherwise often hampered by homoplasy in this parasitoid wasp family.
Simulation and experimental research of electric tractor drive system based on Modelica
Authors: Mao Yawei , Wu Yiwei , Yan Xianghai , Liu Mengnan , Xu Liyou
Published: November 2022

The electric tractor has the advantages of zero-emission, high efficiency, and low noise, which is the direction of future development and transformation of agricultural power machinery. Aim at the problem that the simulation methods commonly used in the development of electric tractor drive system are poorly generalized and cannot meet the simulation needs of complex multi-domain physical systems. This paper proposes a modeling method for an electric tractor drive system, takes the YTO-500 tractor as the research object, designs and calculates the overall scheme and parameters of its drive system, divides the drive system into modules, establishes the energy system, motor system and mechanical parts model based on Modelica, and integrates the simulation model of electric tractor drive system on this basis. The traction performance and transportation working conditions were simulated and tested. With compared and analyzed, in the traction characteristics, the simulation and test results of maximum speed, maximum traction force, and maximum traction power of each gear are consistent; within 400s transportation simulation conditions, the speed range of electric tractor is 13~28km·h-1, which is consistent with the speed range of electric tractor transportation gear. The results show that the simulation and the test results are consistent, which verifies the credibility of the simulation and the correctness of the model built, providing a basis for future research and development of agricultural machinery.
Bioinformatic characterization of endolysins and holin-like membrane proteins in the lysis cassette of phages that infect Gordonia rubripertincta
Authors: Pollenz Richard S. , Bland Jackson , Pope Welkin H.
Published: November 2022

Holins are bacteriophage-encoded transmembrane proteins that function to control the timing of bacterial lysis event, assist with the destabilization of the membrane proton motive force and in some models, generate large “pores” in the cell membrane to allow the exit of the phage-encoded endolysin so they can access the peptidoglycan components of the cell wall. The lysis mechanism has been rigorously evaluated through biochemical and genetic studies in very few phages, and the results indicate that phages utilize endolysins, holins and accessory proteins to the outer membrane to achieve cell lysis through several distinct operational models. This observation suggests the possibility that phages may evolve novel variations of how the lysis proteins functionally interact in an effort to improve fitness or evade host defenses. To begin to address this hypothesis, the current study utilized a comprehensive bioinformatic approach to systematically identify the proteins encoded by the genes within the lysis cassettes in 16 genetically diverse phages that infect the Gram-positive Gordonia rubripertincta NRLL B-16540 strain. The results show that there is a high level of diversity of the various lysis genes and 16 different genome organizations of the putative lysis cassette, many which have never been described. Thirty-four different genes encoding holin-like proteins were identified as well as a potential holin-major capsid fusion protein. The holin-like proteins contained between 1–4 transmembrane helices, were not shared to a high degree amongst the different phages and are present in the lysis cassette in a wide range of combinations of up to 4 genes in which none are duplicated. Detailed evaluation of the transmembrane domains and predicted membrane topologies of the holin-like proteins show that many have novel structures that have not been previously characterized. These results provide compelling support that there are novel operational lysis models yet to be discovered.
Identifying psychiatric diagnosis from missing mood data through the use of log-signature features
Authors: Wu Yue , Goodwin Guy M. , Lyons Terry , Saunders Kate E. A.
Published: November 2022

The availability of mobile technologies has enabled the efficient collection of prospective longitudinal, ecologically valid self-reported clinical questionnaires from people with psychiatric diagnoses. These data streams have potential for improving the efficiency and accuracy of psychiatric diagnosis as well predicting future mood states enabling earlier intervention. However, missing responses are common in such datasets and there is little consensus as to how these should be dealt with in practice. In this study, the missing-response-incorporated log-signature method achieves roughly 74.8% correct diagnosis, with f1 scores for three diagnostic groups 66% (bipolar disorder), 83% (healthy control) and 75% (borderline personality disorder) respectively. This was superior to the naive model which excluded missing data and advanced models which implemented different imputation approaches, namely, k-nearest neighbours (KNN), probabilistic principal components analysis (PPCA) and random forest-based multiple imputation by chained equations (rfMICE). The log-signature method provided an effective approach to the analysis of prospectively collected mood data where missing data was common and should be considered as an approach in other similar datasets. Because of treating missing responses as a signal, its superiority also highlights that missing data conveys valuable clinical information.
Lectin binding and gel secretion within Lorenzinian electroreceptors of Polyodon
Authors: Russell David F. , Zhang Wenjuan , Warnock Thomas C. , Neiman Lilia L.
Published: November 2022

We imaged the carbohydrate-selective spatial binding of 8 lectins in the ampullary organs (AOs) of electroreceptors on the rostrum of freshwater paddlefish (Polyodon spathula), by fluorescence imaging and morphometry of frozen sections. A focus was candidate sites of secretion of the glycoprotein gel filling the lumen of AOs. The rostrum of Polyodon is an electrosensory appendage anterior of the head, covered with >50,000 AOs, each homologous with the ampulla of Lorenzini electroreceptors of marine rays and sharks. A large electrosensory neuroepithelium (EN) lines the basal pole of each AO’s lumen in Polyodon; support cells occupy most (97%) of an EN’s apical area, along with electrosensitive receptor cells. (1) Lectins WGA or SBA labeled the AO gel. High concentrations of the N-acetyl-aminocarbohydrate ligands of these lectins were reported in canal gel of ampullae of Lorenzini, supporting homology of Polyodon AOs. In cross sections of EN, WGA or SBA labeled cytoplasmic vesicles and organelles in support cells, especially apically, apparently secretory. Abundant phalloidin+ microvilli on the apical faces of support cells yielded the brightest label by lectins WGA or SBA. In parallel views of the apical EN surface, WGA labeled only support cells. We concluded that EN support cells massively secrete gel from their apical microvilli (and surface?), containing amino carbohydrate ligands of WGA or SBA, into the AO lumen. (2) Lectins RCA120 or ConA also labeled EN support cells, each differently. RCA120-fluorescein brightly labeled extensive Golgi tubules in the apical halves of EN cells. ConA did not label microvilli, but brightly labeled small vesicles throughout support cells, apparently non-secretory. (3) We demonstrated “sockets” surrounding the basolateral exteriors of EN receptor cells, as candidate glycocalyces. (4) We explored whether additional secretions may arise from non-EN epithelial cells of the interior ampulla wall. (5) Model: Gel is secreted mainly by support cells in the large EN covering each AO’s basal pole. Secreted gel is pushed toward the pore, and out. We modeled gel velocity as increasing ~11x, going distally in AOs (toward the narrowed neck and pore), due to geometrical taper of the ampulla wall. Gel renewal and accelerated expulsion may defend against invasion of the AO lumen by microbes or small parasites. (6) We surveyed lectin labeling of accessory structures, including papilla cells in AO necks, striated ectoderm epidermis, and sheaths on afferent axons or on terminal glia.
Institution and gender-related differences in publication speed before and during COVID-19
Authors: Acciai Claudia , Holding Benjamin C. , W. Schneider Jesper , W. Nielsen Mathias
Published: November 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic elicited a substantial hike in journal submissions and a global push to get medical evidence quickly through the review process. Editorial decisions and peer-assessments were made under intensified time constraints, which may have amplified social disparities in the outcomes of peer-reviewing, especially for COVID-19 related research. This study quantifies the differential impact of the pandemic on the duration of the peer-review process for women and men and for scientists at different strata of the institutional-prestige hierarchy. Using mixed-effects regression models with observations clustered at the journal level, we analysed newly available data on the submission and acceptance dates of 78,085 medical research articles published in 2019 and 2020. We found that institution-related disparities in the average time from manuscript submission to acceptance increased marginally in 2020, although half of the observed change was driven by speedy reviews of COVID-19 research. For COVID-19 papers, we found more substantial institution-related disparities in review times in favour of authors from highly-ranked institutions. Descriptive survival plots also indicated that scientists with prestigious affiliations benefitted more from fast-track peer reviewing than did colleagues from less reputed institutions. This difference was more pronounced for journals with a single-blind review procedure compared to journals with a double-blind review procedure. Gender-related changes in the duration of the peer-review process were small and inconsistent, although we observed a minor difference in the average review time of COVID-19 papers first authored by women and men.
Levy Equilibrium Optimizer algorithm for the DNA storage code set
Authors: Zhang Jianxia
Published: November 2022

The generation of massive data puts forward higher requirements for storage technology. DNA storage is a new storage technology which uses biological macromolecule DNA as information carrier. Compared with traditional silicon-based storage, DNA storage has the advantages of large capacity, high density, low energy consumption and high durability. DNA coding is to store data information with as few base sequences as possible without errors. Coding is a key technology in DNA storage, and its results directly affect the performance of storage and the integrity of data reading and writing. In this paper, a Levy Equilibrium Optimizer (LEO) algorithm is proposed to construct a DNA storage code set that satisfies combinatorial constraints. The performance of the proposed algorithm is tested on 13 benchmark functions, and 4 new global optima are obtained. Under the same constraints, the DNA storage code set is constructed. Compared with previous work, the lower bound of DNA storage code set is improved by 4–13%.