bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Machine-learning algorithms for asthma, COPD, and lung cancer risk assessment using circulating microbial extracellular vesicle data and their application to assess dietary effects
Authors: McDowell Andrea , Kang Juwon , Yang Jinho , Jung Jihee , Oh Yeon-Mok , Kym Sung-Min , Shin Tae-Seop , Kim Tae-Bum , Jee Young-Koo , Kim Yoon-Keun
Published: September 2022

Although mounting evidence suggests that the microbiome has a tremendous influence on intractable disease, the relationship between circulating microbial extracellular vesicles (EVs) and respiratory disease remains unexplored. Here, we developed predictive diagnostic models for COPD, asthma, and lung cancer by applying machine learning to microbial EV metagenomes isolated from patient serum and coded by their accumulated taxonomic hierarchy. All models demonstrated high predictive strength with mean AUC values ranging from 0.93 to 0.99 with various important features at the genus and phylum levels. Application of the clinical models in mice showed that various foods reduced high-fat diet-associated asthma and lung cancer risk, while COPD was minimally affected. In conclusion, this study offers a novel methodology for respiratory disease prediction and highlights the utility of serum microbial EVs as data-rich features for noninvasive diagnosis.
Parsing genetically influenced risk pathways: genetic loci impact problematic alcohol use via externalizing and specific risk
Authors: Barr Peter B. , Mallard Travis T. , Sanchez-Roige Sandra , Poore Holly E. , Linnér Richard Karlsson ,   COGA Collaborators, Porjesz Bernice , Hesselbrock Victor , Foroud Tatiana , Agrawal Arpana , Dick Danielle , Edenberg Howard J. , Nurrnberger John , Liu Yunlong , Kuperman Samuel , Kramer John , Meyers Jacquelyn , Kamarajan Chella , Pandey Ashwini , Bierut Laura , Rice John , Bucholz Kathleen , Schuckit Marc , Tischfield Jay , Hart Ronald , Salvatore Jessica , Almasy Laura , Goate Alison , Kapoor Manav , Slesinger Paul , Scott Denise , Bauer Lance , Wetherill Leah , Xuei Xiaolong , Lai Dongbing , O’Connor Sean , Plawecki Martin , Acion Laura , Chan Grace , Chorlian David B. , Zhang Jian , Kinreich Sivan , Pandey Gayathri , Chao Michael , Anokhin Andrey , McCutcheon Vivia , Saccone Scott , Aliev Fazil , Chin Hemin , Parsian Abbas , Waldman Irwin D. , Palmer Abraham A. , Harden K. Paige , Dick Danielle M.
Published: September 2022

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identify genetic variants associated with a trait, regardless of how those variants are associated with the outcome. Characterizing whether variants for psychiatric outcomes operate via specific versus general pathways provides more informative measures of genetic risk. In the current analysis, we used multivariate GWAS to tease apart variants associated with problematic alcohol use (ALCP-total) through either a shared risk for externalizing (EXT) or a problematic alcohol use-specific risk (ALCP-specific). SNPs associated with ALCP-specific were primarily related to alcohol metabolism. Genetic correlations showed ALCP-specific was predominantly associated with alcohol use and other forms of psychopathology, but not other forms of substance use. Polygenic scores for ALCP-total were associated with multiple forms of substance use, but polygenic scores for ALCP-specific were only associated with alcohol phenotypes. Polygenic scores for both ALCP-specific and EXT show different patterns of associations with alcohol misuse across development. Our results demonstrate that focusing on both shared and specific risk can better characterize pathways of risk for substance use disorders. Parsing risk pathways will become increasingly relevant as genetic information is incorporated into clinical practice.
Postpartum depression: a developed and validated model predicting individual risk in new mothers
Authors: Munk-Olsen Trine , Liu Xiaoqin , Madsen Kathrine Bang , Kjeldsen Mette-Marie Zacher , Petersen Liselotte Vogdrup , Bergink Veerle , Skalkidou Alkistis , Vigod Simone N. , Frokjaer Vibe G. , Pedersen Carsten B. , Maegbaek Merete L.
Published: September 2022

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious condition associated with potentially tragic outcomes, and in an ideal world PPDs should be prevented. Risk prediction models have been developed in psychiatry estimating an individual’s probability of developing a specific condition, and recently a few models have also emerged within the field of PPD research, although none are implemented in clinical care. For the present study we aimed to develop and validate a prediction model to assess individualized risk of PPD and provide a tentative template for individualized risk calculation offering opportunities for additional external validation of this tool. Danish population registers served as our data sources and PPD was defined as recorded contact to a psychiatric treatment facility (ICD-10 code DF32-33) or redeemed antidepressant prescriptions (ATC code N06A), resulting in a sample of 6,402 PPD cases (development sample) and 2,379 (validation sample). Candidate predictors covered background information including cohabitating status, age, education, and previous psychiatric episodes in index mother (Core model), additional variables related to pregnancy and childbirth (Extended model), and further health information about the mother and her family (Extended+ model). Results indicated our recalibrated Extended model with 14 variables achieved highest performance with satisfying calibration and discrimination. Previous psychiatric history, maternal age, low education, and hyperemesis gravidarum were the most important predictors. Moving forward, external validation of the model represents the next step, while considering who will benefit from preventive PPD interventions, as well as considering potential consequences from false positive and negative test results, defined through different threshold values.
Recent progress in palladium-nonmetal nanostructure development for fuel cell applications
Authors: Wang Mengjun , Li Leigang , Wang Mingmin , Huang Xiaoqing
Published: September 2022

Developing highly efficient and durable electrocatalysts plays a central role in realizing a broad range of fuel cell application. Palladium (Pd)-nonmetal nanostructures, as a special class of Pd-based alloys, have exhibited diversified advantages for fuel cell reactions. In this minireview, the most recent progress in the synthesis of Pd-nonmetal nanostructures and their applications in fuel cells are reviewed. First, the merits and advantages of Pd-nonmetal nanostructures are clarified. Next, strategies for enhancing the performance of Pd-nonmetal nanostructures are summarized by demonstrating the most typical examples. It is expected that this review will generate more research interest in the development of more advanced Pd-nonmetal nanocatalysts.
Climate change may outpace current wheat breeding yield improvements in North America
Authors: Zhang Tianyi , He Yong , DePauw Ron , Jin Zhenong , Garvin David , Yue Xu , Anderson Weston , Li Tao , Dong Xin , Zhang Tao , Yang Xiaoguang
Published: September 2022

Variety adaptation to future climate for wheat is important but lacks comprehensive understanding. Here, we evaluate genetic advancement under current and future climate using a dataset of wheat breeding nurseries in North America during 1960-2018. Results show that yields declined by 3.6% per 1 °C warming for advanced winter wheat breeding lines, compared with −5.5% for the check variety, indicating a superior climate-resilience. However, advanced spring wheat breeding lines showed a 7.5% yield reduction per 1 °C warming, which is more sensitive than a 7.1% reduction for the check variety, indicating climate resilience is not improved and may even decline for spring wheat. Under future climate of SSP scenarios, yields of winter and spring wheat exhibit declining trends even with advanced breeding lines, suggesting future climate warming could outpace the yield gains from current breeding progress. Our study highlights that the adaptation progress following the current wheat breeding strategies is challenging.
Rheology of vitrimers
Authors: Meng Fanlong , Saed Mohand O. , Terentjev Eugene M.
Published: September 2022

We describe the full rheology profile of vitrimers, from small deformation (linear) to large deformation (non-linear) viscoelastic behaviour, providing concise analytical expressions to assist the experimental data analysis, and also clarify the emerging insights and rheological concepts in the subject. We identify the elastic-plastic transition at a time scale comparable to the life-time of the exchangeable bonds in the vitrimer network, and propose a new method to deduce material parameters using the Master Curves. At large plastic creep, we describe the strain thinning when the material is subjected to a constant stress or force, and suggest another method to characterize the material parameters from the creep curves. We also investigate partial vitrimers including a permanent sub-network and an exchangeable sub-network where the bond exchange occurs. In creep, such materials can exhibit either strain thinning or strain thickening, depending on applied load, and present the phase diagram of this response.
From an antiferromagnetic insulator to a strongly correlated metal in square-lattice MCl2(pyrazine)2 coordination solids
Authors: Perlepe Panagiota , Oyarzabal Itziar , Voigt Laura , Kubus Mariusz , Woodruff Daniel N. , Reyes-Lillo Sebastian E. , Aubrey Michael L. , Négrier Philippe , Rouzières Mathieu , Wilhelm Fabrice , Rogalev Andrei , Neaton Jeffrey B. , Long Jeffrey R. , Mathonière Corine , Vignolle Baptiste , Pedersen Kasper S. , Clérac Rodolphe
Published: September 2022

Electronic synergy between metal ions and organic linkers is a key to engineering molecule-based materials with a high electrical conductivity and, ultimately, metallicity. To enhance conductivity in metal-organic solids, chemists aim to bring the electrochemical potentials of the constituent metal ions and bridging organic ligands closer in a quest to obtain metal-d and ligand-π admixed frontier bands. Herein, we demonstrate the critical role of the metal ion in tuning the electronic ground state of such materials. While VCl2(pyrazine)2 is an electrical insulator, TiCl2(pyrazine)2 displays the highest room-temperature electronic conductivity (5.3 S cm–1) for any metal-organic solid involving octahedrally coordinated metal ions. Notably, TiCl2(pyrazine)2 exhibits Pauli paramagnetism consistent with the specific heat, supporting the existence of a Fermi liquid state (i.e., a correlated metal). This result widens perspectives for designing molecule-based systems with strong metal-ligand covalency and electronic correlations.
ANGEL2 phosphatase activity is required for non-canonical mitochondrial RNA processing
Authors: Clemente Paula , Calvo-Garrido Javier , Pearce Sarah F. , Schober Florian A. , Shigematsu Megumi , Siira Stefan J. , Laine Isabelle , Spåhr Henrik , Steinmetzger Christian , Petzold Katja , Kirino Yohei , Wibom Rolf , Rackham Oliver , Filipovska Aleksandra , Rorbach Joanna , Freyer Christoph , Wredenberg Anna
Published: September 2022

Canonical RNA processing in mammalian mitochondria is defined by tRNAs acting as recognition sites for nucleases to release flanking transcripts. The relevant factors, their structures, and mechanism are well described, but not all mitochondrial transcripts are punctuated by tRNAs, and their mode of processing has remained unsolved. Using Drosophila and mouse models, we demonstrate that non-canonical processing results in the formation of 3′ phosphates, and that phosphatase activity by the carbon catabolite repressor 4 domain-containing family member ANGEL2 is required for their hydrolysis. Furthermore, our data suggest that members of the FAST kinase domain-containing protein family are responsible for these 3′ phosphates. Our results therefore propose a mechanism for non-canonical RNA processing in metazoan mitochondria, by identifying the role of ANGEL2.
Nano-scale collinear multi-Q states driven by higher-order interactions
Authors: Gutzeit Mara , Kubetzka André , Haldar Soumyajyoti , Pralow Henning , Goerzen Moritz A. , Wiesendanger Roland , Heinze Stefan , von Bergmann Kirsten
Published: September 2022

Complex magnetic order arises due to the competition of different interactions between the magnetic moments. Recently, there has been an increased interest in such states not only to unravel the fundamental physics involved, but also with regards to applications exploiting their unique interplay with moving electrons. Whereas it is the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) that has attracted much attention because of its nature to induce non-collinear magnetic order including magnetic-field stabilized skyrmions, it is the frustration of exchange interactions that can drive magnetic order down to the nano-scale. On top of that, interactions between multiple spins can stabilize two-dimensional magnetic textures as zero-field ground states, known as multi-Q states. Here, we introduce a two-dimensional itinerant magnet with various competing atomic-scale magnetic phases. Using spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy we observe several zero-field uniaxial or hexagonal nano-scale magnetic states. First-principles calculations together with an atomistic spin model reveal that these states are stabilized by the interplay of frustrated exchange and higher-order interactions while the DMI is weak. Unexpectedly, it is found that not only non-collinear magnetic states arise, but that higher-order interactions can also lead to collinear nano-scale multi-Q states.
US cities increasingly integrate justice into climate planning and create policy tools for climate justice
Authors: Diezmartínez Claudia V. , Short Gianotti Anne G.
Published: September 2022

Climate change is one of the most important ethical issues of our time. Urban scholars and policymakers now recognise the need to address justice concerns associated with cities’ responses to climate change. However, little empirical research has examined whether and how cities have integrated justice into climate mitigation planning. Here, we show that large cities in the US are increasingly attending to justice in their climate action plans and that the recognition of structural and historical injustices is becoming more common. We demonstrate that justice is articulated differently across mitigation sectors, uncover local characteristics that may impact cities’ level of engagement with justice, and introduce four policy tools that pioneer cities have developed to operationalise just climate policies on the ground. More attention to justice in policy implementation and evaluation is needed as cities continue to move toward just urban transitions.
Photoredox cooperative N-heterocyclic carbene/palladium-catalysed alkylacylation of alkenes
Authors: Han You-Feng , Huang Ying , Liu Hao , Gao Zhong-Hua , Zhang Chun-Lin , Ye Song
Published: September 2022

Three-component carboacylation of simple alkenes with readily available reagents is challenging. Transition metal-catalysed intermolecular carboacylation works for alkenes with strained ring or directing groups. Herein, we develop a photoredox cooperative N-heterocyclic carbene/Pd-catalysed alkylacylation of simple alkenes with aldehydes and unactivated alkyl halides to provide ketones in good yields. This multicomponent coupling reaction features a wide scope of alkenes, broad functional group compatibility and free of exogenous photosensitizer or external reductant. In addition, a series of chlorinated cyclopropanes with one or two vicinal quaternary carbons is obtained when chloroform or carbon tetrachloride is used as the alkyl halide. The reaction involves the alkyl radicals from halides and the ketyl radicals from aldehydes under photoredox cooperative N-heterocyclic carbene/Pd catalysis.
Diminishing seasonality of subtropical water availability in a warmer world dominated by soil moisture–atmosphere feedbacks
Authors: Zhou Sha , Williams A. Park , Lintner Benjamin R. , Findell Kirsten L. , Keenan Trevor F. , Zhang Yao , Gentine Pierre
Published: September 2022

Global warming is expected to cause wet seasons to get wetter and dry seasons to get drier, which would have broad social and ecological implications. However, the extent to which this seasonal paradigm holds over land remains unclear. Here we examine seasonal changes in surface water availability (precipitation minus evaporation, P–E) from CMIP5 and CMIP6 projections. While the P–E seasonal cycle does broadly intensify over much of the land surface, ~20% of land area experiences a diminished seasonal cycle, mostly over subtropical regions and the Amazon. Using land–atmosphere coupling experiments, we demonstrate that 63% of the seasonality reduction is driven by seasonally varying soil moisture (SM) feedbacks on P–E. Declining SM reduces evapotranspiration and modulates circulation to enhance moisture convergence and increase P–E in the dry season but not in the wet season. Our results underscore the importance of SM–atmosphere feedbacks for seasonal water availability changes in a warmer climate.
Lipid biosynthesis enzyme Agpat5 in AgRP-neurons is required for insulin-induced hypoglycemia sensing and glucagon secretion
Authors: Strembitska Anastasiya , Labouèbe Gwenaël , Picard Alexandre , Berney Xavier P. , Tarussio David , Jan Maxime , Thorens Bernard
Published: September 2022

The counterregulatory response to hypoglycemia that restores normal blood glucose levels is an essential physiological function. It is initiated, in large part, by incompletely characterized brain hypoglycemia sensing neurons that trigger the secretion of counterregulatory hormones, in particular glucagon, to stimulate hepatic glucose production. In a genetic screen of recombinant inbred BXD mice we previously identified Agpat5 as a candidate regulator of hypoglycemia-induced glucagon secretion. Here, using genetic mouse models, we demonstrate that Agpat5 expressed in agouti-related peptide neurons is required for their activation by hypoglycemia, for hypoglycemia-induced vagal nerve activity, and glucagon secretion. We find that inactivation of Agpat5 leads to increased fatty acid oxidation and ATP production and that suppressing Cpt1a-dependent fatty acid import into mitochondria restores hypoglycemia sensing. Collectively, our data show that AgRP neurons are involved in the control of glucagon secretion and that Agpat5, by partitioning fatty acyl-CoAs away from mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and ATP generation, ensures that the fall in intracellular ATP, which triggers neuronal firing, faithfully reflects changes in glycemia.
Manipulation of time-dependent multicolour evolution of X-ray excited afterglow in lanthanide-doped fluoride nanoparticles
Authors: Lei Lei , Wang Yubin , Xu Weixin , Ye Renguang , Hua Youjie , Deng Degang , Chen Liang , Prasad Paras N. , Xu Shiqing
Published: September 2022

External manipulation of emission colour is of significance for scientific research and applications, however, the general stimulus-responsive colour modulation method requires both stringent control of microstructures and continously adjustment of particular stimuli conditions. Here, we introduce pathways to manipulate the kinetics of time evolution of both intensity and spectral characteristics of X-ray excited afterglow (XEA) by regioselective doping of lanthanide activators in core-shell nanostructures. Our work reported here reveals the following phenomena: 1. The XEA intensities of multiple lanthanide activators are significantly enhanced via incorporating interstitial Na+ ions inside the nanocrystal structure. 2. The XEA intensities of activators exhibit diverse decay rates in the core and the shell and can largely be tuned separately, which enables us to realize a series of core@shell NPs featuring distinct time-dependent afterglow colour evolution. 3. A core/multi-shell NP structure can be designed to simultaneously generate afterglow, upconversion and downshifting to realize multimode time-dependent multicolour evolutions. These findings can promote the development of superior XEA and plentiful spectral manipulation, opening up a broad range of applications ranging from multiplexed biosensing, to high-capacity information encryption, to multidimensional displays and to multifunctional optoelectronic devices.
Digitally-enhanced lubricant evaluation scheme for hot stamping applications
Authors: Yang Xiao , Liu Heli , Dhawan Saksham , Politis Denis J. , Zhang Jie , Dini Daniele , Hu Lan , Gharbi Mohammad M. , Wang Liliang
Published: September 2022

Digitally-enhanced technologies are set to transform every aspect of manufacturing. Networks of sensors that compute at the edge (streamlining information flow from devices and providing real-time local data analysis), and emerging Cloud Finite Element Analysis technologies yield data at unprecedented scales, both in terms of volume and precision, providing information on complex processes and systems that had previously been impractical. Cloud Finite Element Analysis technologies enable proactive data collection in a supply chain of, for example the metal forming industry, throughout the life cycle of a product or process, which presents revolutionary opportunities for the development and evaluation of digitally-enhanced lubricants, which requires a coherent research agenda involving the merging of tribological knowledge, manufacturing and data science. In the present study, data obtained from a vast number of experimentally verified finite element simulation results is used for a metal forming process to develop a digitally-enhanced lubricant evaluation approach, by precisely representing the tribological boundary conditions at the workpiece/tooling interface, i.e., complex loading conditions of contact pressures, sliding speeds and temperatures. The presented approach combines the implementation of digital characteristics of the target forming process, data-guided lubricant testing and mechanism-based accurate theoretical modelling, enabling the development of data-centric lubricant limit diagrams and intuitive and quantitative evaluation of the lubricant performance.
Theoretical insights on alleviating lattice-oxygen evolution by sulfur substitution in Li1.2Ni0.6Mn0.2O2 cathode material
Authors: Lin Kuan-Yu , Nachimuthu Santhanamoorthi , Huang Han-Wen , Jiang Jyh-Chiang
Published: September 2022

Here, we demonstrate that the lattice oxygen release on the high-capacity cathode, Li1.2Ni0.6Mn0.2O2 (LNMO) surface can be successfully suppressed through S-anion-substitution using density functional theory (DFT) calculations and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations. The oxygen evolution mechanisms on pristine and sulfur (S)-substituted LNMO (003) surfaces in the presence of an electrolyte mixture are compared. Over-oxidation of O2− anions during delithiation in the pristine surface results in oxygen evolution and subsequent structural deformation. Whereas, in the S-substituted LNMO, S2− anions primarily participate in charge compensation and further inhibit oxygen evolution and O vacancy formation at high degrees of delithiation. Furthermore, the S-substitution effectively prevents the formation of Ni3+ ions and Jahn-Teller distortion, retaining the layered structure during delithiation. Our findings provide insight into improving the structural stability of the LNMO (003) surface, paving the way for developing Li-rich LNMO cathode materials for next-generation LIBs.
Machine actionable metadata models
Authors: Batista Dominique , Gonzalez-Beltran Alejandra , Sansone Susanna-Assunta , Rocca-Serra Philippe
Published: September 2022

Community-developed minimum information checklists are designed to drive the rich and consistent reporting of metadata, underpinning the reproducibility and reuse of the data. These reporting guidelines, however, are usually in the form of narratives intended for human consumption. Modular and reusable machine-readable versions are also needed. Firstly, to provide the necessary quantitative and verifiable measures of the degree to which the metadata descriptors meet these community requirements, a requirement of the FAIR Principles. Secondly, to encourage the creation of standards-driven templates for metadata authoring, especially when describing complex experiments that require multiple reporting guidelines to be used in combination or extended. We present new functionalities to support the creation and improvements of machine-readable models. We apply the approach to an exemplar set of reporting guidelines in Life Science and discuss the challenges. Our work, targeted to developers of standards and those familiar with standards, promotes the concept of compositional metadata elements and encourages the creation of community-standards which are modular and interoperable from the onset.
Understanding the effect of irradiation temperature on microstructural evolution of 20MnMoNi55 steel
Authors: Srivastava A. P. , Sharma S. K. , Saini S. , Neogy S. , Ghosh S. K. , Kabiraj D. , Tewari R.
Published: September 2022

In this study, the effect of irradiation temperature on microstructural evolution of Indian RPV steel is reported. This study, by virtue of helium ion irradiation at 77, 300 and 573 K, could bring out the effect of the irradiation induced defects on microstructural and mechanical property changes at different stages of their existence starting from the state of cascade damage till the point of their free migration. Irradiation experiments were performed with varying ion energies to achieve nearly uniform irradiation damage of 0.05, 0.2 and 3 dpa in a ~ 300 nm wide region. Irradiated samples were characterized using GIXRD, PAS, TEM and nanoindentation. Unirradiated samples showed predominant presence of a combination of di- and tri-vacancy type of defects. Most of the dislocations present in unirradiated samples were screw dislocations, while mixed type was noticed upon irradiation irrespective of the irradiation temperature. PAS study showed formation of distinct defect types at different irradiation temperatures. TEM study confirmed formation of dislocation loops and defect clusters on irradiation. Higher irradiation temperatures resulted in the extension of the width of the damage region owing to increased migration of defects.
A randomized placebo-controlled trial of convalescent plasma for adults hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia
Authors: Thorlacius-Ussing Louise , Brooks Patrick Terrence , Nielsen Henrik , Jensen Bitten Aagaard , Wiese Lothar , Sækmose Susanne Gjørup , Johnsen Stine , Gybel-Brask Mikkel , Johansen Isik S. , Bruun Mie Topholm , Stærke Nina Breinholdt , Østergaard Lars , Erikstrup Christian , Ostrowski Sisse Rye , Homburg Keld Mikkelsen , Georgsen Jørgen , Mikkelsen Susan , Sandholdt Håkon , Leding Cæcilie , Hovmand Nichlas , Clausen Clara Lundetoft , Tinggaard Michaela , Pedersen Karen Brorup Heje , Iversen Katrine Kjær , Tingsgård Sandra , Israelsen Simone Bastrup , Benfield Thomas
Published: September 2022

Passive immunotherapy with convalescent plasma may be the only available agent during the early phases of a pandemic. Here, we report safety and efficacy of high-titer convalescent plasma for COVID-19 pneumonia. Double-blinded randomized multicenter placebo-controlled trial of adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia. The intervention was COVID-19 convalescent plasma and placebo was saline allocated 2:1. The primary outcome was clinical status 14 days after the intervention evaluated on a clinical ordinal scale. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.Gov, NCT04345289, 14/04/2020. The CCAP-2 trial was terminated prematurely due to futility. Of 147 patients randomized, we included 144 patients in the modified intention-to-treat population. The ordinal clinical status 14 days post-intervention was comparable between treatment groups (odds ratio (OR) 1.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.72–2.09). Results were consistent when evaluating clinical progression on an individual level 14 days after intervention (OR 1.09; 95% CI 0.46–1.73). No significant differences in length of hospital stay, admission to ICU, frequency of severe adverse events or all-cause mortality during follow-up were found between the intervention and the placebo group. Infusion of convalescent plasma did not influence clinical progression, survival or length of hospitalization in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.
Mapping cumulative pressures on the grazing lands of northern Fennoscandia
Authors: Stoessel Marianne , Moen Jon , Lindborg Regina
Published: September 2022

Traditional grazing areas in Europe have declined substantially over the last century. Specifically, in northern Fennoscandia, the grazing land is disturbed by cumulative land-use pressures. Here we analysed the configuration of the grazing land for reindeer and sheep in northern Fennoscandia in relation to the concurrent land-use pressures from tourism, road and railway networks, forestry, industrial and wind energy facilities, together with predator presence and climate change. Our results show that 85% of the region is affected by at least one land-use pressure and 60% is affected by multiple land-use pressures, co-occurring with predator presence and rising temperatures. As such, a majority of the grazing land is exposed to cumulative pressures in northern Fennoscandia. We stress that, if the expansion of cumulative pressures leads to grazing abandonment of disturbed areas and grazing intensification in other areas, it could irreversibly change northern vegetation and the Fennoscandian mountain landscape.
Risk of thrombocytopenic, haemorrhagic and thromboembolic disorders following COVID-19 vaccination and positive test: a self-controlled case series analysis in Wales
Authors: Torabi Fatemeh , Bedston Stuart , Lowthian Emily , Akbari Ashley , Owen Rhiannon K. , Bradley Declan T. , Agrawal Utkarsh , Collins Peter , Fry Richard , Griffiths Lucy J. , Beggs Jillian , Davies Gareth , Hollinghurst Joe , Lyons Jane , Abbasizanjani Hoda , Cottrell Simon , Perry Malorie , Roberts Richard , Azcoaga-Lorenzo Amaya , Fagbamigbe Adeniyi Francis , Shi Ting , Tsang Ruby S. M. , Robertson Chris , Hobbs F. D. Richard , de Lusignan Simon , McCowan Colin , Gravenor Michael , Simpson Colin R. , Sheikh Aziz , Lyons Ronan A.
Published: September 2022

There is a need for better understanding of the risk of thrombocytopenic, haemorrhagic, thromboembolic disorders following first, second and booster vaccination doses and testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. Self-controlled cases series analysis of 2.1 million linked patient records in Wales between 7th December 2020 and 31st December 2021. Outcomes were the first diagnosis of thrombocytopenic, haemorrhagic and thromboembolic events in primary or secondary care datasets, exposure was defined as 0–28 days post-vaccination or a positive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test for SARS-CoV-2. 36,136 individuals experienced either a thrombocytopenic, haemorrhagic or thromboembolic event during the study period. Relative to baseline, our observations show greater risk of outcomes in the periods post-first dose of BNT162b2 for haemorrhagic (IRR 1.47, 95%CI: 1.04–2.08) and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (IRR 2.80, 95%CI: 1.21–6.49) events; post-second dose of ChAdOx1 for arterial thrombosis (IRR 1.14, 95%CI: 1.01–1.29); post-booster greater risk of venous thromboembolic (VTE) (IRR-Moderna 3.62, 95%CI: 0.99–13.17) (IRR-BNT162b2 1.39, 95%CI: 1.04–1.87) and arterial thrombosis (IRR-Moderna 3.14, 95%CI: 1.14–8.64) (IRR-BNT162b2 1.34, 95%CI: 1.15–1.58). Similarly, post SARS-CoV-2 infection the risk was increased for haemorrhagic (IRR 1.49, 95%CI: 1.15–1.92), VTE (IRR 5.63, 95%CI: 4.91, 6.4), arterial thrombosis (IRR 2.46, 95%CI: 2.22–2.71). We found that there was a measurable risk of thrombocytopenic, haemorrhagic, thromboembolic events after COVID-19 vaccination and infection.
Applications of complex picture fuzzy soft power aggregation operators in multi-attribute decision making
Authors: Mahmood Tahir , Ali Zeeshan , Aslam Muhammad
Published: September 2022

The major theme of this analysis is to suggest a new theory in the form of complex picture fuzzy soft (CPFS) information and to initiate their major algebraic laws, score value, and accuracy values. The mathematical form of the CPFS set includes three main functions, called supporting, abstinence, and supporting against terms with a prominent characteristic that the sum of the triplet will lie in the unit interval. Further, in the consideration of the power aggregation operator using generalized t-norm and t-conorm and CPFS information, we diagnosed the mathematical concept of CPFS power averaging (CPFSPA), CPFS weighted power averaging (CPFSWPA), CPFS ordered weighted power averaging (CPFSOWPA), CPFS power geometric (CPFSPG), CPFS weighted power geometric (CPFSWPG), CPFS ordered weighted power geometric (CPFSOWPG). Moreover, the major results and their particular investigation of the invented approaches are also deliberated. Additionally, in the consideration of diagnosed operators using CPFS information, we illustrated a MADM (“multi-attribute decision-making”) tool to find the best option from the family of decisions. Finally, we have shown the supremacy and feasibility of the diagnosed operators with the help of sensitive analysis and geometrical representations.
Forward genetic screening identifies novel roles for N-terminal acetyltransferase C and histone deacetylase in C. elegans development
Authors: Malinow Rose Aria , Zhu Ming , Jin Yishi , Kim Kyung Won
Published: September 2022

Coordinating the balance between development and stress responses is critical for organismal survival. However, the cellular signaling controlling this mechanism is not well understood. In Caenorhabditis elegans, it has been hypothesized that a genetic network regulated by NIPI-3/Tibbles may control the balance between animal development and immune response. Using a nipi-3(0) lethality suppressor screen in C. elegans, we reveal a novel role for N-terminal acetyltransferase C complex natc-1/2/3 and histone deacetylase hda-4, in the control of animal development. These signaling proteins act, at least in part, through a PMK-1 p38 MAP kinase pathway (TIR-1–NSY-1–SEK-1–PMK-1), which plays a critical role in the innate immunity against infection. Additionally, using a transcriptional reporter of SEK-1, a signaling molecule within this p38 MAP kinase system that acts directly downstream of C/EBP bZip transcription factor CEBP-1, we find unexpected positive control of sek-1 transcription by SEK-1 along with several other p38 MAP kinase pathway components. Together, these data demonstrate a role for NIPI-3 regulators in animal development, operating, at least in part through a PMK-1 p38 MAPK pathway. Because the C. elegans p38 MAP kinase pathway is well known for its role in cellular stress responses, the novel biological components and mechanisms pertaining to development identified here may also contribute to the balance between stress response and development.
Multi-hazard risk characterization and collaborative control oriented to space in non-coal underground mines
Authors: Wu Menglong , Hu Nanyan , Ye Yicheng , Wang Qihu , Wang Xianhua
Published: September 2022

In order to realize accurate risk assessment and collaborative control of multi-hazard risk in non-coal underground mines, a space-oriented risk characterization and collaborative control model of multi-hazard risk in non-coal underground mines is proposed. Statistical analysis of non-coal underground mine accidents from 2000 to 2022, revealing the characteristics of non-coal underground mine accidents and 5 risk types were identified, including cage fall accident, powered haulage accident, fire accident, mine water inrush accident, and roof fall and rib spalling accident. A multi-hazard risk analysis and assessment framework for non-coal underground mines based on the inherent risk of the system, the vulnerability of the disaster-bearing body and the adaptability of the disaster-bearing area is proposed. The multi-hazard inherent risks in non-coal underground mines are comprehensively identified and evaluated in five aspects, including hazardous equipment and facilities, hazardous materials, hazardous processes, hazardous operations and hazardous places, and the characterization and unified measurement of multi-hazard risk is realized by combining the vulnerability index of disaster-bearing body and the adaptability index of disaster-bearing area. Regional multi-hazard risk aggregation is achieved through the Nemerow pollution index and space-oriented multi-hazard risk is obtained. Constructed a multi-hazard safety risk collaborative control system of source identification, classification and control, process control, continuous improvement, and full participation. Finally, the validity and rationality of the risk characterization model and the risk collaborative control system are verified. The research can both support the formulation of macro policies for non-coal underground mines and provide guidance for the specific spatial layout.
Carcass detection and consumption by facultative scavengers in forest ecosystem highlights the value of their ecosystem services
Authors: Inagaki Akino , Allen Maximilian L. , Maruyama Tetsuya , Yamazaki Koji , Tochigi Kahoko , Naganuma Tomoko , Koike Shinsuke
Published: September 2022

Scavenging is a common feeding behavior that provides ecosystem services by removing potentially infectious waste from the landscape. The importance of facultative scavenging is often overlooked, but likely becomes especially important in ecosystems without obligate scavengers. Here, we investigated the ecological function of vertebrate facultative scavengers in removing ungulate carcasses from Japanese forests that lack obligate scavengers. We found that mammals detected carcasses first more often than birds, and that raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) were the most frequent scavenger to first detect carcasses. However, we found no evidence of there being species that signal the location of carrion to other species via social cues. Instead, higher temperatures promoted earlier detection of the carcasses by scavengers, likely related to increased olfactory signals. The carcasses were completely consumed on average in 7.0 days, reasonably similar to other systems regardless of habitat, indicating that facultative scavengers are providing ecosystem services. Larger carcasses tended to take longer to deplete, but carcasses were consumed faster in warmer temperatures. Our results indicate that facultative scavengers were capable of consuming carrion and contributing ecosystem services in a forest ecosystem that lacks obligate scavengers.
Mechanistic insight into the role of mevalonate kinase by a natural fatty acid-mediated killing of Leishmania donovani
Authors: Prasad Surendra Rajit , Kumar Prakash , Mandal Saptarshi , Mohan Anu , Chaurasia Radhika , Shrivastava Ashish , Nikhil Pallaprolu , Aishwarya Dande , Ramalingam P. , Gajbhiye Rahul , Singh Shriya , Dasgupta Arunava , Chourasia Mukesh , Ravichandiran V. , Das Prolay , Mandal Debabrata
Published: September 2022

We evaluated the anti-leishmanial efficacy of different saturated medium-chain fatty acids (FAs, C8–C18) where FA containing C8 chain, caprylic acid (CA), was found to be most potent against Leishmania donovani, the causative agent for visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Different analogs of CA with C8 linear chain, but not higher, along with a carboxyl/ester group showed a similar anti-leishmanial effect. Ergosterol depletion was the major cause of CA-mediated cell death. Molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation studies indicated the enzyme mevalonate kinase (MevK) of the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway as a possible target of CA. Enzyme assays with purified recombinant MevK and CA/CA analogs confirmed the target with a competitive inhibition pattern. Using biochemical and biophysical studies; strong binding interaction between MevK and CA/CA analogs was established. Further, using parasites with overexpressed MevK and proteomics studies of CA-treated parasites the direct role of MevK as the target was validated. We established the mechanism of the antileishmanial effect of CA, a natural product, against VL where toxicity and drug resistance with current chemotherapeutics demand an alternative. This is the first report on the identification of an enzymatic target with kinetic parameters and mechanistic insights against any organism for a natural medium-chain FA.
Evaluation of circulating extracellular vesicles and miRNA in neutered and obese female dogs
Authors: da Silva Nunes Paola Caroline , Mazzarella Rosane , da Silveira Juliano Coelho , Dellova Deise Carla Almeida Leite
Published: September 2022

Adipose tissue is a metabolic and endocrine organ, and its adipocytes can synthesize and secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs), thus allowing intercellular communication. EVs are nanoparticles that transport lipids, proteins, metabolites, and nucleic acids (mRNA and microRNAs). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression. miR-132, miR-26b, and miR-155 are associated with obesity, lipid metabolism and adipogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the enriched EVs fraction containing miRNAs (miR-132, miR-26b, and miR-155) in serum from obese female dogs. Thirty-two neutered females in good general condition were recruited, including 21 obese and 11 healthy controls. The initial evaluation of the females included a general physical examination and laboratory tests. Small EVs (sEVs) were isolated from whole blood by serial centrifugation and ultracentrifugation, and nanoparticle analysis was used to determine the size and concentration of serum sEVs. miRNAs were extracted from sEVs enriched fraction and analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Obese female dogs with hypertriglyceridemia showed an increase in the sEVs concentration and in the expression of miR-132 and miR-26b in sEVs enriched fraction. No changes were observed in the group of obese female dogs with normal serum biochemical profile and in relation to miR-155 expression. These results suggest that obese female dogs with hypertriglyceridemia may present alterations in sEVs and in the expression of miRNAs related to lipid metabolism and adipogenesis.
Integrated optical frequency comb for 5G NR Xhauls
Authors: Lima Eduardo Saia , Borges Ramon Maia , Andriolli Nicola , Conforti Evandro , Contestabile Giampiero , Sodré Arismar Cerqueira
Published: September 2022

We experimentally demonstrate the use of optical frequency combs (OFCs), generated by a photonic integrated circuit (PIC), in a flexible optical distribution network based on fiber-optics and free-space optics (FSOs) links, aimed at the fifth generation of mobile network (5G) Xhauls. The Indium Phosphide (InP) monolithically integrated OFC is based on cascaded optical modulators and is broadly tunable in terms of operating wavelength and frequency spacing. Particularly, our approach relies on applying the PIC in a centralized radio access network (C-RAN) architecture, with the purpose of optically generating two low-phase noise mm-waves signals for simultaneously enabling a 12.5-km of single-mode fiber (SMF) fronthaul and a 12.5-km SMF midhaul, followed by a 10-m long FSO fronthaul link. Moreover, the demonstrator contemplates two 10-m reach 5G wireless access networks operating in the 26 GHz band, i.e. over the frequency range 2 (FR2) from the 5G NR standard. The proposed integrated OFC-based 5G system performance is in accordance to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 15 requirements, achieving a total wireless throughput of 900 Mbit/s.
A study on moment tensor inversion of acoustic emission response on damaging localization of gas-bearing coal under load
Authors: Niu Yue , Wang Enyuan , Li Zhonghui
Published: September 2022

During the deformation and fracture process, the acoustic emission (AE) signals can be produced for the of coal, rock and other solid materials, which revealing the damage localization evolution process. The effect of gas adsorption and pressure can change mechanical properties of coal mass and affect its damage development. Based on this, the experimental system for gas-bearing coal loading and AE monitoring was constructed, to analyze AE response characteristics under the joint action of loading stress and gas pressure on coal specimen. Afterwards, the damage localization evolution process of coal mass was studied with the moment tensor inversion method. Results showed that temporal response of AE signals was closely related to the damage degree and loading level of coal specimen, which could reveal its local severe damage and final failure characteristics. The spatial distribution and spread trend of AE fracture events inside coal specimen could be calculated through the moment tensor inversion method. It was basically consistent with the results of crack expansion on the specimen surface. The zones, where fracture events occurred intensively, gathered and spread in a continuous trend, were conductive to forming the macrocrack belt macroscopically. It could be regarded as the hazard zone with dynamic failure occurrence. Moreover, when the coal specimen faced the critical failure, the precursor characteristics of AE response appeared with the shear fracture events dominated markedly. The study results provide a new research idea for revealing the damaging localization evolution process under the coupling effect of stress and gas and lay the application foundation.
The effect of job satisfaction regulating workload on miners’ unsafe state
Authors: Chen Lei , Li Hongxia , Zhao Lin , Tian Fangyuan , Tian Shuicheng , Shao Jiang
Published: September 2022

Miners’ unsafe behavior is the main cause of accidents in coal mines, and unsafe state have an important influence on unsafe behavior among miners. To minimize accidents from the source of accident chain, we evaluated the impact of workload on miners’ unsafe state. It is important for coal enterprises to monitor miners’ unsafe state and to prevent unsafe accidents. Workload is divided into two dimensions: work time and work demand. Meanwhile, we introduced job satisfaction as a moderating variable. Through empirical research methods, first-line employees from two coal mines in China were enrolled in the questionnaire survey. Regression analysis was used to verify the impact of workload and its various dimensions, job satisfaction, and miners’ unsafe state. We found that workload, work time and work demand have significant positive effects on miners’ unsafe state. Job satisfaction plays a moderating effect in the relationship between workload and miners’ unsafe state. To some extent, a higher job satisfaction was associated with reduced workload, reduced occurrence of miners’ unsafe state and minimal incidences of unsafe accidents. On this basis, measures were proposed to improve miners’ unsafe state in terms of workload and job satisfaction. This study informs the establishment of effective intervention measures to monitor miners’ unsafe state and is also beneficial to the improvement of coal mine safety.