bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulation of BRCA1 stability through the tandem UBX domains of isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase 1
Authors: Chung Scisung , Kang Mi-Sun , Alimbetov Dauren S. , Mun Gil-Im , Yunn Na-Oh , Kim Yunjin , Kim Byung-Gyu , Wie Minwoo , Lee Eun A. , Ra Jae Sun , Oh Jung-Min , Lee Donghyun , Lee Keondo , Kim Jihan , Han Seung Hyun , Kim Kyong-Tai , Chung Wan Kyun , Nam Ki Hyun , Park Jaehyun , Lee ByungHoon , Kim Sunghoon , Zhao Weixing , Ryu Sung Ho , Lee Yun-Sil , Myung Kyungjae , Cho Yunje
Published: November 2022

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) have evolved to acquire various additional domains. These domains allow ARSs to communicate with other cellular proteins in order to promote non-translational functions. Vertebrate cytoplasmic isoleucyl-tRNA synthetases (IARS1s) have an uncharacterized unique domain, UNE-I. Here, we present the crystal structure of the chicken IARS1 UNE-I complexed with glutamyl-tRNA synthetase 1 (EARS1). UNE-I consists of tandem ubiquitin regulatory X (UBX) domains that interact with a distinct hairpin loop on EARS1 and protect its neighboring proteins in the multi-synthetase complex from degradation. Phosphomimetic mutation of the two serine residues in the hairpin loop releases IARS1 from the complex. IARS1 interacts with BRCA1 in the nucleus, regulates its stability by inhibiting ubiquitylation via the UBX domains, and controls DNA repair function.
Carbon nanotube-based flexible high-speed circuits with sub-nanosecond stage delays
Authors: Long Guanhua , Jin Wanlin , Xia Fan , Wang Yuru , Bai Tianshun , Chen Xingxing , Liang Xuelei , Peng Lian-Mao , Hu Youfan
Published: November 2022

High-speed flexible circuits are required in flexible systems to realize real-time information analysis or to construct wireless communication modules for emerging applications. Here, we present scaled carbon nanotube-based thin film transistors (CNT-TFTs) with channel lengths down to 450 nm on 2-μm-thick parylene substrates, achieving state-of-the-art performances of high on-state current (187.6 μA μm−1) and large transconductance (123.3 μS μm−1). Scaling behavior analyses reveal that the enhanced performance introduced by scaling is attributed to channel resistance reduction while the contact resistance (180 ± 50 kΩ per tube) remains unchanged, which is comparable to that achieved in devices on rigid substrates, indicating great potential in ultimate scaled flexible CNT-TFTs with high performance comparable to their counterparts on rigid substrates where contact resistance dominates the performance. Five-stage flexible ring oscillators are built to benchmark the speed of scaled devices, demonstrating a 281 ps stage delay at a low supply voltage of 2.6 V.
Designing mechanically tough graphene oxide materials using deep reinforcement learning
Authors: Zheng Bowen , Zheng Zeyu , Gu Grace X.
Published: November 2022

Graphene oxide (GO) is playing an increasing role in many technologies. However, it remains unanswered how to strategically distribute the functional groups to further enhance performance. We utilize deep reinforcement learning (RL) to design mechanically tough GOs. The design task is formulated as a sequential decision process, and policy-gradient RL models are employed to maximize the toughness of GO. Results show that our approach can stably generate functional group distributions with a toughness value over two standard deviations above the mean of random GOs. In addition, our RL approach reaches optimized functional group distributions within only 5000 rollouts, while the simplest design task has 2 × 1011 possibilities. Finally, we show that our approach is scalable in terms of the functional group density and the GO size. The present research showcases the impact of functional group distribution on GO properties, and illustrates the effectiveness and data efficiency of the deep RL approach.
Investigate the role of fungal communities associated with a historical manuscript from the 17th century in biodegradation
Authors: Fouda Amr , Abdel-Nasser Mahmoud , Khalil Ahmed Mohamed Aly , Hassan Saad El-Din , Abdel-Maksoud Gomaa
Published: November 2022

Herein, the deteriorating aspects of a historical manuscript (papers and leather bookbinding) dated back to the 17th century were evaluated with reference to the role of the associated fungal communities. The deterioration signs were investigated using visual assessment, SEM, ATR-FTIR, XRD, color changes, and pH values compared with control. Data showed that the most deterioration aspects were represented by the dust, dirt, erosion, stains, bores, weakness, missed parts, decreasing in paper crystallinity, shifting of wavenumbers of cellulosic band, and changing of color and pH. The dependent-culturable technique showed that thirteen fungal strains were associated with historical manuscript and identified using traditional and molecular methods as Aspergillus niger (three isolates), A. fumigatus (two isolates), A. quadrilineatus (three isolates), Penicillium citrinum (two isolates), and P. chrysogenium (three isolates). These fungal strains showed high efficacy to secretion various hydrolytic enzymes including cellulase, amylase, gelatinase, and pectinase which play a critical role in biodeterioration.
Biosoluble ceramic fiber reinforced poly(L-lactic acid) bone scaffold: degradation and bioactivity
Authors: Shuai Cijun , Wang Zhicheng , Zhang Haiyang , Jia Jiye , Huang Liping , Wang Dong , Chen Shijie , Feng Pei
Published: November 2022

Abstract

Poly (l-lactic acid) (PLLA) exhibits great potential as a kind of scaffold material for bone defect repair because of its good biocompatibility and processability, while the too slow degradation rate hinders its further application. In this study, the biosoluble ceramic fiber (BCF) was introduced into PLLA matrix, and the PLLA/BCF composite scaffold was manufactured by selective laser sintering (SLS). It was observed that water contact angle of the composite scaffold decreased from 87.4° to 61.1° with the increasing content of BCF, while the pH value raised from 6.6 to 7.8, and the molecular weight of PLLA decreased after immersion for 4 weeks. The mechanism of degradation acceleration was that the dissolution of BCF not only released OH− into solution environment and produced alkaline microenvironment, but also formed capillary channels on the interface between BCF and PLLA matrix, beneficial for the infiltration of water into the hydrophobic PLLA matrix, which contributed to the degradation both on the surface and in the interior of the matrix. Besides, the dissolution of BCF released Ca2+, Si2+ and Mg2+ simultaneously and absorbed PO43− from the environment, contributing to the formation of bone bonding between the scaffold and host bone. In addition, the introduced BCF improved the mechanical capacities of the scaffold via fiber breakage, fiber debond and fiber separation, and so on.
A population-based study on social inequality and barriers to healthcare-seeking with lung cancer symptoms
Authors: Sætre Lisa Maria Sele , Rasmussen Sanne , Balasubramaniam Kirubakaran , Søndergaard Jens , Jarbøl Dorte Ejg
Published: November 2022

Healthcare-seeking with lung cancer symptoms is a prerequisite for improving timely diagnosis of lung cancer. In this study we aimed to explore barriers towards contacting the general practitioner (GP) with lung cancer symptoms, and to analyse the impact of social inequality. The study is based on a nationwide survey with 69,060 individuals aged ≥40 years, randomly selected from the Danish population. The survey included information on lung cancer symptoms, GP contacts, barriers to healthcare-seeking and smoking status. Information about socioeconomics was obtained by linkage to Danish Registers. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression model were used to analyse the data. “Being too busy” and “Being worried about wasting the doctor’s time” were the most frequent barriers to healthcare-seeking with lung cancer symptoms. Individuals out of workforce and individuals who smoked more often reported “Being worried about what the doctor might find” and “Being too embarrassed” about the symptoms. The social inequality in barriers to healthcare-seeking with lung cancer symptoms is noticeable, which emphasises the necessity of focus on vulnerable groups at risk of postponing relevant healthcare-seeking.
High fidelity two-qubit gates on fluxoniums using a tunable coupler
Authors: Moskalenko Ilya N. , Simakov Ilya A. , Abramov Nikolay N. , Grigorev Alexander A. , Moskalev Dmitry O. , Pishchimova Anastasiya A. , Smirnov Nikita S. , Zikiy Evgeniy V. , Rodionov Ilya A. , Besedin Ilya S.
Published: November 2022

Superconducting fluxonium qubits provide a promising alternative to transmons on the path toward large-scale superconductor-based quantum computing due to their better coherence and larger anharmonicity. A major challenge for multi-qubit fluxonium devices is the experimental demonstration of a scalable crosstalk-free multi-qubit architecture with high-fidelity single-qubit and two-qubit gates, single-shot readout, and state initialization. Here, we present a two-qubit fluxonium-based quantum processor with a tunable coupler element. We experimentally demonstrate fSim-type and controlled-Z-gates with 99.55 and 99.23% fidelities, respectively. The residual ZZ interaction is suppressed down to the few kHz levels. Using a galvanically coupled flux control line, we implement high-fidelity single-qubit gates and ground state initialization with a single arbitrary waveform generator channel per qubit.
Disrupted local functional connectivity in schizophrenia: An updated and extended meta-analysis
Authors: Cai Mengjing , Wang Rui , Liu Mengge , Du Xiaotong , Xue Kaizhong , Ji Yuan , Wang Zirui , Zhang Yijing , Guo Lining , Qin Wen , Zhu Wenshuang , Fu Jilian , Liu Feng
Published: November 2022

Neuroimaging studies have shown that schizophrenia is associated with disruption of resting-state local functional connectivity. However, these findings vary considerably, which hampers our understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of schizophrenia. Here, we performed an updated and extended meta-analysis to identify the most consistent changes of local functional connectivity measured by regional homogeneity (ReHo) in schizophrenia. Specifically, a systematic search of ReHo studies in patients with schizophrenia in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science identified 18 studies (20 datasets), including 652 patients and 596 healthy controls. In addition, we included three whole-brain statistical maps of ReHo differences calculated based on independent datasets (163 patients and 194 controls). A voxel-wise meta-analysis was then conducted to investigate ReHo alterations and their relationship with clinical characteristics using the newly developed seed-based d mapping with permutation of subject images (SDM-PSI) meta-analytic approach. Compared with healthy controls, patients with schizophrenia showed significantly higher ReHo in the bilateral medial superior frontal gyrus, while lower ReHo in the bilateral postcentral gyrus, right precentral gyrus, and right middle occipital gyrus. The following sensitivity analyses including jackknife analysis, subgroup analysis, heterogeneity test, and publication bias test demonstrated that our results were robust and highly reliable. Meta-regression analysis revealed that illness duration was negatively correlated with ReHo abnormalities in the right precentral/postcentral gyrus. This comprehensive meta-analysis not only identified consistent and reliably aberrant local functional connectivity in schizophrenia but also helped to further deepen our understanding of its pathophysiology.
Denitrification mechanism in oxygen-rich aquatic environments through long-distance electron transfer
Authors: Wei Ming-Zhi , Liu Jin-Wei , Yang Qin-Zheng , Xue An , Wu Hao , Ni Jin-Ren , Winter Lea R. , Elimelech Menachem , Zhao Hua-Zhang
Published: November 2022

The lack of electron donors in oxygen-rich aquatic environments limits the ability of natural denitrification to remove excess nitrate, leading to eutrophication of aquatic ecosystems. Herein, we demonstrate that electron-rich substances in river or lake sediments could participate in long-distance electron rebalancing to reduce nitrate in the overlying water. A microstructure containing Dechloromonas and consisting of an inner layer of green rust and an outer layer of lepidocrocite forms in the sediment-water system through synergetic evolution and self-assembly. The microstructure enables long-distance electron transfer from the sediment to dilute nitrate in the overlying water. Specifically, the inner green rust adsorbs nitrate and reduces the kinetic barrier for denitrification via an Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox mediator. Our study reveals the mechanism of spontaneous electron transfer between distant and dilute electron donors and acceptors to achieve denitrification in electron-deficient aquatic systems.
A tensor-based formulation of hetero-functional graph theory
Authors: Farid Amro M. , Thompson Dakota J. , Schoonenberg Wester
Published: November 2022

Recently, hetero-functional graph theory (HFGT) has developed as a means to mathematically model the structure of large-scale complex flexible engineering systems. It does so by fusing concepts from network science and model-based systems engineering (MBSE). For the former, it utilizes multiple graph-based data structures to support a matrix-based quantitative analysis. For the latter, HFGT inherits the heterogeneity of conceptual and ontological constructs found in model-based systems engineering including system form, system function, and system concept. These diverse conceptual constructs indicate multi-dimensional rather than two-dimensional relationships. This paper provides the first tensor-based treatment of hetero-functional graph theory. In particular, it addresses the “system concept” and the hetero-functional adjacency matrix from the perspective of tensors and introduces the hetero-functional incidence tensor as a new data structure. The tensor-based formulation described in this work makes a stronger tie between HFGT and its ontological foundations in MBSE. Finally, the tensor-based formulation facilitates several analytical results that provide an understanding of the relationships between HFGT and multi-layer networks.
Prevalence, incidence and mortality of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy based on a population cohort of 21.9 million in China
Authors: Bai Ying , Zheng Jian-Peng , Lu Feng , Zhang Xi-Lin , Sun Chang-Ping , Guo Wei-Hua , Zou Yi-Xi , Lip Gregory Y. H. , Shi Xu-Bo
Published: November 2022

There are limited studies on the prevalence and incidence of clinically diagnosed hypertrophic myocardiopathy (HCM) and its mortality in the Chinese population, and the projected population burden of HCM over the next decades. We collected data on HCM and its mortality from the Beijing Municipal Health Commission Information Center (BMHCIC) database and estimated the prevalence and incidence based on the whole Beijing population. Calculation of population trends was performed using annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC). Finally, future HCM incidence was built by modelling projection of HCM to the next decades using Poisson regression analysis and Gray Model 1,1(GM [1,1]). The prevalence of HCM was 0.0069% (95%CI, 0.0065–0.0072%; N = 1343) in 2010, rising to 0.076% (95% CI, 0.074–0.077%; N = 16,616) in 2019, and the incidence of HCM was 6.85 per 100 000 person-year in 2010, rising to 11.76 per 100 000 person-year in 2019. Males had higher prevalence and incidence of HCM than females. The APPC for the rising incidence of HCM was 5.8% and the expected numbers will double increase in 2029 by assuming the same increase trend as the last decades. HCM had increased annual incidence of HF (APPC: 8.4, 4.4–12.6, p < 0.05), and relatively stable annual incidence of mortality (APPC: 1.2%, − 2.3% to 4.8%, p > 0.05) during the studied period. Males had lower mortality (2.70% vs. 4.20%, p < 0.001) than females. The calculated HCM prevalence was much lower compared to prior screening studies from 2004, although the predicted HCM incidence would double over the next decades. HCM was associated with a stable risk of mortality during the studied period.
Efficient parameterisation of non-collinear energy landscapes in itinerant magnets
Authors: Jacobsson A. , Johansson G. , Gorbatov O. I. , Ležaić M. , Sanyal B. , Blügel S. , Etz C.
Published: November 2022

Magnetic exchange interactions determine the magnetic groundstate, as well as magnetic excitations of materials and are thus essential to the emerging and fast evolving fields of spintronics and magnonics. The magnetic force theorem has been used extensively for studying magnetic exchange interactions. However, short-ranged interactions in itinerant magnetic systems are poorly described by this method and numerous strategies have been developed over the years to overcome this deficiency. The present study supplies a fully self-consistent method for systematic investigations of exchange interactions beyond the standard Heisenberg model. In order to better describe finite deviations from the magnetic ground state, an extended Heisenberg model, including multi-spin interactions, is suggested. Using cross-validation analysis, we show that this extended Heisenberg model gives a superior description for non-collinear magnetic configurations. This parameterisation method allows us to describe many different itinerant magnetic systems and can be useful for high-throughput calculations.
Prognostic prediction of novel risk scores (AML-DRG and AML-HCT-CR) in acute myeloid leukemia patients with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Cao Weijie , Li Xiaoning , Zhang Ran , Bian Zhilei , Zhang Suping , Li Li , Xing Haizhou , Liu Changfeng , Xie Xinsheng , Jiang Zhongxing , Fang Xiaosheng , Wan Dingming , Yu Jifeng
Published: November 2022

We aimed to validate and prove the novel risk score models of acute myeloid leukemia (AML)-specific disease risk group (AML-DRG) and AML-Hematopoietic Cell Transplant-composite risk (AML-HCT-CR) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHCT). Among the 172 AML patients analysed, 48.3% (n = 83) were females. Median age was 31.5 years (range 14 to 62 years), two patients was more than 60 years old (1.2%). Median follow-up was 44 months (range 1 to 94 months). According to the AML-DRG model, 109, 49 and 14 patients were in low-, intermediate- and high-risk group, respectively. According to the AML-HCT-CR model, 108, 30, 20 and 14 patients were in low-, intermediate-, high- and very high-risk group, respectively. Our results showed that the AML-DRG and AML-HCT-CR models significantly predicted cumulative incidence of relapse (p < 0.001; p < 0.001). But AML-DRG model was not associated with NRM (p = 0.072). Univariate analysis showed that the AML-DRG model could better stratify AML patients into different risk groups compared to the AML-HCT-CR model. Multivariate analysis confirmed that prognostic impact of AML-DRG and AML-HCT-CR models on post-transplant OS was independent to age, sex, conditioning type, transplant modality, and stem cell source (p < 0.001; p < 0.001). AML-DRG and AML-HCT-CR models can be used to effectively predict post-transplant survival in patients with AML receiving AHCT. Compared to AML-HCT-CR score, the AML-DRG score allows better stratification and improved survival prediction of AML patients post-transplant.
Application of shear stress for enhanced osteogenic differentiation of mouse induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Limraksasin Phoonsuk , Nattasit Praphawi , Manokawinchoke Jeeranan , Tiskratok Watcharaphol , Vinaikosol Naruephorn , Okawa Hiroko , Limjeerajarus Chalida Nakalekha , Limjeerajarus Nuttapol , Pavasant Prasit , Osathanon Thanaphum , Egusa Hiroshi
Published: November 2022

The self-organizing potential of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) represents a promising tool for bone tissue engineering. Shear stress promotes the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, leading us to hypothesize that specific shear stress could enhance the osteogenic differentiation of iPSCs. For osteogenesis, embryoid bodies were formed for two days and then maintained in medium supplemented with retinoic acid for three days, followed by adherent culture in osteogenic induction medium for one day. The cells were then subjected to shear loading (0.15, 0.5, or 1.5 Pa) for two days. Among different magnitudes tested, 0.5 Pa induced the highest levels of osteogenic gene expression and greatest mineral deposition, corresponding to upregulated connexin 43 (Cx43) and phosphorylated Erk1/2 expression. Erk1/2 inhibition during shear loading resulted in decreased osteogenic gene expression and the suppression of mineral deposition. These results suggest that shear stress (0.5 Pa) enhances the osteogenic differentiation of iPSCs, partly through Cx43 and Erk1/2 signaling. Our findings shed light on the application of shear-stress technology to improve iPSC-based tissue-engineered bone for regenerative bone therapy.
Towards a knowledge graph for pre-/probiotics and microbiota–gut–brain axis diseases
Authors: Liu Ting , Lan Gongjin , Feenstra K. Anton , Huang Zhisheng , Heringa Jaap
Published: November 2022

Scientific publications present biological relationships but are structured for human reading, making it difficult to use this resource for semantic integration and querying. Existing databases, on the other hand, are well structured for automated analysis, but do not contain comprehensive biological knowledge. We devised an approach for constructing comprehensive knowledge graphs from these two types of resources and applied it to investigate relationships between pre-/probiotics and microbiota–gut–brain axis diseases. To this end, we created (i) a knowledge base, dubbed ppstatement, containing manually curated detailed annotations, and (ii) a knowledge base, called ppconcept, containing automatically annotated concepts. The resulting Pre-/Probiotics Knowledge Graph (PPKG) combines these two knowledge bases with three other public databases (i.e. MeSH, UMLS and SNOMED CT). To validate the performance of PPKG and to demonstrate the added value of integrating two knowledge bases, we created four biological query cases. The query cases demonstrate that we can retrieve co-occurring concepts of interest, and also that combining the two knowledge bases leads to more comprehensive query results than utilizing them separately. The PPKG enables users to pose research queries such as “which pre-/probiotics combinations may benefit depression?”, potentially leading to novel biological insights.
Inverse design of core-shell particles with discrete material classes using neural networks
Authors: Kuhn Lina , Repän Taavi , Rockstuhl Carsten
Published: November 2022

The design of scatterers on demand is a challenging task that requires the investigation and development of novel and flexible approaches. In this paper, we propose a machine learning-assisted optimization framework to design multi-layered core-shell particles that provide a scattering response on demand. Artificial neural networks can learn to predict the scattering spectrum of core-shell particles with high accuracy and can act as fully differentiable surrogate models for a gradient-based design approach. To enable the fabrication of the particles, we consider existing materials and introduce a novel two-step optimization to treat continuous geometric parameters and discrete feasible materials simultaneously. Moreover, we overcome the non-uniqueness of the problem and expand the design space to particles of varying numbers of shells, i.e., different number of optimization parameters, with a classification network. Our method is 1–2 orders of magnitudes faster than conventional approaches in both forward prediction and inverse design and is potentially scalable to even larger and more complex scatterers.
Shrinkage estimators of large covariance matrices with Toeplitz targets in array signal processing
Authors: Zhang Bin , Yuan Shoucheng
Published: November 2022

The problem of estimating a large covariance matrix arises in various statistical applications. This paper develops new covariance matrix estimators based on shrinkage regularization. Individually, we consider two kinds of Toeplitz-structured target matrices as the data come from the complex Gaussian distribution. We derive the optimal tuning parameter under the mean squared error criterion in closed form by discovering the mathematical properties of the two target matrices. We get some vital moment properties of the complex Wishart distribution, then simplify the optimal tuning parameter. By unbiasedly estimating the unknown scalar quantities involved in the optimal tuning parameter, we propose two shrinkage estimators available in the large-dimensional setting. For verifying the performance of the proposed covariance matrix estimators, we provide some numerical simulations and applications to array signal processing compared to some existing estimators.
Electrical resistivity of the Fe–Si–S ternary system: implications for timing of thermal convection shutdown in the lunar core
Authors: Littleton Joshua A. H. , Yong Wenjun , Secco Richard A.
Published: November 2022

The composition of the lunar core has been suggested to be Fe-rich with varying amounts of lighter elements, such as Si and S. Presence of Si and S affects electrical and thermal transport properties and thus influences core thermal processes and evolution. Paleomagnetic observations constrain a high intensity magnetic field that ceases shortly after formation of the moon (~ 3.5–4.2 Ga year ago), and thermal convection in the core may contribute to generation of this field. In this study, the electrical resistivity of Fe-14 wt% Si-3 wt% S was measured in both solid and molten states at pressures up to 5 GPa and thermal conductivity was calculated via the Wiedemann–Franz Law from the electrical measurements. The results were used to estimate the adiabatic conductive heat flux of a molten Fe-14 wt% Si-3 wt% S lunar core and compared to a Fe-2-17 wt% Si lunar core, which showed that thermal convection of either core composition shuts down within the duration of the high intensity magnetic field: (1) 3.17–3.72 Ga year ago for a Fe-14 wt% Si-3 wt% S core; and (ii) 3.38–3.86 Ga years ago for a Fe-2-17 wt% Si core. Results favouring compatibility of these core compositions with paleomagnetic observations are strongly dependent on the temperature of the core-mantle boundary and time-dependent mantle-side heat flux.
Distributed lag inspired machine learning for predicting vaccine-induced changes in COVID-19 hospitalization and intensive care unit admission
Authors: Khan Atikur R. , Hasan Khandaker Tabin , Abedin Sumaiya , Khan Saleheen
Published: November 2022

Distributed lags play important roles in explaining the short-run dynamic and long-run cumulative effects of features on a response variable. Unlike the usual lag length selection, important lags with significant weights are selected in a distributed lag model (DLM). Inspired by the importance of distributed lags, this research focuses on the construction of distributed lag inspired machine learning (DLIML) for predicting vaccine-induced changes in COVID-19 hospitalization and intensive care unit (ICU) admission rates. Importance of a lagged feature in DLM is examined by hypothesis testing and a subset of important features are selected by evaluating an information criterion. Akin to the DLM, we demonstrate the selection of distributed lags in machine learning by evaluating importance scores and objective functions. Finally, we apply the DLIML with supervised learning for forecasting daily changes in COVID-19 hospitalization and ICU admission rates in United Kingdom (UK) and United States of America (USA). A sharp decline in hospitalization and ICU admission rates are observed when around 40% people are vaccinated. For one percent more vaccination, daily changes in hospitalization and ICU admission rates are expected to reduce by 4.05 and 0.74 per million after 14 days in UK, and 5.98 and 1.04 per million after 20 days in USA, respectively. Long-run cumulative effects in the DLM demonstrate that the daily changes in hospitalization and ICU admission rates are expected to jitter around the zero line in a long-run. Application of the DLIML selects fewer lagged features but provides qualitatively better forecasting outcome for data-driven healthcare service planning.
Genetic insights into smoking behaviours in 10,558 men of African ancestry from continental Africa and the UK
Authors: Piga Noemi-Nicole , Boua Palwende Romuald , Soremekun Chisom , Shrine Nick , Coley Kayesha , Brandenburg Jean-Tristan , Tobin Martin D. , Ramsay Michèle , Fatumo Segun , Choudhury Ananyo , Batini Chiara
Published: November 2022

Smoking is a leading risk factor for many of the top ten causes of death worldwide. Of the 1.3 billion smokers globally, 80% live in low- and middle-income countries, where the number of deaths due to tobacco use is expected to double in the next decade according to the World Health Organization. Genetic studies have helped to identify biological pathways for smoking behaviours, but have mostly focussed on individuals of European ancestry or living in either North America or Europe. We performed a genome-wide association study of two smoking behaviour traits in 10,558 men of African ancestry living in five African countries and the UK. Eight independent variants were associated with either smoking initiation or cessation at P-value < 5 × 10–6, four being monomorphic or rare in European populations. Gene prioritisation strategy highlighted five genes, including SEMA6D, previously described as associated with several smoking behaviour traits. These results confirm the importance of analysing underrepresented populations in genetic epidemiology, and the urgent need for larger genomic studies to boost discovery power to better understand smoking behaviours, as well as many other traits.
Long-term benefits of heart rate variability biofeedback training in older adults with different levels of social interaction: a pilot study
Authors: de Souza Perciliany Martins , de Cássia Souza Miriam , Diniz Luiza Araújo , Araújo Cássia Regina Vieira , Lopez Mariana , Volchan Eliane , Fernandes Orlando , Sanchez Tiago Arruda , Souza Gabriela Guerra Leal
Published: November 2022

To test whether heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback training benefits older adults with different social interaction levels. Methods. 32 older adults (16 were institutionalized and 16 were not). Both groups received 14 sessions, 15 min, 3 times a week, with half of the individuals receiving HRV biofeedback training and the other half receiving control training. The following parameters were assessed immediately before and after training, and 4.5 weeks after the last session (follow-up period): aerobic conditioning, anthropometric data, emotional scores, and HRV components. Results. Before the training, the institutionalized individuals had higher scores of loneliness (p < 0.01) and depression (p < 0.0001) and lower social touches (p < 0.0001), body mass (p = 0.04), and body fat percentage (p = 0.002) than the non-institutionalized individuals. HRV biofeedback improved symptoms of depression in both groups. HRV improved only in the non-institutionalized group, and loneliness only in the institutionalized group. Lastly, all changes persisted after the follow-up period. Conclusions. HRV biofeedback training was effective in improving symptoms of depression in older adults. Improvement of HRV and loneliness was dependent on the level of social interaction.
Pulmonary function in school-age children following intravitreal injection of bevacizumab for retinopathy of prematurity
Authors: Huang Ching-Yen , Lai Shen-Hao , Tseng Hsiao-Jung , Yao Tsung-Chieh , Wu Wei-Chi
Published: November 2022

The effect of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor on neonatal lung development was inconclusive. To evaluate pulmonary function in school-age children who have received intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), this study included 118 school-aged children who were grouped into three groups: full-term control children (group 1), preterm children who had not received IVB treatment (group 2) and preterm children with ROP who had received IVB treatment (group 3). Pulmonary function was measured by spirometry and impulse oscillometry. Pulmonary function was significantly better in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3 (all p < 0.05 in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of FVC (FEF25–75), and respiratory resistance at 5 Hz and difference between respiratory resistance at 5 and 20 Hz (R5-R20). There were no statistically significant differences between group 2 and group 3 in all pulmonary function parameters, including FVC, FEV1, ratio of FEV1 to FVC, FEF25-75, R5, R20, R5–R20, and respiratory reactance at 5 Hz. In conclusion, our study revealed that preterm infants receiving IVB for ROP had comparable pulmonary function at school age to their preterm peers who had not received IVB treatment.
Intellectually able adults with autism spectrum disorder show typical resting-state EEG activity
Authors: Li Qianliang , Weiland Ricarda F. , Konvalinka Ivana , Mansvelder Huibert D. , Andersen Tobias S. , Smit Dirk J. A. , Begeer Sander , Linkenkaer-Hansen Klaus
Published: November 2022

There is broad interest in discovering quantifiable physiological biomarkers for psychiatric disorders to aid diagnostic assessment. However, finding biomarkers for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has proven particularly difficult, partly due to high heterogeneity. Here, we recorded five minutes eyes-closed rest electroencephalography (EEG) from 186 adults (51% with ASD and 49% without ASD) and investigated the potential of EEG biomarkers to classify ASD using three conventional machine learning models with two-layer cross-validation. Comprehensive characterization of spectral, temporal and spatial dimensions of source-modelled EEG resulted in 3443 biomarkers per recording. We found no significant group-mean or group-variance differences for any of the EEG features. Interestingly, we obtained validation accuracies above 80%; however, the best machine learning model merely distinguished ASD from the non-autistic comparison group with a mean balanced test accuracy of 56% on the entirely unseen test set. The large drop in model performance between validation and testing, stress the importance of rigorous model evaluation, and further highlights the high heterogeneity in ASD. Overall, the lack of significant differences and weak classification indicates that, at the group level, intellectually able adults with ASD show remarkably typical resting-state EEG.
Effect of Hele–Shaw cell gap on radial viscous fingering
Authors: Nand Sada , Sharma Vandita , Das Santanu Kumar , Padhee Srikant Sekhar , Mishra Manoranjan
Published: November 2022

The flow through a Hele–Shaw cell is an experimental prototype to study the flow through a porous medium as well as the flow in microfluidic devices. In context with porous medium flows, it is used to visualize and understand hydrodynamic instabilities like viscous fingering (VF). The gap between the plates of the cell is an important parameter affecting the flow dynamics. However, the effect of the gap on the Hele–Shaw cell flows has been minimally explored. We perform experiments to understand the effect of the gap on VF dynamics. It is observed that a minimum gap is required to observe rigorous fingering instability. The onset time of instability, as well as the width of the fingers, increases with an increment in the gap due to a decrease in the convection. The instability increases with an increase in Péclet number, but the effect of gap width on fingering patterns is evident with broader fingers observed for larger b. The results are validated by performing numerical simulations. It is further shown that the gap-averaged three-dimensional simulations using the Stokes law approach and the two-dimensional Darcy’s law result in a small gap Hele–Shaw cell.
Effect of dissolved humic acids and coated humic acids on tetracycline adsorption by K2CO3-activated magnetic biochar
Authors: Li Meifang , Wang Ping , Huang Chenxi , Liu Yunguo , Liu Shaobo , Zhang Ke , Cao Jingxiao , Tan Xiaofei , Liu Shaoheng
Published: November 2022

Humic acids (HAs) widely exist in water environment, and has an important impact on the adsorption of pollutants. Herein, HAs (both dissolved and coated) was employed to assess the effect on the removal of the organic contaminant tetracycline (TC) by K2CO3 modified magnetic biochar (KMBC). Results showed that low concentration of dissolved HAs promoted TC removal, likely due to a bridging effect, while higher concentration of dissolved HAs inhibited TC adsorption because of the competition of adsorption sites on KMBC. By characterization analysis, coated HAs changed the surface and pore characteristics of KMBC, which suppressed the TC removal. In a sequential adsorption experiment involving dissolved HAs and TC, the addition of HAs at the end of the experiment led to the formation of HAs-TC ligands with free TC, which improved the adsorption capacity of TC. TC adsorption by KMBC in the presence of dissolved HAs and coated HAs showed a downward trend with increasing pH from 5.0 to 10.0. The TC adsorption process was favorable and endothermic, and could be better simulated by pseudo-second-order kinetics and Freundlich isotherm model. Hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions were hypothesized to be the underlying influencing mechanisms.
A systematic study of HIF1A cofactors in hypoxic cancer cells
Authors: Zhang Yuxiang , Wang Saidi , Hu Haiyan , Li Xiaoman
Published: November 2022

Hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1A) is a transcription factor (TF) that forms highly structural and functional protein–protein interactions with other TFs to promote gene expression in hypoxic cancer cells. However, despite the importance of these TF-TF interactions, we still lack a comprehensive view of many of the TF cofactors involved and how they cooperate. In this study, we systematically studied HIF1A cofactors in eight cancer cell lines using the computational motif mining tool, SIOMICS, and discovered 201 potential HIF1A cofactors, which included 21 of the 29 known HIF1A cofactors in public databases. These 201 cofactors were statistically and biologically significant, with 19 of the top 37 cofactors in our study directly validated in the literature. The remaining 18 were novel cofactors. These discovered cofactors can be essential to HIF1A’s regulatory functions and may lead to the discovery of new therapeutic targets in cancer treatment.
Urine volume as an estimator of residual renal clearance and urinary removal of solutes in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Pinto Joyce , Debowska Malgorzata , Gomez Rafael , Waniewski Jacek , Lindholm Bengt
Published: November 2022

In non-anuric patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD), residual kidney function (RKF) is a main contributor to fluid and solute removal and an independent predictor of survival. We investigated if urine volume could be used to estimate renal clearances and removal of urea, creatinine, and phosphorus in PD patients. The observational, cross-sectional study included 93 non-anuric prevalent PD patients undergoing continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD; n = 34) or automated PD (APD; n = 59). Concentrations of urea, creatinine and phosphorus in serum and in 24-h collections of urine volume were measured to calculate weekly residual renal clearance (L/week) and removed solute mass (g/week). Median [interquartile range], 24-h urine output was 560 [330–950] mL and measured GFR (the mean of creatinine and urea clearances) was 3.24 [1.47–5.67] mL/min. For urea, creatinine and phosphorus, residual renal clearance was 20.60 [11.49–35.79], 43.02 [19.13–75.48] and 17.50 [8.34–33.58] L/week, respectively, with no significant differences between CAPD and APD. Urine volume correlated positively with removed solute masses (rho = 0.82, 0.67 and 0.74) and with weekly residual renal clearances (rho = 0.77, 0.62 and 0.72 for urea, creatinine, and phosphorus, respectively, all p < 0.001). Residual renal clearances and urinary mass removal rates for urea, creatinine, and phosphorus correlate strongly with 24-h urine volume suggesting that urine volume could serve as an estimator of typical values of residual solute removal indices in PD patients.
Application of artificial intelligence to decode the relationships between smell, olfactory receptors and small molecules
Authors: Achebouche Rayane , Tromelin Anne , Audouze Karine , Taboureau Olivier
Published: November 2022

Deciphering the relationship between molecules, olfactory receptors (ORs) and corresponding odors remains a challenging task. It requires a comprehensive identification of ORs responding to a given odorant. With the recent advances in artificial intelligence and the growing research in decoding the human olfactory perception from chemical features of odorant molecules, the applications of advanced machine learning have been revived. In this study, Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and Graphical Convolutional Network (GCN) models have been developed on odorant molecules-odors and odorant molecules-olfactory receptors using a large set of 5955 molecules, 160 odors and 106 olfactory receptors. The performance of such models is promising with a Precision/Recall Area Under Curve of 0.66 for the odorant-odor and 0.91 for the odorant-olfactory receptor GCN models respectively. Furthermore, based on the correspondence of odors and ORs associated for a set of 389 compounds, an odor-olfactory receptor pairwise score was computed for each odor-OR combination allowing to suggest a combinatorial relationship between olfactory receptors and odors. Overall, this analysis demonstrate that artificial intelligence may pave the way in the identification of the smell perception and the full repertoire of receptors for a given odorant molecule.
High-speed videography of transparent media using illumination-based multiplexed schlieren
Authors: Ek Simon , Kornienko Vassily , Roth Adrian , Berrocal Edouard , Kristensson Elias
Published: November 2022

Schlieren photography is widely used for visualizing phenomena within transparent media. The technique, which comes in a variety of configurations, is based on detecting or extracting the degree to which light is deflected whilst propagating through a sample. To date, high-speed schlieren videography can only be achieved using high-speed cameras, thus limiting the frame rate of such configurations to the capabilities of the camera. Here we demonstrate, for the first time, optically multiplexed schlieren videography, a concept that allows such hardware limitations to be bypassed, opening up for, in principle, an unlimited frame rate. By illuminating the sample with a rapid burst of uniquely spatially modulated light pulses, a temporally resolved sequence can be captured in a single photograph. The refractive index variations are thereafter measured by quantifying the local phase shift of the superimposed intensity modulations. The presented results demonstrate the ability to acquire a series of images of flame structures at frame rates up to 1 Mfps using a standard 50 fps sCMOS camera.
Javanese Homo erectus on the move in SE Asia circa 1.8 Ma
Authors: Husson Laurent , Salles Tristan , Lebatard Anne-Elisabeth , Zerathe Swann , Braucher Régis , Noerwidi Sofwan , Aribowo Sonny , Mallard Claire , Carcaillet Julien , Natawidjaja Danny H. , Bourlès Didier ,   ASTER team, Aumaitre Georges , Bourlès Didier , Keddadouche Karim
Published: November 2022

The migration ofHomo erectusin Southeast Asia during Early Pleistocene is cardinal to our comprehension of the evolution of the genusHomo. However, the limited consideration of the rapidly changing physical environment, together with controversial datings of hominin bearing sites, make it challenging to secure the robust timeline needed to unveil the behavior of early humans. Here, we reappraise the first appearance datum of JavaneseH. erectusby adding the most reliable age constraints based on cosmogenic nuclides$$^{10}$$10Be and$$^{26}$$26Al producedin situto a compilation of earlier estimates. We find thatH. erectusreached Java and dwelled at Sangiran, Java,ca.1.8 Ma. Using this age as a baseline, we develop a probabilistic approach to reconstruct their dispersal routes, coupling ecological movement simulations to landscape evolution models forced by reconstructed geodynamic and climatic histories. We demonstrate that the hospitableterra firmaconditions of Sundaland facilitated the prior dispersal of hominins to the edge of Java, where they conversely could not settle until the Javanese archipelago emerged from the sea and connected to Sundaland. The dispersal ofH. erectusacross Sundaland occurred over at least tens to hundreds kyr, a time scale over which changes in their physical environment, whether climatic or physiographic, may have become primary forcings on their behavior. Our comprehensive reconstruction method to unravel the peopling timeline of SE Asia provides a novel framework to evaluate the evolution of early humans.
Ocular morphologic traits in the American Cocker Spaniel may confer primary angle closure glaucoma susceptibility
Authors: Park Sangwan , Casanova M. Isabel , Bannasch Danika L. , Daley Nicole L. , Kim Soohyun , Kuchtey John , Gomes Filipe Espinheira , Leonard Brian C. , Good Kathryn L. , Martins Bianca da C. , Murphy Christopher J. , Thomasy Sara M.
Published: November 2022

Acute primary angle closure glaucoma is a potentially blinding ophthalmic emergency requiring prompt treatment to lower the elevated intraocular pressure in humans and dogs. The PACG in most of canine breeds is epidemiologically similar to humans with older and female patients overrepresented with the condition. The American Cocker Spaniel (ACS) is among the most common breeds observed with PACG development in dogs. This study initially sought to identify genetic risk factors to explain the high prevalence of PACG in ACSs by using a case–control breed-matched genome-wide association study. However, the GWAS failed to identify candidate loci associated with PACG in this breed. This study then assessed intrinsic ocular morphologic traits that may relate to PACG susceptibility in this breed. Normal ACSs without glaucoma have a crowded anterior ocular segment and narrow iridocorneal angle and ciliary cleft, which is consistent with anatomical risk factors identified in humans. The ACSs showed unique features consisting of posterior bowing of iris and longer iridolenticular contact, which mirrors reverse pupillary block and pigment dispersion syndrome in humans. The ACS could hold potential to serve as an animal model of naturally occurring PACG in humans.