bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stimulus specific cortical activity associated with ignoring distraction during working memory encoding and maintenance
Authors: Ashton Charlotte , Gouws Andre D. , Glennon Marcus , Das Abhishek , Chen Yit-Keat , Chrisp Charlotte , Felek Ismail , Zanto Theodore P. , McNab Fiona
Published: June 2023

Distraction disrupts Working Memory (WM) performance, but how the brain filters distraction is not known. One possibility is that neural activity associated with distractions is suppressed relative to a baseline/passive task (biased competition). Alternatively, distraction may be denied access to WM, with no suppression. Furthermore, behavioural work indicates separate mechanisms for ignoring distractions which occur (1) while we put information into WM (Encoding Distraction, ED) and (2) while we maintain already encoded information during the WM delay period (Delay Distraction, DD). Here we used fMRI in humans to measure category-sensitive cortical activity and probe the extent to which ED/DD mechanisms involve enhancement/suppression during a WM task. We observed significant enhancement of task-relevant activity, relative to a passive view task, which did not differ according to whether or when distractors appeared. For both ED and DD we found no evidence of suppression, but instead a robust increase in stimulus specific activity in response to additional stimuli presented during the passive view task, which was not seen for the WM task, when those additional stimuli were to be ignored. The results indicate that ED/DD resistance does not necessarily involve suppression of distractor-related activity. Rather, a rise in distractor-associated activity is prevented when distractors are presented, supporting models of input gating, and providing a potential mechanism by which input-gating might be achieved.
Kinematics and energetics of foraging behavior in Rice’s whales of the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Kok Annebelle C. M. , Hildebrand Maya J. , MacArdle Maria , Martinez Anthony , Garrison Lance P. , Soldevilla Melissa S. , Hildebrand John A.
Published: June 2023

Rorqual foraging behavior varies with species, prey type and foraging conditions, and can be a determining factor for their fitness. Little is known about the foraging ecology of Rice’s whales (Balaenoptera ricei), an endangered species with a population of fewer than 100 individuals. Suction cup tags were attached to two Rice’s whales to collect information on their diving kinematics and foraging behavior. The tagged whales primarily exhibited lunge-feeding near the sea bottom and to a lesser extent in the water-column and at the sea surface. During 6–10 min foraging dives, the whales typically circled their prey before executing one or two feeding lunges. Longer duration dives and dives with more feeding-lunges were followed by an increase in their breathing rate. The median lunge rate of one lunge per dive of both animals was much lower than expected based on comparative research on other lunge-feeding baleen whales, and may be associated with foraging on fish instead of krill or may be an indication of different foraging conditions. Both animals spent extended periods of the night near the sea surface, increasing the risk for ship strike. Furthermore, their circling before lunging may increase the risk for entanglement in bottom-longline fishing gear. Overall, these data show that Rice’s whale foraging behavior differs from other lunge feeding rorqual species and may be a significant factor in shaping our understanding of their foraging ecology. Efforts to mitigate threats to Rice’s whales will benefit from improved understanding of patterns in their habitat use and fine-scale ecology.
Importance of depth and temperature variability as drivers of coral symbiont composition despite a mass bleaching event
Authors: de Souza Mariana Rocha , Caruso Carlo , Ruiz-Jones Lupita , Drury Crawford , Gates Ruth D. , Toonen Robert J.
Published: June 2023

Coral reefs are iconic examples of climate change impacts because climate-induced heat stress causes the breakdown of the coral-algal symbiosis leading to a spectacular loss of color, termed ‘coral bleaching’. To examine the fine-scale dynamics of this process, we re-sampled 600 individually marked Montipora capitata colonies from across Kāne’ohe Bay, Hawai’i and compared the algal symbiont composition before and after the 2019 bleaching event. The relative proportion of the heat-tolerant symbiont Durusdinium in corals increased in most parts of the bay following the bleaching event. Despite this widespread increase in abundance of Durusdinium, the overall algal symbiont community composition was largely unchanged, and hydrodynamically defined regions of the bay retained their distinct pre-bleaching compositions. We explain ~ 21% of the total variation, of which depth and temperature variability were the most significant environmental drivers of Symbiodiniaceae community composition by site regardless of bleaching intensity or change in relative proportion of Durusdinium. We hypothesize that the plasticity of symbiont composition in corals may be constrained to adaptively match the long-term environmental conditions surrounding the holobiont, despite an individual coral’s stress and bleaching response.
Performance evolution of prestressing anchor bars in corrosive environments experimental study
Authors: Liu Dandan , Chen An
Published: June 2023

In order to explore the performance evolution of prestressed anchor cables in corrosive environment, the corrosion immersion and corrosion damage performance tests of prestressed anchor bars in corrosive environment were carried out indoors. Based on the experimental results, the effects of stress level, pH and time on the corrosion process of prestressing anchor bars, the amount of corrosion per unit length and the change of mechanical properties were analyzed. It was found that the greater the stress level in the three corrosive media, the more severe the corrosion of the anchor bars, especially in acidic solutions; at the beginning of corrosion, prestressing anchor bars corrode fastest in neutral solution, followed by acidic and slowest in alkaline, with the continuation of corrosion, the degree of corrosion damage to anchor bars by acidic solution is more obvious; The corrosion damage of anchor tendons reflected by the corrosion amount per unit length is uniform corrosion, and local corrosion will aggravate the degree of corrosion damage of prestressing anchor tendons; The longer the corrosion time, the more serious the corrosion of anchor bars, and the 2 mechanical indexes of anchor bar elongation and fracture load have a significant decreasing trend.
Preparation and evaluation of some nanocarbon (NC) based composites for optoelectronic applications
Authors: Elhalawany Noha , Abdel-karim Amal M. , Saleeb Maher M.
Published: June 2023

Polyaniline/nanocarbon (PANI/NC) nanocomposites have been prepared by in situ polymerization of aniline monomer in the presence of a stable colloidal solution of nanocarbon NC using ammonium persulfate as an initiator and silver ions (Ag+) as oxidizing agents to produce PANI/NC and PANI/NC/Ag2O nanocomposites, respectively. The morphological studies of the formed nanocomposites have been elucidated via transmission and scanning electron microscopes (TEM and SEM). Further characterization of the prepared nanocomposites has been done via infrared spectroscopy (IR), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), particle size distribution analysis (PSD), fluorescence microscope (FM), UV–VIS spectroscopy, and finally surface analysis. XRD results confirmed the presence of silver oxide Ag2O nanoparticles, and the obtained data is well matched with the JCPDS card number 76–1393 of silver oxide. XPS analyses have shown two prevailing characteristic peaks for Ag 3d5/2 and Ag 3d3/2 at 367.1 and 373 eV, respectively, representing Ag2O nanoparticles, which are matchable with the XRD analysis. The PSD analysis revealed that the sizes of the prepared nanocomposites are in the size range from 60 to 140 nm. The FM measurements showed luminescence from the prepared nanocomposites upon irradiation with different lights. This recommends that the fluorophores present in the prepared nanocomposites have the potential to both absorb and emit light. The AC conductivity and the dielectric permittivity of the obtained nanocomposites at room temperature and at different frequency ranges have been investigated. At higher frequency ranges, the maximum ac conductivity obtained was 1.06 × 10–2 and 2.5 × 10–2 S.Cm-1 for the PANI/NC and PANI/NC/Ag2O, respectively. As far as we know, these new nanocomposites with superior optical and electrical characteristics have not been described yet in the literature.
Underexplored and growing economic costs of invasive alien trees
Authors: Fernandez Romina D. , Haubrock Phillip J. , Cuthbert Ross N. , Heringer Gustavo , Kourantidou Melina , Hudgins Emma J. , Angulo Elena , Diagne Christophe A. , Courchamp Franck , Nuñez Martin A.
Published: June 2023

The high ecological impacts of many invasive alien trees have been well documented. However, to date, we lacked synthesis of their economic impacts, hampering management actions. Here, we summarize the cost records of invasive trees to (I) identify invasive trees with cost information and their geographic locations, (II) investigate the types of costs recorded and sectors impacted by invasive trees and (III) analyze the relationships between categories of uses of invasive trees and the invasion costs attributed to these uses. We found reliable cost records only for 72 invasive trees, accumulating a reported total cost of $19.2 billion between 1960 and 2020. Agriculture was the sector with the highest cost records due to invasive trees. Most costs were incurred as resource damages and losses ($3.5 billion). Close attention to the ornamental sector is important for reducing the economic impact of invasive trees, since most invasive trees with cost records were introduced for that use. Despite massive reported costs of invasive trees, there remain large knowledge gaps on most invasive trees, sectors, and geographic scales, indicating that the real cost is severely underestimated. This highlights the need for further concerted and widely-distributed research efforts regarding the economic impact of invasive trees.
Explainable automated pain recognition in cats
Authors: Feighelstein Marcelo , Henze Lea , Meller Sebastian , Shimshoni Ilan , Hermoni Ben , Berko Michael , Twele Friederike , Schütter Alexandra , Dorn Nora , Kästner Sabine , Finka Lauren , Luna Stelio P. L. , Mills Daniel S. , Volk Holger A. , Zamansky Anna
Published: June 2023

Manual tools for pain assessment from facial expressions have been suggested and validated for several animal species. However, facial expression analysis performed by humans is prone to subjectivity and bias, and in many cases also requires special expertise and training. This has led to an increasing body of work on automated pain recognition, which has been addressed for several species, including cats. Even for experts, cats are a notoriously challenging species for pain assessment. A previous study compared two approaches to automated ‘pain’/‘no pain’ classification from cat facial images: a deep learning approach, and an approach based on manually annotated geometric landmarks, reaching comparable accuracy results. However, the study included a very homogeneous dataset of cats and thus further research to study generalizability of pain recognition to more realistic settings is required. This study addresses the question of whether AI models can classify ‘pain’/‘no pain’ in cats in a more realistic (multi-breed, multi-sex) setting using a more heterogeneous and thus potentially ‘noisy’ dataset of 84 client-owned cats. Cats were a convenience sample presented to the Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery of the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover and included individuals of different breeds, ages, sex, and with varying medical conditions/medical histories. Cats were scored by veterinary experts using the Glasgow composite measure pain scale in combination with the well-documented and comprehensive clinical history of those patients; the scoring was then used for training AI models using two different approaches. We show that in this context the landmark-based approach performs better, reaching accuracy above 77% in pain detection as opposed to only above 65% reached by the deep learning approach. Furthermore, we investigated the explainability of such machine recognition in terms of identifying facial features that are important for the machine, revealing that the region of nose and mouth seems more important for machine pain classification, while the region of ears is less important, with these findings being consistent across the models and techniques studied here.
Latent toxoplasmosis impairs learning and memory yet strengthens short-term and long-term hippocampal synaptic plasticity at perforant pathway-dentate gyrus, and Schaffer collatterals-CA1 synapses
Authors: Choopani Samira , Kiani Bahereh , Aliakbari Shayan , Babaie Jalal , Golkar Majid , Pourbadie Hamid Gholami , Sayyah Mohammad
Published: June 2023

Investigating long-term potentiation (LTP) in disease models provides essential mechanistic insight into synaptic dysfunction and relevant behavioral changes in many neuropsychiatric and neurological diseases. Toxoplasma (T) gondii is an intracellular parasite causing bizarre changes in host’s mind including losing inherent fear of life-threatening situations. We examined hippocampal-dependent behavior as well as in vivo short- and long-term synaptic plasticity (STP and LTP) in rats with latent toxoplasmosis. Rats were infected by T. gondii cysts. Existence of REP-529 genomic sequence of the parasite in the brain was detected by RT-qPCR. Four and eight weeks after infection, spatial, and inhibitory memories of rats were assessed by Morris water maze and shuttle box tests, respectively. Eight weeks after infection, STP was assessed in dentate gyrus (DG) and CA1 by double pulse stimulation of perforant pathway and Shaffer collaterals, respectively. High frequency stimulation (HFS) was applied to induce LTP in entorhinal cortex-DG (400 Hz), and CA3-CA1 (200 Hz) synapses. T. gondii infection retarded spatial learning and memory performance at eight weeks post-infection period, whereas inhibitory memory was not changed. Unlike uninfected rats that normally showed paired-pulse depression, the infected rats developed paired-pulse facilitation, indicating an inhibitory synaptic network disruption. T. gondii-infected rats displayed strengthened LTP of both CA1-pyramidal and DG-granule cell population spikes. These data indicate that T. gondii disrupts inhibition/excitation balance and causes bizarre changes to the post-synaptic neuronal excitability, which may ultimately contribute to the abnormal behavior of the infected host.
Quantification of active bearing input force for vibration reduction performance of unbalanced rotor systems
Authors: Hong Dongwoo , Lee Hyeongill , Han Youkyung , Kim Byeongil
Published: June 2023

Recently, rotating machinery has been widely applied in various mechanical systems such as hydroelectric and nuclear power plants. When mechanical systems are operated, the main rotor is rotated to manufacture the product. If a fault occurs in the rotor, then the system is damaged. Thus, to avoid malfunction of the system and rotor damage, vibration issues because of bending, misalignment, and imbalance should be considered. In this regard, a smart structure-based active bearing system is extensively researched and developed to control rotor vibration. This system can continuously improve the noise, vibration, and harshness performance under various operating conditions by controlling the dynamic characteristics of the active bearing. This study focused on the effect of rotor motion control by quantifying the active bearing force and phase when an active bearing was applied in a simple rotor model. A simple rotor with two active bearing systems was modeled based on lumped-parameter modeling. In the rotor model, the active bearing, which had two piezoelectric actuators and rubber grommets placed in both the x- and y-directions, was located on both sides to control the vibration. The interaction between the rotor and the active bearing system was considered to quantify the force and phase of this system. Furthermore, through simulation, the motion control effect was validated when an active bearing was applied in the rotor model.
A knowledge-enhanced transform-based multimodal classifier for microbial keratitis identification
Authors: Wu Jianfeng , Yuan Zhouhang , Fang Zhengqing , Huang Zhengxing , Xu Yesheng , Xie Wenjia , Wu Fei , Yao Yu-Feng
Published: June 2023

Microbial keratitis, a nonviral corneal infection caused by bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, is an urgent condition in ophthalmology requiring prompt treatment in order to prevent severe complications of corneal perforation and vision loss. It is difficult to distinguish between bacterial and fungal keratitis from image unimodal alone, as the characteristics of the sample images themselves are very close. Therefore, this study aims to develop a new deep learning model called knowledge-enhanced transform-based multimodal classifier that exploited the potential of slit-lamp images along with treatment texts to identify bacterial keratitis (BK) and fungal keratitis (FK). The model performance was evaluated in terms of the accuracy, specificity, sensitivity and the area under the curve (AUC). 704 images from 352 patients were divided into training, validation and testing set. In the testing set, our model reached the best accuracy was 93%, sensitivity was 0.97(95% CI [0.84,1]), specificity was 0.92(95% CI [0.76,0.98]) and AUC was 0.94(95% CI [0.92,0.96]), exceeding the benchmark accuracy of 0.86. The diagnostic average accuracies of BK ranged from 81 to 92%, respectively and those for FK were 89–97%. It is the first study to focus on the influence of disease changes and medication interventions on infectious keratitis and our model outperformed the benchmark models and reaching the state-of-the-art performance.
Identification of serotypes of Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida from pneumonic cases of sheep and goats and their antimicrobial sensitivity profiles in Borana and Arsi zones, Ethiopia
Authors: Girma Sisay , Getachew Latera , Beyene Ayele , Tegegne Desiye Tesfaye , Tesgera Takele , Debelo Motuma , Debano Jarso , Teshome Dereje , Abdisa Kebede , Wirtu Abebe , Tekle Muluken , Abera Birhanu , Tafess Ketema , Dandecha Morka , Abayneh Takele , Getachew Belayneh , Tufa Takele Beyene , Tolera Teshale Sori
Published: June 2023

Respiratory diseases caused by Mannheimia haemolytica (M. haemolytica) and Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) have been known to result in a considerable loss due to mortality and reduced production. This study aimed at isolation and identification of M. haemolytica and P. multocida associated with pneumonic pasteurellosis in sheep and goats using bacteriological and molecular techniques. Identification of serotypes of M. haemolytica and P. multocida was done using indirect haemagglutination test. The in vitro antimicrobial sensitivity profiles of the M. haemolytica were tested using standard disk diffusion method. A total of 52 and 78 nasal swabs were collected from pneumonic cases for bacterial isolation and identification in Borana and Arsi zone, respectively. Four hundred sera samples were collected for identification of serotypes. The results showed that 17 of 52 (32.69%; 95% CI 20.33, 47.11) nasal swabs collected from pneumonic animals in Borana yielded positive results for Pasteurella/Mannheimia species, 13 (25.00%; 95% CI 14.03, 38.95) of which were M. haemolytica. None of the samples yielded P. multocida. Twenty-three of 78 (29.49%; 95% CI 19.69, 40.89) nasal swabs collected at Arsi from pneumonic animals yielded positive results for M. haemolytica (17) and P. multocida (6). Secondary biochemical characterization revealed that 14 of the 17 isolates conform to M. haemolytica whereas none of the 6 isolates suspected to be P. mutocida were confirmed. Eleven (84.62%) isolates from Borana and 4 (28.57%) from Arsi were confirmed to be M. haemolytica using PCR targeting the Rpt2 genes. Assay for M. haemolytica serotype A1 revealed all belong to A1. None of the isolates with cultural and morphological features of P. multocida gave positive results by molecular assay. Serological assay identified three serotypes of M. haemolytica namely A1, A2 and A7 almost in all of the samples whereas P. multocida serotype A was detected in 78.75% of the samples. The M. haemolytica isolates tested for susceptibility to antibiotics showed resistance against Bacitracin (83.33%) and Penicillin (50.00%) while they were found susceptible to Gentamycin (100%), Chloramphenicol (100%) and Sulfamethoxazole (100%) and Tetracycline (83.33%). In conclusion, the results of the present study revealed the association of M. haemolytica with pneumonic pasteurellosis in sheep and goats and can be of use in vaccine development in Ethiopia. Nevertheless, further investigations and continuous monitoring of antimicrobial resistance and appropriate selection and prudent use of antimicrobials in livestock sector are required.
Simple new clinical score to predict hepatocellular carcinoma after sustained viral response with direct-acting antivirals
Authors: Watanabe Takao , Tokumoto Yoshio , Joko Kouji , Michitaka Kojiro , Horiike Norio , Tanaka Yoshinori , Hiraoka Atsushi , Tada Fujimasa , Ochi Hironori , Kisaka Yoshiyasu , Nakanishi Seiji , Yagi Sen , Yamauchi Kazuhiko , Higashino Makoto , Hirooka Kana , Morita Makoto , Okazaki Yuki , Yukimoto Atsushi , Hirooka Masashi , Abe Masanori , Hiasa Yoichi
Published: June 2023

The time point of the most precise predictor of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development after viral eradication with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy is unclear. In this study we developed a scoring system that can accurately predict the occurrence of HCC using data from the optimal time point. A total of 1683 chronic hepatitis C patients without HCC who achieved sustained virological response (SVR) with DAA therapy were split into a training set (999 patients) and a validation set (684 patients). The most accurate predictive scoring system to estimate HCC incidence was developed using each of the factors at baseline, end of treatment, and SVR at 12 weeks (SVR12). Multivariate analysis identified diabetes, the fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index, and the α-fetoprotein level as independent factors at SVR12 that contributed to HCC development. A prediction model was constructed with these factors that ranged from 0 to 6 points. No HCC was observed in the low-risk group. Five-year cumulative incidence rates of HCC were 1.9% in the intermediate-risk group and 15.3% in the high-risk group. The prediction model at SVR12 most accurately predicted HCC development compared with other time points. This simple scoring system combining factors at SVR12 can accurately evaluate HCC risk after DAA treatment.
Year-round spawning of three tropical Cypriniformes fishes in Southeast Asia
Authors: Kahar Rafhiah , Ahmad Norhayati , Arai Takaomi
Published: June 2023

Present knowledge on spawning seasonality of freshwater fishes in tropical Asia and their relationship with environmental factors remains limited. Three Southeast Asian Cypriniformes fishes, Lobocheilos ovalis, Rasbora argyrotaenia and Tor Tambra, found in rainforest streams in Brunei Darussalam were studied on a monthly basis for a period of 2 years. To assess spawning characteristics, seasonality, gonadosomatic index and reproductive phases were examined from 621 L. ovalis, 507 R. argyrotaenia and 138 T. tambra. This study also examined environmental factors such as rainfall, air temperature, photoperiod and lunar illumination that may influence the timing of spawning of these species. We found that L. ovalis, R. argyrotaenia and T. tambra were reproductively active throughout the year but did not find that spawning in these species were associated with any of the investigated environmental factors. Our study showed that the non-seasonal reproductive ecology found in the tropical cypriniform species is distinctly different from that of temperate cypriniforms, which are known to follow spawning seasonality, suggesting an evolutionary adaptation to ensure their survival in an unstable environment. The reproductive strategy and ecological responses found in the tropical cypriniforms might be shifted in response to climate change scenarios in the future.
First lift-off and flight performance of a tailless flapping-wing aerial robot in high-altitude environments
Authors: Tsuchiya Shu , Aono Hikaru , Asai Keisuke , Nonomura Taku , Ozawa Yuta , Anyoji Masayuki , Ando Noriyasu , Kang Chang-kwon , Pohly Jeremy
Published: June 2023

Flapping flight of animals has captured the interest of researchers due to their impressive flight capabilities across diverse environments including mountains, oceans, forests, and urban areas. Despite the significant progress made in understanding flapping flight, high-altitude flight as showcased by many migrating animals remains underexplored. At high-altitudes, air density is low, and it is challenging to produce lift. Here we demonstrate a first lift-off of a flapping wing robot in a low-density environment through wing size and motion scaling. Force measurements showed that the lift remained high at 0.14 N despite a 66% reduction of air density from the sea-level condition. The flapping amplitude increased from 148 to 233 degrees, while the pitch amplitude remained nearly constant at 38.2 degrees. The combined effect is that the flapping-wing robot benefited from the angle of attack that is characteristic of flying animals. Our results suggest that it is not a simple increase in the flapping frequency, but a coordinated increase in the wing size and reduction in flapping frequency enables the flight in lower density condition. The key mechanism is to preserve the passive rotations due to wing deformation, confirmed by a bioinspired scaling relationship. Our results highlight the feasibility of flight under a low-density, high-altitude environment due to leveraging unsteady aerodynamic mechanisms unique to flapping wings. We anticipate our experimental demonstration to be a starting point for more sophisticated flapping wing models and robots for autonomous multi-altitude sensing. Furthermore, it is a preliminary step towards flapping wing flight in the ultra-low density Martian atmosphere.
Statistical optimization of P(3HB-co-3HHx) copolymers production by Cupriavidus necator PHB−4/pBBR_CnPro-phaCRp and its properties characterization
Authors: Trakunjae Chanaporn , Boondaeng Antika , Apiwatanapiwat Waraporn , Janchai Phornphimon , Neoh Soon Zher , Sudesh Kumar , Vaithanomsat Pilanee
Published: June 2023

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) [P(3HB-co-3HHx)] is a bacterial copolymer in the polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) family, a next-generation bioplastic. Our research team recently engineered a newly P(3HB-co-3HHx)-producing bacterial strain, Cupriavidus necator PHB−4/pBBR_CnPro-phaCRp. This strain can produce P(3HB-co-2 mol% 3HHx) using crude palm kernel oil (CPKO) as a sole carbon substrate. However, the improvement of P(3HB-co-3HHx) copolymer production by this strain has not been studied so far. Thus, this study aims to enhance the production of P(3HB-co-3HHx) copolymers containing higher 3HHx monomer compositions using response surface methodology (RSM). Three significant factors for P(3HB-co-3HHx) copolymers production, i.e., CPKO concentration, sodium hexanoate concentration, and cultivation time, were studied in the flask scale. As a result, a maximum of 3.6 ± 0.4 g/L of P(3HB-co-3HHx) with 4 mol% 3HHx compositions was obtained using the RSM optimized condition. Likewise, the higher 3HHx monomer composition (5 mol%) was obtained when scaling up the fermentation in a 10L-stirrer bioreactor. Furthermore, the produced polymer's properties were similar to marketable P(3HB-co-3HHx), making this polymer suitable for a wide range of applications.
Effect of buoyancy loads on the tsunami fragility of existing reinforced concrete frames including consideration of blow-out slabs
Authors: Del Zoppo Marta , Rossetto Tiziana , Di Ludovico Marco , Prota Andrea
Published: June 2023

Currently available performance-based methodologies for assessing the fragility of structures subjected to tsunami neglect the effects of tsunami-induced vertical loads due to internal buoyancy. This paper adopts a generalized methodology for the performance assessment of structures that integrates the effects of buoyancy loads on interior slabs during a tsunami inundation. The methodology is applied in the fragility assessment of three case-study frames (low, mid and high-rise), representative of existing masonry-infilled reinforced concrete (RC) buildings typical of Mediterranean region. The paper shows the effect of modelling buoyancy loads on damage evolution and fragility curves associated with different structural damage mechanisms for existing RC frames with breakaway infill walls including consideration of blow-out slabs. The outcomes attest that buoyancy loads affect the damage assessment of buildings during a tsunami, especially in the case of mid and high-rise structures with blow-out slabs. The rate of occurrence of slabs uplift failure increases with the number of stories of the building, indicating the need to account for such damage mechanism when assessing the performance of structures. It is also found that buoyancy loads slightly affect the fragility curves associated to other structural damage mechanisms for existing RC buildings commonly monitored for fragility assessment.
Human soluble CD39 displays substrate inhibition in a substrate-specific manner
Authors: Vadlamani Venkat M. K. , Gunasinghe Kavinda K. J. , Chee Xavier W. , Rahman Taufiq , Harper Matthew T.
Published: June 2023

CD39 (ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-1; ENTPD1) metabolizes extracellular ATP and ADP to AMP. AMP is subsequently metabolized by CD79 to adenosine. CD39 activity is therefore a key regulator of purinergic signalling in cancer, thrombosis, and autoimmune diseases. In this study we demonstrate that soluble, recombinant CD39 shows substrate inhibition with ADP or ATP as the substrate. Although CD39 activity initially increased with increasing substrate concentration, at high concentrations of ATP or ADP, CD39 activity was markedly reduced. Although the reaction product, AMP, inhibits CD39 activity, insufficient AMP was generated under our conditions to account for the substrate inhibition seen. In contrast, inhibition was not seen with UDP or UTP as substrates. 2-methylthio-ADP also showed no substrate inhibition, indicating the nucleotide base is an important determinant of substrate inhibition. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that ADP can undergo conformational rearrangements within the CD39 active site that were not seen with UDP or 2-methylthio-ADP. Appreciating the existence of substrate inhibition of CD39 will help the interpretation of studies of CD39 activity, including investigations into drugs that modulate CD39 activity.
Perceived barriers to maintain physical activity and its association to mental health status of Bangladeshi adults: a quantile regression approach
Authors: Hasan A. B. M. Nahid , Sharif Azaz Bin , Jahan Ishrat
Published: June 2023

Insufficient physical activity and unhealthy lifestyle preferences have been significant concerns for decades. This study aimed to determine the perceived barriers to maintaining physical activity among adults in three major cities of Bangladesh and their association with mental health status. This is a cross-sectional study where 400 participants were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Twenty municipal wards were randomly selected from three cities, followed by a convenient selection of the study participants from each ward. Questionnaires about perceived physical activity barriers were developed based on previously published literature. The DASS-21 scale assessed the mental health status of the study participants. Descriptive statistics were applied to narrate the baseline characteristics of the respondents. The Shapiro–Wilk test was used to check the normality of the perceived physical activity scores. Quantile regression analysis was applied to model the physical activity barrier scores depending on several covariates. Five quantiles were used: the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant for hypothesis testing. Among the respondents, 68.50% were male, half of them were married, 68.0% belonged to nuclear families, 48.0% completed graduate level education, 34.25% were service holders, one-third of the respondent's working hours were 6–8 h, and 19.50% belongs to the overweight and obese groups. Poor traffic and construction work near the road (60.30%) was seen as the most significant barrier to physical activity. Over half of the respondents stated that lack of time, facilities, and expenses hinder physical activity. Mental health status reported mild to extremely severe levels of depression (32%), anxiety (47%), and stress (42.50%), respectively. Significant associations between the perceived physical activity scores and gender, family type, occupation, income, BMI, anxiety, and depression were obtained. Ensuring a safe environment, facilitating accessibility and availability of low-cost exercise facilities, improving road and traffic conditions, and providing appropriate mental health counseling may help to mitigate physical activity barriers.
Altered Signaling and Desensitization Responses in PTH1R Mutants Associated with Eiken Syndrome
Authors: Portales-Castillo Ignacio , Dean Thomas , Cheloha Ross W. , Creemer Brendan A. , Vilardaga Jean-Pierre , Savransky Sofya , Khatri Ashok , Jüppner Harald , Gardella Thomas J.
Published: June 2023

The parathyroid hormone receptor type 1 (PTH1R) is a G protein-coupled receptor that plays key roles in regulating calcium homeostasis and skeletal development via binding the ligands, PTH and PTH-related protein (PTHrP), respectively. Eiken syndrome is a rare disease of delayed bone mineralization caused by homozygous PTH1R mutations. Of the three mutations identified so far, R485X, truncates the PTH1R C-terminal tail, while E35K and Y134S alter residues in the receptor’s amino-terminal extracellular domain. Here, using a variety of cell-based assays, we show that R485X increases the receptor’s basal rate of cAMP signaling and decreases its capacity to recruit β-arrestin2 upon ligand stimulation. The E35K and Y134S mutations each weaken the binding of PTHrP leading to impaired β-arrestin2 recruitment and desensitization of cAMP signaling response to PTHrP but not PTH. Our findings support a critical role for interaction with β-arrestin in the mechanism by which the PTH1R regulates bone formation.
NFYA promotes malignant behavior of triple-negative breast cancer in mice through the regulation of lipid metabolism
Authors: Okada Nobuhiro , Ueki Chihiro , Shimazaki Masahiro , Tsujimoto Goki , Kohno Susumu , Muranaka Hayato , Yoshikawa Kiyotsugu , Takahashi Chiaki
Published: June 2023

Two splicing variants exist in NFYA that exhibit high expression in many human tumour types. The balance in their expression correlates with prognosis in breast cancer, but functional differences remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that NFYAv1, a long-form variant, upregulates the transcription of essential lipogenic enzymes ACACA and FASN to enhance the malignant behavior of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Loss of the NFYAv1-lipogenesis axis strongly suppresses malignant behavior in vitro and in vivo, indicating that the NFYAv1-lipogenesis axis is essential for TNBC malignant behavior and that the axis might be a potential therapeutic target for TNBC. Furthermore, mice deficient in lipogenic enzymes, such as Acly, Acaca, and Fasn, exhibit embryonic lethality; however, Nfyav1-deficient mice exhibited no apparent developmental abnormalities. Our results indicate that the NFYAv1-lipogenesis axis has tumour-promoting effects and that NFYAv1 may be a safe therapeutic target for TNBC.
Lactobacillus plantarum LLY-606 supplementation ameliorates hyperuricemia via modulating intestinal homeostasis and relieving inflammation
Authors: Shi Renjie , Ye Jin , Fan Hua , Xiao Chunxia , Wang Danna , Xia Bing , Zhao Zhenting , Zhao Beita , Dai Xiaoshuang , Liu Xuebo
Published: June 2023

Lactobacillus plantarum LLY-606 supplementation alleviated hyperuricemia and promoted uric acid metabolism. Lactobacillus plantarum LLY-606 supplementation reshaped gut microbiota and downregulated inflammation.
A dual paper-based nucleic acid extraction method from blood in under ten minutes for point-of-care diagnostics
Authors: Malpartida-Cardenas Kenny , Baum Jake , Cunnington Aubrey , Georgiou Pantelis , Rodriguez-Manzano Jesus
Published: June 2023

Dual, rapid, and simple paper-based nucleic acid extraction method from blood using filter paper for point-of-care diagnostics.
Large-size high-quality CdSe-OPO component for far IR laser output prepared by directional crystal growth technique
Authors: Hu Qianqian , Huang Changbao , Wei Lei , Wu Haixin , Ni Youbao , Yu XueZhou , Song Yanan
Published: June 2023

Φ40 × 100 mm3 CdSe crystal was obtained using a capsuled Mo-crucible method combined with a seed directional technique.
Dual transmission channels at metal–MoS2/WSe2 hetero-bilayer interfaces
Authors: Zou Dongqing , Zhao Wenkai , Xu Yuqing , Li Xiaoteng , Liu Yuliang , Yang Chuanlu
Published: June 2023

Dual transmission paths for electrons and holes exist at the interface between MoS2/WSe2 hetero-bilayers and bulk metals.
Superfluid helium droplet-mediated surface-deposition of neutral and charged silver atomic species
Authors: Fernández Berta , Pi Martí , de Lara-Castells María Pilar
Published: June 2023

High-level ab initio theory, combined with a full quantum description of the superfluid helium nanodroplet motion, provides evidence for the fundamental mechanism of soft-deposition of Ag and Ag+, being the soft-landing favored as the helium nanodroplet size increases.
Adsorption of cesium and strontium on mesoporous silicas
Authors: Murota Kento , Takahashi Yoshio , Saito Takumi
Published: June 2023

log Kint for the outer-sphere adsorption of Sr2+ is constant, whereas that of Cs+ increases as the pore size decreases.
Heterostructured Mo and Co-based phosphides as high-performance bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting
Authors: Yang Hong , Yang Miao , Hu Tuoping , Guo Lijun , Meng Rongqian , Shi Yu , Xu Yajian
Published: June 2023

The catalyst Mo-CoP/Co2P/NF-300 is obtainedviaelectro-deposition and phosphorization reactions and shows high performance for the HER and the OER. The two-electrode electrolyzer based on Mo-CoP/Co2P/NF-300 only requires a low cell voltage.
Rich or poor: the impact of electron donation and withdrawal on the photophysical and photocatalytic properties of copper(i) complexes
Authors: Doettinger Florian , Kleeberg Christian , Queffélec Clémence , Tschierlei Stefanie , Pellegrin Yann , Karnahl Michael
Published: June 2023

Electron donating and withdrawing groups and their impact on the structure–property relationship of heteroleptic copper(i) complexes are studied. Two different photocatalytic reactions are discussed based on fundamental photophysical parameters.
An efficient porous acidic ionic liquid polymer catalyst for Friedel–Crafts acylation reactions
Authors: Zhao Junhu , Li Ming , Yang Peng , Jiang Xiangyang , Lv Zhaojin , Tremblay Pier-Luc , Zhang Tian
Published: June 2023

A new function for a porous acidic ionic liquid polymer as a solid catalyst for Friedel–Crafts acylation.
Second harmonic generation from symmetry breaking stimulated by mixed organic cations in zero-dimensional hybrid metal halides
Authors: Cao Jindong , Liu Kunjie , Quan Mingzhen , Hou An , Jiang Xingxing , Lin Zheshuai , Zhao Jing , Liu Quanlin
Published: June 2023

(C9N3H15)(C9H13SO)MBr6 (M = Bi/Sb) with mixed organic cations crystallizes in the orthorhombic system of the polar space group P212121. Phase-matchable SHG of the title compounds is 1.8 and 1.7 × KH2PO4 in the size range of 300–425 μm, respectively.
Approaching high-performance lithium storage materials of CoNiO2 microspheres wrapped coal tar pitch-derived porous carbon
Authors: Zhang Nan , Qi Si-Yu , Guo Ya-Fei , Wang Peng-Fei , Ren Ning , Yi Ting-Feng
Published: June 2023

Ternary transition metal oxides (TMOs) are deemed as promising anode materials of Li-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to their large theoretical capacity and rich redox reaction.
Light management using photonic structures towards high-index perovskite optoelectronics: fundamentals, designing, and applications
Authors: Zhan Yan , Li Chang , Che Zhigang , Shum Ho Cheung , Hu Xiaotian , Li Huizeng
Published: June 2023

Photonic structures afford robust means to manipulate photons through optical modes. The collective advantages of enhanced light trapping, light extraction, and colorful, semitransparent devices can be achieved by designing structured perovskite optoelectronics.
Designing biomass-integrated solid polymer electrolytes for safe and energy-dense lithium metal batteries
Authors: Sheng Ouwei , Jin Chengbin , Yang Tao , Ju Zhijin , Luo Jianmin , Tao Xinyong
Published: June 2023

By illustrating the correlation between biomass types/properties and material design of solid polymer electrolytes, this review provides an iterative historical perspective and prospects on the development of biomass-integrated polymer electrolytes.
Soy protein compared with whey protein ameliorates insulin resistance by regulating lipid metabolism, AMPK/mTOR pathway and gut microbiota in high-fat diet-fed mice
Authors: Ji Andong , Chen Wei , Liu Chang , Zhang Tianyu , Shi Runjia , Wang Xinqi , Xu Huina , Li Duo
Published: June 2023

Soy protein was more effective than whey protein in preventing insulin resistance in high-fat diet-fed mice by regulating lipid metabolism, the AMPK/mTOR pathway, and gut microbiota.
Sample neutron irradiation with the Min Jiang Testing Reactor (MJTR): implications for high-precision 40Ar/39Ar dating
Authors: Zhang Wan-Feng , Li Jun-Jie , Zheng De-Wen , Sun Shou-Hua , Guo Yu-Fei , Zhang Jia , Xiao Ming , Wang Jun-Jie , Zhang Yu-Lian , Jiang Ying-De , Xu Yi-Gang
Published: June 2023

The Min Jiang Testing Reactor (MJTR) is a new irradiation facility for 40Ar/39Ar geochronology.
Fluorogenic methodology for visualization of phase separation in chemical biology
Authors: Fang Jiabao , Huang Yubo , Wu Jichun , Shen Baoxing , Yang Yaqiong , Ju Minzi
Published: June 2023

A rational detection method to visualize phase separation is crucial for physiological function exploration and pathological function study in live cells.
Esterification of fluorinated aromatic carboxylic acids with methanol by using UiO-66-NH2 as a heterogeneous catalyst and process optimization by the Taguchi method
Authors: Kumar Anuj , Singh Satish Kumar , Sharma Chhaya
Published: June 2023

A study of the catalytic methyl esterification of fluorinated aromatic carboxylic acids (FBAs) using methanol and UiO-66-NH2 as a heterogeneous catalyst. The reaction resulted lesser reaction time along with relatively higher conversion yield as compared to BF3·MeOH.
Deep red emission from rare-earth-free calcium aluminozincate phosphor with the substitution of Cr3+ ion
Authors: Kaur Sumandeep , Kumar Videsh , Rao A. S.
Published: June 2023

Chromium-doped calcium aluminozincate phosphor with a distinct amount of chromium was prepared via the sol–gel technique.
Unraveling the photophysical characteristics and biological applications of vinyl sulfones as viscosity sensors
Authors: Khaikate Onnicha , Pewklang Thitima , Khrootkaew Tunyawat , Chansaenpak Kantapat , Muangsopa Prapassara , Kuhakarn Chutima , Kamkaew Anyanee
Published: June 2023

Vinyl sulfone-NH2 (4d) exhibited an 85-fold increase in fluorescence in a high-viscosity solvent, and the sensor could identify viscosity changes in the microenvironment of cancer cells specifically.
Organic chemistry students’ use of stability in mental models on acid and base strength
Authors: Demirdöğen Betül , Nelsen Isaiah , Lewis Scott E.
Published: June 2023

The Brønsted–Lowry acid–base model is fundamental when discussing acid and base strength in organic chemistry as many of the reactions include a competing proton transfer reaction. This model requires evaluating chemical stability via a consideration of electronic granularity. The purpose of this study is to identify students’ mental models on acid and base strength in terms of granularity and stability. Fourteen students enrolled in organic chemistry participated in this case study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews including total case comparison tasks on stability, acidity, and basicity. Analysis of data revealed that there were four groups of students differentiated by their reasoning: (1) acid and base strength through structure without association to stability, (2) acid and base strength through electronics without association to stability, (3) acid strength associated with electronically centered stability, and (4) acid and base strength associated with electronically centered stability. This characterization can support teaching and research to promote reasoning that leads to a more consistent mental model across acid and base strength.
Molecular mechanisms of processive glycoside hydrolases underline catalytic pragmatism
Authors: Hrmova Maria , Schwerdt Julian G.
Published: June 2023

Processive and distributive catalysis defines the conversion continuum, thus underpinning the transformation of oligo- and polymeric substrates by enzymes. Distributive catalysis follows an association–transformation–dissociation pattern during the formation of enzyme–reactant complexes, whereas during processive catalysis, enzymes partner with substrates and complete multiple catalytic events before dissociation from an enzyme–substrate complex. Here, we focus on processive catalysis in glycoside hydrolases (GHs), which ensures efficient conversions of substrates with high precision, and has the advantage over distributive catalysis in efficiency. The work presented here examines a recent discovery of substrate-product-assisted processive catalysis in the GH3 family enzymes with enclosed pocket-shaped active sites. We detail how GH3 β-d-glucan glucohydrolases exploit a transiently formed lateral pocket for product displacement and reactants sliding (or translocation motion) through the catalytic site without dissociation, including movements during nanoscale binding/unbinding and sliding. The phylogenetic tree of putative 550 Archaean, bacterial, fungal, Viridiplantae, and Metazoan GH3 entries resolved seven lineages that corresponded to major substrate specificity groups. This analysis indicates that two tryptophan residues in plant β-d-glucan glucohydrolases that delineate the catalytic pocket, and infer broad specificity, high catalytic efficiency, and substrate-product-assisted processivity, have evolved through a complex evolutionary process, including horizontal transfer and neo-functionalisation. We conclude that the definition of thermodynamic and mechano-structural properties of processive enzymes is fundamentally important for theoretical and practical applications in bioengineering applicable in various biotechnologies.