bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eugenol functions as a signal mediating cold and drought tolerance via UGT71A59‐mediated glucosylation in tea plants
Authors: Zhao Mingyue , Jin Jieyang , Wang Jingming , Gao Ting , Luo Yu , Jing Tingting , Hu Yutong , Pan Yuting , Lu Mengqian , Schwab Wilfried , Song Chuankui
Published: December 2021

Cold and drought stress are the most critical stresses encountered by crops and occur simultaneously under field conditions. However, it is unclear whether volatiles contribute to both cold and drought tolerance, and if so, by what mechanisms they act. Here, we show that airborne eugenol can be taken up by the tea (Camellia sinensis) plant and metabolized into glycosides, thus enhancing cold and drought tolerance of tea plants. A uridine diphosphate (UDP)‐glucosyltransferase, UGT71A59, was discovered, whose expression is strongly induced by multiple abiotic stresses. UGT71A59 specifically catalyzes glucosylation of eugenol glucoside in vitro and in vivo. Suppression of UGT71A59 expression in tea reduced the accumulation of eugenol glucoside, lowered reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capacity, and ultimately impaired cold and drought stress tolerance. Exposure to airborne eugenol triggered a marked increase in UGT71A59 expression, eugenol glucoside accumulation, and cold tolerance by modulating ROS accumulation and CBF1 expression. It also promoted drought tolerance by altering abscisic acid homeostasis and stomatal closure. CBF1 and CBF3 play positive roles in eugenol‐induced cold tolerance and CBF2 may be a negative regulator of eugenol‐induced cold tolerance in tea plants. These results provide evidence that eugenol functions as a signal in cold and drought tolerance regulation and shed new light on the biological functions of volatiles in the response to multiple abiotic stresses in plants.
The first responder exposure to contaminating powder on dog fur during intranasal and intramuscular naloxone administration
Authors: Essler Jennifer L. , Smith Paige G. , Ruge Carrie E. , Darling Tracy A. , Barr Ciara A. , Otto Cynthia M.
Published: December 2021

Objective

To determine whether first responders delivering naloxone by either the IM or intranasal (IN) route were at risk of contamination with inert powder simulating canine opioid exposure.

Design

Prospective, crossover design.

Setting

Research study (university setting).

Animals

Ten clinically normal working dogs ranging from 9 to 44 months were enrolled based on training to detect odor and ability to be restrained with minimal stress. All enrolled dogs completed both arms of the study without adverse effects.

Interventions

Dogs were randomly assigned to fentanyl reversal with either IM or IN naloxone and then the alternate treatment after a 7‐day washout period. Prior to reversal, dogs’ heads were brushed with an inert glow‐in‐the‐dark powder. First responders (the same 2 individuals for all dogs) performing the reversal were photographed under ultraviolet light prior to and 5 min after administering the medication. Digital photographs were scored by body region for presence of glowing powder by observers blinded to timing of photograph (pre‐ or postreversal) and route of reversal (IM vs IN).

Measurements and Main Results

Compared to pretreatment, the inert powder scores were higher after treatment regardless of route of naloxone administration (P < 0.001). IN administration led to higher contamination than IM naloxone, particularly in the chest area (P = 0.012).

Conclusions

Both IN and IM naloxone administration to dogs with clinical signs of opioid exposure result in a risk of first responders becoming contaminated with powder, which could include opioids. Awareness, proper personal protective equipment, and appropriate posttreatment decontamination are important to reduce risk of inadvertent exposure of mucous membranes to these contaminating powders.
A Comparative Study of Virtual Footwear Try-On Applications in Virtual and Augmented Reality
Authors: Chu Chih-Hsing , Chen Yi-An , Huang Ying-Yin , Lee Yun-Ju
Published: December 2021

Virtual try-on technology (VTO) in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) has been developed for years to create novel shopping experiences for users by allowing them to virtually wear fashion products. Compared to garments or facial accessories, fewer studies have focused on virtual footwear try-on, regardless of user study or technical development. Thus, it is necessary to examine the effectiveness of existing VTO applications on the user's affective responses. In this study, we compared the user experience of three different footwear try-on methods (real, VR, and AR) with both physiological and psychological measures. Subjects conducted a try-on experiment on different pairs of sneakers. Each subject’s gaze trajectory was recorded using an eye tracker and analyzed to show his/her visual attention in each method. Afterward, the subjects completed questionnaires to assess the sense of presence, usability, and the user experience score for the try-on processes, and subsequently attended a think-aloud procedure to express their thoughts. The analysis results of the collected data showed that the user experience produced by the VR and AR try-on is not comparable to that of the real environment. The results also revealed factors that negatively affect the quality of the user's interaction with the processes. These findings may provide insights into further improvements in VTO technology.
A Short Inroad to Optimized Compactification of Composite Neutronic Shields
Authors: Haidar Nassar H. S.
Published: December 2021

Compact neutronic shields for mobile nuclear reactors or accelerator-based neutron beams are known to be optimized multilayered composites. This paper is a simplified short inroad to the complex problem of optimizing the design of such shields when they attenuate a neutron beam to extremise certain quality criteria, in plane geometry, subject to equality and inequality constraints. In the equality constraints, the interfacial polychromatic neutron fluxes are solutions to course-mesh finite difference holonomic state equations. The set of these interfacial fluxes act as state variables, while the set of layer thicknesses, or their poisoning (by added neutron absorbers) concentrations are decision variables. The entire procedure is then demonstrated to be reducible to standard Kuhn-Tucker semilinear programing that may also lead robustly to an optimal sequence for these layers.
Magnetron co-sputtered μm-thick Mo–Cu films as structural material with low heat extension for key parts of high-power millimeter-band vacuum microelectronic devices
Authors: Starodubov Andrey V. , Serdobintsev Alexey A. , Galushka Viktor V. , Kozhevnikov Ilya O. , Pavlov Anton M. , Ulisse Giacomo , Krozer Viktor , Ryskin Nikita M.
Published: December 2021

The development of high-power millimeter and THz-band vacuum microelectronic devices (μVEDs) demands structural materials with special properties. In particular, key components of μVEDs must retain their dimensions when heated while operating at higher power levels. A molybdenum-copper alloy is a promising material, thanks to the low thermal expansion of molybdenum and the remarkable thermal and electrical conductivity of copper. However, such alloys can only be obtained by a limited number of techniques that are rather complicated. Thus, the goal of this work is the implementation of vacuum magnetron co-deposition as a facile method in the fabrication of μm-thick Mo–Cu films. Such films are very promising for the microfabrication of microstrip slow-wave structures for high-power millimeter and THz-band μVEDs. This study is focused on controlling the morphology, resistivity, and roughness of the fabricated thin films by changing the deposition process parameters, such as the sputtered Cu and Mo ratio and substrate temperature.
The edge profile of liquid spills
Authors: Behroozi F.
Published: December 2021

The Young–Laplace (Y–L) equation relates the curvature of the interface between two fluids to the pressure difference across that interface. The link between the surface curvature and pressure discontinuity underpins numerous phenomena in hydrostatics, including the profiles of sessile (immobile) drops, pendant drops, capillary bridges, and liquid pearls. In most cases, the application of the Y–L equation readily yields the governing differential equations of the fluid surface but often these equations have no analytic solutions; this is the case, for example, with the profile of a dew drop or a liquid pendant. There are, however, some cases for which the differential equations have closed form solutions; one is the edge profile of a liquid spill or puddle on a horizontal surface. Here, we review the Y–L equation and apply it to obtain the governing differential equations of the edge profile for a liquid spill. The solution of the differential equations results in a universal function that describes the edge profile of any fluid. One important finding is that the profile curve begins its descent very gradually from the flat top of the fluid far away from the edge and terminates at the point, where the angle between the profile curve and the horizontal matches the equilibrium contact angle of the liquid on the substrate.
Specificities of Gβγ subunits for the SNARE complex before and after stimulation of α
2a
-adrenergic receptors
Authors: Yim Yun Young , McDonald W. Hayes , Betke Katherine M. , Kaya Ali , Hyde Karren , Erreger Kevin , Gilsbach Ralf , Hein Lutz , Hamm Heidi E.
Published: December 2021

The Gβ and Gγ subunits that mediate the inhibition of synaptic transmission in mouse brain are identified.
New Insights into Antimalarial Chemopreventive Activity of Antifolates
Authors: Pethrak Chatpong , Posayapisit Navaporn , Pengon Jutharat , Suwanakitti Nattida , Saeung Atiporn , Shorum Molnipha , Aupalee Kittipat , Taai Kritsana , Yuthavong Yongyuth , Kamchonwongpaisan Sumalee , Jupatanakul Natapong
Published: December 2021

Antifolates targeting dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) are antimalarial compounds that have long been used for malaria treatment and chemoprevention (inhibition of infection from mosquitoes to humans). Despite their extensive applications, a thorough understanding of antifolate activity against hepatic malaria parasites, especially resistant parasites, has yet to be achieved.
Staphylococcus aureus Efflux Pumps and Tolerance to Ciprofloxacin and Chlorhexidine following Induction by Mupirocin
Authors: Truong-Bolduc Q. C. , Wang Y. , Reedy J. L. , Vyas J. M. , Hooper D. C.
Published: December 2021

Mupirocin induced expression of genes encoding efflux pumps NorA and MepA as well as a yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) fluorescence reporter of NorA. Mupirocin exposure also produced reduced susceptibility to pump substrates ciprofloxacin and chlorhexidine, a change that was dependent on intact
norA
and
mepA
, respectively.
Successful Treatment of Disseminated Disease Due to Highly Resistant Aspergillus calidoustus with a Novel Antifungal Therapy
Authors: Camargo Jose F. , Jabr Ra’ed , Anderson Anthony D. , Lekakis Lazaros , Diaz-Paez Meilin , Briski Laurence M. , Raja Mohammed , Morris Michele I. , Komanduri Krishna V. , Pereira Denise
Published: December 2021

Invasive aspergillosis is the most common invasive mold infection following a hematopoietic cell transplant. Widespread use of antifungal prophylaxis has led to the increasing incidence of cryptic
Aspergillus
species.
Aspergillus calidoustus
is one of those emerging species and is notorious for multidrug resistance to antifungals.
Single-Cell Time-Lapse Observation Reveals Cell Shrinkage upon Cell Death in Batch Culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Kato Setsu , Suzuki Kenta , Kenjo Taiki , Kato Junya , Aoi Yoshiteru , Nakashimada Yutaka
Published: December 2021

Cells display various behaviors even though they originate from a clonal population. Such diversity is also observed in cell survival in the stationary phase of
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
.
Antenna Modification Leads to Enhanced Nitrogenase Activity in a High Light-Tolerant Cyanobacterium
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Anindita , Ye Zi , Benedikty Zuzana , Trtilek Martin , Pakrasi Himadri B.
Published: December 2021

The function of phycobilisomes, the large antenna protein complexes in heterocysts has long been debated. This study provides direct evidence of the involvement of these proteins in supporting nitrogenase activity in
Anabaena
33047, a heterocystous cyanobacterium that has an affinity for high light intensities.
Ancient Metagenomic Studies: Considerations for the Wider Scientific Community
Authors: Der Sarkissian Clio , Velsko Irina M. , Fotakis Anna K. , Vågene Åshild J. , Hübner Alexander , Fellows Yates James A.
Published: December 2021

Like modern metagenomics, ancient metagenomics is a highly data-rich discipline, with the added challenge that the DNA of interest is degraded and, depending on the sample type, in low abundance. This requires the application of specialized measures during molecular experiments and computational analyses.
Human intrinsic choroidal neurons do not alter the expression of intrinsic markers in response to pressure
Authors: Platzl Christian , Kaser-Eichberger Alexandra , Wolfmeier Heidi , Trost Andrea , Schroedl Falk
Published: December 2021

Background

The choroid is densely innervated by all parts of the autonomic nervous system and further harbours a network of local nerve cells, the intrinsic choroidal neurons (ICN). Their function in ocular control is currently unknown. While morphological data assume a role in intraocular pressure regulation, we here test if increased pressure on isolated choroids may activate ICN.

Methods

Donor tissue was transferred into a pressurisable tissue culture chamber, and nasal and temporal choroid halves incubated for 1 or 4 hours, with pressures set to 15 or 50 mm Hg, followed by qRT-PCR expression analysis of the ICN-specific markers VIP, UCN, NOS1, UCH-L1. POL2-normalised data in the different pressure settings, incubation times and localisations were statistically analysed.

Results

The presence of the ICN-specific markers VIP, UCN, NOS1, UCH-L1 was confirmed using immunohistochemistry, and mRNA of all markers was detected in all experimental conditions. Marker analysis revealed no significant changes of mRNA expression levels between 15 and 50 mm Hg in the different incubation times. When comparing all samples over all experimental conditions, a significant increase of VIP and NOS1 mRNA was detected in temporal versus nasal choroids.

Conclusion

In this functional analysis of human ICN in vitro, higher amounts of VIP and NOS1 mRNA were detected in the temporal choroid, that is, the choroidal site with ICN accumulation. Further, our data indicate that elevated pressure is apparently not able to trigger ICN responses via the investigated markers. Alternative markers and stimuli need to be investigated in upcoming studies in order to unravel ICN function.
Kyushu and Okinawa Population Study (KOPS): a large prospective cohort study in Japan
Authors: Ikezaki Hiroaki , Furusyo Norihiro , Nakashima Ryoko , Umemoto Makiko , Yamamoto Ken , Matsumoto Yuji , Ohta Azusa , Yamasaki Sho , Hiramine Satoshi , Takayama Koji , Ogawa Eiichi , Toyoda Kazuhiro , Murata Masayuki , Shimono Nobuyuki , Hayashi Jun
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The Kyushu and Okinawa Population Study (KOPS) was established to investigate gene–environmental interactions in non-communicable diseases in Japan. Besides collecting blood samples and anthropometric measurements, we also obtained medical histories, psychological status and lifestyle habits, including physical activities and dietary patterns.

Participants

KOPS is a community-based prospective cohort study and consists of participants from four southwestern areas in Japan. Baseline surveys were conducted between 2004 and 2007 (wave 1), and 2009 and 2012 (wave 2) at the sites of municipality-based health check-ups. A total of 17 077 participants were included, comprising 10 697 participants of wave 1 and 6380 participants of wave 2; the median age in both groups was 61 years. Among them, 3006 individuals participated in both wave 1 and wave 2 surveys.

Findings to date

We have focused on either risk or confounding factors for non-communicable diseases. We have assessed the clinical utility of the newly developed biomarkers for impaired glucose tolerance, such as urinary myo-inositol and glycated albumin, and atherosclerosis, such as small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. We have conducted an international collaborative study with Framingham Offspring Study to investigate ethnic differences in impaired glucose tolerance and cardiovascular diseases. We have found that insulin resistance and deficiency might account for the ethnic differences in impaired glucose tolerance and cardiovascular disease risks. As gene–environmental interaction analyses, we found a synergic effect ofinterleukin 28Bsingle nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and gender on the spontaneous elimination of hepatitis C, and a beneficial interaction of SNPs of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and gender on the impact of physical activity. In addition, we reported eight novel loci contributing to the development and severity of coronary artery disease from a large genome-wide association study.

Future plans

We plan to investigate further the clinical utility of the newly developed biomarkers and the gene–environmental interactions using prospective data.
Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 is not predictive of cardiac events in patients with non-low-risk chest pain
Authors: Ashburn Nicklaus P , Snavely Anna C , Allen Brandon R , Christenson Robert H , Herrington David M , Hiestand Brian C , Miller Chadwick D , Stopyra Jason P , Mahler Simon A
Published: December 2021

Background

Prior studies suggest monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) may be useful for risk stratifying ED patients with chest pain. We hypothesise that MCP-1 will be predictive of 90-day major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in non-low-risk patients.

Methods

A case–control study was nested within a prospective multicentre cohort (STOP-CP), which enrolled adult patients being evaluated for acute coronary syndrome at eight US EDs from 25 January 2017 to 06 September 2018. Patients with a History, ECG, Age, and Risk factor score (HEAR score) ≥4 or coronary artery disease (CAD), a non-ischaemic ECG, and non-elevated contemporary troponins at 0 and 3 hours were included. Cases were patients with 90-day MACE (all-cause death, myocardial infarction or revascularisation). Controls were patients without MACE selected with frequency matching using age, sex, race, and HEAR score or the presence of CAD. Serum MCP-1 was measured. Sensitivity and specificity were determined for cut-off points of 194 pg/mL, 200 pg/mL, 238 pg/mL and 281 pg/mL. Logistic regression adjusting for age, sex, race, and HEAR score/presence of CAD was used to determine the association between MCP-1 and 90-day MACE. A separate logistic model also included high-sensitivity troponin (hs-cTnT).

Results

Among 40 cases and 179 controls, there was no difference in age (p=0.90), sex (p=1.00), race (p=0.85), or HEAR score/presence of CAD (p=0.89). MCP-1 was similar in cases (median 191.9 pg/mL, IQR: 161.8–260.1) and controls (median 196.6 pg/mL, IQR: 163.0–261.1) (p=0.48). At a cut-off point of 194 pg/mL, MCP-1 was 50.0% (95% CI 33.8% to 66.2%) sensitive and 46.9% (95% CI 39.4% to 54.5%) specific for 90-day MACE. After adjusting for covariates, MCP-1 was not associated with 90-day MACE at any cut-off point (at 194 pg/mL, OR 0.88 (95% CI 0.43 to 1.79)). When including hs-cTnT in the model, MCP-1 was not associated with 90-day MACE at any cut-off point (at 194 pg/mL, OR 0.85 (95% CI 0.42 to 1.73)).

Conclusion

MCP-1 is not predictive of 90-day MACE in patients with non-low-risk chest pain.
Higher chances of survival to hospital admission after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in patients with previously diagnosed heart disease
Authors: van Dongen Laura H , Blom Marieke T , de Haas Sandra C M , van Weert Henk C P M , Elders Petra J M , Tan Hanno L
Published: December 2021

Aim

This study aimed to determine whether patients suffering from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with a pre-OHCA diagnosis of heart disease have higher survival chances than patients without such a diagnosis and to explore possible underlying mechanisms.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study in 3760 OHCA patients from the Netherlands (2010–2016) was performed. Information from emergency medical services, treating hospitals, general practitioner, resuscitation ECGs and civil registry was used to assess medical histories and the presence of pre-OHCA diagnosis of heart disease. We used multivariable regression analysis to calculate associations with survival to hospital admission or discharge, immediate causes of OHCA (acute myocardial infarction (AMI) vs non-AMI) and initial recorded rhythm.

Results

Overall, 48.1% of OHCA patients had pre-OHCA heart disease. These patients had higher odds to survive to hospital admission than patients without pre-OHCA heart disease (OR 1.25 (95%CI 1.05 to 1.47)), despite being older and more often having cardiovascular risk factors and some non-cardiac comorbidities. These patients also had higher odds of shockable initial rhythm (SIR) (OR 1.60 (1. 36 to 1.89)) and a lower odds of AMI as immediate cause of OHCA (OR 0.33 (0.25 to 0.42)). Their chances of survival to hospital discharge were not significantly larger (OR 1.16 (0.95 to 1.42)).

Conclusion

Having pre-OHCA diagnosed heart disease is associated with better odds to survive to hospital admission, but not to hospital discharge. This is associated with higher odds of a SIR and in a subgroup with available diagnosis a lower proportion of AMI as immediate cause of OHCA.
Association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and subclinical atherosclerosis in Western and Asian cohorts: an updated meta-analysis
Authors: Wong Mark Yu Zheng , Yap Jonathan Jiunn Liang , Sultana Rehena , Cheah Mark , Goh George Boon Bee , Yeo Khung Keong
Published: December 2021

Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease, with ethnic and regional differences noted. With the recent surge of research within this field, we re-examine the evidence associating NAFLD with subclinical atherosclerosis, and investigate potential regional differences.

Methods

This is a systematic review and meta-analysis. PubMed and EMBASE were systematically searched for publications from January 1967 to July 2020 using standardised criteria. Original, observational studies investigating the association between NAFLD and either carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and/or coronary artery calcification (CAC) were included. Key outcomes included differences in mean CIMT, the presence of increased CIMT, the presence of CAC and the development/progression of CAC. Pooled ORs and pooled standard differences in means were calculated using random-effects models. Between-study heterogeneity was quantified using the Q statistic and I². Subgroup analyses stratified by region of study (Asian vs Western) were also conducted.

Results

64 studies involving a total of 172 385 participants (67 404 with NAFLD) were included. 44 studies assessed the effect of NAFLD on CIMT, with the presence of NAFLD associated with increased CIMT (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.56 to 2.56). 22 studies assessed the effects of NAFLD on CAC score, with the presence of NAFLD associated with the presence of any coronary calcification (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.32), and the development/progression of CAC (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.52). When stratified by region, these associations remained consistent across both Asian and Western populations (p>0.05). The majority (n=39) of studies were classified as ‘high quality’, with the remaining 25 of ‘moderate quality’.

Conclusions

There is a significant positive association between various measures of subclinical atherosclerosis and NAFLD, seen across both Western and Asian populations. These results re-emphasise the importance of early risk evaluation and prophylactic intervention measures to preclude progression to clinical cardiovascular disease in patients with NAFLD.
High levels of interleukin-6 are associated with final infarct size and adverse clinical events in patients with STEMI
Authors: Tøllefsen Ingvild Maria , Shetelig Christian , Seljeflot Ingebjørg , Eritsland Jan , Hoffmann Pavel , Andersen Geir Øystein
Published: December 2021

Objective

Inflammation has emerged as a new treatment target in patients with coronary artery disease and inflammation seems to play an important role in ischaemia/reperfusion injury that follows ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aimed to explore the role of acute and sustained interleukin 6 (IL-6) signalling, including soluble IL-6 receptor (IL-6R), with regard to infarct size, adverse remodelling and future cardiovascular events in patients with STEMI.

Methods

We included 269 patients with first-time STEMI, symptom duration <6 hours and treated with percutaneous coronary intervention. Blood sampling and cardiac MRI were performed in the acute phase and after 4 months. Clinical events and all-cause mortality were registered during 12-month and 70-month follow-up, respectively.

Results

IL-6 levels above median at all sampling points were significantly associated with increased infarct size and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). IL-6 levels in the highest quartile were at all sampling points associated with an increased risk of having an adverse clinical event during the first 12 months and with long-term all-cause mortality. IL-6R was not associated with infarct size, LVEF, myocardial salvage or long-term all-cause mortality.

Conclusion

Acute and sustained elevation of IL-6 measured 4 months after STEMI were associated with larger infarct size, reduced LVEF and adverse clinical events including all-cause mortality. The results add important information to the sustained role of inflammation in patients with STEMI and IL-6 as a potential target for long-term intervention.

Trial registration number

NCT00922675.
Doxorubicin-induced apoptosis enhances monocyte infiltration and adverse cardiac remodeling in diabetic animals
Authors: Aluganti Narasimhulu Chandrakala , Singla Dinender K.
Published: December 2021

Diabetic cancer patients were treated with doxorubicin (DOX), a potent chemotherapeutic drug that induces cardiac toxicity; however, molecular mechanisms of cardiac toxicity in this specific disease progression in patients and animal models are completely unknown. Therefore, we designed a study to understand the effects of DOX-induced cardiac toxicity in diabetic animals and the involved pathophysiological mechanisms. C57BL/6 J mice were divided into four DOX- and diabetic (streptozotocin; STZ) – treated groups; control, STZ, DOX, and DOX+STZ. At day 14, animals were sacrificed, echocardiography was used to examine heart function, and heart and blood samples were collected to investigate apoptotic mechanisms (caspase 3, BAX, B-Cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (Bcl2)), inflammation, and cardiac remodeling. Our data shows a significant (p < 0.05) increase in glucose levels, apoptotic markers, and monocyte infiltration at the site of apoptosis and triggered inflammatory immune response (tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6)), in DOX+STZ animals compared with control and experimental groups. We also observed significant (p < 0.05) increase in myofibrillar area, fibrosis, and significantly decreased (p < 0.05) cardiac function in DOX-treated diabetic animals compared with controls. In conclusion, our data suggest that DOX induces significantly increased apoptosis, fibrosis, and structural alterations in diabetic hearts compared with non-diabetic animals.
Accelerating LHC phenomenology with analytic one-loop amplitudes
Authors: Campbell John M. , Höche Stefan , Preuss Christian T.
Published: December 2021

The evaluation of one-loop matrix elements is one of the main bottlenecks in precision calculations for the high-luminosity phase of the Large Hadron Collider. To alleviate this problem, a new C++ interface to the "Image missing" parton-level Monte Carlo is introduced, giving access to an extensive library of analytic results for one-loop amplitudes. Timing comparisons are presented for a large set of Standard Model processes. These are relevant for high-statistics event simulation in the context of experimental analyses and precision fixed-order computations.
Curcumin Inhibits T Follicular Helper Cell Differentiation in Mice with Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-Induced Colitis
Authors: Wang Hai-Yan , Ge Wei , Liu Su-Qing , Long Jian , Jiang Qing-Qing , Zhou Wen , Zuo Zheng-Yun , Liu Duan-Yong , Zhao Hai-Mei , Zhong You-Bao
Published: December 2021

Follicular helper T cells (Tfh) regulate the differentiation of germinal center B cells and maintain humoral immunity. Notably, imbalances in Tfh differentiation often lead to the development of autoimmune diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Curcumin, a natural product derived from Curcuma longa, is effective in relieving IBD in humans and animals, and its mechanisms of immune regulation need further elaboration. In this study, dextran sodium sulfate induced ulcerative colitis in BALB/c mice, and curcumin was administered simultaneously for 7 days. Curcumin effectively upregulated the change rate of mouse weight, colonic length, down-regulated colonic weight, index of colonic weight, colonic damage score and the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-12, IL-23 and TGF-[Formula: see text]1 in colonic tissues of colitis mice. Importantly, curcumin regulated the differentiation balance of Tfh and their subpopulation in colitis mice; the percentages of Tfh (CD4[Formula: see text]CXCR5[Formula: see text]BCL-6[Formula: see text], CD4[Formula: see text]CXCR5[Formula: see text]PD-1[Formula: see text], CD4[Formula: see text]CXCR5[Formula: see text]PD-L1[Formula: see text], CD4[Formula: see text]CXCR5[Formula: see text]ICOS[Formula: see text], Tfh17 and Tem-Tfh were downregulated significantly, while CD4[Formula: see text]CXCR5[Formula: see text]Blimp-1[Formula: see text], Tfh1, Tfh10, Tfh21, Tfr, Tcm-Tfh and Tem-GC Tfh were upregulated. In addition, curcumin inhibited the expression of Tfh-related transcription factors BCL-6, p-STAT3, Foxp1, Roquin-1, Roquin-2 and SAP, and significantly upregulated the protein levels of Blimp-1 and STAT3 in colon tissue. In conclusion, curcumin may be effective in alleviating dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis by regulating Tfh differentiation.
3.48-nW 58.4ppm/°C Sub-threshold CMOS Voltage Reference with Four Transistors and Two Resistors
Authors: Rasekhi Mohammadreza , Ebrahimi Emad , Aminzadeh Hamed
Published: December 2021

In this paper, an ultra-low power CMOS voltage reference capable of operating at sub-1[Formula: see text]V input supply is proposed. Four transistors biased in weak inversion are used to generate the required complementary-to-absolute-temperature (CTAT) and proportional-to-absolute-temperature (PTAT) voltages of the proposed circuit. Self-biasing of nature of the proposed configuration in the form of operational amplifier (opamp)-free ensure nano-power operation and eliminate the need for lateral bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) and offset cancelation techniques. A prototype of the circuit is designed and simulated in a standard 0.18-[Formula: see text]m CMOS process. Post-layout simulation results show that the circuit generates a reference voltage of 494[Formula: see text]mV with temperature coefficient (TC) of 58.4[Formula: see text]ppm/∘C across [Formula: see text]C to 85∘C; while the consuming power is lowered to 3.48[Formula: see text]nW at the minimum supply of 0.8[Formula: see text]V. The line sensitivity is 0.7%/V for the supply voltages from 0.8[Formula: see text]V to 1.8[Formula: see text]V, whereas the power supply ripple rejection (PSRR) is [Formula: see text]49.06[Formula: see text]dB at 1[Formula: see text]Hz. Monte Carlo simulation results of the voltage reference show a mean value of 497.2[Formula: see text]mV with [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text] of 1.7%, demonstrating the robustness of the generated reference voltage against the process variations and mismatch.
Center Bifurcation in the Lozi Map
Authors: Sushko Iryna , Avrutin Viktor , Gardini Laura
Published: December 2021

We consider the well-known Lozi map, which is a 2D piecewise linear map depending on two parameters. This map can be considered as a piecewise linear analog of the Hénon map, allowing to simplify the rigorous proof of the existence of a chaotic attractor. The related parameter values belong to a part of the parameter plane where the map has two saddle fixed points. In the present paper, we investigate a different part of the parameter plane, namely, the vicinity of the curve related to a center bifurcation of the fixed point. A distinguishing property of the Lozi map is that it is conservative at the parameter value corresponding to this bifurcation. As a result, the bifurcation structure close to the center bifurcation curve is quite complicated. In particular, an attracting fixed point (focus) can coexist with various attracting cycles, as well as with chaotic attractors, and the number of coexisting attractors increases as the parameter point approaches the center bifurcation curve. The main result of the present paper is related to the rigorous description of this bifurcation structure. Specifically, we obtain, in explicit form, the boundaries of the main periodicity regions associated with the pairs of complementary cycles with rotation number [Formula: see text]. Similar approach can be applied to other periodicity regions. Our study contributes also to the border collision bifurcation theory since the Lozi map is a particular case of the 2D border collision normal form.
Switching between Dissipative and Conservative Behaviors in a Modified Hyperchaotic System with the Variation of Its Parameter
Authors: Singh Jay Prakash , Rajagopal Karthikeyan , Roy Binoy Krishna
Published: December 2021

The paper reports a modified 4D autonomous hyperchaotic system with an unusual characteristic. The modified system exhibits dissipative behavior for some ranges of a parameter and conservative behavior for the other ranges of the same parameter. Thus, there is a switching between dissipative and conservative behaviors of the proposed system. In the conservative range, the system exhibits chaotic orbit. Again in the dissipative range, the system, with its considered sets of parameters, exhibits strange attractors. Thus, both the dissipative and conservative behaviors exist in the same system with the switching of its parameter. Such behavior of a system is rarely reported in the literature. Further, the equilibria of the system are located on the surface-shape. The proposed system is implemented and simulated using Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and Multisim simulation softwares.
Generating Multiple Spherical Attractors via Parameter Switching Control
Authors: Sun Changchun , Xu Qicheng
Published: December 2021

A three-dimensional smooth continuous-time system with a parameter and two quadratic terms is constructed and a spherical attractor is generated. There exist multiple coexisting spherical attractors based on offset boosting. Two classes of switching signals that depend on the time and the state are designed respectively. By employing a parameter switching control technique, multiple spherical attractors can be generated. Simultaneously, complex chaotic attractors can also be generated by designing a state-dependent switching signal. Numerical examples and corresponding simulations show the effectiveness of the switching control technique.
Effect of Static Bifurcation on Logical Stochastic Resonance in a Symmetric Bistable System
Authors: Huang Shengping , Yang Jianhua , Liu Huayu , Sanjuán Miguel A. F.
Published: December 2021

In previous research works, logical stochastic resonance (LSR) was reported to frequently occur in an asymmetric bistable system, where the bias parameter is the key factor to make the LSR appear. In this work, we investigate the effect of different anharmonic periodic signals on the pitchfork and saddle-node bifurcations in a symmetric bistable system. We focus on the relationship between the static bifurcation and LSR. We use both numerical and circuit simulations to analyze some interesting phenomena. Like the bias parameter, some anharmonic periodic signals also break the symmetry of the symmetric bistable system and lead to the saddle-node bifurcation. The anharmonic periodic signal with a constant term in its expanded Fourier series induces a reliable LSR in the symmetric bistable system. The key factor of LSR is the saddle-node bifurcation which implies the asymmetry of the system. Here, we replace the bias parameter by choosing an anharmonic periodic signal and make the LSR occur in a different way.
Limit Cycles from Hopf Bifurcation in Nongeneric Quadratic Reversible Systems with Piecewise Perturbations
Authors: Zhu Chunyu , Tian Yun
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we consider a nongeneric quadratic reversible system with piecewise polynomial perturbations. We use the expansion of the first order Melnikov function to obtain the maximal number of small-amplitude limit cycles produced by Hopf bifurcation in the perturbed systems.
Uniform and Completely Nonequilibrium Invariant States for Weak Coupling Limit Type Quantum Markov Semigroups Associated with Eulerian Cycles
Authors: Cruz de la Rosa M. A. , García-Corte J. C. , Guerrero-Poblet F.
Published: December 2021

We define the uniform and completely nonequilibrium invariant states, which are associated with Eulerian cycles; once we did this, we use the Hierholzer’s algorithm to obtain a canonical Euler-Hierholzer cycle, and for it, characterize the invariant state. For the simplest case of nonequilibrium, we give sufficient conditions for these states to be invariant and write its eigenvalues explicitly.
“In-Network Ensemble”: Deep Ensemble Learning with Diversified Knowledge Distillation
Authors: Li Xingjian , Xiong Haoyi , Chen Zeyu , Huan Jun , Xu Cheng-Zhong , Dou Dejing
Published: December 2021

Ensemble learning is a widely used technique to train deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for improved robustness and accuracy. While existing algorithms usually first train multiple diversified networks and then assemble these networks as an aggregated classifier, we propose a novel learning paradigm, namely,
“In-Network Ensemble”
(
INE
) that incorporates the diversity of multiple models through training a SINGLE deep neural network. Specifically,
INE
segments the outputs of the CNN into multiple independent classifiers, where each classifier is further fine-tuned with better accuracy through a so-called
diversified knowledge distillation process
. We then aggregate the fine-tuned independent classifiers using an Averaging-and-Softmax operator to obtain the final ensemble classifier. Note that, in the supervised learning settings,
INE
starts the CNN training from random, while, under the transfer learning settings, it also could start with a pre-trained model to incorporate the knowledge learned from additional datasets. Extensive experiments have been done using eight large-scale real-world datasets, including CIFAR, ImageNet, and Stanford Cars, among others, as well as common deep network architectures such as VGG, ResNet, and Wide ResNet. We have evaluated the method under two tasks: supervised learning and transfer learning. The results show that
INE
outperforms the state-of-the-art algorithms for deep ensemble learning with improved accuracy.
Toxic Comment Classification Based on Bidirectional Gated Recurrent Unit and Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Wang Zhongguo , Zhang Bao
Published: December 2021

For English toxic comment classification, this paper presents the model that combines Bi-GRU and CNN optimized by global average pooling (BG-GCNN) based on the
bidirectional gated recurrent unit (Bi-GRU)
and global pooling optimized
convolution neural network (CNN)
. The model treats each type of toxic comment as a binary classification. First, Bi-GRU is used to extract the time-series features of the comment and then the dimensionality is reduced through global pooling optimized convolution neural network. Finally, the classification result is output by Sigmoid function. Comparative experiments show the BG-GCNN model has a better classification effect than Text-CNN, LSTM, Bi-GRU, and other models. The Macro-F1 value of the toxic comment dataset on the Kaggle competition platform is 0.62. The F1 values of the three toxic label classification results (toxic, obscene, and insult label) are 0.81, 0.84, and 0.74, respectively, which are the highest values in the comparative experiment.
Toward Fair Recommendation in Two-sided Platforms
Authors: Biswas Arpita , Patro Gourab K. , Ganguly Niloy , Gummadi Krishna P. , Chakraborty Abhijnan
Published: December 2021

Many online platforms today (such as Amazon, Netflix, Spotify, LinkedIn, and AirBnB) can be thought of as two-sided markets with producers and customers of goods and services. Traditionally, recommendation services in these platforms have focused on maximizing customer satisfaction by tailoring the results according to the personalized preferences of individual customers. However, our investigation reinforces the fact that such customer-centric design of these services may lead to unfair distribution of exposure to the producers, which may adversely impact their well-being. However, a pure producer-centric design might become unfair to the customers. As more and more people are depending on such platforms to earn a living, it is important to ensure fairness to both producers and customers. In this work, by mapping a fair personalized recommendation problem to a constrained version of the problem of fairly allocating indivisible goods, we propose to provide fairness guarantees for both sides. Formally, our proposed
FairRec
algorithm guarantees Maxi-Min Share of exposure for the producers, and Envy-Free up to One Item fairness for the customers. Extensive evaluations over multiple real-world datasets show the effectiveness of
FairRec
in ensuring two-sided fairness while incurring a marginal loss in overall recommendation quality. Finally, we present a modification of
FairRec
(named as
FairRecPlus
) that at the cost of additional computation time, improves the recommendation performance for the customers, while maintaining the same fairness guarantees.
Chiral Induced Spin Selectivity and Its Implications for Biological Functions
Authors: Naaman Ron , Paltiel Yossi , Waldeck David H.
Published: December 2021

Chirality in life has been preserved throughout evolution. It has been assumed that the main function of chirality is its contribution to structural properties. In the past two decades, however, it has been established that chiral molecules possess unique electronic properties. Electrons that pass through chiral molecules, or even charge displacements within a chiral molecule, do so in a manner that depends on the electron's spin and the molecule's enantiomeric form. This effect, referred to as chiral induced spin selectivity (CISS), has several important implications for the properties of biosystems. Among these implications, CISS facilitates long-range electron transfer, enhances bio-affinities and enantioselectivity, and enables efficient and selective multi-electron redox processes. In this article, we review the CISS effect and some of its manifestations in biological systems. We argue that chirality is preserved so persistently in biology not only because of its structural effect, but also because of its important function in spin polarizing electrons.
Enzymology and Dynamics by Cryogenic Electron Microscopy
Authors: Tsai Ming-Daw , Wu Wen-Jin , Ho Meng-Chiao
Published: December 2021

Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has revolutionized the field of structural biology, particularly in solving the structures of large protein complexes or cellular machineries that play important biological functions. This review focuses on the contribution and future potential of cryo-EM in related emerging applications—enzymatic mechanisms and dynamic processes. Work on these subjects can benefit greatly from the capability of cryo-EM to solve the structures of specific protein complexes in multiple conditions, including variations in the buffer condition, ligands, and temperature, and to capture multiple conformational states, conformational change intermediates, and reaction intermediates. These studies can expand the structural landscape of specific proteins or protein complexes in multiple dimensions and drive new advances in the fields of enzymology and dynamic processes. The advantages and complementarity of cryo-EM relative to X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance with regard to these applications are also addressed.
A Life of Biophysics
Authors: Hille Bertil
Published: December 2021

Biophysics is a way of approaching biological problems through numbers, physical laws, models, and quantitative logic. In a long scientific career, I have seen the formation and fruition of the ion channel concept through biophysical study. Marvelous discoveries were made as our instruments evolved from vacuum tubes to transistors; computers evolved from the size of an entire building to a few chips inside our instruments; and genome sequencing, gene expression, and atom-level structural biology became accessible to all laboratories. Science is rewarding and exhilarating.
Tracing and Targeting the Origins of Childhood Cancer
Authors: Coorens Tim H.H. , Behjati Sam
Published: December 2021

Despite the success of treating childhood cancers with cytotoxic agents, novel therapeutic strategies are required to achieve the next leap in cure rates. A promising avenue may be to target the origin of childhood cancers. Here, we review recent advances in tracing the origins of pediatric tumors. Cancer-to-normal cell comparisons by single-cell mRNA sequencing reveal the fetal state of cancer cells, as well as their cell of origin. Recent phylogenetic analyses have uncovered large tissue-resident precursor clones to childhood cancers, which already possess key genomic alterations leading to tumor formation. Both the transcriptional fetalness and genomic status of the premalignant tissue bed provide further avenues for targeted therapy. Overall, these advances begin to describe the precise origins of pediatric tumors and pave the way for novel methods in detecting, treating, and perhaps even preventing childhood cancers.
Electrochemical Dissolution Process of Tungsten Carbide in Low Temperature Molten Salt System
Authors: Wang Xuehua , Zhang Liwen , Xi Xiaoli , Nie Zuoren
Published: December 2021

Tungsten was extracted from LiCl-KCl-Li2WO4 molten salt with tungsten carbide as soluble anode, and its electrochemical dissolution was studied. Although the fused salt electrochemical method has the advantages of short process and easy equipment operation, the current electrolysis process faces problems such as higher electrolysis temperature, high energy consumption, and complex composition of the products. Therefore, in this study, in order to reduce the electrolysis temperature and energy consumption, tungsten was extracted by LiCl-KCl-Li2WO4 molten salt system in the temperature range 400 °C–600 °C. In addition, compared to the blank salt electrolysis, the addition of Li2WO4 as the active material facilitated the reaction and improved the dissolution efficiency, and the current efficiency. Through a series of electrochemical tests, it is proved that the adding of Li2WO4 decreases the charge transfer resistance and speeds up the reaction. Moreover, the oxidation–reduction process of tungsten ion in tungstate was investigated, indicating that the redox process is a reversible process controlled by diffusion. Clusters of spherical tungsten powders were prepared at 500 °C by optimizing the experimental parameters.