bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frequency of Acute Kidney Injury Following Liver Transplant and Factors Associated With AKI
Authors: Kulsoom Ilyas  , Zunera Jahanzeb  , Hafeez-ud-din  , Mehwish Ahmed  , Anum ilyas  , Sumera Ikram
Published: December 2024

Objective: This study aimed to determine AKI frequency in post-liver transplant patients and the factors associated with AKI.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Nephrology, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad. Permission was obtained from the hospital ethics committee and written informed consent was administered to all 367 study patients. Information during surgery (blood loss, cold and warm ischemia time) was recorded. Serum creatinine was measured 24 hourly in all recipients during their postoperative hospital stay. All the data collection was conducted by the researcher himself to maintain data quality and compliance with the study protocol.  The data was analyzed in SPSS software version 20.0.
Results:  The mean age was 51.5 ± 9.6 years. There were 213 (58%) males and 154 (42%) females cases. After liver transplant, 10 (2.7%) cases had acute kidney injury. There were 128 (34.9%) cases who had the presence of comorbidity, 122 (33.2%) cases had blood loss > 2500 ml, 125 (34.1%) cases had warm ischemia time >10 minutes and 110 (30%) cases had cold ischemia time >7 hours. AKI was associated with comorbidity, blood loss >2500 ml, warm ischemia time >10 min, and cold ischemia time of >7 hours (p-value <0.05).
Conclusion: The frequency of AKI following post-liver transplant was less though, but it was higher in factors that can be controlled before, during, or after the liver transplant. Hence, by managing the preoperative morbidities, controlling blood loss, and warm and cold ischemia time we can prevent post-liver transplant acute kidney injury.
Comparative Assessment of Alveolar Osteitis Following Mandibular Third Molar Surgery With and Without Using Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF)
Authors: Iftikhar Ali , Umar Farooq  , Faheem Ahmed  , Zahoor Ahmed Rana  , Shahryar Akhtar Khokhar  , Sana Zafar
Published: December 2024

OBJECTIVE                                                                                     
To compare the frequency of alveolar osteitis with and without application of PRF in the extracted socket after lower wisdom extraction.
MATERIAL AND METHODS A randomized controlled trail conducted in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery, PIMS, Islamabad from 01 November 2017 to 30 July 2019 to compare the frequency of alveolar osteitis with and without use of Platelet-rich fibrin after mandibular third molar removal. The Data was analyzed by using SPSS Version 22.0. Mean and standard deviation were used for quantitative variables like patient’s age. Frequency and percentage were calculated for qualitative variables.
RESULTS The mean age of participants were 23.58 ± 3.21 with majority (96.4%) having age of 25 years, in which majority (65.2%) were female patients. Dry Socket reported in 18.0% patients. 
CONCLUSION Platelet rich Fibrin was found to be effective, reliable, cost effective and safe for the third molar surgeries when compared with Non – PRF
 Key words Alveolar Osteitis, Platelet Rich Fibrin, and Third Molar.
Intracranial aneurysms in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
Authors: Park Jung Hyun
Published: December 2024

Background: The incidence of intracranial aneurysms (ICA) is high in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). However, little is known regarding the optimal screening and treatment methods for ICA.Methods: This study investigated the characteristics of ADPKD patients with ICA, analyzing each variable according to whether the ICA ruptured, and examined the outcomes according to the treatment method. Specifically, a retrospective study was conducted on the treatment of ICA patients with ADPKD at a single institution for 10 years, from 2013 to 2022. Results: The mean age of the 17 enrolled ADPKD patients with ICA was 57.4 years. Surgical and endovascular treatment methods were used in four and 13 patients. Eleven patients had unruptured ICAs, and the remaining six patients had suffered subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Two patients experienced neurological deficits after discharge. All patients with unruptured ICAs were discharged without any complications, although one of them underwent additional treatment 5 years later. Four patients with SAH had known ADPKD at the time of diagnosis (67%). As for the treatment method, 13 patients were treated with coiling. In a comparison of variables between unruptured ICA and SAH patients, the location of the ICA showed a statistically significant difference (p<0.05).Conclusions: In ADPKD patients, diagnostic screening for the detection of ICA is essential, and with appropriate management, interventional endovascular treatment may be a good treatment option.
Sociocultural aspects of the concept of "society" in traditional Tuvan culture
Authors: Danchay-ool Ayas Anatolyevich , Mongush Salbak Oner-Oolovna
Published: December 2024

The subject of the study is the content and features of the concept of "society" in the Tuvan culture, which is formed in a syncretic worldview. Features of the historical development of the Tuvan culture led to the formation of an authentic picture of the world, in which man is an integral part of nature. It was revealed that social aspects are not isolated from nature either. It is shown that the limitations of thinking did not require the development of abstract and universal concepts of man and society. The fundamental role of the family in the implementation of social relations in the Tuvan society is determined. In addition, the verbal form of transmitting traditions enhanced the importance of the family in the social system of the Tuvans. As a methodology, a combination of cultural-anthropological and socio-cultural approaches in various aspects is used. In addition, a conceptual and historical method is used to identify the essence of the transformation of Tuvan society. The main conclusions of the authors are the definition of the Tuvan word "niitiel" as a neologism formed in the course of modernization of the Tuvan culture. The logic of its formation differs from the etymology of the concept of society in Russian and English. The concept of "society" contains syncretic and naturalistic aspects. It is emphasized that the individual did not single out individual political, economic, cultural and social interests. In his thinking, he operated only with family and clan interests. The authors found that the syncretism of the Tuvan culture not only led to the fusion of various spheres of human existence, but also the inseparability of the subject and object in thinking. In this regard, the individual did not separate himself from the family and social structure.
Constitutively active receptor ADGRA3 signaling induces adipose thermogenesis
Authors: Zhao Zewei , Hu Longyun , Song Bigui , Jiang Tao , Wu Qian , Lin Jiejing , Li Xiaoxiao , Cai Yi , Li Jin , Qian Bingxiu , Liu Siqi , Lang Jilu , Yang Zhonghan
Published: December 2024

The induction of adipose thermogenesis plays a critical role in maintaining body temperature and improving metabolic homeostasis to combat obesity. β3-adrenoceptor (β3-AR) is widely recognized as a canonical β-adrenergic G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that plays a crucial role in mediating adipose thermogenesis in mice. Nonetheless, the limited expression of β3-AR in human adipocytes restricts its clinical application. The objective of this study was to identify a GPCR that is highly expressed in human adipocytes and to explore its potential involvement in adipose thermogenesis. Our research findings have demonstrated that the adhesion G protein-coupled receptor A3 (ADGRA3), an orphan GPCR, plays a significant role in adipose thermogenesis through its constitutively active effects. ADGRA3 exhibited high expression levels in human adipocytes and mouse brown fat. Furthermore, the knockdown of
Adgra3
resulted in an exacerbated obese phenotype and a reduction in the expression of thermogenic markers. Conversely,
Adgra3
overexpression activated the adipose thermogenic program and improved metabolic homeostasis without an exogenous ligand supplementation. We found that ADGRA3 facilitates the biogenesis of beige adipocytes through the Gs-PKA-CREB axis. Moreover, hesperetin was identified as a potential agonist of ADGRA3, capable of inducing adipocyte browning and ameliorating insulin resistance. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that the overexpression of constitutively active ADGRA3 or the activation of ADGRA3 by hesperetin can induce adipocyte browning by Gs-PKA-CREB axis. These findings indicate that the utilization of hesperetin and the selectively overexpression of ADGRA3 in adipose tissue could serve as promising therapeutic strategies in the fight against obesity.
It’s the Sound, not the Pulse: Peripheral Magnetic Stimulation Reduces Central Sensitization through Auditory Modulatory Effects
Authors: Abssy Spencer S , Osborne Natalie R , Osokin Evgeny E , Tomin Rossi , Honigman Liat , Khan James S , De Vera Nathaniel W , Furman Andrew , Mazaheri Ali , Seminowicz David A , Moayedi Massieh
Published: December 2024

Repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS) is a non-pharmacological, non-invasive analgesic modality with limited side effects. However, there is a paucity of controlled studies demonstrating its efficacy compared to existing pain management tools. Here, in an initial sample of 100 healthy participants (age 18-40), we compared the analgesic efficacy of two rPMS stimulation protocols—continuous theta burst stimulation (ctbPMS) and intermittent TBS (itbPMS)—against transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS), a peripheral stimulation technique that is commonly used for pain management. We also included a sham rPMS protocol where participants heard the sound of rPMS stimulation while the coil was placed over their arm, but received no peripheral stimulation. We hypothesized that itbPMS and ctbPMS—but not sham—would reduce pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, and secondary hyperalgesia evoked by a phasic heat pain (PHP) paradigm on the volar forearm with similar efficacy to TENS. Neither rPMS nor TENS reduced reported pain intensity or unpleasantness (p>0.25). However, ctbPMS and itbPMS significantly reduced the area of secondary hyperalgesia, whereas TENS did not (F
3,96
= 4.828, p= 0.004). Unexpectedly, sham rPMS, which involved auditory but no peripheral nerve stimulation, also significantly reduced secondary hyperalgesia compared to TENS. We performed a second study (n=32) to investigate auditory contributions to rPMS analgesia. Masking the rPMS stimulation sound with pink noise eliminated its analgesic effect on secondary hyperalgesia (p=0.5). This is the first study to show that the analgesic properties of rPMS in acute experimental pain may be largely attributed to its auditory component rather than peripheral nerve stimulation.
Target protein identification in live cells and organisms with a non-diffusive proximity tagging system
Authors: Sun Yingjie , Li Changheng , Deng Xiaofei , Li Wenjie , Deng Xiaoyi , Ge Weiqi , Shi Miaoyuan , Guo Ying , Yu Yanxun V , Zhou Hai-Bing , Jin Youngnam N
Published: December 2024

Identifying target proteins for bioactive molecules is essential for understanding their mechanisms, developing improved derivatives, and minimizing off-target effects. Despite advances in target identification (target-ID) technologies, significant challenges remain, impeding drug development. Most target-ID methods use cell lysates, but maintaining an intact cellular context is vital for capturing specific drug-protein interactions, such as those with transient protein complexes and membrane-associated proteins. To address these limitations, we developed POST-IT (Pup-On-target for Small molecule Target Identification Technology), a non-diffusive proximity tagging system for live cells, orthogonal to the eukaryotic system. POST-IT utilizes an engineered fusion of proteasomal accessory factor A (PafA) and HaloTag to transfer Pup to proximal proteins upon directly binding to the small molecule. After significant optimization to eliminate self-pupylation and polypupylation, minimize depupylation, and optimize chemical linkers, POST-IT successfully identified known targets and discovered a new binder, SEPHS2, for dasatinib, and VPS37C as a new target for hydroxychloroquine, enhancing our understanding these drugs’ mechanisms of action. Furthermore, we demonstrated the application of POST-IT in live zebrafish embryos, highlighting its potential for broad biological research and drug development.
Accept-reject decision-making revealed via a quantitative and ethological study of C. elegans foraging
Authors: Haley Jessica A , Chen Tianyi , Aoi Mikio , Chalasani Sreekanth H
Published: December 2024

Decision-making is a ubiquitous component of animal behavior that is often studied in the context of foraging. Foragers make a series of decisions while locating food (food search), choosing between food types (diet or patch choice), and allocating time spent within patches of food (patch-leaving). Here, we introduce a framework for investigating foraging decisions using detailed analysis of individual behavior and quantitative modeling in the nematode
Caenorhabditis elegans
. We demonstrate that
C. elegans
make
accept-reject
patch choice decisions upon encounter with food. Specifically, we show that when foraging amongst small, dispersed, and dilute patches of bacteria,
C. elegans
initially
reject
several bacterial patches, opting to prioritize exploration of the environment, before switching to a more exploitatory foraging strategy during subsequent encounters. Observed across a range of bacterial patch densities, sizes, and distributions, we use a quantitative model to show that this decision to
explore
or
exploit
is guided by available sensory information, internal satiety signals, and learned environmental statistics related to the bacterial density of recently encountered and
exploited
patches. We behaviorally validated model predictions on animals that had been food-deprived, animals foraging in environments with multiple patch densities, and null mutants with defective chemosensation. Broadly, we present a framework to study ecologically relevant foraging decisions that could guide future investigations into the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying decision-making.
Modulation of RNA processing genes during sleep-dependent memory
Authors: Li Yongjun , Chouhan Nitin S , Zhang Shirley L , Moore Rebecca S , Noya Sara B , Shon Joy , Yue Zhifeng , Sehgal Amita
Published: December 2024

Memory consolidation in Drosophila can be sleep-dependent or sleep-independent, depending on the availability of food. The anterior posterior (ap) alpha′/beta′ (α′/β′) neurons of the mushroom body (MB) are required for sleep-dependent memory consolidation in flies fed after training. These neurons are also involved in the increase of sleep after training, suggesting a coupling of sleep and memory. To better understand the mechanisms underlying sleep and memory consolidation initiation, we analyzed the transcriptome of ap α′/β′ neurons 1 hr after appetitive memory conditioning. A small number of genes, enriched in RNA processing functions, were differentially expressed in flies fed after training relative to trained and starved flies or untrained flies. Knockdown of each of these differentially expressed genes in the ap α′/β′ neurons revealed notable sleep phenotypes for Polr1F and Regnase-1, both of which decrease in expression after conditioning. Knockdown of Polr1F, a regulator of ribosome RNA transcription, in adult flies promotes sleep and increases pre-ribosome RNA expression as well as overall translation, supporting a function for Polr1F downregulation in sleep-dependent memory. Conversely, while constitutive knockdown of Regnase-1, an mRNA decay protein localized to the ribosome, reduces sleep, adult specific knockdown suggests that effects of Regnase-1 on sleep are developmental in nature. We further tested the role of each gene in memory consolidation. Knockdown of Polr1F does not affect memory, which may be expected from its downregulation during memory consolidation. Regnase-1 knockdown in ap α′/β′ neurons impairs all memory, including short-term, implicating Regnase-1 in memory, but leaving open the question of why it is downregulated during sleep-dependent memory. Overall, our findings demonstrate that the expression of RNA processing genes is modulated during sleep-dependent memory and, in the case of Polr1F, this modulation likely contributes to increased sleep.
CausalXtract: a flexible pipeline to extract causal effects from live-cell time-lapse imaging data
Authors: Simon Franck , Comes Maria Colomba , Tocci Tiziana , Dupuis Louise , Cabeli Vincent , Lagrange Nikita , Mencattini Arianna , Parrini Maria Carla , Martinelli Eugenio , Isambert Hervé
Published: December 2024

Live-cell microscopy routinely provides massive amount of time-lapse images of complex cellular systems under various physiological or therapeutic conditions. However, this wealth of data remains difficult to interpret in terms of causal effects. Here, we describe CausalXtract, a flexible computational pipeline that discovers causal and possibly time-lagged effects from morphodynamic features and cell-cell interactions in live-cell imaging data. CausalXtract methodology combines network-based and information-based frameworks, which is shown to discover causal effects overlooked by classical Granger and Schreiber causality approaches. We showcase the use of CausalXtract to uncover novel causal effects in a tumor-on-chip cellular ecosystem under therapeutically relevant conditions. In particular, we find that cancer associated fibroblasts directly inhibit cancer cell apoptosis, independently from anti-cancer treatment. CausalXtract uncovers also multiple antagonistic effects at different time delays. Hence, CausalXtract provides a unique computational tool to interpret live-cell imaging data for a range of fundamental and translational research applications.
Association of vaccine intention against COVID-19 using the 5C Scale and its constructs: a Pima County, Arizona cross-sectional survey
Authors: Block Ngaybe Maiya G. , Mantina Namoonga , Pope Benjamin , Raghuraman Veena , Marczak Jacob , Velickovic Sonja , Jordan Dominique , Kinkade Mary , Perez-Velez Carlos Mario , Krauss Beatrice J. , Advani Shailesh M. , Bell Melanie , Madhivanan Purnima
Published: December 2024

Background

Vaccine hesitancy has been ranked as one of the top 10 threats to global health by the World Health Organization. The 5C model (Confidence, Calculation of risk, Complacency, Collective Responsibility, and Constraints) and an accompanying tool to measure vaccine hesitancy, summarize several significant explanatory variables, and move beyond the most common explanatory variable, Confidence.

Methods

From January to May 2021, we administered a cross-sectional survey among adults in Pima County, Arizona in collaboration with the local health department to assess psychological antecedents to (i.e., psychological factors that lead to) COVID-19 vaccination using the 5C Scale. Participants were recruited virtually for the survey using multiple recruitment methods. Unadjusted and adjusted hierarchical ordinal logistic regressions were conducted to determine if the 5C variables had an association with intention to vaccinate (or intent to vaccinate) against COVID-19.

Results

Of the 1,823 participants who responded to the survey, 924 (76%) were included in the final analyses. Respondents were White (71%), non-Hispanic (59%), Female (68%), Liberal (37%) and Married (46%). The average age of the participants was 43.9 (±1.3) years. Based on the 5C Scale, Confidence (adjOR:3.64, CI [3.08–4.29]), Collective Responsibility (adjOR:1.94, CI [1.57–2.39]) and Complacency (adjOR:0.64, CI [0.51–0.80]) were significantly associated with intention to vaccinate against COVID-19.

Conclusion

Three of the five 5C variables were associated with the intention to vaccinate, two positively and one negatively. A limitation of the study was that the sample was not weighted to be representative of Pima County. Future research should focus on determining which interventions can bolster Confidence and Collective Responsibility attitudes in communities, while dampening Complacency, to better promote vaccine uptake.
A review of fossil scorpion higher systematics
Authors: Dunlop Jason A. , Garwood Russell J.
Published: December 2024

Scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones) are a diverse and widespread arachnid order with a rich and deep fossil record. Here we review the, sometimes complex, historical development of fossil scorpion higher classification. We present a chronological account of family and genus names, together with an overview of higher taxa as potential clade names. In 1884 Thorell & Lindström divided scorpions based on whether the legs were short and pointed (Apoxypoda) or ended in paired claws (Dionychopoda). Pocock in 1911 used the morphology of the ventral mesosomal sclerites, which could either be bilobed (Lobosterni) or of a modern configuration (Orthosterni). Petrunkevitch in 1949 attached importance to a putative first opisthosomal tergite being present (Protoscorpionina) or absent (Euscorpionina). Kjellesvig-Waering in 1986 recognised four major groups (Holosternina, Meristosternina, Lobosternina and Bilobosternina) based on the shape of the ventral mesosomal sclerites. The Stockwell/Jeram schemes from the 1980s and 1990s proposed a cladistic progression from early branching lineages, for which the names Protoscorpiones and Palaeoscorpiones were used, towards Scorpiones sensu stricto defined by the presence of book lungs and coxapophyses. Scorpiones was further divided into Mesoscorpionina and Neoscorpionina. Neoscorpions were characterised by a reduced number of lateral eye lenses and comprise the paleosterns, with marginal lung spiracles, and orthosterns with spiracles in the middle of the sternite. We briefly discuss the merits of these alternatives and present a summary of the current higher classification of scorpions. Forty-three extinct family groups are currently recognised, and of the 24 living families seven have fossil representatives. Including incertae sedis taxa, there are 76 extinct genera and five extant genera with fossil representatives. Both modern parvorders, Buthida and Iurida, were potentially present in the Triassic. Buthidae, Chaerilidae, Chactidae and perhaps Hormuridae have been reported from the Cretaceous. Euscorpiidae are known from the Palaeogene and Scorpionidae has potential (but unconfirmed) records from the Neogene. Given the complexity of this history and the present taxonomy of the group, we hope this contribution provides a first step towards simplifying fossil scorpion systematics.
Evidence of prostate cancer-linked virus zoonoses from biophysical genomic variations
Authors: Alsufyani Daniah , Lindesay James
Published: December 2024

An ongoing double-blind examination of (mathematically) smooth functional dependences of population-based genomic distributions of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on quantified environmental parameters has flagged a SNP that has been associated with prostate cancer for dependence on zoonotic viruses. The SNP rs13091518 is an intergenic variant near the gene/pseudo-gene COX6CP6 on chromosome 3. The risk T allele, which is the major allele in all homeostatic populations considered, clearly demonstrates a negative adaptive force of about −0.1 universal genomic energy units/zoonotic virus unit. This biophysical perspective has thus provided evidence for a causative relationship between zoonotic viruses and prostate cancer. Our findings are consistent with other studies that have found an association between several zoonotic viruses and prostate cancer. This result demonstrates the significance of an intergenic variant in the adaptive response to a viral zoonotic pathogen.
Review of The Chinese Love Story from the Tenth to the Fourteenth Century. By Alister D. Inglis
Authors: Wiebe Carrie E.
Published: December 2024

The Chinese Love Story from the Tenth to the Fourteenth Century. By Alister D. Inglis. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 2023. Pp. xiv + 271. $99 (cloth); $36.95 (paper).
Review of Nominal Things: Bronzes in the Making of Medieval China. By Jeffery Moser
Authors: Jia Qian
Published: December 2024

Nominal Things: Bronzes in the Making of Medieval China. By Jeffery Moser. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2023. Pp. vi + 293. $50.
A Study on Airborne AESA RADAR Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation based on Near-Field Beam Focusing
Authors: Cho Shinyoung , Kwak Yongkil , Ju Hyesun
Published: December 2024

This paper studies the implementation of an airborne AESA radar Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation(HILS) based on near-field beam focusing. A RF simulated signal generator based on Digital RF memory receives a Tx signal from an exciter receiver processor unit of AESA radar, and then it transmits simulated various targets, clutter, and jamming signal through 400 phase array antennas. At that time, the airborne AESA radar focuses Rx beam in near-field region of an anechoic chamber in order to simulate a far-field beam pattern, and receives these signals from 1.5 m away. Through the simulated airborne radar environment inside an anechoic chamber, it reduces the number of flight tests and performs tests on the ground excluding external environmental factors.
A Study on the Latest Trends of Video Bit-Rate Control Technology and Prospects for the Development of Bit-Rate Control Technology in Defense and Aerospace Imaging Systems
Authors: Hyun Myunghan
Published: December 2024

Video bit-rate control techniques are essential for efficiently transmitting videos over communication networks. These techniques have been pivotal in broadcasting and internet streaming services, and they could significantly enhance defense capabilities if applied to defense and aerospace imaging systems. Therefore, this paper first reviews the history and standard technologies of video coding, then describes the standard trends of the latest video coding technologies. Finally, it outlines the features of the latest video bit-rate control techniques and discusses their applicability in the defense and aerospace fields.
A Study on Lightweight Ti-6Al-4V High-Pressure Gas Cylinder for Rapid Cooling of Airborne Electro-Optical/Infrared Sensor
Authors: Bae Jihun , Kim Namhwan
Published: December 2024

For weight reduction we have applied Ti-6Al-4V, a lightweight and high-strength material, to a high-pressure gas cylinder for rapid cooling airborne electro-optical/infrared sensors. We have designed, manufactured using electron beam welding, and evaluated various performance(e.g., proof pressure tests, cooling tests). As results, a weight reduction of approximately 29 % was achieved compared to the previous gas cylinder made of STS630. Additionally, representative micro-structures that improve mechanical properties, such as acicular α' phase Martensite and Widmanstatten structure, were observed in the fusion zone. Furthermore, the cooling performance was successfully met under even high-temperature conditions.
Development of Vibration Test Specification for External Store Mounted on Helicopter Using Flight Test
Authors: Kim Jonghwan , Park Jihwan , Ahn Sunkyu
Published: December 2024

In this study, flight tests were conducted to measure vibrations transferred from the helicopter's bomb rack to the external store. Hovering, S-turns, accelerating, decelerating, ascending, descending, and straight flight were performed according to the flight envelope. Vibration data was measured with 3-axial accelerometers mounted on the external store and converted into PSD(Power Spectral Density) using commercial data software. To identify the vibration level, GRMS values were calculated for all flight conditions. The results confirmed that the measured vibration levels were significantly lower than the MIL-STD-810G vibration profile. Finally, a new vibration test specification was proposed using the VRS(Vibration Response Spectrum) method, which is expected to aid in the development of an optimized design for the external store.
Research on Grouping and Operation Control of Multiple Nodes by Direction in a Wireless Personal Area Network Environment
Authors: Cho Sungje , Kim Janghoon , Park Byungho
Published: December 2024

This paper simulates an environment similar to the operational environment of intelligent remote control smart landmines on the battlefield and describes a method for configuring a wireless personal area network in which the control unit(Master node) wirelessly controls smart landmines(Slave nodes) and manages the separation of slave nodes from the master node. We propose a study on a method of grouping by direction using the characteristics of directional antennas without a location tracking device(e.g., GPS). The short-distance wireless network communication environment, within a maximum range of 100 meters, is designed based on the IEEE 802.15.4e standard. The signal strength of the slave nodes is collected using the directional antennas attached to the master node, and the signal strength is measured by direction(0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, 270 degrees). The process of specifying and controlling groups by direction is described. The effects of the proposed research show improvements such as reducing the production cost of smart landmines(slave nodes) with one-time use characteristics and simplifying the overall system.
Microbial Forensic Investigations of Microbial Sources through Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Analysis
Authors: Lim Seunghyun , Yun Hyeongseok , Lee Seungho , Jung Juhwan , Gu Sehun , Lee Daesang , Song Donghyun
Published: December 2024

Bacillus anthracis, a potential biological agent for terrorism, has been actively investigated for its underlying property and phylogenetic origin in the field of Microbial forensics. With the advancement of next generation sequencing(NGS) technology, in silico analysis becomes feasible at the whole genome sequence level, reducing the time and cost. In this paper, we suggested a methodology for identifying unknown samples form the field, which simulate real forensic evidence rather than highly purified samples, utilizing two in silico methods: k-mer analysis and whole genome single-nucleotide polymorphism(wgSNP). We performed prefix-based k-mer analysis using 964 NGS raw data obtained form the NCBI database, along with the NGS data from the unknown samples, by mapping the reads to Ames Ancestor and obtaining the consensus sequence. When analyzed together with 844 assembled sequences obtained form the NCBI database, it was determined that the unknown samples belong to the Injectional anthrax group, which was an infectious group identified among heroin users in Norway in 2000. wgSNP analysis has categorized the sample into discrete low-SNP group-Ⅰ and high-SNP group-Ⅱ, with a difference of up to 9 SNPs within each group. We observed 30 SNP positions in group-Ⅰ, which includes the unknown samples, and confirmed that the SNP of A4564 was identical to that of the unknown samples. These results demonstrate that prefix-based k-mer, and wgSNP analysis can be effectively used for the collection of microbial forensic evidence from field samples.
Whole transcriptome analysis of chemically induced hepatocellular carcinoma using RNA‐sequencing analysis
Authors: Sun Jie , Wang Jing , Zhang Na , Yang Renjun , Chen Keyang , Kong Derun
Published: August 2019

RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐Seq) is a useful method to explore the molecular events in cells and tissues at the transcriptional level. However, comprehensive transcriptome analysis of hepatocarcinogenesis and progression is lacking. In this study, we aimed to characterize a dimethylnitrosamine (DEN) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4; DEN+CCl4)‐induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mouse model by RNA‐Seq. In total, 2033 genes were up‐regulated and 841 genes were down‐regulated after DEN and CCl4 stimulation. The differentially expressed genes were highly enriched for the Gene Ontology terms oxoacid metabolic process, carboxylic acid metabolic process, and organic acid metabolic process. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis revealed that the top five significantly overrepresented pathways were metabolic pathways, chemical carcinogenesis, steroid hormone biosynthesis, retinol metabolism and metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450. Moreover, a protein‐protein interaction network analysis indicated that Rous sarcoma oncogene (Src) may play a key role in DEN+CCl4‐induced HCC. These results provide a comprehensive overview of transcriptome events in DEN+CCl4‐induced HCC.
Supramolecular Presentation of Hyaluronan onto Model Surfaces for Studying the Behavior of Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Pang Xinqing , O'Malley Clare , Borges João , Rahman Muhammad M. , Collis Dominic W. P. , Mano João F. , Mackenzie Ian C. , S. Azevedo Helena
Published: August 2019

The supramolecular presentation of extracellular matrix components on surfaces provides a platform for the investigation and control of cell behavior. Hyaluronan (HA) is one of the main components of the extracellular environment and has been shown to play an important role in different cancers and their progression. However, current methods of HA immobilization often require its chemical modification. Herein, a peptide‐based self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) is used as an anchor to immobilize unmodified HA on a bare gold surface, as demonstrated by the quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring. Peptide‐HA surfaces show increased roughness and greater hydrophobicity when compared to poly‐D‐lysine/HA surfaces, as measured by atomic force microscopy and water contact angle, respectively. Additionally, the peptide SAM can be micro‐contact printed and used to restrict the presentation of HA to specific regions, thereby creating HA patterned surfaces to examine cell behavior. When used for cell culture, these surfaces result in altered adhesion and migration of LUC4 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells. These biomimetic surfaces can provide insights into the role of HA in cancer and other diseases and be used as a platform for the development of cell sorting devices.
Integrin‐Targeted Cyclic Forces Accelerate Neural Tube‐Like Rosette Formation from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Topal Tuğba , Fan Zhenzhen , Deng Laura Y. , Krebsbach Paul H. , Deng Cheri X.
Published: August 2019

Mechanical forces play important roles in human embryonic stem cell (hESC) differentiation. To investigate the impact of dynamic mechanical forces on neural induction of hESCs, this study employs acoustic tweezing cytometry (ATC) to apply cyclic forces/strains to hESCs by actuating integrin‐bound microbubbles using ultrasound pulses. Accelerated neural induction of hESCs is demonstrated as the result of combined action of ATC and neural induction medium (NIM). Specifically, application of ATC for 30 min followed by culture in NIM upregulates neuroecdoderm markers Pax6 and Sox1 as early as 6 h after ATC, and induces neural tube‐like rosette formation at 48 h after ATC. In contrast, no changes are observed in hESCs cultured in NIM without ATC treatment. In the absence of NIM, ATC application decreases Oct4, but does not increase Pax6 and Sox1 expression, nor does it induce neural rossette formation. The effects of ATC are abolished by inhibition of FAK, myosin activity, and RhoA/ROCK signaling. Taken together, the results reveal a synergistic action of ATC and NIM as an integrated mechanobiology mechanism that requires both integrin‐targeted cyclic forces and chemical factors for accelerated neural induction of hESCs.
A Multibeam Interference Model for Analyzing Complex Near‐Field Images of Polaritons in 2D van der Waals Microstructures
Authors: Liao Baoxin , Guo Xiangdong , Hu Debo , Zhai Feng , Hu Hai , Chen Ke , Luo Chen , Liu Mengkun , Yang Xiaoxia , Dai Qing
Published: August 2019

Van der Waals (vdW) materials are among the most promising candidates for photonic integrated circuits because they support a full set of polaritons that can manipulate light at deep subdiffraction nanoscale. It is possible to directly probe the propagating polaritons in vdW materials in real space via scattering‐type scanning near‐field optical microscopy, such that the wave vector and lifetime of the polaritons can be extracted from as‐measured interference fringes by Fourier analysis. However, this method is unsuitable for clutter interference patterns in samples exhibiting inadequate fringes due to small size (less than 10 µm) or complex edges that are often encountered in nanophotonic devices and new material characterization. Here, a multibeam interference model is developed to analyze complex images by disentangling them into periodic patterns and residue. By employing phase stationary approximation, polariton wave vector can be derived from offset ratio of the center point, and the ratio of polariton reflection and scattering rates at the edge is obtained from the ratio of the periodic and aperiodic patterns. This method can be widely used in the optical characterization of new vdW materials that are difficult to synthesize into large crystals, as well as nanophotonic integrated devices with unique boundaries.
2D Metal–Organic Frameworks as Multifunctional Materials in Heterogeneous Catalysis and Electro/Photocatalysis
Authors: Dhakshinamoorthy Amarajothi , Asiri Abdullah M. , Garcia Hermenegildo
Published: August 2019

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are composed of particles with 3D geometry and are currently among the most widely studied heterogeneous catalysts. To further increase their activity, one of the recent trends is to develop related 2D materials with a high aspect ratio derived from a large lateral size and a small thickness. Here, the use of these 2D MOFs as catalysts, electrocatalysts, and photocatalysts is summarized, illustrating the advantages of these 2D materials compared to analogous 3D MOFs. The state of the art is summarized in tables and, when possible, pertinent turnover number (TON) and frequency (TOF) values. This enhanced activity of 2D MOFs derives from the accessibility of the active sites, the presence of a higher density of defects, and exchangeable coordination positions around the MOFs, as well as from their ability to form thin films on electrodes or surfaces. The importance of providing convincing evidence of the stability of 2D MOFs under reaction conditions and general characterization data of the used 2D material after catalysis is highlighted. In the last part, views regarding challenges in the field and new developments that can be expected are presented.
Strong Metasurface–Josephson Plasma Resonance Coupling in Superconducting La2−xSrxCuO4
Authors: Schalch Jacob S. , Post Kirk , Duan Guangwu , Zhao Xiaoguang , Kim Young Duck , Hone James , Fogler Michael M. , Zhang Xin , Basov Dmitri N. , Averitt Richard D.
Published: August 2019

Terahertz spectroscopy of the c‐axis Josephson plasma resonance (JPR) in high‐temperature cuprates is a powerful probe of superconductivity, providing a route to couple to and interact with the condensate. Electromagnetic coupling between metasurface arrays of split ring resonators (SRRs) and the JPR of a La2−xSrxCuO4 single crystal (Tc = 32 K) is investigated. The metasurface resonance frequency (ωMM), determined by the SRR geometry, is swept through the JPR frequency (ωJPR = 1.53 THz) using a series of interchangeable tapes applied to the same single crystal. Terahertz reflectivity measurements on the resulting hybrid superconducting metamaterials (HSMMs) reveal anticrossing behavior characteristic of strong coupling. The experimental results, validated with numerical simulations, indicate a normalized Rabi frequency of ΩR = 0.29. Further, it is shown that HSMMs with ωMM > ωJPR provide a route to couple to hyperbolic waveguide modes in c‐axis cuprate samples. This work informs future possibilities for optimizing the coupling strength of HSMMs and investigating nonlinear superconductivity under high field terahertz excitation.
High‐Detectivity Flexible Near‐Infrared Photodetector Based on Chalcogenide Ag2Se Nanoparticles
Authors: Lee Won‐Yong , Ha Seunghyun , Lee Hyunjae , Bae Jin‐Hyuk , Jang Bongho , Kwon Hyuk‐Jun , Yun Yeonghun , Lee Sangwook , Jang Jaewon
Published: August 2019

Novel, low‐voltage, high‐detectivity, solution‐processed, flexible near‐infrared (NIR) photodetectors for optoelectronic applications are realized and their optoelectronic properties are investigated for the first time. This is achieved by synthesizing Ag2Se nanoparticles (NPs) in aqueous solutions, and depositing highly crystalline Ag2Se thin films at 150 °C with redistributed Ag2Se NPs in aqueous inks. The high conductivity and low trap concentration of the 150 °C annealed Ag2Se films result from the Ag formed inside the films and the improved film quality, respectively. These factors are both critical for the realization of high‐performance flexible photodetectors. The fabricated device exhibits a high detectivity of 7.14 × 109 Jones (above 1 × 109) at room temperature, delivering low power consumption. This detectivity is superior to those of reported low band‐gap semiconductor systems, although the device has undergone 0.38% compressive and tensile strains. Moreover, the performance of the device is better than that of MoS2‐based phototransistors, black arsenic phosphorus field‐effect transistors, or commercial thermistor bolometers at room temperature (D* ≈ 108 Jones), and is exposed to mid‐infrared light.
Size‐Related Electrochemical Performance in Active Carbon Nanostructures: A MOFs‐Derived Carbons Case Study
Authors: Gadipelli Srinivas , Li Zhuangnan , Lu Yue , Li Juntao , Guo Jian , Skipper Neal T. , Shearing Paul R. , Brett Dan J. L.
Published: August 2019

Metal–organic framework–derived carbon nanostructures have generated significant interest in electrochemical capacitors and oxygen/hydrogen catalysis reactions. However, they appear to show considerably varied structural properties, and thus exhibit complex electrochemical–activity relationships. Herein, a series of carbon polyhedrons of different sizes, between 50 nm and µm, are synthesized from zeolitic imidazolate frameworks, ZIF‐8 (ZIF‐derived carbon polyhedrons, ZDCPs) and their activity is studied for capacitance and the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Interestingly, a well‐correlated performance relationship with respect to the particle size of ZDCPs is evidenced. Here, the identical structural features, such as specific surface area (SSA), microporosity, and its distribution, nitrogen doping, and graphitization are all strictly maintained in the ZDCPs, thus allowing identification of the effect of particle size on electrochemical performance. Supercapacitors show a capacity enhancement of 50 F g−1 when the ZDCPs size is reduced from micrometers to ≤200 nm. The carbonization further shows a considerable effect on rate capacitance—ZDCPs of increased particle size lead to drastically reduced charge transportability and thus inhibit their performance for both the charge storage and the ORR. Guidelines for the capacitance variation with respect to the particle size and SSA in such carbon nanostructures from literature are presented.
A Versatile Pyramidal Hauerite Anode in Congeniality Diglyme‐Based Electrolytes for Boosting Performance of Li‐ and Na‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Pham Duong Tung , Vu Trang Thi , Kim Sungjin , Sambandam Balaji , Mathew Vinod , Lim Jinsub , Kim Jaekook
Published: August 2019

For the first time, environmentally friendly sulfur‐rich pyramidal MnS2 synthesized via a single‐step hydrothermal process is used as a high‐performance anode material in Li‐ion and Na‐ion batteries. The superior electrochemical performance of the MnS2 electrode along with its high compatibility with ether‐based electrolytes are analyzed in both half‐ and full‐cell configurations. The reversible capacities of ≈84 mAh g−1 and ≈74 mAh g−1 at a current density of 50 mA g−1 are retained in the Li‐ion and Na‐ion full‐cells, respectively, over 200 cycles with excellent capacity retentions. Moreover, important findings regarding activation processes in the presence of a new phase transition and protective electrolyte interphase layer are revealed using ab initio density function theory calculation and in situ potentio‐electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The detailed complex redox mechanism of MnS2 in Li/Na half‐cells is also elucidated by ex situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
GGC Repeat Expansion of NOTCH2NLC in Adult Patients with Leukoencephalopathy
Authors: Okubo Masaki , Doi Hiroshi , Fukai Ryoko , Fujita Atsushi , Mitsuhashi Satomi , Hashiguchi Shunta , Kishida Hitaru , Ueda Naohisa , Morihara Keisuke , Ogasawara Akihiro , Kawamoto Yuko , Takahashi Tatsuya , Takahashi Keita , Nakamura Haruko , Kunii Misako , Tada Mikiko , Katsumoto Atsuko , Fukuda Hiromi , Mizuguchi Takeshi , Miyatake Satoko , Miyake Noriko , Suzuki Junichiro , Ito Yasuhiro , Sone Jun , Sobue Gen , Takeuchi Hideyuki , Matsumoto Naomichi , Tanaka Fumiaki
Published: August 2019

Leukoencephalopathies comprise a broad spectrum of disorders, but the genetic background of adult leukoencephalopathies has rarely been assessed. In this study, we analyzed 101 Japanese patients with genetically unresolved adult leukoencephalopathy using whole‐exome sequencing and repeat‐primed polymerase chain reaction for detecting GGC expansion in NOTCH2NLC. NOTCH2NLC was recently identified as the cause of neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease. We found 12 patients with GGC expansion in NOTCH2NLC as the most frequent cause of adult leukoencephalopathy followed by NOTCH3 variants in our cohort. Furthermore, we found 1 case with de novo GGC expansion, which might explain the underlying pathogenesis of sporadic cases. ANN NEUROL 2019;86:962–968
Rheology, polymorphic crystal transformation, thermal, and mechanical properties of long‐chain branched isotactic poly(1‐butene)
Authors: Maimaitiming Aizezi , Wu Guozhong , Tan Hairong , Wang Minglei , Zhang Maojiang , Hu Jiangtao , Xing Zhe
Published: August 2019

Effects of long‐chain branches (LCBs) on the rheology, crystal polymorphism, polymorphic transformation, and corresponding thermal and mechanical properties at different crystallization conditions, of isotactic poly(1‐butene) (iPB‐1) are systematically studied. The complex viscosity decreases and tangent increases with the increase of LCB concentration, and they inversely correlate with gels. The low branched samples crystallize into pure Form II by compression molding and cooling the melt to room temperature at a low crystallization cooling rate, whereas the moderate‐to‐highly branched samples crystallize into mixtures of Forms II and III, with a 1–30% fraction of crystals of Form III. The transformation of Form II into Form I in low branched iPB‐1 was not significantly decelerated at different crystallization cooling rates, which is important in thermoforming, foaming, and extrusion blowing processes. Upon heating, Form III in highly branched iPB‐1 with gels does not cold‐crystallize into Form II even at a low heating rate. The low‐to‐highly branched samples mainly in Form I exhibit high yield strength, high melting temperature, and lower ductility, while the highly branched iPB‐1 containing gels and mixtures of Forms I, III, and I′ possess brittleness. Under stretching, Form III predominantly transforms into Form I via a solid–solid crystal transition. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48411.