bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lignin‐based covalent adaptable network resins for digital light projection 3D printing
Authors: Johnson Rebecca M. , Cortés‐Guzmán Karen P. , Perera Sachini D. , Parikh Ankit R. , Ganesh Vijayalakshmi , Voit Walter E. , Smaldone Ronald A.
Published: March 2023

3D printing is a low cost, customizable, and fast‐growing technology with the potential to revolutionize plastic manufacturing. Vat photopolymerization 3D printing technologies stand out for their high resolution, however, the resulting printed materials are made from petroleum feedstocks and are covalently crosslinked which renders them unrecyclable. Here, resin formulations with 70 wt% bio‐based content and dynamic functionality are synthesized and printed using lignin, vanillin, and soybean oil components. These printed polymers can undergo dynamic transesterification due to the methacrylated lignin (LMA) to allow for self‐healing capabilities; therefore, potentially increasing the materials lifetimes compared to traditional thermoset materials, offsetting the use of traditional petroleum‐based resins, and lowering their environmental impact. The LMA also provides the thermosets with better mechanical performance and thermal stability in comparison to the controls. Additionally, compatibility with 3D printing technologies improves the competitiveness of biobased plastics with conventional materials.
New structures reveal flexible dynamics between the subdomains of peptidylglycine monooxygenase. Implications for an open to closed mechanism
Authors: Arias Renee J. , Welch Evan F. , Blackburn Ninian J.
Published: March 2023

Peptidylglycine monooxygenase (PHM) is essential for the biosynthesis of many neuroendocrine peptides via a copper‐dependent hydroxylation of a glycine‐extended pro‐peptide. The “canonical” mechanism requires the transfer of two electrons from one mononuclear copper (CuH, H‐site) to a second mononuclear copper (CuM, M‐site) which is the site of oxygen binding and catalysis. In most crystal structures the copper centers are separated by 11 Å of disordered solvent, but recent work has established that a PHM variant H108A forms a closed conformer in the presence of citrate with a reduced Cu–Cu site separation of ~4 Å. Here we report three new PHM structures where the H and M sites are separated by a longer distance of ~14 Å. Variation in Cu–Cu distance is the result of a rotation of the M subdomain about a hinge point centered on the pro199‐leu200‐ile201 triad which forms the linker between subdomains. The energetic cost of domain dynamics is likely small enough to allow free rotation of the subdomains relative to each other, adding credence to recent suggestions that an open‐to‐closed transition to form a binuclear oxygen binding intermediate is an essential element of catalysis. This inference would explain many experimental observations that are inconsistent with the current canonical mechanism including substrate‐induced oxygen activation and isotope scrambling during the peroxide shunt.
Chrysophanol alleviates acute lung injury caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae infection by inhibiting pro‐inflammatory cytokine production
Authors: Jiang Fei , Jiang Jiebang , He Wenping , Dong Guokai , Xu Nana , Meng Li , Zhao Yunyun , Wang Meng , Tan Shirui , Shi Yongping , Li Rongpeng
Published: March 2023

Acute lung injury (ALI) caused by acute bacterial infection remains a common life‐threatening lung disease. An increased inflammatory response is the basis for the occurrence and development of ALI. Most antibiotics can only reduce the bacterial load but do not protect from lung damage because of an excessive immune response. Chrysophanol (chrysophanic acid, Chr), as a natural anthraquinone extracted from Rheum palmatum L., has various biological functions, including anti‐inflammatory, anti‐cancer activities, and ameliorative effects on cardiovascular diseases. Considering these properties, we investigated the effect of Chr in Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP)‐induced ALI mice and its potential mechanism. Our results showed that Chr had protective effects against KP‐infected mice, including increased survival rate, decreased bacterial burden, reduced recruitment of immune cells, and reduced reactive oxygen species level of lung macrophages. Chr reduced the expression of inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting the toll‐like receptor 4/nuclear factor kappa‐B (TLR4/NF‐κB) signaling pathway and inflammasome activation and strengthening autophagy. Overactivation of the TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathway by the activator Neoseptin 3 led to Chr losing control of inflammatory cytokines in cells, resulting in increased cell death. Similarly, overactivation of the c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase signaling pathway using the activator anisomycin resulted in Chr losing its inhibitory effect on NOD‐like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NFRP3) inflammasome activation, and cell viability was reduced. In addition, autophagy was blocked by siBeclin1, so Chr could not reduce inflammatory factors, and cell viability was markedly inhibited. Collectively, this work unravels the molecular mechanism underpinning Chr‐alleviated ALI via inhibiting pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Thus, Chr is a potential therapeutic agent for KP‐induced ALI.
Current state and research directions for disposable versus reusable packaging: A systematic literature review of comparative studies
Authors: Pålsson Henrik , Olsson John
Published: March 2023

The use of disposable and reusable packaging is a hot topic in policy and practice, but different studies have come to different conclusions on when each packaging type is the more sustainable alternative. The purpose of this paper is to map and review scientific literature that compares disposable and reusable packaging for food, beverages and e‐commerce from a sustainability perspective. The methodology is a systematic literature review, which identifies 91 scientific papers. The paper describes and analyses the origin, characteristics and state of current knowledge and then proposes future research directions within five areas. It identifies and presents what is known in literature to achieve environmental and social sustainability, as well as circularity for disposable compared to reusable packaging. The review shows that the literature is to great extent qualitative, often studying individual products in a specific context. European studies dominate the current literature, and many of them revolve around a few types of products and packaging. Slightly under half of the studies use the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. The review of these studies provides some indicative suggestions for when disposable and reusable packaging is environmentally preferable, but the number of LCA studies is too limited, and their content too fragmented to draw general conclusions about this. Overall, the review of 91 articles shows a great need for continued research that compares the environmental efficiency of disposable and reusable packaging. It also highlights the necessity for more knowledge to be able to clearly state under what conditions and in what contexts disposable and reusable packaging are the most sustainable options.
Reactivation of herpesviruses during COVID‐19: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Shafiee Arman , Teymouri Athar Mohammad Mobin , Amini Mohammad Javad , Hajishah Hamed , Siahvoshi Sepehr , Jalali Mehrsa , Jahanbakhshi Bahar , Mozhgani Sayed‐Hamidreza
Published: March 2023

To provide a comprehensive systematic review and meta‐analysis regarding the cumulative incidence (incidence proportion) of human herpesvirus (HHV) reactivation among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), we searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and EMBASE up to 25 September 2022, with no language restrictions. All interventional and observational studies enrolling patients with confirmed COVID‐19 and providing data regarding HHV reactivation were included. The random‐effects model was used in the meta‐analyses. We included information from 32 studies. HHV reactivation was considered a positive polymerase chain reaction result taken at the time of COVID‐19 infection. Most of the included patients were severe COVID‐19 cases. The pooled cumulative incidence estimate was 38% (95% Confidence Intervals [CI], 28%–50%, I2 = 86%) for herpes simplex virus (HSV), 19% (95% CI, 13%–28%, I2 = 87%) for cytomegalovirus (CMV), 45% (95% CI, 28%–63%, I2 = 96%) for Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV), 18% (95% CI, 8%–35%) for human herpesvirus 6 (HHV‐6), 44% (95% CI, 32%–56%) for human herpesvirus 7 (HHV‐7), and 19% (95% CI, 14%–26%) for human herpesvirus 8 (HHV‐8). There was no evidence of funnel plot asymmetry based on visual inspection and Egger's regression test for the results of HSV (p = 0.84), CMV (p = 0.82), and EBV (p = 0.27) reactivation. In conclusion, the identification of HHV reactivation in severe COVID‐19 patients is helpful in the management of patients as well as the prevention of complications. Further research is required to elucidate the interaction between HHVs and COVID‐19. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42022321973.
Sample size calculation for randomized trials via inverse probability of response weighting when outcome data are missing at random
Authors: Harrison Linda J. , Wang Rui
Published: March 2023

Randomized trials are an established method to evaluate the causal effects of interventions. Despite concerted efforts to retain all trial participants, some missing outcome data are often inevitable. It is unclear how best to account for missing outcome data in sample size calculations. A standard approach is to inflate the sample size by the inverse of one minus the anticipated dropout probability. However, the performance of this approach in the presence of informative outcome missingness has not been well‐studied. We investigate sample size calculation when outcome data are missing at random given the randomized intervention group and fully observed baseline covariates under an inverse probability of response weighted (IPRW) estimating equations approach. Using M‐estimation theory, we derive sample size formulas for both individually randomized and cluster randomized trials (CRTs). We illustrate the proposed method by calculating a sample size for a CRT designed to detect a difference in HIV testing strategies under an IPRW approach. We additionally develop an R shiny app to facilitate implementation of the sample size formulas.
Anticancer Structure‐activity Relationships and Potential Target Exploration of the Natural Product Gypsogenin
Authors: Sun Kang‐Ping , Zhao Ting‐Ting , Liu Lei , Mu Xiao‐Dong , Sun Jing‐Yong
Published: March 2023

Combined with molecular docking and molecular dynamic (MD) simulation, the derivative directions and structure‐activity relationships of the compounds were initially explored. Nineteen gypsogenin derivatives were synthesized and screened for cytotoxic activities. Their structures were established using IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and LC–MS spectroscopic data. In the CCK‐8 assays, most of the compounds displayed good cytotoxicity in the low μΜ range for several human tumor cell lines (A549, MCF‐7 and LOVO). The bioassay test suggested that most of these derivatives showed antitumor activities. In particular, some compounds posed moderate antitumor activity. They may be related to start the process of apoptosis and lead to cell death.
Insight into Electrochemical Performance of Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon/NiCo‐Alloy Active Nanocomposites
Authors: Wang Kuaibing , Chen Changyun , Li Yihao , Hong Ye , Wu Hua , Zhang Cheng , Zhang Qichun
Published: March 2023

Nanocomposites containing Ni or Co or NiCo alloy and nitrogen‐doped carbon with diverse ratios have been prepared and utilized as active elements in supercapacitors. The atomic contents of nitrogen, nickel, and cobalt have been adjusted by the supplement amount of Ni and Co salts. In virtue of the excellent surface groups and rich redox active sites, the NC/NiCo active materials exhibit superior electrochemical charge‐storage performances. Among these as‐prepared active electrode materials, the NC/NiCo1/1 electrode performs better than other bimetallic/carbon electrodes and pristine metal/carbon electrodes. Several characterization methods, kinetic analyses, and nitrogen‐supplement strategies determine the specific reason for this phenomenon. As a result, the better performance can be ascribed to a combination of factors including the high surface area and nitrogen content, proper Co/Ni ratio, and relatively low average pore size. The NC/NiCo electrode delivers a maximum capacity of 300.5 C g−1 and superior capacity retention of 92.30% after 3000 unceasing charge‐discharge cycles. After assembling it into the battery‐supercapacitor hybrid device, a high energy density of 26.6 Wh kg−1 (at 412 W kg−1) is achieved, comparable to the recent reports. Furthermore, this device can also power four light‐emitting‐diode (LED) demos, suggesting the potential practicability of these N‐doped carbon compositing with bimetallic materials.
Role of NF‐κB signaling pathway in hexavalent chromium‐induced hepatotoxicity
Authors: Shen Jiayuan , Kom Merveille Chancelle , Huang Huarong , Fu Guoquan , Xie Yixia , Gao Yue , Tang Yaxin , Yan Junyan , Jin Lifang
Published: March 2023

Hexavalent chromium Cr (VI) is a primary human carcinogen with damaging toxic effects on multiple organs. Cr (VI) exposure can induce hepatotoxicity through oxidative stress, but its exact mechanism of action was still unclear. In our study, a model of acute Cr (VI) induced liver injury was established by exposing mice to different concentrations (0, 40, 80, and 160 mg/kg) of Cr (VI); RNA‐seq was used to characterize changes in liver tissue transcriptome of C57BL/6 mice after exposing to 160 mg/kg Bw of Cr (VI). Changes in liver tissue structures, proteins, and genes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), western blot, immunohistochemistry and RT‐PCR. After Cr (VI) exposure, abnormal liver tissue structure, hepatocyte injury, and hepatic inflammatory response were observed in mice in a dose‐dependent manner. RNA‐seq transcriptome results indicated that oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammatory response pathways were increased after Cr (VI) exposure; KEGG pathway analysis found that activation of NF‐κB signaling pathway was significantly upregulated. Consistent with the RNA‐seq results, immunohistochemistry showed that Cr (VI) exposure resulted in infiltrating of Kupffer cells and neutrophils, increasing expression of inflammatory factors (TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐1β), and activating of NF‐κB signaling pathways (p‐IKKα/β and p‐p65). However, ROS inhibitor, N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine (NAC), could reduce infiltration of Kupffer cells and neutrophils and expression of inflammatory factors. Besides, NAC could inhibit NF‐κB signaling pathway activation, and alleviate Cr (VI)‐induced liver tissue damage. Our findings strongly suggested that inhibition of ROS by NAC might help in the development of new strategies for Cr (VI)‐associated liver fibrosis. Our findings revealed for the first time that Cr (VI) induced liver tissue damage through the inflammatory response mediated by the NF‐κB signaling pathway, and inhibition of ROS by NAC might help in the development of new strategies for Cr (VI)‐associated hepatotoxicity.
Opportunities in and Approaches to the Study of Angolan Ecology
Authors: Huntley Brian John
Published: March 2023

This Chapter presents an African perspective to the interdisciplinary science of ecology. It explains why an ecological understanding of the structure and functioning of ecosystems is critical to achieving the sustainable use of the biosphere. It describes how the spatial and temporal scales of pattern reflect biological organisation from individuals to communities to ecoregions. It introduces the student to the scientific method, and outlines the structure of the book, guiding its use in the phased steps of the learning process. Its key message is that the ecological whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
The Arid Savanna Biome
Authors: Huntley Brian John
Published: March 2023

The Arid Savanna Biome of Angola (and Africa) is home to the richest wildlife diversities and abundances of the continent. This Chapter describes the features that characterise the biome – low and unpredictable rainfall, generally low primary production, infrequent but occasionally intense fires, occupying the young, moderate to high nutrient soils of the hot lowlands and river valleys of the western coastal belt and south of the country. The three ecoregions of this biome occur at from sea level to 1000 m above sea level, where rainfall ranges from 250-650 mm per year. Colophospermum mopane dominates and characterises the largest ecoregion of the Arid Savanna Biome in Angola (and across southern Africa), has a low diversity of plant species, but is rich in mammal and bird species. The factors that determine the distribution of this generally monospecific woodland have been subject to detailed research and the results are described. The other two Arid Savanna Biome ecoregions are dominated by Acacia species, with a prominence of baobabs Adansonia digitata. The Arid Savanna Biome supported the highest biomasses and diversities of indigenous mammal species in Angola until their near annihilation during the civil war and replacement by domestic livestock in recent decades.
The Mangrove Biome
Authors: Huntley Brian John
Published: March 2023

The cold Benguela Current passing along Angola’s Atlantic Ocean coast accounts for its mangrove communities lying 20° latitude north of those of the Indian Ocean Coast of Africa, bathed by the warm Mozambique Current. This chapter draws on the limited literature available on Angola’s mangrove forests and seagrass meadows that constitute its Mangrove Biome. Comprising only five of the world’s 55 mangrove species, and two of the world’s 70 species of seagrasses, Angola’s mangrove communities cover a very limited area compared with other tropical countries. This is due to Angola’s steeply shelving coastline, with small lagoons and mudflats at the mouths of its rivers. However, they provide excellent opportunities for the study of the complex adaptations of plants to regular changes in water salinity and to growth in waterlogged, anoxic soil. The adaptations include stilt roots, with specialised absorptive pores, roots containing porous aerenchyma tissue for oxygen transfer, and reproductive propagules that develop into seedlings while still attached to the tree. The mudflats of coastal lagoons support two species of seagrass (highly specialised angiosperms that are permanently submerged). Seagrass meadows provide habitat for a wide diversity of marine animals, while mangrove forests shelter several crocodile and primate species.
Solar Energy, Temperature and Rainfall
Authors: Huntley Brian John
Published: March 2023

The climatic forces that determine Angola’s biodiversity and ecosystem patterns (and all life forms on Earth) are based on the energy that comes from the Sun. This chapter examines the concepts and functioning of solar radiation and photosynthesis, the basis of primary production. Strong seasonality of temperature and rainfall and their variation across latitude and altitude result in the diversity of Angola biomes, including Guineo-congolian lowland rain forest, Afromontane forest, mesic savanna, arid savanna, desert and mangrove biomes. Driving the climatic gradients are the oceanic and atmospheric systems, dominated in the north by the Intertropical Convergence Zone and in the south by the South Atlantic and Botswana Anticyclones. The physical processes driving these systems are described, and the local influences of maritime, continental, altitudinal and aspect factors that account for subtle changes from one ecoregion to the next are illustrated graphically and statistically. The recent impacts of El Niño events are described and the anticipated impacts of climate change on Angola are outlined.
The Ecological Role of Fire
Authors: Huntley Brian John
Published: March 2023

Fire is the great consumer of Africa’s vegetation cover, most markedly since the Late Miocene (10 Million years ago) due to the cooling and drying, and increased seasonality, of the climate. Dry winters presented ideal conditions for extensive fires, opening forests and expanding grassy savannas and their fire adapted trees and C4 grasses. This Chapter describes the complex geophysical and biological process and feedback mechanisms that govern different fire regimes and fire types, collectively termed pyromes. Fire regimes differ widely across Angola, with frequent, cool, small fires being typical of the miombo mesic savannas, rare, intense and large fires typical of arid savannas. Frequent, intense, large fires are typical of the extensive peneplains of the Lundas and Cuando Cubango. Responses of plants and animals to fires differ between biomes. Pyrophobic forest trees are fire-intolerant, but pyrophilic savanna trees have evolved many adaptive traits, such as thick bark, ligno-tubers, epicormic buds and self-pruning. The responses of humans to fire have evolved over millennia, being used as a tool in agriculture and hunting, but increasingly, with a frequency that is detrimental to ecosystem resilience and human wellbeing.
Herbivory: Mammalian Grazers and Browsers
Authors: Huntley Brian John
Published: March 2023

The history of African savannas is characterised by the coevolution of C4 grasses, savannas, herbivores and humans. Rainfall seasonality and fire in the tropics have interacted with vegetation in the evolution of African savanna biomes and herbivores. Particularly in the arid/eutrophic savannas, the evolution of African herbivores has seen adaptations such as the ruminant gut and hypsodont teeth, two features of antelope that were precursors to their radiation. The ecological, physiological and evolutionary processes involved that led to the diversity and abundance of Africa’s wildlife fauna are described. Conversely, the negative impacts of the rapid increase in domestic livestock (cattle, sheep, goats) in Africa over the past 2000 years has led to habitat degradation, frequent mass mortalities of both livestock and pastoralists, and of indigenous wildlife populations. Landscape-level vegetation transformation, from open savannas to closed, unproductive thickets, often follow poor animal and rangeland management practices.
Implementing Behaviour Change Strategies
Authors: Félix Isa Brito , Guerreiro Mara Pereira
Published: March 2023

This chapter outlines a stepwise approach to implementing behaviour change strategies in chronic disease. In the first part of this chapter, examples of determinants of target behaviours discussed in Chapter 3 are listed, based on case studies developed in the Train4Health project and in the literature. This includes barriers or opportunities (facilitators) for diet, physical activity, smoking cessation and medication adherence. Next, a brief description of approaches to assess key determinants is presented. The second part of this chapter begins with an overview of the classification of behaviour change techniques. Then, we offer guidance for the development of an intervention plan, covering how behaviour change techniques can be implemented in practice, considering potential barriers to the target behaviour, the length of the intervention and the modes through which they can be delivered.
Communication and Person-Centred Behaviour Change
Authors: Cavaco Afonso Miguel , Quitério Carlos Filipe , Félix Isa Brito , Guerreiro Mara Pereira
Published: March 2023

This chapter presents critical components of the interaction between the professional and the person, needed to effectively support behaviour change. Most of these components are relational competencies assisted by communication skills. Relational competencies include person-centredness and shared decision-making, contributing to the person’s empowerment, a concept strongly linked with health literacy. Communication skills comprise the basic interchange and optimised linguistic features. Further, coping strategies to deal with negative emotions and psychosocial implications of chronic disease are summarised.

This chapter also proposes an integrated approach (ABCD) for first and follow-up encounters in behaviour change interventions. The ABCD approach comprises four stages: setting the stage (A), establishing an information base (B), obtaining a commitment (C) and negotiating an intervention plan (D).
The Transnational Dimension of Cybersecurity: The NIS Directive and Its Jurisdictional Challenges
Authors: Contreras Paula
Published: March 2023

This paper explores the jurisdictional challenges that arise from the transnational dimension of cybersecurity, by analysing and comparing the jurisdictional rules applicable to cross-border actors under the NIS Directive and the NIS 2 Proposal. It also comparatively examines the jurisdictional rules of two other EU regulatory instruments applicable to digital services—the GDPR and the DSA Proposal—that rely on the ‘main establishment’ connecting factor to allocate jurisdiction to one Member State over the others (one-stop-shop mechanisms). Lastly, it assesses whether the NIS 2 Proposal represents a step forward in addressing the complex jurisdictional challenges created by cybersecurity cases with cross-border elements.
Refining the Mandatory Cybersecurity Incident Reporting Under the NIS Directive 2.0: Event Types and Reporting Processes
Authors: Schmitz-Berndt Sandra
Published: March 2023

The NIS Directive (NISD) and sector-specific cybersecurity regulations require the security incident reporting to supervisory authorities. Following the risk-based approach adopted in the NISD 1.0, the European Commission’s Proposal for an NISD 2.0 requires the reporting of incidents that have caused/have the potential to cause substantial or considerable harm, as well as cyberthreats to the competent national authorities in order to acquire a full picture of the threat landscape. The European Parliament strongly opposes any extension of reporting obligations beyond actual security incidents, whereas the European Council’s compromise approach supports at least the mandatory reporting of incidents with the potential to cause significant harm. This paper outlines and analyses the concepts utilized in the trilogue negotiation—‘significant incident’, ‘near miss’ and ‘cyberthreat’—from a legal perspective. Further, the distinct reporting processes and timelines proposed are addressed. In consideration of the increased attack surface and threat scenario, deficits of the NISD identified before the mitigation measures by the NISD 2.0 Proposal are assessed.
Cauchy slice holography: a new AdS/CFT dictionary
Authors: Araujo-Regado Goncalo , Khan Rifath , Wall Aron C.
Published: March 2023

Abstract

We investigate a new approach to holography in asymptotically AdS spacetimes, in which time rather than space is the emergent dimension. By making a sufficiently large T2-deformation of a Euclidean CFT, we define a holographic theory that lives on Cauchy slices of the Lorentzian bulk. (More generally, for an arbitrary Hamiltonian constraint equation that closes, we show how to obtain it by an irrelevant deformation from a CFT with suitable anomalies.) The partition function of this theory defines a natural map between the bulk canonical quantum gravity theory Hilbert space, and the Hilbert space of the usual (undeformed) boundary CFT. We argue for the equivalence of the ADM and CFT Hamiltonians. We also explain how bulk unitarity emerges naturally, even though the boundary theory is not reflection-positive. This allows us to reformulate the holographic principle in the language of Wheeler-DeWitt canonical quantum gravity.

Along the way, we outline a procedure for obtaining a bulk Hilbert space from the gravitational path integral with Dirichlet boundary conditions. Following previous conjectures, we postulate that this finite-cutoff gravitational path integral agrees with the T2-deformed theory living on an arbitrary boundary manifold — at least near the semiclassical regime. However, the T2-deformed theory may be easier to UV complete, in which case it would be natural to take it as the definition of nonperturbative quantum gravity.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning disciplines with the potential to improve the nanotoxicology and nanomedicine fields: a comprehensive review
Authors: Singh Ajay Vikram , Varma Mansi , Laux Peter , Choudhary Sunil , Datusalia Ashok Kumar , Gupta Neha , Luch Andreas , Gandhi Anusha , Kulkarni Pranav , Nath Banashree
Published: March 2023

The use of nanomaterials in medicine depends largely on nanotoxicological evaluation in order to ensure safe application on living organisms. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (MI) can be used to analyze and interpret large amounts of data in the field of toxicology, such as data from toxicological databases and high-content image-based screening data. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models and nano-quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) models can be used to predict the behavior and toxic effects of nanomaterials, respectively. PBPK and Nano-QSAR are prominent ML tool for harmful event analysis that is used to understand the mechanisms by which chemical compounds can cause toxic effects, while toxicogenomics is the study of the genetic basis of toxic responses in living organisms. Despite the potential of these methods, there are still many challenges and uncertainties that need to be addressed in the field. In this review, we provide an overview of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques in nanomedicine and nanotoxicology to better understand the potential toxic effects of these materials at the nanoscale.
Beyond the Symbiodiniaceae: diversity and role of microeukaryotic coral symbionts
Authors: Bonacolta Anthony M. , Weiler Bradley A. , Porta-Fitó Teresa , Sweet Michael , Keeling Patrick , del Campo Javier
Published: March 2023

Many corals form intimate symbioses with photosynthetic dinoflagellates in the family Symbiodiniaceae. These symbioses have been deeply studied, particularly in reef-forming corals. The complex microbial community that is associated with corals contains other members that have also been well characterized such as bacteria. However, our understanding of the coral holobiont and subsequently coral reef ecosystems is not complete if we do not take into consideration the microeukaryotes like protists and fungi. Microeukaryotes are currently the greatest enigma within the coral microbiome. Only a handful of them have been characterized, very few have been cultured and even less have genomes available. This is a reflection of a smaller community of scientists working on this particular group of organisms when compared with bacteria or Symbiodiniaceae, but also of the many technical challenges that we face when trying to study microeukaryotes. Recent advances in the use of metabarcoding are revealing the importance of microeukaryotes in corals in terms of abundance and presence, with notable examples being the green algaeOstreobiumand the apicomplexans Corallicolidae. We believe that it is timely and necessary to present what we know so far about coral microeukaryotes before the expected flow of high-throughput metabarcoding studies exploring the microeukaryotic fraction of the coral microbiome.
Mechanisms for African easterly wave changes in simulations of the mid-Holocene
Authors: Bian Jianpu , Räisänen Jouni , Zhang Qiong
Published: March 2023

The mid-Holocene was a warm period with significantly amplified precipitation in North Africa, and a northward shifted Western African Monsoon during boreal summer. We conduct simulations for the pre-industrial and mid-Holocene periods to investigate the connection between summer rainfall variability and changes of African easterly waves (AEWs) during the mid-Holocene. Summer rainfall increases and migrates northward during the mid-Holocene, but the magnitude of change fails to reconcile the discrepancy with mid-Holocene proxy evidence, possibly due to no prescribed vegetation change in our simulations. The spectrum of summer rainfall over the Sahel and West Africa reveals enhanced synoptic time scale (3-to-6 days) variability during the mid-Holocene, which is consistent with the enhanced AEW activity influence. Specifically, the southern AEW track strengthens and migrates poleward during the mid-Holocene period, which modulates summer rainfall over the Sahel and West Africa. By comparison, the northern AEW track changes less and produces a minor contribution to rainfall changes in those regions. We find enhanced baroclinic and barotropic instabilities to promote the AEW activity during the mid-Holocene, with a doubling of the eddy kinetic energy of the meridional wind from that in PI, and baroclinic energy conversion plays a more important role. Stronger low-level meridional thermal gradients increase moisture flux from the Atlantic Ocean to inland.The amplified AEW activity, together with promoted moist convection and increased precipitation, results in a northern shift of the summer rainfall band during the mid-Holocene.
Pre-eruptive rhyolite magma ascent rate is rapid and independent of eruption size: a case study from Ōkataina Volcanic Centre, Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Elms Hannah C. , Myers Madison L. , Nichols Alexander R. L. , Wallace Paul J. , Wilson Colin J. N. , Barker Simon J. , Charlier Bruce L. A.
Published: March 2023

Volatile measurements in mineral-hosted sealed melt inclusions, and open-ended embayments, have previously been used to study magma ascent dynamics in large rhyolitic eruptions. However, despite occurring more frequently, smaller-volume explosive events remain under-studied. We present magmatic volatile data from quartz-hosted melt inclusions and embayments for eight post-25.4 ka rhyolitic eruptions at Ōkataina Volcanic Centre, Aotearoa New Zealand. Seven originated from within the main caldera, and the other erupted from the associated Ōkareka Structural Embayment. Melt inclusions preserve volatile contents of 2.92–5.82 wt% H2O and 13–126 ppm CO2, indicating pre-eruptive storage depths of 4.5–7.4 km, with younger eruptions being more shallow. The lack of correlation between H2O, CO2, inclusion size or distance to the crystal rim suggests magma bodies experienced variable degrees of degassing during magma storage, with some amount of post-entrapment volatile modification prior to and concurrent with final magma ascent. Diffusion modelling of measured H2O gradients in melt embayments indicates ascent rates of 0.10–1.67 m.s−1 over time spans of 20–230 min for the intra-caldera events. In contrast, ascent rates for the eruption from the Ōkareka Structural Embayment may be more rapid, at 1.59–4.4 m.s−1 over a time span of 22–34 min. Our findings imply that the final, pre-eruptive magma movement towards the surface could be less than a few hours. Comparisons with published data for caldera-forming explosive events reveal no clear relationships between final ascent rate, eruption size or initial volatile content, implying that other factors besides eruption volume control rhyolite magma ascent.
Delayed egg-laying in Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio in relation to increased rainfall in east-central Poland
Authors: Golawski Artur , Golawska Sylwia
Published: March 2023

Climate change has affected the breeding parameters of many animal species. In birds, most studies have focused on the effects of temperature on clutch phenology and clutch size. The long-term influence of other weather factors, including rainfall, on breeding parameters have been analysed much less often. Based on a 23-year dataset and 308 broods, we documented shifts in the timing of breeding, clutch size and mean egg volume in a long-distance migrant, the Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio, from a central European population. We found a 5-day shift towards delayed breeding, but no differences in brood size or egg volume during those 23 years. The GLM analysis showed that the mean May temperature had a positive influence on the clutch initiation date, whereas the number of days with rain delayed laying. During the period 1999–2021, there was no change in the mean May temperature, but total precipitation and the number of days with rain in May increased. Thus, delayed nesting in this population was probably due to the increase in rainfall during this period. Our results provide a rare example of delayed nesting in birds in recent years. Predicted changes in the climate make it difficult to assess the long-term impact of global warming on the viability of Red-backed Shrike populations in east-central Poland.
Real-time facial emotion recognition system among children with autism based on deep learning and IoT
Authors: Talaat Fatma M.
Published: March 2023

Diagnosis of autism considers a challenging task for medical experts since the medical diagnosis mainly depends on the abnormalities in the brain functions that may not appear in the early stages of early onset of autism disorder. Facial expression can be an alternative and efficient solution for the early diagnosis of Autism. This is due to Autistic children usually having distinctive patterns which facilitate distinguishing them from normal children. Assistive technology has proven to be one of the most important innovations in helping people with autism improve their quality of life. A real-time emotion identification system for autistic youngsters was developed in this study. Face identification, facial feature extraction, and feature categorization are the three stages of emotion recognition. A total of six facial emotions are detected by the propound system: anger, fear, joy, natural, sadness, and surprise. This section proposes an enhanced deep learning (EDL) technique to classify the emotions using convolutional neural network. The proposed emotion detection framework takes the benefit from using fog and IoT to reduce the latency for real-time detection with fast response and to be a location awareness. From the results, EDL outperforms other techniques as it achieved 99.99% accuracy. EDL used GA to select the optimal hyperparameters for the CNN.
Dental status and its correlation with polypharmacy and multimorbidity in a Swiss nursing home population: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Anliker Noemi , Molinero-Mourelle Pedro , Weijers Mariëtte , Bukvic Hristina , Bornstein Michael M. , Schimmel Martin
Published: March 2023

Objective

To assess the correlation between oral health status in terms of present teeth, implants, removable prostheses, and polypharmacy and/or multimorbidity in three Swiss nursing homes with affiliated or integrated dental care.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in three Swiss geriatric nursing homes with integrated dental care. Dental information consisted of the number of teeth, root remnants, implants, and presence of removable dental prostheses. Furthermore, the medical history was assessed in terms of diagnosed medical conditions and prescribed medication. Age, dental status, polypharmacy, and multimorbidity were compared and correlated using t-tests and Pearson correlation coefficients.

Results

One hundred eighty patients with a mean age of 85.5 ± 7.4 years were included of which a portion of 62% presented with multimorbidity and 92% with polypharmacy. The mean number of remaining teeth and remnant roots were 14.1 ± 9.9 and 1.0 ± 3.1, respectively. Edentulous individuals comprised 14%, and over 75% of the population did not have implants. Over 50% of the included patients wore removable dental prostheses. A negative correlation with statistical significance (p = 0.001) between age and tooth loss (r = − 0.27) was observed. Finally, there was a non-statistically correlation between a higher number of remnant roots and specific medications linked to salivary dysfunction; specifically antihypertensive medication and central nervous system stimulants.

Conclusion

The presence of a poor oral health status was associated with polypharmacy and multimorbidity among the study population.

Clinical relevance

Identifying elderly patients in need of oral healthcare in nursing homes is a challenge. In Switzerland, the collaboration of dentists and nursing staff is still improvable, but is urgently needed due to the demographic changes and raising treatment demand of the oldest portion of the population.
Women Want Choices: Opinions from the Share.Learn.Shape Global Internet Survey About Multipurpose Prevention Technology (MPT) Products in Development
Authors: Friedland B. A. , Plagianos M. , Savel C. , Kallianes V. , Martinez C. , Begg L. , Guthrie K. M. , Venkatasetty D. , Pickett J. , Haddad L. B.
Published: March 2023

Women need multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs) to simultaneously prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, with or without contraception. User feedback early in product development is critical for maximizing uptake and continuation. Our global online survey (April 2017–December 2018) explored women’s opinions about MPT formulations in development (e.g., fast-dissolving vaginal inserts, vaginal films, intravaginal rings, injectables, implants), preferences for long-acting or “on-demand” methods, and interest in a contraceptive MPT versus products for HIV/STI prevention alone. Of the 630 women in our final analysis (mean 30 years old; range 18–49), 68% were monogamous, 79% completed secondary education, 58% had ≥ 1 child, 56% were from sub-Saharan Africa and 82% preferred a cMPT versus HIV/STI prevention alone. There were no clear preferences for any specific product or product type (long-acting, on-demand, daily). No single product will appeal everyone, however, adding contraception is likely to increase uptake of HIV/STI prevention methods for most women.
The climate niche of the invasive tick species Hyalomma marginatum and Hyalomma rufipes (Ixodidae) with recommendations for modeling exercises
Authors: Estrada-Peña Agustín
Published: March 2023

The finding of immature stages of some Hyalomma spp. feeding on migratory birds in Europe is unexceptional. The reports of adults of Hyalomma in Europe (incl. the British Isles) after successful molting from immatures have increased in recent years. It has been claimed that the warming of the target territory could favor the populations of these invasive ticks. Although evaluations of the impact on health or measures of adaptation are on their way, the climate niches of these species remain undefined, preventing preventive policies. This study delineates such niches for both Hyalomma marginatum (2,729 collection points) and Hyalomma rufipes (2,573 collections) in their distribution area, together with 11,669 points in Europe where Hyalomma spp. are believed to be absent in field surveys. Niche is defined from daily data of temperature, evapotranspiration, soil humidity and air saturation deficit (years 1970–2006). A set of eight variables (annual/seasonal accumulated temperature and vapor deficit) has the maximum discriminatory power separating the niches of both Hyalomma and a negative dataset, with an accuracy near 100%. The sites supporting H. marginatum or H. rufipes seem to be controlled by the joint action of the amount of water in the air (accounting for mortality) and the accumulated temperature (regulating development). The use of accumulated annual temperature as the only variable for predictive purposes of colonization of Hyalomma spp. looks unreliable, as far as values of water in air are excluded.
Dissection of pyroptosis-related prognostic signature and CASP6-mediated regulation in pancreatic adenocarcinoma: new sights to clinical decision-making
Authors: Zhu Jun , Shi Yanlong , Lan Sheng , Wang Jingyan , Jiang Fei , Tang Caiping , Cai Yuan , Pan Ziyuan , Jian Haokun , Fang Hanlu , Zhang Yewei , Zhong Fei
Published: March 2023

Recent studies have indicated that pyroptosis may participate in the regulation of tumorigenesis and immune microenvironment. However, the role of pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) remains unclear. Through multiple bioinformatics analysis, we constructed a prognostic gene model and competing endogenous RNA network. The correlation between PRGs and prognosis, immune infiltration, immune checkpoints, and tumor mutational burden was analyzed by Kaplan–Meier curve, univariate Cox, multivariate regression, and Spearman’s analysis in PAAD patients. The qRT-PCR, Western blotting, CCK-8, Wound healing, and Transwell assay were applied to examine the role of CASP6 in PANC-1 cell. Thirty-one PRGs were upregulated in PAAD. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that the PRGs were mainly involved in pyroptosis, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, and response to bacteria. We established a novel 4-gene signature related to PRGs for evaluating the prognosis of PAAD patients. Patients with PAAD in the low-risk group had a better prognosis than those in the high-risk group. The nomogram suggested that the 1-, 3-, and 5-years survival probability exhibited robust predictive performance. Significant correlation was observed between prognostic PRGs and immune infiltration, immune checkpoints, and tumor mutational burden. We first identified the potential competing endogenous RNA regulatory axis in PAAD: lncRNA PVT1/hsa-miR-16-5p/CASP6/CASP8. Moreover, knockdown of CASP6 dramatically inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion ability of PANC-1 cell in vitro. In conclusion, CASP6 could be a potential biomarker, promoting the occurrence and progression in PAAD. The lncRNA PVT1/hsa-miR-16-5p/CASP6/CASP8 regulatory axis plays an vital role in regulating the anti-tumor immune responses for PAAD.
Recent advances in laser self-injection locking to high-Q microresonators
Authors: Kondratiev Nikita M. , Lobanov Valery E. , Shitikov Artem E. , Galiev Ramzil R. , Chermoshentsev Dmitry A. , Dmitriev Nikita Yu. , Danilin Andrey N. , Lonshakov Evgeny A. , Min’kov Kirill N. , Sokol Daria M. , Cordette Steevy J. , Luo Yi-Han , Liang Wei , Liu Junqiu , Bilenko Igor A.
Published: March 2023

The stabilization and manipulation of laser frequency by means of an external cavity are nearly ubiquitously used in fundamental research and laser applications. While most of the laser light transmits through the cavity, in the presence of some back-scattered light from the cavity to the laser, the self-injection locking effect can take place, which locks the laser emission frequency to the cavity mode of similar frequency. The self-injection locking leads to dramatic reduction of laser linewidth and noise. Using this approach, a common semiconductor laser locked to an ultrahigh-Q microresonator can obtain sub-Hertz linewidth, on par with state-of-the-art fiber lasers. Therefore it paves the way to manufacture high-performance semiconductor lasers with reduced footprint and cost. Moreover, with high laser power, the optical nonlinearity of the microresonator drastically changes the laser dynamics, offering routes for simultaneous pulse and frequency comb generation in the same microresonator. Particularly, integrated photonics technology, enabling components fabricated via semiconductor CMOS process, has brought increasing and extending interest to laser manufacturing using this method. In this article, we present a comprehensive tutorial on analytical and numerical methods of laser self-injection locking, as well a review of most recent theoretical and experimental achievements.
Infrared image fusion for quality enhancement
Authors: Donia Eman A. , El-Rabaie El-Sayed M. , El-Samie Fathi E. Abd , Faragallah Osama S. , El-Hag Noha A.
Published: March 2023

This paper presents an approach for infrared image enhancement through fusion. Firstly, the infrared image is enhanced through histogram matching to enhance its dynamic range. A reference image with a good dynamic range, such as Cameraman, Lena, and Mandrill, is used in the histogram matching process. After that, the enhanced image is fused with the original image through curvelet fusion to inject much more details in the infrared image. The proposed approach achieves high quality of infrared image enhancement compared with different techniques.