bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automating cell counting in fluorescent microscopy through deep learning with c-ResUnet
Authors: Morelli Roberto , Clissa Luca , Amici Roberto , Cerri Matteo , Hitrec Timna , Luppi Marco , Rinaldi Lorenzo , Squarcio Fabio , Zoccoli Antonio
Published: November 2021

Counting cells in fluorescent microscopy is a tedious, time-consuming task that researchers have to accomplish to assess the effects of different experimental conditions on biological structures of interest. Although such objects are generally easy to identify, the process of manually annotating cells is sometimes subject to fatigue errors and suffers from arbitrariness due to the operator’s interpretation of the borderline cases. We propose a Deep Learning approach that exploits a fully-convolutional network in a binary segmentation fashion to localize the objects of interest. Counts are then retrieved as the number of detected items. Specifically, we introduce a Unet-like architecture, cell ResUnet (c-ResUnet), and compare its performance against 3 similar architectures. In addition, we evaluate through ablation studies the impact of two design choices, (i) artifacts oversampling and (ii) weight maps that penalize the errors on cells boundaries increasingly with overcrowding. In summary, the c-ResUnet outperforms the competitors with respect to both detection and counting metrics (respectively, $$F_1$$

F
1

score = 0.81 and MAE = 3.09). Also, the introduction of weight maps contribute to enhance performances, especially in presence of clumping cells, artifacts and confounding biological structures. Posterior qualitative assessment by domain experts corroborates previous results, suggesting human-level performance inasmuch even erroneous predictions seem to fall within the limits of operator interpretation. Finally, we release the pre-trained model and the annotated dataset to foster research in this and related fields.
Probabilistic projections of the stability of small tidal inlets at century time scale using a reduced complexity approach
Authors: Duong Trang Minh , Ranasinghe Roshanka , Callaghan David P.
Published: November 2021

Climate change is widely expected to affect the thousands of small tidal inlets (STIs) dotting the global coastline. To properly inform effective adaptation strategies for the coastal areas in the vicinity of these inlets, it is necessary to know the temporal evolution of inlet stability over climate change time scales (50–100 years). As available numerical models are unable to perform continuous morphodynamic simulations at such time scales, here we develop and pilot a fast, probabilistic, reduced complexity model (RAPSTA – RAPid assessment tool of inlet STAbility) that can also quantify forcing uncertainties. RAPSTA accounts for the key physical processes governing STI stability and for climate change driven variations in system forcing. The model is very fast, providing a 100 year projection in less than 3 seconds. RAPSTA is demonstrated here at 3 STIs, representing the 3 main Types of STIs; Permanently open, locationally stable inlet (Type 1); Permanently open, alongshore migrating inlet (Type 2); Seasonally/Intermittently open, locationally stable inlet (Type 3). Model applications under a high greenhouse gas emissions scenario (RCP 8.5), accounting for forcing uncertainties, show that while the Type 1 STI will not change type over the twenty-first century, the Type 2 inlet may change into a more unstable Type 3 system around mid-century, and the Type 3 STI may change into a less unstable Type 2 system in about 20 years from now, further changing into a stable Type 1 STI around mid-century. These projections underscore the need for future adaptation strategies to remain flexible.
Hybrid de novo genome-reassembly reveals new insights on pathways and pathogenicity determinants in rice blast pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae RMg_Dl
Authors: Reddy Bhaskar , Kumar Aundy , Mehta Sahil , Sheoran Neelam , Chinnusamy Viswanathan , Prakash Ganesan
Published: November 2021

Blast disease incited by Magnaporthe oryzae is a major threat to sustain rice production in all rice growing nations. The pathogen is widely distributed in all rice paddies and displays rapid aerial transmissions, and seed-borne latent infection. In order to understand the genetic variability, host specificity, and molecular basis of the pathogenicity-associated traits, the whole genome of rice infecting Magnaporthe oryzae (Strain RMg_Dl) was sequenced using the Illumina and PacBio (RSII compatible) platforms. The high-throughput hybrid assembly of short and long reads resulted in a total of 375 scaffolds with a genome size of 42.43 Mb. Furthermore, comparative genome analysis revealed 99% average nucleotide identity (ANI) with other oryzae genomes and 83% against M. grisea, and 73% against M. poe genomes. The gene calling identified 10,553 genes with 10,539 protein-coding sequences. Among the detected transposable elements, the LTR/Gypsy and Type LINE showed high occurrence. The InterProScan of predicted protein sequences revealed that 97% protein family (PFAM), 98% superfamily, and 95% CDD were shared among RMg_Dl and reference 70-15 genome, respectively. Additionally, 550 CAZymes with high GH family content/distribution and cell wall degrading enzymes (CWDE) such endoglucanase, beta-glucosidase, and pectate lyase were also deciphered in RMg_Dl. The prevalence of virulence factors determination revealed that 51 different VFs were found in the genome. The biochemical pathway such as starch and sucrose metabolism, mTOR signaling, cAMP signaling, MAPK signaling pathways related genes were identified in the genome. The 49,065 SNPs, 3267 insertions and 3611 deletions were detected, and majority of these varinats were located on downstream and upstream region. Taken together, the generated information will be useful to develop a specific marker for diagnosis, pathogen surveillance and tracking, molecular taxonomy, and species delineation which ultimately leads to device improved management strategies for blast disease.
Antioxidant status in relation to heavy metals induced oxidative stress in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
Authors: Abudawood Manal , Tabassum Hajera , Alanazi Atheer H. , Almusallam Fatmah , Aljaser Feda , Ali Mir Naiman , Alenzi Naif D. , Alanazi Samyah T. , Alghamdi Manal A. , Altoum Ghadah H. , Alzeer Manar A. , Alotaibi Majed O. , Abudawood Arwa , Ghneim Hazem K. , Al-Nuaim Lulu Abdullah Ali
Published: November 2021

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a global health concern for women of reproductive age, as 6.5% of women worldwide are affected by this syndrome. PCOS is marked by hyperandrogenism, anovulation, menstrual abnormalities, and polycystic ovaries. Metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury are considered to be systemic toxicants/human carcinogens and seem to have devastating effects on humans, even at minimal exposures. One of the probable aetiological factors for PCOS has been identified as oxidative stress. In view of the probable associations among oxidative stress, metal toxicity and PCOS, the present study examined the role of heavy metals in the generation of oxidative stress among females. This prospective study included 106 women (56 women diagnosed with PCOS and 50 women who were not diagnosed with PCOS as control women). There were no significant differences in the sociodemographic characteristics between the two groups except for the irregularity of menses and the presence of acne. The serum As, Cd, Pb, and Hg levels increased and the serum glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels diminished significantly in the PCOS group compared to the control group at P < 0.001. The SOD levels were negatively correlated with the As and Pb levels at P < 0.05. Additionally, the PCOS group exhibited a strong negative correlation between the GSH and As levels (P < 0.01), GSH and Pb levels (P < 0.05) and GSH and Hg levels (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the As levels were positively correlated with increased levels of Cd, Pb and Hg among PCOS women. Significant positive correlations were observed between Pb and Cd and between Cd and Hg at P < 0.001. The outcome of the study provides clear insight into the role of metal-induced oxidative stress, which plays a vital role in the pathophysiology underlying PCOS and suggests the use of these markers as prognostic tools to reduce the consequences of high-risk exposure to these metals among females.
A highly stable, nanotube-enhanced, CMOS-MEMS thermal emitter for mid-IR gas sensing
Authors: Popa Daniel , Hopper Richard , Ali Syed Zeeshan , Cole Matthew Thomas , Fan Ye , Veigang-Radulescu Vlad-Petru , Chikkaraddy Rohit , Nallala Jayakrupakar , Xing Yuxin , Alexander-Webber Jack , Hofmann Stephan , De Luca Andrea , Gardner Julian William , Udrea Florin
Published: November 2021

The gas sensor market is growing fast, driven by many socioeconomic and industrial factors. Mid-infrared (MIR) gas sensors offer excellent performance for an increasing number of sensing applications in healthcare, smart homes, and the automotive sector. Having access to low-cost, miniaturized, energy efficient light sources is of critical importance for the monolithic integration of MIR sensors. Here, we present an on-chip broadband thermal MIR source fabricated by combining a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) micro-hotplate with a dielectric-encapsulated carbon nanotube (CNT) blackbody layer. The micro-hotplate was used during fabrication as a micro-reactor to facilitate high temperature (>700 $$^{\circ }$$

∘

C) growth of the CNT layer and also for post-growth thermal annealing. We demonstrate, for the first time, stable extended operation in air of devices with a dielectric-encapsulated CNT layer at heater temperatures above 600 $$^{\circ }$$

∘

C. The demonstrated devices exhibit almost unitary emissivity across the entire MIR spectrum, offering an ideal solution for low-cost, highly-integrated MIR spectroscopy for the Internet of Things.
The influence of gravity on respiratory kinematics during phonation measured by dynamic magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Traser Louisa , Schwab Carmen , Burk Fabian , Özen Ali Caglar , Burdumy Michael , Bock Michael , Richter Bernhard , Echternach Matthias
Published: November 2021

Respiratory kinematics are important for the regulation of voice production. Dynamic MRI is an excellent tool to study respiratory motion providing high-resolution cross-sectional images. Unfortunately, in clinical MRI systems images can only be acquired in a horizontal subject position, which does not take into account gravitational effects on the respiratory apparatus. To study the effect of body posture on respiratory kinematics during phonation, 8 singers were examined both in an open-configuration MRI with a rotatable gantry and a conventional horizontal MRI system. During dynamic MRI the subjects sang sustained tones at different pitches in both supine and upright body positions. Sagittal images of the respiratory system were obtained at 1–3 images per second, from which 6 anatomically defined distances were extracted to characterize its movements in the anterior, medium and posterior section of the diaphragm as well as the rip cage (diameter at the height of the 3rd and 5th rip) and the anterior–posterior position of the diaphragm cupola. Regardless of body position, singers maintained their general principles of respiratory kinematics with combined diaphragm and thorax muscle activation for breath support. This was achieved by expanding their chest an additional 20% during inspiration when singing in the supine position but not for sole breathing. The diaphragm was cranially displaced in supine position for both singing and breathing and its motion range increased. These results facilitate a more realistic extrapolation of research data obtained in a supine position.
Electrospinning preparation of g-C3N4/Nb2O5 nanofibers heterojunction for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in water
Authors: Wang Lu , Li Ya , Han Pingfang
Published: November 2021

In this study, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) and niobium pentoxide nanofibers (Nb2O5 NFs) heterojunction was prepared by means of a direct electrospinning approach combined with calcination process. The characterizations confirmed a well-defined morphology of the g-C3N4/Nb2O5 heterojunction in which Nb2O5 NFs were tightly attached onto g-C3N4 nanosheets. Compared to pure g-C3N4 and Nb2O5 NFs, the as-prepared g-C3N4/Nb2O5 heterojunction exhibited remarkably enhanced photocatalytic activity for degradation of rhodamine B and phenol under visible light irradiation. The enhanced catalytic activity was attributed predominantly to the synergistic effect between g-C3N4 sheets and Nb2O5 NFs, which promoted the transferring of carriers and prohibited their recombination, confirmed by the measurement of transient photocurrent responses and photoluminescence spectra. In addition, the active species trapping experiments indicated that superoxide radical anion (·O2–) and hole (h+) were the major active species contributing to the photocatalytic process. With its high efficacy and ease of preparation, g-C3N4/Nb2O5 heterojunction has great potentials for applications in treatment of organic pollutants and conversion of solar energy.
Mechanism of quercetin therapeutic targets for Alzheimer disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Zu Guoxiu , Sun Keyun , Li Ling , Zu Xiuli , Han Tao , Huang Hailiang
Published: November 2021

Quercetin has demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic activities, suggesting therapeutic potential against type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this study, potential molecular targets of quercetin were first identified using the Swiss Target Prediction platform and pathogenic targets of T2DM and AD were identified using online Mendelian inheritance in man (OMIM), DisGeNET, TTD, DrugBank, and GeneCards databases. The 95 targets shared among quercetin, T2DM, and AD were used to establish a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network, top 25 core genes, and protein functional modules using MCODE. Metascape was then used for gene ontology and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. A protein functional module with best score was obtained from the PPI network using CytoHubba, and 6 high-probability quercetin targets (AKT1, JUN, MAPK, TNF, VEGFA, and EGFR) were confirmed by docking simulations. Molecular dynamics simulation was carried out according to the molecular docking results. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis suggested that the major shared mechanisms for T2DM and AD include “AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications,” “pathways in cancer,” and “MAPK signaling pathway” (the key pathway). We speculate that quercetin may have therapeutic applications in T2DM and AD by targeting MAPK signaling, providing a theoretical foundation for future clinical research.
A novel experimental approach to study disobedience to authority
Authors: Caspar Emilie A.
Published: November 2021

Fifty years after the experiments of Stanley Milgram, the main objective of the present paper is to offer a paradigm that complies with up-to-date ethical standards and that can be adapted to various scientific disciplines, ranging from sociology and (social) psychology to neuroscience. Inspired by subsequent versions of Milgram-like paradigms and by combining the strengths of each, this paper presents a novel experimental approach to the study of (dis)obedience to authority. Volunteers are recruited in pairs and take turns to be ‘agents’ or ‘victims’, making the procedure fully reciprocal. For each trial, the agents receive an order from the experimenter to send a real, mildly painful electric shock to the ‘victim’, thus placing participants in an ecological set-up and avoiding the use of cover stories. Depending on the experimental condition, ‘agents’ receive, or do not receive, a monetary gain and are given, or are not given, an aim to obey the experimenter’s orders. Disobedience here refers to the number of times ‘agents’ refused to deliver the real shock to the ‘victim’. As the paradigm is designed to fit with brain imaging methods, I hope to bring new insights and perspectives in this area of research.
Using the Newcomb–Benford law to study the association between a country’s COVID-19 reporting accuracy and its development
Authors: Balashov Vadim S. , Yan Yuxing , Zhu Xiaodi
Published: November 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred controversies related to whether countries manipulate reported data for political gains. We study the association between accuracy of reported COVID-19 data and developmental indicators. We use the Newcomb–Benford law (NBL) to gauge data accuracy. We run an OLS regression of an index constructed from developmental indicators (democracy level, gross domestic product per capita, healthcare expenditures, and universal healthcare coverage) on goodness-of-fit measures to the NBL. We find that countries with higher values of the developmental index are less likely to deviate from the Newcomb-Benford law. The relationship holds for the cumulative number of reported deaths and total cases but is more pronounced for the death toll. The findings are robust for second-digit tests and for a sub-sample of countries with regional data. The NBL provides a first screening for potential data manipulation during pandemics. Our study indicates that data from autocratic regimes and less developed countries should be treated with more caution. The paper further highlights the importance of independent surveillance data verification projects.
Effects of pulse parameters on the temperature distribution of a human head exposed to the electromagnetic pulse
Authors: Wang Shan , Song Zhongguo , Yuan Yanning , Guo Guozhen , Kang Jianjun
Published: November 2021

The presence of blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a major obstacle to effectively deliver therapeutics to the central nervous system (CNS); hence, the outcomes following treatment of CNS diseases remain unsatisfactory. Fortunately, electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) provide a non-invasive method to locally open the BBB. To obtain the optimal pulse parameters of EMP-induced BBB opening to ensure the effective delivery of CNS drugs, it is particularly important to measure and assess the effects of pulse parameters on the temperature distribution in the human head exposed to EMPs. In this paper, the specific anthropomorphic mannequin phantom was adopted and the temperature increase in the human head induced by EMPs of different parameters was estimated in the software “COMSOL Multiphysics”. The results show that the temperature distribution profiles with different EMP parameters have almost similar characteristics, the highest temperature increase values in the human head are positively correlated with variations of EMP parameters, and potential hazards to the human head may occur when EMP parameters exceed the safety threshold, which will provide theoretical basis for seeking the optimal EMP parameters to open the BBB to the greatest extent within a safe range.
Differential expression of hypoxia-inducible factors related to the invasiveness of epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Shih Ho-Jun , Chang Hsin-Fang , Chen Chi-Ling , Torng Pao-Ling
Published: November 2021

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological cancer, and it is frequently diagnosed at advanced stages, with recurrences after treatments. Treatment failure and resistance are due to hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) activated by cancer cells adapt to hypoxia. IGFBP3, which was previously identified as a growth/invasion/metastasis suppressor of ovarian cancer, plays a key role in inhibiting tumor angiogenesis. Although IGFBP3 can effectively downregulate tumor proliferation and vasculogenesis, its effects are only transient. Tumors enter a hypoxic state when they grow large and without blood vessels; then, the tumor cells activate HIFs to regulate cell metabolism, proliferation, and induce vasculogenesis to adapt to hypoxic stress. After IGFBP3 was transiently expressed in highly invasive ovarian cancer cell line and heterotransplant on mice, the xenograft tumors demonstrated a transient growth arrest with de-vascularization, causing tumor cell hypoxia. Tumor re-proliferation was associated with early HIF-1α and later HIF-2α activations. Both HIF-1α and HIF-2α were related to IGFBP3 expressions. In the down-expression of IGFBP3 in xenograft tumors and transfectants, HIF-2α was the major activated protein. This study suggests that HIF-2α presentation is crucial in the switching of epithelial ovarian cancer from dormancy to proliferation states. In highly invasive cells, the cancer hallmarks associated with aggressiveness could be activated to escape from the growth restriction state.
Effect of honeydew honey addition on the water activity and water holding capacity of kefir in the context of its sensory acceptability
Authors: Bielska Paulina , Cais-Sokolińska Dorota , Teichert Joanna , Biegalski Jakub , Kaczyński Łukasz K. , Chudy Sylwia
Published: November 2021

The aim of the research was to check how the addition of honeydew honey and various compositions of starter cultures affects the water holding capacity, water activity, color, syneresis and consistency of the obtained kefir in the context of its sensory acceptability. In this research, 2.5% and 5% (w/w) honeydew honey was added to the samples of model kefir (K) and commercial kefir (K13). Kefirs differed by the type of used starter cultures and conditions of production. The addition of honeydew honey to kefir resulted in increased water holding capacity and a reduction in water activity. Honeydew honey kefir was characterized by the following flavor: astringent, fruity, pungent and waxy. As the honey content increased, the taste and waxy flavor became sweeter. In the sensory assessment, the attributes of texture and mouthfeel, creaminess, density and firmness, do not change because of the honey amount or storage time of the samples. The use of different starter cultures in kefir production with the addition of honeydew honey impacted texture parameters, resulting in up to a 4.8-fold increased viscosity index.
Improved bactericidal efficacy and thermostability of Staphylococcus aureus-specific bacteriophage SA3821 by repeated sodium pyrophosphate challenges
Authors: Choi Hyo Ju , Kim Minsik
Published: November 2021

As antibiotic resistance is being a threat to public health worldwide, bacteriophages are re-highlighted as alternative antimicrobials to fight with pathogens. Various wild-type phages isolated from diverse sources have been tested, but potential mutant phages generated by genome engineering or random mutagenesis are drawing increasing attention. Here, we applied a chelating agent, sodium pyrophosphate, to the staphylococcal temperate Siphoviridae phage SA3821 to introduce random mutations. Through 30 sequential sodium pyrophosphate challenges and random selections, the suspected mutant phage SA3821M was isolated. SA3821M maintained an intact virion morphology, but exhibited better bactericidal activity against its host Staphylococcous aureus CCARM 3821 for up to 17 h and thermostability than its parent, SA3821. Sodium pyrophosphate-mediated mutations in SA3821M were absent in lysogenic development genes but concentrated (83.9%) in genes related to the phage tail, particularly in the tail tape measure protein, indicating that changes in the tail module might have been responsible for the altered traits. This intentional random mutagenesis through controlled treatments with sodium pyrophosphate could be applied to other phages as a simple but potent method to improve their traits as alternative antimicrobials.
Two novel human anti-CD25 antibodies with antitumor activity inversely related to their affinity and in vitro activity
Authors: Song Deyong , Liu Xiu , Dong Chuangchuang , Wang Qiaoping , Sha Chunjie , Liu Chuan , Ning Zhenfei , Han Jing , Liu Hong , Zong Mengqi , Zhao Yanyan , Li Ying , Liu Guangsheng , Shao Xin , Dou Changlin
Published: November 2021

High tumor regulatory T (Treg) cell infiltration is associated with poor prognosis of many cancers. CD25 is highly expressed on tumor Treg cells and is a potential target for Treg deletion. Previously characterized anti-CD25 antibodies appear to have limited efficacy in tumor inhibition. Here we identified two human anti-CD25 antibodies, BA9 and BT942, which did not prevent the activation of IL-2R signaling pathway by IL-2. BT942 had weaker binding and cytotoxic activity to human CD25-expressing cell lines than BA9. But both demonstrated significant tumor growth inhibition in early and late-stage animal cancer models. BT942 resulted in a higher expansion of CD8+T cells and CD4+T cells in tumor microenvironment in mouse MC38 model compared to BA9. BT942 also demonstrated significant higher tumor growth inhibition and higher expansion of CD8+T cells and CD4+T cells in combination with an anti-PD1 antibody. Pharmacokinetic study of BT942 in cynomolgus monkeys demonstrated a half-life of 206.97 ± 19.03 h. Structural analysis by cryo-EM revealed that BT942 recognizes an epitope on opposite side of the CD25-IL-2 binding site, consistent with no IL-2 signaling blockade in vitro. BT942 appears to be an excellent candidate for cancer immunotherapy.
Resting-state functional heterogeneity of the right insula contributes to pain sensitivity
Authors: Veréb Dániel , Kincses Bálint , Spisák Tamás , Schlitt Frederik , Szabó Nikoletta , Faragó Péter , Kocsis Krisztián , Bozsik Bence , Tóth Eszter , Király András , Zunhammer Matthias , Schmidt-Wilcke Tobias , Bingel Ulrike , Kincses Zsigmond Tamás
Published: November 2021

Previous studies have described the structure and function of the insular cortex in terms of spatially continuous gradients. Here we assess how spatial features of insular resting state functional organization correspond to individual pain sensitivity. From a previous multicenter study, we included 107 healthy participants, who underwent resting state functional MRI scans, T1-weighted scans and quantitative sensory testing on the left forearm. Thermal and mechanical pain thresholds were determined. Connectopic mapping, a technique using non-linear representations of functional organization was employed to describe functional connectivity gradients in both insulae. Partial coefficients of determination were calculated between trend surface model parameters summarizing spatial features of gradients, modal and modality-independent pain sensitivity. The dominant connectopy captured the previously reported posteroanterior shift in connectivity profiles. Spatial features of dominant connectopies in the right insula explained significant amounts of variance in thermal (R2 = 0.076; p < 0.001 and R2 = 0.031; p < 0.029) and composite pain sensitivity (R2 = 0.072; p < 0.002). The left insular gradient was not significantly associated with pain thresholds. Our results highlight the functional relevance of gradient-like insular organization in pain processing. Considering individual variations in insular connectopy might contribute to understanding neural mechanisms behind pain and improve objective brain-based characterization of individual pain sensitivity.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Machine learning prediction of the Madden-Julian oscillation
Authors: Silini Riccardo , Barreiro Marcelo , Masoller Cristina
Published: November 2021

The socioeconomic impact of weather extremes draws the attention of researchers to the development of novel methodologies to make more accurate weather predictions. The Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) is the dominant mode of variability in the tropical atmosphere on sub-seasonal time scales, and can promote or enhance extreme events in both, the tropics and the extratropics. Forecasting extreme events on the sub-seasonal time scale (from 10 days to about 3 months) is very challenging due to a poor understanding of the phenomena that can increase predictability on this time scale. Here we show that two artificial neural networks (ANNs), a feed-forward neural network and a recurrent neural network, allow a very competitive MJO prediction. While our average prediction skill is about 26–27 days (which competes with that obtained with most computationally demanding state-of-the-art climate models), for some initial phases and seasons the ANNs have a prediction skill of 60 days or longer. Furthermore, we show that the ANNs have a good ability to predict the MJO phase, but the amplitude is underestimated.
Basolateral and central amygdala orchestrate how we learn whom to trust
Authors: Sladky Ronald , Riva Federica , Rosenberger Lisa Anna , van Honk Jack , Lamm Claus
Published: November 2021

Cooperation and mutual trust are essential in our society, yet not everybody is trustworthy. In this fMRI study, 62 healthy volunteers performed a repeated trust game, placing trust in a trustworthy or an untrustworthy player. We found that the central amygdala was active during trust behavior planning while the basolateral amygdala was active during outcome evaluation. When planning the trust behavior, central and basolateral amygdala activation was stronger for the untrustworthy player compared to the trustworthy player but only in participants who actually learned to differentiate the trustworthiness of the players. Independent of learning success, nucleus accumbens encoded whether trust was reciprocated. This suggests that learning whom to trust is not related to reward processing in the nucleus accumbens, but rather to engagement of the amygdala. Our study overcomes major empirical gaps between animal models and human neuroimaging and shows how different subnuclei of the amygdala and connected areas orchestrate learning to form different subjective trustworthiness beliefs about others and guide trust choice behavior.
Large-scale DNA demethylation occurs in proliferating ovarian granulosa cells during mouse follicular development
Authors: Kawai Tomoko , Richards JoAnne S. , Shimada Masayuki
Published: November 2021

During ovarian follicular development, granulosa cells proliferate and progressively differentiate to support oocyte maturation and ovulation. To determine the underlying links between proliferation and differentiation in granulosa cells, we determined changes in 1) the expression of genes regulating DNA methylation and 2) DNA methylation patterns, histone acetylation levels and genomic DNA structure. In response to equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), granulosa cell proliferation increased, DNA methyltransferase (DNMT1) significantly decreased and Tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2) significantly increased in S-phase granulosa cells. Comprehensive MeDIP-seq analyses documented that eCG treatment decreased methylation of promoter regions in approximately 40% of the genes in granulosa cells. The expression of specific demethylated genes was significantly increased in association with specific histone modifications and changes in DNA structure. These epigenetic processes were suppressed by a cell cycle inhibitor. Based on these results, we propose that the timing of sequential epigenetic events is essential for progressive, stepwise changes in granulosa cell differentiation.
Effects of poor sleep on the immune cell landscape as assessed by single-cell analysis
Authors: Liu Xiuxing , Chen Binyao , Huang Zhaohao , Duan Runping , Li He , Xie Lihui , Wang Rong , Li Zhaohuai , Gao Yuehan , Zheng Yingfeng , Su Wenru
Published: November 2021

Poor sleep has become an important public health issue. With loss of sleep durations, poor sleep has been linked to the increased risks for diseases. Here we employed mass cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing to obtain a comprehensive human immune cells landscape in the context of poor sleep, which was analyzed in the context of subset composition, gene signatures, enriched pathways, transcriptional regulatory networks, and intercellular interactions. Participants subjected to staying up had increased T and plasma cell frequency, along with upregulated autoimmune-related markers and pathways in CD4+ T and B cells. Additionally, staying up reduced the differentiation and immune activity of cytotoxic cells, indicative of a predisposition to infection and tumor development. Finally, staying up influenced myeloid subsets distribution and induced inflammation development and cellular senescence. These findings could potentially give high-dimensional and advanced insights for understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of pathologic conditions related to poor sleep.
C. elegans TFIIH subunit GTF-2H5/TTDA is a non-essential transcription factor indispensable for DNA repair
Authors: Thijssen Karen L. , van der Woude Melanie , Davó-Martínez Carlota , Dekkers Dick H. W. , Sabatella Mariangela , Demmers Jeroen A. A. , Vermeulen Wim , Lans Hannes
Published: November 2021

The 10-subunit TFIIH complex is vital to transcription and nucleotide excision repair. Hereditary mutations in its smallest subunit, TTDA/GTF2H5, cause a photosensitive form of the rare developmental disorder trichothiodystrophy. Some trichothiodystrophy features are thought to be caused by subtle transcription or gene expression defects. TTDA/GTF2H5 knockout mice are not viable, making it difficult to investigate TTDA/GTF2H5 in vivo function. Here we show that deficiency of C. elegans TTDA ortholog GTF-2H5 is, however, compatible with life, in contrast to depletion of other TFIIH subunits. GTF-2H5 promotes TFIIH stability in multiple tissues and is indispensable for nucleotide excision repair, in which it facilitates recruitment of TFIIH to DNA damage. Strikingly, when transcription is challenged, gtf-2H5 embryos die due to the intrinsic TFIIH fragility in absence of GTF-2H5. These results support the idea that TTDA/GTF2H5 mutations cause transcription impairment underlying trichothiodystrophy and establish C. elegans as model for studying pathogenesis of this disease.
A cell-based multiplex immunoassay platform using fluorescent protein-barcoded reporter cell lines
Authors: Song Shengli , Manook Miriam , Kwun Jean , Jackson Annette M. , Knechtle Stuart J. , Kelsoe Garnett
Published: November 2021

Multiplex immunoassays with acellular antigens are well-established based on solid-phase platforms such as the Luminex® technology. Cell barcoding by amine-reactive fluorescent dyes enables analogous cell-based multiplex assays, but requires multiple labeling reactions and quality checks prior to every assay. Here we describe generation of stable, fluorescent protein-barcoded reporter cell lines suitable for multiplex screening of antibody to membrane proteins. The utility of this cell-based system, with the potential of a 256-plex cell panel, is demonstrated by flow cytometry deconvolution of barcoded cell panels expressing influenza A hemagglutinin trimers, or native human CCR2 or CCR5 multi-span proteins and their epitope-defining mutants. This platform will prove useful for characterizing immunity and discovering antibodies to membrane-associated proteins.
Compressing atmospheric data into its real information content
Authors: Klöwer Milan , Razinger Miha , Dominguez Juan J. , Düben Peter D. , Palmer Tim N.
Published: November 2021

Hundreds of petabytes are produced annually at weather and climate forecast centers worldwide. Compression is essential to reduce storage and to facilitate data sharing. Current techniques do not distinguish the real from the false information in data, leaving the level of meaningful precision unassessed. Here we define the bitwise real information content from information theory for the Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service (CAMS). Most variables contain fewer than 7 bits of real information per value and are highly compressible due to spatio-temporal correlation. Rounding bits without real information to zero facilitates lossless compression algorithms and encodes the uncertainty within the data itself. All CAMS data are 17× compressed relative to 64-bit floats, while preserving 99% of real information. Combined with four-dimensional compression, factors beyond 60× are achieved. A data compression Turing test is proposed to optimize compressibility while minimizing information loss for the end use of weather and climate forecast data.
Prior fluid and electrolyte imbalance is associated with COVID-19 mortality
Authors: Nahkuri Satu , Becker Tim , Schueller Vitalia , Massberg Steffen , Bauer-Mehren Anna
Published: November 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic represents a major public health threat. Risk of death from the infection is associated with age and pre-existing comorbidities such as diabetes, dementia, cancer, and impairment of immunological, hepatic or renal function. It remains incompletely understood why some patients survive the disease, while others do not. As such, we sought to identify novel prognostic factors for COVID-19 mortality.

Methods

We performed an unbiased, observational retrospective analysis of real world data. Our multivariable and univariable analyses make use of U.S. electronic health records from 122,250 COVID-19 patients in the early stages of the pandemic.

Results

Here we show that a priori diagnoses of fluid, pH and electrolyte imbalance during the year preceding the infection are associated with an increased risk of death independently of age and prior renal comorbidities.

Conclusions

We propose that future interventional studies should investigate whether the risk of death can be alleviated by diligent and personalized management of the fluid and electrolyte balance of at-risk individuals during and before COVID-19.
Highly sensitive electrochemical determination of the SARS-COV-2 antigen based on a gold/graphene imprinted poly-arginine sensor
Authors: Zhang Tao , Sun Lina , Zhang Yiyuan
Published: November 2021

A simple gold/graphene imprinted poly-arginine sensor was proposed for the highly sensitive electrochemical determination of SARS-COV-2 antigen.
Simultaneous preconcentration and fluorescence detection of ATP by a hybrid nanocomposite of magnetic nanoparticles incorporated in mixed metal hydroxide
Authors: Sianglam Pradthana , Ngamdee Kessarin , Ngeontae Wittaya
Published: November 2021

A new approach for increasing the sensitivity of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) detection was demonstrated.
Effect of a single water molecule on ˙CH2OH + 3O2 reaction under atmospheric and combustion conditions
Authors: Dash Manas Ranjan , Akbar Ali Mohamad
Published: November 2021

The hydroxymethyl (˙CH2OH) radical is an important intermediate species in both atmosphere and combustion reaction systems.
Truncation reaction regulates the out-to-in growth mechanism to decrypt the formation of brucite-like dysprosium clusters
Authors: Li Yun-Lan , Wang Hai-Ling , Zhu Zhong-Hong , Li Juan , Zou Hua-Hong , Peng Jin-Mei , Liang Fu-Pei
Published: November 2021

This work will provide key evidence for the formation of brucite-like lanthanide clusters by out-to-in growth mechanism. This is the first time that the truncation reaction has been used to decipher the formation mechanism of lanthanide clusters.
Unusual motion of the n-methoxypropyl moiety observed in the photochromic crystals of an organorhodium dithionite complex with n-methoxypropyltetramethylcyclopentadienyl ligands
Authors: Kajiwara Yuu , Miyata Seiya , Nakai Hidetaka
Published: November 2021

A reversible conformational change of an n-methoxypropyl moiety during the course of thermal back reactions was observed by time-dependent X-ray diffraction experiments.
Role of intramolecular hydrogen bonding in the redox chemistry of hydroxybenzoate-bridged paddlewheel diruthenium(ii,ii) complexes
Authors: Kosaka Wataru , Watanabe Yudai , Aliyah Kinanti Hantiyana , Miyasaka Hitoshi
Published: November 2021

Redox studies fortrans-heteroleptic paddlewheel diruthenium(ii,ii) complexes with various hydroxy-substituted benzoate revealed that theo-positioned OH group derives an effective electron-withdrawing effect, owing to intramolecular hydrogen bonding.
Self-assembled lanthanide-based helixes: synthetic control of the helical handedness by chirality of the ligand
Authors: Wu Min-Yu , Xu Jing-Xiang , Chen Yi-Hsin , Lu I-Chung , Han Jeng-Liang , Lin Po-Heng
Published: November 2021

Chiral lanthanide chains with a helical metal arrangement were synthesized and the helical handedness can be derived from chirality transfer of the ligands.
Tissue-derived carbon microbelt paper: a high-initial-coulombic-efficiency and low-discharge-platform K+-storage anode for 4.5 V hybrid capacitors
Authors: Zhang Taoqiu , Mao Zhiefei , Shi Xiaojun , Jin Jun , He Beibei , Wang Rui , Gong Yansheng , Wang Huanwen
Published: November 2021

Sanitary tissue is utilized as the precursor to construct a hard carbon microbelt paper (HCMB), which can be employed as a high-initial-coulombic-efficiency and low-discharge-platform K+-storage anode for 4.5 V hybrid capacitors.
Ultrahigh carrier mobility contributes to remarkably enhanced thermoelectric performance in n-type PbSe
Authors: Xiao Yu , Xu Liqing , Hong Tao , Shi Haonan , Wang Sining , Gao Xiang , Ding Xiangdong , Sun Jun , Zhao Li-Dong
Published: November 2021

Carrier mobility is a key parameter for thermoelectric performance. A high average ZT value of ∼1.13 can be achieved in n-type PbSe–18%SnS–0.5%Cu at 300–873 K through the rational optimization of carrier mobility.
Exploring the entropy-driven amplification reaction and trans-cleavage activity of CRISPR-Cas12a for the development of an electrochemiluminescence biosensor for the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 RdRp gene in real samples and environmental surveillance
Authors: Zhang Kai , Fan Zhenqiang , Ding Yuedi , Zhu Sha , Xie Minhao , Hao Nan
Published: November 2021

An ECL biosensor based on entropy-driven amplification and CRISPR-Cas12a shear for the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 RdRp gene in environmental surveillance was reported.
Thin films of electron donor–acceptor complexes: characterisation of mixed-crystalline phases and implications for electrical doping
Authors: Opitz Andreas , Duva Giuliano , Gebhardt Marius , Kim Hongwon , Meister Eduard , Meisel Tino , Beyer Paul , Belova Valentina , Kasper Christian , Pflaum Jens , Pithan Linus , Hinderhofer Alexander , Schreiber Frank , Brütting Wolfgang
Published: November 2021

For electron donor–acceptor complexes a link will be established between optical, structural and vibrational properties of EDA complexes as well as the electrical doping by them.
Single-ion polymer/LLZO hybrid electrolytes with high lithium conductivity
Authors: Lechartier Marine , Porcarelli Luca , Zhu Haijin , Forsyth Maria , Guéguen Aurélie , Castro Laurent , Mecerreyes David
Published: November 2021

A hybrid solid electrolyte prepared by fast UV-photopolymerization of a single-ion polymer network and ceramic garnet LLZO nanoparticles with very high lithium conductivity is reported.
Sapindus mukorossi seed shell extract mediated green synthesis of CuO nanostructures: an efficient catalyst for C–N bond-forming reactions
Authors: Saikia Tulan Chandra , Iraqui Saddam , Khan Aslam , Rashid Md. Harunar
Published: November 2021

An effective biogenic approach is proposed to synthesize size-tunable CuO nanostructures using seed shell extract of Sapindus mukorossi plant to use as efficient catalysts for conjugate addition of amines to acrylonitrile under ambient conditions.
A facile structural strategy for a wearable strain sensor based on carbon nanotube modified helical yarns
Authors: Zhao Wei , Xu Sheng
Published: November 2021

A facile fabrication strategy for a wearable strain sensor is presented based on a hierarchical-gap response mechanism.
Surfactant-derived water-soluble carbon dots for quantitative determination of fluoride via a turn-off–on strategy
Authors: Kainth Shagun , Goel Neha , Basu Soumen , Maity Banibrata
Published: November 2021

Surfactants play a vital role as precursors for achieving carbon cores, heteroatom π-systems, and stability in carbon dots (CDs).
Magnetite-binding proteins from the magnetotactic bacteriumDesulfamplus magnetovallimortisBW-1
Authors: Pohl Anna , Young Sarah A. E. , Schmitz Tara C. , Farhadi Daniel , Zarivach Raz , Faivre Damien , Blank Kerstin G.
Published: November 2021

Recently discovered proteins from magnetotacticDeltaproteobacteriawere tested for their ability to bind to magnetite surfaces. Two new proteins (Mad10, Mad11) were identified that display fast and nearly irreversible magnetite binding.
The impact of surface chemistry on the interfacial evaporation-driven self-assembly of thermoplasmonic gold nanoparticles
Authors: Zheng Feiyu , Zhang Yingyue , Dong Liuchang , Zhao Dengwu , Feng Rui , Tao Peng , Shang Wen , Fu Benwei , Song Chengyi , Deng Tao
Published: November 2021

This work reports an interfacial evaporation-driven approach for self-assembly of a thermoplasmonic gold nanoparticle film at the interface of liquid/air.
Simulations reveal the key role of Arg15 in the promiscuous activity in the HisA enzyme
Authors: Dubey Kshatresh Dutta , Singh Warispreet
Published: November 2021

The dynamics of the loop controls the promiscuous activity in the HisA enzyme.
Electrochemical synthesis of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles from amidoximes through dehydrogenative cyclization
Authors: Jiang Chan , Li Mingfang , Xu Leitao , Yi Yangjie , Ye Jiao , Hu Aixi
Published: November 2021

The iminoxy radical generated through anodic oxidation from amidoximes undergoes 1,5-HAT and intramolecular cyclization to obtain 1,2,4-oxadiazoles in good to high yields.
Design of novel tripyridinophane-based Eu(iii) complexes as efficient luminescent labels for bioassay applications
Authors: Leygue Nadine , Picard Claude , Faure Pamela , Bourrier Emmanuel , Lamarque Laurent , Zwier Jurriaan M. , Galaup Chantal
Published: November 2021

Synthesis, photophysical characterisation, relative stability and evaluation by fluoroimmunoassay of new luminescent europium complexes on a tripyridinophane-based platform are described.
Synthesis of illudalic acid and analogous phosphatase inhibitors
Authors: Fulo Harvey F. , Rueb Nicole J. , Gaston Robert , Batsomboon Paratchata , Ahmed Kh Tanvir , Barrios Amy M. , Dudley Gregory B.
Published: November 2021

A convergent 5-step synthesis (LLS) of illudalic acid allows for concise preparation of analogues for pharmacological evaluation.
Correction: Ruthenium(ii)-catalyzed decarbonylative and decarboxylative coupling of isatoic anhydrides with salicylaldehydes: access to aryl 2-aminobenzoates
Authors: Bora Bidisha R. , Prakash Rashmi , Sultana Sabera , Gogoi Sanjib
Published: November 2021

Correction for ‘Ruthenium(ii)-catalyzed decarbonylative and decarboxylative coupling of isatoic anhydrides with salicylaldehydes: access to aryl 2-aminobenzoates’ by Bidisha R. Bora et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2021, 19, 2725–2730, DOI: 10.1039/d1ob00027f.
Multicore–shell structured Ce–In2O3 for acetone detection by spray pyrolysis using NaCl as a high temperature auxiliary agent
Authors: Li Xu , Wang Yinglin , Cheng Pengfei , Liu Yanming , Lei Zhaohui , Liu Mengge , Yao Xue , Yan Haobo , Weng Zhi
Published: November 2021

Multi-core shell microspheres exhibited unique sensing properties for acetone with sodium chloride as a high-temperature auxiliary agent.
Beyond the Scholl reaction – one-step planarization and edge chlorination of nanographenes by mechanochemistry
Authors: Baier Daniel M. , Grätz Sven , Jahromi Babak Farhadi , Hellmann Sarah , Bergheim Konrad , Pickhardt Wilm , Schmid Rochus , Borchardt Lars
Published: November 2021

The edge chlorination of the benchmark nanographenes triphenylene and hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene is conducted mechanochemically. Planarization and edge chlorination are combined which allows the preparation of chlorinated nanographenes in one step.
A dendritic cell-like biomimetic nanoparticle enhances T cell activation for breast cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Li Yanhua , Tang Kun , Zhang Xia , Pan Wei , Li Na , Tang Bo
Published: November 2021

A dendritic cell-like biomimetic nanoparticle has been designed to regulate the behavior of T cells for improving the immunotherapy effect against immunosuppressive tumors.