bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Global patterns of daily CO2 emissions reductions in the first year of COVID-19
Authors: Liu Zhu , Deng Zhu , Zhu Biqing , Ciais Philippe , Davis Steven J. , Tan Jianguang , Andrew Robbie M. , Boucher Olivier , Arous Simon Ben , Canadell Josep G. , Dou Xinyu , Friedlingstein Pierre , Gentine Pierre , Guo Rui , Hong Chaopeng , Jackson Robert B. , Kammen Daniel M. , Ke Piyu , Le Quéré Corinne , Monica Crippa , Janssens-Maenhout Greet , Peters Glen P. , Tanaka Katsumasa , Wang Yilong , Zheng Bo , Zhong Haiwang , Sun Taochun , Schellnhuber Hans Joachim
Published: June 2022

Day-to-day changes in CO2emissions from human activities, in particular fossil-fuel combustion and cement production, reflect a complex balance of influences from seasonality, working days, weather and, most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we provide a daily CO2emissions dataset for the whole year of 2020, calculated from inventory and near-real-time activity data. We find a global reduction of 6.3% (2,232 MtCO2) in CO2emissions compared with 2019. The drop in daily emissions during the first part of the year resulted from reduced global economic activity due to the pandemic lockdowns, including a large decrease in emissions from the transportation sector. However, daily CO2emissions gradually recovered towards 2019 levels from late April with the partial reopening of economic activity. Subsequent waves of lockdowns in late 2020 continued to cause smaller CO2reductions, primarily in western countries. The extraordinary fall in emissions during 2020 is similar in magnitude to the sustained annual emissions reductions necessary to limit global warming at 1.5 °C. This underscores the magnitude and speed at which the energy transition needs to advance.
Carbon fixation rates in groundwater similar to those in oligotrophic marine systems
Authors: Overholt Will A. , Trumbore Susan , Xu Xiaomei , Bornemann Till L. V. , Probst Alexander J. , Krüger Markus , Herrmann Martina , Thamdrup Bo , Bristow Laura A. , Taubert Martin , Schwab Valérie F. , Hölzer Martin , Marz Manja , Küsel Kirsten
Published: June 2022

The terrestrial subsurface contains nearly all of Earth’s freshwater reserves and harbours the majority of our planet’s total prokaryotic biomass. Although genetic surveys suggest these organisms rely on in situ carbon fixation, rather than the photosynthetically derived organic carbon transported from surface environments, direct measurements of carbon fixation in the subsurface are absent. Using an ultra-low level14C-labelling technique, we estimate in situ carbon fixation rates in a carbonate aquifer. We find these rates are similar to those measured in oligotrophic marine surface waters and up to six-fold greater than those observed in the lower euphotic zone. Our empirical carbon fixation rates agree with nitrification rate data. Metagenomic analyses reveal abundant putative chemolithoautotrophic members of an uncharacterized order of Nitrospiria that may be behind the carbon fixation. On the basis of our determined carbon fixation rates, we conservatively extrapolate global primary production in carbonate groundwaters (10% of global reserves) to be 0.11 Pg carbon per year. These rates fall within the range found for oligotrophic marine surface waters, indicating a substantial contribution of in situ primary production to subsurface ecosystem processes. We further suggest that, just as phototrophs are for marine biogeochemical cycling, such subsurface carbon fixation is potentially foundational to subsurface trophic webs.
Advancing early warning capabilities with CHIRPS-compatible NCEP GEFS precipitation forecasts
Authors: Harrison Laura , Landsfeld Martin , Husak Greg , Davenport Frank , Shukla Shraddhanand , Turner William , Peterson Pete , Funk Chris
Published: June 2022

CHIRPS-GEFS is an operational data set that provides daily bias-corrected forecasts for next 1-day to ~15-day precipitation totals and anomalies at a quasi-global 50-deg N to 50-deg S extent and 0.05-degree resolution. These are based on National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Global Ensemble Forecast System version 12 (GEFS v12) precipitation forecasts. CHIRPS-GEFS forecasts are compatible with Climate Hazards center InfraRed Precipitation with Stations (CHIRPS) data, which is actively used for drought monitoring, early warning, and near real-time impact assessments. A rank-based quantile matching procedure is used to transform GEFS v12 “reforecast” and “real-time” forecast ensemble means to CHIRPS spatial-temporal characteristics. Matching distributions to CHIRPS makes forecasts better reflect local climatology at finer spatial resolution and reduces moderate-to-large forecast errors. As shown in this study, having a CHIRPS-compatible version of the latest generation of NCEP GEFS forecasts enables rapid assessment of current forecasts and local historical context. CHIRPS-GEFS effectively bridges the gap between observations and weather predictions, increasing the value of both by connecting monitoring resources (CHIRPS) with interoperable forecasts.
Earliest giant panda false thumb suggests conflicting demands for locomotion and feeding
Authors: Wang Xiaoming , Su Denise F. , Jablonski Nina G. , Ji Xueping , Kelley Jay , Flynn Lawrence J. , Deng Tao
Published: June 2022

Of the many peculiarities that enable the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), a member of the order Carnivora, to adapt to life as a dedicated bamboo feeder, its extra “thumb” is arguably the most celebrated yet enigmatic. In addition to the normal five digits in the hands of most mammals, the giant panda has a greatly enlarged wrist bone, the radial sesamoid, that acts as a sixth digit, an opposable “thumb” for manipulating bamboo. We report the earliest enlarged radial sesamoid, already a functional opposable “thumb,” in the ancestral panda Ailurarctos from the late Miocene site of Shuitangba in Yunnan Province, China. However, since the late Miocene, the “thumb” has not enlarged further because it must be balanced with the constraints of weight bearing while walking in a plantigrade posture. This morphological adaptation in panda evolution thus reflects a dual function of the radial sesamoid for both bamboo manipulation and weight distribution. The latter constraint could be the main reason why the panda’s false thumb never evolved into a full digit. This crude “thumb” suggests that the origin of the panda’s dedicated bamboo diet goes back to as early as 6–7 Ma.
Incomplete recovery of bone strength and trabecular microarchitecture at the distal tibia 1 year after return from long duration spaceflight
Authors: Gabel Leigh , Liphardt Anna-Maria , Hulme Paul A. , Heer Martina , Zwart Sara R. , Sibonga Jean D. , Smith Scott M. , Boyd Steven K.
Published: June 2022

Determining the extent of bone recovery after prolonged spaceflight is important for understanding risks to astronaut long-term skeletal health. We examined bone strength, density, and microarchitecture in seventeen astronauts (14 males; mean 47 years) using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT; 61 μm). We imaged the tibia and radius before spaceflight, at return to Earth, and after 6- and 12-months recovery and assessed biomarkers of bone turnover and exercise. Twelve months after flight, group median tibia bone strength (F.Load), total, cortical, and trabecular bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular bone volume fraction and thickness remained − 0.9% to − 2.1% reduced compared with pre-flight (p ≤ 0.001). Astronauts on longer missions (> 6-months) had poorer bone recovery. For example, F.Load recovered by 12-months post-flight in astronauts on shorter (< 6-months; − 0.4% median deficit) but not longer (− 3.9%) missions. Similar disparities were noted for total, trabecular, and cortical BMD. Altogether, nine of 17 astronauts did not fully recover tibia total BMD after 12-months. Astronauts with incomplete recovery had higher biomarkers of bone turnover compared with astronauts whose bone recovered. Study findings suggest incomplete recovery of bone strength, density, and trabecular microarchitecture at the weight-bearing tibia, commensurate with a decade or more of terrestrial age-related bone loss.
A phase 1b study of andecaliximab in combination with S-1 plus platinum in Japanese patients with gastric adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ooki Akira , Satoh Taroh , Muro Kei , Takashima Atsuo , Kadowaki Shigenori , Sakai Daisuke , Ichimura Takashi , Mitani Seiichiro , Kudo Toshihiro , Chin Keisho , Kitano Shigehisa , Thai Dung , Zavodovskaya Marianna , Liu JieJane , Boku Narikazu , Yamaguchi Kensei
Published: June 2022

Andecaliximab (ADX) is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), an extracellular enzyme involved in matrix remodeling, tumor growth, and metastasis. In preclinical models, MMP9 inhibitors have been shown to enhance the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapeutic agents and to suppress distant metastasis. In this phase Ib, multicenter study, the safety and efficacy of ADX combined with S-1 plus cisplatin (SP) or S-1 plus oxaliplatin (SOX) as a first-line treatment were evaluated in Japanese patients with advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma. ADX was administrated at a dose of 800 mg every 2 weeks for the SP cohort and 1200 mg every three weeks for the SOX cohort. As of December 2019, 16 patients were enrolled (six patients in the SP cohort and 10 patients in the SOX cohort). Peripheral sensory neuropathy (69%), anorexia (63%), nausea (56%), and decreased neutrophil counts (44%) were the most common adverse events (AEs). The grade 3 or higher AEs attributed to ADX were stomatitis and abnormal hepatic function (each one patient) in the SP cohort and decreased neutrophil counts (two patients) in the SOX cohort. The objective response rate in 11 patients with measurable target lesions was 73% (8/11), based on the investigator’s evaluation. Median progression-free survival was11.9 months (90% confidence interval, 5.6–16.6), and median overall survival was not reached. In conclusion, ADX combined with S-1 plus platinum demonstrated a manageable safety profile and promising clinical activity in the first-line treatment of patients with advanced gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma.

Clinical Trial Registration information: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02862535 (11/08/2016) and protocol ID: GS-US-296-1884.
Unplanned hemodialysis initiation and low geriatric nutritional risk index scores are associated with end-stage renal disease outcomes
Authors: Maenosono Ryoichi , Fukushima Tatsuo , Kobayashi Daisuke , Matsunaga Tomohisa , Yano Yusuke , Taniguchi Shunri , Fujiwara Yuya , Komura Kazumasa , Uehara Hirofumi , Kagitani Maki , Hirano Hajime , Inamoto Teruo , Nomi Hayahito , Azuma Haruhito
Published: June 2022

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have a low nutritional status and a high mortality risk. The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is a predictive marker of malnutrition. However, the association between unplanned hemodialysis (HD) and GNRI with mortality remains unclear. In total, 162 patients underwent HD at our hospital. They were divided into two groups: those with unplanned initiation with a central venous catheter (CVC; n = 62) and those with planned initiation with prepared vascular access (n = 100). There were no significant differences in sex, age, malignant tumor, hypertension, and vascular disease, while there were significant differences in the times from the first visit to HD initiation (zero vs. six times, p < 0.001) and days between the first visit and HD initiation (5 vs. 175 days, p < 0.001). The CVC insertion group had significantly lower GNRI scores at initiation (85.7 vs. 99.0, p < 0.001). The adjusted hazard ratios were 4.002 and 3.018 for the GNRI scores and frequency, respectively. The 3-year survival rate was significantly lower in the CVC + low GNRI group (p < 0.0001). The GNRI after 1 month was significantly inferior in the CVC insertion group. Inadequate general management due to late referral to the nephrology department is a risk factor for patients with ESRD.
Stressful life events and trajectories of depression symptoms in a U.S. military cohort
Authors: Sampson Laura , Cabral Howard J. , Rosellini Anthony J. , Gradus Jaimie L. , Cohen Gregory H. , Fink David S. , King Anthony P. , Liberzon Israel , Galea Sandro
Published: June 2022

Depression is a common mental disorder that may comprise distinct, underlying symptom patterns over time. Associations between stressful life events throughout the civilian lifecourse—including during childhood—and adult depression have been documented in many populations, but are less commonly assessed in military samples. We identified different trajectories of depression symptoms across four years in a military cohort using latent class growth analysis, and investigated the relationship between these trajectories and two domains of civilian life experiences: childhood adversity (e.g., being mistreated during childhood) and more proximal stressful experiences (e.g., divorce). A four-group depression model was identified, including a symptom-free group (62%), an increasing symptom group (13%), a decreasing symptom group (16%), and a “chronic” symptom group (9%). Compared to the symptom-free group, soldiers with childhood adversity were more likely to be in the chronic depression, decreasing, and increasing symptom groups. Time-varying adult stressors had the largest effect on depression symptoms for the increasing symptom group compared to other groups, particularly in the last two years of follow-up. This study indicates the importance of considering events from throughout the lifecourse—not only those from deployment—when studying the mental health of servicemembers.
Direct observations of pure electron outflow in magnetic reconnection
Authors: Sakai K. , Moritaka T. , Morita T. , Tomita K. , Minami T. , Nishimoto T. , Egashira S. , Ota M. , Sakawa Y. , Ozaki N. , Kodama R. , Kojima T. , Takezaki T. , Yamazaki R. , Tanaka S. J. , Aihara K. , Koenig M. , Albertazzi B. , Mabey P. , Woolsey N. , Matsukiyo S. , Takabe H. , Hoshino M. , Kuramitsu Y.
Published: June 2022

Magnetic reconnection is a universal process in space, astrophysical, and laboratory plasmas. It alters magnetic field topology and results in energy release to the plasma. Here we report the experimental results of a pure electron outflow in magnetic reconnection, which is not accompanied with ion flows. By controlling an applied magnetic field in a laser produced plasma, we have constructed an experiment that magnetizes the electrons but not the ions. This allows us to isolate the electron dynamics from the ions. Collective Thomson scattering measurements reveal the electron Alfvénic outflow without ion outflow. The resultant plasmoid and whistler waves are observed with the magnetic induction probe measurements. We observe the unique features of electron-scale magnetic reconnection simultaneously in laser produced plasmas, including global structures, local plasma parameters, magnetic field, and waves.
Deeper insights into long-term survival heterogeneity of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients using integrative individual- and group-level transcriptome network analyses
Authors: Bhardwaj Archana , Josse Claire , Van Daele Daniel , Poulet Christophe , Chavez Marcela , Struman Ingrid , Van Steen Kristel
Published: June 2022

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is categorized as the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. However, its predictive markers for long-term survival are not well known. It is interesting to delineate individual-specific perturbed genes when comparing long-term (LT) and short-term (ST) PDAC survivors and integrate individual- and group-based transcriptome profiling. Using a discovery cohort of 19 PDAC patients from CHU-Liège (Belgium), we first performed differential gene expression analysis comparing LT to ST survivor. Second, we adopted systems biology approaches to obtain clinically relevant gene modules. Third, we created individual-specific perturbation profiles. Furthermore, we used Degree-Aware disease gene prioritizing (DADA) method to develop PDAC disease modules; Network-based Integration of Multi-omics Data (NetICS) to integrate group-based and individual-specific perturbed genes in relation to PDAC LT survival. We identified 173 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in ST and LT survivors and five modules (including 38 DEGs) showing associations to clinical traits. Validation of DEGs in the molecular lab suggested a role of REG4 and TSPAN8 in PDAC survival. Via NetICS and DADA, we identified various known oncogenes such as CUL1 and TGFB1. Our proposed analytic workflow shows the advantages of combining clinical and omics data as well as individual- and group-level transcriptome profiling.
Dimensional label learning contributes to the development of executive functions
Authors: Lowery Kara , Nikam Bhoomika , Buss Aaron T.
Published: June 2022

A key to understanding how the brain develops is to understand how learning can change brain function. One index of learning that takes place in early childhood involves the comprehension and production of labels describing the shape and color features of objects, a process known as dimensional label learning (DLL). DLL requires integrating auditory and visual stimuli to form a system of mappings that link label representations (e.g. “red” and “color”) and visual feature representations (e.g. “red” and the hue red). Children gain expertise with these labels between the ages of 2 and 5 years, and at the same time they begin to demonstrate skills in using labels to guide cognitive function in other domains. For example, one of the hallmark measures of executive function development requires children to use verbally instructed rules to guide attention to visual dimensions. The broader impact of DLL, however, has not yet been explored. Here, we examine how the neural processes associated with the comprehension and production of labels for visual features predicts later performance on executive function tasks. Specifically, we show that left frontal cortex is activated during comprehension and production tasks at 33 months of age. Moreover, we find that neural activation in this region during label production at 33 months is associated with dimensional attention, but not spatial selective attention, at 45 months. These results shed new light on the role of label learning in developmental changes in brain and behavior. Moreover, these data suggest that dimensional label learning generalizes beyond the learned information to influence other aspects of cognition. We anticipate that these results may serve as a starting point for future work to implement label training as an intervention to influence later cognition.
How to correctly estimate the electric field in capacitively coupled systems for tissue engineering: a comparative study
Authors: Meneses João , Fernandes Sofia , Alves Nuno , Pascoal-Faria Paula , Miranda Pedro Cavaleiro
Published: June 2022

Capacitively Coupled (CCoupled) electric fields are used to stimulate cell cultures in Tissue Engineering. Knowing the electric field (E-Field) magnitude in the culture medium is fundamental to establish a relationship between stimulus strength and cellular effects. We analysed eight CCoupled studies and sought to corroborate the reported estimates of the E-Field in the culture medium. First, we reviewed the basic physics underlying CCoupled stimulation and delineated three approaches to estimate the E-field. Using these approaches, we found that the reported values were overestimated in five studies, four of which were based on incorrect assumptions. In all studies, insufficient information was provided to reproduce the setup exactly. Creating electrical models of the experimental setup should improve the accuracy of the E-field estimates and enhance reproducibility. For this purpose, we developed a free open-source tool, the E-field Calculator for CCoupled systems, which is available for download from an internet hosting platform.
Phytogenic supplement containing menthol, carvacrol and carvone ameliorates gut microbiota and production performance of commercial layers
Authors: Bajagai Yadav S. , Petranyi Friedrich , J. Yu Sung , Lobo Edina , Batacan Romeo , Kayal Advait , Horyanto Darwin , Ren Xipeng , M. Whitton Maria , Stanley Dragana
Published: June 2022

Consumer push towards open and free-range production systems makes biosecurity on farms challenging, leading to increased disease and animal welfare issues. Phytogenic products are increasingly becoming a viable alternative for the use of antibiotics in livestock production. Here we present a study of the effects of commercial phytogenic supplement containing menthol, carvacrol and carvone on intestinal microbiota of layer hens, microbial functional capacity, and intestinal morphology. A total of 40,000 pullets were randomly assigned to two sides of the experimental shed. Growth performance, mortality, egg production and egg quality parameters were recorded throughout the trial period (18–30 weeks of age). Microbial community was investigated using 16S amplicon sequencing and functional difference using metagenomic sequencing. Phytogen supplemented birds had lower mortality and number of dirty eggs, and their microbial communities showed reduced richness. Although phytogen showed the ability to control the range of poultry pathogens, its action was not restricted to pathogenic taxa, and it involved functional remodelling the intestinal community towards increased cofactor production, heterolactic fermentation and salvage and recycling of metabolites. The phytogen did not alter the antimicrobial resistance profile or the number of antibiotic resistance genes. The study indicates that phytogenic supplementation can mimic the action of antibiotics in altering the gut microbiota and be used as their alternative in industry-scale layer production.
Observations of boundary layer wind and turbulence of a landfalling tropical cyclone
Authors: Zhao Zhongkuo , Gao Ruiquan , Zhang Jun A. , Zhu Yong , Liu Chunxia , Chan P. W. , Wan Qilin
Published: June 2022

This study investigates the atmospheric boundary layer structure based on multiple-level tower observations with a height of 350 m during the landfall of Super Typhoon Mangkhut (2018). Results show a layer of log wind profile outside of the radius of maximum wind speed with a height of 100 m or larger. The log layer height increases with the wind speed. The height of the constant flux layer reaches ~ 300 m for 10-m wind speeds less than 13 m s−1 while this height decreases with the wind speed. Momentum fluxes and turbulent kinetic energy increase with the wind speed at all vertical levels. The drag coefficient and surface roughness length estimated at the tower location have values of 7.3 × 10–3 and 0.09 m, respectively, which are independent of wind speed. The estimated vertical eddy diffusivity and mixing length increase with height up to ~ 160 m and then slowly decrease with height. The vertical eddy diffusivity increases with the wind speed while the vertical mixing length has no dependence on the wind speed. Comparing our results with previous work indicates that the vertical eddy diffusivity is larger over land than over ocean at a given wind speed range.
Distributed multi-camera multi-target association for real-time tracking
Authors: Yang Senquan , Ding Fan , Li Pu , Hu Songxi
Published: June 2022

Tracking and associating different views of the same target across moving cameras is challenging as its appearance, pose and scale may vary greatly. Moreover, with multiple targets a management module is needed for new targets entering and old targets exiting the field of view of each camera. To address these challenges, we propose DMMA, a Distributed Multi-camera Multi-target Association for real-time tracking that employs a target management module coupled with a local data-structure containing the information on the targets. The target management module shares appearance and label information for each known target for inter-camera association. DMMA is designed as a distributed target association that allows a camera to join at any time, does not require cross-camera calibration, and can deal with target appearance and disappearance. The various parts of DMMA are validated using benchmark datasets and evaluation criteria. Moreover, we introduce a new mobile-camera dataset comprising six different scenes with moving cameras and objects, where DMMA achieves 92% MCTA on average. Experimental results show that the proposed tracker achieves a good association accuracy and speed trade-off by working at 32 frames per second (fps) with high definition (HD) videos.
Impaired aortic strain and distensibility by cardiac MRI in children with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Sobh Donia M. , Tawfik Ahmed M. , Batouty Nihal M. , Sobh Hoda M. , Hamdy Nashwa , Bakr Ashraf , Eid Riham , Awad Mohamed H. , Gadelhak Basma
Published: June 2022

Renal disease is associated with increased arterial stiffness. The aim was to investigate the effect of renal disease on regional aortic strain and distensibility in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The study included 30 children with CKD on hemodialysis, and ten healthy control subjects. Using cardiac MRI, maximal and minimal aortic areas were measured in axial cine steady state free precision images at the ascending aorta, proximal descending, and aorta at diaphragm. Regional strain and distensibility were calculated using previously validated formulas. Second reader aortic areas measurements were used to assess inter-observer agreement. Ascending aorta strain was significantly reduced in patients (38.4 ± 17.4%) compared to the control group (56.1 ± 17%), p-value 0.011. Ascending Aorta distensibility was significantly reduced in patients (9.1 ± 4.4 [× 10−3 mm Hg−1]) compared to the control group (13.9 ± 4.9 [× 10−3 mm Hg−1]), p-value 0.006. Strain and distensibility were reduced in proximal descending aorta and aorta at diaphragm but did not reach statistical significance. Only ascending aorta strain and distensibility had significant correlations with clinical and cardiac MRI parameters. Inter-observer agreement for strain and distensibility was almost perfect or strong in the three aortic regions. Aortic strain and distensibility by cardiac MRI are important imaging biomarkers for initial clinical evaluation and follow up of children with CKD.
Spectral organ fingerprints for machine learning-based intraoperative tissue classification with hyperspectral imaging in a porcine model
Authors: Studier-Fischer Alexander , Seidlitz Silvia , Sellner Jan , Özdemir Berkin , Wiesenfarth Manuel , Ayala Leonardo , Odenthal Jan , Knödler Samuel , Kowalewski Karl Friedrich , Haney Caelan Max , Camplisson Isabella , Dietrich Maximilian , Schmidt Karsten , Salg Gabriel Alexander , Kenngott Hannes Götz , Adler Tim Julian , Schreck Nicholas , Kopp-Schneider Annette , Maier-Hein Klaus , Maier-Hein Lena , Müller-Stich Beat Peter , Nickel Felix
Published: June 2022

Visual discrimination of tissue during surgery can be challenging since different tissues appear similar to the human eye. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) removes this limitation by associating each pixel with high-dimensional spectral information. While previous work has shown its general potential to discriminate tissue, clinical translation has been limited due to the method’s current lack of robustness and generalizability. Specifically, the scientific community is lacking a comprehensive spectral tissue atlas, and it is unknown whether variability in spectral reflectance is primarily explained by tissue type rather than the recorded individual or specific acquisition conditions. The contribution of this work is threefold: (1) Based on an annotated medical HSI data set (9059 images from 46 pigs), we present a tissue atlas featuring spectral fingerprints of 20 different porcine organs and tissue types. (2) Using the principle of mixed model analysis, we show that the greatest source of variability related to HSI images is the organ under observation. (3) We show that HSI-based fully-automatic tissue differentiation of 20 organ classes with deep neural networks is possible with high accuracy (> 95%). We conclude from our study that automatic tissue discrimination based on HSI data is feasible and could thus aid in intraoperative decisionmaking and pave the way for context-aware computer-assisted surgery systems and autonomous robotics.
Accumulation of trace element content in the lungs of Sao Paulo city residents and its correlation to lifetime exposure to air pollution
Authors: dos Santos Nathália Villa , Vieira Carolina Leticia Zilli , Saldiva Paulo Hilario Nascimento , De André Carmen Diva Saldiva , Mazzilli Barbara Paci , de Fátima Andrade Maria , Saueia Catia Heloisa , Saiki Mitiko , Veras Mariana Matera , Koutrakis Petros
Published: June 2022

Heavy metals are natural and essential elements of the environment and living beings, produced from natural (e.g. volcanic activity and cosmic ray-induced spallation) and anthropogenic processes (e.g. industrial and fossil fuel combustion). High-concentrations of heavy metals and radionuclides are also originated from anthropogenic activities in urban and industrial areas. In this preliminary study, we analyzed the levels of heavy metals and Polonium-210 (210Po) in lung tissues in autopsies from residents of the city of Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil. In order to identify the link among sources of the heavy metals in lungs, factor analysis was performed. Of the first four factors, which explain 66% of the total variability, three were associated with vehicular sources. The fitting of a regression model with210Po as the response variable and with the four factors as explanatory variables, controlling for age, sex and tobacco, showed a significant association between the concentration of polonium and the first factor that is generated by catalysts and brakes (coefficient = 0.90, standard error = 0.33, p = 0.016). Our findings suggest an association between traffic-related trace metals and210Po in lung autopsies.
Monsoon climate controls metal loading in global hotspot region of transboundary air pollution
Authors: Hosono Takahiro , Nakashima Shunki , Tanoue Masahiro , Ichiyanagi Kimpei
Published: June 2022

Eastern Asia is a major source of global air pollution. The distribution and intensity of these emissions are becoming well characterized, but their impact on the earth surface considering regional hydroclimatological settings has yet to be quantified. Here we show high-resolution spatiotemporal trace metal distributions of precipitation samples collected throughout the Japanese archipelago in 2013, when the world’s coal consumption was the greatest, to depict the mass transportation and deposition of pollution. The results show that metals emitted through coal combustion transported from the continent via prevailing wind were intensively deposited along the western coast of the archipelago during winter due to heavy snowing, resulting in lead (Pb) concentration of precipitations exceed the critical level (> 10 μg l−1). About 1497 tons of Pb of continental origin loaded through wet deposition accounted for over ca. 87% of the total annual flux in 2013, which constituted ca. 18.5% of the total emissions from China in 2012. This study presents the first detailed picture of monsoon climate-controlled atmospheric metal transportation and loading in the hotspot region after the phase-out of leaded gasoline in the twentieth century. The dataset can serve as a base for evaluating the effect of countermeasures implemented recent year.
Turnover in close friendships
Authors: Roy Chandreyee , Bhattacharya Kunal , Dunbar Robin I. M. , Kaski Kimmo
Published: June 2022

Humans are social animals and the interpersonal bonds formed between them are crucial for their development and well being in a society. These relationships are usually structured into several layers (Dunbar’s layers of friendship) depending on their significance in an individual’s life with closest friends and family being the most important ones taking major part of their time and communication effort. However, we have little idea how the initiation and termination of these relationships occurs across the lifespan. Mobile phones, in particular, have been used extensively to shed light on the different types of social interactions between individuals and to explore this, we analyse a national cellphone database to determine how and when changes in close relationships occur in the two genders. In general, membership of this inner circle of intimate relationships is extremely stable, at least over a three-year period. However, around 1–4% of alters change every year, with the rate of change being higher among 17-21 year olds than older adults. Young adult females terminate more of their opposite-gender relationships, while older males are more persistent in trying to maintain relationships in decline. These results emphasise the variability in relationship dynamics across age and gender, and remind us that individual differences play an important role in the structure of social networks. Overall, our study provides a holistic understanding of the dynamic nature of close relationships during different stages of human life.
Neonatal head circumference by gestation reflects adaptation to maternal body size: comparison of different standards
Authors: Morkuniene Ruta , Tutkuviene Janina , Cole Tim J. , Jakimaviciene Egle Marija , Isakova Jelena , Bankauskiene Agne , Drazdiene Nijole , Basys Vytautas
Published: June 2022

Neonatal head circumference (HC) not only represents the brain size of Homo sapiens, but is also an important health risk indicator. Addressing a lack of comparative studies on head size and its variability in term and preterm neonates from different populations, we aimed to examine neonatal HC by gestation according to a regional reference and a global standard. Retrospective analysis of data on neonatal HC obtained from the Lithuanian Medical Birth Register from 2001 to 2015 (423 999 newborns of 24–42 gestational weeks). The varying distribution by gestation and sex was estimated using GAMLSS, and the results were compared with the INTERGROWTH-21st standard. Mean HC increased with gestation in both sexes, while its fractional variability fell. The 3rd percentile matched that for INTERGROWTH-21st at all gestations, while the 50th and 97th percentiles were similar up to 27 weeks, but a full channel width higher than INTERGROWTH-21st at term. INTERGROWTH-21st facilitates the evaluation of neonatal HC in early gestations, while in later gestations, the specific features of neonatal HC of a particular population tend to be more precisely represented by regional references.
Relationship among health-related quality of life and global ancestry, clinical and socioeconomic factors in type 1 diabetes in an admixed Brazilian population
Authors: Azulay Rossana Sousa , Lago Débora , Santos Glaucia Abreu Silva , Tavares Maria da Glória , Rodrigues Vandilson , Magalhaês Marcelo , Reis Roberta Ferreira , Nunes Nayara , Almeida Ana Gregória Ferreira Pereira , Sá Adriana Guimarães , Nascimento Gilvan , Damianse Sabrina , Rocha Viviane , Silva Dayse Aparecida , Gomes Marília Brito , Faria Manuel
Published: June 2022

We aimed to evaluate the Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) patients in an admixed Brazilian population. This is a cross-sectional study with 152 T1D patients. HRQoL information was obtained from two self-completed questionnaires: Short Form-6 dimensions and EuroQol-5 dimensions with visual analog scale. For inference of global ancestry, the panel of 46 autosomal informational insertion/deletion ancestry markers was used. Demographic and socioeconomic data, presence of chronic complications, glycemic control level, and type of treatment were obtained. Patients with good HRQoL were: male, under 18 years old, had health insurance, less than 5 years of diagnosis, practiced physical activity, without hypoglycemia in the last 30 days, absence of retinopathy and nephropathy, a participant in educational activities, used analogous insulin, monitoring blood glucose, observed maximum adherence to treatment and came from the secondary service. Global ancestry and self-reported color/race did not influence HRQoL indexes. Our study is the first to measure HRQoL, global ancestry and recognize the impact of T1D on the lives of patients in the State of Maranhão, Brazil. The results validate the need to provide T1D patients with continuous training on self-management and self-monitoring, aiming for better results in metabolic control and, subsequently, in the prevention of acute and chronic complications, in order to generate positive impacts on the quality of life of this population. We understand that global ancestry in a highly mixed population such as ours did not influence the HRQoL of these patients.
Metabarcoding of fungal assemblages in Vaccinium myrtillus endosphere suggests colonization of above-ground organs by some ericoid mycorrhizal and DSE fungi
Authors: Daghino Stefania , Martino Elena , Voyron Samuele , Perotto Silvia
Published: June 2022

Plants harbor in their external surfaces and internal tissues a highly diverse and finely structured microbial assembly, the microbiota. Each plant compartment usually represents a unique ecological niche hosting a distinct microbial community and niche differentiation, which may mirror distinct functions of a specialized microbiota, has been mainly investigated for bacteria. Far less is known for the fungal components of the plant-associated microbiota. Here, we applied a metabarcoding approach to describe the fungal assemblages in different organs of Vaccinium myrtillus plants (Ericaceae) collected in a subalpine meadow in North-West Italy, and identified specific taxa enriched in internal tissues of roots, stems, leaves and flowers. We also traced the distribution of some important fungi commonly associated with plants of the family Ericaceae, namely the ericoid mycorrhizal (ErM) fungi and the dark septate endophytes (DSE), both playing important roles in plant growth and health. Operational taxonomic units attributed to established ErM fungal species in the genus Hyaloscypha and to DSE species in the Phialocephala-Acephala applanata complex (PAC) were found in all the plant organs. Mycorrhizal fungi are thought to be strictly associated with the plant roots, and this first observation of ErM fungi in the above-ground organs of the host plant may be explained by the evolutionary closeness of ErM fungi in the genus Hyaloscypha with non mycorrhizal fungal endophytes. This is also witnessed by the closer similarities of the ErM fungal genomes with the genomes of plant endophytes than with those of other mycorrhizal fungi, such as arbuscular or ectomycorrhizal fungi.
Extended the depth of field and zoom microscope with varifocal lens
Authors: Chen Yani , Liu Hang , Zhou Yin , Kuang Feng-Lin , Li Lei
Published: June 2022

Extending the depth of field (DOF) is especially essential in thick and 3D sample imaging. However, it's difficult to achieve both large DOF and high resolution in a zoom microscope. Currently, the use of optical sectioning to expand DOF still has the problem of inconstant magnification. Here, we develop an extended the depth of field (EDOF) and zoom microscope, which can realize EDOF with constant magnification and high resolution. Besides, the proposed microscope can achieve optical axial scanning at different NA and magnifications in real time without any mechanical movement. The proposed varifocal lens is employed to realize optical axial scanning, zooming, and keeping constant magnification when extending the DOF. Experimental results show that the proposed microscope can realize a continuous optical zoom of 10–40×, NA from 0.14 to 0.54, and the DOF of microscope can be extended to 1.2 mm.
Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals the resistance regulation mechanism and fungicidal activity of the fungicide phenamacril in Fusarium oxysporum
Authors: Zheng Zhitian , Liu Huaqi , Shi Yunyong , Liu Zao , Teng Hui , Deng Sheng , Wei Lihui , Wang Yunpeng , Zhang Feng
Published: June 2022

Fusarium oxysporum (Fo) is an important species complex of soil-borne pathogenic fungi that cause vascular wilt diseases of agricultural crops and some opportunistic diseases of humans. The fungicide phenamacril has been extensively reported to have antifungal activity against Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium fujikuroi. In this study, we found that the amino acid substitutions (V151A and S418T) in Type I myosin FoMyo5 cause natural low resistance to phenamacril in the plant pathogenic Fo isolates. Therefore, we compared the transcriptomes of two phenamacril-resistant Fo isolates FoII5, Fo1st and one phenamacril-sensitive isolate Fo3_a after 1 μg/mL phenamacril treatment. Among the 2728 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 14 DEGs involved in oxidation–reduction processes and MFS transporters, were significantly up-regulated in phenamacril-resistant isolates. On the other hand, 14 DEGs involved in ATP-dependent RNA helicase and ribosomal biogenesis related proteins, showed significantly down-regulated expression in both phenamacril-resistant and -sensitive isolates. These results indicated that phenamacril not only seriously affected the cytoskeletal protein binding and ATPase activity of sensitive isolate, but also suppressed ribosome biogenesis in all the isolates. Hence, this study helps us better understand resistance regulation mechanism and fungicidal activity of phenamacril and provide reference for the development of new fungicides to control Fo.
Effects of excessive alcohol drinking on nicotine biotransformation in rats
Authors: Kasprzyk Joanna , Piekoszewski Wojciech , Tezyk Artur , Kulza Maksymilian , Florek Ewa
Published: June 2022

Alcohol and nicotine (tobacco smoke) are often used together, and taking both addictive substances is associated with an increased risk of certain diseases. It is extremely important to understand the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic mechanisms of the interaction between nicotine and ethanol, which are still not fully understood. The study aimed to evaluate the influence of chronic alcohol consumption on nicotine biotransformation in ethanol-preferring and non-preferring male and female rats. Rats were divided into four groups depending on their alcohol preferences and gender. Nicotine, nornicotine, nicotine N-oxide, cotinine, trans-3'-hydroxycotinine, and cotinine N-oxide in rats plasma were determined by LC–MS/MS after five days of exposure to tobacco smoke. A non-compartmental analysis of nicotine and its metabolites was used for pharmacokinetic parameters calculation. Our experimental results showed that the rate of nicotine elimination depends on gender, regardless of alcohol preferences (significantly slower in females than in males). Mean residence timeof nornicotine, cotinine, and trans-3'-hydroxycotinine were significantly higher in alcohol-preferring male rats than in alcohol preferring female rats. In non-alcohol preferring female rats compared to ethanol-preferring female rats, significantly more nicotine N-oxide (fivefold) and trans-3'-hydroxycotinine (twofold) reached the general circulation unchanged. Drinking ethanol influenced the elimination of nornicotine and cotinine in male rats. Ethanol consumption was identified as a modifier of nicotine pharmacokinetics and this was gender-dependent.
Sexual dimorphism in the relationship between brain complexity, volume and general intelligence (g): a cross-cohort study
Authors: Sandu Anca-Larisa , Waiter Gordon D. , Staff Roger T. , Nazlee Nafeesa , Habota Tina , McNeil Chris J. , Chapko Dorota , Williams Justin H. , Fall Caroline H. D. , Chandak Giriraj R. , Pene Shailesh , Krishna Murali , McIntosh Andrew M. , Whalley Heather C. , Kumaran Kalyanaraman , Krishnaveni Ghattu V. , Murray Alison D.
Published: June 2022

Changes in brain morphology have been reported during development, ageing and in relation to different pathologies. Brain morphology described by the shape complexity of gyri and sulci can be captured and quantified using fractal dimension (FD). This measure of brain structural complexity, as well as brain volume, are associated with intelligence, but less is known about the sexual dimorphism of these relationships. In this paper, sex differences in the relationship between brain structural complexity and general intelligence (g) in two diverse geographic and cultural populations (UK and Indian) are investigated. 3D T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data and a battery of cognitive tests were acquired from participants belonging to three different cohorts: Mysore Parthenon Cohort (MPC); Aberdeen Children of the 1950s (ACONF) and UK Biobank. We computed MRI derived structural brain complexity andgestimated from a battery of cognitive tests for each group. Brain complexity and volume were both positively corelated with intelligence, with the correlations being significant in women but not always in men. This relationship is seen across populations of differing ages and geographical locations and improves understanding of neurobiological sex-differences.
The combination of mesoglycan and VEGF promotes skin wound repair by enhancing the activation of endothelial cells and fibroblasts and their cross-talk
Authors: Belvedere Raffaella , Novizio Nunzia , Morello Silvana , Petrella Antonello
Published: June 2022

Skin wound healing requires accurate therapeutic topical managements to accelerate tissue regeneration. Here, for the first time, we found that the association mesoglycan/VEGF has a strong pro-healing activity. In detail, this combination induces angiogenesis in human endothelial cells promoting in turn fibroblasts recruitment. These ones acquire a notable ability to invade the matrigel coating and to secrete an active form of metalloproteinase 2 in presence of endothelial cells treated with mesoglycan/VEGF. Next, by creating intrascapular lesions on the back of C57Bl6 mice, we observed that the topical treatments with the mesoglycan/VEGF promotes the closure of wounds more than the single substances beside the control represented by a saline solution. As revealed by eosin/hematoxylin staining of mice skin biopsies, treatment with the combination mesoglycan/VEGF allows the formation of a well-structured matrix with a significant number of new vessels. Immunofluorescence analyses have revealed the presence of endothelial cells at the closed region of wounds, as evaluated by CD31, VE-cadherin and fibronectin staining and of activated fibroblasts assessed by vimentin, col1A and FAP1α. These results encourage defining the association mesoglycan/VEGF to activate endothelial and fibroblast cell components in skin wound healing promoting the creation of new vessels and the deposition of granulation tissue.
The burst gap is a peripheral temporal code for pitch perception that is shared across audition and touch
Authors: Sharma Deepak , Ng Kevin K. W. , Birznieks Ingvars , Vickery Richard M.
Published: June 2022

When tactile afferents were manipulated to fire in periodic bursts of spikes, we discovered that the perceived pitch corresponded to the inter-burst interval (burst gap) in a spike train, rather than the spike rate or burst periodicity as previously thought. Given that tactile frequency mechanisms have many analogies to audition, and indications that temporal frequency channels are linked across the two modalities, we investigated whether there is burst gap temporal encoding in the auditory system. To link this putative neural code to perception, human subjects (n = 13, 6 females) assessed pitch elicited by trains of temporally-structured acoustic pulses in psychophysical experiments. Each pulse was designed to excite a fixed population of cochlear neurons, precluding place of excitation cues, and to elicit desired temporal spike trains in activated afferents. We tested periodicities up to 150 Hz using a variety of burst patterns and found striking deviations from periodicity-predicted pitch. Like the tactile system, the duration of the silent gap between successive bursts of neural activity best predicted perceived pitch, emphasising the role of peripheral temporal coding in shaping pitch. This suggests that temporal patterning of stimulus pulses in cochlear implant users might improve pitch perception.