bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent Developments in the Applications of GO/rGO-Based Biosensing Platforms for Pesticide Detectio
Authors: Gopal Geetha , Mukherjee Amitava
Published: February 2023

Pesticides are often used in different applications including agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, food industry, etc in order to insect pests and weeds. The indiscriminate usage of pesticides poses a massive threat to food, environmental and human health safety. Hence, the fabrication of a sensitive, and reliable sensor for the detection of pesticide residues in agro products and environmental samples is a critical subject to be considered. Recently, the graphene family including graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) have been frequently employed in the construction of sensors owing to their biocompatibility, high surface area to volume ratio, and excellent physiochemical, optical, and electrical properties. The integration of bio-recognition molecules with GO/rGO nanomaterials offers a promising detection strategy with outstanding repeatability, signal intensity, and low background noise. This review focuses on the latest developments (2018 to 2022) in the different types of GO/rGO-based biosensors such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR), fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and electrochemical based techniques, etc for pesticide analysis. The critical discussions on the advantages, limitations, and sensing mechanisms of emerging GO/rGO-based biosensors have been highlighted as well. Additionally, we explore the existing hurdles in GO/rGO-based biosensors, such as handling of difficult biological samples, reducing the total cost, and so on. This review also provides research gaps and viewpoints for future innovations in GO/rGO-based biosensors for pesticide determination mainly in areas with insufficient resources.
The Visual Behaviour of the Cyclist: The Comparison Be-Tween Simulated and Real Scenario
Authors: Acerra Ennia Mariapaola , Shoman Murad , Imine Hocine , Brasile Claudia , Lantieri Claudio , Vignali Valeria
Published: February 2023

Cyclists are one of the main categories of road users particularly exposed to accident risk. The increasing use of this ecological means of transport requires a specific assessment of cyclist safety in terms of traffic flow and human factors. In this study particular visual tracking tool has been used in order to highlight not only the main critical points of the infrastructure, where a high level of distraction is recorded but also the various interactions with different road users (pedestrians, vehicles, buses, wheelchairs, cyclists). In order to confirm the critical points of the infrastructure and the trend of workload, a similar circuit was reproduced in a bicycle simulator, which also allowed a meaningful comparison of cycling behaviour. The cycling performance was also evaluated both from an objective point of view, with the count of frames related to each category of visualization, and a subjective one, through the questionnaires. The results show the crossing as a critical point because of only 4/3% fixation for both simulated and real tests in order to confirm the significance of the comparison between the two experiments. The high attention rate resulting from frame-by-frame analysis also points to a clear difference in the perception of users, who feel with a low workload.
Cell-Type Specific Mitochondrial Quality Control in the Brain: A Precise Mechanism of Neurodegeneration
Authors: Ragupathy Hariprasath , Vukku Manasvi , Barodia Sandeep Kumar
Published: February 2023

Neurodegeneration is an age-dependent progressive phenomenon with no defined cause. Aging is the main risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. During aging, activated microglia undergoes phenotypic alterations that can lead to neuroinflammation, which is well accepted event in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Several common mechanisms are shared by genetically or pathologically distinct neurodegenerative diseases, such as excitotoxicity, mitochondrial deficits and oxidative stress, protein misfolding and translational dysfunction, autophagy and microglia activation. Progressive loss of neuronal population due to increased oxidative stress leads to neurodegenerative diseases mostly due to the accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria. Mitochondrial dysfunction and excessive neuroinflammatory responses are both sufficient to induce pathology in age-dependent neurodegeneration. Therefore, mitochondrial quality control is key determinant for the health and survival of neuronal cells in the brain. Research has been primarily focused to demonstrate the significance of neuronal mitochondrial health, despite the important contributions of non-neuronal cells that constitutes significant portion of the brain volume. Moreover, mitochondrial morphology and function are distinctly diverse in different tissues; however, little is known about their molecular diversity among cell types. Mitochondrial dynamics and quality in different cell types markedly decides the fate of overall brain health, therefore it is not justifiable to overlook non-neuronal cells and their significant and active contribution in facilitating overall neuronal health. In this review article, we aim to discuss the mitochondrial quality control of different cell types in the brain and how important and remarkable is the diversity and highly synchronized connecting property of non-neuronal cells in keeping the neurons healthy to control neurodegeneration.
Copper Ferrite Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Anion Exchange Resin: Influence of Synthesis Parameters on the Cubic Phase Stability
Authors: Saikova Svetlana , Pavlikov Aleksandr , Karpov Denis , Samoilo Aleksandr , Kirik Sergey , Volochaev Mikhail , Trofimova Tatyana , Velikanov Dmitry , Kuklin Artem
Published: February 2023

Copper ferrite attracts a lot of interest from researchers as a material with unique magnetic, optical, catalytic and structural properties. In particular, the magnetic properties of this material are structurally sensitive and can be tuned by changing the distribution of Cu and Fe cations in octahedral and tetrahedral positions by controlling synthesis parameters. In this study, we propose a new simple and convenient method for the synthesis of copper ferrite nanoparticles using a strongly basic anion exchange resin in OH form. The effect and possible mechanism of polysaccharides addition on the elemental composition, yield and particle size of CuFe2O4 is investigated and discussed. It is shown that anion exchange resin precipitation leads to a mixture of unstable at standard temperature cubic (c-CuFe2O4) and stable tetragonal (t-CuFe2O4) phases. The effect of the reaction conditions on the c-CuFe2O4 stability is studied by temperature-dependent XRD measurements and discussed in terms of the cations distribution, Jahn−Teller distortion and Cu2+ and oxygen vacancies in the copper ferrite lattice. The obtained differences in the values of saturation magnetization and the coercive force of prepared samples are explained with a reference to variations in the particle sizes and the structural characteristics of copper ferrite.
Depression and Perceived Stress among Perinatal Women Living with HIV in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Akinsolu Folahanmi T. , Lawale Abisola , Bankole Samuel , Adegbite Zainab , Adewole Ifeoluwa E , Abodunrin Olunike , Raji Dolapo , Okunbor Hilary , Njuguna Diana Wangeshi , Salako Abideen , Ezechi Oliver C.
Published: February 2023

Background: Pregnancy can be a period of increased psychological susceptibility for women living with HIV. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with depression and psychological stress among women living with HIV during their perinatal period in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods: This study was a facility-based cross-sectional survey conducted in three HIV treatment centers. The study population consisted of women living with HIV 18 years and above who were pregnant or had given birth within the last two years. Data obtained were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 25. Results: A total of 402 participants were eligible for this study. About 69.0% and 78.0% of the participants were depressed and had perceived stress respectively. Women who had positive partners (OR=0.60, 95% CI=0.20-1.30) were found to be significantly associated with perceived depression. Women who reported having a gestational age between 29-40 weeks (OR=0.054 95% CI = 0.006, 0.500) were found to be significantly associated with perceived stress. Factors associated with the co-occurrence of symptoms of depression and perceived stress were partner status, income level, family support, gestational age, and years on ART. Conclusions: Given the high prevalence of major depression, perceived stress, and the co-occurrence of depression and perceived stress among women living with HIV, mental health care should be incorporated into the routine maternal healthcare for all women, especially those living with HIV.
Association Between the COVID-19 Vaccine and Preventive Behaviors: Panel Data Analysis From Japan
Authors: YAMAMURA Eiji , Kosaka Youki , TSUTUI Yoshiro , Ohtake Fumio
Published: February 2023

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine is key to reducing the probability of contracting COVID-19. The vaccine is generally known to prevent severe illness, death, and hospitalization as a result of the disease and for considerably reducing COVID-19 infection risk. Accordingly, this might significantly change an individual’s perceived risk of altering everyday behaviors. For instance, the proliferation of vaccination is anticipated to reduce preventive behaviors such as staying at home, handwashing, and wearing a mask. We corresponded with the same individuals monthly for 18 months from March 2020 (early stage of COVID-19) to September 2021 in Japan to independently construct large sample panel data (N=54,007), with a participation rate of 54.7 %. We used a fixed effects model, controlling for key confounders, to determine whether vaccination was associated with a change in preventive behaviors. The major findings are as follows. Contrary to the prediction, (1) based on the whole sample, being vaccinated against COVID-19 led people to stay at home; however, it did not change the habit of handwashing and wearing a mask. Especially after the second shot, respondents were likelier to stay at home by 0.107 (95% CIs: 0.059–0.154) points on a 5-point scale compared to before the vaccination. Dividing the entire sample into young and old, (2) those aged ≤ 40 years were more likely to go out after being vaccinated, and (3) people over 40 years of age were more likely to stay at home (similar to the first result). Preventive behaviors impact all individuals during the current pandemic. Informal social norms motivate people to increase or maintain preventive behaviors even after being vaccinated in societies where these behaviors are not enforced.
Obesity Is Associated With Immunometabolic Changes in Adi-Pose Tissue That May Drive Treatment Resistance in Breast Cancer: Immune-Metabolic Reprogramming and Novel Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Savva Constantinos , Copson Ellen , Johnson Peter WM , Cutress Ramsey I , Beers Stephen A
Published: February 2023

White adipose tissue (WAT) has evolved to slowly mobilise energy stores in the form of lipids and a dynamic endocrine and immunologically active organ that regulates energy homeostasis. Breast WAT is involved not only in the biosynthesis of important molecular mediators but is also reported to be linked to the metastatic potential of breast tumours. The role of adiposity and consequently the role of systemic inflammation in immune responses and resistance to anti-cancer treatment in breast cancer (BC) patients is however still not clear. This review aims to evaluate the emerging evidence on the crosstalk between adiposity and the immune-tumour microenvironment in BC, its progression and treatment resistance. Adiposity, and by extension subclinical inflammation, are associated with metabolic dysfunction and changes in the immune-tumour microenvironment in BC. In oestrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast tumours, it is proposed that these changes are mediated via a paracrine interaction between macrophages and preadipocytes leading to elevated aromatase expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and adipokines in the breast tissue in patients who are obese or overweight. In HER2+ breast tumours, WAT inflammation has been reported to induce trastuzumab resistance via activation of MAPK or PI3K signalling pathways. Furthermore, adipose tissue in patients with obesity is associated with upregulation of immune checkpoints on T-cells that is partially mediated via immunomodulatory effects of leptin and has been paradoxically associated with improved responses to immunotherapy in several cancers. In conclusion, evidence suggests that body composition and metabolic status are associated with patient outcomes. In order to optimise patient stratification and personalisation of treatment prospective studies are required to evaluate the role of body composition and metabolic parameters in metabolic immune reprogramming with and without immunotherapy in patients with BC.
Outlandish Hospitality Quantum Marketing Based on Guest Experiences Arrangement in Irrational Architecture Hotel Room with Modules for Zero-Clean, Multi-Dimensioning, Artistic-Utilitarian Logistics and Aegean Islets Heterochronism
Authors: Zisopoulos Athanasios Dim , Broni Georgia , Panitsidis Konstandinos , Kartalis Nikos D
Published: February 2023

Towards Society 5.0, hospitality experiences replaced services, and Omni-Quantum marketing collects data increasing consumer selection and happiness. Our study focuses on the minimum chunk of a hotel, the guest room. We designed innovative, extravagant rooms for hotel reputation and marketing reasons. Four major room features are proposed to generate experiences. Initially, a room following zero air clean standards, full radio-magnetic, semiautomatic room fitting, and standalone zero clean bathroom. Then, the futuristic room has varying shapes, platonic solid schema, and four-dimensional emulation. Third, the room living space is full of functional and artistic components on demand. Finally, we studied an archipelago with thousands of islands as guest rooms. Hotel room reservation was the primary concern, designed as a foretaste of the following hotel overstay. Upon hotel guest arrival, the room is prepared according to customer preselection, with cleaning procedures, shape alteration, art items, advanced furniture, and expensive personalized equipment. Additional research for phobias and manias was attempted to facilitate hotel marketing working examples. Fourth, different islets/rooms target all distinct guest demands in space and time. According to Quantum marketing principles, all the above developments produce data to fulfill guest needs. Even partial implementation requires new patents and extensive funding.
Hubungan Kecerdasan Spasial dan Kemampuan Penalaran Matematis Peserta Didik Dalam Menyelesaikan Masalah Geometri
Authors: Zuhria Sya’bani Gita , Hikmah Nurul , Novitasari Dwi , Sarjana Ketut
Published: February 2023

This study aims to find out whether there is a significant relationship between spatial intelligence and the mathematical reasoning ability of class IX MTs Negeri 2 Mataram students in solving geometry problems. This type of research is correlational research. The sample in this study was students of class IX A MTs Negeri 2 Mataram who were taken with purposive sampling techniques.  Data collection is carried out using test instruments in the form of description questions about spatial intelligence, reasoning ability, and solving geometric problems. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation tests with a quantitative approach. The results of the data analysis showed: 1) there was a significant relationship between spatial intelligence and solving geometry problems of class IX MTs Negeri 2 Mataram students of 0.366 with a weak relationship category; 2) there is a significant relationship between mathematical reasoning ability to solve geometric problems of class IX MTs Negeri 2 Mataram students of 0.386 with a weak relationship category; 3) there is a significant relationship between spatial intelligence and mathematical reasoning ability of class IX MTs Negeri 2 Mataram students in solving geometric problems of 0.532 with sufficient relationship categories.
Tokat’ı Ziyaret Eden Amerikan Board Misyonerlerinin Verdiği Bilgilerin Şehir Tarihi Açısından Önemi ve Değerlendirmesi
Authors: ALAN Gülbadi , KUŞ Ayşegül
Published: February 2023

Şehir tarihi, kendine ait soru, konu, yöntem ve kaynakları olan bir disiplin veya bilim dalıdır ve her geçen gün bu alanla ilgili çalışmaların sayısı artmaktadır. Ülkemizde ve dünyada konuya verilen öneme binaen, yapılan araştırmalar temelde arşiv belgeleri, yapılar, yüzey araştırmaları, görsel kaynaklar, edebi eserler, el yazması eserler, mezarlıklar, mezar taşları, efsaneler, şehirlerin sahip olduğu arşivler, şehirlere yapılan ziyaretler sonrasında kaleme alınan seyyah yazıları vb. üzerine inşa edilmektedir.
Çalışmamızda Tokat şehir tarihine katkı sunmak amacıyla, şehri ziyaret eden Amerikan Board misyonerlerinin kaleme aldıkları yazılar değerlendirilecektir. 1810’da kurulan Amerikan Board örgütü misyonerleri, Anadolu’nun birçok şehrinde görev yapmışlardır. Bu yerleşim yerlerinden biri de Tokat’tır. Önce Kuzey Ermeni Misyonu dahilinde bir istasyon olan, daha sonra Batı Türkiye Misyonu istasyonlarından Sivas’a bağlı bir dış istasyon haline gelen şehir, birçok defa misyonerler tarafından ziyaret edilmiş, hatta istasyon olduğu dönemlerde onların ikametgahı haline gelmiştir. Şehri ziyaret eden veya bir dönem burada yerleşen misyonerler, kaleme aldıkları yazılarında, şehrin tarihi açısından oldukça önemli bilgiler vermişlerdir.
Bu bilgiler çerçevesinde çalışmada, Tokat’ta bir şekilde bulunmuş olan misyonerlerin kaleme aldığı yazılarından, şehir ve bölgeye bakış açıları hakkında bir tespit yapılacaktır
Rare Fracture Knee Dislocation Treated with Ligament Repair and Novel Arcuate Fracture Repair Technique
Authors: Holuba Kurt , Uppstrom Tyler J. , Apostolakos John , DiFelice Gregory S.
Published: February 2023

Case:

A 57-year-old man presented with a left knee dislocation after a motor vehicle collision. Clinical and imaging evaluation demonstrated disruption of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), anterolateral ligament (ALL), and posterolateral corner (PLC). The patient underwent acute, single-stage arthroscopic primary ACL and PCL repair, with arcuate fracture fixation using a novel technique. At 4 years postoperatively, he continues to do well subjectively with minimal clinical laxity.

Conclusion:

Acute, single-stage arthroscopic primary ligamentous repair is a viable option for high-grade multiligamentous knee dislocations and may be combined with our novel technique for arcuate fracture fixation.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, Case Report
INVESTIGATING THE DETERMINANTS OF CASH WAQF INTENTION: AN INSIGHT FROM MUSLIMS IN INDONESIA
Authors: Masrizal Masrizal , Huda Nurul , Harahap Arridha , Trianto Budi , Sabi’u Tasiu Tijjani
Published: February 2023

This study looks at the factors that influence the Indonesian Muslim community to perform cash waqf based on a modified Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) framework. Using primary data from islands in Indonesia, as many as 436 respondents, and the partial least square approach, the paper finds that religiosity contributes positively to waqf literacy. Subject norms and religiosity also affect the attitude of Muslims in waqf. Religiosity is the most potent factor in influencing the attitude of Muslims in waqf. The variable of waqf literacy also affects the attitudes and intentions of Muslims in waqf. Finally, trust also affects the attitudes and intentions of Muslims in waqf.
PERCEPTION AND INTENTION TO PARTICIPATE IN MICROTAKAFUL SCHEME AMONG INDONESIANS: AN APPLICATION OF AJZEN'S THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOUR
Authors: Rapi Muh Zul Hazmi , Kassim Salina
Published: February 2023

This study examines the intention of Indonesian Middle of Pyramid (MOP) and Botton of Pyramid (BOP) and their intention to participate in microtakaful products. The study develops an extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model and uses structural equations modelling (SEM) to analyse data gathered from 428 respondents. Responses are obtained through a combination of online surveys and traditional paper-based distribution of questionnaires. The findings show that there is a high intention to participate in microtakaful among the respondents, with the subjective norm, price, and knowledge having positive influences on the intention to participate in microtakaful products. Meanwhile, compatibility is shown to have a positive influence on the attitude toward microtakaful, and normative belief has a positive influence on the subjective norm. However, the result shows that relative advantage has a negative influence on the attitude toward microtakaful, and attitude and price show a negative influence on the intention to participate in microtakaful products. Generally, there is a positive intention toward microtakaful among the respondents; however, knowledge and pricing are important factors that hinder the development of the microtakaful industry in Indonesia. These findings provide valuable information for the Indonesian microtakaful market and other Islamic micro institutions.
ISLAMIC FINANCE, GROWTH, AND VOLATILITY: A FRESH EVIDENCE FROM 82 COUNTRIES
Authors: Khattak Mudeer A , Khan Noureen A.
Published: February 2023

Islamic finance has gained significant attention during the past decades. Many countries are striving to become Islamic financial hubs. The asset-backed nature of Islamic financial instruments and products adds more reliability to financial transactions. Yet, the impact of Islamic finance penetration on economic growth is unclear. While the existing studies have focused mainly on Islamic banking penetration, which is mostly centered around Muslim economies, we study the relationship considering a global sample of 82 countries, including Muslim and non-Muslim countries, from 2012-2020. We employ the System Generalized Method of Moments estimator for potential issues of endogeneity, heterogeneity, and serial correlation. Employing the novel Islamic finance development indicator by Thomson routers, we find that Islamic finance stimulates the overall economy and lessens volatility. Digging deep into the study, we find that this impact is more prominent in Muslim majority countries. These findings are robust to different econometric estimators and sample specifications. Since integrating Islamic financial principles into the country's overall financial system brings extra growth and lower economic volatility, it is recommended that the Islamic banking sector, Islamic insurance sector, Islamic money, and capital market instruments be expanded to boost overall economic growth and control volatility.
Nuclear Smooth Muscle α-actin in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Differentiation
Authors: Kwartler Callie , Pedroza Albert , Kaw Anita , Guan Pujun , Ma Shuangtao , Duan Xue-yan , Kernell Caroline , Wang Charis , Pinelo Jose Esparza , Borthwick Mikayla , Chen Jiyuan , Zhong Yuan , Sinha Sanjay , Shen Xuetong , Fischbein Michael , Milewicz Dianna
Published: February 2023

Missense variants throughout ACTA2, encoding smooth muscle α-actin (αSMA), predispose to adult onset thoracic aortic disease, but variants disrupting arginine 179 (R179) lead to Smooth Muscle Dysfunction Syndrome (SMDS) characterized by childhood-onset diverse vascular diseases. Our data indicate that αSMA localizes to the nucleus in wildtype (WT) smooth muscle cells (SMCs), enriches in the nucleus with SMC differentiation, and associates with chromatin remodeling complexes and SMC contractile gene promotors, and the ACTA2 p.R179 variant decreases nuclear localization of αSMA. SMCs explanted from a SMC-specific conditional knockin mouse model, Acta2SMC-R179C/+, are less differentiated than WT SMCs, both in vitro and in vivo, and have global changes in chromatin accessibility. Induced pluripotent stem cells from patients with ACTA2 p.R179 variants fail to fully differentiate from neural crest cells to SMCs, and single cell transcriptomic analyses of an ACTA2 p.R179H patient’s aortic tissue shows increased SMC plasticity. Thus, nuclear αSMA participates in SMC differentiation and loss of this nuclear activity occurs with ACTA2 p.R179 pathogenic variants.
Metabolomics-based Exploration the Response Mechanisms of Saussurea involucrata Leaves Under Different Levels of Cold Stress
Authors: Sun Qi , Zhu Xinxia , Ma Lihua
Published: February 2023

Saussurea involucrata (Sik.) have high cold resistance and important medicinal value. However, the metabolomics under low temperature conditions is still not fully explained. Understanding the changes of metabolites under low temperature conditions is conducive to in-depth research and rational development and utilization. Methods: Ultra-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry were used to analyze the metabolites in the leaves of Sik. under four different low temperature stress conditions. Results: A total of 753 metabolites were identified, and 360 different metabolites were identified according to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and amino acids and sugars. Sucrose and trehalose synthesis, glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, pentose phosphate pathway, glutamic acid-mediated proline biosynthesis, purine metabolism, amino acid metabolism, phenylpropane synthesis pathway metabolites all respond to low temperature stress. Under cold stress conditions, carbohydrates in Sik. leaves accumulate first than under freezing conditions, and the lower the temperature under freezing conditions, the less amino acids accumulate, while the phenolic substances increase. However, after cold domestication, purines and phenolic substances decrease under freezing conditions, and amino acids accumulate significantly. Conclusion: The metabolic network of Sik. leaves under different low temperature stress conditions was proposed, which provided a reference for further exploration of the metabolic network related to low temperature stress tolerance of Sik.
MultiGML: Multimodal Graph Machine Learning for Prediction of Adverse Drug Events
Authors: Krix Sophia , De Long Lauren , Madan Sumit , Domingo-Fernandez Daniel , Ahmad Ashar , Gul Sheraz , Zaliani Andrea , Fröhlich Holger
Published: February 2023

Adverse drug events constitute a major challenge for the success of clinical trials. Several computational strategies have been suggested to estimate the risk of adverse drug events in preclinical drug development. While these approaches have demonstrated high utility in practice, they are at the same time limited to specific information sources and thus neglect a wealth of information that is uncovered by fusion of different data sources, including biological protein function, gene expression, chemical compound structure, cell-based imaging, etc. In this work we propose an integrative and explainable Graph Machine Learning approach (MultiGML), which fuses knowledge graphs with multiple further data modalities to predict drug related adverse events. MultiGML demonstrates excellent prediction performance compared to alternative algorithms, including various knowledge graph embedding techniques. MultiGML distinguishes itself from alternative techniques by providing in-depth explanations of model predictions, which point towards biological mechanisms associated with predictions of an adverse drug event.
Nesting behaviour of Indian Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica) in the exotic timber plantations of the Palani Hills, Western Ghats, India
Authors: S Aravind P , Ganguli Sanjay Prasad , D’Souza Senan , Rajamani Nandini
Published: February 2023

Exotic timber plantations have expanded in the montane habitats of the Western Ghats in the last century, often replacing the natural grassland-rainforest mosaic. This has inadvertently increased tree connectivity across the landscape, affecting arboreal mammals in varied ways. Here we report that the endemic Indian giant squirrel nests in exotic timber plantations in the Palani Hills, a behaviour not previously described. An extensive survey of timber plantations revealed a total of 70 nests, with 73% of the nests found on exotic Eucalyptus trees. An investigation of the landscape and environmental factors that were associated with the choice of nesting locations revealed that nest sites were significantly closer to rainforest patches. Squirrels also nested on east-facing slopes, away from human disturbances like agriculture. This study is the first to report giant squirrel nesting behaviour in exotic timber plantations across a landscape mosaic. We suggest that policymakers and managers proceed with caution while clearing plantations in an attempt to restore native vegetation.
Inverse design of chiral functional film by a robotic AI-Chemist
Authors: Zou Gang , Xie Yifan , Feng Shuo , Deng LinXiao , Cai Aoran , Gan Liyu , Jiang Zifan , Yang Peng , Ye Guilin , Liu Zaiqing , Wen Li , Zhu Qing , Zhang Wanjun , Zhang Zhanpeng , Li Jiahe , Feng Zeyu , Zhang Chutian , Du Wenjie , Xu Lixin , Jiang Jun , Chen Xin
Published: February 2023

Inverse design of artificial chiral materials and nanostructures with strong and tunable chiroptical activities are highly desirable, owing to their potential applications in chiral sensing, enantioselective catalysis and chiroptical devices. In this study, we use an artificial intelligence (AI) guided robotic chemist to accurately predict chiroptical activities from the experimental absorption spectra and structure/process parameters, and generate chiral films with targeted chiroptical activities across the full visible spectrum. The robotic AI-chemist carries out entire process of chiral film constructing, characterizing, and testing. A machine learned reverse design model using spectrum embedded descriptors was developed to predict optimal structure/process parameters for any targeted chiroptical properties. A series of chiral films with high chiroptical activity (gabs~1.9) had been identified out of more than 100 million possible structures, and their feasible application in circular polarization-selective color filters for multiplex laser display and switchable CP luminescence had been demonstrated.
Lower viral evolutionary pressure under stable versus fluctuating conditions in subzero Arctic brines
Authors: Zhong Zhi-Ping , Vik Dean , Rapp Josephine , Zablocki Olivier , Maughan Heather , Temperton Ben , Deming Jody , Sullivan Matthew
Published: February 2023

Background: Climate change threatens Earth’s ice-based ecosystems which currently offer archives and eco-evolutionary experiments in the extreme. Arctic cryopeg brine (marine-derived, within permafrost) and sea-ice brine, similar in subzero temperature and high salinity but different in temporal stability, are inhabited by microbes adapted to these extreme conditions. However, little is known about their viruses (community composition, diversity, interaction with hosts, or evolution) or how they might respond to geologically stable cryopeg versus fluctuating sea-ice conditions.
Results: We used long- and short-read viromics and metatranscriptomics to study viruses in Arctic cryopeg brine, sea-ice brine, and underlying seawater, recovering 11,088 vOTUs (~species-level taxonomic unit), a 4.4-fold increase of known viruses in these brines. More specifically, the long-read-powered viromes doubled the number of longer (≥25 kb) vOTUs generated and recovered more hypervariable regions by >5-fold compared to short-read viromes. Distribution assessment, by comparing to known viruses in public databases, supported that cryopeg-brine viruses were of marine origin yet distinct from either sea-ice-brine or seawater viruses, while 94% of sea-ice-brine viruses also presented in seawater. A virus-encoded, ecologically important exopolysaccharide biosynthesis gene was identified, and many viruses (~half of metatranscriptome-inferred ‘active’ vOTUs) were predicted as actively infecting the dominant microbial genera Marinobacter and Polaribacterin cryopeg and sea-ice brines, respectively. Evolutionarily, microdiversity (intra-species genetic variations) analyses suggested that viruses within the stable cryopeg brine were under significantly lower evolutionary pressures than those in the fluctuating sea-ice environment, while many sea-ice-brine virus-tail genes were under positive selection, indicating virus-host co-evolutionary arms races.
Conclusions: Our results confirmed the benefits of long-read-powered viromics in understanding the environmental virosphere through significantly improved genomic recovery, expanding viral discovery and the potential for biological inference. Evidence of viruses actively infecting the dominant microbes in subzero brines and modulating host metabolism underscored the potential impact of viruses on these remote and underexplored extreme ecosystems. Microdiversity results shed light on the different strategies viruses use to evolve and adapt when extreme conditions are stable versus fluctuating. Together, these findings verify the value of long-read-powered viromics and provide foundational data on viral evolution and virus-microbe interactions in Earth’s destabilized and rapidly disappearing cryosphere.
Effect of Cu Loading on the Performance and Kinetics of Cu/SAPO-34 Catalysts for Selective Catalytic Reduction with NH3
Authors: Tang Jungang , Wang Xuetao , Xing Lili , Liang Yanzheng , Li Haojie , Liu Mengjie
Published: February 2023

A series of X%Cu/SAPO-34 (X=1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 6.0) catalysts were prepared by ultrasonic impregnation method for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx with ammonia. The effect of different Cu loadings on the selective catalytic reduction of NO by molecular sieve catalysts was examined on a fixed-bed reactor. Catalyst physicochemical properties were characterized and analyzed using XRD, TEM, NH3-TPD, H2-TPR, and in situ DRIFTS. Catalysts were used in reaction kinetics studies from the perspective of transient and steady-state kinetics. Cu/SAPO-34 catalyst with 4% Cu loading had the best denitrification efficiency and wide activity window. Copper species were highly dispersed on the catalyst surface. Cu/SAPO-34 catalyst with 4% Cu loading had rich acidic sites and excellent redox performance. Cu/SAPO-34 catalysts with 4% Cu loading possess minimal activation energy and were lower than commercial catalysts. According to the results of in situ IR, transient and steady state analysis, the Cu/SAPO-34 catalyst with 4% Cu loading in the NH3-SCR reaction process was mainly E-R mechanism, and there was L-H mechanism.
The global geomagnetic field over the historical era: What can we learn from ship-log declinations?
Authors: Schanner Maximilian Arthus , Bohsung Lukas , Fischer Clara , Korte Monika , Holschneider Matthias
Published: February 2023

Modern geomagnetic field models are constructed from satellite and observatory data, while models on the millenial timescale are constructed from indirect records of thermoremanent and sedimentary origin.
An intermediate period, spanning the last four centuries, is covered by historical survey data and ship-logs, which is strongly dominated by geomagnetic declination information.
We apply a sequentialized, Gaussian process based modeling technique to this dataset and propose a new field model for this era.
In order to investigate the information gained from declination records from ship-logs, we seperate the dataset and construct a second model, where unpaired declination records are removed.
Instead of uncovering a more detailed field, the availability of more records leads to better resolution of the global field structure.
The availability of more records helps notably to constrain global field properties like the dipole moment.
It also allows to resovle some detailed field structures more accurately.
Based on the model constructed from the full dataset, we perfom an analysis of the South Atlantic Anomaly and regions of low field intensity in general.
We extend a recent analysis of center of mass movement and area evolution of the South Atlantic Anomaly further back in time and confirm the findings of its non-monotonous growth.
Temperature modulates the osmosensitivity of tilapia prolactin cells
Authors: Hewage Tharindu Malintha Gardi , Woo Daniel W. , Celino-Brady Fritzie T. , Seale Andre P.
Published: February 2023

In euryhaline fish, prolactin (Prl) plays an essential role in freshwater (FW) acclimation. In the euryhaline and eurythermal Mozambique tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus, Prl cells are model osmoreceptors, recently described to be thermosensitive. To investigate the effects of temperature on osmoreception, we incubated Prl cells of tilapia acclimated to either FW or seawater (SW) in different temperature (20, 26 and 32°C) and osmolality (280, 330 and 420 mOsm/kg) combinations for 6 h. Release of both Prl isoforms, Prl188 and Prl177, increased in hyposmotic media and were further augmented with a rise in temperature. Hyposmotically-induced release of Prl188 was inhibited at 20°C. In SW fish, mRNA expression of prl188 and prl177 showed direct and inverse relationships with temperature, respectively. In SW-acclimated tilapia Prl cells incubated in hyperosmotic media, Prl receptors, prlr1 and prlr2, and the stretch-activated Ca2+ channel, trpv4,were inhibited at 32°C, suggesting the presence of a cellular mechanism to compensate for elevated Prl release. Transcription factors, pou1f1, pou2f1b, creb3l1, cebpb, stat3, stat1a and nfat1c, known to regulate prl188 and prl177, were also downregulated at 32°C. Our findings provide evidence that osmoreception is modulated by temperature, and that both thermal and osmotic responses vary with acclimation salinity.
Dual-mode near-infrared multispectral imaging system equipped with deep learning models improves the identification of cancer foci in breast cancer specimens
Authors: Liao Jun , Zhang Lingling , Wang Han , Bai Ziqi , Zhang Meng , Liu Yao , Han Dandan , Jia Zhanli , Qin Chenchen , Niu ShuYao , Bu Hong , Yao Jianhua , Liu Yueping
Published: February 2023

Background
For surgically resected breast cancer samples, it is challenging to perform specimen sampling by visual inspection, especially when the tumor bed shrinks after neoadjuvant therapy in breast cancer.
Methods
In this study, we developed a dual-mode near-infrared multispectral imaging system (DNMIS) to overcome the human visual perceptual limitations and obtain richer sample tissue information by acquiring reflection and transmission images covering visible to NIR-II spectrum range (400–1700 nm). Additionally, we used artificial intelligence (AI) for segmentation of the rich multispectral data. We compared DNMIS with the conventional sampling methods, regular visual inspection and a cabinet X-ray imaging system, using data from 80 breast cancer specimens.
Results
DNMIS demonstrated better tissue contrast and eliminated the interference of surgical inks on the breast tissue surface, helping pathologists find the tumor area which is easy to be overlooked with visual inspection. Statistically, AI-powered DNMIS provided a higher tumor sensitivity (95.9% vs visual inspection 88.4% and X-rays 92.8%), especially for breast samples after neoadjuvant therapy (90.3% vs visual inspection 68.6% and X-rays 81.8%).
Conclusions
We infer that DNMIS can improve the breast tumor specimen sampling work by helping pathologists avoid missing out tumor foci.
Feasibility and safety of Stanford A aortic dissection complete endovascular repair system in a porcine model
Authors: Peng Yucheng , Lin Wenhui , Lou Deda , Luo Songyuan , Li Bo , Su Mingcheng , Liu Jitao , Tang Yue , Luo Jianfang
Published: February 2023

Background:Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is a catastrophic disease with high morbidity and mortality. Although open surgery is still the gold standard for the treatment of ATAAD, some patients, with advanced age and multiple comorbidities, can only receive medical management alone. Nowadays, thoracic aortic endovascular repair (TEVAR) provides a potential treatment option for the patient with ATAAD, but traditional stent grafts (SGs), which are not designed for the ATAAD, are inapplicable to the unique anatomy of the aortic arch. Therefore, we innovatively created the BRIDGE system (Chuangxin Medical, Shenzhen, China), a complete endovascular reconstruction system designed to treat ATAAD. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of the novel Stanford A aortic dissection complete endovascular reconstruction system in a porcine model.
Method: The BRIDGE system consists of the type A stent system and the type C stent system. Between November 2020 and March 2021, three white swine were utilized in the study. The BRIDGE system was deployed via the transcatheter approach under angiographic guidance. The swine(n = 3) treated with our system were evaluated using angiography before sacrifice 1-month after implantation, which was followed by gross specimen evaluation and histological examination of harvested tissues.
Result: The acute procedure success rate was 100% (3/3). The immediate post-procedural angiography showed that both type A SGs and type C SGs were deployed in satisfactory locations, with patency of the supra-aortic trunk and no endoleak. The cumulative mortality of 30-day was 0% without any adverse events. No device migration or leakage was observed angiographically, before sacrifice. The gross observation confirmed a type A SG covered part of the entry of anonyma. Favorable endothelialization, no thrombogenesis, and slight inflammatory infiltration of the tissues around the device were confirmed by microscopic examinations in all pigs.
Conclusion: It was feasible and secure to use Stanford A aortic dissection complete endovascular reconstruction system to implement a transcatheter endovascular repair in a porcine model. With this novel system, treating acute type A aortic dissection may be more efficient and secure in human.
Humate increases nitrogen fertiliser efficiency and reduced N leaching
Authors: Espie Peter Ross
Published: February 2023

One of the world’s greatest challenges is achieving sustainable food security without environmental damage. The projected increase in world population and will require use of nitrogen fertilisers for food production although excess agricultural N is a major contributor to climate change and ecosystem degradation. Southern Humate is a low-cost natural organic biostimulant that can beneficially alter soil microbiome function and plant productivity. We present evidence from a 5-year field study showing that adding humate to urea, global the most widely used N fertiliser, significantly altered soil microbiome composition, increased grassland production by 13.1% and significantly decreasing topsoil N leaching by 61.4% compared with urea. The increase in N fertiliser efficiency and reduction in negative environmental impact could contribute towards development of ecologically sustainable agriculture.
Effect of Active and Passive Stretching on Symptoms in Stable COPD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Tian Rujin , Qiao Zhengtong , Zhou Ziliang , Zhang Jiazhen , Sa Siyue , Liu Kai
Published: February 2023

Background:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease with high mortality and disability rate. It caused the progressive airflow obstruction along with the change of relevant soft tissue. Stretching could lengthen the shorten respiratory muscle and increase its flexibility.
Objectives:
To investigate the effectiveness of stretching on the COPD patients.
Methods:
The PRISMA guideline was used to perform the review. We searched on six online databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI and Wanfang Database) from inception until March 2022. The quality of the studies was appraised by PEDro scale. The pooled effect sizes of exercise capability, lung function parameters, dyspnea, psychological status and quality of life were reported.
Result: Of 422 studies, 11 studies (424 participants) met the inclusion criteria. The overall effect size of the 6MWT showed statistical difference between stretching group and the control group (P<0.00001). Among the lung function parameters, only respiratory rate (RR) and expiratory time (Te) showed superior statistical effect. The data about the psychological state, dyspnea and quality of life were too scant to conclude.
Conclusion: Stretching seemed to have strong effectiveness on improving the exercise capacity, and the breathing temporal parameters could be changed through stretching.
The risk factors of developing acute acalculous cholecystitis concomitant with EBV hepatitis in pediatric population
Authors: Kong Khai-Lun , Chen I-Lun , Huang Fu-Chen
Published: February 2023

Background
Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) is the most common form of acute cholecystitis in the pediatric population and some cases could have fatal complications. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is by far the most knowledgeable viral agent implicated in the pathogenesis of AAC in recent years. Thus, the risk factors in the development of AAC were favorably determined in the settings of EBV hepatitis.
Methods
Patients below 18 years of age, who had been admitted to Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and were diagnosed with AAC concomitant with EBV hepatitis between January 2012 and March 2021, were retrospectively analyzed in our study. Our analyses comprised of risk factors including gestational age, age, gender, body weight, history of abdominal surgery, body temperature, duration of fever and hospitalization, clinical presentation, blood test parameters, sonographic findings, and medication.
Results
The results showed that the mean duration of fever, the presence of ascites, and increased atypical lymphocytes were statistically significant in patients with AAC, symbolizing a more severe disease burden as compared to those without AAC. The presence of ascites in sonographic findings and atypical lymphocytosis over 6.25% may be the two most significant predictive factors of developing AAC in children with EBV hepatitis.
Conclusions
Our study concluded that children with EBV-related AAC have presented with longer duration of fever, ascites, and atypical lymphocytosis over 6.25%. Further observation and close follow-ups may be suggested in high-risk children to prevent the occurrence of complications that require an emergent operation.