bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Ionospheric Exploration Based on TJU#01 Meteorological Microsatellite Mission: Initial Results
Authors: Wu M. J. , Guo P. , Li F. H. , Fu N. F. , Ma X. , Cheng Y.
Published: December 2023

The global navigation satellite system radio occultation technique is achieving increasing significance and extensive promotion in the remote sensing of near‐earth atmosphere, climate, and ionosphere in recent three decades. Nowadays, many communities become interested in developing commercial mode in occultation measurement by launching massive nano‐ or cube satellite constellations at low costs. The TJU#01 is the first meteorological satellite of Tianjin Yunyao Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd. which was successfully launched into space on 7 December 2021. The occultation antenna onboard the satellite is able to probe both the ionosphere and atmosphere at multi‐frequencies including GPS, GLONASS, and BEIDOU systems. The microsatellite applies the same occultation antenna to receive both the atmospheric and ionospheric occultations at 100 and 1 Hz respectively. 100 Hz narrow band power and wide band power data are downloaded to the ground to generate high‐rate signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) series and applied to ionospheric scintillation exploration. In this paper, the primary parameters of the satellite and occultation antenna are introduced, as well as the ionospheric data processing methodologies. The initial ionospheric products of TJU#01 are evaluated after one‐month in orbit. The TJU#01 results have a good agreement with the co‐located ground ionosonde data and COSMIC‐2 observations. The new satellite and its follow‐on missions have great capabilities and potentials in the ionospheric and space weather researches.
Rapid Permeability Upscaling of Digital Porous Media via Physics‐Informed Neural Networks
Authors: Elmorsy Mohamed , El‐Dakhakhni Wael , Zhao Benzhong
Published: December 2023

Subsurface processes are important in solving many of the grand challenges facing our society today, including the sustainable extraction of hydrocarbons, the permanent geological sequestration of carbon dioxide, and the seasonal storage of renewable energy underground. Permeability characterization of underground rocks is the critical first step in understanding and engineering these processes. While recent advances in machine learning methods have enabled fast and efficient permeability prediction of digital rock samples, their practical use remains limited since they can only accommodate subsections of the digital rock samples, which is often not representative of properties at the core‐scale. Here, we derive a novel analytical solution that approximates the effective permeability of a three‐dimensional (3D) digital rock consisting of 2 × 2 × 2 anisotropic cells based on the physical analogy between Darcy’s law and Ohm’s law. We further develop physics‐informed neural network (PINN) models that incorporate the analytical solution and subsequently demonstrate that the PINN equipped with the physics‐informed module achieves excellent accuracy, even when used to upscale previously unseen samples over multiple levels of upscaling. Our work elevates the potential of machine learning models such as 3D convolutional neural network for rapid, end‐to‐end digital rock analysis at the core‐scale.
Neuroprotective therapies in the NICU in preterm infants: present and future (Neonatal Neurocritical Care Series)
Authors: Molloy Eleanor J. , El-Dib Mohamed , Soul Janet , Juul Sandra , Gunn Alistair J. , Bender Manon , Gonzalez Fernando , Bearer Cynthia , Wu Yvonne , Robertson Nicola J. , Cotton Mike , Branagan Aoife , Hurley Tim , Tan Sidhartha , Laptook Abbot , Austin Topun , Mohammad Khorshid , Rogers Elizabeth , Luyt Karen , Wintermark Pia , Bonifacio Sonia Lomeli ,   on behalf of the Newborn Brain Society Guidelines and Publications Committee, Bonifacio Sonia Lomeli , Wintermark Pia , Aly Hany , Chau Vann , Glass Hannah , Lemmon Monica , Wusthoff Courtney , deVeber Gabrielle , Pardo Andrea , Carrasco Melisa , Boardman James , Gano Dawn , Peeples Eric
Published: December 2023

The survival of preterm infants has steadily improved thanks to advances in perinatal and neonatal intensive clinical care. The focus is now on finding ways to improve morbidities, especially neurological outcomes. Although antenatal steroids and magnesium for preterm infants have become routine therapies, studies have mainly demonstrated short-term benefits for antenatal steroid therapy but limited evidence for impact on long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. Further advances in neuroprotective and neurorestorative therapies, improved neuromonitoring modalities to optimize recruitment in trials, and improved biomarkers to assess the response to treatment are essential. Among the most promising agents, multipotential stem cells, immunomodulation, and anti-inflammatory therapies can improve neural outcomes in preclinical studies and are the subject of considerable ongoing research. In the meantime, bundles of care protecting and nurturing the brain in the neonatal intensive care unit and beyond should be widely implemented in an effort to limit injury and promote neuroplasticity.

Impact

With improved survival of preterm infants due to improved antenatal and neonatal care, our focus must now be to improve long-term neurological and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

This review details the multifactorial pathogenesis of preterm brain injury and neuroprotective strategies in use at present, including antenatal care, seizure management and non-pharmacological NICU care.

We discuss treatment strategies that are being evaluated as potential interventions to improve the neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants born prematurely.
ESRP1-driven alternative splicing of CLSTN1 inhibits the metastasis of gastric cancer
Authors: Li Chengguo , Yin Yuping , Tao Ruikang , Lin Yao , Wang Tao , Shen Qian , Li Runze , Tao Kaixiong , Liu Weizhen
Published: December 2023

Tumor metastasis severely limits the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are crucial in tumor metastasis, yet there is limited research into their involvement in gastric cancer. Here, we found that ESRP1, a RBP specific in epithelial cells, is important in regulating the metastasis of gastric cancer cells. ESRP1 is negatively correlated with distant metastasis and lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer patients. And we demonstrated that ESRP1 inhibit migration and invasion of gastric cancer in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, ESRP1 promotes exon 11 alternative splicing of CLSTN1 pre-mRNA. The post-splicing short CLSTN1 stabilizes the Ecadherin/β-catenin binding structure, and promotes β-catenin protein ubiquitination and degradation, thereby inhibiting the migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells. Our study highlights the role of ESRP1 in regulating metastasis of gastric cancer and extends its mechanism. These results provide a possibility for ESRP1 and CLSTN1 to become therapeutic targets for metastasis of gastric cancer.
Voltage sensors of a Na+ channel dissociate from the pore domain and form inter-channel dimers in the resting state
Authors: Sumino Ayumi , Sumikama Takashi , Shibata Mikihiro , Irie Katsumasa
Published: December 2023

Understanding voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels is significant since they generate action potential. Nav channels consist of a pore domain (PD) and a voltage sensor domain (VSD). All resolved Nav structures in different gating states have VSDs that tightly interact with PDs; however, it is unclear whether VSDs attach to PDs during gating under physiological conditions. Here, we reconstituted three different voltage-dependent NavAb, which is cloned from Arcobacter butzleri, into a lipid membrane and observed their structural dynamics by high-speed atomic force microscopy on a sub-second timescale in the steady state. Surprisingly, VSDs dissociated from PDs in the mutant in the resting state and further dimerized to form cross-links between channels. This dimerization would occur at a realistic channel density, offering a potential explanation for the facilitation of positive cooperativity of channel activity in the rising phase of the action potential.
Optimized design and in vivo application of optogenetically functionalized Drosophila dopamine receptors
Authors: Zhou Fangmin , Tichy Alexandra-Madelaine , Imambocus Bibi Nusreen , Sakharwade Shreyas , Rodriguez Jimenez Francisco J. , González Martínez Marco , Jahan Ishrat , Habib Margarita , Wilhelmy Nina , Burre Vanessa , Lömker Tatjana , Sauter Kathrin , Helfrich-Förster Charlotte , Pielage Jan , Grunwald Kadow Ilona C. , Janovjak Harald , Soba Peter
Published: December 2023

Neuromodulatory signaling via G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) plays a pivotal role in regulating neural network function and animal behavior. The recent development of optogenetic tools to induce G protein-mediated signaling provides the promise of acute and cell type-specific manipulation of neuromodulatory signals. However, designing and deploying optogenetically functionalized GPCRs (optoXRs) with accurate specificity and activity to mimic endogenous signaling in vivo remains challenging. Here we optimize the design of optoXRs by considering evolutionary conserved GPCR-G protein interactions and demonstrate the feasibility of this approach using two Drosophila Dopamine receptors (optoDopRs). These optoDopRs exhibit high signaling specificity and light sensitivity in vitro. In vivo, we show receptor and cell type-specific effects of dopaminergic signaling in various behaviors, including the ability of optoDopRs to rescue the loss of the endogenous receptors. This work demonstrates that optoXRs can enable optical control of neuromodulatory receptor-specific signaling in functional and behavioral studies.
Neoadjuvant durvalumab plus radiation versus durvalumab alone in stages I–III non-small cell lung cancer: survival outcomes and molecular correlates of a randomized phase II trial
Authors: Altorki Nasser K. , Walsh Zachary H. , Melms Johannes C. , Port Jeffery L. , Lee Benjamin E. , Nasar Abu , Spinelli Cathy , Caprio Lindsay , Rogava Meri , Ho Patricia , Christos Paul J. , Saxena Ashish , Elemento Olivier , Bhinder Bhavneet , Ager Casey , Amin Amit Dipak , Sanfilippo Nicholas J. , Mittal Vivek , Borczuk Alain C. , Formenti Silvia C. , Izar Benjamin , McGraw Timothy E.
Published: December 2023

We previously reported the results of a randomized phase II trial (NCT02904954) in patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who were treated with either two preoperative cycles of the anti-PD-L1 antibody durvalumab alone or combined with immunomodulatory doses of stereotactic radiation (DRT). The trial met its primary endpoint of major pathological response, which was significantly higher following DRT with no new safety signals. Here, we report on the prespecified secondary endpoint of disease-free survival (DFS) regardless of treatment assignment and the prespecified exploratory analysis of DFS in each arm of the trial. DFS at 2 and 3 years across patients in both arms of the trial were 73% (95% CI: 62.1–84.5) and 65% (95% CI: 52.5–76.9) respectively. For the exploratory endpoint of DFS in each arm of the trial, three-year DFS was 63% (95% CI: 46.0–80.4) in the durvalumab monotherapy arm compared to 67% (95% CI: 49.6–83.4) in the dual therapy arm. In addition, we report post hoc exploratory analysis of progression-free survival as well as molecular correlates of response and recurrence through high-plex immunophenotyping of sequentially collected peripheral blood and gene expression profiles from resected tumors in both treatment arms. Together, our results contribute to the evolving landscape of neoadjuvant treatment regimens for NSCLC and identify easily measurable potential biomarkers of response and recurrence.
NDP52 mediates an antiviral response to hepatitis B virus infection through Rab9-dependent lysosomal degradation pathway
Authors: Cui Shuzhi , Xia Tian , Zhao Jianjin , Ren Xiaoyu , Wu Tingtao , Kameni Mireille , Guo Xiaoju , He Li , Guo Jingao , Duperray-Susini Aléria , Levillayer Florence , Collard Jean-Marc , Zhong Jin , Pan Lifeng , Tangy Frédéric , Vidalain Pierre-Olivier , Zhou Dongming , Jiu Yaming , Faure Mathias , Wei Yu
Published: December 2023

Autophagy receptor NDP52 triggers bacterial autophagy against infection. However, the ability of NDP52 to protect against viral infection has not been established. We show that NDP52 binds to envelope proteins of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and triggers a degradation process that promotes HBV clearance. Inactivating NDP52 in hepatocytes results in decreased targeting of viral envelopes in the lysosome and increased levels of viral replication. NDP52 inhibits HBV at both viral entry and late replication stages. In contrast to NDP52-mediated bacterial autophagy, lysosomal degradation of HBV envelopes is independent of galectin 8 and ATG5. NDP52 forms complex with Rab9 and viral envelope proteins and links HBV to Rab9-dependent lysosomal degradation pathway. These findings reveal that NDP52 acts as a sensor for HBV infection, which mediates a unique antiviral response to eliminate the virus. This work also suggests direct roles for autophagy receptors in other lysosomal degradation pathways than canonical autophagy.
A type VII-secreted lipase toxin with reverse domain arrangement
Authors: Garrett Stephen R. , Mietrach Nicole , Deme Justin , Bitzer Alina , Yang Yaping , Ulhuq Fatima R. , Kretschmer Dorothee , Heilbronner Simon , Smith Terry K. , Lea Susan M. , Palmer Tracy
Published: December 2023

The type VII protein secretion system (T7SS) is found in many Gram-positive bacteria and in pathogenic mycobacteria. All T7SS substrate proteins described to date share a common helical domain architecture at the N-terminus that typically interacts with other helical partner proteins, forming a composite signal sequence for targeting to the T7SS. The C-terminal domains are functionally diverse and in Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus often specify toxic anti-bacterial activity. Here we describe the first example of a class of T7 substrate, TslA, that has a reverse domain organisation. TslA is widely found across Bacillota including Staphylococcus, Enterococcus and Listeria. We show that the S. aureus TslA N-terminal domain is a phospholipase A with anti-staphylococcal activity that is neutralised by the immunity lipoprotein TilA. Two small helical partner proteins, TlaA1 and TlaA2 are essential for T7-dependent secretion of TslA and at least one of these interacts with the TslA C-terminal domain to form a helical stack. Cryo-EM analysis of purified TslA complexes indicate that they share structural similarity with canonical T7 substrates. Our findings suggest that the T7SS has the capacity to recognise a secretion signal present at either end of a substrate.
3D printing of self-healing personalized liver models for surgical training and preoperative planning
Authors: Lu Yahui , Chen Xing , Han Fang , Zhao Qian , Xie Tao , Wu Jingjun , Zhang Yuhua
Published: December 2023

3D printing can produce intuitive, precise, and personalized anatomical models, providing invaluable support for precision medicine, particularly in areas like surgical training and preoperative planning. However, conventional 3D printed models are often significantly more rigid than human organs and cannot undergo repetitive resection, which severely restricts their clinical value. Here we report the stereolithographic 3D printing of personalized liver models based on physically crosslinked self-healing elastomers with liver-like softness. Benefiting from the short printing time, the highly individualized models can be fabricated immediately following enhanced CT examination. Leveraging the high-efficiency self-healing performance, these models support repetitive resection for optimal trace through a trial-and-error approach. At the preliminary explorative clinical trial (NCT06006338), a total of 5 participants are included for preoperative planning. The primary outcomes indicate that the negative surgery margins are achieved and the unforeseen injuries of vital vascular structures are avoided. The 3D printing of liver models can enhance the safety of hepatic surgery, demonstrating promising application value in clinical practice.
Effectiveness of caffeine and blue-enriched light on cognitive performance and electroencephalography correlates of alertness in a spaceflight robotics simulation
Authors: Flynn-Evans Erin E. , Rueger Melanie , Liu Andrew M. , Galvan-Garza Raquel C. , Natapoff Alan , Oman Charles M. , Lockley Steven W.
Published: December 2023

Human cognitive impairment associated with sleep loss, circadian misalignment and work overload is a major concern in any high stress occupation but has potentially catastrophic consequences during spaceflight human robotic interactions. Two safe, wake-promoting countermeasures, caffeine and blue-enriched white light have been studied on Earth and are available on the International Space Station. We therefore conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial examining the impact of regularly timed low-dose caffeine (0.3 mg per kg per h) and moderate illuminance blue-enriched white light (~90 lux, ~88 melEDI lux, 6300 K) as countermeasures, separately and combined, in a multi-night simulation of sleep-wake shifts experienced during spaceflight among 16 participants (7 F, ages 26–55). We find that chronic administration of low-dose caffeine improves subjective and objective correlates of alertness and performance during an overnight work schedule involving chronic sleep loss and circadian misalignment, although we also find that caffeine disrupts subsequent sleep. We further find that 90 lux of blue-enriched light moderately reduces electroencephalogram (EEG) power in the theta and delta regions, which are associated with sleepiness. These findings support the use of low-dose caffeine and potentially blue-enriched white light to enhance alertness and performance among astronauts and shiftworking populations.
Aggregation-induced emission from optically active X-shaped molecules based on planar chiral [2.2]paracyclophane
Authors: Jikuhara Keishi , Inoue Ryo , Morisaki Yasuhiro
Published: December 2023

An optically active π-stacked molecule was synthesized incorporating planar chiral [2.2]paracyclophane and o-carborane units to impart circularly polarized luminescence and aggregation-induced emission properties to the molecule. The molecule exhibited a strong emission from the aggregated state in a mixed solvent system (H2O/THF) and the solid state in the PMMA matrix. In the aggregated state, weak circularly polarized luminescence was observed owing to the random intermolecular orientation. On the other hand, the circularly polarized luminescence was clearly observed in the PMMA film containing 1 wt% molecule. Theoretical studies using time-dependent density functional theory reproduced the molecule’s circular dichroism and circularly polarized luminescence properties.
3D printing technology combined with personalized plates for complex distal intra-articular fractures of the trimalleolar ankle
Authors: Liang Hairui , Zhang He , Chen Beibei , Yang Lei , Xu Rongda , Duan Siyu , Cai Zhencun
Published: December 2023

This study investigated the effectiveness of 3D printing technology in combination with personalized custom-made steel plates in the treatment of complex distal intra-articular trimalleolar fractures, with the aim of providing a new approach to improve ankle joint function in patients. The 48 patients with complex distal intra-articular trimalleolar fractures included in the study were randomly divided into two groups: the personalized custom-made steel plate group (n = 24) and the conventional steel plate group (n = 24). A comparison was made between the two groups in terms of preoperative preparation time, hospitalization duration, surgical time, fracture reduction and internal fixation time, intraoperative fluoroscopy instances, surgical incision length, fracture healing time, follow-up duration, degree of fracture reduction, ankle joint functional recovery, and the occurrence of complications. The personalized steel plate group exhibited longer preoperative preparation time and hospitalization duration compared to the conventional steel plate group (p < 0.001). However, the personalized steel plate group demonstrated significantly shorter surgical duration, time for fracture reduction and internal fixation, reduced intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency, and a shorter overall surgical incision length (p < 0.001). Both groups displayed similar fracture healing times and follow-up durations (p > 0.05). The personalized steel plate group showed a higher rate of successful fracture reduction (87.5% vs. 79.2%, p > 0.05) and a lower incidence of complications (8.3% vs. 20.8%, p = 0.22), although these differences did not reach statistical significance. Furthermore, the personalized steel plate group exhibited superior ankle joint function scores during follow-up compared to the conventional steel plate group (p < 0.05). By utilizing 3D printing technology in conjunction with personalized custom-made steel plates, personalized treatment plans are provided for patients with complex comminuted tri-malleolar ankle fractures, enabling safer, more efficient, and satisfactory orthopedic surgeries.
Nucleus accumbens core single cell ensembles bidirectionally respond to experienced versus observed aversive events
Authors: Dinckol Oyku , Wenger Noah Harris , Zachry Jennifer E. , Kutlu Munir Gunes
Published: December 2023

Fear learning is a critical feature of survival skills among mammals. In rodents, fear learning manifests itself through direct experience of the aversive event or social transmission of aversive stimuli such as observing and acting on conspecifics’ distress. The neuronal network underlying the social transmission of information largely overlaps with the brain regions that mediate behavioral responses to aversive and rewarding stimuli. In this study, we recorded single cell activity patterns of nucleus accumbens (NAc) core neurons using in vivo optical imaging of calcium transients via miniature scopes. This cutting-edge imaging methodology not only allows us to record activity patterns of individual neurons but also lets us longitudinally follow these individual neurons across time and different behavioral states. Using this approach, we identified NAc core single cell ensembles that respond to experienced and/or observed aversive stimuli. Our results showed that experienced and observed aversive stimuli evoke NAc core ensemble activity that is largely positive, with a smaller subset of negative responses. The size of the NAc single cell ensemble response was greater for experienced aversive stimuli compared to observed aversive events. Our results also revealed sex differences in the NAc core single cell ensembles responses to experience aversive stimuli, where females showed a greater accumbal response. Importantly, we found a subpopulation within the NAc core single cell ensembles that show a bidirectional response to experienced aversive stimuli versus observed aversive stimuli (i.e., negative response to experienced and positive response to observed). Our results suggest that the NAc plays a role in differentiating somatosensory experience from social observation of aversion at a single cell level. These results have important implications for psychopathologies where social information processing is maladaptive, such as autism spectrum disorders.
EVA and SEBS-MA copolymers incorporated silicone rubber/SEBS blends: improvement of mechanical and thermal properties
Authors: Alikhani Ehsan , Mohammadi Mohsen
Published: December 2023

Enhancing the mechanical and thermal properties of Silicone rubber (SR)/SEBS blends using various compatibilizers opens the opportunity for such new blends to meet the market desire. For this purpose, blends with a 1:1 ratio of SR and SEBS are prepared with different amounts of EVA or SEBS-MA copolymers as compatibilizer. Mechanical properties of the blend are enhanced by adding EVA and SEBS-MA. Addition of 6 phr EVA profoundly improves the tensile strength from 7.70 to 10.06 MPa. Thermogravimetric analysis reveals that the presence of compatibilizer can improve the thermal stability of the blend, especially its initial degradation temperature (T5%). T5% of the blend increases from 376 to 390 °C when comprising 6 phr SEBS-MA. Morphology of the blends is investigated using SEM and AFM. Results of the relaxation modulus curves obtained by rubber process analyzer (RPA) demonstrate that the amount of relaxation in the uncured blends is higher than the cured ones. A comparison of the relaxation of the blends indicates that the relaxation modulus of the SEBS-MA compatibilized blends is enhanced more than other blends after curing. Further investigations indicate that the compatibilized blends exhibit higher tear energy and lower compression set.
Testing the power-law hypothesis of the interconflict interval
Authors: Okamoto Hiroshi , Yoshimoto Iku , Kato Sota , Ahsan Budrul , Shinohara Shuji
Published: December 2023

War is an extreme form of collective human behaviour characterized by coordinated violence. We show that this nature of war is substantiated in the temporal patterns of conflict occurrence that obey power law. The focal metric is the interconflict interval (ICI), the interval between the end of a conflict in a dyad (i.e. a pair of states) and the start of the subsequent conflict in the same dyad. Using elaborate statistical tests, we confirmed that ICI samples compiled from the history of interstate conflicts from 1816 to 2014 followed a power-law distribution. We then demonstrate that the power-law properties of ICIs can be explained by a hypothetical model assuming an information-theoretic formulation of the Clausewitz thesis on war: the use of force is a means of interstate communication. Our findings help us to understand the nature of wars between regular states, the significance of which has increased since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
A new convolutional neural network based on combination of circlets and wavelets for macular OCT classification
Authors: Arian Roya , Vard Alireza , Kafieh Rahele , Plonka Gerlind , Rabbani Hossein
Published: December 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, encompassing machine learning and deep learning, can assist ophthalmologists in early detection of various ocular abnormalities through the analysis of retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. Despite considerable progress in these algorithms, several limitations persist in medical imaging fields, where a lack of data is a common issue. Accordingly, specific image processing techniques, such as time–frequency transforms, can be employed in conjunction with AI algorithms to enhance diagnostic accuracy. This research investigates the influence of non-data-adaptive time–frequency transforms, specifically X-lets, on the classification of OCT B-scans. For this purpose, each B-scan was transformed using every considered X-let individually, and all the sub-bands were utilized as the input for a designed 2D Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to extract optimal features, which were subsequently fed to the classifiers. Evaluating per-class accuracy shows that the use of the 2D Discrete Wavelet Transform (2D-DWT) yields superior outcomes for normal cases, whereas the circlet transform outperforms other X-lets for abnormal cases characterized by circles in their retinal structure (due to the accumulation of fluid). As a result, we propose a novel transform named CircWave by concatenating all sub-bands from the 2D-DWT and the circlet transform. The objective is to enhance the per-class accuracy of both normal and abnormal cases simultaneously. Our findings show that classification results based on the CircWave transform outperform those derived from original images or any individual transform. Furthermore, Grad-CAM class activation visualization for B-scans reconstructed from CircWave sub-bands highlights a greater emphasis on circular formations in abnormal cases and straight lines in normal cases, in contrast to the focus on irrelevant regions in original B-scans. To assess the generalizability of our method, we applied it to another dataset obtained from a different imaging system. We achieved promising accuracies of 94.5% and 90% for the first and second datasets, respectively, which are comparable with results from previous studies. The proposed CNN based on CircWave sub-bands (i.e. CircWaveNet) not only produces superior outcomes but also offers more interpretable results with a heightened focus on features crucial for ophthalmologists.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of AI-based conversational agents for promoting mental health and well-being
Authors: Li Han , Zhang Renwen , Lee Yi-Chieh , Kraut Robert E. , Mohr David C.
Published: December 2023

Conversational artificial intelligence (AI), particularly AI-based conversational agents (CAs), is gaining traction in mental health care. Despite their growing usage, there is a scarcity of comprehensive evaluations of their impact on mental health and well-being. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to fill this gap by synthesizing evidence on the effectiveness of AI-based CAs in improving mental health and factors influencing their effectiveness and user experience. Twelve databases were searched for experimental studies of AI-based CAs’ effects on mental illnesses and psychological well-being published before May 26, 2023. Out of 7834 records, 35 eligible studies were identified for systematic review, out of which 15 randomized controlled trials were included for meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that AI-based CAs significantly reduce symptoms of depression (Hedge’s g 0.64 [95% CI 0.17–1.12]) and distress (Hedge’s g 0.7 [95% CI 0.18–1.22]). These effects were more pronounced in CAs that are multimodal, generative AI-based, integrated with mobile/instant messaging apps, and targeting clinical/subclinical and elderly populations. However, CA-based interventions showed no significant improvement in overall psychological well-being (Hedge’s g 0.32 [95% CI –0.13 to 0.78]). User experience with AI-based CAs was largely shaped by the quality of human-AI therapeutic relationships, content engagement, and effective communication. These findings underscore the potential of AI-based CAs in addressing mental health issues. Future research should investigate the underlying mechanisms of their effectiveness, assess long-term effects across various mental health outcomes, and evaluate the safe integration of large language models (LLMs) in mental health care.
Anomalous non-Hermitian skin effect: topological inequivalence of skin modes versus point gap
Authors: Guo Gang-Feng , Bao Xi-Xi , Zhu Han-Jie , Zhao Xiao-Ming , Zhuang Lin , Tan Lei , Liu Wu-Ming
Published: December 2023

It has long been believed that skin modes are equivalent to the nontrivial point gap. However, we find that this concomitance can be broken, in that skin modes can be absent or present when the point gap is nontrivial or trivial, respectively, named anomalous non-Hermitian skin effect. This anomalous phenomenon arises whenever unidirectional hopping amplitudes emerge among subsystems, where sub-chains have decoupling-like behaviors and contribute only to the energy levels without particle occupation. The occurrence of anomalous non-Hermitian skin effect is accompanied by changes in open boundary eigenvalues, whose structure exhibits multifold exceptional points and can not be recovered by continuum bands. Moreover, an experimental setup is proposed to simulate this effect. Our results reveal the topologically inequivalence of skin modes and point gap. This effect not only provides a deeper understanding of non-Bloch theory and critical phenomena, but may inspire applications, such as in sensor field.
Detection of PatIent-Level distances from single cell genomics and pathomics data with Optimal Transport (PILOT)
Authors: Joodaki Mehdi , Shaigan Mina , Parra Victor , Bülow Roman D , Kuppe Christoph , Hölscher David L , Cheng Mingbo , Nagai James S , Goedertier Michaël , Bouteldja Nassim , Tesar Vladimir , Barratt Jonathan , Roberts Ian SD , Coppo Rosanna , Kramann Rafael , Boor Peter , Costa Ivan G
Published: December 2023

Although clinical applications represent the next challenge in single-cell genomics and digital pathology, we still lack computational methods to analyze single-cell or pathomics data to find sample-level trajectories or clusters associated with diseases. This remains challenging as single-cell/pathomics data are multi-scale, i.e., a sample is represented by clusters of cells/structures, and samples cannot be easily compared with each other. Here we propose PatIent Level analysis with Optimal Transport (PILOT). PILOT uses optimal transport to compute the Wasserstein distance between two individual single-cell samples. This allows us to perform unsupervised analysis at the sample level and uncover trajectories or cellular clusters associated with disease progression. We evaluate PILOT and competing approaches in single-cell genomics or pathomics studies involving various human diseases with up to 600 samples/patients and millions of cells or tissue structures. Our results demonstrate that PILOT detects disease-associated samples from large and complex single-cell or pathomics data. Moreover, PILOT provides a statistical approach to find changes in cell populations, gene expression, and tissue structures related to the trajectories or clusters supporting interpretation of predictions.
Monitoring lipid alterations in Drosophila heads in an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis model with time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry
Authors: Le Minh Uyen Thi , Park Jeong Hyang , Son Jin Gyeong , Shon Hyun Kyung , Joh Sunho , Chung Chang Geon , Cho Jae Ho , Pirkl Alexander , Lee Sung Bae , Lee Tae Geol
Published: December 2023

Lipid alterations in the brain are well-documented in disease and aging, but our understanding of their pathogenic implications remains incomplete.
Rational design and comparison of three curcumin-based fluorescent probes for viscosity detection in living cells and zebrafish
Authors: Du Wenhao , Gu Yue , Zhou Xin , Wang Zhonglong , Wang Shifa
Published: December 2023

Viscosity is a crucial indicator of the cellular microenvironment, which can affect the normal level of cellular metabolism.
Strategies for the eradication of intracellular bacterial pathogens
Authors: Chen Yingying , Jiang Yunjiang , Xue Tianrui , Cheng Jianjun
Published: December 2023

Representative antimicrobial delivery platforms and strategies for the eradication of intracellular bacterial pathogens.
Bis-[cyclic(alkyl)(amino)carbene]-derived diradicals
Authors: Nayak Mithilesh Kumar , Elvers Benedict J. , Mehta Sakshi , Krummenacher Ivo , Mondal Abhishake , Braunschweig Holger , Schulzke Carola , Ravat Prince , Jana Anukul
Published: December 2023

Crystalline (amino)(carboxy)-based diradicals were synthesized from newly designed N,N′-trans-1,4-cyclohexylene bridged bis-CAACs. A half-field EPR signal unambiguously confirms their triplet diradical character.
Reactions of N2O and CO on neutral Rh10On clusters: a density functional study
Authors: Muman Vikram , Tennyson-Davies Alex , Allegret Oihan , Addicoat Matthew A.
Published: December 2023

Reaction paths for addition and abstraction of oxygen to Rh10On are energetically similar for different Rh10On isomers and multiplicities.
Structural and electronic changes in the Ni13@Ag42 nanoparticle under surface oxidation: the role of silver coating
Authors: Aguilera-del-Toro R. H. , Aguilera-Granja F. , Vega A.
Published: December 2023

Icosahedral Ni13@Ag42 is a stable nanoparticle formed by a magnetic nickel core surrounded by a silver coating that provides physical protection to the 3d metal cluster as well as antibacterial properties.
On the performance of second-order approximate coupled-cluster singles and doubles methods for non-valence anions
Authors: Paran Garrette Pauley , Utku Cansu , Jagau Thomas-Christian
Published: December 2023

The CC2 electronic-structure method is applied to dipole-bound, quadrupole-bound, and correlation-bound anions.
Nanoscale engineering of solid-state materials for boosting hydrogen storage
Authors: Wang Yunting , Xue Yudong , Züttel Andreas
Published: December 2023

Fine-tuning the nanoworld: paving the way for a sustainable hydrogen future with solid-state hydrogen storage materials.
Iron-doping-induced formation of Ni–Co–O nanotubes as efficient bifunctional electrodes
Authors: Liu Zhaohui , Zhang Xinjiang , Mi Xiaona , Yang Zirun , Huang Haihua
Published: December 2023

The Fe promotes the modulation of the electronic structure plays a crucial role in optimizing the reaction intermediates and enhanced the water dissociation ability.
Systematics of stable copper and silver clusters protected by small bite chelating bidentate sulfur and selenium ligands related to their polyhedral cavities: analogies to aliphatic compounds and three-dimensional spherical aromatic systems
Authors: King R. Bruce
Published: December 2023

Silver clusters composed exclusively of fused tetrahedra are analogous to simple saturated organic compounds. Copper clusters with central cuboctahedra and silver clusters with central icosahedra having interstitial metal atoms provide examples of metal superatoms.
Electrochemical and kinetic studies on the electrolytic extraction of Gd on Bi electrode in LiCl–KCl melt
Authors: Ding Li , Kong Xin , Gong Yan , Yang Shanxin , Yan Yongde , Deng Yuan , Xue Yun , Zhu Kai , Ma Fuqiu , Liu Wei
Published: December 2023

Advancements in science and technology are heavily dependent on the development and utilization of rare earth materials.
Acidic CO2 electroreduction for high CO2 utilization: catalysts, electrodes, and electrolyzers
Authors: Lee Taemin , Lee Yujin , Eo Jungsu , Nam Dae-Hyun
Published: December 2023

This minireview highlights recent advancements and perspectives on the electrochemical CO2 reduction reactions (CO2RR) in acidic environments, covering strategies from the nanoscale to the bulk scale.
Switching the three-component Biginelli-like reaction conditions for the regioselective synthesis of new 2-amino[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines
Authors: Pacetti Martina , Pismataro Maria Chiara , Felicetti Tommaso , Giammarino Federica , Bonomini Anna , Tiecco Matteo , Bertagnin Chiara , Barreca Maria Letizia , Germani Raimondo , Cecchetti Violetta , Vicenti Ilaria , Tabarrini Oriana , Zazzi Maurizio , Loregian Arianna , Massari Serena
Published: December 2023

Facile procedures exploiting three-component reactions were developed to regioselectively obtain 2-amino-7-methyl-5-phenyl- and 2-amino-5-methyl-7-phenyl-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine analogues bearing a C-6 electron withdrawing group.
Confinement of folding motifs within central blocks improves single chain polymer nanoparticle folding
Authors: Farazi Shegufta , Stenzel Martina H. , Chapman Robert
Published: December 2023

Controlling the location of a folding motif within the backbone of a polymer chain can dramatically improve the folding of the polymer into single chain polymer nanoparticles (SCNPs).
Synthesis of cRGD peptide cluster-decorated NIR-fluorescent PISA-RAFT nanoparticles targeting integrin expressing cells
Authors: Duret Damien , Grassin Adrien , Henry Maxime , Alcouffe Pierre , Raja Sebastian , Baleizão Carlos , Farinha José Paulo , Charreyre Marie-Thérèse , Boturyn Didier , Coll Jean-Luc , Favier Arnaud
Published: December 2023

Biocompatible PISA-RAFT nanoparticles were synthesized with NIR-fluorescent monomers in the core and cRGD peptide clusters at the outer surface. These original nanoprobes selectively labeled integrin-presenting cells.
Radical-triggered base-free 1,3-C → C migrations: chemodivergent synthesis of cyclic imines from N-allyl enamines
Authors: Zheng Baihui , Zhi Junsheng , Wang Nan , Zhang Dandan , Shimakoshi Hisashi , Li Yifei , Liu Qun , Pan Ling
Published: December 2023

Novel radical-triggered 1,3-C → C migrations of N-allyl enamines under base-free conditions and the catalyst-dependent synthesis of cyclic imines were achieved.
Origin of norbornene-mediated selective meta-C–H arylation of anisole derivatives overcoming the “ortho constraint” in Pd/S,O-ligand catalysis
Authors: Liu Sheng-Nan , Xing Yang-Yang , Wang Wen-Juan , Wang Qiong , Yang Chong , Liu Jian-Biao , Huang Fang , Chen De-Zhan
Published: December 2023

Bridgehead-modified norbornene has a significant impact on the geometries of meta-C–H activation transition states and main factors regulating mono- and di-meta-selectivity.
A multistep (semi)-continuous biocatalytic setup for the production of polycaprolactone
Authors: Valotta Alessia , Stelzer Daniela , Reiter Tamara , Kroutil Wolfgang , Gruber-Woelfler Heidrun
Published: December 2023

This work presents polycaprolactone (PCL) synthesis via BVMO-driven caprolactone production, followed by continuous monomer extraction and polymerization. Achieving high space–time yield, our approach offers a sustainable pathway for PCL production.
Electrochemical energy storage in an organic supercapacitor via a non-electrochemical proton charge assembly
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Sanchayita , Kottaichamy Alagar Raja , Devendrachari Mruthyunjayachari Chattanahalli , Mendhe Rahul Mahadeo , Nimbegondi Kotresh Harish Makri , Vinod Chathakudath Prabhakaran , Ottakam Thotiyl Musthafa
Published: December 2023

An unusual energy storage pathway in an organic supercapacitor via a non-electrochemical proton charge assembly.
Single-atomic ruthenium dispersion promoting photoelectrochemical water oxidation activity of CeOx catalysts on doped TiO2 nanorod photoanodes
Authors: Pal Debashish , Mondal Debayan , Maity Dipanjan , De Debasis , Ganesha Mukhesh K. , Singh Ashutosh K. , Khan Gobinda Gopal
Published: December 2023

A Ru single atom dispersed CeOx cocatalyst coupled Sb-doped TiO2 nanorod photoanode has been fabricated with excellent solar-driven water oxidation performance.
Enhancement of the reversible capacity and cycling stability of sodium cathode materials by Li+ reversible migration
Authors: Li Xingyu , Ma Ruguang , Gan Yang , Li Yi , Qiu Wujie , Wang Jifen , Liu Jianjun
Published: December 2023

Anionic redox and reversible Li+ interlayer migration improve the electrochemical properties of manganese-based sodium cathode materials.
Non-cross-linking advanced glycation end products affect prohormone processing
Authors: Brings Sebastian , Mier Walter , Beijer Barbro , Kliemank Elisabeth , Herzig Stephan , Szendroedi Julia , Nawroth Peter P. , Fleming Thomas
Published: December 2023

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are non-enzymatic post-translational modifications of amino acids and are associated with diabetic complications. One proposed pathomechanism is the impaired processing of AGE-modified proteins or peptides including prohormones. Two approaches were applied to investigate whether substrate modification with AGEs affects the processing of substrates like prohormones to the active hormones. First, we employed solid-phase peptide synthesis to generate unmodified as well as AGE-modified protease substrates. Activity of proteases towards these substrates was quantified. Second, we tested the effect of AGE-modified proinsulin on the processing to insulin. Proteases showed the expected activity towards the unmodified peptide substrates containing arginine or lysine at the C-terminal cleavage site. Indeed, modification with Nε-carboxymethyllysine (CML) or methylglyoxal-hydroimidazolone 1 (MG-H1) affected all proteases tested. Cysteine cathepsins displayed a reduction in activity by ∼50% towards CML and MG-H1 modified substrates. The specific proteases trypsin, proprotein convertases subtilisin–kexins (PCSKs) type proteases, and carboxypeptidase E (CPE) were completely inactive towards modified substrates. Proinsulin incubation with methylglyoxal at physiological concentrations for 24 h resulted in the formation of MG-modified proinsulin. The formation of insulin was reduced by up to 80% in a concentration-dependent manner. Here, we demonstrate the inhibitory effect of substrate-AGE modifications on proteases. The finding that PCSKs and CPE, which are essential for prohormone processing, are inactive towards modified substrates could point to a yet unrecognized pathomechanism resulting from AGE modification relevant for the etiopathogenesis of diabetes and the development of obesity.
ASSIST‐U: A system for segmentation and image style transfer for ureteroscopy
Authors: Lu Daiwei , Wu Yifan , Acar Ayberk , Yao Xing , Wu Jie Ying , Kavoussi Nicholas , Oguz Ipek
Published: December 2023

Kidney stones require surgical removal when they grow too large to be broken up externally or to pass on their own. Upper tract urothelial carcinoma is also sometimes treated endoscopically in a similar procedure. These surgeries are difficult, particularly for trainees who often miss tumours, stones or stone fragments, requiring re‐operation. Furthermore, there are no patient‐specific simulators to facilitate training or standardized visualization tools for ureteroscopy despite its high prevalence. Here a system ASSIST‐U is proposed to create realistic ureteroscopy images and videos solely using preoperative computerized tomography (CT) images to address these unmet needs. A 3D UNet model is trained to automatically segment CT images and construct 3D surfaces. These surfaces are then skeletonized for rendering. Finally, a style transfer model is trained using contrastive unpaired translation (CUT) to synthesize realistic ureteroscopy images. Cross validation on the CT segmentation model achieved a Dice score of 0.853 0.084. CUT style transfer produced visually plausible images; the kernel inception distance to real ureteroscopy images was reduced from 0.198 (rendered) to 0.089 (synthesized). The entire pipeline from CT to synthesized ureteroscopy is also qualitatively demonstrated. The proposed ASSIST‐U system shows promise for aiding surgeons in the visualization of kidney ureteroscopy.
Enhanced demand side management for solar‐based isolated microgrid system: Load prioritisation and energy optimisation
Authors: Rajbhandari Yaju , Marahatta Anup , Shrestha Ashish , Gachhadar Anand , Thapa Anup , Gonzalez‐Longatt Francisco , Korba Petr
Published: December 2023

A novel control mechanism is presented for rural microgrids, standing out in the current literature with its advanced approach to load prioritisation and energy allocation. The system's main goal is to maximise energy supply to essential loads while effectively managing available resources. Distinct from traditional methods, this mechanism dynamically classifies loads according to user‐defined priorities, adjustable based on the control system's computational power and complexity. A critical feature is the utilisation of the Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO) algorithm to optimise demand side management (DSM). This innovative approach leverages day‐ahead load and generation forecasts to ensure optimal energy distribution across load levels, maintaining continuous power supply to high‐priority loads and reducing blackout risks due to generation and load fluctuations. Analyses under stochastic scenarios demonstrate the robustness of the control action, with percentile‐based day‐ahead forecasting allowing for adaptation to significant variations in renewable energy generation patterns. The implementation results are significant, maintaining 100% supply continuity to essential loads throughout the day, even with generation fluctuations up to ‐20%. This marks a considerable improvement in load satisfaction, increasing it from 83% to 96%. A significant advancement in microgrid control is contributed, providing an adaptive, user‐centric approach that enhances load management and energy distribution, and facilitates more resilient and efficient microgrid systems in the face of highly variable renewable energy sources (RESs).