bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatio-Temporal Marked Point Process Model to Understand Forest Fires in the Mediterranean Basin
Authors: de Rivera Óscar Rodríguez , Espinosa Juncal , Madrigal Javier , Blangiardo Marta , López-Quílez Antonio
Published: March 2024

Understanding and predicting forest fires have proved a highly difficult endeavour, which requires extending and adapting complex models used in different fields. Here, we apply a marked point process approach, commonly used in ecology, which uses multiple Gaussian random fields to represent dynamics of Mediterranean forest fires in a spatio-temporal distribution model. Inference is carried out using Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation (INLA) with , an accessible and computationally efficient approach for Bayesian hierarchical modelling, which is not yet widely used in species distribution models. Using the marked point process approach, intensity of forest fires and dispersion were predicted using socioeconomic factors and environmental and fire-related variables. This demonstrates the advantage of complex model components in accounting for spatio-temporal dynamics that are not explained by environmental variables. Introduction of spatio-temporal marked point process can provide a more realistic perspective of a system, which is of particular importance for a practical and impact-focused worldwide problem such as forest fires.

Supplementary materials accompanying this paper appear online.
Seismic Retrofitting of Existing Reinforced Concrete Buildings Using Aluminium Shear Links and Eccentric Steel Chevron Braces
Authors: Elgammal Ahmed , El-Khoriby Saher , Seleemah Ayman
Published: March 2024

Many existing reinforced concrete buildings have been designed based on earlier codes of practice that underestimated seismic forces, making them vulnerable to damage during seismic action. Equipping existing buildings with shear links and eccentric braces is one of the available seismic retrofitting methods to dissipate seismic energy away from the main structural members. In this paper, a proposal for the seismic retrofitting of two existing reinforced concrete buildings using aluminium shear links and steel braces is presented. First, a capacity-based design approach is followed to determine the required sizes of the shear links and eccentric braces. Second, numerical analyses are used to compare how the original and retrofitted buildings responded. These tests include pushover analysis, nonlinear time-history analysis, damage analysis, incremental dynamic analysis, fragility and reliability analysis, and damage analysis. The results reveal that the proposed retrofitting method can sufficiently upgrade the performance level of the buildings and reduce their storey displacements and interstorey drifts, as shear links are found to absorb almost all seismic energy, therefore keeping other structural members responding elastically. Yet, using shear links alters the local behaviour of the surrounding structural members, which should be considered in the design process. Furthermore, compared to the original buildings, retrofitted buildings are expected to undergo less structural damage as they have lower damage indices. Meanwhile, the fragility of retrofitted buildings is significantly reduced compared to the original ones, which indicates the efficiency of the proposed retrofitting methods in upgrading the performance of seismically deficient reinforced concrete buildings.
Diversity and trade-offs of water values in the Akaki River system in Ethiopia: context of urban–rural linkage
Authors: Haileslassie Amare , Tesema Ephrem , Mersha Mihret , Bekele Tilaye Worku , Desalegne Mengistu , Haile Alemseged Tamiru
Published: March 2024

The objectives of the study were to investigate community perception and articulation of diverse and priority water values and examine water value trade-offs in the context of urban–rural interaction. The study applies the socio-ecological system framework and integrates bio-physical and socioeconomic methods into it. These methods include Household Surveys (HHs); Focused Group Discussions (FGD); Key Informant Interviews (KII); Cumulative Pollution Index (CPI); GIS for spatial analysis and literature review. Through HHs, 23 water values were identified in Akaki. Most respondents of the HHs prioritized three water values (water for agriculture, livestock, and domestic use). The stakeholder consultation substantiated the priority for domestic water value but also acknowledged waste assimilation services of rivers that absorb and strew pollutants from industries and households. The result of KII suggests that water system structures (e.g., reservoirs) are the mnemonic value for past events and sustain scenic values of local, national, and global importance. The Cumulative Pollution Index (CPI) based pollution assessment indicates that the Akaki water system lost a significant number of its water value (compared to the actual uses) due to river pollution across its reach and more critically at its outlet. The differences between the CPI value-based recommended water uses and actual water uses reflect a lack of options, awareness gaps, and a low level of policy enforcement. It is concluded that policy directions and decision-making need to acknowledge the multiple water values and competing uses of water, as points of departure, to reconcile water value trade-offs, conserve water and create awareness.
Growth, pathogenicity and sexual fertility of the African tree pathogen Ceratocystis albifundus
Authors: Danki Vinolia N. , Steenkamp Emma T. , de Vos Lieschen , Swalarsk-Parry Benedicta S. , Dewing Claudette , Fru Felix , Wilken P. Markus , Mchunu Nokuthula P. , Wingfield Brenda D. , Wingfield Michael J. , van der Nest Magriet A.
Published: March 2024

The African fungus Ceratocystis albifundus does not cause disease symptoms on its wide range of native woody hosts. However, on non-native Acacia mearnsii and orchard-grown Protea cynaroides, it represents an economically significant pathogen. Because previous studies exploring the biological fitness of C. albifundus were constrained by small sample sizes, we aimed to determine how commonly used measures of fitness (growth in culture, pathogenicity and sexual fertility status) vary across natural populations. For this purpose, a collection of 58 isolates originating from diverse hosts and geographic locations in South Africa were subjected to growth studies on synthetic culture medium, pathogenicity tests on A. mearnsii saplings, and sequence-based assays of fertility status. We found that these traits were generally not correlated with one another, although isolates from the Summer rainfall region and from native hosts induced significantly shorter lesions on A. mearnsii than isolates from the Winter rainfall region and from diseased A. mearnsii and orchard-grown P. cynaroides tissues. In other words, aggressiveness of C. albifundus to A. mearnsii was significantly influenced by the isolates’ geographic origin and host species, irrespective of their fertility status or growth rates. Additionally, the broad lack of correlation among growth, pathogenicity and fertility suggested that these fitness components are likely underpinned by distinct genetic and molecular mechanisms. Our study thus provides a robust foundation for further exploration of the fitness landscape in this important tree pathogen.
Insights on the fungal communities associated with needle reddening of the endangered Abies nebrodensis
Authors: Frascella Arcangela , Barberini Sara , Della Rocca Gianni , Emiliani Giovanni , Di Lonardo Vincenzo , Secci Stefano , Danti Roberto
Published: March 2024

Abies nebrodensis is a species of fir endemic to Sicily, represented by only 30 trees in the natural population and is currently classified as critically endangered by IUCN. In such context, monitoring its health status is essential for the proper management and preservation of this species. Phytosanitary surveys of trees of the natural population of A. nebrodensis and on potted plants raised in the local forest nursery were carried out, and the phyllosphere fungal community was investigated. The health condition of trees in the natural population were fairly good, with needle reddening and blight as the most frequently observed symptoms on the foliage, while in the nursery similar disorders were registered on about the 1.3% of potted plants. Results on fungal isolations highlighted the presence of species belonging to Valsa, Cytospora (which includes anamorphs of Valsa) and Rhizosphaera genera as the most represented on both reddened and green needles; these results suggest that these fungi likely live as endophytes, resuming their growth when needles are affected by environmental stressors such as wind, hail, mechanical wounds and do not represent a biotic constraint for A. nebrodensis. The disorders observed appear mostly as a consequence of the harsh site in which the relic species lives. Together with the fungal community observed on symptomatic and healthy needles, they indicate that A. nebrodensis adapted and tolerates its altered habitat.
Towards green evolution in urban Egypt: assessing Al Rehab City through LEED-ND and BREEAM-communities frameworks
Authors: Hegazy Ibrahim Rizk , Hammad Hazem Abdelazim , Tohlob Ahmed Alhussein , Elbelkasy Mohamed Ibrahim
Published: March 2024

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the application of green neighborhood rating systems, specifically Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) and Building Research Foundation Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM)-Communities, in the context of Cairo, Egypt, focusing on Al Rehab City, a prominent urban area in New Cairo. The study begins by providing a background on Al-Rehab City, explaining its strategic planning, urban design, and demographic dynamics. It then delves into the current state of sustainable urban planning in Egypt, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that exist in this rapidly urbanizing context. The core of the article includes a comparative analysis of LEED-ND and BREEAM communities, assessing their adaptability and relevance to the Egyptian urban landscape, especially Al Rehab City. It explores many sustainability issues such as smart location, neighborhood pattern and design, green infrastructure, sustainable transportation, energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, and community engagement. The discussion extends to examine how each of these aspects of sustainability applies to Al Rehab City, complemented by case studies and examples of current sustainable practices in Cairo. Furthermore, the article identifies specific local challenges in implementing these assessment systems, such as economic constraints, policy constraints, and cultural factors. It also suggests opportunities for improvement, including the potential for public–private partnerships, policy reforms, community engagement, technological innovation, and sustainable urban development modeling. In conclusion, the article provides insight into the future prospects of green urban planning in Cairo. The potential impact of adopting comprehensive assessment systems is discussed, with an emphasis on the role of Al Rehab City as a potential model for sustainable urban development in Egypt and the wider MENA region. The article aims to contribute to the discourse on sustainable urban planning, and provide a roadmap for integrating global sustainability standards into the unique context of Egyptian cities.
The Dimensions and Implications of the Public's Reactions to the January 6, 2021, Invasion of the U.S. Capitol
Authors: Jacobson Gary C.
Published: March 2024

The January 6, 2021 invasion of the US Capitol building by a mob trying to block certification of Biden's victory attacked a bedrock principle of American democracy, the peaceful transfer of power following an election. This Element reviews how the pubic evaluated the invaders, their actions, Donald Trump's responsibility, and the House investigations as they evolved after January 6. It then analyzes these reactions in the broader context of contemporary American politics and considers the consequences of January 6 for the 2022 election, the Republican coalition, polarization, Trump's indictments, electoral politics in 2024, and the future health of American democracy.
Meteor Head Echo Detection at Multiple High‐Power Large‐Aperture Radar Facilities via a Convolutional Neural Network Trained on Synthetic Radar Data
Authors: Hedges T. , Lee N. , Elschot S.
Published: March 2024

High‐power large‐aperture radar instruments are capable of detecting thousands of meteor head echoes within hours of observation, and manually identifying every head echo is prohibitively time‐consuming. Previous work has demonstrated that convolutional neural networks (CNNs) accurately detect head echoes, but training a CNN requires thousands of head echo examples manually identified at the same facility and with similar experiment parameters. Since pre‐labeled data is often unavailable, a method is developed to simulate head echo observations at any given frequency and pulse code. Real instances of radar clutter, noise, or ionospheric phenomena such as the equatorial electrojet are additively combined with synthetic head echo examples. This enables the CNN to differentiate between head echoes and other phenomena. CNNs are trained using tens of thousands of simulated head echoes at each of three radar facilities, where concurrent meteor observations were performed in October 2019. Each CNN is tested on a subset of actual data containing hundreds of head echoes, and demonstrates greater than 97% classification accuracy at each facility. The CNNs are capable of identifying a comprehensive set of head echoes, with over 70% sensitivity at all three facilities, including when the equatorial electrojet is present. The CNN demonstrates greater sensitivity to head echoes with higher signal strength, but still detects more than half of head echoes with maximum signal strength below 20 dB that would likely be missed during manual detection. These results demonstrate the ability of the synthetic data approach to train a machine learning algorithm to detect head echoes.
Accuracy of Global Geospace Simulations: Influence of Solar Wind Monitor Location and Solar Wind Driving
Authors: Al Shidi Q. , Pulkkinen T. I. , Welling D. , Toth G.
Published: March 2024

Some space weather models, such as the Space Weather Modeling Framework (SWMF) used in this study, use solar wind propagated from the first Lagrange point (L1) to the bow shock nose (BSN) to forecast geomagnetic storms. The SWMF is a highly coupled framework of space weather models that include multiple facets of the Geospace environment, such as the magnetosphere and ionosphere. The propagated solar wind measurements are used as a boundary condition for SWMF. The solar wind propagation method is a timeshift based on the calculated phase front normal (PFN) which leads to some uncertainties. For example, the propagated solar wind could have evolved during this timeshift. We use a data set of 123 geomagnetic storms between 2010 and 2019 run by the SWMF Geospace configuration to analyze the impact solar wind propagation and solar wind driving has on the geomagnetic indices. We look at the probability distributions of errors in SYM‐H, cross polar cap potential (CPCP), and auroral electrojet indices AL and AU. Through studying the median errors (MdE), standard deviations and standardized regression coefficients, we find that the errors depend on the propagation parameters. Among the results, we show that the accuracy of the simulated SYM‐H depends on the spacecraft distance from the Sun‐Earth line. We also quantify the dependence of the standard deviation in SYM‐H errors on the PFN and solar wind pressure. These statistics provide an insight into how the propagation method affects the final product of the simulation, which are the geomagnetic indices.
Crustal Architecture of the Paleo‐Pacific Rift Margin of East Antarctica: Evidence From U‐Pb Ages and O‐Hf Isotope Compositions of Ross Orogen Granitoids
Authors: Goodge John W. , Fanning C. Mark , Fisher Christopher M. , Vervoort Jeffrey D.
Published: March 2024

Granitic batholiths of the ∼500 Ma Ross Orogen in Antarctica are voluminous in scale, reflecting prolific magmatism along the active early Paleozoic convergent margin of Gondwana. New age and isotopic analysis of zircons from a large suite of Ross granitoids spanning >2,000 km along the orogen provide a wealth of geochronologic, tracer, and inheritance information, enabling us to investigate the pace of magmatism, along‐strike temporal and geochemical trends, magmatic sources, and tectonic modes of convergence. Because granitoids penetrate the crust of the earlier Neoproterozoic rift margin, they also provide insight into the age and composition of the largely ice‐covered East Antarctic craton. Zircon U‐Pb ages from these and other samples indicate that active Ross magmatism spanned 475–590 Ma, much longer than generally regarded. Most samples have heavy zircon δ18O values between 6.5 and 11.5‰ and initial εHf compositions between 0 and −15; their isotopic co‐variations are independent of age, as in other contemporary continental arcs, and reflect largely crustal melt sources. Samples near Shackleton Glacier have distinctly more mantle‐like isotope composition (i.e., radiogenic εHf and low δ18O) and separate two regions with distinctive isotopic properties and inheritance patterns—a more juvenile section of Mesoproterozoic crust underlying the southern TAM and an older, more evolved region of Paleoproterozoic and Archean crust in the central TAM. The isotopic discontinuity separating these regions indicates the presence of a cryptic crustal boundary of Grenvillian or younger age within the East Antarctic shield that may be traceable into the western Laurentian part of the Rodinia supercontinent.
Association of body-mass index with physiological brain pulsations across adulthood – a fast fMRI study
Authors: Raitamaa Lauri , Kautto Joona , Tuunanen Johanna , Helakari Heta , Huotari Niko , Järvelä Matti , Korhonen Vesa , Kiviniemi Vesa
Published: March 2024

Background/objective

Obesity is a risk factor for several brain-related health issues, and high body-mass index (BMI) is associated with an increased risk for several neurological conditions, including cognitive decline and dementia. Cardiovascular, respiratory, and vasomotor brain pulsations have each been shown to drive intracranial cerebrovascular fluid (CSF) flow, which is linked to the brain metabolite efflux that sustains homeostasis. While these three physiological pulsations are demonstrably altered in numerous brain diseases, there is no previous investigation of the association between physiological brain pulsations and BMI.

Subjects/methods

We measured the amplitudes of the physiological brain pulsations using amplitude of low frequency fluctation (ALFF) based method with resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging via high temporal resolution whole-brain magnetic resonance encephalography (MREG) in 115 healthy subjects. We next undertook multiple linear regression to model the BMI effect voxel-wise whole-brain on very low frequency (VLF), respiration, cardiovascular, and respiratory induced modulation of cardiovascular pulsation amplitudes with age, pulse pressure, and gender as nuisance variables.

Results

In our study population, BMI was positively associated with the amplitudes of vasomotor, respiratory, and respiratory induced modulations of cardiovascular pulsations (p < 0.05), while negatively associated with the amplitudes of cardiovascular pulsations (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The findings suggest that BMI is a significant factor in alterations of cardiovascular pulsation of neurofluids. As physiological pulsations are the drivers of CSF flow and subsequent metabolite clearance, these results emphasize the need for further research into the mechanisms through which obesity affects brain clearance.
Contemporary use of prophylactic probiotics in NICUs in the United States: a survey update
Authors: Wala Samantha J. , Ragan Mecklin V. , Pryor Erin , Canvasser Jennifer , Diefenbach Karen A. , Besner Gail E.
Published: March 2024

Objective

In 2015, 14.0% of US NICUs administered probiotics to very low birth weight infants. Current probiotic use prior to and after the Fall of 2023 (when FDA warnings were issued) remains unknown.

Study design

A survey was distributed to the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine (August–November/2022) and Neonatology Solutions’ Level III/IV NICUs (January–April/2023). Probiotic administration practices were investigated.

Results

In total, 289 unique NICUs and 406 providers responded to the survey. Of those, 29.1% of NICUs administered prophylactic probiotics to premature neonates, however, this decreased considerably after FDA warnings were issued. Additionally, 71.4% of providers stated willingness to administer probiotics to premature infants if there was an FDA-approved formulation.

Conclusions

Probiotic use in US NICUs increased between 2015 and the Fall of 2023 and then dropped dramatically following warning letters from the FDA. The introduction of an FDA-approved probiotic may further expand administration.
Patterns of neural activity in response to threatening faces are predictive of autistic traits: modulatory effects of oxytocin receptor genotype
Authors: Zheng Xiaoxiao , Zhou Feng , Fu Meina , Xu Lei , Wang Jiayuan , Li Jialin , Li Keshuang , Sindermann Cornelia , Montag Christian , Becker Benjamin , Zhan Yang , Kendrick Keith M.
Published: March 2024

Autistic individuals generally demonstrate impaired emotion recognition but it is unclear whether effects are emotion-specific or influenced by oxytocin receptor (OXTR) genotype. Here we implemented a dimensional approach using an implicit emotion recognition task together with functional MRI in a large cohort of neurotypical adult participants (N = 255, male = 131, aged 17–29 years) to establish associations between autistic traits and neural and behavioral responses to specific face emotions, together with modulatory effects of OXTR genotype. A searchlight-based multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) revealed an extensive network of frontal, basal ganglia, cingulate and limbic regions exhibiting significant predictability for autistic traits from patterns of responses to angry relative to neutral expression faces. Functional connectivity analyses revealed a genotype interaction (OXTR SNPs rs2254298, rs2268491) for coupling between the orbitofrontal cortex and mid-cingulate during angry expression processing, with a negative association between coupling and autistic traits in the risk-allele group and a positive one in the non-risk allele group. Overall, results indicate extensive emotion-specific associations primarily between patterns of neural responses to angry faces and autistic traits in regions processing motivation, reward and salience but not in early visual processing. Functional connections between these identified regions were not only associated with autistic traits but also influenced by OXTR genotype. Thus, altered patterns of neural responses to threatening faces may be a potential biomarker for autistic symptoms although modulatory influences of OXTR genotype need to be taken into account.
PANoptosis: bridging apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis in cancer progression and treatment
Authors: Gao Jie , Xiong Anying , Liu Jiliu , Li Xiaolan , Wang Junyi , Zhang Lei , Liu Yao , Xiong Ying , Li Guoping , He Xiang
Published: March 2024

This comprehensive review explores the intricate mechanisms of PANoptosis and its implications in cancer. PANoptosis, a convergence of apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis, plays a crucial role in cell death and immune response regulation. The study delves into the molecular pathways of each cell death mechanism and their crosstalk within PANoptosis, emphasizing the shared components like caspases and the PANoptosome complex. It highlights the significant role of PANoptosis in various cancers, including respiratory, digestive, genitourinary, gliomas, and breast cancers, showing its impact on tumorigenesis and patient survival rates. We further discuss the interwoven relationship between PANoptosis and the tumor microenvironment (TME), illustrating how PANoptosis influences immune cell behavior and tumor progression. It underscores the dynamic interplay between tumors and their microenvironments, focusing on the roles of different immune cells and their interactions with cancer cells. Moreover, the review presents new breakthroughs in cancer therapy, emphasizing the potential of targeting PANoptosis to enhance anti-tumor immunity. It outlines various strategies to manipulate PANoptosis pathways for therapeutic purposes, such as targeting key signaling molecules like caspases, NLRP3, RIPK1, and RIPK3. The potential of novel treatments like immunogenic PANoptosis-initiated therapies and nanoparticle-based strategies is also explored.
Generation of glioblastoma in mice engrafted with human cytomegalovirus-infected astrocytes
Authors: Guyon Joris , Haidar Ahmad Sandy , El Baba Ranim , Le Quang Mégane , Bikfalvi Andreas , Daubon Thomas , Herbein Georges
Published: March 2024

Mounting evidence is identifying human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) as a potential oncogenic virus. HCMV has been detected in glioblastoma multiforme (GB). Herewith, we present the first experimental evidence for the generation of CMV-Elicited Glioblastoma Cells (CEGBCs) possessing glioblastoma-like traits that lead to the formation of glioblastoma in orthotopically xenografted mice. In addition to the already reported oncogenic HCMV-DB strain, we isolated three HCMV clinical strains from GB tissues that transformed HAs toward CEGBCs and generated spheroids from CEGBCs that resulted in the appearance of glioblastoma-like tumors in xenografted mice. These tumors were nestin-positive mostly in the invasive part surrounded by GFAP-positive reactive astrocytes. The glioblastoma immunohistochemistry phenotype was confirmed by EGFR and cMet gene amplification in the tumor parallel to the detection of HCMV IE and UL69 genes and proteins. Our results fit with an HCMV-induced glioblastoma model of oncogenesis in vivo which will open the door to new therapeutic approaches and assess the anti-HCMV treatment as well as immunotherapy in fighting GB which is characterized by poor prognosis.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis inhibits METTL14-mediated m6A methylation of Nox2 mRNA and suppresses anti-TB immunity
Authors: Ma Mingtong , Duan Yongjia , Peng Cheng , Wu You , Zhang Xinning , Chang Boran , Wang Fei , Yang Hua , Zheng Ruijuan , Cheng Hongyu , Cheng Yuanna , He Yifan , Huang Jingping , Lei Jinming , Ma Hanyu , Li Liru , Wang Jie , Huang Xiaochen , Tang Fen , Liu Jun , Li Jinsong , Ying Ruoyan , Wang Peng , Sha Wei , Gao Yawei , Wang Lin , Ge Baoxue
Published: March 2024

Internal N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modifications are among the most abundant modifications of messenger RNA, playing a critical role in diverse biological and pathological processes. However, the functional role and regulatory mechanism of m6A modifications in the immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection remains unknown. Here, we report that methyltransferase-like 14 (METTL14)-dependent m6A methylation of NAPDH oxidase 2 (Nox2) mRNA was crucial for the host immune defense against M. tuberculosis infection and that M. tuberculosis-secreted antigen EsxB (Rv3874) inhibited METTL14-dependent m6A methylation of Nox2 mRNA. Mechanistically, EsxB interacted with p38 MAP kinase and disrupted the association of TAB1 with p38, thus inhibiting the TAB1-mediated autophosphorylation of p38. Interaction of EsxB with p38 also impeded the binding of p38 with METTL14, thereby inhibiting the p38-mediated phosphorylation of METTL14 at Thr72. Inhibition of p38 by EsxB restrained liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) of METTL14 and its subsequent interaction with METTL3, preventing the m6A modification of Nox2 mRNA and its association with the m6A-binding protein IGF2BP1 to destabilize Nox2 mRNA, reduce ROS levels, and increase intracellular survival of M. tuberculosis. Moreover, deletion or mutation of the phosphorylation site on METTL14 impaired the inhibition of ROS level by EsxB and increased bacterial burden or histological damage in the lungs during infection in mice. These findings identify a previously unknown mechanism that M. tuberculosis employs to suppress host immunity, providing insights that may empower the development of effective immunomodulators that target M. tuberculosis.
Genomic insights into familial adenomatous polyposis: unraveling a rare case with whole APC gene deletion and intellectual disability
Authors: Tanabe Hiroki , Ijiri Masami , Takahashi Kenji , Sasagawa Honoka , Kamanaka Tomomi , Kuroda Shohei , Sato Hiroki , Sarashina Takeo , Mizukami Yusuke , Makita Yoshio , Okumura Toshikatsu
Published: March 2024

A young patient diagnosed with advanced colon cancer and liver metastasis was found to have familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) through comprehensive genomic analysis. Whole-genome array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) revealed germline deletions at chromosome 5q22.1-22.2 encompassing the entire APC gene. The patient and her son exhibited mild intellectual disability without developmental delay. This case highlights the need for further exploration of the characteristics associated with whole APC deletions. aCGH is a valuable tool for studying FAP and provides a detailed analysis of large deletions.
Predicting mortality from AI cardiac volumes mass and coronary calcium on chest computed tomography
Authors: Miller Robert J. H. , Killekar Aditya , Shanbhag Aakash , Bednarski Bryan , Michalowska Anna M. , Ruddy Terrence D. , Einstein Andrew J. , Newby David E. , Lemley Mark , Pieszko Konrad , Van Kriekinge Serge D. , Kavanagh Paul B. , Liang Joanna X. , Huang Cathleen , Dey Damini , Berman Daniel S. , Slomka Piotr J.
Published: March 2024

Chest computed tomography is one of the most common diagnostic tests, with 15 million scans performed annually in the United States. Coronary calcium can be visualized on these scans, but other measures of cardiac risk such as atrial and ventricular volumes have classically required administration of contrast. Here we show that a fully automated pipeline, incorporating two artificial intelligence models, automatically quantifies coronary calcium, left atrial volume, left ventricular mass, and other cardiac chamber volumes in 29,687 patients from three cohorts. The model processes chamber volumes and coronary artery calcium with an end-to-end time of ~18 s, while failing to segment only 0.1% of cases. Coronary calcium, left atrial volume, and left ventricular mass index are independently associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and significantly improve risk classification compared to identification of abnormalities by a radiologist. This automated approach can be integrated into clinical workflows to improve identification of abnormalities and risk stratification, allowing physicians to improve clinical decision-making.
An integrated high-throughput robotic platform and active learning approach for accelerated discovery of optimal electrolyte formulations
Authors: Noh Juran , Doan Hieu A. , Job Heather , Robertson Lily A. , Zhang Lu , Assary Rajeev S. , Mueller Karl , Murugesan Vijayakumar , Liang Yangang
Published: March 2024

Solubility of redox-active molecules is an important determining factor of the energy density in redox flow batteries. However, the advancement of electrolyte materials discovery has been constrained by the absence of extensive experimental solubility datasets, which are crucial for leveraging data-driven methodologies. In this study, we design and investigate a highly automated workflow that synergizes a high-throughput experimentation platform with a state-of-the-art active learning algorithm to significantly enhance the solubility of redox-active molecules in organic solvents. Our platform identifies multiple solvents that achieve a remarkable solubility threshold exceeding 6.20 M for the archetype redox-active molecule, 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole, from a comprehensive library of more than 2000 potential solvents. Significantly, our integrated strategy necessitates solubility assessments for fewer than 10% of these candidates, underscoring the efficiency of our approach. Our results also show that binary solvent mixtures, particularly those incorporating 1,4-dioxane, are instrumental in boosting the solubility of 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole. Beyond designing an efficient workflow for developing high-performance redox flow batteries, our machine learning-guided high-throughput robotic platform presents a robust and general approach for expedited discovery of functional materials.
Cell surface patching via CXCR4-targeted nanothreads for cancer metastasis inhibition
Authors: Zhou Minglu , Liu Chendong , Li Bo , Li Junlin , Zhang Ping , Huang Yuan , Li Lian
Published: March 2024

The binding of therapeutic antagonists to their receptors often fail to translate into adequate manipulation of downstream pathways. To fix this ‘bug’, here we report a strategy that stitches cell surface ‘patches’ to promote receptor clustering, thereby synchronizing subsequent mechano-transduction. The “patches” are sewn with two interactable nanothreads. In sequence, Nanothread-1 strings together adjacent receptors while presenting decoy receptors. Nanothread-2 then targets these decoys multivalently, intertwining with Nanothread-1 into a coiled-coil supramolecular network. This stepwise actuation clusters an extensive vicinity of receptors, integrating mechano-transduction to disrupt signal transmission. When applied to antagonize chemokine receptors CXCR4 expressed in metastatic breast cancer of female mice, this strategy elicits and consolidates multiple events, including interception of metastatic cascade, reversal of immunosuppression, and potentiation of photodynamic immunotherapy, reducing the metastatic burden. Collectively, our work provides a generalizable tool to spatially rearrange cell-surface receptors to improve therapeutic outcomes.
Revolutionizing heart disease prediction with quantum-enhanced machine learning
Authors: Babu S. Venkatesh , Ramya P. , Gracewell Jeffin
Published: March 2024

The recent developments in quantum technology have opened up new opportunities for machine learning algorithms to assist the healthcare industry in diagnosing complex health disorders, such as heart disease. In this work, we summarize the effectiveness of QuEML in heart disease prediction. To evaluate the performance of QuEML against traditional machine learning algorithms, the Kaggle heart disease dataset was used which contains 1190 samples out of which 53% of samples are labeled as positive samples and rest 47% samples are labeled as negative samples. The performance of QuEML was evaluated in terms of accuracy, precision, recall, specificity, F1 score, and training time against traditional machine learning algorithms. From the experimental results, it has been observed that proposed quantum approaches predicted around 50.03% of positive samples as positive and an average of 44.65% of negative samples are predicted as negative whereas traditional machine learning approaches could predict around 49.78% of positive samples as positive and 44.31% of negative samples as negative. Furthermore, the computational complexity of QuEML was measured which consumed average of 670 µs for its training whereas traditional machine learning algorithms could consume an average 862.5 µs for training. Hence, QuEL was found to be a promising approach in heart disease prediction with an accuracy rate of 0.6% higher and training time of 192.5 µs faster than that of traditional machine learning approaches.
CD4+ T cell mitochondrial genotype in Multiple Sclerosis: a cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis
Authors: Cortes-Figueiredo Filipe , Asseyer Susanna , Chien Claudia , Zimmermann Hanna G. , Ruprecht Klemens , Schmitz-Hübsch Tanja , Bellmann-Strobl Judith , Paul Friedemann , Morais Vanessa A.
Published: March 2024

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS), with a largely unknown etiology, where mitochondrial dysfunction likely contributes to neuroaxonal loss and brain atrophy. Mirroring the CNS, peripheral immune cells from patients with MS, particularly CD4+ T cells, show inappropriate mitochondrial phenotypes and/or oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) insufficiency, with a still unknown contribution of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). We hypothesized that mitochondrial genotype in CD4+ T cells might influence MS disease activity and progression. Thus, we performed a retrospective cross-sectional and longitudinal study on patients with a recent diagnosis of either Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS) or Relapsing–Remitting MS (RRMS) at two timepoints: 6 months (VIS1) and 36 months (VIS2) after disease onset. Our primary outcomes were the differences in mtDNA extracted from CD4+ T cells between: (I) patients with CIS/RRMS (PwMS) at VIS1 and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC), in the cross-sectional analysis, and (II) different diagnostic evolutions in PwMS from VIS1 to VIS2, in the longitudinal analysis. We successfully performed mtDNA whole genome sequencing (mean coverage: 2055.77 reads/base pair) in 183 samples (61 triplets). Nonetheless, mitochondrial genotype was not associated with a diagnosis of CIS/RRMS, nor with longitudinal diagnostic evolution.
Resonant Raman scattering of few layers CrBr3
Authors: Kipczak Łucja , Karmakar Arka , Grzeszczyk Magdalena , Janiszewska Róża , Woźniak Tomasz , Chen Zhaolong , Pawłowski Jan , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Babiński Adam , Koperski Maciej , Molas Maciej R.
Published: March 2024

We investigate the vibrational and magnetic properties of thin layers of chromium tribromide (CrBr3) with a thickness ranging from three to twenty layers (3–20 L) revealed by the Raman scattering (RS) technique. Systematic dependence of the RS process efficiency on the energy of the laser excitation is explored for four different excitation energies: 1.96 eV, 2.21 eV, 2.41 eV, and 3.06 eV. Our characterization demonstrates that for 12 L CrBr3, 3.06 eV excitation could be considered resonant with interband electronic transitions due to the enhanced intensity of the Raman-active scattering resonances and the qualitative change in the Raman spectra. Polarization-resolved RS measurements for 12 L CrBr3 and first-principles calculations allow us to identify five observable phonon modes characterized by distinct symmetries, classified as the A$$_\text {g}$$

g

and E$$_\text {g}$$

g

modes. The evolution of phonon modes with temperature for a 16 L CrBr3 encapsulated in hexagonal boron nitride flakes demonstrates alterations of phonon energies and/or linewidths of resonances indicative of a transition between the paramagnetic and ferromagnetic state at Curie temperature ($$T_\text {C} \approx 50$$

T
C

≈
50

 K). The exploration of the effects of thickness on the phonon energies demonstrated small variations pronounces exclusively for the thinnest layers in the vicinity of 3–5 L. We propose that this observation can be due to the strong localization in the real space of interband electronic excitations, limiting the effects of confinement for resonantly excited Raman modes to atomically thin layers.
Self-similarity study based on the particle sizes of coal-series diatomite
Authors: Cheng Liang , Wang Guangming , Ma Zhijun , Guo Hao , Gao Ye , Zhang Qi , Gao Jing , Fu Hanghang
Published: March 2024

Coal-series diatomite (CSD) is widely distributed in China and has poor functional and structural properties and exhibits limited utilization of high value-added materials, resulting in a serious waste of resources and tremendous pressure on the environment. Moreover, due to differences in the mineralogical characteristics of CSD, different particle size scales (PSSs) have different functional structures and exhibit different self-similarities. In this study, we took CSD as the research object and PSS as the entry point and carried out a self-similarity study based on gas adsorption and an image processing method to illustrate the microstructures and self-similarities of different PSSs. The results showed that the pore structure of the CSD was dominated by mesopores and macropores and basically lacked micropores. The fractal dimensions were calculated with the Frenkel-Haisey-Hill (FHH) model and Menger model, and the DF1 values for − 0.025 mm and − 2 mm were 2.51 and 2.48, respectively, and the DM1 values were 3.75 and 3.79, respectively, indicating that the mesopore structure of the fine PSS was complex, whereas macropores were present in the coarse PSS. MATLAB was programmed to obtain grayscale thresholds, binarized images, grayscale histograms, three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction images and box dimensions, which enabled us to observe the microstructures and self-similarities of the CSD. Self-similarity studies based on particle sizes are very important for functional application of CSD.Please note that article title mismatch between MS and JS we have followed MS, kindly check and cofirm.Yes, I have checked and confirmed.Kindly check and confirm corresponding author mail id are correctly identified.Yes, I have checked and confirmed.
No gender differences in the 24-month course of non-invasive liver fibrosis markers after DAA therapy in HCV-mono and HCV/HIV-coinfected patients
Authors: Collazos Julio , Pérez-Is Laura , de la Fuente Belén , Morano Luis , Rivas-Carmenado Maria , Rodriguez Manuel , Romero-Favela Adolfo , de Jesús Fonseca-González Galilea , Melón Santiago , Diaz-Arias Javier , Valle-Garay Eulalia , Asensi Víctor
Published: March 2024

Untreated HCV mono and HCV/HIV coinfected women have lower degrees of liver fibrosis (LF) compared to men. Direct acting antiviral (DAA) therapy attains viral eradication in > 90% of patients with progressive LF decline in parallel. Gender-related differences in LF regression in the long term assessed by non-invasive liver fibrosis markers (NILFM) in HCV mono and HCV/HIV coinfected after DAA treatment have not been explored so far. 374 HCV-infected adult patients, 214 of them HCV/HIV coinfected, were followed-up for 24 months after starting DAA therapy. LF was assessed by NILFM: transient elastometry (TE) and several biochemical indexes (APRI, Forns, FIB-4). Men had significantly more advanced LF at baseline than women assessed by NILFM. No LF differences at baseline in age, HIV coinfection course (CD4, HIV viral load), and HCV features (HCV viral load, genotype) were detected. No significant gender differences in LF decline after comparing 24-month and baseline LF values were observed. LF changes after DAA therapy were similar in HCV mono and HCV/HIV coinfected patients and in both sexes. Gender did not influence the course of LF decline after DAA assessed by NILFM: TE (P = 0.8), APRI (P = 0.9), Forns (P = 0.4) and FIB-4 (P = 0.7) by multivariate analysis. No gender differences in the 24 month LF decline after DAA with independence of having HCV mono or HCV/HIV coinfection were found.
Signal mining and risk analysis of Alprazolam adverse events based on the FAERS database
Authors: Huang Feng , San Xiao , Liu Qingqian , Zhu Haohao , Xu Wenrong
Published: March 2024

This study aims to evaluate the safety of Alprazolam by analyzing the FAERS database, provide data analysis for monitoring adverse drug reactions. This research encompasses adverse event (AE) reports related to Alprazolam from the first quarter of 2004 to the second quarter of 2023. Four signal mining and analysis methods were utilized, including Reporting Odds Ratio (ROR), Proportional Reporting Ratio (PRR), Bayesian Confidence Propagation Neural Network (BCPNN), and Empirical Bayesian Geometric Mean (EBGM). Further exploration was conducted regarding patient characteristics and types of AEs. A total of 23,575 AE reports in which Alprazolam was the primary suspect drug were collected, identifying 347 Preferred Term (PT) signals and 27 System Organ Classes (SOCs). The number of AE reports increased annually, especially in 2015, 2018, 2019, and 2020. The main affected groups were females and the age range of 18 to 45. Psychiatric disorders, Nervous system disorders, and Gastrointestinal disorders were the most common the organ system in which the AEs occurred. There is a certain risk of drug abuse and suicide with Alprazolam. Most notably, several AEs not recorded in the Alprazolam leaflet appeared among the top 30 PTs in signal strength, including but not limited to Benzodiazepine drug level abnormal, Acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia, Cutaneous T-cell dyscrasia, and Coronary No-reflow Phenomenon. For the first time, AEs related to the cardiovascular system and platelet function were unveiled. The severe AE reports that resulted in "hospitalization" and "death" accounted for 30.96% and 21.86%. This study highlights the risks of suicide and misuse of Alprazolam. Other potential severe or fatal AEs, such as those related to the cardiovascular system, platelet function, and others, require further research to determine their precise mechanisms and risk factors.
Tangential velocity constraint for orbital maneuvers with Theory of Functional Connections
Authors: de Almeida A. K. , Vaillant T. , de Oliveira V. M. , Barbosa D. , Maia D. , Aljbaae S. , Coelho B. , Bergano M. , Pandeirada J. , Prado A. F. B. A. , Guerman A. , Correia A. C. M.
Published: March 2024

Maneuvering a spacecraft in the cislunar space is a complex problem, since it is highly perturbed by the gravitational influence of both the Earth and the Moon, and possibly also the Sun. Trajectories minimizing the needed fuel are generally preferred in order to decrease the mass of the payload. A classical method to constrain maneuvers is mathematically modeling them using the Two Point Boundary Value Problem (TPBVP), defining spacecraft positions at the start and end of the trajectory. Solutions to this problem can then be obtained with optimization techniques like the nonlinear least squares conjugated with the Theory of Functional Connections (TFC) to embed the constraints, which recently became an effective method for deducing orbit transfers. In this paper, we propose a tangential velocity (TV) type of constraints to design orbital maneuvers. We show that the technique presented in this paper can be used to transfer a spacecraft (e.g. from the Earth to the Moon) and perform gravity assist maneuvers (e.g. a swing-by with the Moon). In comparison with the TPBVP, solving the TV constraints via TFC offers several advantages, leading to a significant reduction in computational time. Hence, it proves to be an efficient technique to design these maneuvers.
Core-insulator embedded nanosheet field-effect transistor for suppressing device-to-device variations
Authors: Son Donghwi , Lee Hyunwoo , Kim Hyunsoo , Ahn Jae-Hyuk , Kim Sungho
Published: March 2024

Nanosheet field-effect transistors (NSFETs) have attracted considerable attention for their potential to achieve improved performance and energy efficiency compared to traditional FinFETs. Here, we present a comprehensive investigation of core-insulator-embedded nanosheet field-effect transistors (C-NSFETs), focusing on their improved performance and device-to-device (D2D) variability compared to conventional NSFETs through three-dimensional device simulations. The C-NSFETs exhibit enhanced direct-current (DC) performance, characterized by a steeper subthreshold slope and reduced off-current, indicating better gate electrostatic controllability. Furthermore, the structural design of C-NSFETs enables to demonstrate a notable resilience against D2D variations in nanosheet thickness and doping concentration. In addition, we investigate the effects of interface traps in C-NSFETs, emphasizing the importance of thermal oxidation processes in the formation of core-insulating layers to maintain optimal device performance.