bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A multi-scale feature extraction fusion model for human activity recognition
Authors: Zhang Chuanlin , Cao Kai , Lu Limeng , Deng Tao
Published: December 2022

Human Activity Recognition (HAR) is an important research area in human–computer interaction and pervasive computing. In recent years, many deep learning (DL) methods have been widely used for HAR, and due to their powerful automatic feature extraction capabilities, they achieve better recognition performance than traditional methods and are applicable to more general scenarios. However, the problem is that DL methods increase the computational cost of the system and take up more system resources while achieving higher recognition accuracy, which is more challenging for its operation in small memory terminal devices such as smartphones. So, we need to reduce the model size as much as possible while taking into account the recognition accuracy. To address this problem, we propose a multi-scale feature extraction fusion model combining Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU). The model uses different convolutional kernel sizes combined with GRU to accomplish the automatic extraction of different local features and long-term dependencies of the original data to obtain a richer feature representation. In addition, the proposed model uses separable convolution instead of classical convolution to meet the requirement of reducing model parameters while improving recognition accuracy. The accuracy of the proposed model is 97.18%, 96.71%, and 96.28% on the WISDM, UCI-HAR, and PAMAP2 datasets respectively. The experimental results show that the proposed model not only obtains higher recognition accuracy but also costs lower computational resources compared with other methods.
Microbiota dysbiosis in odontogenic rhinosinusitis and its association with anaerobic bacteria
Authors: Lu Yen-Ting , Wang Shao-Hung , Liou Ming-Li , Lee Cheng-Yang , Li Yu-Xuan , Lu Ying-Chou , Hsin Chung-Han , Yang Shun-Fa , Chen Yih-Yuan , Chang Tzu-Hao
Published: December 2022

Odontogenic rhinosinusitis is a subtype of rhinosinusitis associated with dental infection or dental procedures and has special bacteriologic features. Previous research on the bacteriologic features of odontogenic rhinosinusitis has mainly used culture-dependent methods. The variation of microbiota between odontogenic and nonodontogenic rhinosinusitis as well as the interplay between the involved bacteria have not been explored. Therefore, we enrolled eight odontogenic rhinosinusitis cases and twenty nonodontogenic rhinosinusitis cases to analyze bacterial microbiota through 16S rRNA sequencing. Significant differences were revealed by the Shannon diversity index (Wilcoxon test p = 0.0003) and PERMANOVA test based on weighted UniFrac distance (Wilcoxon test p = 0.001) between odontogenic and nonodontogenic samples. Anaerobic bacteria such as Porphyromonas, Fusobacterium, and Prevotella were significantly dominant in the odontogenic rhinosinusitis group. Remarkably, a correlation between different bacteria was also revealed by Pearson’s correlation. Staphylococcus was highly positively associated with Corynebacterium, whereas Fusobacterium was highly negatively correlated with Prophyromonas. According to our results, the microbiota in odontogenic rhinosinusitis, predominantly anaerobic bacteria, was significantly different from that in nonodontogenic rhinosinusitis, and the interplay between specific bacteria may a major cause of this subtype of rhinosinusitis.
Frequency stabilization of multiple lasers to a reference atomic transition of Rb
Authors: Utreja Shubham , Rathore Harish , Das Manoj , Panja Subhasis
Published: December 2022

Modern atomic clocks based on the interrogation of an atomic transitions in the optical regions require multiple lasers at different wavelength for producing atomic ions, trapping and laser cooling of neutral atoms or atomic ions. In order to achieve highest efficiency for laser cooling or any other atomic transition, frequencies of each of the lasers involved need to be stabilized by mitigating its drifts or fluctuations arise due to ambient temperature variation or other kind of perturbations. The present article describes simultaneous frequency stabilization of multiple number of lasers, required for production and laser cooling of ytterbium (171Yb) ions, to a reference transition frequency of rubidium (Rb) atoms. In this technique, a diode laser operating at ~ 780 nm is frequency stabilized to one of the Doppler broadening-free absorption peak of rubidium atoms (85Rb) and then used as a reference frequency for calibrating a wavelength meter and subsequent simultaneous frequency stabilization of four lasers operating at different wavelengths.
Exome variants associated with asthma and allergy
Authors: Wjst Matthias
Published: December 2022

The mutational spectrum of asthma and allergy associated genes is not known although recent biobank based exome sequencing studies included these traits. We therefore conducted a secondary analysis of exome data from 281,104 UK Biobank samples for association of mostly rare variants with asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis. Variants of interest (VOI) were tabulated, shared genes annotated and compared to earlier genome-wide SNP association studies (GWAS), whole genome sequencing, exome and bisulfit sequencing studies. 354 VOI were significantly associated with asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis. They cluster mainly in two large regions on chromosome 6 and 17. After exclusion of the variants associated with atopic dermatitis and redundant variants, 321 unique VOI remain in 122 unique genes. 30 genes are shared among the 87 genes with increased and the 65 genes with decreased risk for allergic disease. 85% of genes identified earlier by common GWAS SNPs are not replicated here. Most identified genes are located in interferon ɣ and IL33 signaling pathway. These genes include already known but also new pharmacological targets, including the IL33 receptor ST2/IL1RL1, as well as TLR1, ALOX15, GSDMA, BTNL2, IL13 and IKZF3. Future pharmacological studies will need to included these VOI for stratification of the study population paving the way to individualized treatment.
Constant mixing temperature test of a fin-and-tube latent heat thermal energy storage
Authors: Jančík Petr , Schmirler Michal , Hyhlík Tomáš , Suchý Jakub , Sláma Pavel , Prokop Petr , Syrovátka Viktor
Published: December 2022

Thermal energy accumulation is one of the ways how to optimize heat production processes and how to balance the supply and demand of heat in distribution systems. This article presents a design of a fin-and-tube latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES), which combines high thermal energy storage density and scalability. A computational model that used lumped heat capacities was tuned using the experimental data. The numerical model proved to be simple yet precise. A new constant mixing temperature test was designed and performed with the LHTES. Unlike standard constant flow rate charge/discharge test, this test provided valuable information about what to expect in the real-life operation conditions. From the tests and data from simulations, it was concluded that the LHTES would perform better in terms of its capacity utilization if it operated at lower output power than in the laboratory circuit. This indicates that a smaller, and thus more cost-effective, LHTES could be employed in the laboratory circuit with virtually the same utility to the system if its heat transfer characteristics were improved.
Fetal death after the introduction of COVID-19 mitigation measures in Sweden, Denmark and Norway: a registry-based study
Authors: Magnus Maria C. , Oakley Laura L. , Hansen Anne V. , Örtqvist Anne K. , Petersen Tanja G. , Mortensen Laust H. , Bliddal Mette , Andersen Anne-Marie Nybo , Stephansson Olof , Håberg Siri E.
Published: December 2022

It remains unclear whether the rate of fetal death has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. We assessed the impact of COVID-19 mitigation measures on fetal death in Sweden (449,347 births), Denmark (290,857 pregnancies) and Norway (261,057 pregnancies) using robust population-based registry data. We used Cox regression to assess the impact of the implementation of pandemic mitigation measures on March 12th, 2020, on miscarriage (fetal loss before gestational week 22) and stillbirth (fetal loss after gestational week 22). A total of 11% of 551,914 pregnancies in Denmark and Norway ended in miscarriage, while the proportion of stillbirths among 937,174 births across the three countries was 0.3%. There was no difference in the risk of fetal death during the year following pandemic mitigation measures. For miscarriage, the combined hazard ratio (HR) for Norway and Denmark was 1.01 (95% CI 0.98, 1.03), and for stillbirth, the combined HR for all three countries was 0.99 (95% CI 0.89, 1.09). We observed a slightly decreased risk of miscarriage during the first 4 months, with an HR of 0.94 (95% CI 0.90, 0.99) after lockdown. In conclusion, the risk of fetal death did not change after the implementation of COVID-19 pandemic mitigation measures in the three Scandinavian countries.
Randomized in situ evaluation of surface polishing protocols on the caries-protective effect of resin Infiltrant
Authors: Esteves-Oliveira Marcella , Passos Vanara F. , Russi Tereza M. A. Z. C. , Fernandes Argus R. R. , Terto Caroline N. N. , Mendonça Juliano S. , Campus Guglielmo , Wierichs Richard J. , Meyer-Lueckel Hendrik , Lima Juliana P. M.
Published: December 2022

The aim of this placebo-controlled randomized in situ study was to evaluate the effect of different surface polishing protocols on enamel roughness, bacterial adhesion and caries-protective effect of a resin infiltrant. Seventy-five bovine enamel samples having artificial caries lesions were treated with a resinous infiltrant and afterwards randomly dividided into five polishing protocols: aluminum oxide flexible disks (Al2O3-Disks), silicon carbide tips (SIC-Tips), silicon carbide brush (SIC-Brush), silicon carbide polyester strips (SIC-Strips) or no polishing [negative control (NC)]. Average surface roughness (Ra) was assessed by profilometry. Samples were mounted in palatal appliances under a mesh for biofilm accumulation. Fifteen volunteers wore the intraoral appliances (14-days) and cariogenic challenge was triggered by sucrose solutions. Biofilm formed was collected for microbiological analysis of caries-related bacteria (Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus) and demineralization was assessed by cross-sectional microhardness. Mean Knoop hardness numbers (Kg/mm2) were plotted over lesion depth (µm) and area under the lesion curve was subtracted from sound enamel to determine demineralization (ΔS, Kg/mm2xµm). Data were analyzed by ANOVA and post-hoc comparisons (α = 0.05). NC resulted in significantly higher Ra means than Al2O3-Disks and SIC-Strips. Bacterial counts were not significantly different between the groups (p > 0.05). Regards ΔS means, however none of the groups were significantly different to NC (6983.3 kg/mm2xµm /CI 4246.1–9720.5, p > 0.05). Conclusions: Polishing protocols (Al2O3-Disks, SIC-Strips) significantly decreseased roughness of infiltrated-enamel, however none of the polishing protocols could signicantly decrease bacterial counts nor resulted in significant less demineralization.
RNA-sequencing reveals molecular and regional differences in the esophageal mucosa of achalasia patients
Authors: Patel Caroline K. , Kahrilas Peter J. , Hodge Nathan B. , Tsikretsis Lia E. , Carlson Dustin A. , Pandolfino John E. , Tétreault Marie-Pier
Published: December 2022

Achalasia is an esophageal motility disorder characterized by the functional loss of myenteric plexus ganglion cells in the distal esophagus and lower esophageal sphincter. Histological changes have been reported in the esophageal mucosa of achalasia, suggesting its involvement in disease pathogenesis. Despite recent advances in diagnosis, our understanding of achalasia pathogenesis at the molecular level is very limited and gene expression profiling has not been performed. We performed bulk RNA-sequencing on esophageal mucosa from 14 achalasia and 8 healthy subjects. 65 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found in the distal esophageal mucosa of achalasia subjects and 120 DEGs were identified in proximal esophagus. Gene expression analysis identified genes common or exclusive to proximal and distal esophagus, highlighting regional differences in the disease. Enrichment of signaling pathways related to cytokine response and viral defense were observed. Increased infiltration of CD45+ intraepithelial leukocytes were seen in the mucosa of 38 achalasia patients compared to 12 controls. Novel insights into the molecular changes occurring in achalasia were generated in this transcriptomic study. Some gene changes observed in the mucosa of achalasia may be associated with esophagitis. Differences in DEGs between distal and proximal esophagus highlight the importance of better understanding regional differences in achalasia.
Determinants of undernutrition among young children in Ethiopia
Authors: Sahiledengle Biniyam , Mwanri Lillian , Petrucka Pammla , Kumie Abera , Beressa Girma , Atlaw Daniel , Tekalegn Yohannes , Zenbaba Demisu , Desta Fikreab , Teferu Zinash , Wordofa Debebe , Seyoum Kenbon , Gomora Degefa , Negash Getahun , Agho Kingsley Emwinyore
Published: December 2022

Ethiopia is one of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa with the highest burden of childhood undernutrition. Despite the high burden of this scourge, little is known about the magnitude and contributing determinants to anthropometric failure among children aged 0–23 months, a period regarded as the best window of opportunity for interventions against undernutrition. This study examined factors associated with undernutrition (stunting, wasting, and underweight) among Ethiopian children aged 0–23 months. This study used a total weighted sample of 2146 children aged 0–23 months from the 2019 Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey. The data were cleaned and weighted using STATA version 14.0. Height-for-age (HFA), weight-for-height (WFH), and weight-for-age (WFA) z-scores <  − 2 SD were calculated and classified as stunted, wasting, and underweight, respectively. Multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression models adjusted for cluster and survey weights were used. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated. Statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05. The overall weighted prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight respectively were 27.21% [95% CI (25.32–29.18)], 7.80% [95% CI (6.71–9.03)], and 16.44% [95% CI (14.90–18.09)] among children aged 0–23 months in Ethiopia. Female children were less likely to be associated with stunting [AOR: 0.68, 95% CI (0.54–0.86)], wasting [AOR: 0.70, 95% CI (0.51, 0.98)], and underweight [AOR: 0.64, 95% CI (0.49, 0.83)] than their male counterparts. Conversely, older children aged 12–17 months [AOR: 2.22, 95% CI (1.52, 3.23)] and 18–23 months [AOR: 4.16, 95% CI (2.75, 6.27)] were significantly at an increased odds of becoming stunted. Similarly, the likelihood of being underweight was higher in older age groups: 6–11 months [AOR: 1.74, 95% CI (1.15, 2.63)], 12–17 months [AOR: 2.13, 95% CI (1.40, 3.24)], and 18–23 months [AOR: 4.08, 95% CI (2.58, 6.44)] compared with the children younger than 6 months. Lower wealth quintile was one of the other significant determinants of stunting and underweight. The study’s findings indicated that the most consistent significant risk factors for undernutrition among children aged 0–23 months are: male sex, older age groups and lower wealth quintile. These findings emphasize the importance of strengthening nutrition-specific and sensitive interventions that address the immediate and underlying drivers of childhood undernutrition in early life, as well as targeting low-income households with male children, in order for Ethiopia to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1,2 and 3 by 2030.
Combination of advanced nano-Fenton process and sonication for destruction of diclofenac and variables optimization using response surface method
Authors: Yaghmaeian Kamyar , Yousefi Nader , Bagheri Amin , Mahvi Amir Hossein , Nabizadeh Ramin , Dehghani Mohammad Hadi , Fekri Rana , Akbari-adergani Behrouz
Published: December 2022

Diclofenac (DCF) as a non-steroidal pharmaceutical has been detected in aquatic samples more than other compounds due to its high consumption and limited biodegradability. In this study, ultrasound waves were applied along with an advanced nano-Fenton process (US/ANF) to remove DCF, and subsequently, the synergistic effect was determined. Before that, the efficiency of the US and ANF processes was separately studied. The central composite design was used as one of the most applicable responses surface method techniques to determine the main and interactive effect of the factors influencing DCF removal efficiency in US/ANF. The mean DCF removal efficiency under different operational conditions and at the time of 1–10 min was obtained to be about 4%, 83%, and 95% for the US, ANF, and US/ANF, respectively. Quadratic regression equations for two frequencies of US were developed using multiple regression analysis involving main, quadratic, and interaction effects. The optimum condition for DCF removal was obtained at time of 8.17 min, H/F of 10.5 and DCF concentration of 10.12 at 130 kHz US frequency. The synergy index values showed a slight synergistic effect for US/ANF (1.1). Although the synergistic effect of US/ANF is not very remarkable, it can be considered as a quick and efficient process for the removal of DCF from wastewater with a significant amount of mineralization.
Disruption of hippocampal neuronal circuit function depends upon behavioral state in the APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Zhou Heng , Li Hanyan , Gowravaram Niket , Quan Moqin , Kausar Naila , Gomperts Stephen N.
Published: December 2022

The Alzheimer’s disease-associated peptide amyloid-beta (Aβ) has been associated with neuronal hyperactivity under anesthesia, but clinical trials of anticonvulsants or neural system suppressors have, so far, failed to improve symptoms in AD. Using simultaneous hippocampal calcium imaging and electrophysiology in freely moving mice expressing human Aβ, here we show that Aβ aggregates perturbed neural systems in a state-dependent fashion, driving neuronal hyperactivity in exploratory behavior and slow wave sleep (SWS), yet suppressing activity in quiet wakefulness (QW) and REM sleep. In exploratory behavior and REM sleep, Aβ impaired hippocampal theta–gamma phase-amplitude coupling and altered neuronal synchronization with theta. In SWS, Aβ reduced cortical slow oscillation (SO) power, the coordination of hippocampal sharp wave-ripples with both the SO and thalamocortical spindles, and the coordination of calcium transients with the sharp wave-ripple. Physostigmine improved Aβ-associated hyperactivity in exploratory behavior and hypoactivity in QW and expanded the range of gamma that coupled with theta phase, but exacerbated hypoactivity in exploratory behavior. Together, these findings show that the effects of Aβ alone on hippocampal circuit function are profoundly state dependent and suggest a reformulation of therapeutic strategies aimed at Aβ induced hyperexcitability.
Crystallinity in periodic nanostructure surface on Si substrates induced by near- and mid-infrared femtosecond laser irradiation
Authors: Miyagawa Reina , Kamibayashi Daisuke , Nakamura Hirotaka , Hashida Masaki , Zen Heishun , Somekawa Toshihiro , Matsuoka Takeshi , Ogura Hiroyuki , Sagae Daisuke , Seto Yusuke , Shobu Takahisa , Tominaga Aki , Eryu Osamu , Ozaki Norimasa
Published: December 2022

Laser-induced periodic surface structure (LIPSS), which has a period smaller than the laser wavelength, is expected to become a potential technique for fine surface processing. We report the microscopic and macroscopic observations of the crystallinity of LIPSSs, where the characteristics such as defects generation and residual strain were analyzed, respectively. The LIPSSs were formed on a Si substrate using two different femtosecond pulses from Ti:Sapphire laser with near-infrared wavelength (0.8 μm) and free-electron laser (FEL) with mid-infrared wavelength (11.4 μm). The photon energies of the former and latter lasers used here are higher and lower than the Si bandgap energies, respectively. These LIPSSs exhibit different crystalline states, where LIPSS induced by Ti:Sapphire laser show residual strain while having a stable crystallinity; in contrast, FEL-LIPSS generates defects without residual strain. This multiple analysis (microscopic and macroscopic observations) provides such previously-unknown structural characteristics with high spatial resolution. To obtain LIPSS with suitable properties and characteristics based on each application it is paramount to identify the laser sources that can achieve such properties. Therefore, identifying the structural information of the LIPSS generated by each specific laser is of great importance.
Performance sensitivity analysis of brain metastasis stereotactic radiosurgery outcome prediction using MRI radiomics
Authors: DeVries David A. , Lagerwaard Frank , Zindler Jaap , Yeung Timothy Pok Chi , Rodrigues George , Hajdok George , Ward Aaron D.
Published: December 2022

Recent studies have used T1w contrast-enhanced (T1w-CE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiomic features and machine learning to predict post-stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) brain metastasis (BM) progression, but have not examined the effects of combining clinical and radiomic features, BM primary cancer, BM volume effects, and using multiple scanner models. To investigate these effects, a dataset of n = 123 BMs from 99 SRS patients with 12 clinical features, 107 pre-treatment T1w-CE radiomic features, and BM progression determined by follow-up MRI was used with a random decision forest model and 250 bootstrapped repetitions. Repeat experiments assessed the relative accuracy across primary cancer sites, BM volume groups, and scanner model pairings. Correction for accuracy imbalances across volume groups was investigated by removing volume-correlated features. We found that using clinical and radiomic features together produced the most accurate model with a bootstrap-corrected area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.77. Accuracy also varied by primary cancer site, BM volume, and scanner model pairings. The effect of BM volume was eliminated by removing features at a volume-correlation coefficient threshold of 0.25. These results show that feature type, primary cancer, volume, and scanner model are all critical factors in the accuracy of radiomics-based prognostic models for BM SRS that must be characterised and controlled for before clinical translation.
Intelligent retrieval method for power grid operation data based on improved SimHash and multi-attribute decision making
Authors: Zhao Songyan , Guo Xiaoli , Qu Zhaoyang , Zhang Zhengming , Yu Tong
Published: December 2022

IN the trend of energy revolution, power data becomes one of the key elements of the power grid. And an advance power system with "electric power + computing power" as the core has become an inevitable choice. However, the traditional search approach based on directory query is commonly used for power grid operation data in domestic and international. The approach fails to effectively meet the user's need for fast, accurate and personalized retrieval of useful information from the vast amount of power grid data. It seriously affects the real-time availability of data and the efficiency of business-critical analytical decisions. For this reason, an intelligent retrieval approach for power grid operation data based on improved SimHash and multi-attribute decision making is proposed in this paper. This method elaborates the properties of SimHash and multi-attribute decision making algorithms. And an intelligent parallel retrieval algorithm MR-ST based on MapReduce model is designed. Finally, real time grid operation data from multiple sources are analyzed on the cloud platform for example. The experimental results show the effectiveness and precision of the method. Compared with traditional methods, the search accuracy rate, search completion rate and search time are significantly improved. Experiments show that the method can be applied to intelligent retrieval of power grid operation data.
Complete organellar genomes of six Sargassum species and development of species-specific markers
Authors: Lee Yong Jin , Kim Yea Dam , Uh Yo Ram , Kim Yeon Mi , Seo Tae-Ho , Choi Sung-Je , Jang Cheol Seong
Published: December 2022

Sargassum is one of the most important brown algal genera that can be used as food and raw material for medicinal purpose, and has various beneficial effects. As the classification of Sargassum species is currently based on their morphological characteristics, organellar genome sequences of Sargassum would provide important information for accurate identification of species and developing species-specific markers. We sequenced the complete organellar genomes of six Sargassum species, including the first complete chloroplast genome sequences of S. fulvellum, S. serratifolium, S. macrocarpum, and S. siliquastrum, and the first complete mitochondrial genome sequences of S. fulvellum, S. serratifolium, and S. macrocarpum. The chloroplast genomes of the 6 Sargassum species contained 139 protein-coding genes (PCGs), and the mitochondrial genomes possessed 37 PCGs. A comparative study was performed between the newly sequenced organellar genomes and 44 other species belonging to class Phaeophyceae. Phylogenetic relationships using PCGs shared by Phaeophyceae species were constructed with IQ-TREE 2 using the maximum likelihood method. In addition, we developed real-time PCR markers based on SNPs to distinguish the 6 Sargassum species. Our results provide useful information for establishing phylogenetic relationships between brown algae.
The three-dimensional plasma structures and flows of the Earth’s upper atmosphere due to the Moon’s gravitational force
Authors: Liu Jann-Yenq , Wu Tsung-Yu , Lin Chi‐Yen , Chang Loren C.
Published: December 2022

The semidiurnal (12.42 h) and semimonthly (14.76 days) lunar tides have been well-known by fishermen for several centuries. The gravitational force of the relative positions between the Sun, the Moon, and the Earth results in two symmetrical tidal bulges (double bulges) appearing at equatorial latitudes directly under and opposite the Moon. We utilize ionospheric GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) radio occultation soundings to show the global three-dimensional structures and dynamics of the double bulges of ionospheric lunar tides for the first time. The double-bulge amplitude of ionospheric F2-peak height hmF2, lagging the sublunar or antipodal point by about 2–3 h, is about 3–5 km at the equator and 1.5–2.0 km at ± 35° magnetic latitude. The electron density further depicts global three-dimensional plasma flows in the ionosphere.
Echoed induction of nucleotide variants and chromosomal structural variants in cancer cells
Authors: Matsuno Yusuke , Kusumoto-Matsuo Rika , Manaka Yuya , Asai Haruka , Yoshioka Ken-ichi
Published: December 2022

Generally, the number of single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) in somatic cells increases with age, which is expected for replication errors. The number of SNVs in cancer cells, however, is often much higher than that in somatic cells, raising the question of whether cancer cells possess SNV induction pathways. The present study shows that the number of SNVs in cancer cells correlates with the number of chromosomal structural variants (SVs). While Kataegis, localized hypermutations typically arising near SV sites, revealed multiple SNVs within 1 kb, SV-associated SNVs were generally observed within 0.1–1 Mb of SV sites, irrespective of Kataegis status. SNVs enriched within 1 Mb of SV regions were associated with deficiency of DNA damage repair, including HR deficiency-associated single base substitution 3 (SBS3) and exogenous damage-associated SBS7 and SBS36 signatures. We also observed a similar correlation between SVs and SNVs in cells that had undergone clonal evolution in association with genomic instability, implying an association between genomic instability and SV-associated induction of SNVs.
Toxicology assessment of manganese oxide nanomaterials with enhanced electrochemical properties using human in vitro models representing different exposure routes
Authors: Fernández-Pampín Natalia , González Plaza Juan José , García-Gómez Alejandra , Peña Elisa , Rumbo Carlos , Barros Rocío , Martel-Martín Sonia , Aparicio Santiago , Tamayo-Ramos Juan Antonio
Published: December 2022

In the present study, a comparative human toxicity assessment between newly developed Mn3O4 nanoparticles with enhanced electrochemical properties (GNA35) and their precursor material (Mn3O4) was performed, employing different in vitro cellular models representing main exposure routes (inhalation, intestinal and dermal contact), namely the human alveolar carcinoma epithelial cell line (A549), the human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (HT29), and the reconstructed 3D human epidermal model EpiDerm. The obtained results showed that Mn3O4 and GNA35 harbour similar morphological characteristics, whereas differences were observed in relation to their surface area and electrochemical properties. In regard to their toxicological properties, both nanomaterials induced ROS in the A549 and HT29 cell lines, while cell viability reduction was only observed in the A549 cells. Concerning their skin irritation potential, the studied nanomaterials did not cause a reduction of the skin tissue viability in the test conditions nor interleukin 1 alpha (IL- 1 α) release. Therefore, they can be considered as not irritant nanomaterials according to EU and Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling Chemicals. Our findings provide new insights about the potential harmful effects of Mn3O4 nanomaterials with different properties, demonstrating that the hazard assessment using different human in vitro models is a critical aspect to increase the knowledge on their potential impact upon different exposure routes.
Image feature extraction and recognition model construction of coal and gangue based on image processing technology
Authors: Zhang Lei , Sui YiPing , Wang HaoSheng , Hao ShangKai , Zhang NingBo
Published: December 2022

Using image recognition technology to realize coal gangue recognition is one of the development directions of intelligent fully mechanized caving mining. Aiming at the problem of low accuracy of coal gangue recognition in fully mechanized caving mining, the extraction method of Coal and gangue images features is proposed, and the corresponding coal gangue recognition model is constructed. The illuminance value is an important factor affecting the imaging quality. Therefore, a multi-light source image acquisition system is designed, and the optimal illuminance value suitable for coal and gangue images acquisition is determined to be 17,130 Lux. There is a large amount of image noise in the gray-sc5ale image, so Gaussian filtering is used to eliminate the noise in the gray-scale image of coal and gangue. Then, six gray-scale features and four texture features are extracted from 900 coal and gangue images respectively. It is concluded that the three kinds of features of gray skewness, gray variance and texture contrast have the highest discrimination on coal and gangue images. Least squares vector machine has a strong ability to classify, so the use of least squares vector machine to achieve coal gangue identification, and build coal gangue identification model. The results show that the recognition accuracy of the model for coal gangue images is 92.2% and 91.5%, respectively, with gray skewness and texture contrast as indicators. This study provides a reliable theoretical support for solving the problem of low recognition rate of coal gangue in fully mechanized caving mining.
Retarding mechanism of Zn2+ species in geopolymer material using Raman spectroscopy and DFT calculations
Authors: Chamssine Fawzi , Gasparotto Luiz H. S. , Souza Miguel Angelo Fonsecade , Khalifeh Mahmoud , de Oliveira Freitas Julio Cezar
Published: December 2022

Geopolymers are the most promising alternative to Ordinary Portland Cement for oil-well cementing and well abandonment. To that end, the slurry needs a required pumping time ensured by the addition of retarders. Although zinc has been widely known to prolong the setting time of geopolymers, its mechanism of action has yet to be fully elucidated. It is herein hypothesized that zinc ions impede the first stages of silicate oligomerization (Si–O–Al), culminating in longer setting times. Pumping time measurements showed that Zn(NO3)2 delayed the setting time by 5 h in comparison to the zinc-less sample. DFT calculations revealed Si(OH)4 to react with [Zn(OH)4]2− via a barrierless transition state, evidencing a kinetic ground for the retardation effect. Additionally, Raman spectroscopy corroborated the DFT results by showing that Q3 species in the proposed mechanism are formed more rapidly in the presence of zinc ions than in its absence.
Differential effect of meteorological factors and particulate matter with ≤ 10-µm diameter on epistaxis in younger and older children
Authors: Kwak Il-Youp , Kim Kyung Soo , Min Hyun Jin
Published: December 2022

The differential effect of meteorological factors and air pollutants on pediatric epistaxis in younger and older children has not been evaluated. We evaluated the distribution of pediatric epistaxis cases between younger (0–5 years) and older children (6–18 years). Subsequently, we assessed and compared the effects of meteorological variables and the concentration of particulate matter measuring ≤ 10 μm in diameter (PM10) on hospital epistaxis presentation in younger and older children. This retrospective study included pediatric patients (n = 326) who presented with spontaneous epistaxis between January 2015 and August 2019. Meteorological conditions and PM10 concentration were the exposure variables, and data were obtained from Korea Meteorological Administration 75. The presence and cumulative number of epistaxis presentations per day were considered outcome variables. Air temperature, wind speed, sunshine duration, and PM10 concentration in younger children, and sunshine duration and air pressure in older children, significantly correlated with the presence of and cumulative number of epistaxis presentations per day. The PM10 concentration was not a significant factor in older children. Thus, meteorological factors and PM10 concentration may differentially affect epistaxis in younger (0–5-year-olds) and older (6–18-year-olds) children. Risk factors for pediatric epistaxis should be considered according to age.
Screening the toxicity profile and genotoxicity mechanism of excess manganese confirmed by spectral shift
Authors: Tümer Cihat , Çavuşoğlu Kültiğin , Yalçin Emine
Published: December 2022

In this study, the toxicity induced by excessive doses of manganese (MnCl2), which is one of the essential trace elements for the continuation of the metabolic activities of the organisms, was investigated with the help of the Allium test. Toxicity was investigated by using physiological (percent germination, root length, weight gain), cytogenetic [mitotic index (MI), micronucleus (MN), chromosomal abnormalities (CAs)], biochemical [malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) catalase (CAT)] and anatomical (root tip meristematic cell damage) parameters. Allium cepa L. bulbs were divided into four groups as one control and three treatments. The control group was germinated with tap water, and the treatment groups were germinated with 250, 500 and 1000 µM doses of MnCl2. The germination process was continued for 72 h without interruption. At the end of the period, the root tips were collected, washed in distilled water and made ready for microscopic and spectrophotometric analyzes with the help of routine preparation techniques. As a result, the highest germination percentage, root length, weight gain and MI, and the lowest MN frequency, CAs numbers, MDA level, SOD and CAT enzyme activities were determined in the control group (group I). MnCl2 exposure caused a decrease in physiological parameter values and an increase in cytogenetic (except MI) and biochemical parameter values, depending on the dose. MnCl2 exposure induced MN and CAs such as fragment, sticky chromosome, vagrant chromosome, unequal distribution of chromatin and bridge. This genotoxic effect of MnCl2 was associated with DNA–MnCl2 interaction, and this interaction was also confirmed by bathochromic and hypochromic shifts in spectral analysis. Anatomical damages such as epidermis cell damage, flattened cell nucleus, cortex cell damage and cortex cell wall thickening were observed after MnCl2 treatment. As a result, it has been determined that excessive doses of the trace element Mn cause physiological, cytogenetic, biochemical and anatomical toxicity and A. cepa test material is a reliable bio-indicator in determining this toxicity.
Compositional and seasonal differences of gas and particle phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) over the southern Baltic Sea coast
Authors: Siudek Patrycja
Published: December 2022

In this study, 16 USEPA-prioritized PAHs in gas- and particle-phase (PAHg+p), associated chemical and meteorological parameters, and backward trajectory simulations were explored in a coastal city in Poland, between April 2019 and May 2020. This study reports several important aspects of PAHg+p, i.e. variation, composition, distribution profiles, impact of weather conditions, and correlation analysis between target PAH compounds and influencing inorganic gaseous pollutants. Specifically, higher and more variable concentrations of total PAHg+p (mean ± SD, ng m−3) were observed during winter (36.38 ± 24.19) compared to autumn (22.3 ± 17.44), summer (21.52 ± 13.30) and spring (19.90 ± 13.13). A distribution profile of parent PAHg+p was as follows: 3-ring > 4-ring > 2-ring > 5-ring > 6-ring, although their relative contribution to the total PAHs showed statistically significant differences between seasons (p < 0.05). Precipitation-driven loss of ΣPAHg+p was lower in the warm period than in the cold one, reflecting higher PAH concentrations in winter. A seasonal model-based analysis of incremental lifetime cancer risk showed a higher potential cancer risk for children than those for adult females and males. The adverse health impacts associated with PAH exposure via inhalation route indicate the need for implementation of pollution-control policies in this region.
Conditional QTL mapping for seed germination and seedling traits under salt stress and candidate gene prediction in wheat
Authors: Guo Xin , Wu Chongning , Wang Dehua , Wang Guanying , Jin Kaituo , Zhao Yingjie , Tian Jichun , Deng Zhiying
Published: December 2022

Breeding new wheat varieties with salt resistance is one of the best ways to solve a constraint on the sustainability and expansion of wheat cultivation. Therefore, understanding the molecular components or genes related to salt tolerance must contribute to the cultivation of salt-tolerant varieties. The present study used a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population to genetically dissect the effects of different salt stress concentrations on wheat seed germination and seedling traits using two quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping methods. A total of 31 unconditional and 11 conditional QTLs for salt tolerance were identified on 11 chromosomes explaining phenotypic variation (PVE) ranging from 2.01 to 65.76%. Of these, 15 major QTLs were found accounting for more than 10% PVE. QTL clusters were detected on chromosomes 2A and 3B in the marker intervals ‘wPt-8328 and wPt-2087’ and ‘wPt-666008 and wPt-3620’, respectively, involving more than one salt tolerance trait. QRdw3B and QSfw3B.2 were most consistent in two or more salt stress treatments. 16 candidate genes associated with salt tolerance were predicted in wheat. These results could be useful to improve salt tolerance by marker-assisted selection (MAS) and shed new light on understanding the genetic basis of salt tolerance in wheat.
Vanadium oxide nanorods as an electrode material for solid state supercapacitor
Authors: Jain Amrita , Manippady Sai Rashmi , Tang Rui , Nishihara Hirotomo , Sobczak Kamil , Matejka Vlastimil , Michalska Monika
Published: December 2022

The electrochemical properties of metal oxides are very attractive and fascinating in general, making them a potential candidate for supercapacitor application. Vanadium oxide is of particular interest because it possesses a variety of valence states and is also cost effective with low toxicity and a wide voltage window. In the present study, vanadium oxide nanorods were synthesized using a modified sol–gel technique at low temperature. Surface morphology and crystallinity studies were carried out by using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. To the best of our knowledge, the as-prepared nanorods were tested with magnesium ion based polymer gel electrolyte for the first time. The prepared supercapacitor cell exhibits high capacitance values of the order of ~ 141.8 F g−1 with power density of ~ 2.3 kW kg−1 and energy density of ~ 19.1 Wh kg−1. The cells show excellent rate capability and good cycling stability.
Effect of AlSiOx support modification by alkali or alkaline earth metals on propene formation in the metathesis of C2H4 and 2-C4H8 over MoOx-based catalysts
Authors: Zhang Qiyang , Rabeah Jabor , Vuong Thanh Huyen , Otroshchenko Tatiana , Kondratenko Evgenii V.
Published: December 2022

Promotion of AlSiOx with alkali or alkaline earth metal oxides affects the performance of Mo/M/AlSiOx catalysts in the metathesis of ethylene with 2-butene. Catalyst activity increases with increasing electronegativity of the additive.
Cross-coupling reactions catalyzed by RuHCl(CO)(PPh3)3
Authors: Fukuyama Takahide , Picard Baptiste , Ryu Ilhyong
Published: December 2022

This minireview summarizes the new catalytic reactions using RuHCl(CO)(PPh3)3 as a catalyst. The present cross-coupling reactions are based on a hydrometallation of unsaturated bonds to access the vital catalytic species.
Correction to Retracted Article: Monodisperse CuB23 nanoparticles grown on graphene as highly efficient catalysts for unactivated alkyl halide Heck coupling and levulinic acid hydrogenation
Authors: Fu Shi Yan , Li Yuan Zhi , Chu Wei , Li Chun , Tong Dong Ge
Published: December 2022

Correction for ‘Retracted Article: Monodisperse CuB23 nanoparticles grown on graphene as highly efficient catalysts for unactivated alkyl halide Heck coupling and levulinic acid hydrogenation’ by Shi Yan Fu et al., Catal. Sci. Technol., 2015, 5, 1638–1649, https://doi.org/10.1039/C4CY01331J.
AIE -active TPA modified Schiff base for successive sensing of Cu2+ and His via an on–off–on method and its application in bioimaging
Authors: Wang Dan , Shao Tian-Fen , Ding Wei-Hua , Li Shao-Jie , Yao Qi , Cao Wei , Wang Zheng , Ma Yangmin
Published: December 2022

An AIE-active Schiff base was available for indicator paper and cell imaging applications for the successive identification of Cu2+ and His.
Multispectroscopic, virtual and in vivo insights into the photoaging defense mediated by the natural food colorant bixin
Authors: Kapoor Leepica , Udhaya Kumar S. , De Sourav , Vijayakumar Sujithra , Kapoor Nitin , Ashok Kumar S. K. , Priya Doss C George , Ramamoorthy Siva
Published: December 2022

Inhibitory potential of plant pigment bixin against UVA induced activation of dermal enzymic pathway related photo skin aging.
Bioaccessibility and bioactivities of phenolic compounds from microalgae during in vitro digestion and colonic fermentation
Authors: Li Kunning , Duan Xinyu , Zhou Linhui , Hill David R. A. , Martin Gregory J. O. , Suleria Hafiz A. R.
Published: December 2022

Conceptual framework of the microalgae in vitro digestion and colonic fermentation.
3D printing programmable liquid crystal elastomer soft pneumatic actuators
Authors: Liao Wei , Yang Zhongqiang
Published: December 2022

A liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) with a controlled alignment was applied to construct soft pneumatic actuators (SPAs) by 3D printing the LCE on a rotator. Upon inflation, LCE-SPAs can perform complex motions and accomplish diverse tasks.
Influence of strain on an ultrafast phase transition
Authors: Ji Shaozheng , Grånäs Oscar , Kumar Prasad Amit , Weissenrieder Jonas
Published: December 2022

The flexibility of 2D materials combined with properties highly sensitive to strain makes strain engineering a promising avenue for manipulation of both structure and function.
Synthesis and high-temperature ferromagnetism of Fe-doped SiGe diluted magnetic semiconductor thin films
Authors: Li Jiafei , Zhang Xi , Lu Jiating , He Wa , Nie Ya , Peng Yong , Xiang Gang
Published: December 2022

Fe-doped SiGe DMSs were first prepared by radio frequency magnetron sputtering and subsequent rapid thermal annealing, and show a record high Curie temperature of 294 K compared with those of previously reported Fe-doped group IV DMSs.
Reaction of 1-acetonaphthones with anilines and elemental sulfur: rapid construction of 1-anilinonaphtho[2,1-b]thiophenes
Authors: Nguyen Hoang Yen , Tran Thi Minh Chau , Nguyen Van Ha , Retailleau Pascal , Mac Dinh Hung , Nguyen Thanh Binh
Published: December 2022

1-Anilinonaphtho[2,1-b]thiophenes from an unusual three-component reaction of 1-acetonaphthones with anilines and elemental sulfur under catalyst-free simple heating conditions.
Bimetallic ruthenium–nickel alloy nanostructure supported on nickel foam for efficient alkaline hydrogen evolution at large current density
Authors: Mao Xiaoqing , Liu Zhihang , Lin Changqing , Li Jiawang , Shen Pei Kang
Published: December 2022

A ruthenium–nickel alloy nanostructure exhibits a low overpotential and excellent activity stability for the hydrogen evolution reaction in 1 M KOH.
Carbon dioxide-boosted growth of high-density and vertically aligned carbon nanotube arrays on a stainless steel mesh
Authors: Cao Jun Jie , Jiang Yu , Zhan Hang , Zhang Yu , Wang Jian Nong
Published: December 2022

Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs), a unique group of highly aligned CNTs normal to a substrate, have been extensively studied during the past decades.
MoO2 nanosheets anchored with Co nanoparticles as a bifunctional electrocatalytic platform for overall water splitting
Authors: Xia Lu , Li Yanjun , Song Hao , Li Xingxing , Gong Wenjie , Jiang Xinyu , Javanbakht Mehran , Zhang Xuming , Gao Biao , Chu Paul K.
Published: December 2022

Electrochemical water splitting is one of the potential commercial techniques to produce clean hydrogen energy because of the high efficiency and environmental friendliness.
Multifaceted behavior of a doubly reduced arylborane in B–H-bond activation and hydroboration catalysis
Authors: Prey Sven E. , Herok Christoph , Fantuzzi Felipe , Bolte Michael , Lerner Hans-Wolfram , Engels Bernd , Wagner Matthias
Published: December 2022

Alkali-metal salts of a 9,10-diboraanthracene dianion catalyze the hydroboration of CC-, CN-, and CO-containing compounds with pinacolborane. The actual reaction mechanism is highly substrate-dependent.
Light-regulated adsorption and desorption of Chlamydomonas cells at surfaces
Authors: Catalan Rodrigo E. , Fragkopoulos Alexandros A. , von Trott Nicolas , Kelterborn Simon , Baidukova Olga , Hegemann Peter , Bäumchen Oliver
Published: December 2022

Microbial colonization of surfaces represents the first step towards biofilm formation. We study the adsorption and desorption kinetics of photosynthetic microbes on solid surfaces in response to a change of the light conditions.