bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nucleated red blood cells as a biomarker for mortality in neonates following cardiac surgery
Authors: Piggott Kurt D. , Maqsood Syeda , Warner Cynthia L. , Pettitt Timothy , Yang Shengping , Turner Jason , Soliman Amira , Norlin Casey , Lewis LaTasha , Bhatia Ajay
Published: August 2021

Introduction:

Nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) are immature red cells that under normal conditions are not present in the peripheral circulation. Several studies have suggested an association between elevated NRBC and poor outcome in critically ill adults and neonates. We sought to determine if elevations in NRBC value following cardiac surgery and following clinical events during the hospital stay can be used as a biomarker to monitor for mortality risk in neonates post-cardiac surgery.

Materials and methods:

We constructed a retrospective study of 264 neonates who underwent cardiac surgery at Children’s Hospital, New Orleans between 2011 and 2020. Variables included mortality and NRBC value were recorded following cardiac surgery and following peri-operative clinical events. The study was approved by LSU Health IRB. Sensitivity, specificity, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves with area under the curve (AUC) and logistic regression analysis were performed.

Results:

Thirty-six patients (13.6%) died, of which 32 had an NRBC value ≥10/100 white blood cell (WBC) during hospitalisation. Multi-variable analysis found extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use (OR 10, 95% CI 2.9–33, p=<0.001), NRBC ≥10/100 WBC (OR 16.1, CI 4.1–62.5, p ≤ 0.001) and peak NRBC in the 14-day period post-cardiac surgery (continuous variable, OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.0–1.09, p = 0.03), to be independently associated with mortality. Using a cut-off NRBC value of 10/100 WBC, there was an 88.9% sensitivity and a 90.8% specificity, with ROC curve showing an AUC of 0.9 and 0.914 for peak NRBC value in 14 days post-surgery and entire hospitalisation, respectively.

Conclusions:

NRBC ≥10/100 WBC post-cardiac surgery is strongly associated with mortality. Additionally, NRBC trend appears to show promise as an accurate biomarker for mortality.
Is iron deficiency a risk factor for postpartum depression? A case–control study in the Gaza Strip, Palestine
Authors: Hameed Samar , Naser Ihab A , Al Ghussein Mohamed A , Ellulu Mohammed S
Published: August 2021

Objective:

This study aims to investigate the association between iron body status and postpartum depression (PPD) among mothers during the postpartum period.

Design:

This is a case–control study.

Setting:

Governmental primary health care centres in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.

Participants:

This study involved 300 mothers a month after delivery, with one 150 mothers that were recruited in the cases group who were diagnosed with PPD based on Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) ≥ 10. The control group included 150 mothers did not have PPD (EPDS < 10). Body iron status is represented by the index of sTfR/log ferritin.

Results:

Among PPD mothers, 43·3 % had low ferritin level v. 15·3 % for controls (P < 0·001) and cases v. controls difference in mean Hb level was −0·61 (95 % CI −0·86, −0·35). The results of the multiple logistic regression reported that there is a statistically significant association between PPD and the body iron status existed, as mothers who suffered from iron deficiency (ID) were three times more likely to have PPD (ORadj 3·25; P = 0·015). Furthermore, the results of the final regression model showed that the other factors that can lead to PPD are absence of psychological guidance services (ORadj 8·54; P = 0·001), suffering from undesired feeling in the last pregnancy (ORadj 1·77; P = 0·034), in addition to having one of the mental health disorders in the last pregnancy (P = 0·001).

Conclusion:

Body iron status might be a risk factor for postpartum depression and other possibilities of reverse causality may worsen the condition.
Parallel Mode Differential Phase Contrast in Transmission Electron Microscopy, II: K2CuF4 Phase Transition
Authors: Paterson Gary W. , Macauley Gavin M. , McVitie Stephen , Togawa Yoshihiko
Published: August 2021

In Part I of this diptych, we outlined the theory and an analysis methodology for quantitative phase recovery from real-space distortions of Fresnel images acquired in the parallel mode of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In that work, the properties of the method, termed TEM-differential phase contrast (TEM-DPC), were highlighted through the use of simulated data. In this work, we explore the use of the TEM-DPC technique with experimental cryo-TEM images of a thin lamella of a low-temperature two-dimensional (2D) ferromagnetic material, K2CuF4, to perform two tasks. First, using images recorded below the ordering temperature, we compare the TEM-DPC method with the transport of intensity one for phase recovery and discuss the relative advantages the former has for experimental data. Second, by tracking the induction of the sample as it is driven through a phase transition by heating, we extract estimates for the critical temperature and critical exponent of the order parameter. The value of the latter is consistent with the 2D XY class, raising the prospect that a Kosterlitz–Thoules transition may have occurred.
Factors Associated With Suicide Ideation in Lithuania and Poland Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Gelezelyte Odeta , Dragan Malgorzata , Grajewski Piotr , Kvedaraite Monika , Lotzin Annett , Skrodzka Magdalena , Nomeikaite Auguste , Kazlauskas Evaldas
Published: August 2021

Abstract. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on many risk and protective factors associated with suicide. Aims: The aim of this study was to identify pandemic-related factors associated with suicidal ideation in the two European countries, Lithuania and Poland, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: The sample comprised 2,459 participants in both countries; 57.2% of the respondents were female. The M age of the participants was 43.45 years ( SD = 15.91). Pandemic-related stressors and adjustment problems were measured to assess associations with suicidal ideation. Results: High levels of adjustment problems, loneliness, and burden due to staying at home more during the COVID-19 pandemic were significantly associated with suicide ideation in both Lithuania and Poland. Limitations: This was a cross-sectional online study with different recruitment approaches in the two countries. Conclusion: Adjustment problems, loneliness, and stressors related to staying at home more could be important targets for suicide prevention amid the pandemic.
Incorporating Uncertainty Into Multiscale Parameter Regionalization to Evaluate the Performance of Nationally Consistent Parameter Fields for a Hydrological Model
Authors: Lane Rosanna A. , Freer Jim E. , Coxon Gemma , Wagener Thorsten
Published: August 2021

Spatial parameter fields are required to model hydrological processes across diverse landscapes. Transfer functions are often used to relate parameters to spatial catchment attributes, introducing large uncertainties. Quantifying these uncertainties remains a key challenge for large‐scale modeling. This paper extends the multiscale parameter regionalization (MPR) technique to consider parameter uncertainties. We evaluate this method of producing nationally consistent parameter fields, which maintain a constant relationship between model parameters and catchment attributes, across 437 catchments in Great Britain (GB). By sampling multiple transfer function parameters, we produce thousands of possible model parameter fields which are constrained within an uncertainty framework. This is compared to spatially homogeneous parameter sets constrained for individual catchments. The nationally consistent MPR parameter fields perform well (KGE* > 0.75) across 60% of catchments. Performance is similar or better than catchment‐constrained parameters (KGE* drop < 0.1) across 82% of catchments. Advantages of our national parameter fields include (a) improved representation of flows within catchments, (b) more robust performance between calibration and evaluation periods, and (c) spatial parameter fields reflecting hydrologically meaningful variation in catchment characteristics. By including uncertainties, we show that hydrographs produced using MPR have smaller uncertainty bounds which are better able to encompass flows. As the first application of MPR to both the DECIPHeR modeling framework and GB, we developed transfer functions and identified key catchment attributes to constrain model parameters, which are transferrable to other models alongside the addition of uncertainty. Methodologies presented here are informative for future regionalization efforts in GB and elsewhere.
Hydraulic Model Calibration Using CryoSat‐2 Observations in the Zambezi Catchment
Authors: Kittel Cecile M. M. , Hatchard Simbidzayi , Neal Jeffrey C. , Nielsen Karina , Bates Paul D. , Bauer‐Gottwein Peter
Published: August 2021

Geodetic altimeters provide unique observations of the river surface longitudinal profile due to their long repeat periods and densely spaced ground tracks. This information is valuable for calibrating hydraulic model parameters, and thus, for producing reliable simulations of water level for flood forecasting and river management, particularly in poorly instrumented catchments. In this study, we present an efficient calibration approach for hydraulic models based on a steady‐state hydraulic solver and CryoSat‐2 observations. In order to ensure that only coherent forcing/observation pairs are considered in the calibration, we first propose an outlier filtering approach for CryoSat‐2 observations in data‐scarce regions using a simulated runoff produced by a hydrologic model. In the hydraulic calibration, a steady‐state solver computes the water surface elevation (WSE) profile along the river for selected discharges corresponding to the days of CryoSat‐2 overpass. In synthetic calibration experiments, the global search algorithm generally recovers the true parameter values in portions of the river where observations are available, illustrating the benefit of dense spatial sampling from geodetic altimetry. The most sensitive parameters are the bed elevations. In calibration experiments with real CryoSat‐2 data, validation performance against both Sentinel‐3 WSE and in situ records is similar to previous studies, with Root Mean Square Deviation ranging from 0.43 to 1.14 m against Sentinel‐3 and from 0.60 to 0.73 against in situ WSE observations. Performance remains similar when transferring parameters to a one‐dimensional hydrodynamic model. Because the approach is computationally efficient, model parameters can be inverted at high spatial resolution to fully exploit the information contained in geodetic CryoSat‐2 altimetry.
Exploring the Impacts of Source Condition Uncertainties on Far‐Field Brine Leakage Plume Predictions in Geologic Storage of CO2: Integrating Intermediate‐Scale Laboratory Testing With Numerical Modeling
Authors: Askar Ahmad H. , Illangasekare Tissa H. , Trautz Andrew , Solovský Jakub , Zhang Ye , Fučík Radek
Published: August 2021

Natural fissures/faults or pressure‐induced fractures in the caprock confining injected CO2 have been identified as a potential leakage pathways of far‐field native brine contaminating underground sources of drinking water. Developing models to simulate brine propagation through the overlaying formations and aquifers is essential to conduct reliable pre‐ and post‐risk assessments for site selection and operation, respectively. One of the primary challenges of performing such simulations is lack of adequate information about source conditions, such as hydro‐structural properties of caprock fracture/fault zone and the permeability field of the storage formation. This research investigates the impact of source condition uncertainties on the accuracy of leaking brine plume predictions. Prediction models should be able to simulate brine leakage and transport in complex multilayered geologic systems with interacting regional natural and leakage flows. As field datasets are not readily available for model testing and validation, three comprehensive intermediate‐scale laboratory experiments were used to generate high‐resolution spatiotemporal data on brine plume development under different leakage scenarios. Experimental data were used to validate a flow and transport model developed using existing code FEFLOW to simulate brine plume under varying source conditions. Spatial moment analysis was conducted to evaluate how uncertainty in source conditions impacts brine migration predictions. Results showed that inaccurately prescribing the permeability field of storage formation and caprock fractures in models can cause errors in leakage pathway and spread predictions up to ∼19% and ∼100%, respectively. These findings will help in selecting and characterizing storage sites by factoring in potential risks to shallow groundwater resources.
NOTCH1 signaling promotes protein stability of HER3 through the AKT pathway in squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck
Authors: Wang Yi-Ping , Liu I-Ju , Chen Kai-Chi , Wu Han-Chung
Published: August 2021

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) remains the sole druggable molecular target other than the PD1/PD-L1 pathway with meaningful clinical benefit in squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN). Human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) confers the resistance to EGFR-targeted treatment in SCCHN. Thus, it is essential to determine the distribution and regulatory mechanisms of HER3 in SCCHN. We explored the prevalence of HER3 expression and its distribution within SCCHN by immunohistochemical staining and clinicopathological correlations were analyzed. The regulatory mechanism of HER3 expression was then dissected in vitro, using RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunoprecipitation in a set of SCCHN cell lines. Subsequent in vivo validation in the murine model was also performed. We found that concomitant high expression of HER3 and its ligand NRG1 in SCCHN is associated with the increased presence of regional lymphatic metastasis and the majority of HER3 is located on the differentiated tumor cells. Further investigation revealed that HER3 is under positive control of NOTCH1 through transcriptional activation and inhibition of protein degradation through the polyubiquitination machinery via AKT pathway and USP8 deubiquitinating enzyme. In addition, loss of function of NOTCH1 suppresses HER3 expression through increased phosphorylation of serine 473 of AKT in SCCHN cells, and promotes the aggressiveness of the tumor cells. These data indicated that the level of HER3 is regulated by NOTCH1 in SCCHN both transcriptionally and post-translationally, and NOTCH1 is in a higher hierarchy in the regulatory system of the AKT pathway. Since NOTCH1 is inactivated in approximately 10% of SCCHN cases and this aberration strongly impacts the AKT pathway and diminishes HER3, exclusion of patients with NOTCH1-inactivated SCCHN may be beneficial for future clinical trials of HER3-targeting antibodies.
The DELUX study: development of lung volumes during extubation of preterm infants
Authors: Plastina Leonie , Gaertner Vincent D. , Waldmann Andreas D. , Thomann Janine , Bassler Dirk , Rüegger Christoph M.
Published: August 2021

Objective

To measure changes in end-expiratory lung impedance (EELI) as a marker of functional residual capacity (FRC) during the entire extubation procedure of very preterm infants.

Methods

Prospective observational study in preterm infants born at 26–32 weeks gestation being extubated to non-invasive respiratory support. Changes in EELI and cardiorespiratory parameters (heart rate, oxygen saturation) were recorded at pre-specified events during the extubation procedure compared to baseline (before first handling of the infant).

Results

Overall, 2912 breaths were analysed in 12 infants. There was a global change in EELI during the extubation procedure (p = 0.029). EELI was lowest at the time of extubation [median (IQR) difference to baseline: −0.30 AU/kg (−0.46; −0.14), corresponding to an FRC loss of 10.2 ml/kg (4.8; 15.9), padj = 0.004]. The biggest EELI loss occurred during adhesive tape removal [median change (IQR): −0.18 AU/kg (−0.22; −0.07), padj = 0.004]. EELI changes were highly correlated with changes in the SpO2/FiO2 ratio (r = 0.48, p < 0.001). Forty per cent of FRC was re-recruited at the tenth breath after the initiation of non-invasive ventilation (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The extubation procedure is associated with significant changes in FRC. This study provides novel information for determining the optimal way of extubating a preterm infant.

Impact

This study is the first to examine the development of lung volumes during the entire extubation procedure including the impact of associated events.

The extubation procedure significantly affects functional residual capacity with a loss of approximately 10 ml/kg at the time of extubation.

Removal of adhesive tape is the major contributing factor to FRC loss during the extubation procedure.

Functional residual capacity is regained within the first breaths after initiation of non-invasive ventilation and is further increased after turning the infant into the prone position.
Genome-wide association study of COVID-19 severity among the Chinese population
Authors: Li Yuanfeng , Ke Yuehua , Xia Xinyi , Wang Yahui , Cheng Fanjun , Liu Xinyi , Jin Xin , Li Boan , Xie Chengyong , Liu Siyang , Chen Weijun , Yang Chenning , Niu Yuguang , Jia Ruizhong , Chen Yong , Liu Xiong , Wang Zhihua , Zheng Fang , Jin Yan , Li Zhen , Yang Ning , Cao Pengbo , Chen Hongxia , Ping Jie , He Fuchu , Wang Changjun , Zhou Gangqiao
Published: August 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection causes a broad clinical spectrum of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The development of COVID-19 may be the result of a complex interaction between the microbial, environmental, and host genetic components. To reveal genetic determinants of susceptibility to COVID-19 severity in the Chinese population, we performed a genome-wide association study on 885 severe or critical COVID-19 patients (cases) and 546 mild or moderate patients (controls) from two hospitals, Huoshenshan and Union hospitals at Wuhan city in China. We identified two loci on chromosome 11q23.3 and 11q14.2, which are significantly associated with the COVID-19 severity in the meta-analyses of the two cohorts (index rs1712779: odds ratio [OR] = 0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38–0.63 for T allele; P = 1.38 × 10−8; and index rs10831496: OR = 1.66; 95% CI, 1.38–1.98 for A allele; P = 4.04 × 10−8, respectively). The results for rs1712779 were validated in other two small COVID-19 cohorts in the Asian populations (P = 0.029 and 0.031, respectively). Furthermore, we identified significant eQTL associations for REXO2, C11orf71, NNMT, and CADM1 at 11q23.3, and CTSC at 11q14.2, respectively. In conclusion, our findings highlight two loci at 11q23.3 and 11q14.2 conferring susceptibility to the severity of COVID-19, which might provide novel insights into the pathogenesis and clinical treatment of this disease.
Preliminary demonstration of a persistent Josephson phase-slip memory cell with topological protection
Authors: Ligato Nadia , Strambini Elia , Paolucci Federico , Giazotto Francesco
Published: August 2021

Superconducting computing promises enhanced computational power in both classical and quantum approaches. Yet, scalable and fast superconducting memories are not implemented. Here, we propose a fully superconducting memory cell based on the hysteretic phase-slip transition existing in long aluminum nanowire Josephson junctions. Embraced by a superconducting ring, the memory cell codifies the logic state in the direction of the circulating persistent current, as commonly defined in flux-based superconducting memories. But, unlike the latter, the hysteresis here is a consequence of the phase-slip occurring in the long weak link and associated to the topological transition of its superconducting gap. This disentangles our memory scheme from the large-inductance constraint, thus enabling its miniaturization. Moreover, the strong activation energy for phase-slip nucleation provides a robust topological protection against stochastic phase-slips and magnetic-flux noise. These properties make the Josephson phase-slip memory a promising solution for advanced superconducting classical logic architectures or flux qubits.
Exosomal miR-19a and IBSP cooperate to induce osteolytic bone metastasis of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer
Authors: Wu Kerui , Feng Jiamei , Lyu Feng , Xing Fei , Sharma Sambad , Liu Yin , Wu Shih-Ying , Zhao Dan , Tyagi Abhishek , Deshpande Ravindra Pramod , Pei Xinhong , Ruiz Marco Gabril , Takahashi Hiroyuki , Tsuzuki Shunsuke , Kimura Takahiro , Mo Yin-yuan , Shiozawa Yusuke , Singh Ravi , Watabe Kounosuke
Published: August 2021

Bone metastasis is an incurable complication of breast cancer. In advanced stages, patients with estrogen-positive tumors experience a significantly higher incidence of bone metastasis (>87%) compared to estrogen-negative patients (<56%). To understand the mechanism of this bone-tropism of ER+ tumor, and to identify liquid biopsy biomarkers for patients with high risk of bone metastasis, the secreted extracellular vesicles and cytokines from bone-tropic breast cancer cells are examined in this study. Both exosomal miR-19a and Integrin-Binding Sialoprotein (IBSP) are found to be significantly upregulated and secreted from bone-tropic ER+ breast cancer cells, increasing their levels in the circulation of patients. IBSP is found to attract osteoclast cells and create an osteoclast-enriched environment in the bone, assisting the delivery of exosomal miR-19a to osteoclast to induce osteoclastogenesis. Our findings reveal a mechanism by which ER+ breast cancer cells create a microenvironment favorable for colonization in the bone. These two secreted factors can also serve as effective biomarkers for ER+ breast cancer to predict their risks of bone metastasis. Furthermore, our screening of a natural compound library identifies chlorogenic acid as a potent inhibitor for IBSP-receptor binding to suppress bone metastasis of ER+ tumor, suggesting its preventive use for bone recurrence in ER+ patients.
More than a biomarker: could language be a biosocial marker of psychosis?
Authors: Palaniyappan Lena
Published: August 2021

Automated extraction of quantitative linguistic features has the potential to predict objectively the onset and progression of psychosis. These linguistic variables are often considered to be biomarkers, with a large emphasis placed on the pathological aberrations in the biological processes that underwrite the faculty of language in psychosis. This perspective offers a reminder that human language is primarily a social device that is biologically implemented. As such, linguistic aberrations in patients with psychosis reflect both social and biological processes affecting an individual. Failure to consider the sociolinguistic aspects of NLP measures will limit their usefulness as digital tools in clinical settings. In the context of psychosis, considering language as a biosocial marker could lead to less biased and more accessible tools for patient-specific predictions in the clinic.
Phase-amplitude coupling between infraslow and high-frequency activities well discriminates between the preictal and interictal states
Authors: Hashimoto Hiroaki , Khoo Hui Ming , Yanagisawa Takufumi , Tani Naoki , Oshino Satoru , Kishima Haruhiko , Hirata Masayuki
Published: August 2021

Infraslow activity (ISA) and high-frequency activity (HFA) are key biomarkers for studying epileptic seizures. We aimed to elucidate the relationship between ISA and HFA around seizure onset. We enrolled seven patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy who underwent intracranial electrode placement. We comparatively analyzed the ISA, HFA, and ISA-HFA phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) in the seizure onset zone (SOZ) or non-SOZ (nSOZ) in the interictal, preictal, and ictal states. We recorded 15 seizures. HFA and ISA were larger in the ictal states than in the interictal or preictal state. During seizures, the HFA and ISA of the SOZ were larger and occurred earlier than those of nSOZ. In the preictal state, the ISA-HFA PAC of the SOZ was larger than that of the interictal state, and it began increasing at approximately 87 s before the seizure onset. The receiver-operating characteristic curve revealed that the ISA-HFA PAC of the SOZ showed the highest discrimination performance in the preictal and interictal states, with an area under the curve of 0.926. This study demonstrated the novel insight that ISA-HFA PAC increases before the onset of seizures. Our findings indicate that ISA-HFA PAC could be a useful biomarker for discriminating between the preictal and interictal states.
Stronger connectivity and higher extraversion protect against stress-related deterioration of cognitive functions
Authors: Rogala Jacek , Dreszer Joanna , Malinowska Urszula , Waligóra Marek , Pluta Agnieszka , Antonova Ingrida , Wróbel Andrzej
Published: August 2021

Here we attempted to define the relationship between: EEG activity, personality and coping during lockdown. We were in a unique situation since the COVID-19 outbreak interrupted our independent longitudinal study. We already collected a significant amount of data before lockdown. During lockdown, a subgroup of participants willingly continued their engagement in the study. These circumstances provided us with an opportunity to examine the relationship between personality/cognition and brain rhythms in individuals who continued their engagement during lockdown compared to control data collected well before pandemic. The testing consisted of a one-time assessment of personality dimensions and two sessions of EEG recording and deductive reasoning task. Participants were divided into groups based on the time they completed the second session: before or during the COVID-19 outbreak ‘Pre-pandemic Controls’ and ‘Pandemics’, respectively. The Pandemics were characterized by a higher extraversion and stronger connectivity, compared to Pre-pandemic Controls. Furthermore, the Pandemics improved their cognitive performance under long-term stress as compared to the Pre-Pandemic Controls matched for personality traits to the Pandemics. The Pandemics were also characterized by increased EEG connectivity during lockdown. We posit that stronger EEG connectivity and higher extraversion could act as a defense mechanism against stress-related deterioration of cognitive functions.
Assessment of global hydro-social indicators in water resources management
Authors: Bozorg-Haddad Omid , Baghban Sahar , Loáiciga Hugo A.
Published: August 2021

Water is a vital element that plays a central role in human life. This study assesses the status of indicators based on water resources availability relying on hydro-social analysis. The assessment involves countries exhibiting decreasing trends in per capita renewable water during 2005–2017. Africa, America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania encompass respectively 48, 35, 43, 20, and 5 countries with distinct climatic conditions. Four hydro-social indicators associated with rural society, urban society, technology and communication, and knowledge were estimated with soft-computing methods [i.e., artificial neural networks, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system, and gene expression programming (GEP)] for the world’s continents. The GEP model’s performance was the best among the computing methods in estimating hydro-social indicators for all the world’s continents based on statistical criteria [correlation coefficient (R), root mean square error (RMSE), and mean absolute error]. The values of RMSE for GEP models for the ratio of rural to urban population (PRUP), population density, number of internet users and education index parameters equaled (0.084, 0.029, 0.178, 0.135), (0.197, 0.056, 0.152, 0.163), (0.151, 0.036, 0.123, 0.210), (0.182, 0.039, 0.148, 0.204) and (0.141, 0.030, 0.226, 0.082) for Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania, respectively. Scalable equations for hydro-social indicators are developed with applicability at variable spatial and temporal scales worldwide. This paper’s results show the patterns of association between social parameters and water resources vary across continents. This study’s findings contribute to improving water-resources planning and management considering hydro-social indicators.
A well-trained artificial neural network for predicting the rheological behavior of MWCNT–Al2O3 (30–70%)/oil SAE40 hybrid nanofluid
Authors: Esfe Mohammad Hemmat , Eftekhari S. Ali , Hekmatifar Maboud , Toghraie Davood
Published: August 2021

In this study, the influence of different volume fractions ($$\phi$$ϕ) of nanoparticles and temperatures on the dynamic viscosity ($$\mu_{nf}$$μnf) of MWCNT–Al2O3(30–70%)/oil SAE40 hybrid nanofluid was examined by ANN. For this reason, the$$\mu_{nf}$$μnfwas derived for 203 various experiments through a series of experimental tests, including a combination of 7 different$$\phi$$ϕ, 6 various temperatures, and 5 shear rates. These data were then used to train an artificial neural network (ANN) to generalize results in the predefined ranges for two input parameters. For this reason, a feed-forward perceptron ANN with two inputs (T and$$\phi$$ϕ) and one output ($$\mu_{nf}$$μnf) was used. The best topology of the ANN was determined by trial and error, and a two-layer with 10 neurons in the hidden layer with the tansig function had the best performance. A well-trained ANN is created using thetrainbralgorithm and showed an MSE value of 4.3e−3 along 0.999 as a correlation coefficient for predicting$$\mu_{nf}$$μnf. The results show that an increase$$\phi$$ϕhas a significant effect on$$\mu_{nf}$$μnfvalue. As$$\phi$$ϕincreases, the viscosity of this nanofluid increases at all temperatures. On the other hand, with increasing temperature, the viscosity of this nanofluid decreases. Based on all of the diagrams presented for the trained ANNs, we can conclude that a well-trained ANN can be used as an approximating function for predicting the$$\mu_{nf}$$μnf.
Physical performance in relation to preserved ratio impaired spirometry: a cross-sectional study of community-dwelling older Japanese adults
Authors: Anami Kunihiko , Murata Shin , Nakano Hideki , Nonaka Koji , Iwase Hiroaki , Shiraiwa Kayoko , Abiko Teppei , Goda Akio , Horie Jun
Published: August 2021

Preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) is associated with an increased mortality rate; however, its characteristics have not been clearly identified in Japan. This cross-sectional study of community-dwelling older adults compared physical function between people with PRISm and those with no respiratory issues, from 2014 to 2019. We collected demographic data through interviews and measured respiratory and physical functions. We included 668 older adults (male, 23.5%; mean age, 72.8 ± 5.6 years); the prevalence of PRISm was 12%, while the prevalence of obstruction was 6.9%. Propensity score matching was used to identify control subjects with normal spirometry (n = 80) while minimizing the effects of confounders during comparisons with the PRISm population (n = 80). Compared with community-dwelling older adults with normal lung capacity, older adults with PRISm had a lower forced vital capacity (%FVC; 68.7 ± 9.1% vs. 92.5 ± 12.7%, p < 0.001), lower core muscle endurance (sit-up test: 6.7 ± 5.8 vs. 8.7 ± 6.0, p = 0.032), and a longer one-leg stance duration (52.4 ± 41.1 s vs. 36.4 ± 34.1 s, p = 0.008). In multivariable logistic regression, %FVC and increased one-leg stance were independent predictors of PRISm status. The prevalence of PRISm among community-dwelling elderly Japanese exceeds that of obstructive lung disease and is associated with reduced %FVC and better performance on balance testing.
Quantitative X-ray tomographic analysis reveals calcium precipitation in cataractogenesis
Authors: Li Yuxing , Parkinson Dilworth Y. , Feng Jun , Xia Chun-hong , Gong Xiaohua
Published: August 2021

Cataracts, named for pathological light scattering in the lens, are known to be associated with increased large protein aggregates, disrupted protein phase separation, and/or osmotic imbalances in lens cells. We have applied synchrotron phase contrast X-ray micro-computed tomography to directly examine an age-related nuclear cataract model in Cx46 knockout (Cx46KO) mice. High-resolution 3D X-ray tomographic images reveal amorphous spots and strip-like dense matter precipitates in lens cores of all examined Cx46KO mice at different ages. The precipitates are predominantly accumulated in the anterior suture regions of lens cores, and they become longer and dense as mice age. Alizarin red staining data confirms the presence of calcium precipitates in lens cores of all Cx46KO mice. This study indicates that the spatial and temporal calcium precipitation is an age-related event associated with age-related nuclear cataract formation in Cx46KO mice, and further suggests that the loss of Cx46 promotes calcium precipitates in the lens core, which is a new mechanism that likely contributes to the pathological light scattering in this age-related cataract model.
Polyclonal alpaca antibodies protect against hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in a lethal Syrian hamster model
Authors: Sroga Patrycja , Sloan Angela , Warner Bryce M. , Tierney Kevin , Lew Jocelyne , Liu Guodong , Chan Michael , Deschambault Yvon , Stein Derek R. , Soule Geoff , Banadyga Logan , Falzarano Darryl , Safronetz David
Published: August 2021

The use of antibody-based therapies for the treatment of high consequence viral pathogens has gained interest over the last fifteen years. Here, we sought to evaluate the use of unique camelid-based IgG antibodies to prevent lethal hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in Syrian hamsters. Using purified, polyclonal IgG antibodies generated in DNA-immunized alpacas, we demonstrate that post-exposure treatments reduced viral burdens and organ-specific pathology associated with lethal HPS. Antibody treated animals did not exhibit signs of disease and were completely protected. The unique structures and properties, particularly the reduced size, distinct paratope formation and increased solubility of camelid antibodies, in combination with this study support further pre-clinical evaluation of heavy-chain only antibodies for treatment of severe respiratory diseases, including HPS.
Exploration of 2D Ti3C2 MXene for all solution processed piezoelectric nanogenerator applications
Authors: Auliya Rahmat Zaki , Ooi Poh Choon , Sadri Rad , Talik Noor Azrina , Yau Zhi Yong , Mohammad Haniff Muhammad Aniq Shazni , Goh Boon Tong , Dee Chang Fu , Aslfattahi Navid , Al-Bati Sameer , Ibtehaj Khatatbeh , Hj Jumali Mohammad Hafizuddin , Mohd Razip Wee M. F. , Mohamed Mohd Ambri , Othman Masuri
Published: August 2021

A new 2D titanium carbide (Ti3C2), a low dimensional material of the MXene family has attracted remarkable interest in several electronic applications, but its unique structure and novel properties are still less explored in piezoelectric energy harvesters. Herein, a systematic study has been conducted to examine the role of Ti3C2 multilayers when it is incorporated in the piezoelectric polymer host. The 0.03 g/L of Ti3C2 has been identified as the most appropriate concentration to ensure the optimum performance of the fabricated device with a generated output voltage of about 6.0 V. The probable reasons might be due to the uniformity of nanofiller distribution in the polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) and the incorporation of Ti3C2 in a polymer matrix is found to enhance the β-phase of PVDF and diminish the undesired α-phase configuration. Low tapping frequency and force were demonstrated to scavenge electrical energy from abundant mechanical energy resources particularly human motion and environmental stimuli. The fabricated device attained a power density of 14 µW.cm−2 at 10.8 MΩ of load resistor which is considerably high among 2D material-based piezoelectric nanogenerators. The device has also shown stable electrical performance for up to 4 weeks and is practically able to store energy in a capacitor and light up a LED. Hence, the Ti3C2-based piezoelectric nanogenerator suggests the potential to realize the energy harvesting application for low-power electronic devices.
Role of prostate health index to predict Gleason score upgrading and high-risk prostate cancer in radical prostatectomy specimens
Authors: Kim Hwanik , Jung Gyoohwan , Kim Jin Hyuck , Byun Seok-Soo , Hong Sung Kyu
Published: August 2021

We evaluated the role of prostate health index (PHI) in predicting Gleason score (GS) upgrading in International Society of Urological Pathology Grade Group (ISUP GG) 1 & 2 prostate cancer (PCa) or adverse pathologic outcomes at radical prostatectomy (RP). A total of 300 patients with prostate specific antigen ≥ 3 ng/mL, PHI and prostate biopsy (71 patients with RP included) were retrospectively included in the study. The primary study outcomes are PCa and clinically significant PCa (csPCa, defined as ISUP GG ≥ 2) diagnostic rate of PHI, and GS upgrading rate at RP specimen. The secondary outcomes are the comparison between GS upgrading and non-upgrading group, GS upgrading and high-risk PCa (ISUP GG ≥ 3 or ≥ pT3a) predictability of preoperative clinical factors. Overall, 139 (46.3%) and 92 (30.7%) were diagnosed with PCa and csPCa, respectively. GS upgrading rate was 34.3% in all patients with RP. Significant differences were shown in the total prostate volume (p = 0.047), the distribution of ISUP GG at biopsy (p = 0.001) and RP (p = 0.032), respectively. PHI values ≥ 55 [Odds ratio (OR): 3.64 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.05–12.68, p = 0.042] and presence of PI-RADS lesion ≥ 4 (OR: 7.03, 95% CI = 1.68–29.51, p = 0.018) were the significant predictors of GS upgrading in RP specimens (AUC = 0.737). PHI values ≥ 55 (OR: 9.05, 5% CI = 1.04–78.52, p = 0.046) is a significant factor for predicting adverse pathologic features in RP specimens (AUC = 0.781). PHI could predict GS upgrading in combination with PIRADS lesions ≥ 4 in ISUP GG 1 & 2. PHI alone could evaluate the possibility of high-risk PCa after surgery as well.
Automated versus manual urine output monitoring in the intensive care unit
Authors: Minor Joni , Smith Ali , Deutsch Frederic , Kellum John A.
Published: August 2021

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is defined by changes in serum creatinine and urine output (UO). Significant limitations exist regarding accurate ascertainment of urine output even within the intensive care unit. We sought to evaluate an automated urine output collections system and compare it to nursing measurements. We prospectively collected urine output using an electronic urine monitoring system and compared it to charted hourly UO in 44 patients after cardiac surgery at a single university hospital ICU. We calculated UO and oliguria rates and compared them to data from the sensor and from nursing charting. A total of 187 hourly UO measurements were obtained and on average, UO was reported 47 min late, with a median of 18 min, and a maximum of almost 6 h. Patients had a mean hourly UO of 76.3 ml over the observation period. Compared to manual measurements by study personnel, nurses significantly overestimated hourly UO by 19.9 ml (95% CI: 10.3; 29.5; p =  < 0.001). By contrast, the mean difference between the UO measured with the sensor and by study personnel was 2.29 ml (95% CI: − 6.7; 11.3), p = 0.61. Electronic UO monitoring is significantly more accurate than nurse-performed manual measurements in actual intensive care patients. Furthermore, timely ascertainment of UO is difficult to achieve with manual technique, resulting in important delays in detecting oliguria perhaps leading to missed cases of AKI.
Machine learning-based approach for disease severity classification of carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Park Dougho , Kim Byung Hee , Lee Sang-Eok , Kim Dong Young , Kim Mansu , Kwon Heum Dai , Kim Mun-Chul , Kim Ae Ryoung , Kim Hyoung Seop , Lee Jang Woo
Published: August 2021

Identifying the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is essential to providing appropriate therapeutic interventions. We developed and validated machine-learning (ML) models for classifying CTS severity. Here, 1037 CTS hands with 11 variables each were retrospectively analyzed. CTS was confirmed using electrodiagnosis, and its severity was classified into three grades: mild, moderate, and severe. The dataset was randomly split into a training (70%) and test (30%) set. A total of 507 mild, 276 moderate, and 254 severe CTS hands were included. Extreme gradient boosting (XGB) showed the highest external validation accuracy in the multi-class classification at 76.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 71.2–81.5). XGB also had an optimal model training accuracy of 76.1%. Random forest (RF) and k-nearest neighbors had the second-highest external validation accuracy of 75.6% (95% CI 70.0–80.5). For the RF and XGB models, the numeric rating scale of pain was the most important variable, and body mass index was the second most important. The one-versus-rest classification yielded improved external validation accuracies for each severity grade compared with the multi-class classification (mild, 83.6%; moderate, 78.8%; severe, 90.9%). The CTS severity classification based on the ML model was validated and is readily applicable to aiding clinical evaluations.
Positive relationship between seasonal Indo-Pacific Ocean wave power and SST
Authors: Kaur Sukhwinder , Kumar Prashant , Weller Evan , Young Ian R.
Published: August 2021

The influence of increasing sea surface temperatures (SSTs), in response to greenhouse warming, on wave power (WP) remains uncertain. Here, seasonal relationships between SST anomalies and mean and extreme WP over the Indo-Pacific Ocean are examined. Overall, seasonal WP has significantly increased over much of the Pacific, Indian, and Southern Ocean by 1.21–3.10 kW/m dec−1 over 1979–2019. Contributions from wave characteristics, namely significant wave height (SWH) and peak wave period (PWP), to changes in WP show that SWH contributes most in extra-tropical regions, and PWP most in tropical regions. Further, seasonal relationships between SST anomalies and WP indicate that increases in WP are also seen during strong El Niño years in December–February, and in-phase combinations of El Niño and positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) events during June–August and September–November. Results highlight both long-term increasing SSTs and climate variability roles for inducing large-scale seasonal WP changes throughout the Indo-Pacific.
Characterizing rhizosphere microbiota of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) from pre-sowing to post-harvest of crop under field conditions
Authors: Hinsu Ankit T. , Panchal Ketankumar J. , Pandit Ramesh J. , Koringa Prakash G. , Kothari Ramesh K.
Published: August 2021

The rhizosphere, a narrow zone of soil near plant roots, is a hot spot for microbial activity. Rhizosphere microbiota directly or indirectly benefit plants by supplementing nutrients, producing beneficial chemicals, or suppressing pathogens. Plants attract and modulate bacteria within the rhizosphere by releasing exudates. Plants also tend to select the rhizosphere microbiota based on their needs; a phenomenon termed as “rhizosphere effect”. In this study, we characterized the rhizosphere microbiota of peanut plants across the crop development cycle from pre-sowing of seeds to post-harvest of crop under field conditions. The rhizosphere and bulk soil samples from different crop developmental stages were also compared. The composition of bulk soil microbiota resembled microbiota of pre-sowing and post-harvest soil and was markedly different from rhizosphere soil samples. Rhizosphere samples were enriched with multiple organisms mostly from the Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidota phyla. Differences in diversity were observed among the rhizosphere samples but not in bulk soil across different crop development stages.Pseudomonas_M indicawas highly enriched during the germination of seeds. Furthermore, Plant Growth Promoting (PGP) bacteria likeBacilluswere enriched during the middle stages of crop development but there was a decline in PGP organisms in the matured crop stage. We also observed a significant association of pH and Electrical Conductivity (EC) with the profiles of microbial community. Overall, this study portrayed the changes in rhizosphere microbiota of peanut during different developmental stages of crop and may help to design stage specific bio-strategies such as bio-fertilizer to improve crop yield.
Limited resilience of the soil microbiome to mechanical compaction within four growing seasons of agricultural management
Authors: Longepierre Manon , Widmer Franco , Keller Thomas , Weisskopf Peter , Colombi Tino , Six Johan , Hartmann Martin
Published: August 2021

Soil compaction affects many soil functions, but we have little information on the resistance and resilience of soil microorganisms to this disturbance. Here, we present data on the response of soil microbial diversity to a single compaction event and its temporal evolution under different agricultural management systems during four growing seasons. Crop yield was reduced (up to −90%) in the first two seasons after compaction, but mostly recovered in subsequent seasons. Soil compaction increased soil bulk density (+15%), and decreased air permeability (−94%) and gas diffusion (−59%), and those properties did not fully recover within four growing seasons. Soil compaction induced cropping system-dependent shifts in microbial community structures with little resilience over the four growing seasons. Microbial taxa sensitive to soil compaction were detected in all major phyla. Overall, anaerobic prokaryotes and saprotrophic fungi increased in compacted soils, whereas aerobic prokaryotes and plant-associated fungi were mostly negatively affected. Most measured properties showed large spatial variability across the replicated blocks, demonstrating the dependence of compaction effects on initial conditions. This study demonstrates that soil compaction is a disturbance that can have long-lasting effects on soil properties and soil microorganisms, but those effects are not necessarily aligned with changes in crop yield.
Image fusion of IR and optical microscopy for mapping of biomolecules in tissue
Authors: Al Jedani Safaa , Whitley Conor A. , Ellis Barnaby G. , Triantafyllou Asterios , Smith Caroline I. , Gunning Philip J. , Gardner Peter , Risk Janet M. , Weightman Peter , Barrett Steve D.
Published: August 2021

We demonstrate image fusion of H&E stains (left) with FTIR images (centre) to create fused images (right) that have both the spatial resolution of the H&E and the chemical information of the FTIR.
Dinuclear zinc-catalyzed asymmetric Friedel–Crafts alkylation/cyclization of 3-aminophenols with α,α-dicyanoolefins
Authors: Yan Hang , Jia Shi-Kun , Geng Yu-Huan , Han Jiao-Jiao , Hua Yuan-Zhao , Wang Min-Can
Published: August 2021

This is the first asymmetric example of the dinuclear zinc-catalysed functionalization of aromatic C(sp2)–H bonds.
Novel TCNQ-stacking motifs in (12-crown-4)-complexes of alkali metal TCNQ salts
Authors: Yan Bingjia , Horton Peter N. , Weston Simon C. , Russell Andrea E. , Grossel Martin C.
Published: August 2021

An unusual crossed dimer motif is present in the solid state in the infinite TCNQ˙− columns of the bis-12-crown-4 complexes of Li and NaTCNQ.
Metal dichalcogenide nanomeshes: structural, electronic and magnetic properties
Authors: Helal Mohamed A. , El-Sayed H. M. , Maarouf Ahmed A. , Fadlallah Mohamed M.
Published: August 2021

Motivated by the successful preparation of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide nanomeshes, we study the structural stability, mechanical, magnetic, and electronic properties of porous 2H-MoX2 (X = S, Se, Te) without and with pore passivation.
Synergetic polarization effect of protonation and Fe-doping on g-C3N4 with enhanced photocatalytic activity
Authors: Liu Xiaogang , Chen Wenjie , Wang Wei , Jiao Zhengbo
Published: August 2021

The local polarization electric field resulting from protonation and Fe-doping in g-C3N4 can be formed, thus highly facilitating the separation and transport of charge carriers and boosting the photocatalytic activity.