bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Rubus fruticosus and Juniperus oxycedrus derivatives on culturability and viability of Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Barbieri Federica , Montanari Chiara , Šimat Vida , Skroza Danijela , Čagalj Martina , Smole-Možina Sonja , Bassi Daniela , Gardini Fausto , Tabanelli Giulia
Published: August 2022

The consumers’ demand for safe foods without chemical additives increased the research for green solutions, based on natural antimicrobials. Plants can be an important source of bioactive compounds able to prevent the development of foodborne pathogens and spoilage microflora. This paper aimed to characterize phenolic extracts (PEs) and essential oils (EOs) obtained from MediterraneanRubus fruticosusleaves andJuniperus oxycedrusneedles and to evaluate their antimicrobial effects againstListeria monocytogenesScott A. The growth dynamics with sub-lethal concentrations of plant derivatives were modeled and flow cytometry was used to better evidence the effect on cell viability and culturability. The results showed that these plant derivatives affected the growth ofL. monocytogenes, increasing lag phase (about 40 h in the presence of PEs vs. 8 h in the control) and decreasing the final cell load of at least 1 log cycle with respect to the control.R. fruticosusEO was the most effective, determining an initial decrease of cell counts of about 6 log cycles, followed by a restart of growth after 10 h, with rate similar to the control (0.08 withR. fruticosusEO vs. 0.09 ((log CFU/ml)/h in the control) but significantly lower final cell load (7.33 vs. 8.92 log CFU/ml). According to flow cytometry, onlyR. fruticosusEO induced a relevant increase of dead cells, while the other plant derivatives determined different extent of sub-lethal cell injury. The discrepancy observed in some cases between viability and culturability could indicate the presence of cells not able to grow in culture media, whose fate needs to be further investigated to assess their potential recovery, thus bringing to an overestimation of the antimicrobial effect of these substances. This research contributed to increase the knowledge of these underused raw materials such as blackberry leaves and juniper needles that can be exploited in food and other industries.
Detection tools for prediction and identification of adverse drug reactions in older patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Atmaja Dewi Susanti , Yulistiani  , Suharjono  , Zairina Elida
Published: August 2022

Tools to accurately predict and detect adverse drug reactions (ADR) in elderly patients have not been developed. We aimed to identify and evaluate reports on tools that predict and detect ADR in elderly patients (≥ 60 years). In this review, we followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Databases were searched until January 2022 using key terms “elderly,” “adverse drug reaction,” and “detection instruments.” Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria, and they examined assorted interventions: STOPP/START version 1/2 (n = 10), Beers Criteria 2012 or 2015 (n = 4), Systematic Tool to Reduce Inappropriate Prescribing (STRIP) (n = 2), Tool to Reduce Inappropriate Medications (TRIM) (n = 1), Medication Risk Score (MERIS) (n = 1), Computerized alert systems (n = 1), and Norwegian General Practice-Nursing Home criteria (n = 1). The interventions affected the number of potential prescription omissions (OR, 0.50 [0.37–0.69]; p < 0.0001; four studies). No apparent reduction in the number of drug interactions within 2 months (OR, 0.84 [0.70–1.02]; p = 0.08; two studies) and mortality (OR, 0.92 [0.76–1.12]; p = 0.41; three studies) was observed. In conclusion, there is no definitive and validated assessment tool for detecting and predicting ADR in elderly patients. Thus, more research on refining existing tools or developing new ones is warranted.
Novel secretion modification region (SMR) peptide exhibits anti-metastatic properties in human breast cancer cells
Authors: Huang Ming-Bo , Brena Dara , Wu Jennifer Y. , Roth William W. , Owusu Samuel , Bond Vincent C.
Published: August 2022

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women worldwide, with nearly 90% attributed to metastatic progression. Exosomes containing epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) ‘programs’ transmit pro-metastatic phenotypes. Our group discovered and developed a novel anti-cancer SMR peptide that antagonizes breast cancer cell exosome release resulting in cell cycle arrest and tumor growth suppression. This study aims to evaluate the anti-metastatic capabilities of the SMR peptide, focusing on exosomes and EMT. Breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 were treated with the SMRwt peptide, and the following assays were performed: cell wound-healing, migration, invasion. The SMRwt peptide consists of the following amino acid sequence VGFPVAAVGFPVDYKDDDDK and contains the SMR domain (66VGFPV70) of the HIV-1 Nef protein. Western blot analysis detected epithelial and mesenchymal markers to evaluate EMT progression. Extracellular vesicle type and quantity were assessed through NanoSight analysis. Mortalin and Vimentin knockdown was achieved through antibody targeting and miRNAs. Data gathered demonstrated that the SMR peptide interacts with Mortalin and Vimentin to inhibit pro-EMT exosome release and induce EMT tumor suppressor protein expression. Specifically, SMRwt treatment reduced mesenchymal markers Mortalin and Vimentin expression, while the epithelial marker E-cadherin expression was increased in breast cancer cells and breast cancer-derived exosomes. The SMR peptide specificity was identified as no effect was observed for MCF-10A exosome release or function. Direct Mortalin knockdown paralleled the results of SMR peptide treatment with an effective blockade of breast cancer cell migration. Conversely, the invasion assay differed between breast cancer cell lines with invasion blocked for in MCF-7 but not in MDA-MB-231. These results reinforce the therapeutic value of targeting breast cancer exosome release and reinforce Mortalin and Vimentin as critical regulators and therapeutic targets in breast cancer cell progression, EMT, and metastatic potential. A greater understanding of the SMR peptide mechanism of action will benefit the therapeutic design of anti-metastatic agents.
Main-group metal elements as promising active centers for single-atom catalyst toward nitric oxide reduction reaction
Authors: Wu Qian , Huang Baibiao , Dai Ying , Heine Thomas , Ma Yandong
Published: August 2022

Current research efforts on single-atom catalysts (SACs) exclusively focus on nonmetal or transition-metal atoms as active centers, while employing main-group metal elements is seemingly excluded because their delocalized s/p-bands are prone to yield a broadened resonance for the interaction with adsorbates. Here, we use high-throughput first-principles calculations to investigate the possible incorporation of Mg, Al, and Ga to form graphene-based SACs for NO reduction reaction (NORR) toward NH3. 51 SAC candidates with different metal coordination environments have been computationally screened employing a rationally designed four-step process, yielding six SACs with high catalytic activity and NORR selectivity. The performance is rationalized by the modulation of s/p-band filling of the main-group metals. The adsorption free energy of NO is identified as an efficient descriptor for such SACs. The underlying physical mechanism is revealed and generally applicable to other main group metal SACs. These fundamental insights extend NORR SACs to main-group metal elements.
Invadopodia enable cooperative invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells
Authors: Perrin Louisiane , Belova Elizaveta , Bayarmagnai Battuya , Tüzel Erkan , Gligorijevic Bojana
Published: August 2022

Invasive and non-invasive cancer cells can invade together during cooperative invasion. However, the events leading to it, role of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the consequences this may have on metastasis are unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that the isogenic 4T1 and 67NR breast cancer cells sort from each other in 3D spheroids, followed by cooperative invasion. By time-lapse microscopy, we show that the invasive 4T1 cells move more persistently compared to non-invasive 67NR, sorting and accumulating at the spheroid-matrix interface, a process dependent on cell-matrix adhesions and independent from E-cadherin cell-cell adhesions. Elimination of invadopodia in 4T1 cells blocks invasion, demonstrating that invadopodia requirement is limited to leader cells. Importantly, we demonstrate that cells with and without invadopodia can also engage in cooperative metastasis in preclinical mouse models. Altogether, our results suggest that a small number of cells with invadopodia can drive the metastasis of heterogeneous cell clusters.
miR-182-5p promotes hepatocyte-stellate cell crosstalk to facilitate liver regeneration
Authors: Xiao Ting , Meng Wen , Jin Zhangliu , Wang Jing , Deng Jiangming , Wen Jie , Liu Bilian , Liu Meilian , Bai Juli , Liu Feng
Published: August 2022

A unique feature of the liver is its high regenerative capacity, which is essential to maintain liver homeostasis. However, key regulators of liver regeneration (LR) remain ill-defined. Here, we identify hepatic miR-182-5p as a key regulator of LR. Suppressing miR-182-5p, whose expression is significantly induced in the liver of mice post two-thirds partial hepatectomy (PH), abrogates PH-induced LR in mice. In contrast, liver-specific overexpression of miR-182-5p promotes LR in mice with PH. Overexpression of miR-182-5p failed to promote proliferation in hepatocytes, but stimulates proliferation when hepatocytes are cocultured with stellate cells. Mechanistically, miR-182-5p stimulates Cyp7a1-mediated cholic acid production in hepatocytes, which promotes hedgehog (Hh) ligand production in stellate cells, leading to the activation of Hh signaling in hepatocytes and consequent cell proliferation. Collectively, our study identified miR-182-5p as a critical regulator of LR and uncovers a Cyp7a1/cholic acid-dependent mechanism by which hepatocytes crosstalk to stellate cells to facilitate LR.
Longitudinal transmission of bacterial and fungal communities from seed to seed in rice
Authors: Kim Hyun , Jeon Jongbum , Lee Kiseok Kieth , Lee Yong-Hwan
Published: August 2022

Vertical transmission of microbes is crucial for the persistence of host-associated microbial communities. Although vertical transmission of seed microbes has been reported from diverse plants, ecological mechanisms and dynamics of microbial communities from parent to progeny remain scarce. Here we reveal the veiled ecological mechanism governing transmission of bacterial and fungal communities in rice across two consecutive seasons. We identify 29 bacterial and 34 fungal members transmitted across generations. Abundance-based regression models allow to classify colonization types of the microbes. We find that they are late colonizers dominating each community at the ripening stage. Ecological models further show that the observed temporal colonization patterns are affected by niche change and neutrality. Source-sink modeling reveals that parental seeds and stem endosphere are major origins of progeny seed microbial communities. This study gives empirical evidence for ecological mechanism and dynamics of bacterial and fungal communities as an ecological continuum during seed-to-seed transmission.
Molecular dynamics simulations of an α-synuclein NAC domain fragment with a ff14IDPSFF IDP-specific force field suggest β-sheet intermediate states of fibrillation
Authors: Privat Cristian , Madurga Sergio , Mas Francesc , Rubio-Martinez Jaime
Published: August 2022

Extensive MD simulations of the extended α-synuclein NAC domain fragment (35–97 residues) using ff14SB and ff14IDPSFF force fields lead to different conformational ensembles. The IDP-specific force field exhibits a potential β-sheet-rich intermediate state that could explain fibril formation.
Abnormal NHC ruthenium catalysts: mechanistic investigations of their preparation and steric influence on catalytic performance
Authors: Böth Alexander D. , Sauer Michael J. , Baratta Walter , Kühn Fritz E.
Published: August 2022

Preparation of bis-aNHC Ru catalysts, identification of formation intermediates and application in transfer hydrogenation and Oppenauer-type oxidation, observing an inversion in activity appearing to be dependent on steric hindrance.
Inhibition of NaV1.7: the possibility of ideal analgesics
Authors: Kitano Yutaka , Shinozuka Tsuyoshi
Published: August 2022

The relationship between preclinical in vivo efficacy and NaV1.7 coverage among three types of VGSC inhibitors is discussed.
Molecular design of a series of gemini-type zwitterionic amphiphiles with various linker lengths: control of their self-organisation for developing gyroid nanostructured proton conductive membranes
Authors: Oshiro Hikaru , Kobayashi Tsubasa , Ichikawa Takahiro
Published: August 2022

We have developed our strategy to create gyroid nanostructured polymer membranes having a 3D continuous proton conduction pathway.
Combined characterization approaches to investigate magnetostructural effects in exchange-spring ferrite nanocomposite magnets
Authors: Shyam Priyank , Mørch Mathias , Eikeland Anna Zink , Ahlburg Jakob , Mamakhel Aref , Saura-Múzquiz Matilde , Christensen Mogens
Published: August 2022

Combining multiple characterization probes (neutrons, X-rays, electrons) illustrated the hierarchical structure of exchange-spring nanocomposites & revealed unreported degradation of parent phase.
Manufacturing silica aerogel and cryogel through ambient pressure and freeze drying
Authors: Di Luigi Massimigliano , Guo Zipeng , An Lu , Armstrong Jason N. , Zhou Chi , Ren Shenqiang
Published: August 2022

Ambient pressure and freeze drying techniques enable silica aerogel and cryogel insulation composites.
Zinc binding strength of proteins dominants zinc uptake in Caco-2 cells
Authors: Li Tian , Jiao Ruonan , Ma Jiaqi , Zang Jiachen , Zhao Guanghua , Zhang Tuo
Published: August 2022

Zinc binding strength of diet proteins dominants zinc uptake in Caco-2 cells.
Study on the effect of solvent on cocrystallization of CL-20 and HMX through theoretical calculations and experiments
Authors: Zhao Xitong , Li Jizhen , Quan Shuxin , Fu Xiaolong , Meng Saiqin , Jiang Liping , Fan Xuezhong
Published: August 2022

Cocrystallization is a helpful method for explosives design. Studying the effects of solvent on cocrystal is of great importance for the efficient application of CL-20/HMX cocrystal.
Live-cell imaging reveals impaired detoxification of lipid-derived electrophiles is a hallmark of ferroptosis
Authors: Van Kessel Antonius T. M. , Karimi Ryan , Cosa Gonzalo
Published: August 2022

A link between altered lipid-derived electrophile (LDE) metabolism during ferroptosis and associated cell death was uncovered using a new imaging method developed to monitor cellular LDE detoxification that employs a fluorogenic LDE analogue.
Exact polarization energy for clusters of contacting dielectrics
Authors: Lian Huada , Qin Jian
Published: August 2022

The induced surface charges appear to diverge when dielectric interfaces form close contacts. We analyze this diverging behavior and reveal its role in the electrostatic energy for aggregates of polarizable particles.
Energy transduction and the mind–mitochondria connection
Authors: Picard Martin
Published: August 2022

The body and mind are fuelled by energy. But where does the energy come from? The sun beams energy through space as photons that are captured by plants, which store that energy in the improbable separation of carbon and oxygen. By reuniting carbon and oxygen in their mitochondria, breathing animals power their warm bodies, thoughts, feelings, minds and consciousness. Thus, the life-giving flow of energy proceeds from light, through chemistry, into life. Mapping the mechanisms of energy transformation among mind-imbued organisms is the challenge for the field of mitochondrial psychobiology. Emerging evidence positions energy as the substrate of the mind–body connection, linking the molecular processes in the organism and the subjective experiences in our mind. Building a bioenergetic psychobiology framework can stimulate the health sciences in three main ways: it provides an empirical foundation to examine the interconnectedness of people and their environment, highlights health as a dynamic process, and may eventually illuminate new approaches and strategies to optimize the energetic mind–body crosstalk that is the basis of human health.
Study of the efficiency of cavitation generating head with water removal system used to remove foulants from metal surface
Authors: Ralys Aurimas , Mokshin Vadim
Published: August 2022

The paper presents a novel, environment-friendly method for removal of foulants from surfaces. Various adhered foulants as solid particles and the like can be detached from surface by cavitating pulsating water jet which is generated in specially designed nozzles and directed on the surface being cleaned. The objectives of this research were to establish fouling removal efficiency of developed cavitation generating head and residual water removal efficiency of its cyclone-type water removal system which is used to remove water residuals from cleaned surface. It was experimentally established that 100% abrasive particle removal efficiency from metal surface is achieved when distance between head outlet and surface is varied from 1 to 8 mm. The most effective is cavitation generating head with water removal system in which the flow is drawn in the same direction as the air flow is supplied inside the head. If this water removal system is used, the average visible water content on the metal surface equals to 1.4%, while when the flow directions are opposite, water content is increased to 27.2%.
Study on contact load and preload characteristics of cylindrical roller bearings with triple-lobe raceway
Authors: Yu Qing Jie , Chi Jie , Gong Ping , Jiang Hong Wei , Zhan Li Wei , Xue Lin Lin
Published: August 2022

The suitable preload design of cylindrical roller bearing with triple-lobe raceway can avoid effectively bearing sliding damage. To realize the preload characteristics analysis of bearing, the quasi-static numerical model of cylindrical roller bearing with triple-lobe raceway is established and solved by the improved Newton-Raphson method. Taking a cylindrical roller bearing with triple-lobe raceway as an example, the effects of mounting radial clearance, outer raceway waveform value, radial load and rotational speed on maximum contact load and preload of the bearing are analyzed. The results show that the preload of cylindrical roller bearing with triple-lobe raceway can be controlled by adjusting the mounting radial clearance and outer triple-lobe raceway waveform value according to the radial load and rotational speed conditions. The bearing temperature trend predicted by the preload characteristic is verified by the test. It indicates the numerical model can effectively guide the preload quantitative design of cylindrical roller bearing with triple-lobe raceway.
S2k-Leitlinie SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 und (Früh-) Rehabilitation
– eine Kurzfassung mit allen Empfehlungen im
Überblick
Authors: Platz Thomas , Berghem Stefan , Berlit Peter , Dewey Stefan , Dohle Christian , Fickenscher Helmut , Grill Eva , Guha Manju , Köllner Volker , Kramer Axel , Reißhauer Annett , Schlitt Axel , Schultz Konrad , Steimann Monika , Zeeb Hajo
Published: August 2022

Die S2k-Leitlinie SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 und (Früh-) Rehabilitation macht
auf der Basis einer Güterabwägung Handlungsanleitungen, die
sowohl der Infektionsprävention, als auch den therapeutischen Zielen der
Patient*innen Rechnung tragen. Die Leitlinie thematisiert in einem
ersten Teil das Infektionsschutz-bezogene Vorgehen während der
COVID-19-Pandemie generell bei Maßnahmen der Rehabilitation,
einschließlich der Frührehabilitation. In einem zweiten Teil
geht es um die Versorgung von COVID-19-Patient*innen mit rehabilitativen
Therapieverfahren auf Intensivstationen und im Akutkrankenhaus, der
Frührehabilitation, der Rehabilitation (Anschluss-Rehabilitation,
Heilverfahren) und der ambulanten und Langzeit-Betreuung nach COVID-19,
u. a. bei längerer Persistenz von Symptomen (Long- bzw.
Post-COVID-19).

Bei der aktuellen Version 2 der Leitlinie (Stand 1.11.2021) handelt es sich um
eine konsensbasierte Leitlinie mit repräsentativem Gremium sowie einer
strukturierten Konsensfindung (S2k-Leitlinie). Insgesamt nahmen 15
Fachgesellschaften an der Leitlinienerstellung und –konsentierung teil.
In dieser Kurzfassung der Leitlinie werden alle Empfehlungen im
Überblick wiedergegeben.
Performance measures for colonoscopy in inflammatory bowel disease patients: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Quality Improvement Initiative
Authors: Dekker Evelien , Nass Karlijn J. , Iacucci Marietta , Murino Alberto , Sabino João , Bugajski Marek , Carretero Cristina , Cortas George , Despott Edward J. , East James E. , Kaminski Michal F. , Karstensen John Gásdal , Keuchel Martin , Löwenberg Mark , Monged Ashraf , Nardone Olga M. , Neumann Helmut , Omar Mahmoud M. , Pellisé Maria , Peyrin-Biroulet Laurent , Rutter Matthew D. , Bisschops Raf
Published: August 2022

The European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) presents a short list of performance measures for colonoscopy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Current performance measures for colonoscopy mainly focus on detecting (pre)malignant lesions. However, these performance measures are not relevant for all colonoscopy indications in IBD patients. Therefore, our aim was to provide endoscopy services across Europe and other interested countries with a tool for quality monitoring and improvement in IBD colonoscopy. Eight key performance measures and one minor performance measure were recommended for measurement and evaluation in daily endoscopy practice.
Developmental Anomalies of the Inferior Vena Cava and its Tributaries: What the Radiologist Needs to Know?
Authors: Verma Mansi , Pandey Niraj Nirmal , Ojha Vineeta , Kumar Sanjeev , Ramakrishnan Sivasubramanian
Published: August 2022

Inferior vena cava (IVC) can be involved by a wide gamut of developmental anomalies owing to its complex embryogenesis. Developmental anomalies of the IVC are not infrequent, seen in approximately 8.7% of the general population. Although most of the anatomical variations are asymptomatic, identification of these variations is important before planning any vascular surgery or interventional procedure in relation to the IVC to avoid inadvertent complications. Conventional venography has largely been replaced by noninvasive cross-sectional imaging modalities for detecting IVC abnormalities. Ultrasonography, often used for initial evaluation, is highly operator-dependent and the infrarenal part of IVC is often obscured by bowel gases. While magnetic resonance imaging is devoid of radiation risks, its use is limited due to limited availability and the frequent need for sedation. Computed tomography (CT) venography plays a pivotal role in the detection of these anomalies as it has an excellent spatial resolution along with availability of multiple postprocessing tools such as multiplanar reconstruction with generation of maximum intensity projection and volume-rendered images. This pictorial review focuses on the embryogenesis of IVC, various developmental anomalies of the IVC and its tributaries, their appearance on CT venography and conceivable clinical relevance.
Unleashing the Mystery of a Treated Case of Medulloblastoma
Authors: Ashtekar Renuka M. , Epari Sridhar , Shetty Prakash M. , Sahu Arpita A.
Published: August 2022

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. Despite advancement in treatment modalities, recurrence remains common, even among those treated with a combination of neurosurgery, craniospinal irradiation, and chemotherapy. The diagnosis of recurrence is usually not difficult in these cases. However, it may pose a challenge in cases with unusual clinical presentation and imaging. Imaging findings on magnetic resonance imaging, with application of perfusion, in conjunction with positron emission tomography-computed tomography can help in clinching the diagnosis in such cases. MB subgroups show consistent patterns even in cases of recurrence, and sonic hedgehog group MB may present as local recurrence showing enhancement with no diffusion restriction, as demonstrated in this case.
Trigeminal Nerve Melanotic Schwannoma in Carney Complex
Authors: Sharath Kumar G.G. , Shruthi Panduranga , Pooja B. Varwatte , Ravi Mohan Rao
Published: August 2022

Melanotic schwannoma (MS) is a rare peripheral nerve sheath tumor commonly found in the thoracic paraspinal region. It is present in an intracranial location rarely, with 18 out of 105 MS cases described in the literature. Trigeminal nerve was involved in only six of these cases. Fifty percent of psammomatous melanotic schwannoma (PMS) patients have Carney complex. Carney complex is an autosomal dominant disorder featuring peripheral nerve tumors (schwannomas), myxomas (heart, skin, and breast), skin pigmentation (lentigines and blue nevi), and endocrine tumors (adrenal, testicular, and pituitary). We present a case of left trigeminal nerve PMS as a part of Carney complex. Patient had diffuse lentiginosis. Magnetic Resonance Imaging revealed enhancing lesion along left trigeminal nerve with widened Meckel's cave and foramen ovale. Final diagnosis of PMS was derived on clinical, radiological, and histopathological findings with immunohistochemistry correlation.

Key Message

Trigeminal nerve can be rarely involved in melanotic schwannoma (MS). Knowledge of typical radiological features of MS is crucial for its diagnosis. Its association with Carney complex should be sought.
Invertebrate research without ethical or regulatory oversight reduces public confidence and trust
Authors: Brunt Michael W. , Kreiberg Henrik , von Keyserlingk Marina A. G.
Published: August 2022

Ethical and regulatory oversight of research animals is focused on vertebrates and rarely includes invertebrates. Our aim was to undertake the first study to describe differences in public confidence, trust, and expectations for the oversight of scientists using animals in research. Participants were presented with one of four treatments using a 2 by 2 design; terrestrial (T; mice and grasshoppers) vs. aquatic (A; zebrafish and sea stars) and vertebrates (V; mice and zebrafish) vs. invertebrates (I; grasshoppers and sea stars). A representative sample of census-matched Canadian participants (n = 959) stated their confidence in oversight, trust in scientists and expectation of oversight for invertebrates on a 7-point Likert scale. Participants’ open-ended text reasoning for confidence and expectations of oversight were subjected to thematic analysis. Participants believed invertebrates should receive some level of oversight but at two-thirds of that currently afforded to vertebrates. Four primary themes emerged to explain participant expectation: (1) value of life, (2) animal experience, (3) participant reflection, and (4) oversight system centered. Confidence in oversight was highest for TV (mean ± SE; 4.5 ± 0.08) and AV (4.4 ± 0.08), less for TI (3.8 ± 0.10), and least for AI (3.5 ± 0.08), indicating the absence of oversight decreased public confidence. Four themes emerged to explain participant confidence, centered on: (1) animals, (2) participant reflection, (3) oversight system, and (4) science. Trust in scientists was similar for TV (4.3 ± 0.07) and AV (4.2 ± 0.07), but higher for TV compared to TI (4.1 ± 0.07) and TV and AV compared to AI (4.0 ± 0.06); absence of oversight decreased public trust in scientists. These results, provide the first evidence that the public believe invertebrates should receive some level of oversight if used for scientific experiments. The gap that exists between current and public expectations for the oversight of invertebrates may threaten the social licence to conduct scientific research on these animals.
DropTrack—Automatic droplet tracking with YOLOv5 and DeepSORT for microfluidic applications
Authors: Durve Mihir , Tiribocchi Adriano , Bonaccorso Fabio , Montessori Andrea , Lauricella Marco , Bogdan Michał , Guzowski Jan , Succi Sauro
Published: August 2022

Deep neural networks are rapidly emerging as data analysis tools, often outperforming the conventional techniques used in complex microfluidic systems. One fundamental analysis frequently desired in microfluidic experiments is counting and tracking the droplets. Specifically, droplet tracking in dense emulsions is challenging due to inherently small droplets moving in tightly packed configurations. Sometimes, the individual droplets in these dense clusters are hard to resolve, even for a human observer. Here, two deep learning-based cutting-edge algorithms for object detection [you only look once (YOLO)] and object tracking (DeepSORT) are combined into a single image analysis tool, DropTrack, to track droplets in the microfluidic experiments. DropTrack analyzes input microfluidic experimental videos, extracts droplets' trajectories, and infers other observables of interest, such as droplet numbers. Training an object detector network for droplet recognition with manually annotated images is a labor-intensive task and a persistent bottleneck. In this work, this problem is partly resolved by training many object detector networks (YOLOv5) with several hybrid datasets containing real and synthetic images. We present an analysis of a double emulsion experiment as a case study to measure DropTrack's performance. For our test case, the YOLO network trained by combining 40% real images and 60% synthetic images yields the best accuracy in droplet detection and droplet counting in real experimental videos. Also, this strategy reduces labor-intensive image annotation work by 60%. DropTrack's performance is measured in terms of mean average precision of droplet detection, mean squared error in counting the droplets, and image analysis speed for inferring droplets' trajectories. The fastest configuration of DropTrack can detect and track the droplets at approximately 30 frames per second, well within the standards for a real-time image analysis.
Plasma flow control of the tip vortices over a very low aspect-ratio wing
Authors: Dong Lei , Choi Kwing-So , Wang Yaxing
Published: August 2022

Flow control of the tip vortices over a very low aspect-ratio wing was carried out using the dielectric-barrier-discharge plasma actuators. The results indicate a large change in the aerodynamic forces by plasma flow control, where the lift coefficient is increased by the blowing plasma actuator by 23% and is reduced by the suction plasma actuator by 30%. The change in the drag coefficient is less than 10%. The blowing plasma moves the tip vortex outboard away from the wing tip, increasing the streamwise vorticity as well as the turbulence intensities and the Reynolds stress. With the suction plasma, the tip vortex is shifted inboard closer to the wing tip. Co-flowing with the tip vortex, the blowing plasma increases the tip vortex circulation, while it is reduced by the counter-flowing suction plasma.
A triatomic molecule is laser cooled and trapped
Authors: Miller Johanna L.
Published: August 2022

Molecules that stretch, bend, and rotate offer many new avenues for ultracold physics experiments. But they’re also harder to control.
X-ray imaging shows how a 17th-century painting lost its color
Authors: Wilson R. Mark
Published: August 2022

When an arsenic sulfide pigment chemically degraded, it stripped the painting’s yellow rose of visible details.
Einstein would be doubly amazed
Authors: Schnabel Roman
Published: August 2022

Quantum-correlated light embodies all the weirdness of quantum physics. Now it is being used to aid in the observation of another exotic phenomenon: gravitational waves.
Phylogeographic analysis of the Bantu language expansion supports a rainforest route
Authors: Koile Ezequiel , Greenhill Simon J. , Blasi Damián E. , Bouckaert Remco , Gray Russell D.
Published: August 2022

The Bantu expansion transformed the linguistic, economic, and cultural composition of sub-Saharan Africa. However, the exact dates and routes taken by the ancestors of the speakers of the more than 500 current Bantu languages remain uncertain. Here, we use the recently developed “break-away” geographical diffusion model, specially designed for modeling migrations, with “augmented” geographic information, to reconstruct the Bantu language family expansion. This Bayesian phylogeographic approach with augmented geographical data provides a powerful way of linking linguistic, archaeological, and genetic data to test hypotheses about large language family expansions. We compare four hypotheses: an early major split north of the rainforest; a migration through the Sangha River Interval corridor around 2,500 BP; a coastal migration around 4,000 BP; and a migration through the rainforest before the corridor opening, at 4,000 BP. Our results produce a topology and timeline for the Bantu language family, which supports the hypothesis of an expansion through Central African tropical forests at 4,420 BP (4,040 to 5,000 95% highest posterior density interval), well before the Sangha River Interval was open.
Low signaling efficiency from receptor to effector in olfactory transduction: A quantified ligand-triggered GPCR pathway
Authors: Li Rong-Chang , Molday Laurie L. , Lin Chih-Chun , Ren Xiaozhi , Fleischmann Alexander , Molday Robert S. , Yau King-Wai
Published: August 2022

G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling is ubiquitous. As an archetype of this signaling motif, rod phototransduction has provided many fundamental, quantitative details, including a dogma that one active GPCR molecule activates a substantial number of downstream G protein/enzyme effector complexes. However, rod phototransduction is light-activated, whereas GPCR pathways are predominantly ligand-activated. Here, we report a detailed study of the ligand-triggered GPCR pathway in mammalian olfactory transduction, finding that an odorant-receptor molecule when (one-time) complexed with its most effective odorants produces on average much less than one downstream effector. Further experiments gave a nominal success probability of tentatively ∼10
−4
(more conservatively, ∼10
−2
to ∼10
−5
). This picture is potentially more generally representative of GPCR signaling than is rod phototransduction, constituting a paradigm shift.
High conductivity Sepia melanin ink films for environmentally benign printed electronics
Authors: Camus Anthony , Reali Manuel , Rozel Michael , Zhuldybina Mariia , Soavi Francesca , Santato Clara
Published: August 2022

Melanins (from the Greek μέλας, mélas, black) are bio-pigments ubiquitous in flora and fauna. Eumelanin is an insoluble brown–black type of melanin, found in vertebrates and invertebrates alike, among which Sepia (cuttlefish) is noteworthy. Sepia melanin is a type of bio-sourced eumelanin that can readily be extracted from the ink sac of cuttlefish. Eumelanin features broadband optical absorption, metal-binding affinity and antioxidative and radical-scavenging properties. It is a prototype of benign material for sustainable organic electronics technologies. Here, we report on an electronic conductivity as high as 10
−3
S cm
−1
in flexographically printed Sepia melanin films; such values for the conductivity are typical for well-established high-performance organic electronic polymers but quite uncommon for bio-sourced organic materials. Our studies show the potential of bio-sourced materials for emerging electronic technologies with low human- and eco-toxicity.
Differentiated roles of Lifshitz transition on thermodynamics and superconductivity in La
2-

x

Sr

x

CuO
4
Authors: Zhong Yong , Chen Zhuoyu , Chen Su-Di , Xu Ke-Jun , Hashimoto Makoto , He Yu , Uchida Shin-ichi , Lu Donghui , Mo Sung-Kwan , Shen Zhi-Xun
Published: August 2022

The effect of Lifshitz transition on thermodynamics and superconductivity in hole-doped cuprates has been heavily debated but remains an open question. In particular, an observed peak of electronic specific heat is proposed to originate from fluctuations of a putative quantum critical point
p*
(e.g., the termination of pseudogap at zero temperature), which is close to but distinguishable from the Lifshitz transition in overdoped La-based cuprates where the Fermi surface transforms from hole-like to electron-like. Here we report an in situ angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy study of three-dimensional Fermi surfaces in La
2-

x

Sr

x

CuO
4
thin films (
x
= 0.06 to 0.35). With accurate
k
z
dispersion quantification, the said Lifshitz transition is determined to happen within a finite range around
x
= 0.21. Normal state electronic specific heat, calculated from spectroscopy-derived band parameters, reveals a doping-dependent profile with a maximum at
x
= 0.21 that agrees with previous thermodynamic microcalorimetry measurements. The account of the specific heat maximum by underlying band structures excludes the need for additionally dominant contribution from the quantum fluctuations at
p*
. A
d
-wave superconducting gap smoothly across the Lifshitz transition demonstrates the insensitivity of superconductivity to the dramatic density of states enhancement.
Chemical interference with DSIF complex formation lowers synthesis of mutant huntingtin gene products and curtails mutant phenotypes
Authors: Deng Ning , Wu Yun-Yun , Feng Yanan , Hsieh Wen-Chieh , Song Jen-Shin , Lin Yu-Shiuan , Tseng Ya-Hsien , Liao Wan-Jhu , Chu Yi-Fan , Liu Yu-Cheng , Chang En-Cheng , Liu Chia-Rung , Sheu Sheh-Yi , Su Ming-Tsan , Kuo Hung-Chih , Cohen Stanley N. , Cheng Tzu-Hao
Published: August 2022

Earlier work has shown that siRNA-mediated reduction of the SUPT4H or SUPT5H proteins, which interact to form the DSIF complex and facilitate transcript elongation by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII), can decrease expression of mutant gene alleles containing nucleotide repeat expansions differentially. Using luminescence and fluorescence assays, we identified chemical compounds that interfere with the SUPT4H-SUPT5H interaction and then investigated their effects on synthesis of mRNA and protein encoded by mutant alleles containing repeat expansions in the huntingtin gene (
HTT
), which causes the inherited neurodegenerative disorder, Huntington’s Disease (HD). Here we report that such chemical interference can differentially affect expression of
HTT
mutant alleles, and that a prototypical chemical, 6-azauridine (6-AZA), that targets the SUPT4H-SUPT5H interaction can modify the biological response to mutant
HTT
gene expression. Selective and dose-dependent effects of 6-AZA on expression of
HTT
alleles containing nucleotide repeat expansions were seen in multiple types of cells cultured in vitro, and in a
Drosophila melanogaster
animal model for HD. Lowering of mutant HD protein and mitigation of the
Drosophila
“rough eye” phenotype associated with degeneration of photoreceptor neurons in vivo were observed. Our findings indicate that chemical interference with DSIF complex formation can decrease biochemical and phenotypic effects of nucleotide repeat expansions.
Emergence of dynamic properties in network hypermotifs
Authors: Adler Miri , Medzhitov Ruslan
Published: August 2022

Networks are fundamental for our understanding of complex systems. The study of networks has uncovered common principles that underlie the behavior of vastly different fields of study, including physics, biology, sociology, and engineering. One of these common principles is the existence of network motifs—small recurrent patterns that can provide certain features that are important for the specific network. However, it remains unclear how network motifs are joined in real networks to make larger circuits and what properties emerge from interactions between network motifs. Here, we develop a framework to explore the mesoscale-level behavior of complex networks. Considering network motifs as hypernodes, we define the rules for their interaction at the network’s next level of organization. We develop a method to infer the favorable arrangements of interactions between network motifs into hypermotifs from real evolved and designed network data. We mathematically explore the emergent properties of these higher-order circuits and their relations to the properties of the individual minimal circuit components they combine. We apply this framework to biological, neuronal, social, linguistic, and electronic networks and find that network motifs are not randomly distributed in real networks but are combined in a way that both maintains autonomy and generates emergent properties. This framework provides a basis for exploring the mesoscale structure and behavior of complex systems where it can be used to reveal intermediate patterns in complex networks and to identify specific nodes and links in the network that are the key drivers of the network’s emergent properties.
Characterization of T cell receptors reactive to HCRT
NH2
, pHA
273-287
, and NP
17-31
in control and narcolepsy patients
Authors: Luo Guo , Zhang Jing , Lin Ling , Mignot Emmanuel Jean-Marie
Published: August 2022

Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1), a disorder caused by hypocretin/orexin (HCRT) cell loss, is associated with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQ0602 (98%) and T cell receptor (TCR) polymorphisms. Increased CD4
+
T cell reactivity to HCRT, especially DQ0602-presented amidated C-terminal HCRT (HCRT
NH2
), has been reported, and homology with pHA
273–287
flu antigens from pandemic 2009 H1N1, an established trigger of the disease, suggests molecular mimicry. In this work, we extended DQ0602 tetramer and dextramer data to 77 cases and 44 controls, replicating our prior finding and testing 709 TCRs in Jurkat 76 T cells for functional activation. We found that fewer TCRs isolated with HCRT
NH2
(∼11%) versus pHA
273–287
or NP
17–31
antigens (∼50%) were activated by their ligand. Single-cell characterization did not reveal phenotype differences in influenza versus HCRT
NH2
-reactive T cells, and analysis of TCR CDR3αβ sequences showed TCR clustering by responses to antigens but no cross-peptide class reactivity. Our results do not support the existence of molecular mimicry between HCRT and pHA
273–287
or NP
17–31
.
P38α MAPK is a gatekeeper of uterine progesterone responsiveness at peri-implantation via Ube3c-mediated PGR degradation
Authors: Tang Yedong , Qiu Jingtao , Tang Zhenzhou , Li Gaizhen , Gu Mengqing , Wang Yang , Bao Haili , Deng Wenbo , Lu Zhongxian , Otsu Kinya , Wang Zhengchao , Wang Haibin , Kong Shuangbo
Published: August 2022

Estrogen and progesterone specify the establishment of uterine receptivity mainly through their respective nuclear receptors, ER and PR. PR is transcriptionally induced by estrogen–ER signaling in the endometrium, but how the protein homeostasis of PR in the endometrium is regulated remains elusive. Here, we demonstrated that the uterine-selective depletion of P38α derails normal uterine receptivity ascribed to the dramatic down-regulation of PR protein and disordered progesterone responsiveness in the uterine stromal compartment, leading to defective implantation and female infertility. Specifically, Ube3c, an HECT family E3 ubiquitin ligase, targets PR for polyubiquitination and thus proteasome degradation in the absence of P38α. Moreover, we discovered that P38α restrains the polyubiquitination activity of Ube3c toward PR by phosphorylating the Ube3c at serine741 . In summary, we provided genetic evidence for the regulation of PR protein stability in the endometrium by P38α and identified Ube3c, whose activity was modulated by P38α-mediated phosphorylation, as an E3 ubiquitin ligase for PR in the uterus.
Explosive electrostatic instability of ferroelectric liquid droplets on ferroelectric solid surfaces
Authors: Barboza Raouf , Marni Stefano , Ciciulla Fabrizio , Mir Farooq Ali , Nava Giovanni , Caimi Federico , Zaltron Annamaria , Clark Noel A. , Bellini Tommaso , Lucchetti Liana
Published: August 2022

We investigated the electrostatic behavior of ferroelectric liquid droplets exposed to the pyroelectric field of a lithium niobate ferroelectric crystal substrate. The ferroelectric liquid is a nematic liquid crystal, in which almost complete polar ordering of the molecular dipoles generates an internal macroscopic polarization locally collinear to the mean molecular long axis. Upon entering the ferroelectric phase by reducing the temperature from the nematic phase, the liquid crystal droplets become electromechanically unstable and disintegrate by the explosive emission of fluid jets. These jets are mostly interfacial, spreading out on the substrate surface, and exhibit fractal branching out into smaller streams to eventually disrupt, forming secondary droplets. We understand this behavior as a manifestation of the Rayleigh instability of electrically charged fluid droplets, expected when the electrostatic repulsion exceeds the surface tension of the fluid. In this case, the charges are due to the bulk polarization of the ferroelectric fluid, which couples to the pyroelectric polarization of the underlying lithium niobate substrate through its fringing field and solid–fluid interface coupling. Since the ejection of fluid does not neutralize the droplet surfaces, they can undergo multiple explosive events as the temperature decreases.
Effects of electromyostimulation on performance parameters in sportive and trained athletes: A systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Micke Florian , Held Steffen , Lindenthal Jessica , Donath Lars
Published: August 2022

This systematic review and network meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of different electromyostimulation (EMS) interventions on performance parameters in athletes. The research was conducted until May 2021 using the online databases PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane and SPORTDiscus for studies with the following inclusion criteria: (a) controlled trials, (b) EMS trials with at least one exercise and/or control group, (c) strength and/or jump and/or sprint and/or aerobic capacity parameter as outcome (d) sportive/trained subjects. Standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and random effects models were calculated. Thirty‐six studies with 1.092 participants were selected and 4 different networks (strength, jump, sprint, aerobic capacity) were built. A ranking of different exercise methods was achieved. The highest effects for pairwise comparisons against the reference control “active control” were found for a combination of resistance training with superimposed EMS and additional jump training (outcome strength: 4.43 SMD [2.15; 6.70 CI]; outcome jump: 3.14 SMD [1.80; 4.49 CI]), jump training with superimposed whole‐body electromyostimulation (WB‐EMS) (outcome sprint: 1.65 SMD [0.67; 2.63 CI]) and high intensity bodyweight resistance training with superimposed WB‐EMS (outcome aerobic capacity: 0.83 SMD [−0.49; 2.16 CI]). These findings indicate that the choice of EMS‐specific factors such as the application mode, the combination with voluntary activation, and the selection of stimulation protocols has an impact on the magnitude of the effects and should therefore be carefully considered, especially in athletes. Superimposed EMS with relatively low volume, high intensity and outcome‐specific movement patterns appeared to positively influence adaptations in athletes.