bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arithmetic (Re-)Learning in Neurological Patients
Authors: Zamarian Laura , Delazer Margarete , Semenza Carlo
Published: May 2022

Abstract. Background: Numbers are an integral part of our life. Being competent with numbers is crucial for coping with the challenging demands of our modern times. Anyone who lacks basic numerical and calculation skills due to, for example, lower education, developmental disorders or acquired brain damage is socially disadvantaged and destined to remain marginalized. Improvement of basic numerical and calculation skills must therefore be an important goal of cognitive rehabilitation and intervention. Methods: We summarize the most recent studies regarding the rehabilitation of simple calculation deficits in adult neurological patients. Results: Over the last decades, several studies have reported acquired selective deficits in number processing and calculation skills in adult brain-damaged patients. It has also been shown in single case-studies that targeted rehabilitation based on theoretical neuropsychological models may lead to significant improvements of acquired deficits. Discussion: Systematic interventions may be successful in the case of acquired calculation deficits. Improvement of numerical competence in adult patients are possible even in very unfavorable circumstances (e.g., chronic stage, older age, severe deficits). This finding is of high relevance as numbers are essential in our daily life, and deficits in number processing may have a strong impact on a person's every-day autonomy.
Ein halbes Leben lang Corona
Authors: Maldei-Gohring Tobias , Opdensteinen Kim D. , Hellbach Christine , Nowakowski Nils , Graßmann Tim , Hofer Jan , Walther Eva , Hechler Tanja
Published: May 2022

Zusammenfassung. Theoretischer Hintergrund: Die COVID-19-Pandemie schränkte den Alltag von Vorschulkindern in den letzten zwei Jahren substanziell ein. Fragestellung: Die querschnittliche Studie untersucht, wie Vorschulkinder und ihre Eltern die COVID-19-Pandemie in dieser Zeit erlebten und welche Effekte die Pandemie auf die psychische Gesundheit der Kinder hatte. Methode: In zwei Online-Erhebungen im Mai 2020 und März 2021 wurden insgesamt 304 Eltern von Vorschulkindern (1 – 6 Jahre) befragt. Ergebnisse: Die Resilienz von Kindern und Eltern ist nach einem Jahr vermindert. Es zeigt sich eine hohe Punktprävalenz psychischer Auffälligkeiten (35.3 %), besonders in den Bereichen Verhaltensprobleme und Hyperaktivität. Hypothesenkonform konnten familiäre Spannungen und kindliche Stressbewältigung als Risiko- bzw. Schutzfaktor identifiziert werden. Diskussion und Schlussfolgerung: Die Befunde weisen auf anhaltend negative Auswirkungen der Pandemie auf die psychische Gesundheit von Vorschulkindern hin und zeigen erste Schutzfaktoren auf.
Evolution of Fractal Pore Structure in Sedimentary Rocks
Authors: Zhou Nengwu , Wang Min , Lu Shuangfang , Dodd Thomas J. H. , Liu Wei , Guan Ying
Published: May 2022

Geological processes alter pore spaces over time, and their analysis can shed light on the dynamic fractal structure and fluid flow of rocks over time. This study presents experimental evidence to illustrate that the pore fractal structure evolves with sedimentation, carbonate cementation, clay growth, and dissolution. It examines, describes and characterizes a suite of core samples from the Gaotaizi oil layer of the second and third members of the Qingshankou Formation, Songliao Basin, China. The effects of mechanical compaction and other diagenesis effects on fractal pore structure on sedimentary rocks are discussed. A schematic diagram is proposed that describes the impacts of these diagenetic processes on fractal pore structure at the microscopic scale in sedimentary rocks. This work links the state of diagenetic alteration and fractal pore structure, which can guide practical applications such as predicting the permeability of sedimentary rocks.
Pn Anisotropic Tomography of Hainan Island and Surrounding Areas: New Insights Into the Hainan Mantle Plume
Authors: Lu Hongbin , Lei Jianshe , Zhao Dapeng , Xu Yi‐Gang , Sun Changqing , Hu Xiaohui
Published: May 2022

A high‐resolution velocity and anisotropy model of the uppermost mantle under the Hainan Island and surrounding areas is obtained by a tomographic inversion of 8192 Pn arrival‐time data hand‐picked from high‐quality seismograms recorded at a total of 137 seismic stations of our recently deployed HAVESArray portable seismic network and Chinese provincial stations. Our new model shows obvious velocity and anisotropic structural features related to the distribution of Quaternary volcanic rocks on the surface. Extensive low Pn velocity anomalies are detected under the Weizhou Island, northern Hainan Island, southern Leizhou Peninsula, southern South China, and around the Pearl River Mouth Basin (PRMB), whereas high Pn velocity anomalies are imaged under the PRMB and areas of 108°–109°E and between the Baise‐Hepu fault and the Wuchuan‐Sihui fault. The Pn fast propagation directions exhibit a radiated pattern around the PRMB. Integrated with previous global and regional tomographic models, our present results indicate that the Hainan plume is upwelling around the PRMB in the upper mantle, and then plume‐related flow is split into several branches under the volcanoes in the northern Hainan Island, southern Leizhou Peninsula and Weizhou Island. This flow pattern could be associated with the westward deep subduction of the Philippine Sea and Pacific plates and eastward deep subduction of the Indian plate. Our results provide new insights into the formation mechanism of the Hainan‐Leizhou and Weizhou volcanoes.
A Century‐Long Trajectory of Phosphorus Loading and Export From Mississippi River Basin to the Gulf of Mexico: Contributions of Multiple Environmental Changes
Authors: Bian Zihao , Pan Shufen , Wang Zhuonan , Yao Yuanzhi , Xu Rongting , Shi Hao , Kalin Latif , Anderson Christopher , Justic Dubravko , Lohrenz Steven , Tian Hanqin
Published: May 2022

Phosphorus (P) control is critical to mitigating eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems, but the effectiveness of controlling P export from soils has been limited by our poor understanding of P dynamics along the land‐ocean aquatic continuum as well as the lack of well‐developed process models that effectively couple terrestrial and aquatic biogeochemical P processes. Here, we coupled riverine P biogeochemical processes and water transport with terrestrial processes within the framework of the Dynamic Land Ecosystem Model to assess how multiple environmental changes, including fertilizer and manure P uses, land use, climate, and atmospheric CO2, have affected the long‐term dynamics of P loading and export from the Mississippi River Basin to the Gulf of Mexico during 1901–2018. Simulations show that riverine exports of dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP), dissolved organic phosphorus, particulate organic phosphorus (POP), and particulate inorganic phosphorus (PIP) increased by 42%, 53%, 60%, and 53%, respectively, since the 1960s. Riverine DIP and PIP exports were the dominant components of the total P flux. DIP export was mainly enhanced by the growing mineral P fertilizer use in croplands, while increased PIP and POP exports were a result of the intensified soil erosion due to increased precipitation. Climate variability resulted in substantial interannual and decadal variations in P loading and export. Soil legacy P continues to contribute to P loading. Our findings highlight the necessity to adopt effective P management strategies to control P losses through reductions in soil erosion, and additionally, to improve P use efficiency in crop production.
Automated ‘oscillometric’ blood pressure measuring devices: how they work and what they measure
Authors: Sharman James E. , Tan Isabella , Stergiou George S. , Lombardi Carolina , Saladini Francesca , Butlin Mark , Padwal Raj , Asayama Kei , Avolio Alberto , Brady Tammy M. , Murray Alan , Parati Gianfranco
Published: May 2022

Automated ‘oscillometric’ blood pressure (BP) measuring devices (BPMDs) were developed in the 1970s to replace manual auscultatory BP measurement by mercury sphygmomanometer. Automated BPMDs that have passed accuracy testing versus a reference auscultatory sphygmomanometer using a scientifically accepted validation protocol are recommended for clinical use globally. Currently, there are many thousands of unique automated BPMDs manufactured by hundreds of companies, with each device using proprietary algorithms to estimate BP and using a method of operation that is largely unchanged since inception. Validated automated BPMDs provide similar BP values to those recorded using manual auscultation albeit with potential sources of error mostly associated with using empirical algorithms to derive BP from waveform pulsations. Much of the work to derive contemporary BP thresholds and treatment targets used to manage cardiovascular disease risk was obtained using automated BPMDs. While there is room for future refinement to improve accuracy for better individual risk stratification, validated BPMDs remain the recommended standard for office and out-of-office BP measurement to be used in hypertension diagnosis and management worldwide.
Highly efficient green InP-based quantum dot light-emitting diodes regulated by inner alloyed shell component
Authors: Yu Peng , Cao Sheng , Shan Yuliang , Bi Yuhe , Hu Yaqi , Zeng Ruosheng , Zou Bingsuo , Wang Yunjun , Zhao Jialong
Published: May 2022

InP-based quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs), as less toxic than Cd-free and Pb-free optoelectronic devices, have become the most promising benign alternatives for the next generation lighting and display. However, the development of green-emitting InP-based QLEDs still remains a great challenge to the environmental preparation of InP quantum dots (QDs) and superior device performance. Herein, we reported the highly efficient green-emitting InP-based QLEDs regulated by the inner alloyed shell components. Based on the environmental phosphorus tris(dimethylamino)phosphine ((DMA)3P), we obtained highly efficient InP-based QDs with the narrowest full width at half maximum (~35 nm) and highest quantum yield (~97%) by inserting the gradient inner shell layer ZnSexS1−x without further post-treatment. More importantly, we concretely discussed the effect and physical mechanism of ZnSexS1–x layer on the performance of QDs and QLEDs through the characterization of structure, luminescence, femtosecond transient absorption, and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. We demonstrated that the insert inner alloyed shell ZnSexS1−x provided bifunctionality, which diminished the interface defects upon balancing the lattice mismatch and tailored the energy levels of InP-based QDs which could promote the balanced carrier injection. The resulting QLEDs applying the InP/ZnSe0.7S0.3/ZnS QDs as an emitter layer exhibited a maximum external quantum efficiency of 15.2% with the electroluminescence peak of 532 nm, which was almost the highest record of InP-based pure green-emitting QLEDs. These results demonstrated the applicability and processability of inner shell component engineering in the preparation of high-quality InP-based QLEDs.
HDAC4 promotes the growth and metastasis of gastric cancer via autophagic degradation of MEKK3
Authors: Zang Wei-Jie , Hu Yi-Lin , Qian Chen-Yu , Feng Ying , Liu Jia-Zhou , Yang Jun-Ling , Huang Hua , Zhu Yi-Zhun , Xue Wan-Jiang
Published: May 2022

Background

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) have been shown to be involved in tumorigenesis, but their precise role and molecular mechanisms in gastric cancer (GC) have not yet been fully elucidated.

Methods

Bioinformatics screening analysis, qRT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to identify the expression of HDAC4 in GC. In vitro and in vivo functional assays illustrated the biological function of HDAC4. RNA-seq, GSEA pathway analysis, and western blot revealed that HDAC4 activated p38 MAPK signalling. Immunofluorescence, western blot, and IHC verified the effect of HDAC4 on autophagy. ChIP and dual-luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that the transcriptional regulation mechanism of HDAC4 and ATG4B.

Results

HDAC4 is upregulated in GC and correlates with poor prognosis. In vitro and in vivo assays showed that HDAC4 contributes to the malignant phenotype of GC cells. HDAC4 inhibited the MEF2A-driven transcription of ATG4B and prevented MEKK3 from p62-dependent autophagic degradation, thus activating p38 MAPK signalling. Reciprocally, the downstream transcription factor USF1 enhanced HDAC4 expression by regulating HDAC4 promoter activity, forming a positive feedback loop and continuously stimulating HDAC4 expression and p38 MAPK signalling activation.

Conclusion

HDAC4 plays an oncogenic role in GC, and HDAC4-based targeted therapy would represent a novel strategy for GC treatment.
The Achilles’ heel of cancer: targeting tumors via lysosome-induced immunogenic cell death
Authors: Iulianna Taritsa , Kuldeep Neote , Eric Fossel
Published: May 2022

Interest in the lysosome’s potential role in anticancer therapies has recently been appreciated in the field of immuno-oncology. Targeting lysosomes triggers apoptotic pathways, inhibits cytoprotective autophagy, and activates a unique form of apoptosis known as immunogenic cell death (ICD). This mechanism stimulates a local and systemic immune response against dead-cell antigens. Stressors that can lead to ICD include an abundance of ROS which induce lysosome membrane permeability (LMP). Dying cells express markers that activate immune cells. Dendritic cells engulf the dying cell and then present the cell’s neoantigens to T cells. The discovery of ICD-inducing agents is important due to their potential to trigger autoimmunity. In this review, we discuss the various mechanisms of activating lysosome-induced cell death in cancer cells specifically and the strategies that current laboratories are using to selectively promote LMP in tumors.
Imaging the facet surface strain state of supported multi-faceted Pt nanoparticles during reaction
Authors: Dupraz Maxime , Li Ni , Carnis Jérôme , Wu Longfei , Labat Stéphane , Chatelier Corentin , van de Poll Rim , Hofmann Jan P. , Almog Ehud , Leake Steven J. , Watier Yves , Lazarev Sergey , Westermeier Fabian , Sprung Michael , Hensen Emiel J. M. , Thomas Olivier , Rabkin Eugen , Richard Marie-Ingrid
Published: May 2022

Nanostructures with specific crystallographic planes display distinctive physico-chemical properties because of their unique atomic arrangements, resulting in widespread applications in catalysis, energy conversion or sensing. Understanding strain dynamics and their relationship with crystallographic facets have been largely unexplored. Here, we reveal in situ, in three-dimensions and at the nanoscale, the volume, surface and interface strain evolution of single supported platinum nanocrystals during reaction using coherent x-ray diffractive imaging. Interestingly, identical {hkl} facets show equivalent catalytic response during non-stoichiometric cycles. Periodic strain variations are rationalised in terms of O2 adsorption or desorption during O2 exposure or CO oxidation under reducing conditions, respectively. During stoichiometric CO oxidation, the strain evolution is, however, no longer facet dependent. Large strain variations are observed in localised areas, in particular in the vicinity of the substrate/particle interface, suggesting a significant influence of the substrate on the reactivity. These findings will improve the understanding of dynamic properties in catalysis and related fields.
Long-term hepatitis B virus infection of rhesus macaques requires suppression of host immunity
Authors: Biswas Sreya , Rust Lauren N. , Wettengel Jochen M. , Yusova Sofiya , Fischer Miranda , Carson Julien N. , Johnson Josie , Wei Lei , Thode Trason , Kaadige Mohan R. , Sharma Sunil , Agbaria Majd , Bimber Benjamin N. , Tu Thomas , Protzer Ulrike , Ploss Alexander , Smedley Jeremy V. , Golomb Gershon , Sacha Jonah B. , Burwitz Benjamin J.
Published: May 2022

Hepatitis B virus has infected a third of the world’s population, and 296 million people are living with chronic infection. Chronic infection leads to progressive liver disease, including hepatocellular carcinoma and liver failure, and there remains no reliable curative therapy. These gaps in our understanding are due, in large part, to a paucity of animal models of HBV infection. Here, we show that rhesus macaques regularly clear acute HBV infection, similar to adult humans, but can develop long-term infection if immunosuppressed. Similar to patients, we longitudinally detected HBV DNA, HBV surface antigen, and HBV e antigen in the serum of experimentally infected animals. In addition, we discovered hallmarks of HBV infection in the liver, including RNA transcription, HBV core and HBV surface antigen translation, and covalently closed circular DNA biogenesis. This pre-clinical animal model will serve to accelerate emerging HBV curative therapies into the clinic.
Heart-brain synchronization breakdown in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Iniguez Martin , Jimenez-Marin Antonio , Erramuzpe Asier , Acera Marian , Tijero Beatriz , Murueta-Goyena Ane , Del Pino Rocio , Fernandez Tamara , Carmona‑Abellan Mar , Cabrera-Zubizarreta Alberto , Gómez‑Esteban Juan Carlos , Cortes Jesus M. , Gabilondo Inigo
Published: May 2022

Heart rate variability (HRV) abnormalities are potential early biomarkers in Parkinson’s disease (PD) but their relationship with central autonomic network (CAN) activity is not fully understood. We analyzed the synchronization between HRV and brain activity in 31 PD patients and 21 age-matched healthy controls using blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signals from resting-state functional brain MRI and HRV metrics from finger plethysmography recorded for 7.40 min. We additionally quantified autonomic symptoms (SCOPA-AUT) and objective autonomic cardiovascular parameters (blood pressure and heart rate) during deep breathing, Valsalva, and head-up tilt, which were used to classify the clinical severity of dysautonomia. We evaluated HRV and BOLD signals synchronization (HRV-BOLD-sync) with Pearson lagged cross-correlations and Fisher’s statistics for combining window-length-dependent HRV-BOLD-Sync Maps and assessed their association with clinical dysautonomia. HRV-BOLD-sync was lower significantly in PD than in controls in various brain regions within CAN or in networks involved in autonomic modulation. Moreover, heart-brain synchronization index (HBSI), which quantifies heart-brain synchronization at a single-subject level, showed an inverse exposure–response relationship with dysautonomia severity, finding the lowest HBSI in patients with severe dysautonomia, followed by moderate, mild, and, lastly, controls. Importantly, HBSI was associated in PD, but not in controls, with Valsalva pressure recovery time (sympathetic), deep breathing E/I ratio (cardiovagal), and SCOPA-AUT. Our findings support the existence of heart-brain de-synchronization in PD with an impact on clinically relevant autonomic outcomes.
Leading countries in global science increasingly receive more citations than other countries doing similar research
Authors: Gomez Charles J. , Herman Andrew C. , Parigi Paolo
Published: May 2022

Citations and text analysis are both used to study the distribution and flow of ideas between researchers, fields and countries, but the resulting flows are rarely equal. We argue that the differences in these two flows capture a growing global inequality in the production of scientific knowledge. We offer a framework called ‘citational lensing’ to identify where citations should appear between countries but are absent given that what is embedded in their published abstract texts is highly similar. This framework also identifies where citations are overabundant given lower similarity. Our data come from nearly 20 million papers across nearly 35 years and 150 fields from the Microsoft Academic Graph. We find that scientific communities increasingly centre research from highly active countries while overlooking work from peripheral countries. This inequality is likely to pose substantial challenges to the growth of novel ideas.
Platform for isolation and characterization of SARS-CoV-2 variants enables rapid characterization of Omicron in Australia
Authors: Aggarwal Anupriya , Stella Alberto Ospina , Walker Gregory , Akerman Anouschka , Esneau Camille , Milogiannakis Vanessa , Burnett Deborah L. , McAllery Samantha , Silva Mariana Ruiz , Lu Yonghui , Foster Charles S. P. , Brilot Fabienne , Pillay Aleha , Van Hal Sabastiaan , Mathivanan Vennila , Fichter Christina , Kindinger Andrea , Hoppe Alexandra Carey , Munier Mee Ling , Amatayakul-Chantler Supavadee , Roth Nathan , Coppola Germano , Symonds Geoff P. , Schofield Peter , Jackson Jennifer , Lenthall Helen , Henry Jake Y. , Mazigi Ohan , Jäck Hans-Martin , Davenport Miles P. , Darley David R. , Matthews Gail V. , Khoury David S. , Cromer Deborah , Goodnow Christopher C. , Christ Daniel , Robosa Roselle , Starck Damien J. , Bartlett Nathan W. , Rawlinson William D. , Kelleher Anthony D. , Turville Stuart G.
Published: May 2022

Genetically distinct variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have emerged since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over this period, we developed a rapid platform (R-20) for viral isolation and characterization using primary remnant diagnostic swabs. This, combined with quarantine testing and genomics surveillance, enabled the rapid isolation and characterization of all major SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating in Australia in 2021. Our platform facilitated viral variant isolation, rapid resolution of variant fitness using nasopharyngeal swabs and ranking of evasion of neutralizing antibodies. In late 2021, variant of concern Omicron (B1.1.529) emerged. Using our platform, we detected and characterized SARS-CoV-2 VOC Omicron. We show that Omicron effectively evades neutralization antibodies and has a different entry route that is TMPRSS2-independent. Our low-cost platform is available to all and can detect all variants of SARS-CoV-2 studied so far, with the main limitation being that our platform still requires appropriate biocontainment.
MSNovelist: de novo structure generation from mass spectra
Authors: Stravs Michael A. , Dührkop Kai , Böcker Sebastian , Zamboni Nicola
Published: May 2022

Current methods for structure elucidation of small molecules rely on finding similarity with spectra of known compounds, but do not predict structures de novo for unknown compound classes. We present MSNovelist, which combines fingerprint prediction with an encoder–decoder neural network to generate structures de novo solely from tandem mass spectrometry (MS2) spectra. In an evaluation with 3,863 MS2 spectra from the Global Natural Product Social Molecular Networking site, MSNovelist predicted 25% of structures correctly on first rank, retrieved 45% of structures overall and reproduced 61% of correct database annotations, without having ever seen the structure in the training phase. Similarly, for the CASMI 2016 challenge, MSNovelist correctly predicted 26% and retrieved 57% of structures, recovering 64% of correct database annotations. Finally, we illustrate the application of MSNovelist in a bryophyte MS2 dataset, in which de novo structure prediction substantially outscored the best database candidate for seven spectra. MSNovelist is ideally suited to complement library-based annotation in the case of poorly represented analyte classes and novel compounds.
USACE Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory Quality Controlled, Consistent Measurement Archive
Authors: Hall Candice , Jensen Robert E.
Published: May 2022

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) utilizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) buoy measurements for validation of their wave models and within coastal applications. However, NDBC data are accessible via multiple archives; each with their own source-specific storage, metadata, and quality control protocols, which result in inconsistencies in the accessible data. Therefore, USACE has developed an independent, quality controlled, consistent (QCC) Measurement Archive that captures the best available NDBC observations with verified metadata. This work details the methodology behind this USACE QCC Measurement Archive; showcasing improvements in data quality via geographical location and wave parameter examples. Note that this methodology only removes known erroneous data, it does not verify data quality from an alternate source. This self-describing, USACE QCC Measurement Archive therefore provides a database of consistently stored, geographically QA/QC’d NDBC data and metadata.
A comprehensive database of crystal-bearing magmas for the calibration of a rheological model
Authors: Frontoni Alessandro , Costa Antonio , Vona Alessandro , Romano Claudia
Published: May 2022

In this work, we present a comprehensive rheological database including most of the existing data relevant for crystal-bearing magmas collected from the scientific literature, covering the entire range of natural volcanic conditions, in terms of crystal content (1–80%), crystal shape (aspect ratio R from 1 to 13), and strain rate (between 10−7 and 102 s−1). Datasets were collected and discerned as a function of the information which we considered necessary for building a general systematic model describing relative viscosity of crystal-bearing magmas, such as the apparent and melt viscosity, the crystal concentration, crystal shape, and the strain rate. The selected dataset was then used for modelling the relative viscosity of a liquid-solid mixture having different concentrations of particles with different R, subjected to different strain rates. The proposed model allows us to quantitatively describe the rheological behaviour of crystal-bearing magmatic systems.
Endosymbiotic Chlorella variabilis reduces mitochondrial number in the ciliate Paramecium bursaria
Authors: Kodama Yuuki , Fujishima Masahiro
Published: May 2022

Extant symbioses illustrate endosymbiosis is a driving force for evolution and diversification. In the ciliate Paramecium bursaria, the endosymbiotic alga Chlorella variabilis in perialgal vacuole localizes beneath the host cell cortex by adhesion between the perialgal vacuole membrane and host mitochondria. We investigated whether host mitochondria are also affected by algal endosymbiosis. Transmission electron microscopy of host cells showed fewer mitochondria beneath the algae-bearing host cell cortex than that of alga-free cells. To compare the density and distribution of host mitochondria with or without symbiotic algae, we developed a monoclonal antibody against Paramecium mitochondria. Immunofluorescence microscopy with the monoclonal antibody showed that the mitochondrial density of the algae-bearing P. bursaria was significantly lower than that of the alga-free cells. The total cell protein concentration of alga-free P. bursaria cells was approximately 1.8-fold higher than that of algae-bearing cells, and the protein content of mitochondria was significantly higher in alga-free cells than that in the algae-bearing cells. These results corresponded with those obtained by transmission electron and immunofluorescence microscopies. This paper shows that endosymbiotic algae affect reduced mitochondrial number in the host P. bursaria significantly.
Song complexity is maintained during inter-population cultural transmission of humpback whale songs
Authors: Allen Jenny A , Garland Ellen C. , Garrigue Claire , Dunlop Rebecca A. , Noad Michael J.
Published: May 2022

Among animal species, the songs of male humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are a rare example of social learning between entire populations. Understanding fine-scale similarity in song patterns and structural features will better clarify how accurately songs are learned during inter-population transmission. Here, six distinct song types (2009–2015) transmitted from the east Australian to New Caledonian populations were quantitatively analysed using fine-scale song features. Results found that New Caledonian whales learned each song type with high accuracy regardless of the pattern’s complexity. However, there were rare instances of themes (stereotyped patterns of sound units) only sung by a single population. These occurred more often in progressively changing ‘evolutionary’ songs compared to rapidly changing ‘revolutionary’ songs. Our results suggest that populations do not need to reduce complexity to accurately learn song patterns. Populations may also incorporate changes and embellishments into songs in the form of themes which are suggested to be learnt as distinct segments. Maintaining complex song patterns with such accuracy suggests significant acoustic contact, supporting the hypothesis that song learning may occur on shared feeding grounds or migration routes. This study improves the understanding of inter-population mechanisms for large-scale cultural transmission in animals.
Increasing salinity stress decreases the thermal tolerance of amphibian tadpoles in coastal areas of Taiwan
Authors: Chuang Ming-Feng , Cheng Yu-Jie , Andersen Desiree , Borzée Amaël , Wu Chi-Shiun , Chang Yuan-Mou , Yang Yi-Ju , Jang Yikweon , Kam Yeong-Choy
Published: May 2022

Global warming is the main cause for the rise of both global temperatures and sea-level, both major variables threatening biodiversity. Rising temperatures threaten to breach the thermal limits of organisms while rising sea-level threatens the osmotic balance of coastal animals through habitat salinization. However, variations in thermal tolerance under different salinity stresses have not yet been thoroughly studied. In this study, we assessed the critical thermal maxima (CTmax) of amphibian tadpoles in different salinity conditions. We collected tadpoles ofDuttaphrynus melanostictus,Fejervarya limnocharisandMicrohyla fissipesfrom coastal areas and housed them in freshwater, low, and high salinity treatments for 7 days of acclimation. The CTmax, survival rate, and development rate of tadpoles in high salinity treatments were significantly lower than that of the two other treatments. Our results indicate that physiological performances and heat tolerances of tadpoles are negatively affected by salinization. Maximum entropy models showed that CTmax and sea-level rise are predicted to negatively affect the distribution of the three focal species. The present results suggest that global warming can lead to negative dual-impacts on coastal animals because of reduced thermal tolerances at elevated salinity. The impacts of global warming on anurans in coastal areas and other habitats impacted by salinization may be more severe than predicted and it is likely to cause similar dual-impacts on other ectotherms.
Congenital sideroblastic anemia model due to ALAS2 mutation is susceptible to ferroptosis
Authors: Ono Koya , Fujiwara Tohru , Saito Kei , Nishizawa Hironari , Takahashi Noriyuki , Suzuki Chie , Ochi Tetsuro , Kato Hiroki , Ishii Yusho , Onodera Koichi , Ichikawa Satoshi , Fukuhara Noriko , Onishi Yasushi , Yokoyama Hisayuki , Yamada Rie , Nakamura Yukio , Igarashi Kazuhiko , Harigae Hideo
Published: May 2022

X-linked sideroblastic anemia (XLSA), the most common form of congenital sideroblastic anemia, is caused by a germline mutation in the erythroid-specific 5-aminolevulinate synthase (ALAS2) gene. In XLSA, defective heme biosynthesis leads to ring sideroblast formation because of excess mitochondrial iron accumulation. In this study, we introduced ALAS2 missense mutations on human umbilical cord blood-derived erythroblasts; hereafter, we refer to them as XLSA clones. XLSA clones that differentiated into mature erythroblasts showed an increased frequency of ring sideroblast formation with impaired hemoglobin biosynthesis. The expression profiling revealed significant enrichment of genes involved in ferroptosis, which is a form of regulated cell death induced by iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation. Notably, treatment with erastin, a ferroptosis inducer, caused a higher proportion of cell death in XLSA clones. XLSA clones exhibited significantly higher levels of intracellular lipid peroxides and enhanced expression of BACH1, a regulator of iron metabolism and potential accelerator of ferroptosis. In XLSA clones, BACH1 repressed genes involved in iron metabolism and glutathione synthesis. Collectively, defective heme biosynthesis in XLSA clones could confer enhanced BACH1 expression, leading to increased susceptibility to ferroptosis. The results of our study provide important information for the development of novel therapeutic targets for XLSA.
Comparison of sleep quality deterioration by subgroup of painful temporomandibular disorder based on diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders
Authors: Lee Yeon-Hee , Auh Q-Schick
Published: May 2022

Chronic pain conditions, including temporomandibular disorders, are closely related to poor sleep quality. This study investigated whether sleep deterioration in patients with painful temporomandibular disorder differed depending on the origin of pain, and also analyzed which clinical disease characteristics and whether psychological distress affected sleep quality. A total of 337 consecutive patients (215 women; mean age, 33.01 ± 13.01 years) with painful temporomandibular disorder (myalgia [n=120], temporomandibular joint arthralgia [n=62], mixed joint–muscle temporomandibular disorder pain [n=155]), who were assessed and classified based on the diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorder (DC/TMD), were enrolled. They completed a battery of standardized reports on clinical sign and symptoms, and answered questions on sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, and patients’ psychological status. The mean global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores were significantly higher in the mixed temporomandibular disorder pain group (6.97 ± 3.38) and myalgia group (6.40 ± 3.22) than in the arthralgia group (5.16 ± 2.94) (p=0.001). Poor sleepers were significantly more prevalent in the mixed temporomandibular disorder pain group (76.8%) and myalgia group (71.7%) than in the arthralgia group (54.8%) (p=0.006). The presence of psychological distress in the myalgia group (β=1.236, p=0.022), global severity index of the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised in the arthralgia group (β=1.668, p=0.008), and presence of headache (β=1.631, p=0.002) and self-reported sleep problems (β=2.849, p<0.001) in the mixed temporomandibular disorder pain group were associated with an increase in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score. Ultimately, as the source of pain in painful temporomandibular disorder can affect and determine sleep quality and contributing factors, and as the complex interplay between sleep and pain can vary, a comprehensive treatment approach is necessary because good sleep is required by patients.
Concordance of the risk of neonatal respiratory morbidity assessed by quantitative ultrasound lung texture analysis in fetuses of twin pregnancies
Authors: Moreno-Espinosa Ana L. , Hawkins-Villarreal Ameth , Burgos-Artizzu Xavier P. , Coronado-Gutierrez David , Castelazo Santiago , Lip-Sosa Diana L. , Fuenzalida Javiera , Gallo Dahiana M. , Peña-Ramirez Tatiana , Zuazagoitia Paula , Muñoz Miriam , Parra-Cordero Mauro , Gratacòs Eduard , Palacio Montse
Published: May 2022

To evaluate the concordance of the risk of neonatal respiratory morbidity (NRM) assessed by quantitative ultrasound lung texture analysis (QuantusFLM) between twin fetuses of the same pregnancy. Prospective study conducted in twin pregnancies. Fetal ultrasound lung images were obtained at 26.0–38.6 weeks of gestation. Categorical (high or low) and continuous results of the risk of NRM were compared between twins. Fetal ultrasound lung images from 131 pairs (262 images) of twins were included. The images were classified into three gestational age ranges: Group 1 (26.0–29.6 weeks, 78 images, 39 pairs [29.8%]); Group 2 (30.0–33.6 weeks, 98 images, 49 pairs [37.4%]) and Group 3 (34.0–38.6 weeks, 86 images, 43 pairs [32.8%]). Concordance was good in Groups 1 and 3 and moderate in Group 2. In Groups 2 and 3 at least one fetus presented high-risk results in 26.5% and 11.6% of twin pairs, respectively. Only gestational age < 32 weeks, gestational diabetes mellitus, and spontaneous conception were associated with a high risk of NRM in Group 2. There was good concordance of the risk of NRM between twins < 30.0 weeks and > 34.0 weeks. From 30.0 to 33.6 weeks 26.5% of the twin pairs had discordant results, with moderate concordance of the risk of NRM.
A study of the oxidative processes in human plasma by time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy
Authors: Wybranowski Tomasz , Ziomkowska Blanka , Cyrankiewicz Michał , Bosek Maciej , Pyskir Jerzy , Napiórkowska Marta , Kruszewski Stefan
Published: May 2022

The aim of this study was to examine the usefulness of time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy in the evaluation of the oxidative processes in human plasma. To investigate the impact of oxidative stress on the fluorescence of plasma, five studied markers (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, ischemia modified albumin, carbonyl groups, hydrogen peroxide, advanced oxidation protein products) were chosen as oxidative damage approved markers. Our method presents several advantages over traditional methods as it is a direct, non-time-consuming, repeatable, and non-invasive technique that requires only simple pre-treatment of samples without additional reagents and the sample size needed for analysis is small. In principle, each modification of the protein in plasma can be expected to modify its fluorescence properties and hence its lifetime or intensity. The study involved 59 blood donors with no evidence of disease. The research was conducted at excitation wavelengths of 280 nm and 360 nm, and emission was measured at wavelengths of 350 nm and 440 nm, respectively. Our results, although preliminary, suggest that the application of fluorescence measurements can be considered as an effective marker of oxidative stress. Regression analyses showed that a notable growth in fluorescence intensity at 440 nm and a simultaneous decrease in fluorescence intensity and mean fluorescence lifetime at 350 nm are associated with higher levels of oxidative stress.
Deep learning body-composition analysis of clinically acquired CT-scans estimates creatinine excretion with high accuracy in patients and healthy individuals
Authors: Pieters Tobias T. , Veldhuis W. B. , Moeskops P. , de Vos B. D. , Verhaar M. C. , Haitjema S. , Huitema A. D. R. , Rookmaaker M. B.
Published: May 2022

Assessment of daily creatinine production and excretion plays a crucial role in the estimation of renal function. Creatinine excretion is estimated by creatinine excretion equations and implicitly in eGFR equations like MDRD and CKD-EPI. These equations are however unreliable in patients with aberrant body composition. In this study we developed and validated equations estimating creatinine production using deep learning body-composition analysis of clinically acquired CT-scans. We retrospectively included patients in our center that received any CT-scan including the abdomen and had a 24-h urine collection within 2 weeks of the scan (n = 636). To validate the equations in healthy individuals, we included a kidney donor dataset (n = 287). We used a deep learning algorithm to segment muscle and fat at the 3rd lumbar vertebra, calculate surface areas and extract radiomics parameters. Two equations for CT-based estimate of RenAl FuncTion (CRAFT 1 including CT parameters, age, weight, and stature and CRAFT 2 excluding weight and stature) were developed and compared to the Cockcroft-Gault and the Ix equations. CRAFT1 and CRAFT 2 were both unbiased (MPE = 0.18 and 0.16 mmol/day, respectively) and accurate (RMSE = 2.68 and 2.78 mmol/day, respectively) in the patient dataset and were more accurate than the Ix (RMSE = 3.46 mmol/day) and Cockcroft-Gault equation (RMSE = 3.52 mmol/day). In healthy kidney donors, CRAFT 1 and CRAFT 2 remained unbiased (MPE = − 0.71 and − 0.73 mmol/day respectively) and accurate (RMSE = 1.86 and 1.97 mmol/day, respectively). Deep learning-based extraction of body-composition parameters from abdominal CT-scans can be used to reliably estimate creatinine production in both patients as well as healthy individuals. The presented algorithm can improve the estimation of renal function in patients who have recently had a CT scan. The proposed methods provide an improved estimation of renal function that is fully automatic and can be readily implemented in routine clinical practice.
Incorporation of machine learning and deep neural network approaches into a remote sensing-integrated crop model for the simulation of rice growth
Authors: Jeong Seungtaek , Ko Jonghan , Shin Taehwan , Yeom Jong-min
Published: May 2022

Machine learning (ML) and deep neural network (DNN) techniques are promising tools. These can advance mathematical crop modelling methodologies that can integrate these schemes into a process-based crop model capable of reproducing or simulating crop growth. In this study, an innovative hybrid approach for estimating the leaf area index (LAI) of paddy rice using climate data was developed using ML and DNN regression methodologies. First, we investigated suitable ML regressors to explore the LAI estimation of rice based on the relationship between the LAI and three climate factors in two administrative rice-growing regions of South Korea. We found that of the 10 ML regressors explored, the random forest regressor was the most effective LAI estimator, and it even outperformed the DNN regressor, with model efficiencies of 0.88 in Cheorwon and 0.82 in Paju. In addition, we demonstrated that it would be feasible to simulate the LAI using climate factors based on the integration of the ML and DNN regressors in a process-based crop model. Therefore, we assume that the advancements presented in this study can enhance crop growth and productivity monitoring practices by incorporating a crop model with ML and DNN plans.
Radiation shift from triple to quadruple frequency caused by the interaction of terahertz pulses with a nonlinear Kerr medium
Authors: Artser Ilya , Melnik Maksim , Ismagilov Azat , Guselnikov Mikhail , Tcypkin Anton , Kozlov Sergei
Published: May 2022

High-intensity optical radiation propagation in a transparent dielectric medium causes the phenomena of pulse self-action and radiation generation at triple frequencies due to the cubic nonlinearity of the medium. However, quadratic nonlinear effects usually outshine the cubic ones in anisotropic nonlinear crystals. In this work, we demonstrate that for certain experimental parameters the nonlinear effect of the third order can be stronger than the second order one in the MgO:$$\hbox {LiNbO}_3$$

LiNbO
3

crystal for terahertz frequency range. We experimentally and theoretically show that this effect can lead to the significant modification of the classical phenomenon of radiation generation at triple frequencies in the case when the pulse represents only one complete oscillation of the optical field. The experiment demonstrated that the phenomenon of generation of radiation at triple frequencies with respect to the frequency of the maximum spectral density in a nonlinear medium of the pulse disappears, and it is replaced by the generation of radiation at quadruple frequencies. The analysis confirms that this effect is based on the asymmetry and large width of the initial spectrum of such extremely short pulses in terms of the number of oscillations.
Chord: an ensemble machine learning algorithm to identify doublets in single-cell RNA sequencing data
Authors: Xiong Ke-Xu , Zhou Han-Lin , Lin Cong , Yin Jian-Hua , Kristiansen Karsten , Yang Huan-Ming , Li Gui-Bo
Published: May 2022

High-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is a popular method, but it is accompanied by doublet rate problems that disturb the downstream analysis. Several computational approaches have been developed to detect doublets. However, most of these methods may yield satisfactory performance in some datasets but lack stability in others; thus, it is difficult to regard a single method as the gold standard which can be applied to all types of scenarios. It is a difficult and time-consuming task for researchers to choose the most appropriate software. We here propose Chord which implements a machine learning algorithm that integrates multiple doublet detection methods to address these issues. Chord had higher accuracy and stability than the individual approaches on different datasets containing real and synthetic data. Moreover, Chord was designed with a modular architecture port, which has high flexibility and adaptability to the incorporation of any new tools. Chord is a general solution to the doublet detection problem.
Enhancement and manipulation of optical interaction between coupled nano-waveguides in hollow-core fibers
Authors: Xie Shangran , Gao Ran , Jiang Yi
Published: May 2022

Optomechanical forces between evanescently coupled nano-waveguides serve as useful mechanisms to configure versatile functionalities of macro- and nano-devices. Strategies for boosting the optomechanical interaction strength are particularly compelling for the field of nanotechnologies. Here we show that the optical coupling strength between nano-waveguides can be enhanced by orders of magnitude when they are confined in hollow-core fibers. The presence of hollow core greatly increases the overlap integral between the nano-waveguides through excitation of the core modes. The excited higher-order core modes are able to mediate a long-range optomechanical interaction between the waveguides even though they are separated by tens of optical wavelength. It is found that the optical forces between the nanofibers can be switched from attractive to repulsive ones purely by tuning the gap between the nanofibers due to the optomechanical back-action effect induced by the higher-order core modes. The enhanced optomechanical coupling can be exploited to manipulate the collective eigenfrequencies of the coupled nano-waveguides via the optical spring effect. Our observation may find applications on the design of waveguide couplers embedded in the hollow core, or to realize miniaturized acoustic sensors.
Regional asymmetry in the response of global vegetation growth to springtime compound climate events
Authors: Li Jun , Bevacqua Emanuele , Chen Chi , Wang Zhaoli , Chen Xiaohong , Myneni Ranga B. , Wu Xushu , Xu Chong-Yu , Zhang Zhenxing , Zscheischler Jakob
Published: May 2022

Compound climate events can strongly impact vegetation productivity, yet the direct and lagged vegetation productivity responses to seasonal compound warm-dry and cold-dry events remain unclear. Here we use observationally-constrained and process-based model data and analyze vegetation productivity responses to compound events of precipitation and temperature in spring and summer across global mid-to-high latitudes. We find regional asymmetries in direct and lagged effects of compound warm-dry events. In high-latitudes (>50°N), compound warm-dry events raise productivity. In contrast, in mid-latitudes (23.5–50°N/S), compound warm-dry events reduce productivity and compound warm-dry springs can cause and amplify summer droughts, thereby reducing summer productivity. Compound cold-dry events impose direct and lagged adverse impacts on productivity in mid-to-high latitudes, exceeding the impacts from individual cold and dry events. Our results highlight the benefits of a multivariate perspective on vegetation vulnerability as precipitation and temperature often covary and jointly drive vegetation impacts.
A dual-responsive doxorubicin–indoximod conjugate for programmed chemoimmunotherapy
Authors: Yang Zhaoxuan , Huang Jiaqi , Lin Yaying , Luo Xiangjie , Lin Haojin , Lin Hongyu , Gao Jinhao
Published: May 2022

A dual-responsive doxorubicin–indoximod conjugate was developed, which allows for sequential on-demand release of doxorubicin and indoximod for programmed chemoimmunotherapy.
Metallofullerene single-molecule magnet Dy2O@C2v(5)-C80 with a strong antiferromagnetic Dy⋯Dy coupling
Authors: Velkos Georgios , Yang Wei , Yao Yang-Rong , Sudarkova Svetlana M. , Liu Fupin , Avdoshenko Stanislav M. , Chen Ning , Popov Alexey A.
Published: May 2022

Dysprosium-oxide clusterfullerene Dy2O@C2v(5)-C80 is a single-molecule magnet with very strong antiferromagnetic superexchange Dy⋯Dy coupling via the μ2-O2− bridge.