bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feedbackverhalten frühpädagogischer Fachkräfte in mathematischen Spielsituationen – Ergebnisse einer clusteranalytischen Typisierung
Authors: Aumann L. , Graf-König N. , Puca R. M. , Gasteiger H.
Published: June 2023

Kinder erhalten in der Kindertagesstätte täglich Feedback, das je nach Feedbackart (z. B. personen-/prozessbezogen) unterschiedlich auf Lernen und Motivation wirken kann. Bislang ist wenig untersucht, ob es (z. B. analog zu Erziehungsstilen) fachkrafttypisches Feedbackverhalten gibt. In dieser Studie wurde das Feedbackverhalten frühpädagogischer Fachkräfte (N = 43) in mathematischen Spielsituationen mit insgesamt 143 Kindern ausgewertet. Clusteranalytisch wurden fünf Fachkrafttypen ermittelt. Diese unterscheiden sich in der Menge und Spezifität des genutzten Feedbacks und darin, inwieweit sich spezifisches Feedback auf das Ergebnis oder den Prozess bezieht. Die Erkenntnisse können sowohl für die Erforschung der Auswirkungen von Feedback als auch im Rahmen von Fortbildungen genutzt werden.
Medicinal Product Development and Regulatory Agilities Implemented During the Early Phases of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experiences and Implications for the Future—An Industry View
Authors: Geraci Gaia , Bernat Janis , Rodier Céline , Acha Virginia , Acquah Jaqueline , Beakes-Read Ginny
Published: June 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic caused considerable disruption to the development, regulatory evaluation, production, and distribution of medicinal products. Key healthcare stakeholders were under pressure to develop and review medicinal products to address the health emergency, while preserving the continuity of activities to ensure patient access to other medicinal products. In the light of this challenging situation, the National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) and the biopharmaceutical industry applied and utilized product development and regulatory agilities to accelerate the development and authorization of safe, effective and quality COVID-19 vaccines and treatments as well as other non-COVID-19 medicinal products. On the basis of the literature review and primary research conducted, this review article gathered insights on experiences and challenges in the use of agilities related to regulatory assessment of initial marketing and post-approval change (PAC) applications, oversight of product manufacturing quality and supply chain continuity, and product development/clinical trial processes during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. Agilities were thus implemented in an emergency context characterized by the lack of medicinal products to help tackle a disease that was devastating for the global public health. This review article concludes that useful lessons can be learned from these insights to improve product development practices and regulatory processes during both normal and health emergency times. Standard regulatory frameworks during normal times can be enhanced by leveraging digitalization, further simplifying and harmonizing requirements, and using reliance mechanisms which can help to increase efficiency in regulatory decision-making regarding medicinal products. During health emergencies, such as a pandemic, maximizing global coordination, collaboration, reliance, and harmonization of regulatory requirements and guidance are important to facilitate the rapid development and assessment of key medicinal products to address the health emergency.
Die Palliativlotsin für Patienten mit einer lebenslimitierenden Tumorerkrankung in Bremen – eine qualitative Evaluation
Authors: Schumski Lisa , Reisinger Anna , Ban Isabel , Schmiemann Guido
Published: June 2023

Hintergrund

Tumorpatienten mit einer lebenslimitierenden Erkrankung weisen in ihrer letzten Lebensphase einen hohen Versorgungsbedarf auf. Oftmals ist eine Auseinandersetzung mit sozialen Fragen notwendig, um Zugang zu Unterstützungsangeboten zu erhalten. In der Stadt Bremen wird seit Oktober 2019 der Einsatz einer Palliativlotsin erprobt. Sie begleitet palliative Tumorpatienten mit komplexem sozialmedizinischem Beratungsbedarf und unterstützt kontinuierlich auch durch Hausbesuche. Ziel der Evaluation ist die Beschreibung und Analyse der Tätigkeiten der Palliativlotsin und der Exploration ihrer Arbeit aus Perspektive der Leistungserbringenden.

Methodik

Mittels qualitativer Leitfadeninterviews wurden Leistungserbringende, die in der ambulanten und stationären Versorgung palliativer Tumorpatienten tätig sind, befragt. Die Audiodateien wurden transkribiert und inhaltsanalytisch nach Kuckartz ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt wurden 14 Leistungserbringende aus den Bereichen des stationären Sozialdiensts, der hausärztlichen und onkologischen Versorgung, der Palliativmedizin, der Pflege und der Rehabilitation befragt. Das Kategoriensystem umfasste u. a. die Tätigkeiten der Lotsin, die Abgrenzung der Zuständigkeiten zu den Leistungserbringenden in der palliativen Versorgung, zusätzlich erwünschte Tätigkeiten, Probleme/Hindernisse durch die Einbeziehung der Palliativlotsin sowie Feedback und Bewertung ihrer Arbeit. Leistungserbringende, die bereits in Kontakt mit der Lotsin standen (n = 12), beschreiben ihre Tätigkeit als Mehrwert in der Versorgung. Insbesondere die Beratung bezüglich palliativer Angebote und die Unterstützung bei sozialrechtlichen Belangen wird als entlastend empfunden. Es wird der Wunsch nach einer Ausweitung ihrer Versorgungsleistung auf weitere Patientengruppen und Krankheitsbilder benannt.

Schlussfolgerung

Für die befragten Leistungserbringenden stellt der Einsatz der Palliativlotsin eine Entlastung in der Versorgung palliativer Krebspatienten dar. Die Erfüllung sozialmedizinischer Bedarfe und die aufsuchende Arbeit in der Häuslichkeit der Patienten bildet den hauptsächlichen Tätigkeitsbereich der Palliativlotsin, der in dieser Form z. B. durch die hausärztliche Versorgung nicht ausreichend abgedeckt werden kann.
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in Pakistan: The Daunting Threat of an Outbreak as Eid-ul-Azha Approaches
Authors: Tariq Samiuddin , Niaz Faizan , Safi Vahidy Ahmed , Qidwai Marium , Ishaq Muhammad , Abbasher Hussien Mohamed Ahmed Khabab , Ullah Irfan
Published: June 2023

The Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus is a tick-borne virus that can spread from infected people and other animals, including cattle and ticks of the Hyalomma genus. People who are infected describe symptoms that range from flu-like manifestations to severe multi-organ failure. With a death rate between 10% and 30%, the virus is undoubtedly a disease of high concern. With 10,000-15,000 cases/y, it is endemic in parts of Asia, Africa, and South-Eastern Europe. There has been a recent CCHF outbreak in Iraq, with 212 cases documented, 80% of which were reported between April and May and led to 27 fatalities.
Experimental investigation of turbulent counter-rotating Taylor–Couette flows for radius ratio η = 0.1
Authors: Hamede Mohammed Hussein , Merbold Sebastian , Egbers Christoph
Published: June 2023

Turbulent Taylor–Couette flow between two concentric independently rotating cylinders with a radius ratio of

$\eta = 0.1$

is studied experimentally. While the scope is to study the counter-rotating cases between both cylinders, the radial and azimuthal velocity components are recorded at different horizontal planes with high-speed particle image velocimetry. The parametric study considered a set of different shear Reynolds numbers in the range of

$20\,000 \leq Re_s \leq 1.31 \times 10^5$

, with different rotation ratios of

$-0.06 \leq \mu \leq +0.008$

. The observed flow fields had a clear dependence on the rotation ratio, where flow patterns evolved with a more pronounced axial dependence. The angular momentum transport is computed as a result of the recorded flow fields and given by a quasi-Nusselt number. The dependence of the Nusselt number on the different rotation ratios shows a maximum for the low counter-rotating case and

$\mu _{max}$

is found between

$-0.011 < \mu _{max} < -0.0077$

. The Nusselt number decreases for stronger counter-rotation until a minimum is reached, where it tends to increase again for higher counter-rotation rates. The space–time behaviour of the turbulent flow showed the existence of patterns propagating from the inner region towards the outer region for all studied counter-rotating cases. In addition, patterns have been found that tend to propagate from the outer region towards the inner region with a novel character at high counter-rotation cases. These patterns enhance the angular momentum transport where a second maximum in the transport mechanism has to be expected.
CALIBRATION OF MULTIPLE TREE-RING BLOCKS AND ITS IMPLICATION ON THE DEBATE OF MINOAN ERUPTION OF SANTORINI AROUND 17TH–16TH CENTURY BCE
Authors: Raj Harsh , Regev Lior , Boaretto Elisabetta
Published: June 2023

The Minoan eruption of Santorini, Greece, is an important and often-debated chronological marker in contexts of the Eastern Mediterranean region. Among various age estimates of this event, one based on wiggle-matching of radiocarbon (14C) dates from an olive branch found in Santorini by Friedrich et al. (2006) has been widely discussed. Calibrated age estimates based on wiggle-matching of these 14C ages have been changing with improvements in the 14C calibration curve. As also shown earlier, calibration of average 14C age of multiple tree rings dated together should not be done using a single-year calibration curve. Since recent calibration curves include many single-year 14C datasets, a different approach should be considered to calibrate the average 14C age of block of multiple tree rings. Here we have demonstrated the use of multiple moving average (MA) calibration curves for calibrating the sequence of four 14C ages reported for the Santorini olive branch. The resultant calibrated ages for the Minoan Eruption are relatively younger than previous estimates and range from the late-17th century BCE to mid-16th century BCE date.
The Memory Man: Jacques Offenbach, Le Bonhomme Jadis and the Origin of an air connu
Authors: Sherr Richard
Published: June 2023

This article is in essence a study of intertextuality in two musico-dramatic genres in Paris of the 1850s: the comédie-vaudeville and straight plays with incidental music. The ‘texts’ that are considered here are interpolated songs in the comédie-vaudeville and purely instrumental interpolations in plays. Their intertextuality depends on the age-old process of contrafactum. Yet a problem arises when the listener cannot recognize the original source of the contrafactum and cannot perceive the intertext.

The article traces such an intertextual problem. It illustrates how the attempt to answer what would appear to be a minor question regarding music in a comédie-vaudeville led to consideration of an aspect of Jacques Offenbach's output that has received very little attention and which in turn poses some problems of its own. I begin by discussing how intertextuality and musical memory were exploited in the nineteenth-century Parisian comédie-vaudeville. I then discuss how my inability to identify a ‘text’, in this case a particular tune used in a production in a Parisian theatre was so bothersome that it caused it to stick in my memory, which in turn allowed me to recognize it in a work by Offenbach. This in turn led to consideration of a short story and a play in which intertextual musical memory plays a large role, and to the music that Offenbach composed for the performance of that play which surprisingly led to the solution of the problem, the identification of the tune. I end with further comments.
Storm‐Time Subauroral Ionospheric Plasma Density Irregularities and the Substorm Current Wedge
Authors: Pradipta Rezy , Mishin Evgeny , Groves Keith M.
Published: June 2023

We report on the development of plasma density irregularities in the subauroral ionosphere over the North American sector during the 17 March 2015 Saint Patrick's Day geomagnetic storm. Data from network of ground‐based observation instruments including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Continuously Operating Reference Station global navigation satellite system receivers and Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) all‐sky imagers, as well as in situ measurements from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) and the Van Allen Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) spacecrafts, were examined to characterize the spatial and temporal development of subauroral irregularities. The auroral electrojet (AE) index was used as primary indicator of substorm occurrences, aided by some cross‐referencing with the SYM‐H index and SYM‐H time derivative. Special attention was given to substorms that happened at the beginning of this geomagnetic storm. Analysis of Global Positioning System (GPS) rate‐of‐total electron content index (ROTI) data along an east‐west cut line near the US‐Canada border indicates that subauroral ionospheric irregularities may start to form as early as a few minutes after a substantial increase in the AE index. Contemporaneous DMSP and RBSP observations confirmed the presence of subauroral polarization streams wave structures when the aforementioned enhancement in AE index and GPS ROTI occurred. An equatorward expansion of bright auroral arc and subsequent auroral breakups were also seen in the THEMIS all‐sky imager observation data. The relatively short time scales for irregularities to develop suggest possible roles played by the penetration of magnetotail plasma flow bursts into the plasmasphere and the substorm current wedge development in their formation in the subauroral ionosphere.
Reconstructing Meteoroid Trajectories Using Forward Scatter Radio Observations From the BRAMS Network
Authors: Balis Joachim , Lamy Hervé , Anciaux Michel , Jehin Emmanuel
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we aim to reconstruct meteoroid trajectories using a forward scatter radio system transmitting a continuous wave (CW) with no modulation. To do so, we use the meteor echoes recorded at the receivers of the BRAMS (Belgian RAdio Meteor Stations) network. This system consists, at the time of writing, of a dedicated transmitter and 44 receiving stations located in and nearby Belgium, all synchronized using GPS clocks. Our approach processes the meteor echoes at the BRAMS receivers and uses the time delays as inputs to a nonlinear optimization solver. We compare the quality of our reconstructions with and without interferometric data to the trajectories given by the optical CAMS (Cameras for Allsky Meteor Surveillance) network in Benelux. We show that the general CW forward scatter trajectory reconstruction problem can be solved, but we highlight its strong ill‐conditioning. With interferometry, this high sensitivity to the inputs is alleviated and the reconstructed trajectories are in good agreement with optical ones, displaying an uncertainty smaller than 10% on the velocity and 2° on the inclination for most cases. To increase accuracy, the trajectory reconstruction with time delays only should be complemented by information about the signal phase. The use of at least one interferometer makes the problem much easier to solve and greatly improves the accuracy of the retrieved velocities and inclinations. Increasing the number of receiving stations also enhances the quality of the reconstructions.
RPS15 interacted with IGF2BP1 to promote esophageal squamous cell carcinoma development via recognizing m6A modification
Authors: Zhao Yahui , Li Yang , Zhu Rui , Feng Riyue , Cui Heyang , Yu Xiao , Huang Furong , Zhang Ruixiang , Chen Xiankai , Li Lei , Chen Yinghui , Liu Yuhao , Wang Jinhua , Du Guanhua , Liu Zhihua
Published: June 2023

Increased rates of ribosome biogenesis have been recognized as hallmarks of many cancers and are associated with poor prognosis. Using a CRISPR synergistic activation mediator (SAM) system library targeting 89 ribosomal proteins (RPs) to screen for the most oncogenic functional RPs in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), we found that high expression of RPS15 correlates with malignant phenotype and poor prognosis of ESCC. Gain and loss of function models revealed that RPS15 promotes ESCC cell metastasis and proliferation, both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic investigations demonstrated that RPS15 interacts with the K homology domain of insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1), which recognizes and directly binds the 3′-UTR of MKK6 and MAPK14 mRNA in an m6A-dependent manner, and promotes translation of core p38 MAPK pathway proteins. By combining targeted drug virtual screening and functional assays, we found that folic acid showed a therapeutic effect on ESCC by targeting RPS15, which was augmented by the combination with cisplatin. Inhibition of RPS15 by folic acid, IGF2BP1 ablation, or SB203580 treatment were able to suppress ESCC metastasis and proliferation via the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Thus, RPS15 promotes ESCC progression via the p38 MAPK pathway and RPS15 inhibitors may serve as potential anti-ESCC drugs.
Integrating I(I)/I(III) catalysis in reaction cascade design enables the synthesis of gem-difluorinated tetralins from cyclobutanols
Authors: Häfliger Joel , Ruyet Louise , Stübke Nico , Daniliuc Constantin G. , Gilmour Ryan
Published: June 2023

Partially saturated, fluorine-containing rings are ubiquitous across the drug discovery spectrum. This capitalises upon the biological significance of the native structure and the physicochemical advantages conferred by fluorination. Motivated by the significance of aryl tetralins in bioactive small molecules, a reaction cascade has been validated to generate novel gem-difluorinated isosteres from 1,3-diaryl cyclobutanols in a single operation. Under the Brønsted acidity of the catalysis conditions, an acid-catalysed unmasking/fluorination sequence generates a homoallylic fluoride in situ. This species serves as the substrate for an I(I)/I(III) cycle and is processed, via a phenonium ion rearrangement, to an (isolable) 1,3,3-trifluoride. A final C(sp3)-F bond activation event, enabled by HFIP, forges the difluorinated tetralin scaffold. The cascade is highly modular, enabling the intermediates to be intercepted: this provides an expansive platform for the generation of structural diversity.
Spatiotemporal transcriptomic atlas reveals the dynamic characteristics and key regulators of planarian regeneration
Authors: Cui Guanshen , Dong Kangning , Zhou Jia-Yi , Li Shang , Wu Ying , Han Qinghua , Yao Bofei , Shen Qunlun , Zhao Yong-Liang , Yang Ying , Cai Jun , Zhang Shihua , Yang Yun-Gui
Published: June 2023

Whole-body regeneration of planarians is a natural wonder but how it occurs remains elusive. It requires coordinated responses from each cell in the remaining tissue with spatial awareness to regenerate new cells and missing body parts. While previous studies identified new genes essential to regeneration, a more efficient screening approach that can identify regeneration-associated genes in the spatial context is needed. Here, we present a comprehensive three-dimensional spatiotemporal transcriptomic landscape of planarian regeneration. We describe a pluripotent neoblast subtype, and show that depletion of its marker gene makes planarians more susceptible to sub-lethal radiation. Furthermore, we identified spatial gene expression modules essential for tissue development. Functional analysis of hub genes in spatial modules, such as plk1, shows their important roles in regeneration. Our three-dimensional transcriptomic atlas provides a powerful tool for deciphering regeneration and identifying homeostasis-related genes, and provides a publicly available online spatiotemporal analysis resource for planarian regeneration research.
Fast and accurate machine learning prediction of phonon scattering rates and lattice thermal conductivity
Authors: Guo Ziqi , Roy Chowdhury Prabudhya , Han Zherui , Sun Yixuan , Feng Dudong , Lin Guang , Ruan Xiulin
Published: June 2023

Lattice thermal conductivity is important for many applications, but experimental measurements or first principles calculations including three-phonon and four-phonon scattering are expensive or even unaffordable. Machine learning approaches that can achieve similar accuracy have been a long-standing open question. Despite recent progress, machine learning models using structural information as descriptors fall short of experimental or first principles accuracy. This study presents a machine learning approach that predicts phonon scattering rates and thermal conductivity with experimental and first principles accuracy. The success of our approach is enabled by mitigating computational challenges associated with the high skewness of phonon scattering rates and their complex contributions to the total thermal resistance. Transfer learning between different orders of phonon scattering can further improve the model performance. Our surrogates offer up to two orders of magnitude acceleration compared to first principles calculations and would enable large-scale thermal transport informatics.
Characteristics of Hepatitis B virus integration and mechanism of inducing chromosome translocation
Authors: Cui Xiaofang , Li Yiyan , Xu Hanshi , Sun Yuhui , Jiang Shulong , Li Weiyang
Published: June 2023

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) integration is closely associated with the onset and progression of tumors. This study utilized the DNA of 27 liver cancer samples for high-throughput Viral Integration Detection (HIVID), with the overarching goal of detecting HBV integration. KEGG pathway analysis of breakpoints was performed using the ClusterProfiler software. The breakpoints were annotated using the latest ANNOVAR software. We identified 775 integration sites and detected two new hotspot genes for virus integration, N4BP1 and WASHP, along with 331 new genes. Furthermore, we conducted a comprehensive analysis to determine the critical impact pathways of virus integration by combining our findings with the results of three major global studies on HBV integration. Meanwhile, we found common characteristics of virus integration hotspots among different ethnic groups. To specify the direct impact of virus integration on genomic instability, we explained the causes of inversion and the frequent occurrence of translocation due to HBV integration. This study detected a series of hotspot integration genes and specified common characteristics of critical hotspot integration genes. These hotspot genes are universal across different ethnic groups, providing an effective target for better research on the pathogenic mechanism. We also demonstrated more comprehensive key pathways affected by HBV integration and elucidated the mechanism for inversion and frequent translocation events due to virus integration. Apart from the great significance of the rule of HBV integration, the current study also provides valuable insights into the mechanism of virus integration.
Wearable sensors for telehealth based on emerging materials and nanoarchitectonics
Authors: Vaghasiya Jayraj V. , Mayorga-Martinez Carmen C. , Pumera Martin
Published: June 2023

Wearable sensors have made significant progress in sensing physiological and biochemical markers for telehealth. By monitoring vital signs like body temperature, arterial oxygen saturation, and breath rate, wearable sensors provide enormous potential for the early detection of diseases. In recent years, significant advancements have been achieved in the development of wearable sensors based on two-dimensional (2D) materials with flexibility, excellent mechanical stability, high sensitivity, and accuracy introducing a new approach to remote and real-time health monitoring. In this review, we outline 2D materials-based wearable sensors and biosensors for a remote health monitoring system. The review focused on five types of wearable sensors, which were classified according to their sensing mechanism, such as pressure, strain, electrochemical, optoelectronic, and temperature sensors. 2D material capabilities and their impact on the performance and operation of the wearable sensor are outlined. The fundamental sensing principles and mechanism of wearable sensors, as well as their applications are explored. This review concludes by discussing the remaining obstacles and future opportunities for this emerging telehealth field. We hope that this report will be useful to individuals who want to design new wearable sensors based on 2D materials and it will generate new ideas.
Higher order topological superconductivity in magnet-superconductor hybrid systems
Authors: Wong Ka Ho , Hirsbrunner Mark R. , Gliozzi Jacopo , Malik Arbaz , Bradlyn Barry , Hughes Taylor L. , Morr Dirk K.
Published: June 2023

Quantum engineering of topological superconductors and of the ensuing Majorana zero modes might hold the key for realizing topological quantum computing and topology-based devices. Magnet-superconductor hybrid (MSH) systems have proven to be experimentally versatile platforms for the creation of topological superconductivity by custom-designing the complex structure of their magnetic layer. Here, we demonstrate that higher order topological superconductivity (HOTSC) can be realized in two-dimensional MSH systems by using stacked magnetic structures. We show that the sensitivity of the HOTSC to the particular magnetic stacking opens an intriguing ability to tune the system between trivial and topological phases using atomic manipulation techniques. We propose that the realization of HOTSC in MSH systems, and in particular the existence of the characteristic Majorana corner modes, allows for the implementation of a measurement-based protocols for topological quantum computing.
Single-nucleus and bulk RNA sequencing reveal cellular and transcriptional mechanisms underlying lipid dynamics in high marbled pork
Authors: Wang Liyi , Zhao Xueyan , Liu Shiqi , You Wenjing , Huang Yuqin , Zhou Yanbing , Chen Wentao , Zhang Shu , Wang Jiying , Zheng Qiankun , Wang Yizhen , Shan Tizhong
Published: June 2023

Pork is the most consumed meat in the world, and its quality is associated with human health. Intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition (also called marbling) is a key factor positively correlated with various quality traits and lipo-nutritional values of meat. However, the cell dynamics and transcriptional programs underlying lipid deposition in highly marbled meat are still unclear. Here, we used Laiwu pigs with high (HLW) or low (LLW) IMF contents to explore the cellular and transcriptional mechanisms underlying lipid deposition in highly-marbled pork by single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) and bulk RNA sequencing. The HLW group had higher IMF contents but less drip loss than the LLW group. Lipidomics results revelled the changes of overall lipid classes composition (e.g., glycerolipids including triglycerides, diglycerides, and monoglycerides; sphingolipids including ceramides and monohexose ceramide significantly increased) between HLW and LLW groups. SnRNA-seq revealed nine distinct cell clusters, and the HLW group had a higher percentage of adipocytes (1.40% vs. 0.17%) than the LLW group. We identified 3 subpopulations of adipocytes, including PDE4D+/PDE7B+ (in HLW and LLW), DGAT2+/SCD+ (mostly in HLW) and FABP5+/SIAH1+ cells (mostly in HLW). Moreover, we showed that fibro/adipogenic progenitors could differentiate into IMF cells and contribute to 43.35% of adipocytes in mice. In addition, RNA-seq revealed different genes involved in lipid metabolism and fatty acid elongation. Our study provides new insights into the cellular and molecular signatures of marbling formation; such knowledge may facilitate the development of new strategies to increase IMF deposition and the lipo-nutritional quality of high marbled pork.
A deep learning framework for quantitative analysis of actin microridges
Authors: Bhavna Rajasekaran , Sonawane Mahendra
Published: June 2023

Microridges are evolutionarily conserved actin-rich protrusions present on the apical surface of squamous epithelial cells. In zebrafish epidermal cells, microridges form self-evolving patterns due to the underlying actomyosin network dynamics. However, their morphological and dynamic characteristics have remained poorly understood owing to a lack of computational methods. We achieved ~95% pixel-level accuracy with a deep learning microridge segmentation strategy enabling quantitative insights into their bio-physical-mechanical characteristics. From the segmented images, we estimated an effective microridge persistence length of ~6.1 μm. We discovered the presence of mechanical fluctuations and found relatively greater stresses stored within patterns of yolk than flank, indicating distinct regulation of their actomyosin networks. Furthermore, spontaneous formations and positional fluctuations of actin clusters within microridges were associated with pattern rearrangements over short length/time-scales. Our framework allows large-scale spatiotemporal analysis of microridges during epithelial development and probing of their responses to chemical and genetic perturbations to unravel the underlying patterning mechanisms.
A tiled multi-city urban objects dataset for city-scale building energy simulation
Authors: Ma Rui , Fang Dongping , Chen Jiayu , Li Xin
Published: June 2023

City-scale building energy simulation provides a significant reference for planning and urban management. However, large-scale building energy simulation is often unfeasible due to the huge amount of computational resources required and the lack of high-precision building models. For such reasons, this study developed a tiled multi-city urban objects dataset and a distributed data ontology. Such a data metric not only transforms the conventional whole-city simulation model into patch-based distributed simulations but also incorporates interactive relationships among objects in cities. The dataset stores urban objects (8,196,003 buildings; 238,736 vegetations; 2,381,6698 streets; 430,364 UrbanTiles; 430,464 UrbanPatches) from thirty major cities in the United States. It also aggregated morphological features for each UrbanTile. To validate the performance of the developed dataset, a sample test was conducted in one city subset (Portland). The results conclude that the linear increase of time usage of modeling and simulation with the increase of building numbers. With the tiled data structure, the proposed dataset is also efficient for the building microclimate estimation.
Neuroimaging glutamatergic mechanisms differentiating antipsychotic treatment-response
Authors: Mouchlianitis Elias D. , Vanes Lucy D. , Tracy Derek K. , Fett Anne-Kathrin , Joyce Daniel , Shergill Sukhi S.
Published: June 2023

Glutamatergic dysfunction is associated with failure to respond to antipsychotic medication in individuals with schizophrenia. Our objective was to combine neurochemical and functional brain imaging methods to investigate glutamatergic dysfunction and reward processing in such individuals compared with those with treatment responsive schizophrenia, and healthy controls. 60 participants played a trust task, while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging: 21 classified as having treatment-resistant schizophrenia, 21 patients with treatment-responsive schizophrenia, and 18 healthy controls. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was also acquired to measure glutamate in the anterior cingulate cortex. Compared to controls, treatment responsive and treatment-resistant participants showed reduced investments during the trust task. For treatment-resistant individuals, glutamate levels in the anterior cingulate cortex were associated with signal decreases in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex when compared to those treatment-responsive, and with bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and left parietal association cortex when compared to controls. Treatment-responsive participants showed significant signal decreases in the anterior caudate compared to the other two groups. Our results provide evidence that glutamatergic differences differentiate treatment resistant and responsive schizophrenia. The differentiation of cortical and sub-cortical reward learning substrates has potential diagnostic value. Future novel interventions might therapeutically target neurotransmitters affecting the cortical substrates of the reward network.
Amplification of typhoon-generated near-inertial internal waves observed near the Tsushima oceanic front in the Sea of Japan
Authors: Kawaguchi Yusuke , Yabe Itsuka , Senjyu Tomoharu , Sakai Akie
Published: June 2023

It is not fully understood how near-inertial kinetic energy (NIKE) is spatially distributed near Tsushima oceanic front (TOF) as a typhoon travels across the region. Underneath TOF, a year-round mooring covering a major part of water column was implemented in 2019. During summer, three massive typhoons (Krosa, Tapah, and Mitag) consecutively traversed the frontal area and delivered a substantial amount of NIKE into surface mixed layer. According to a mixed-layer slab model, NIKE was widely distributed near the cyclone’s track. The mooring observation exhibited the vertical distribution and pathways of surface-generated NIKE in response to the successive typhoon events. According to the modal decomposition, first three modes mostly explain the NIKE’s elevations following the typhoon events. According to ray-tracing experiments based on the internal-wave theory, large-scale near-inertial waves (NIWs) rapidly descend to a depth greater than 1000 m, while mesoscale NIWs slowly descend and rarely reached beyond the main pycnocline. Following the passage of Tapah, a profound energy mass was found nearly stationary at shallow depths coincident with vertical shear of geostrophic current. We infer that the descending rate of NIWs fell and then they were amplified through the energy conservation when the waves came from the north side of TOF.
The evolution of atmospheric particulate matter in an urban landscape since the Industrial Revolution
Authors: Power Ann L. , Tennant Richard K. , Stewart Alex G. , Gosden Christine , Worsley Annie T. , Jones Richard , Love John
Published: June 2023

Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) causes 3.7 million annual deaths worldwide and potentially damages every organ in the body. The cancer-causing potential of fine particulates (PM2.5) highlights the inextricable link between air quality and human health. With over half of the world’s population living in cities, PM2.5emissions are a major concern, however, our understanding of exposure to urban PM is restricted to relatively recent (post-1990) air quality monitoring programmes. To investigate how the composition and toxicity of PM has varied within an urban region, over timescales encompassing changing patterns of industrialisation and urbanisation, we reconstructed air pollution records spanning 200 years from the sediments of urban ponds in Merseyside (NW England), a heartland of urbanisation since the Industrial Revolution. These archives of urban environmental change across the region demonstrate a key shift in PM emissions from coarse carbonaceous ‘soot’ that peaked during the mid-twentieth century, to finer combustion-derived PM2.5post-1980, mirroring changes in urban infrastructure. The evolution of urban pollution to a recent enhanced PM2.5signal has important implications for understanding lifetime pollution exposures for urban populations over generational timescales.
Syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration change response patterns on visual analogue scales
Authors: Williams Rebecca S. , Adams Natalie E. , Hughes Laura E. , Rouse Matthew A. , Murley Alexander G. , Naessens Michelle , Street Duncan , Holland Negin , Rowe James B.
Published: June 2023

Self-report scales are widely used in cognitive neuroscience and psychology. However, they rest on the central assumption that respondents engage meaningfully. We hypothesise that this assumption does not hold for many patients, especially those with syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration. In this study we investigated differences in response patterns on a visual analogue scale between people with frontotemporal degeneration and controls. We found that people with syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration respond with more invariance and less internal consistency than controls, with Bayes Factors = 15.2 and 14.5 respectively indicating strong evidence for a group difference. There was also evidence that patient responses feature lower entropy. These results have important implications for the interpretation of self-report data in clinical populations. Meta-response markers related to response patterns, rather than the values reported on individual items, may be an informative addition to future research and clinical practise.
A pan-cancer analysis of the role of USP5 in human cancers
Authors: Yan Bokang , Guo Jiaxing , Deng Shuang , Chen Dongliang , Huang Meiyuan
Published: June 2023

Posttranslational modifications (PTM) such as acetylation, deubiquitination, and phosphorylation of proteins, play important roles in various kinds of cancer progression. Ubiquitin-specific proteinase 5 (USP5), a unique member of deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) which recognizes unanchored polyubiquitin specifically, could regulate the stability of many tumorigenesis-associated proteins to influence cancer initiation and progression. However, the diverse biological significance of USP5 in pan-cancer has not been systematically and comprehensively studied. Here, we explored the role of USP5 in pan-cancer using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) database, and we also acquired and analyzed data via various software and web platforms such as R, GEPIA2.0, HPA, TISIDB, cBioPortal, UALCAN, TIMER 2.0, CancerSEA and BioGRID. USP5 expression was high in most cancers and differed significantly in different molecular and immune subtypes of cancers. In addition, USP5 had certain diagnostic value in multiple cancers, and high expression of USP5 generally predicted poor prognosis for cancer patients. We also found that the most frequent genetic alterations type of USP5 was mutation, and the DNA methylation level of USP5 decreased in various cancers. Furthermore, USP5 expression correlated with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), endothelial cells (EC) and genetic markers of immunodulators in cancers. Moreover, the result from single cell sequencing showed that USP5 could regulate several tumor biological behaviors such as apoptosis, DNA damage and metastasis. Gene enrichment analysis indicated “spliceosome” and “RNA splicing” may be the critical mechanism for USP5 to involve in cancer. Taken together, our study elucidates the biological significance of USP5 in the diagnosis, prognosis and immune in human pan-cancer.
A microcomputed tomographic analysis of the morphological variabilities and incidence of extra canals in mandibular first molar teeth in an Egyptian subpopulation
Authors: Saber Shehabeldin Mohamed , Elashiry Mohamed Mohamed , Sadat Shaimaa Mohamed Abu El , Nawar Nawar Naguib
Published: June 2023

A well-protected microbial habitat may be present in the root and canal morphology, which is varied and complicated. Before initiating effective root canal treatment, a detailed knowledge of the root and canal anatomical variances in each tooth is a must. This study aimed to investigate the root canal configuration, apical constriction anatomy, location of the apical foramen, dentine thickness, and prevalence of accessory canals in mandibular molar teeth in an Egyptian subpopulation using micro-computed tomography (microCT). A total of 96 mandibular first molars were scanned using microCT, and 3D reconstruction was performed using Mimics software. The root canal configurations of each of the mesial and distal root were classified with two different classification systems. The prevalence and dentin thickness around middle mesial and middle distal canals were investigated. The number, location and anatomy of major apical foramina and the apical constriction anatomy analysed. The number and location of accessory canals were identified. Our findings showed that two separate canals (15%) and one single canal (65%) were the most common configuration in the mesial and distal roots, respectively. More than half of the mesial roots had complex canal configurations and 51% had middle mesial canals. The single apical constriction anatomy was the most common for both canals followed by the parallel anatomy. Disto-lingual and distal locations of the apical foramen are the most common location for both roots. Mandibular molars in Egyptians show a wide range of variations in root canal anatomy with high prevalence of middle mesial canals. Clinicians should be aware of such anatomical variations for successful root canal treatment procedures. A specific access refinement protocol and appropriate shaping parameters should be designated for each case to fulfil the mechanical and biological objectives of root canal treatment without compromising the longevity of treated teeth.
Effects of the depletion of neural progenitors by focal X-ray irradiation on song production and perception in canaries
Authors: Chiver Ioana , dos Santos Ednei B. , Valle Shelley , Lallemand François , Cornil Charlotte A. , Ball Gregory F. , Balthazart Jacques
Published: June 2023

The song control nucleus HVC of songbirds has emerged as a widespread model system to study adult neurogenesis and the factors that modulate the incorporation of new neurons, including seasonal state, sex differences or sex steroid hormone concentrations. However, the specific function of these new neurons born in adulthood remains poorly understood. We implemented a new procedure based on focal X-ray irradiation to deplete neural progenitors in the ventricular zone adjacent to HVC and study the functional consequences. A 23 Gy dose depleted by more than 50 percent the incorporation of BrdU in neural progenitors, a depletion that was confirmed by a significant decrease in doublecortin positive neurons. This depletion of neurogenesis significantly increased the variability of testosterone-induced songs in females and decreased their bandwidth. Expression of the immediate early gene ZENK in secondary auditory areas of the telencephalon that respond to song was also inhibited. These data provide evidence that new neurons in HVC play a role in both song production and perception and that X-ray focal irradiation represents an excellent tool to advance our understanding of adult neurogenesis.
Isolation of saprophytic filamentous fungi from avian fecal samples and assessment of its predatory activity on coccidian oocysts
Authors: Lozano João , Louro Mariana , Almeida Cristina , Victório Ana Cláudia , Melo Pedro , Rodrigues João Paulo , Oliveira Manuela , Paz-Silva Adolfo , Madeira de Carvalho Luís
Published: June 2023

Fungal strains used in the biocontrol of animal gastrointestinal parasites have been mainly isolated from pasture soil, decaying organic matter, and feces from herbivores and carnivores. However, their isolation from birds and assessment of predatory activity against avian GI parasites has been scarce thus far. This research aimed to isolate filamentous fungi from avian fecal samples and evaluate their predatory activity against coccidia. A pool of 58 fecal samples from chickens, laying hens, and peacocks, previously collected between July 2020-April 2021, were used for isolation of filamentous fungi and assessment of their in vitro predatory activity against coccidian oocysts, using Water-Agar medium and coprocultures. The Willis-flotation technique was also performed to obtain concentrated suspensions of oocysts. A total of seven Mucor isolates was obtained, being the only fungal taxa identified, and all presented lytic activity against coccidia. Isolates FR3, QP2 and SJ1 had significant coccidiostatic efficacies (inhibition of sporulation) higher than 70%, while isolates FR1, QP2 and QP1 had coccidicidal efficacies (destruction of the oocysts) of 22%, 14% and 8%, respectively, after 14 days of incubation, being a gradual and time-dependent process. To our knowledge, this is the first report regarding the isolation of native predatory fungi from avian feces and demonstration of their lytic activity against coccidia.
The causal mutation in ARR3 gene for high myopia and progressive color vision defect
Authors: Gu Lei , Cong Peikuan , Ning Qingyao , Jiang Bo , Wang Jianyong , Cui Hongguang
Published: June 2023

The ARR3 gene, also known as cone arrestin, belongs to the arrestin family and is expressed in cone cells, inactivating phosphorylated-opsins and preventing cone signals. Variants of ARR3 reportedly cause X-linked dominant female-limited early-onset (age < 7 years old) high myopia (< − 6D). Here, we reveal a new mutation (c.228T>A, p.Tyr76*) in ARR3 gene that can cause early-onset high myopia (eoHM) limited to female carriers. Protan/deutan color vision defects were also found in family members, affecting both genders. Using ten years of clinical follow-up data, we identified gradually worsening cone dysfunction/color vision as a key feature among affected individuals. We present a hypothesis that higher visual contrast due to the mosaic of mutated ARR3 expression in cones contributes to the development of myopia in female carriers.
Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry for metabolomic analysis of dental calculus from Duke Alessandro Farnese and Maria D’Aviz
Authors: Riboni Nicolo’ , Bianchi Federica , Mattarozzi Monica , Peracchia Marianna , Meleti Marco , Careri Maria
Published: June 2023

Dental calculus is a valuable resource for the reconstruction of dietary habits and oral microbiome of past populations. In 2020 the remains of Duke Alessandro Farnese and his wife Maria D’Aviz were exhumed to get novel insights into the causes of death. This study aimed to investigate the dental calculus metabolome of the noble couple by untargeted metabolomics. The pulverized samples were decalcified in a water-formic acid mixture, extracted using methanol/acetonitrile and analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) using a reversed-phase separation followed by electrospray ionization and full scan in positive and negative ion mode. Waters Synapt-G2-Si High-Definition hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer was used. Significant features were then identified using MSEacquisition mode, recording information on exact mass precursor and fragment ions within the same run. This approach, together with data pre-treatment and multivariate statistical analysis allowed for the identification of compounds able to differentiate between the investigated samples. More than 200 metabolites were identified, being fatty acids, alcohols, aldehydes, phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylglycerols, ceramides and phosphatidylserines the most abundant classes. Metabolites deriving from food, bacteria and fungi were also determined, providing information on the habits and oral health status of the couple.
Sample size calculation for a NanoString GeoMx spatial transcriptomics experiment to study predictors of fibrosis progression in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Ryaboshapkina Maria , Azzu Vian
Published: June 2023

Sample size calculation for spatial transcriptomics is a novel and understudied research topic. Prior publications focused on powering spatial transcriptomics studies to detect specific cell populations or spatially variable expression patterns on tissue slides. However, power calculations for translational or clinical studies often relate to the difference between patient groups, and this is poorly described in the literature. Here, we present a stepwise process for sample size calculation to identify predictors of fibrosis progression in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease as a case study. We illustrate how to infer study hypothesis from prior bulk RNA-sequencing data, gather input requirements and perform a simulation study to estimate required sample size to evaluate gene expression differences between patients with stable fibrosis and fibrosis progressors with NanoString GeoMx Whole Transcriptome Atlas assay.