bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intra‐Continental Collision of the Tarim Basin and the Northern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Wang Chun‐Yong , Mooney W. D. , Wang X. , Chang L. , Yao Z. , Lou H.
Published: July 2024

The seismic data recorded at 48 broadband stations on an 1,800‐km‐long linear array have been used to image the deep structure and deformation in the intra‐continental collision between the Tarim Basin and the Northern Tibetan Plateau (NTP). Common Conversion Point (CCP) stacking imaging along the linear array and joint inversion of receiver function and surface wave dispersion defined the crustal and upper mantle structure, indicating that the Tarim block underthrusts the Altyn Tagh Range–Qaidam Basin. Whereas Moho is flattened, the lithospheric mantle beneath the Qaidam Basin has unusually low velocity, which is thought to be the consequence of the delamination in the lower crust and mantle lithosphere. Strong positive phase occurring at depths of 150–200 km on the CCP stacking imaging is likely to be associated to the remnant subducted oceanic lithospheric slab or the underthrusting Tianshan lithospheric slab beneath the collision zone. The removal of the Altyn Tagh Range–Qaidam Basin orogenic root may be due to convection‐driven delamination underneath it and subsequent underthrusting of the Tarim block. The spatial variation of the SKS splitting is manifested as the large‐scale pattern of lithospheric deformation and local abrupt changes, transitioning from pure shear on the NTP to simple shear in the Altyn Tagh Range. A comprehensive analysis of SKS splitting and GPS data reveals a simple shear pattern of vertical coherent deformation in the Altyn Tagh Range and its adjacent areas, which is evidence of the lithospheric shear zones.
The Potential Role of Seasonal Surface Heating on the Chaotic Origins of the El Niño/Southern Oscillation Spring Predictability Barrier
Authors: Yu Dakuan , Zhou Meng , Hang Chaoxun
Published: July 2024

The Spring Predictability Barrier (SPB) phenomenon is characterized by the reduced accuracy of El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) forecasts during the spring, which substantially limits our ability to predict ENSO events. By investigating the nonlinear dynamic characteristics of ENSO systems simulated by a box model, we found that the strong surface heating process in spring may contribute to the SPB by regulating the different coupling processes between the ocean and atmosphere. Specifically, the intensified springtime surface heating increases the Sea Surface Temperature (SST), further amplifying the thermal damping effect of SST anomalies and reducing the dynamic connection between zonal SST gradient and upwelling process, and finally increasing the chaotic degree of ENSO systems simulated by the box model. The enhanced chaotic degree of ENSO systems leads to a more rapid growth of initial errors in the forecast model in spring, potentially leading to the SPB phenomenon.
Competing Influences of Land Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions on Mississippi River Basin Hydroclimate Simulated Over the Last Millennium
Authors: Murphy Kelsey , Dee Sylvia , Doss‐Gollin James , Dunne Kieran B. J. , O’Donnell Michelle , Muñoz Samuel
Published: July 2024

The Mississippi River is a vital economic corridor used for generating hydroelectric power, transporting agricultural products, and municipal and industrial water use. Communities, industries, and infrastructure along the Mississippi River face an uncertain future as it grows more susceptible to climate extremes. A key challenge is determining whether Mississippi river discharge will increase or decrease during the 21st century. Because the 20th century record is limited in time, paleoclimate data and model simulations provide enhanced understanding of the basin's hydroclimate response to external forcing. Here, we investigate how anthropogenic forcing in the 20th century shifts the statistics of river discharge compared to a Last Millennium (LM) baseline using simulations from the Community Earth System Model Last Millennium Ensemble. We present evidence that the 20th century exhibits wetter conditions (i.e., increased river discharge) over the basin compared to the pre‐industrial, and that land use/land cover changes have a significant control on the hydroclimatic response. Conversely, while precipitation is projected to increase in the 21st century, the basin is generally drier (i.e., decreased river discharge) compared to the 20th century. Overall, we find that changes in greenhouse gases contribute to a lower risk of extreme discharge and flooding in the basin during the 20th century, while land use changes contribute to increased risk of flooding. The additional climate information afforded by the LM simulations offers an improved understanding of what drove extreme flooding events in the past, which can help inform the development of future regional flood mitigation strategies.
A novel Nav1.5-dependent feedback mechanism driving glycolytic acidification in breast cancer metastasis
Authors: Leslie Theresa K. , Tripp Aurelien , James Andrew D. , Fraser Scott P. , Nelson Michaela , Sajjaboontawee Nattanan , Capatina Alina L. , Toss Michael , Fadhil Wakkas , Salvage Samantha C. , Garcia Mar Arias , Beykou Melina , Rakha Emad , Speirs Valerie , Bakal Chris , Poulogiannis George , Djamgoz Mustafa B. A. , Jackson Antony P. , Matthews Hugh R. , Huang Christopher L-H , Holding Andrew N. , Chawla Sangeeta , Brackenbury William J.
Published: July 2024

Solid tumours have abnormally high intracellular [Na+]. The activity of various Na+ channels may underlie this Na+ accumulation. Voltage-gated Na+ channels (VGSCs) have been shown to be functionally active in cancer cell lines, where they promote invasion. However, the mechanisms involved, and clinical relevance, are incompletely understood. Here, we show that protein expression of the Nav1.5 VGSC subtype strongly correlates with increased metastasis and shortened cancer-specific survival in breast cancer patients. In addition, VGSCs are functionally active in patient-derived breast tumour cells, cell lines, and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Knockdown of Nav1.5 in a mouse model of breast cancer suppresses expression of invasion-regulating genes. Nav1.5 activity increases ATP demand and glycolysis in breast cancer cells, likely by upregulating activity of the Na+/K+ ATPase, thus promoting H+ production and extracellular acidification. The pH of murine xenograft tumours is lower at the periphery than in the core, in regions of higher proliferation and lower apoptosis. In turn, acidic extracellular pH elevates persistent Na+ influx through Nav1.5 into breast cancer cells. Together, these findings show positive feedback between extracellular acidification and the movement of Na+ into cancer cells which can facilitate invasion. These results highlight the clinical significance of Nav1.5 activity as a potentiator of breast cancer metastasis and provide further evidence supporting the use of VGSC inhibitors in cancer treatment.
Coding, or non-coding, that is the question
Authors: Poliseno Laura , Lanza Martina , Pandolfi Pier Paolo
Published: July 2024

The advent of high-throughput sequencing uncovered that our genome is pervasively transcribed into RNAs that are seemingly not translated into proteins. It was also found that non-coding RNA transcripts outnumber canonical protein-coding genes. This mindboggling discovery prompted a surge in non-coding RNA research that started unraveling the functional relevance of these new genetic units, shaking the classic definition of “gene”. While the non-coding RNA revolution was still taking place, polysome/ribosome profiling and mass spectrometry analyses revealed that peptides can be translated from non-canonical open reading frames. Therefore, it is becoming evident that the coding vs non-coding dichotomy is way blurrier than anticipated. In this review, we focus on several examples in which the binary classification of coding vs non-coding genes is outdated, since the same bifunctional gene expresses both coding and non-coding products. We discuss the implications of this intricate usage of transcripts in terms of molecular mechanisms of gene expression and biological outputs, which are often concordant, but can also surprisingly be discordant. Finally, we discuss the methodological caveats that are associated with the study of bifunctional genes, and we highlight the opportunities and challenges of therapeutic exploitation of this intricacy towards the development of anticancer therapies.
Polygenic risk scores as a marker for epilepsy risk across lifetime and after unspecified seizure events
Authors: Heyne Henrike O. , Pajuste Fanny-Dhelia , Wanner Julian , Daniel Onwuchekwa Jennifer I. , Mägi Reedik , Palotie Aarno ,   FinnGen,   Estonian Biobank research team, Kälviainen Reetta , Daly Mark J.
Published: July 2024

A diagnosis of epilepsy has significant consequences for an individual but is often challenging in clinical practice. Novel biomarkers are thus greatly needed. Here, we investigated how common genetic factors (epilepsy polygenic risk scores, [PRSs]) influence epilepsy risk in detailed longitudinal electronic health records (EHRs) of > 700k Finns and Estonians. We found that a high genetic generalized epilepsy PRS (PRSGGE) increased risk for genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE) (hazard ratio [HR] 1.73 per PRSGGE standard deviation [SD]) across lifetime and within 10 years after an unspecified seizure event. The effect of PRSGGE was significantly larger on idiopathic generalized epilepsies, in females and for earlier epilepsy onset. Analogously, we found significant but more modest focal epilepsy PRS burden associated with non-acquired focal epilepsy (NAFE). Here, we outline the potential of epilepsy specific PRSs to serve as biomarkers after a first seizure event.
UNC-45 assisted myosin folding depends on a conserved FX3HY motif implicated in Freeman Sheldon Syndrome
Authors: Vogel Antonia , Arnese Renato , Gudino Carrillo Ricardo M. , Sehr Daria , Deszcz Luiza , Bylicki Andrzej , Meinhart Anton , Clausen Tim
Published: July 2024

Myosin motors are critical for diverse motility functions, ranging from cytokinesis and endocytosis to muscle contraction. The UNC-45 chaperone controls myosin function mediating the folding, assembly, and degradation of the muscle protein. Here, we analyze the molecular mechanism of UNC-45 as a hub in myosin quality control. We show that UNC-45 forms discrete complexes with folded and unfolded myosin, forwarding them to downstream chaperones and E3 ligases. Structural analysis of a minimal chaperone:substrate complex reveals that UNC-45 binds to a conserved FX3HY motif in the myosin motor domain. Disrupting the observed interface by mutagenesis prevents myosin maturation leading to protein aggregation in vivo. We also show that a mutation in the FX3HY motif linked to the Freeman Sheldon Syndrome impairs UNC-45 assisted folding, reducing the level of functional myosin. These findings demonstrate that a faulty myosin quality control is a critical yet unexplored cause of human myopathies.
Influence of believed AI involvement on the perception of digital medical advice
Authors: Reis Moritz , Reis Florian , Kunde Wilfried
Published: July 2024

Large language models offer novel opportunities to seek digital medical advice. While previous research primarily addressed the performance of such artificial intelligence (AI)-based tools, public perception of these advancements received little attention. In two preregistered studies (n = 2,280), we presented participants with scenarios of patients obtaining medical advice. All participants received identical information, but we manipulated the putative source of this advice (‘AI’, ‘human physician’, ‘human + AI’). ‘AI’- and ‘human + AI’-labeled advice was evaluated as significantly less reliable and less empathetic compared with ‘human’-labeled advice. Moreover, participants indicated lower willingness to follow the advice when AI was believed to be involved in advice generation. Our findings point toward an anti-AI bias when receiving digital medical advice, even when AI is supposedly supervised by physicians. Given the tremendous potential of AI for medicine, elucidating ways to counteract this bias should be an important objective of future research.
The recombinant shingles vaccine is associated with lower risk of dementia
Authors: Taquet Maxime , Dercon Quentin , Todd John A. , Harrison Paul J.
Published: July 2024

There is emerging evidence that the live herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine might protect against dementia. However, the existing data are limited and refer only to the live vaccine, which is now discontinued in the United States and many other countries in favor of a recombinant vaccine. Whether the recombinant shingles vaccine protects against dementia remains unknown. Here we used a natural experiment opportunity created by the rapid transition from the use of live to the use of recombinant vaccines to compare the risk of dementia between vaccine types. We show that the recombinant vaccine is associated with a significantly lower risk of dementia in the 6 years post-vaccination. Specifically, receiving the recombinant vaccine is associated with a 17% increase in diagnosis-free time, translating into 164 additional days lived without a diagnosis of dementia in those subsequently affected. The recombinant shingles vaccine was also associated with lower risks of dementia than were two other vaccines commonly used in older people: influenza and tetanus–diphtheria–pertussis vaccines. The effect was robust across multiple secondary analyses, and was present in both men and women but was greater in women. These findings should stimulate studies investigating the mechanisms underpinning the protection and could facilitate the design of a large-scale randomized control trial to confirm the possible additional benefit of the recombinant shingles vaccine.
Cell stiffening is a label-free indicator of reactive oxygen species-induced intracellular acidification
Authors: Komaragiri Yesaswini , Pires Ricardo Hugo , Spiegler Stefanie , Dau Huy Tung , Biedenweg Doreen , Salas Clara Ortegón , Hossain Md. Faruq , Fregin Bob , Gross Stefan , Gellert Manuela , Lendeckel Uwe , Lillig Christopher , Otto Oliver
Published: July 2024

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important secondary messengers involved in a variety of cellular processes, including activation, proliferation, and differentiation. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a major ROS typically kept in low nanomolar range that causes cell and tissue damage at supraphysiological concentrations. While ROS have been studied in detail at molecular scale, little is known about their impact on cell mechanical properties as label-free biomarker for stress response. Here, we exposed human myeloid precursor cells, T-lymphoid cells and neutrophils to varying concentrations of H2O2 and show that elevated levels of mitochondrial superoxide are accompanied by an increased Young’s modulus. Mechanical alterations do not originate from global modifications in filamentous actin and microtubules but from cytosolic acidification due to lysosomal degradation. Finally, we demonstrate our findings to be independent of the presence of H2O2 and that stiffening seems to be a general response of cells to stress factors lowering cytosolic pH.
Tracking the enzyme-response mechanism of tannic acid-embedded chitosan/γ-polyglutamic acid hydrogel
Authors: Han Zhenxing , Wang Mengmeng , Hu Ziwei , Wang Yu , Tong Jie , Zhao Xiaofeng , Yue Wenjin , Nie Guangjun
Published: July 2024

The design of enzyme-response hydrogels has attracted increasing interest in cell therapy, biomedical research, and tissue engineering. Their rational design usually depends on the enzyme-response mechanism and have focused on behavior improvement, drug delivery, and state transition of hydrogels. However, no enzyme-response mechanism has yet been systematically investigated. Here, we construct a tunable platform of tannic acid-embedded chitosan/γ-polyglutamic acid hydrogel to study the enzyme-response mechanism. We track the roles of gallic acid hydrolyzed from tannic acid in altering the structure and properties of the hydrogel to get insights into the mechanism. The gallic acid inside the hydrogel enhances hydrogel crosslinking, increasing the mechanical properties and pH sensitivity but reducing thickness, porosity, and swelling behavior. The gallic acid outside the hydrogel increases the positive potential and superficial hydrophobicity of the hydrogel. These findings will aid the rational design of other enzyme-response hydrogels in more extensive self-adaptive fields.
Negative photo conductivity triggered with visible light in wide bandgap oxide-based optoelectronic crossbar memristive array for photograph sensing and neuromorphic computing applications
Authors: Kumar Dayanand , Li Hanrui , Singh Amit , Rajbhar Manoj Kumar , Syed Abdul Momin , Lee Hoonkyung , El-Atab Nazek
Published: July 2024

Photoresponsivity studies of wide-bandgap oxide-based devices have emerged as a vibrant and popular research area. Researchers have explored various material systems in their quest to develop devices capable of responding to illumination. In this study, we engineered a mature wide-bandgap oxide-based bilayer heterostructure synaptic memristor to emulate the human brain for applications in neuromorphic computing and photograph sensing. The device exhibits advanced electric and electrophotonic synaptic functions, such as long-term potentiation (LTP), long-term depression (LTD), and paired-pulse facilitation (PPF), by applying successive electric and photonic pulses. Moreover, the device exhibits exceptional electrical SET and photonic RESET endurance, maintaining its stability for a minimum of 1200 cycles without any degradation. Density functional theory calculations of the band structures provide insights into the conduction mechanism of the device. Based on this memristor array, we developed an autoencoder and convolutional neural network for noise reduction and image recognition tasks, which achieves a peak signal-to-noise ratio of 562 and high accuracy of 84.23%, while consuming lower energy by four orders of magnitude compared with the Tesla P40 GPU. This groundbreaking research not only opens doors for the integration of our device into image processing but also represents a significant advancement in the realm of in-memory computing and photograph-sensing features in a single cell.
Discovery of a new inhibitor for YTH domain-containing m6A RNA readers
Authors: Wang Chuan-Hui , Zhou Huiqing
Published: July 2024

N-7 is a novel pan-inhibitor targeting the m6A-RNA recognition by YTH domain readers.
[Cu58(SeC6H5)24(Dppe)6Se16]2+ assembled from tetrahedra and octahedra: synthesis, characterization, structure and catalytic properties
Authors: Yang Tao , Jia Jianmei , Xiong Lin , Jin Shan , Zhu Manzhou
Published: July 2024

Cu58 composed of tetrahedrons and octahedrons exhibits excellent catalytic properties, and the benmost Cu4 core dominates contributions to holes and electrons.
Why does the niclosamide drug form solvates or hydrates?
Authors: Kuri Prasitaditya , Nanubolu Jagadeesh Babu
Published: July 2024

Stronger drug–solvent interactions than drug–drug interactions are responsible for the formation of solvates in niclosamide.
Water–air interface revisited by means of path-integral ab initio molecular dynamics
Authors: Creazzo Fabrizio , Luber Sandra
Published: July 2024

Nuclear quantum effects on the air–water interface via path-integral ab initio molecular dynamics (PI-AIMD).
Emerging investigator series: Coprecipitation with glucuronic acid limits reductive dissolution and transformation of ferrihydrite in an anoxic soil
Authors: ThomasArrigo Laurel K. , Notini Luiza , Vontobel Sophie , Bouchet Sylvain , Nydegger Tabea , Kretzschmar Ruben
Published: July 2024

Ferrihydrite, a poorly crystalline Fe(iii)-oxyhydroxide, is abundant in soils and is often found associated with organic matter.
Tiled unitary product states for strongly correlated Hamiltonians
Authors: Burton Hugh G. A.
Published: July 2024

Numerical results demonstrate that highly accurate energies can be achieved with a compact quantum-compatible ansatz for both weak and strong correlation in the Hubbard model, and the repulsive pairing Hamiltonian.
Discovery of highly anisotropic dielectric crystals with equivariant graph neural networks
Authors: Lou Yuchen , Ganose Alex M.
Published: July 2024

We adopt the latest approaches in equivariant graph neural networks to develop a model that can predict the full dielectric tensor of crystals, discovering crystals with almost isotropic connectivity but highly anisotropic dielectric tensors.
Nutritional, antioxidant and biological activity characterization of orange peel flour to produce nutraceutical gluten-free muffins
Authors: Caponio Giusy Rita , Annunziato Alessandro , Vacca Mirco , Difonzo Graziana , Celano Giuseppe , Minervini Fabio , Ranieri Marianna , Valenti Giovanna , Tamma Grazia , De Angelis Maria
Published: July 2024

Celiac disease – a prevalent food intolerance – requires strict adherence to a lifelong gluten-free (GF) diet as the only effective treatment.
Application of high-resolution laser multi collector ICP-MS U–Pb dating to columbite-group minerals with compositional zonation: reassessment of matrix effects among columbite-group minerals
Authors: Yang Shuang , Zhang Liang-Liang , Wang Rui , Zhu Di-Cheng , Xie Jin-Cheng , Wang Qing , Xu Wen-Tan
Published: July 2024

Columbite-group minerals (CGMs) have been widely used in U–Pb geochronological analysis of granite and pegmatite Nb–Ta deposits due to their high U and low common Pb characteristics.
A multiplexed, allele-specific recombinase polymerase amplification assay with lateral flow readout for sickle cell disease detection
Authors: Chang Megan M. , Natoli Mary E. , Wilkinson Alexis F. , Tubman Venée N. , Airewele Gladstone E. , Richards-Kortum Rebecca R.
Published: July 2024

We describe the optimization and pilot clinical validation of an isothermal reaction with lateral flow readout capable of detecting multiple pathologic point mutations in the human β-globin gene responsible for the majority of sickle cell disease.
Rapid paper-based optical sensing of Spilosoma obliqua nucleopolyhedrovirus via ester hydrolysis
Authors: Biswakarma Dipen , Dey Nilanjan , Sivakumar G. , Bhagat Deepa , Bhattacharya Santanu
Published: July 2024

We have developed an easily scalable chromogenic probe for the dual-mode sensing of Spilosoma obliqua Nuclear polyhedrosis viruses (SpobNPV) in aqueous media.
Propane dehydrogenation catalysis of group IIIB and IVB metal hydrides
Authors: Hu Xiaoming , Huang Mengwen , Kinjyo Tetsuya , Mine Shinya , Toyao Takashi , Hinuma Yoyo , Kitano Masaaki , Sato Toyoto , Namiki Norikazu , Shimizu Ken-ichi , Maeno Zen
Published: July 2024

PDH reactions using group IIIB and IVB metal hydride catalysts were investigated under relatively low-temperature conditions of 450 °C. Lanthanum hydride exhibited the lowest activation energy for dehydrogenation and the highest propylene yield.
Bio-based resources: systemic & circular solutions for (agro)environmental services
Authors: Ondrasek Gabrijel , Meriño-Gergichevich Cristian , Manterola-Barroso Carlos , Seguel Fuentealba Alex , Romero Sebastián Meier , Savić Radovan , Cholin Sarvamangala S. , Horvatinec Jelena
Published: July 2024

Transformative solutions for key bio-based resources: environmental functions, implications & mechanisms of action.
A review on carbon quantum dot/semiconductor-based nanocomposites as hydrogen production photocatalysts
Authors: K Hareesh
Published: July 2024

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are discrete, quasi-spherical carbon nanoparticles with sizes below 10 nm.
Engineering poly(dehydroalanine)-based gels via droplet-based microfluidics: from bulk to microspheres
Authors: Mathews Hannah F. , Çeper Tolga , Speen Tobias , Bastard Céline , Bulut Selin , Pieper Maria I. , Schacher Felix H. , De Laporte Laura , Pich Andrij
Published: July 2024

By adapting existing bulk gelation protocols to droplet-based microfluidics, polyampholyte poly(dehydroalanine)-based microspheres were fabricated and evaluated regarding biomedical application.
Polyacrylic acid-reinforced organic–inorganic composite bone adhesives with enhanced mechanical properties and controlled degradability
Authors: Zheng Pianpian , Deng Junjie , Jiang Lei , Ni Ning , Huang Xinqi , Zhao Zhihe , Hu Xiaodong , Cen Xiao , Chen Jianming , Wang Rong
Published: July 2024

A PAA-reinforced TTCP/OPLS bone adhesive with robust adhesion strength and mechanical properties has been developed, and it exhibits favorable mineralization, biocompatibility, and osteogenic activity, which are promising for bone fracture repair.
A broad-spectrum antibacterial hydrogel based on the synergistic action of Fmoc–phenylalanine and Fmoc–lysine in a co-assembled state
Authors: Das Gupta Bodhisattwa , Halder Arpita , Vijayakanth Thangavel , Ghosh Nandita , Konar Ranik , Mukherjee Oindrilla , Gazit Ehud , Mondal Sudipta
Published: July 2024

The emergence of a broad-spectrum antibacterial hydrogel by the co-assembly of minimalistic amino acid-based building blocks affords a novel class of biomaterials.
Improving the quantum yield of luminescence for three-coordinated gold(i) TADF emitters by exploiting inversion symmetry and using perhaloaryl ligands
Authors: Soldevilla Inés , El-Hachimi Abdel Ghafour , Ramazanov Ruslan , Valiev Rashid R. , Olmos M. Elena , Monge Miguel , Sundholm Dage , Rodríguez-Castillo María , López-de-Luzuriaga José M.
Published: July 2024

New perhalophenyl gold(i)–tetraphosphino complexes are designed as highly efficient luminescent molecules. The electronegativity of the aryl groups and the symmetry of the molecules enable the formation of species with improved quantum yields at RT.
Synthesis of dendrimer stabilized high-density silver nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide for catalytic and antibacterial properties
Authors: Nguyen Thi Nhat Thang , Kumar Subodh , Cao Xuan Thang
Published: July 2024

Study explores depositing silver nanoparticles onto dendrimer-functionalized reduced graphene oxide via a Diels–Alder reaction, analyzing dendrimer branching's impacts on AgNP loading, nitro-reduction, and antibacterial properties.
Art and science: not as different as you think
Authors: Walter John , Milne Richard , Towers Greg J.
Published: July 2024

Greg Towers, Professor of Molecular Virology at University College London, and John Walter, Artist, are interviewed by Professor Richard Milne, Head of Teaching in Infection and Immunity at University College London about their science and art collaboration.
Optogenetic techniques for understanding the gut peristalsis during chicken embryonic development
Authors: Inaba Masafumi
Published: July 2024

Gut peristaltic movements transport ingested materials along the gut axis, which is critical for food digestion and nutrient absorption. While a large amount of studies have been devoted to analyzing the physiological functions of peristalsis in adults, little is known about how the peristaltic system is established during embryogenesis. In recent years, the chicken developing gut has emerged as an excellent model, in which specific sites along the gut axis can be genetically labeled enabling live imaging and optogenetic analyses. This review provides an overview of recent progress in optogenetic studies of gut peristalsis. Analyses with an improved channelrhodopsin-2 variant demonstrated that the peristalsis can artificially be generated in the developing gut. These studies unveiled novel functional coordination between different regions along the gut axis. In addition, imaging with GCaMP6s, a genetically encoded calcium indicator, enabled a fine mapping of developmental changes in the peristaltic patterns as Ca2+ signals. These advanced techniques will broaden our knowledge of how embryonic peristalsis is established at the cellular and molecular level, leading to the understanding of physiological and pathological processes in adult peristalsis.
The Effect of Different Sensory Perturbations on Postural Control and Fall Risk in Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Patients
Authors: Şahin Esma Temiçin , Orhan Emre , Tutar Volkan , Tutar Hakan , Gündüz Bülent
Published: July 2024

Background:

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) patients may experience balance problems in various environmental conditions other than positional dizziness. Therefore, there is a need to investigate the postural control abilities and the ability to use sensory inputs in BPPV patients in different conditions.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to examine the postural control performance of middle-aged adult BPPV patients in easy and difficult balance tasks, the effect of vestibular stimulation on the maintenance of balance, and the risk of falling, by posturographic evaluation in various conditions.

Method:

A total of 26 patients diagnosed with posterior canal BPPV and 26 controls were included in the study. Sensory Organization Test (SOT), Vestibular Stimulation Test (VST), and fall risk assessment (FRA) were applied to the participants, respectively.

Results:

Significant difference was observed in SOT medio-lateral (ML) plane in Conditions 2 and 5 (
p
< .05). A significant difference was observed in the vestibular score in the SOT ML plane. No significant difference was observed in VST test scores (
p
> .05). In the FRA test, a significant difference was observed in the energy and gain parameters in the anterio-posterior plane (
p
< .05).

Conclusions:

The current study examined postural control abilities of patients with BPPV in extensive external conditions and in both planes, using various sensory perturbations and stimulation. It was thought that while BPPV patients were in the active phase of the disease, their postural control skills in the ML plane decreased and they might be at risk of falling.
A case of the effective inhalation of nitric oxide therapy for caused severe pulmonary hypertension with protamine neutralization of systemic heparinization during totally endoscopic minimally invasive cardiac surgery
Authors: Takeichi Tomohisa , Morimoto Yoshihisa , Yamada Akitoshi , Tanaka Takanori
Published: July 2024

Severe pulmonary vasoconstriction induced by protamine is a rare complication. We report a case of a 77-year-old male patient with a history of mitral valve plasty (MVP). He underwent redo MVP via right thoracotomy under the totally endoscopic procedure (MICS redo-MVP). Immediately after weaning cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), protamine was administrated. 10 min later peak systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sys PAP) rose to 62 mmHg, and 30 min later to 80 mmHg. Due to the negative impact of protamine administration, nitric oxide inhalation (iNO) therapy was started with a concentration of 20 ppm. 10 min after iNO therapy started, sys PAP decreased to 63 mmHg. After entering the intensive care unit (ICU), sys PAP decreased to 35 mmHg. Here, we present an effective iNO therapy case for pulmonary hypertension due to protamine and the patient had a good postoperative recovery.

This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at Kitaharima Medical Center (IRB-0602) with the waiver of informed consent.
Cardiopulmonary bypass in a pediatric patient with factor XII deficiency
Authors: Fenske Julie M. , Tinius Juliani Julie , Herrington Cynthia
Published: July 2024

The safe use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) relies upon the ability to administer, monitor, and reverse anticoagulation. Although rare, the factor XII deficient patient creates a challenge for the perfusionist due to resultant complications in monitoring anticoagulation. There have been proposed strategies to aid in monitoring anticoagulation in factor XII deficient patients, however, documentation of successful monitoring during CPB is infrequent. With the use of the Hemochron Signature Elite and ACT + cartridges, CPB in a factor XII deficient 8-month-old was completed with predictable and reliable anticoagulation monitoring. This case report explores the current suggestions for factor XII deficiency management with CPB.
Études de cas en alimentation des ruminants :
nouvelles recommandations
Authors: Enjalbert Francis
Published: July 2024

Le système INRA 2018 pour les ruminants représente une évolution majeure des systèmes d’unités, valeur des aliments et apports recommandés.
Sur l’exemple d’une ration classique pour vaches laitières, cette étude de cas montre que ce nouveau système conduit à apporter davantage de concentrés.
En outre, la majoration d’apports PDI couramment mise en œuvre lors de calcul de ration basés sur le système précédent n’est plus nécessaire.
Carbamylation is Instrumental in End-Stage Kidney Disease Coagulopathies: The Impact on von Willebrand Factor and Platelet Functionality
Authors: Babickova Janka , Kałucka Urszula , Kaminska Marta , Mydel Piotr , Sochaj-Grzegorczyk Alicja , Potempa Jan , Scavenius Carsten , Knoop Thomas , Marti Hans-Peter
Published: July 2024

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive, irreversible, and incurable condition characterized by high morbidity and mortality, affecting approximately one-tenth of the global population. Rise of urea-derived cyanate levels in CKD patients, severalfold higher in comparison to those found in healthy individuals, leads to an increased rate of carbamylation of lysine residues of proteins and peptides. This posttranslational modification plays an important role in the progression of kidney failure but also in the onset of CKD-related complications, including previously reported coagulopathies. In this study, we have explored the impact of carbamylation on the functionality of von Willebrand factor (vWF), a pivotal player in hemostasis, and its implications for platelet adhesion.

Materials and Methods We have explored carbamylated vWF's interactions with its partner proteins via ELISA. Mass spectrometry was employed to identify modified lysine residues. Blood platelets isolated from healthy donors were carbamylated, and their activation, binding to endothelium and thromboxane release were evaluated using flow cytometry, adhesion assays and ELISA, respectively.

Results Using mass spectrometry we detected the vWF's lysine residue smost susceptible to carbamylation. This modification has in turn affected vWF's interactions with its key binding partners: decreased binding to collagen types I/III but increased the affinity to factor FVIII, while its binding to fibrinogen remained unchanged. Carbamylation of vWF impeded vWF-blood platelet binding, but carbamylation of platelets led to their increased thrombin-dependent activation as observed by enhanced phosphatidylserine exposure, improved their binding to vascular endothelium, at the same time decreasing the production of the prothrombotic mediator, thromboxane A2.

Conclusion Our findings highlight the multifaceted impact of carbamylation on vWF and platelets, disturbing the delicate balance of coagulation cascade. These alterations could contribute to the complex hemostatic imbalance in ESKD, underscoring the need for further research to fully understand these mechanisms and their clinical implications.
Distal Radioulnar Joint Orientation and Lunate Morphology as Protective Factors of Symptomatic Idiopathic Ulnar Impaction Syndrome in Ulnar-Positive Variant Patients
Authors: Shin Seong Kee , Kim Ki Hong , Kim Kyu Jin
Published: July 2024

Background Ulnar-positive variance is widely recognized as a risk factor for idiopathic ulnar impaction syndrome (UIS). However, not all patients with ulnar-positive variance progress to symptomatic UIS. Other factors, such as the shape of the lunate or the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ), may also play a role. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between the shape of the lunate and the structure of the DRUJ and idiopathic UIS.

Patients and Methods A cohort of 40 cases diagnosed with idiopathic UIS (UIS group) and 87 control subjects with ulnar-positive variance but without symptoms were compared. Lunate shape was assessed by measuring the lunate type and radiolunate angle (RLA), whereas DRUJ morphology was evaluated using the sigmoid notch angle, DRUJ subluxation ratio, and DRUJ inclination. Independent t-tests were conducted to analyze differences in radiographic metrics between the two groups, and logistic regression analyses were used to examine risk factors for idiopathic UIS. Receiver operating characteristic curves were utilized to determine the cutoff values for statistically significant variables.

Results Significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of RLA, DRUJ subluxation ratio, and DRUJ inclination (p < 0.05). Logistic multiple regression analysis revealed a negative correlation between idiopathic UIS occurrence and both RLA (odds ratio [OR]: 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.87–0.96; p < 0.001) and the DRUJ subluxation ratio (OR: 0.01; 95% CI: 0–0.07; p = 0.002). Conversely, a positive correlation was found between UIS occurrence and DRUJ inclination (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.01–1.12; p = 0.021).

Conclusion In patients with ulnar-positive variance, the incidence of symptomatic UIS decreases when the lunate extends more relative to the radius and when the DRUJ subluxation ratio increases or DRUJ inclination decreases.

Level of Evidence Level III, case–control study.
Analyzing modality-mediated ideology in translated Chinese political discourses: an ideological square model approach
Authors: Lijuan Du , Afzaal Muhammad
Published: July 2024

This study investigates the correlation between textual ideology and the English translations of political discourse. It focuses on how the translation shifts of modality relate to the socio-political and socio-cultural context of Chinese political discourse using the modality system of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) as the theoretical framework. Three main types of translation shifts between should and will, and their corresponding items are identified. First, the addition of modal items should and will in the TTs; second, downgrading the modality value of Chinese modality items to the lower-valued should and will in the TTs; third, upgrading the modality value of Chinese modality items to a higher-valued will in the TTs. The study attributes these findings to van Dijk’s ideological square model and the variable of tenor (the social distance between the speaker and the addresses and the social distance between the official translators of Chinese political discourse and the international audience.
Enhancing fluid identification via an innovative transformer model with bidirectional recurrent units network leveraging well logging data
Authors: Sun Youzhuang , Pang Shanchen , Zhang Yongan
Published: July 2024

In oil and gas exploration, accurate fluid prediction is crucial for strategic decisions. Our study introduces the BiGRU–Transformer, a deep learning model merging bidirectional gated recurrent units (BiGRUs) with the Transformer. The BiGRU interprets well logging data in a bidirectional manner, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of temporal factors at different depths and time intervals, enhancing fluid prediction precision. The model's sensitivity to local temporal dynamics is heightened by its recurrent neural network structure and gating mechanisms. This feature is particularly beneficial in identifying essential details during brief geological occurrences and minor temporal shifts. The bidirectional approach of the model is tailored to accommodate geological variations across assorted depths and timelines, thus boosting its capability to adapt to diverse geological formations. In the Transformer, the self-attention mechanism dynamically adjusts information importance in geological sequences, enabling flexible handling of diverse relationships and a deeper understanding of intricate structures. Primary data come from key well log curves, providing essential features for analysis. Fed into the BiGRU–Transformer, it links fluid attributes with logging parameters. Benchmarking against state-of-the-art models shows our BiGRU–Transformer's superior accuracy and impressive generalization in fluid prediction across various scenarios. This innovation marks a significant advancement in machine learning for well logging, offering a precise tool for geologists and engineers, enhancing exploration and development quality. The BiGRU–Transformer highlights the transformative impact of advanced machine learning in geosciences, paving the way for novel approaches in oil and gas resource exploration and utilization.
Experimental study of drag characteristics and dust removal performance of a hybrid wet-filter precipitator
Authors: Yi Hang , Yang Zifeng , Chang Deqiang , Tian Xinjiao , Liu Jingxian
Published: July 2024

With their advantages of high dust removal efficiency and low drag characteristics, hybrid wet-filter precipitators have great potential for dust control in coal mines, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, to help fill this knowledge gap, a hybrid wet-filter precipitator consisting of a 40-layer metal filter and a defogger device is designed and a prototype is constructed. Experiments are conducted to investigate its drag characteristics under wind velocities from 0.85 to 5.68 m/s and its dust removal performance under wind velocities of 2 and 4 m/s. On the basis of results with the initial design, which show that the dust removal efficiency does not meet the target value of 99%, two rounds of improvement are implemented to enhance the dust removal efficiency. Results show that the defogger device contributes ∼80% of the total drag. The drag from the metal filters is found to increase by over 80% on average after sampling, since some of dust particles are left on the filters, decreasing their porosity. The installation of two-layer air filters on the leeside of the metal filter unit is found to increase the efficiency to 99.89% and 99.80% under wind velocities of 2 and 4 m/s, respectively, although this is at the cost of increased drags. Additionally, it is found that the replacement of the defogger by a 20-layer metal filter is not desirable, since this increases the downstream air humidity to more than 100%, which can cause damage to the centrifugal blower system. Therefore, new designs for the defogger device need to be examined in future studies.
Comparative analysis of dielectric surface discharge characteristics in Gaussian and sinusoidal microwave electric fields
Authors: Shu Panpan , Zhao Pengcheng
Published: July 2024

The particle-in-cell-Monte Carlo collision model is used to simulate the dielectric surface discharge in Gaussian and sinusoidal microwave electric fields. The effect of microwave electric field waveform on the discharge characteristics in vacuum and gases of different pressures is investigated, when the transmission power of Gaussian microwave is equal to that of sinusoidal microwave. In vacuum, the growth rate and saturation level of the number of electrons produced by multipactor in the Gaussian microwave electric field are lower than those in the sinusoidal microwave electric field. This is attributed to the lower amplitude of the mean electron energy in the Gaussian microwave electric field. At low pressure, the growth rate of the number of electrons generated by multipactor and gas ionization in the Gaussian microwave electric field is also lower than that in the sinusoidal microwave electric field. However, the plasma grows more rapidly in the Gaussian microwave electric field than in the sinusoidal microwave electric field at high pressure. This is because the rate of gas ionization that dominates the dielectric surface discharge in the Gaussian microwave field is higher than that in the sinusoidal microwave field.
Nonlinear coupling of electromagnetic and electrostatic modes via density and pressure fluctuations: The case of Weibel instabilities
Authors: Del Sarto D. , Ghizzo A. , Sarrat M.
Published: July 2024

Both the pressure anisotropy-driven Weibel instability and the momentum anisotropy-driven current filamentation instability make a quasi-static magnetic field linearly grow. In some conditions, this growth couples with electrostatic perturbations, and an electrostatic field component growing twice as fast as the magnetic field was noticed since the early numerical simulations of these phenomena. We herein provide an interpretation of this process in terms of the electron density concentration induced by the differential rotation of current filaments around the maxima of the magnetic field. We then discuss how this effect, which is both of second order with respect to the amplitude of the electromagnetic Weibel mode and an ingredient of the linear instability itself, anisotropically couples with fluctuations of the distribution functions associated with the pressure tensor components. The analytical estimates are consistent with nonlinear kinetic simulations performed with both the semi-Lagrangian Vlasov code VLEM and with a reduced multi-stream model for the Vlasov–Maxwell system.
Optical bias and cryogenic laser readout of a multipixel superconducting nanowire single photon detector
Authors: Thiele Frederik , Lamberty Niklas , Hummel Thomas , Bartley Tim
Published: July 2024

Cryogenic opto-electronic interconnects are gaining increasing interest as a means to control and readout cryogenic electronic components. The challenge is to achieve sufficient signal integrity with low heat load processing. In this context, we demonstrate the opto-electronic bias and readout of a commercial four-pixel superconducting nanowire single-photon detector array using a cryogenic photodiode and laser. We show that this approach has a similar system detection efficiency to a conventional bias. Furthermore, multi-pixel detection events are faithfully converted between the optical and electrical domains, which allows reliable extraction of amplitude multiplexed photon statistics. Our device has a latent heat load of 2.6 mW, maintains a signal rise time of 3 ns, and operates in free-running (self-resetting) mode at a repetition rate of 600 kHz. This demonstrates the potential of high-bandwidth, low noise, and low heat load opto-electronic interconnects for scalable cryogenic signal processing and transmission.
More considerations about the symmetry of the stress tensor of fluids
Authors: Luo Ji
Published: July 2024

Regarding a recent dispute about the symmetry of the stress tensor of fluids, more considerations are presented. The usual proofs of this symmetry are reviewed, and contradictions between this symmetry and the mechanism of gas viscosity are analyzed for simple gas flows. It is emphasized that these proofs depend on the theorem of angular momentum that assumes that internal forces between any two fluid particles are always along the line connecting them. Without this assumption, from Newton’s laws of motion one can only obtain the theorem of angular momentum with an additional term. It is proved within classical continuum mechanics that this additional term represents the total moment of internal forces, and its volume density is similar to the body couple introduced in generalized continuum mechanics. When discrete structure of matter is considered, this term corresponds to the total moment of the forces exerted on the nuclei by the internal electrons. This moment of internal forces may lead to nonsymmetry of the stress tensor and is, in general, nonzero as long as shear stress exists. A nonsymmetrical stress tensor suggested in the literature is discussed in terms of its effects in eliminating the contradictions and simplifying the Navier–Stokes equation. The derivation of this stress tensor for ideal gases based on the kinetic theory of gas molecules is presented, and its form in a general orthogonal curvilinear coordinate system is given. Finally, a possible experimental verification of this nonsymmetrical stress tensor is discussed.