bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aerosol forcing regulating recent decadal change of summer water vapor budget over the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Wang Zhili , Lei Yadong , Che Huizheng , Wu Bo , Zhang Xiaoye
Published: March 2024

The Tibetan Plateau (TP), known as the Asian water tower, has been getting wetter since the 1970s. However, the primary drivers behind this phenomenon are still highly controversial. Here, we isolate the impacts of greenhouse gases (GHG), aerosols, natural forcings and internal climate variability on the decadal change of summer water vapor budget (WVB) over the TP using multi-model ensemble simulations. We show that an anomalous Rossby wave train in the upper troposphere travelling eastward from central Europe and equatorward temperature gradient in eastern China due to the inhomogeneous aerosol forcing in Eurasia jointly contribute to anomalous easterly winds over the eastern TP. Such anomalous easterly winds result in a significant decrease in water vapor export from the eastern boundary of the TP and dominate the enhanced summer WVB over the TP during 1979-2014. Our results highlight that spatial variation of aerosol forcing can be used as an important indicator to project future WVB over the TP.
Comparison of genes involved in brain development: insights into the organization and evolution of the telencephalic pallium
Authors: Zhang Jiangyan , Zhao Rui , Lin Shiying , Yang Dong , Lu Shan , Liu Zenan , Gao Yuanyuan , Zhang Yiyun , Hou Bing , Xi Chao , Liu Jin , Bing Jie , Pang Erli , Lin Kui , Zeng Shaoju
Published: March 2024

The mechanisms underlying the organization and evolution of the telencephalic pallium are not yet clear.. To address this issue, we first performed comparative analysis of genes critical for the development of the pallium (Emx1/2 and Pax6) and subpallium (Dlx2 and Nkx1/2) among 500 vertebrate species. We found that these genes have no obvious variations in chromosomal duplication/loss, gene locus synteny or Darwinian selection. However, there is an additional fragment of approximately 20 amino acids in mammalian Emx1 and a poly-(Ala)6–7 in Emx2. Lentiviruses expressing mouse or chick Emx2 (m-Emx2 or c-Emx2 Lv) were injected into the ventricle of the chick telencephalon at embryonic Day 3 (E3), and the embryos were allowed to develop to E12–14 or to posthatchling. After transfection with m-Emx2 Lv, the cells expressing Reelin, Vimentin or GABA increased, and neurogenesis of calbindin cells changed towards the mammalian inside-out pattern in the dorsal pallium and mesopallium. In addition, a behavior test for posthatched chicks indicated that the passive avoidance ratio increased significantly. The study suggests that the acquisition of an additional fragment in mammalian Emx2 is associated with the organization and evolution of the mammalian pallium.
Correlation between frailty and reduction in cortical thickness in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Fukatsu-Chikumoto Ayumi , Hirano Tsunahiko , Takahashi Shun , Ishida Takuya , Yasuda Kasumi , Donishi Tomohiro , Suga Kazuyoshi , Doi Keiko , Oishi Keiji , Ohata Shuichiro , Murata Yoriyuki , Yamaji Yoshikazu , Asami-Noyama Maki , Edakuni Nobutaka , Kakugawa Tomoyuki , Matsunaga Kazuto
Published: March 2024

Physical inactivity and cognitive impairment in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can lead to frailty and poor prognoses. However, little is known regarding the association between frailty and the human brain. We hypothesized that the brain structure could change according to frailty in patients with COPD and focused on cortical thickness. Cortical thickness measured by magnetic resonance imaging and frailty scores using the Kihon Checklist (KCL) were assessed in 40 patients with stable COPD and 20 healthy controls. Among the 34 regions assessed, multiple regions were thinner in patients with COPD than in healthy individuals (p < 0.05). We found significant negative correlations between the eight regions and the KCL scores only in patients with COPD. After adjusting for age and cognitive impairment, the association between the left and six right regions remained statistically significant. The correlation coefficient was the strongest in the bilateral superior frontal gyrus (left: ρ = − 0.5319, p = 0.0006) (right: ρ = − 0.5361, p = 0.0005). Interestingly, among the KCL scores, the daily activity domain showed the strongest correlation (sensitivity, 90%; specificity, 73%) with the bottom quartile of the reduction in the superior frontal gyrus. Frailty in patients with COPD is associated with a thickness reduction in the cortical regions, reflecting social vulnerability.
The prevalence of simian malaria in wild long-tailed macaques throughout Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Shahari Shahhaziq , Bin Abdullah Mohd Lutfi , Binti Isman Rohimly Anis Adlina , Binti Ashrat Norsharina , Amir Amirah , Atroosh Wahib Mohammed Mohsen , Fong Mun Yik , Lau Yee Ling
Published: March 2024

The parasite Plasmodium knowlesi has been the sole cause of malaria in Malaysia from 2018 to 2022. The persistence of this zoonotic species has hampered Malaysia’s progress towards achieving the malaria-free status awarded by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Due to the zoonotic nature of P. knowlesi infections, it is important to study the prevalence of the parasite in the macaque host, the long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis). Apart from P. knowlesi, the long-tailed macaque is also able to harbour Plasmodium cynomolgi, Plasmodium inui, Plasmodium caotneyi and Plasmodium fieldi. Here we report the prevalence of the 5 simian malaria parasites in the wild long-tailed macaque population in 12 out of the 13 states in Peninsular Malaysia using a nested PCR approach targeting the 18s ribosomal RNA (18s rRNA) gene. It was found that all five Plasmodium species were widely distributed throughout Peninsular Malaysia except for states with major cities such as Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. Of note, Pahang reported a malaria prevalence of 100% in the long-tailed macaque population, identifying it as a potential hotspot for zoonotic transmission. Overall, this study shows the distribution of the 5 simian malaria parasite species throughout Peninsular Malaysia, the data of which could be used to guide future malaria control interventions to target zoonotic malaria.
The Middle Pleistocene human metatarsal from Sedia del Diavolo (Rome, Italy)
Authors: Riga Alessandro , Profico Antonio , Mori Tommaso , Frittitta Riccardo , Nava Alessia , Mancini Lucia , Dreossi Diego , Radovčić Davorka , Rice Hannah , Bondioli Luca , Marchi Damiano
Published: March 2024

The peopling of Europe during the Middle Pleistocene is a debated topic among paleoanthropologists. Some authors suggest the coexistence of multiple human lineages in this period, while others propose a single evolving lineage from Homo heidelbergensis to Homo neanderthalensis. The recent reassessment of the stratigraphy at the Sedia del Diavolo (SdD) site (Latium, Italy), now dated to the beginning of marine isotope stage (MIS) 8, calls for a revision of the human fossils from the site. In this paper, we present the morphometric, biomechanical and palaeopathological study of the second right metatarsal SdD2, to both re-evaluate its taxonomical affinities and possibly determine the levels of physical activity experienced by the individual during lifetime. Results demonstrate the persistence of archaic features in SdD2 suggesting new insights into the technology and hunting strategies adopted by Homo between MIS 9 and MIS 8.
Flavor characteristics of garlic fish cakes using electronic nose and tongue analyses
Authors: Choi Hae-Yeon , Woo Hye-Eun , Go Eun-Seong , Kim Jin-Seong , Choi Jin-Hee
Published: March 2024

This study investigated the utility of garlic powder as a functional ingredient. The aim was to develop fish cakes with improved functionality and sensory preference based on the antioxidant activity and quality characteristics. Increasing amounts of garlic powder in the prepared fish cakes were associated with increasing total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazolin-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS+) radical scavenging activity, and reducing power. Furthermore, electronic tongue and electronic nose analyses showed an increased the intensity of umami and sourness and increased the levels of volatile compounds. The lowest trimethylamine peak corresponded to the highest amount of garlic powder. Sensory evaluation indicated that 3% garlic powder had the highest score for all criteria. Fishy odor decreased as the proportion of garlic powder increased. These findings suggest that the addition of 3% garlic powder improves quality characteristics, sensory preference, and antioxidant activity of fish cakes.
Feature-specific nutrient management of onion (Allium cepa) using machine learning and compositional methods
Authors: Hahn Leandro , Kurtz Claudinei , de Paula Betania Vahl , Feltrim Anderson Luiz , Higashikawa Fábio Satoshi , Moreira Camila , Rozane Danilo Eduardo , Brunetto Gustavo , Parent Léon-Étienne
Published: March 2024

While onion cultivars, irrigation and soil and crop management have been given much attention in Brazil to boost onion yields, nutrient management at field scale is still challenging due to large dosage uncertainty. Our objective was to develop an accurate feature-based fertilization model for onion crops. We assembled climatic, edaphic, and managerial features as well as tissue tests into a database of 1182 observations from multi-environment fertilizer trials conducted during 13 years in southern Brazil. The complexity of onion cropping systems was captured by machine learning (ML) methods. The RReliefF ranking algorithm showed that the split-N dosage and soil tests for micronutrients and S were the most relevant features to predict bulb yield. The decision-tree random forest and extreme gradient boosting models were accurate to predict bulb yield from the relevant predictors (R2 > 90%). As shown by the gain ratio, foliar nutrient standards for nutritionally balanced and high-yielding specimens producing > 50 Mg bulb ha−1set apart by the ML classification models differed among cultivars. Cultivar × environment interactions support documenting local nutrient diagnosis. The split-N dosage was the most relevant controllable feature to run future universality tests set to assess models’ ability to generalize to growers’ fields.
Neuroprotection by acrolein sequestration through exogenously applied scavengers and endogenous enzymatic enabling strategies in mouse EAE model
Authors: Tang Jonathan , Alford Anna , Leung Gary , Tully Melissa , Shi Riyi
Published: March 2024

We have previously shown that the pro-oxidative aldehyde acrolein is a critical factor in MS pathology. In this study, we found that the acrolein scavenger hydralazine (HZ), when applied from the day of induction, can suppress acrolein and alleviate motor and sensory deficits in a mouse experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model. Furthermore, we also demonstrated that HZ can alleviate motor deficits when applied after the emergence of MS symptoms, making potential anti-acrolein treatment a more clinically relevant strategy. In addition, HZ can reduce both acrolein and MPO, suggesting a connection between acrolein and inflammation. We also found that in addition to HZ, phenelzine (PZ), a structurally distinct acrolein scavenger, can mitigate motor deficits in EAE when applied from the day of induction. This suggests that the likely chief factor of neuroprotection offered by these two structurally distinct acrolein scavengers in EAE is their common feature of acrolein neutralization. Finally, up-and-down regulation of the function of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) in EAE mice using either a pharmacological or genetic strategy led to correspondent motor and sensory changes. This data indicates a potential key role of ALDH2 in influencing acrolein levels, oxidative stress, inflammation, and behavior in EAE. These findings further consolidate the critical role of aldehydes in the pathology of EAE and its mechanisms of regulation. This is expected to reinforce and expand the possible therapeutic targets of anti-aldehyde treatment to achieve neuroprotection through both endogenous and exogenous manners.
Genome wide association study in Swedish Labrador retrievers identifies genetic loci associated with hip dysplasia and body weight
Authors: Kieler Ida Nordang , Persson Sofia Malm , Hagman Ragnvi , Marinescu Voichita D. , Hedhammar Åke , Strandberg Erling , Lindblad-Toh Kerstin , Arendt Maja Louise
Published: March 2024

Genome wide association studies (GWAS) have been utilized to identify genetic risk loci associated with both simple and complex inherited disorders. Here, we performed a GWAS in Labrador retrievers to identify genetic loci associated with hip dysplasia and body weight. Hip dysplasia scores were available for 209 genotyped dogs. We identified a significantly associated locus for hip dysplasia on chromosome 24, with three equally associated SNPs (p = 4.3 × 10–7) in complete linkage disequilibrium located within NDRG3, a gene which in humans has been shown to be differentially expressed in osteoarthritic joint cartilage. Body weight, available for 85 female dogs, was used as phenotype for a second analysis. We identified two significantly associated loci on chromosome 10 (p = 4.5 × 10–7) and chromosome 31 (p = 2.5 × 10–6). The most associated SNPs within these loci were located within the introns of the PRKCE and CADM2 genes, respectively. PRKCE has been shown to play a role in regulation of adipogenesis whilst CADM2 has been associated with body weight in multiple human GWAS. In summary, we identified credible candidate loci explaining part of the genetic inheritance for hip dysplasia and body weight in Labrador retrievers with strong candidate genes in each locus previously implicated in the phenotypes investigated.
Adsorption of lead and chromium ions from electroplating wastewater using plantain stalk modified by amorphous alumina developed from waste cans
Authors: Ajala E. O. , Aliyu M. O. , Ajala M. A. , Mamba G. , Ndana A. M. , Olatunde T. S.
Published: March 2024

Waste beneficiation is key to environmental protection and the realisation of a circular economy. Herein, amorphous alumina (a-Al2O3) derived from aluminium waste cans (AWC) was used to modify plantain stalk as an adsorbent for sequestration of lead (II) and chromium (VI) ions from electroplating wastewater. Raw plantain-stalk (RPS) and amorphous-alumina modified plantain stalk (APS) developed as adsorbents were characterised using various equipment such as x-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET). The FTIR revealed that the adsorbents are rich in functional groups that could promote the adsorption process which includes carboxyl, hydroxyl, and aliphatic groups. Also, the BET analysis showed a substantial increase in the surface area of APS (174.448 m2/g) compared to that of RPS (40.531 m2/g) which could be due to the effect of modification by the a-Al2O3. The batch adsorption studies revealed that the APS achieved 99.38% and 98.33% removal of Cr(VI) and Pb(II), respectively, which is superior to RPS adsorption efficiency. Also, the estimated and experimental data for the APS compared well under all the kinetic models studied with R2 > 0.88. This suggested that chemisorption is the most plausible adsorption mechanism of Cr(VI) and Pb(II) onto the APS. Further analysis showed that the Cr(VI) and Pb(II) adsorption followed the Langmuir model with the RL value of 0.038 and 0.999, respectively, which indicated that the two metal ions were effectively adsorbed onto the APS. Therefore, this work demonstrated that the modification of plantain-stalk with amorphous-alumina derived from AWC enhanced the characteristics of the APS and favoured its adsorption of the selected heavy metals.
PARSEG: a computationally efficient approach for statistical validation of botanical seeds’ images
Authors: Frigau Luca , Conversano Claudio , Antoch Jaromír
Published: March 2024

Human recognition and automated image validation are the most widely used approaches to validate the output of binary segmentation methods but, as the number of pixels in an image easily exceeds several million, they become highly demanding from both practical and computational standpoint. We propose a method, called PARSEG, which stands for PArtitioning, Random Selection, Estimation, and Generalization; being the basic steps within this procedure. Suggested method enables us to perform statistical validation of binary images by selecting the minimum number of pixels from the original image to be used for validation without deteriorating the effectiveness of the validation procedure. It utilizes binary classifiers to accomplish image validation and selects the optimal sample of pixels according to a specific objective function. As a result, the computational complexity of the validation experiment is substantially reduced. The procedure’s effectiveness is illustrated by considering images composed of approximately 13 million pixels from the field of seed recognition. PARSEG provides roughly the same precision of the validation process when extended to the entire image, but it utilizes only about 4% of the original number of pixels, thus reducing, by about 90%, the computing time required to validate a binary segmented image.
Rapid biodegradation of microplastics generated from bio-based thermoplastic polyurethane
Authors: Allemann Marco N. , Tessman Marissa , Reindel Jaysen , Scofield Gordon B. , Evans Payton , Pomeroy Robert S. , Burkart Michael D. , Mayfield Stephen P. , Simkovsky Ryan
Published: March 2024

The accumulation of microplastics in various ecosystems has now been well documented and recent evidence suggests detrimental effects on various biological processes due to this pollution. Accumulation of microplastics in the natural environment is ultimately due to the chemical nature of widely used petroleum-based plastic polymers, which typically are inaccessible to biological processing. One way to mitigate this crisis is adoption of plastics that biodegrade if released into natural environments. In this work, we generated microplastic particles from a bio-based, biodegradable thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU-FC1) and demonstrated their rapid biodegradation via direct visualization and respirometry. Furthermore, we isolated multiple bacterial strains capable of using TPU-FC1 as a sole carbon source and characterized their depolymerization products. To visualize biodegradation of TPU materials as real-world products, we generated TPU-coated cotton fabric and an injection molded phone case and documented biodegradation by direct visualization and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), both of which indicated clear structural degradation of these materials and significant biofilm formation.
Characteristics of lower airway parameters in an adult Asian population related to endotracheal tube design: a cadaveric study
Authors: Turbpaiboon Chairat , Kasemassawachanont Adisak , Wankijcharoen Jirawat , Thusneyapan Kittipott , Khamman Pramuk , Patharateeranart Karnkawin , Amornsitthiwat Ramida , Numwong Terasut , Chaikittisilpa Nophanan , Kiatchai Taniga
Published: March 2024

The risk of endotracheal tube (ETT) placement includes endobronchial intubation and subglottic injury. This study aimed to describe the lengths of lower airway parameters related to cuff location and vocal cord markings in different adult-sized ETTs. Eighty cadavers were examined for the lengths of the lower airway, including their correlations and linear regressions with height. Thirty adult-sized ETTs from seven different brands were examined for Mark-Cuff and Mark-Tip distances. The depth of ETT placement was simulated for each brand using vocal cord marking. The mean (standard deviation) lengths from the subglottis, trachea, vocal cord to mid- trachea, and vocal cord to carina were 24.2 (3.5), 97.9 (8.6), 73.2 (5.3), and 122.1 (9.0) mm, respectively. Airway lengths were estimated as: (1) subglottis (mm) = 0.173 * (height in cm) − 3.547; (2) vocal cord to mid-trachea (mm) = 0.28 * (height in cm) + 28.391. There were variations in the Mark-Cuff and Mark-Tip distances among different ETTs. In the simulation, endobronchial intubation ranged between 2.5 and 5% and the cuff in the subglottis ranged between 2.5 and 97.5%. In summary, the lower airway parameters were height-related. ETT placement using vocal cord marking puts the patient at a high risk of cuff placement in the subglottis.
Status of selected biochemical and coagulation profiles and platelet count in malaria and malaria-Schistosoma mansoni co-infection among patients attending at Dembiya selected Health Institutions, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Abebe Wagaw , Asmare Zelalem , Wondmagegn Addis , Awoke Mulat , Adgo Aderajew , Derso Adane , Lemma Wossenseged
Published: March 2024

Malaria and schistosomiasis are infectious diseases that cause coagulation disorders, biochemical abnormalities, and thrombocytopenia. Malaria and Schistosoma mansoni co-infection cause exacerbations of health consequences and co-morbidities.This study aimed to compare the effect of malaria and Schistosoma mansoni co-infection and malaria infection on selected biochemical and coagulation profiles, and platelet count. An institutional-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from March 30 to August 10, 2022. A total of 70 individuals were enrolled in the study using a convenient sampling technique. Wet mount and Kato Katz techniques were conducted to detect Schistosoma mansoni in a stool sample. Blood films were prepared for the detection of plasmodium. The data was coded and entered into EpiData version 3.1 before being analyzed with SPSS version 25. An independent t test was used during data analysis. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The mean [SD] of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin in the co-infected was higher than in malaria infected participants. However, the mean of total protein and glucose in co-infected was lower than in the malaria infected participants. The mean of prothrombin time, international normalization ratio, and activated partial thromboplastin time in co-infected was significantly higher, while the platelet count was lower compared to malaria infected participants. Biochemical and coagulation profiles, and platelet count status in co-infection were changed compared to malaria infected participants. Therefore, biochemical and coagulation profiles and platelet count tests should be used to monitor and manage co-infection related complications and to reduce co-infection associated morbidity and mortality.
Numerical study on the axial collapse of thin-walled columns
Authors: Wang Di , Fang Houcheng , Xue Ruilei , Li Shen
Published: March 2024

In order to investigate the damage characteristics of structural components under axial compression, thin-walled columns are chosen as a more straightforward construct due to the complex structural properties of composite materials, diverse fiber laying angles, and varied geometries associated with thin-walled columns. Despite the limitations imposed by labor-intensive testing procedures, high costs, and the poor repeatability inherent in experimental research methods, there remains an insufficient exploration of axial compressive damage in columns composed of aluminum and fiber-reinforced polymers. This article utilizes the finite element technique to quantitatively analyze the crushing processes of four materials: aluminum, carbon fiber-reinforced aluminum, carbon fiber-reinforced polymer, and glass fiber-reinforced polymer. It examines the effects of varying fibers and matrix materials on their mechanical attributes. The study also evaluates the impact of different cross-sectional designs on the mechanical behavior of the columns.
Prediction and detection of side effects severity following COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations: utilizing smartwatches and smartphones
Authors: Levi Yosi , Brandeau Margaret L. , Shmueli Erez , Yamin Dan
Published: March 2024

Vaccines stand out as one of the most effective tools in our arsenal for reducing morbidity and mortality. Nonetheless, public hesitancy towards vaccination often stems from concerns about potential side effects, which can vary from person to person. As of now, there are no automated systems available to proactively warn against potential side effects or gauge their severity following vaccination. We have developed machine learning (ML) models designed to predict and detect the severity of post-vaccination side effects. Our study involved 2111 participants who had received at least one dose of either a COVID-19 or influenza vaccine. Each participant was equipped with a Garmin Vivosmart 4 smartwatch and was required to complete a daily self-reported questionnaire regarding local and systemic reactions through a dedicated mobile application. Our XGBoost models yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.69 and 0.74 in predicting and detecting moderate to severe side effects, respectively. These predictions were primarily based on variables such as vaccine type (influenza vs. COVID-19), the individual's history of side effects from previous vaccines, and specific data collected from the smartwatches prior to vaccine administration, including resting heart rate, heart rate, and heart rate variability. In conclusion, our findings suggest that wearable devices can provide an objective and continuous method for predicting and monitoring moderate to severe vaccine side effects. This technology has the potential to improve clinical trials by automating the classification of vaccine severity.
Improved estimation of the relationship between fetal growth and late stillbirth in the United States, 2014–15
Authors: Tanner Darren , Lavista Ferres Juan M. , Mitchell Edwin A.
Published: March 2024

In the United States the rate of stillbirth after 28 weeks’ gestation (late stillbirth) is 2.7/1000 births. Fetuses that are small for gestational age (SGA) or large for gestational age (LGA) are at increased risk of stillbirth. SGA and LGA are often categorized as growth or birthweight ≤ 10th and ≥ 90th centile, respectively; however, these cut-offs are arbitrary. We sought to characterize the relationship between birthweight and stillbirth risk in greater detail. Data on singleton births between 28- and 44-weeks’ gestation from 2014 to 2015 were extracted from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention live birth and fetal death files. Growth was assessed using customized birthweight centiles (Gestation Related Optimal Weight; GROW). The analyses included logistic regression using SGA/LGA categories and a generalized additive model (GAM) using birthweight centile as a continuous exposure. Although the SGA and LGA categories identified infants at risk of stillbirth, categorical models provided poor fits to the data within the high-risk bins, and in particular markedly underestimated the risk for the extreme centiles. For example, for fetuses in the lowest GROW centile, the observed rate was 39.8/1000 births compared with a predicted rate of 11.7/1000 from the category-based analysis. In contrast, the model-predicted risk from the GAM tracked closely with the observed risk, with the GAM providing an accurate characterization of stillbirth risk across the entire birthweight continuum. This study provides stillbirth risk estimates for each GROW centile, which clinicians can use in conjunction with other clinical details to guide obstetric management.
Single shot detection of alterations across multiple ionic currents from assimilation of cell membrane dynamics
Authors: Morris Paul G. , Taylor Joseph D. , Paton Julian F. R. , Nogaret Alain
Published: March 2024

The dysfunction of ion channels is a causative factor in a variety of neurological diseases, thereby defining the implicated channels as key drug targets. The detection of functional changes in multiple specific ionic currents currently presents a challenge, particularly when the neurological causes are either a priori unknown, or are unexpected. Traditional patch clamp electrophysiology is a powerful tool in this regard but is low throughput. Here, we introduce a single-shot method for detecting alterations amongst a range of ion channel types from subtle changes in membrane voltage in response to a short chaotically driven current clamp protocol. We used data assimilation to estimate the parameters of individual ion channels and from these we reconstructed ionic currents which exhibit significantly lower error than the parameter estimates. Such reconstructed currents thereby become sensitive predictors of functional alterations in biological ion channels. The technique correctly predicted which ionic current was altered, and by approximately how much, following pharmacological blockade of BK, SK, A-type K+ and HCN channels in hippocampal CA1 neurons. We anticipate this assay technique could aid in the detection of functional changes in specific ionic currents during drug screening, as well as in research targeting ion channel dysfunction.
Comparing risk assessment methods for work-related musculoskeletal disorders with in vivo joint loads during manual materials handling
Authors: Brandl Christopher , Bender Alwina , Schmachtenberg Tim , Dymke Jörn , Damm Philipp
Published: March 2024

The validity of observational methods in ergonomics is still challenging research. Criterion validity in terms of concurrent validity is the most commonly studied. However, studies comparing observational methods with biomechanical values are rare. Thus, the aim of this study is to compare the Ovako Working Posture Analysing System (OWAS) and the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) with in vivo load measurements at hip, spine, and knee during stoop and squat lifting of 14 participants. The results reveal that OWAS and REBA action levels (AL) can distinguish between different in vivo load measurements during manual lifting. However, the results also reveal that the same OWAS- and REBA-AL do not necessarily provide equal mean values of in vivo load measurements. For example, resultant contact force in the vertebral body replacement for squat lifting ranged from 57% body weight (%BW) in OWAS-AL1 to 138%BW in OWAS-AL3 compared to 46%BW in REBA-AL0 and 173%BW in REBA-AL3. Furthermore, the results suggest that the performed squat lifting techniques had a higher risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders than the performed stoop lifting techniques.
Application of back propagation neural network in complex diagnostics and forecasting loss of life of cellulose paper insulation in oil-immersed transformers
Authors: Ngwenyama M. K. , Gitau M. N.
Published: March 2024

Oil-immersed transformers are expensive equipment in the electrical system, and their failure would lead to widespread blackouts and catastrophic economic losses. In this work, an elaborate diagnostic approach is proposed to evaluate twenty-six different transformers in-service to determine their operative status as per the IEC 60599:2022 standard and CIGRE brochure. The approach integrates dissolved gas analysis (DGA), transformer oil integrity analysis, visual inspections, and two Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN) algorithms to predict the loss of life (LOL) of the transformers through condition monitoring of the cellulose paper. The first BPNN algorithm proposed is based on forecasting the degree of polymerization (DP) using 2-Furaldehyde (2FAL) concentration measured from oil samples using DGA, and the second BPNN algorithm proposed is based on forecasting transformer LOL using the 2FAL and DP data obtained from the first BPNN algorithm. The first algorithm produced a correlation coefficient of 0.970 when the DP was predicted using the 2FAL measured in oil and the second algorithm produced a correlation coefficient of 0.999 when the LOL was predicted using the 2FAL and DP output data obtained from the first algorithm. The results show that the BPNN can be utilized to forecast the DP and LOL of transformers in-service. Lastly, the results are used for hazard analysis and lifespan prediction based on the health index (HI) for each transformer to predict the expected years of service.
Impact of rumen microbiome on cattle carcass traits
Authors: Sato Yoshiaki , Sato Ruki , Fukui Emiko , Yoshizawa Fumiaki
Published: March 2024

Rumen microbes are crucial in the anaerobic fermentation of plant polysaccharides to produce volatile fatty acids. However, limited information exists about the specific microbial species and strains in the rumen that affect carcass traits, and it is unclear whether there is a relationship between rumen metabolic functions and these traits. This study investigated the relationship between the rumen microbiome and carcass traits in beef cattle using 16S rRNA amplicon and shotgun sequencing. Metagenomic sequencing was used to compare the rumen microbiome between high-carcass weight (HW) and low-carcass weight (LW) cattle, and high-marbling (HM) and low-marbling (LM) cattle. Prokaryotic communities in the rumen of HW vs. LW and HM vs. LM were separated using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Notably, shotgun metagenomic sequencing revealed that HW cattle had more methane-producing bacteria and ciliate protozoa, suggesting higher methane emissions. Additionally, variations were observed in the abundances of certain glycoside hydrolases and polysaccharide lyases involved in the ruminal degradation of plant polysaccharides between HW and LW. From our metagenome dataset, 807 non-redundant metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of medium to high quality were obtained. Among these, 309 and 113 MAGs were associated with carcass weight and marbling, respectively.
Identification and interpretation of gait analysis features and foot conditions by explainable AI
Authors: Özateş Mustafa Erkam , Yaman Alper , Salami Firooz , Campos Sarah , Wolf Sebastian I. , Schneider Urs
Published: March 2024

Clinical gait analysis is a crucial step for identifying foot disorders and planning surgery. Automating this process is essential for efficiently assessing the substantial amount of gait data. In this study, we explored the potential of state-of-the-art machine learning (ML) and explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) algorithms to automate all various steps involved in gait analysis for six specific foot conditions. To address the complexity of gait data, we manually created new features, followed by recursive feature elimination using Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Random Forests (RF) to eliminate low-variance features. SVM, RF, K-nearest Neighbor (KNN), and Logistic Regression (LREGR) were compared for classification, with a Majority Voting (MV) model combining trained models. KNN and MV achieved mean balanced accuracy, recall, precision, and F1 score of 0.87. All models were interpreted using Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanation (LIME) method and the five most relevant features were identified for each foot condition. High success scores indicate a strong relationship between selected features and foot conditions, potentially indicating clinical relevance. The proposed ML pipeline, adaptable for other foot conditions, showcases its potential in aiding experts in foot condition identification and planning surgeries.
Prioritized experience replay based on dynamics priority
Authors: Li Hu , Qian Xuezhong , Song Wei
Published: March 2024

Experience replay has been instrumental in achieving significant advancements in reinforcement learning by increasing the utilization of data. To further improve the sampling efficiency, prioritized experience replay (PER) was proposed. This algorithm prioritizes experiences based on the temporal difference error (TD error), enabling the agent to learn from more valuable experiences stored in the experience pool. While various prioritized algorithms have been proposed, they ignored the dynamic changes of experience value during the training process, merely combining different priority criteria in a fixed or linear manner. In this paper, we present a novel prioritized experience replay algorithm called PERDP, which employs a dynamic priority adjustment framework. PERDP adaptively adjusts the weights of each criterion based on average priority level of the experience pool and evaluates experiences’ value according to current network. We apply this algorithm to the SAC model and conduct experiments in the OpenAI Gym experimental environment. The experiment results demonstrate that the PERDP exhibits superior convergence speed when compared to the PER.
Interferon-γ in the tumor microenvironment promotes the expression of B7H4 in colorectal cancer cells, thereby inhibiting cytotoxic T cells
Authors: Jing Zhi-liang , Liu Guang-long , Zhou Na , Xu Dong-yan , Feng Na , Lei Yan , Ma Li-li , Tang Min-shan , Tong Gui-hui , Tang Na , Deng Yong-jian
Published: March 2024

The bioactivity of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in cancer cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is not well understood in the current immunotherapy era. We found that IFN-γ has an immunosuppressive effect on colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. The tumor volume in immunocompetent mice was significantly increased after subcutaneous implantation of murine CRC cells followed by IFN-γ stimulation, and RNA sequencing showed high expression of B7 homologous protein 4 (B7H4) in these tumors. B7H4 promotes CRC cell growth by inhibiting the release of granzyme B (GzmB) from CD8+ T cells and accelerating apoptosis in CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1), which binds to the B7H4 promoter, is positively associated with IFN-γ stimulation-induced expression of B7H4. The clinical outcome of patients with CRC was negatively related to the high expression of B7H4 in cancer cells or low expression of CD8 in the microenvironment. Therefore, B7H4 is a biomarker of poor prognosis in CRC patients, and interference with the IFN-γ/IRF1/B7H4 axis might be a novel immunotherapeutic method to restore the cytotoxic killing of CRC cells.
Predicting conversational satisfaction of face-to-face conversation through interpersonal similarity in resting-state functional connectivity
Authors: Ikeda Shigeyuki , Jeong Hyeonjeong , Sasaki Yukako , Sakaki Kohei , Yamazaki Shohei , Nozawa Takayuki , Kawashima Ryuta
Published: March 2024

When conversing with an unacquainted person, if it goes well, we can obtain much satisfaction (referred to as conversational satisfaction). Can we predict how satisfied dyads will be with face-to-face conversation? To this end, we employed interpersonal similarity in whole-brain resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC), measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging before dyadic conversation. We investigated whether conversational satisfaction could be predicted from interpersonal similarity in RSFC using multivariate pattern analysis. Consequently, prediction was successful, suggesting that interpersonal similarity in RSFC is an effective neural biomarker predicting how much face-to-face conversation goes well. Furthermore, regression coefficients from predictive models suggest that both interpersonal similarity and dissimilarity contribute to good interpersonal relationships in terms of brain activity. The present study provides the potential of an interpersonal similarity approach using RSFC for understanding the foundations of human relationships and new neuroscientific insight into whether success in human interactions is predetermined.
A retrospective cohort study of autogenous iliac strut bone grafting in large bone defects of the lower extremity
Authors: Kook Incheol , You Jooyoung , Kim Dong Hong , Park Ki-Chul , Hwang Kyu Tae
Published: March 2024

Autogenous iliac bone graft (AIBG) is the treatment of choice for managing bone defects, and favorable results have been reported for bone defects < 5 cm in length. In large bone defects ≥ 5 cm, it is difficult to obtain good results with simple bone grafting, and other management options have drawbacks, such as long immobilization periods and high complication rates. We hypothesized that AIBG in the strut form might show favorable results in large bone defects with minimal complications. This study aimed to investigate the outcomes of strut-type AIBG and evaluate its effectiveness compared to cancellous AIBG. This retrospective study included 50 patients who underwent AIBG for bone defects at a single institution between March 2011 and April 2020. We performed corticocancellous AIBG in a strut form to manage bone defects ≥ 5 cm in the lower extremities. The strut bone was harvested along the iliac crest and grafted slightly longer than the bone defect to apply a sufficient compressive force. Demographic information and radiographic and clinical results of patients who underwent strut AIBG (Group S) were analyzed. The outcomes of union, time to union, complications, and reoperation were compared with those of patients who underwent cancellous AIBG (Group C). The study population comprised 37 men (74%) and 13 women (26%), with a mean age of 50.0 (range: 19–78). The average follow-up period was 25.6 months (12–104 months). Group S included 16 patients with a mean bone defect length of 6.8 ± 1.2 cm. In Group S, union was achieved in all patients, with an average time to union of 6.7 months. Complications occurred in four cases, all related to wound problems. Group C comprised d 34 patients with a mean defect length of 2.8 ± 1.1 cm. Complications occurred in five patients in Group C, including four soft tissue problems and one implant failure. When comparing the outcomes of Groups S and C, no significant differences were observed. AIBG is an effective and safe technique for managing bone defects. Strut AIBG can be used effectively for bone defects ≥ 5 cm in the lower extremities.
Coffee consumption and migraine: a population-based study
Authors: Cho Soomi , Kim Kyung Min , Chu Min Kyung
Published: March 2024

Although coffee is one of the most consumed caffeinated beverages worldwide, the role of coffee consumption in migraine is controversial. This study examined the relationship between coffee consumption and clinical characteristics in participants with migraine compared to those with non-migraine headache. This cross-sectional study used data from a nationwide survey on headache and sleep. Coffee consumption was classified as no-to-low (< 1 cup/day), moderate (1–2 cups/day), or high (≥ 3 cups/day). Of the 3030 survey participants, 170 (5.6%) and 1,768 (58.3%) were identified as having migraine and non-migraine headache, respectively. Coffee consumption tended to increase in the order of non-headache, non-migraine headache, and migraine (linear-by-linear association, p = 0.011). Although psychiatric comorbidities (depression for migraine and anxiety for non-migraine headache) and stress significantly differed according to coffee consumption, most headache characteristics and accompanying symptoms did not differ among the three groups for participants with migraine and non-migraine headache. Response to acute headache treatment—adjusted for age, sex, depression, anxiety, stress, preventive medication use, and current smoking—was not significantly different by coffee consumption in participants with migraine and non-migraine headache. In conclusion, most headache-related characteristics and acute treatment response did not significantly differ by coffee consumption in migraine and non-migraine headache.
A unidimensional short form of the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS-7) derived using item response theory
Authors: Pretorius Tyrone B. , Padmanabhanunni Anita
Published: March 2024

The Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) is the most widely used measure of hopelessness, a key psychological construct linked with various mental health outcomes. In clinical settings, the BHS has proven a reliable tool for assessing hopelessness; however, there has been debate regarding the tool’s internal consistency among non-clinical populations. Most studies assessing the dimensionality of the BHS have relied on the use of classical test theory (CTT). The length of the BHS has also prompted concerns over its practicality. The BHS-9 was developed to address these critiques and formulated based on psychiatrically hospitalized adult patients. The current study investigates the dimensionality of the BHS-9 among a non-clinical sample using item response theory (Mokken scale analysis and Rasch) and CTT. The results confirm that the BHS-9 is essentially unidimensional. However, a salient finding was that Item 6 violated invariant item ordering. An exploratory factor analysis of the remaining eight items found that the items accounted for 48.05% of the variance. Further exploratory factor analyses, removing one item at a time, showed that the removal of item 18 would increase variance explained > 50%. The revised BHS-7 was found to be unidimensional and maintained strong internal consistency and criterion-related validity. This revised tool effectively captures the essence of hopelessness among a non-clinical population and presents a more refined option for the assessment of this construct.
Two distinct waves of transcriptome and translatome changes drive Drosophila germline stem cell differentiation
Authors: Samuels Tamsin J , Gui Jinghua , Gebert Daniel , Karam Teixeira Felipe
Published: March 2024

The tight control of fate transitions during stem cell differentiation is essential for proper tissue development and maintenance. However, the challenges in studying sparsely distributed adult stem cells in a systematic manner have hindered efforts to identify how the multilayered regulation of gene expression programs orchestrates stem cell differentiation in vivo. Here, we synchronised Drosophila female germline stem cell (GSC) differentiation in vivo to perform in-depth transcriptome and translatome analyses at high temporal resolution. This characterisation revealed widespread and dynamic changes in mRNA level, promoter usage, exon inclusion, and translation efficiency. Transient expression of the master regulator, Bam, drives a first wave of expression changes, primarily modifying the cell cycle program. Surprisingly, as Bam levels recede, differentiating cells return to a remarkably stem cell-like transcription and translation program, with a few crucial changes feeding into a second phase driving terminal differentiation to form the oocyte. Altogether, these findings reveal that rather than a unidirectional accumulation of changes, the in vivo differentiation of stem cells relies on distinctly regulated and developmentally sequential waves.
Enhancing the tumor penetration of multiarm polymers by collagenase modification
Authors: Yu Bo , Wang Weijie , Zhang Yongmin , Sun Ying , Li Cheng , Liu Qian , Zhen Xu , Jiang Xiqun , Wu Wei
Published: March 2024

Col modification significantly enhanced the tumor penetration and therapy efficacy of multiarm polymer-based nanomedicines.
Electronic properties of MoSe2 nanowrinkles
Authors: Velja Stefan , Krumland Jannis , Cocchi Caterina
Published: March 2024

The electronic properties of MoSe2 nanowrinkles are simulated from first principles. Wave-function distributions and effective masses are analyzed to disclose the potential of such systems for charge transport and optoelectronics.
Carbonate swollen lithiated Nafion electrolyte for quasi-solid-state lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Sievert Brigitta , Lufrano Ernestino , Gerle Martina , Tuccillo Mariarosaria , Biswas Indro , Simari Cataldo , Brutti Sergio , Nojabaee Maryam , Nicotera Isabella , Friedrich K. Andreas
Published: March 2024

In the present study we developed a thin, mechanically flexible and safe high-energy battery for smart textiles, demonstrating a pathway to eliminate toxic and low-boiling solvents and guiding a development towards solid state batteries.
Research progress of biomass materials in the application of organic phase change energy storage materials
Authors: Liu Bowen , Lv Guocheng , Liu Tianming , Liu Meng , Bian Jianhua , Sun Qinda , Liao Libing
Published: March 2024

Biomass composite phase change materials (PCMs) play an important role in different applications by balancing energy supply and demand, while also improving energy efficiency through phase change.