bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biological Aspects of the Tongue and Oropharyngeal Cavity of the Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto, Columbiformes, Columbidae): Anatomical, Histochemical, and Ultrastructure Study
Authors: El-Mansi Ahmed A. , El-Bealy Eman A. , Al-Kahtani Mohamed A. , Al-Zailaie Khalid A. , Rady Ahmed M. , Abumandour Mohamed A. , El-Badry Dina A.
Published: July 2021

We characterized the morphological and anatomical adaptations of the lingual microstructures of the Eurasian collared dove and discussed their implications for its dietary niche. We analyzed tongues of nineS. decaoctousing histological, histochemical, stereomicroscopic, and scanning electron microscopic techniques. Our findings showed that the tongue is relatively short with a tapered apex that carries a terminal lingual nail. However, the lingual body has median scales and is bordered laterally by filiform papillae. Further, the tongue body bears a distinctive papillary crest. The tongue root is nonpapillate and infiltered with orifices of the posterior salivary glands. The bulky laryngeal mound has a circular glottic fissure, carrying a single row of papillae at the rear edge. Concurrently, our histological and histochemical findings demonstrate that the tongue has taste buds, anterior and posterior salivary glands, along with an elongated entoglossum that extends from lingual apex to root. Besides, ovoid and globular mucous glands displayed intense alcianophilic reactions. More substantially, the palate is made up of three palatine ridges with a caudal choanal cleft that was bounded by two rows of palatine papillae. Our data indicate multiple and novel structural variations for the lingual and palatal sculptures coopted for their feeding style.
Managing Work and Care: Does Employing a Live-in Migrant Care Worker Fill the Gap? The Example of Taiwan
Authors: Liang Li-Fang
Published: July 2021

This article uses Taiwan as an example to examine how families manage work and care when the government and workplace provide limited support. Many Taiwanese households employ live-in migrant care workers to negotiate care responsibilities and adults’ paid jobs. Based on interviews with employers of live-in migrant care workers and workers, the findings demonstrate that daughters-in-law and occasionally daughters and sons become employers of live-in migrant care workers because of the limitation of public care services and lack of support they receive in seeking to combine paid work and family care responsibility. Even after employing migrant workers, women retain greater care responsibility in daily practices than their husbands. Hiring live-in migrant care workers also imposes risks to all parties involved in the processes of organising, coordinating, and providing care due to the uncertainty of care quality and the nature of care work.
Cloud, Aerosol, and Radiative Properties Over the Western North Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Braun Rachel A. , McComiskey Allison , Tselioudis George , Tropf Derek , Sorooshian Armin
Published: July 2021

This study examines the atmospheric properties of weather states (WSs) derived from the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project over the Western North Atlantic Ocean. In particular, radiation and aerosol data corresponding to two sites in the study domain, Pennsylvania State University and Bermuda, were examined to characterize the atmospheric properties of the various satellite‐derived WSs. At both sites, the fair weather WS was most prevalent, followed by the cirrus WS. Differences in the seasonality of the various WSs were observed at the two sites. Fractional sky cover and effective shortwave cloud transmissivity derived from ground‐based radiation measurements were able to capture differences among the satellite‐derived WSs. Speciated aerosol optical thicknesses (AOT) from the Modern‐Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 were used to investigate potential differences in aerosol properties among the WSs. The clear sky WS exhibited below‐average seasonal values of AOT at both sites year‐round, as well as relatively high rates of occurrence with low AOT events. In addition, the clear sky WS showed above‐average contributions from dust and black carbon to the total AOT year‐round. Finally, transitions between various WSs were examined under low, high, and mid‐range AOT conditions. The most common pathway was for the WSs to remain in the same state after a 3 h interval. Some WSs, such as mid latitude storms, deep convection, middle top, and shallow cumulus, were more prevalent as ending states under high AOT conditions. This work motivates examining differences in aerosol properties between WSs in other regions.
Robust Earthquake Early Warning at a Fraction of the Cost: ASTUTI Costa Rica
Authors: Brooks Benjamin A. , Protti Marino , Ericksen Todd , Bunn Julian , Vega Floribeth , Cochran Elizabeth S. , Duncan Chris , Avery Jon , Minson Sarah E. , Chaves Esteban , Baez Juan Carlos , Foster James , Glennie Craig L.
Published: July 2021

We show that a fixed smartphone network can provide robust Earthquake Early Warning for at least two orders of magnitude less cost than scientific‐grade networks. Our software and cloud‐based data architecture that we have constructed for the Alerta Sismica Temprana Utilizando Teléfonos Inteligentes (ASTUTI; Earthquake Early Warning Utilizing Smartphones) network in Costa Rica is easily scaled and exported. Implementation comprises provisioning and installing modern smartphones in judicious locations. Stand‐up time for regionally operational networks can be on the order of days. We evaluated a non‐parametric ground‐motion detection and alerting strategy that would alert the entire Costa Rican population of any event with a ground motion detection threshold of 0.55–0.65 %g at four neighboring stations. During a 6‐month evaluation period ASTUTI detected and alerted on five of 13 earthquakes with Mw 4.8–5.3 that caused felt Modified Mercalli Intensity shaking levels of 4.3–6. The system did not produce any false alerts and the undetected events did not produce wide‐spread or significant felt shaking. System latencies were less than or similar to scientific‐grade latencies. Alerts for all five detected events would have reached the capital city, San Jose, before strong S‐wave shaking. This would have afforded time for Drop Cover Hold On actions by most residents. Two of the five alerts were triggered by P‐waves suggesting that smartphone‐based networks could approach the fastest theoretical EEW performance, especially with future expected improvements in smartphone sensors and processing algorithms.
A Non‐Gradient Model of Turbulent Gas Fluxes Over Land Surfaces
Authors: Tang Y. , Shahnaz S. , Wang J.
Published: July 2021

A non‐gradient model is formulated for estimating gas fluxes using single‐level time‐series data of near‐surface gas concentration over land surfaces. When the vertical turbulent transport process in the atmospheric surface layer is described by a one‐dimensional diffusion equation, a gas flux is expressed as a weighted integral of the time‐history of single‐level gas concentration. The eddy‐diffusivity may be parameterized as a function of sensible heat flux based on the Monin‐Obukhov similarity theory without explicit dependence on wind speed and surface roughness. Sensible heat flux may be estimated from net radiation and surface temperature using the maximum entropy production model. Case studies at six sites with diverse vegetation covers, geographic and climatic conditions at sub‐daily and seasonal scales demonstrate the model's capability of simulating water vapor and CO2fluxes using fewer inputs than other models. The proposed method provides an alternative modeling tool for the study of water and carbon cycles over vegetated land surfaces.
Optimizing prediction of response to antidepressant medications using machine learning and integrated genetic, clinical, and demographic data
Authors: Taliaz Dekel , Spinrad Amit , Barzilay Ran , Barnett-Itzhaki Zohar , Averbuch Dana , Teltsh Omri , Schurr Roy , Darki-Morag Sne , Lerer Bernard
Published: July 2021

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is complex and multifactorial, posing a major challenge of tailoring the optimal medication for each patient. Current practice for MDD treatment mainly relies on trial and error, with an estimated 42–53% response rates for antidepressant use. Here, we sought to generate an accurate predictor of response to a panel of antidepressants and optimize treatment selection using a data-driven approach analyzing combinations of genetic, clinical, and demographic factors. We analyzed the response patterns of patients to three antidepressant medications in the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) study, and employed state-of-the-art machine learning (ML) tools to generate a predictive algorithm. To validate our results, we assessed the algorithm’s capacity to predict individualized antidepressant responses on a separate set of 530 patients in STAR*D, consisting of 271 patients in a validation set and 259 patients in the final test set. This assessment yielded an average balanced accuracy rate of 72.3% (SD 8.1) and 70.1% (SD 6.8) across the different medications in the validation and test set, respectively (p < 0.01 for all models). To further validate our design scheme, we obtained data from the Pharmacogenomic Research Network Antidepressant Medication Pharmacogenomic Study (PGRN-AMPS) of patients treated with citalopram, and applied the algorithm’s citalopram model. This external validation yielded highly similar results for STAR*D and PGRN-AMPS test sets, with a balanced accuracy of 60.5% and 61.3%, respectively (bothp’s < 0.01). These findings support the feasibility of using ML algorithms applied to large datasets with genetic, clinical, and demographic features to improve accuracy in antidepressant prescription.
Different environmental variables predict body and brain size evolution in Homo
Authors: Will Manuel , Krapp Mario , Stock Jay T. , Manica Andrea
Published: July 2021

Increasing body and brain size constitutes a key macro-evolutionary pattern in the hominin lineage, yet the mechanisms behind these changes remain debated. Hypothesized drivers include environmental, demographic, social, dietary, and technological factors. Here we test the influence of environmental factors on the evolution of body and brain size in the genusHomoover the last one million years using a large fossil dataset combined with global paleoclimatic reconstructions and formalized hypotheses tested in a quantitative statistical framework. We identify temperature as a major predictor of body size variation withinHomo, in accordance with Bergmann’s rule. In contrast, net primary productivity of environments and long-term variability in precipitation correlate with brain size but explain low amounts of the observed variation. These associations are likely due to an indirect environmental influence on cognitive abilities and extinction probabilities. Most environmental factors that we test do not correspond with body and brain size evolution, pointing towards complex scenarios which underlie the evolution of key biological characteristics in laterHomo.
Chemical heterogeneity enhances hydrogen resistance in high-strength steels
Authors: Sun Binhan , Lu Wenjun , Gault Baptiste , Ding Ran , Makineni Surendra Kumar , Wan Di , Wu Chun-Hung , Chen Hao , Ponge Dirk , Raabe Dierk
Published: July 2021

The antagonism between strength and resistance to hydrogen embrittlement in metallic materials is an intrinsic obstacle to the design of lightweight yet reliable structural components operated in hydrogen-containing environments. Economical and scalable microstructural solutions to this challenge must be found. Here, we introduce a counterintuitive strategy to exploit the typically undesired chemical heterogeneity within the material’s microstructure that enables local enhancement of crack resistance and local hydrogen trapping. We use this approach in a manganese-containing high-strength steel and produce a high dispersion of manganese-rich zones within the microstructure. These solute-rich buffer regions allow for local micro-tuning of the phase stability, arresting hydrogen-induced microcracks and thus interrupting the percolation of hydrogen-assisted damage. This results in a superior hydrogen embrittlement resistance (better by a factor of two) without sacrificing the material’s strength and ductility. The strategy of exploiting chemical heterogeneities, rather than avoiding them, broadens the horizon for microstructure engineering via advanced thermomechanical processing.
Stability analysis of the coexistence equilibrium of a balanced metapopulation model
Authors: Rao Shodhan , Muyinda Nathan , De Baets Bernard
Published: July 2021

We analyze the stability of a unique coexistence equilibrium point of a system of ordinary differential equations (ODE system) modelling the dynamics of a metapopulation, more specifically, a set of local populations inhabiting discrete habitat patches that are connected to one another through dispersal or migration. We assume that the inter-patch migrations are detailed balanced and that the patches are identical with intra-patch dynamics governed by a mean-field ODE system with a coexistence equilibrium. By making use of an appropriate Lyapunov function coupled with LaSalle’s invariance principle, we are able to show that the coexistence equilibrium point within each patch is locally asymptotically stable if the inter-patch dispersal network is heterogeneous, whereas it is neutrally stable in the case of a homogeneous network. These results provide a mathematical proof confirming the existing numerical simulations and broaden the range of networks for which they are valid.
MEMS enabled miniaturized light-sheet microscopy with all optical control
Authors: Bakas Spyridon , Uttamchandani Deepak , Toshiyoshi Hiroshi , Bauer Ralf
Published: July 2021

We have designed and implemented a compact, cost-efficient miniaturised light-sheet microscopy system based on optical microelectromechanical systems scanners and tunable lenses. The system occupies a footprint of 20 × 28 × 13 cm3 and combines off-the-shelf optics and optomechanics with 3D-printed structural and optical elements, and an economically costed objective lens, excitation laser and camera. All-optical volume scanning enables imaging of 435 × 232 × 60 µm3 volumes with 0.25 vps (volumes per second) and minimum lateral and axial resolution of 1.0 µm and 3.8 µm respectively. An open-top geometry allows imaging of samples on flat bottomed holders, allowing integration with microfluidic devices, multi-well plates and slide mounted samples, with applications envisaged in biomedical research and pre-clinical settings.
Implications of Tamarkoz on stress, emotion, spirituality and heart rate
Authors: Bahadorani Nasim , Lee Jerry W. , Martin Leslie R.
Published: July 2021

Perceived stress among university students is a prevalent health issue directly correlated with poor academic performance, poor sleep quality, hopelessness, compromised physical and mental health, high risk of substance abuse, and suicidal ideation. Tamarkoz, a Sufi meditation, may reduce the impact of stressors to prevent illness among students. Tamarkoz is the art of self-knowledge through concentration and meditation. It is a method of concentration that can be applied to any task. The method is said to discipline the mind, body, and emotions to avoid unintended distractions. Therefore, it can be used in daily life activities, such as studying, eating, driving, de-stressing or in Sufism, seeking self-knowledge. This study was an 18-week quasi-experimental design with pre-intervention, post-intervention and follow-up assessments in the experimental group, a wait-list control, and a third group that utilized the campus health center’s stress management resources. Participants, university students, had no prior exposure to Tamarkoz, and there were no statistically significant differences among groups on baseline measurements. Using a generalized linear mixed model, significant increases in positive emotions and daily spiritual experiences, and reductions in perceived stress and heart rate were found in the experimental group compared to the other two groups. Tamarkoz seems to show some advantages over the usual stress management resources offered by a student health center.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration Date: (03/04/2018); ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03489148.
Multi-volume hemacytometer
Authors: Thunyaporn Ravangnam , Doh Il , Lee Dong Woo
Published: July 2021

Cell counting has become an essential method for monitoring the viability and proliferation of cells. A hemacytometer is the standard device used to measure cell numbers in most laboratories which are typically automated to increase throughput. The principle of both manual and automated hemacytometers is to calculate cell numbers with a fixed volume within a set measurement range (105 ~ 106 cells/ml). If the cell concentration of the unknown sample is outside the range of the hemacytometer, the sample must be prepared again by increasing or decreasing the cell concentration. We have developed a new hemacytometer that has a multi-volume chamber with 4 different depths containing different volumes (0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 µl respectively). A multi-volume hemacytometer can measure cell concentration with a maximum of 106 cells/ml to a minimum of 5 × 103 cells/ml. Compared to a typical hemacytometer with a fixed volume of 0.1 µl, the minimum measurable cell concentration of 5 × 103 cells/ml on the multi-volume hemacytometer is twenty times lower. Additionally, the Multi-Volume Cell Counting model (cell concentration calculation with the slope value of cell number in multi-chambers) showed a wide measurement range (5 × 103 ~ 1 × 106 cells/ml) while reducing total cell counting numbers by 62.5% compared to a large volume (0.8 µl-chamber) hemacytometer.
Spatiotemporal sensitivity of mesoderm specification to FGFR signalling in the Drosophila embryo
Authors: Yadav V. , Tolwinski N. , Saunders T. E.
Published: July 2021

Development of the Drosophila embryonic mesoderm is controlled through both internal and external inputs to the mesoderm. One such factor is Heartless (Htl), a Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor (FGFR) expressed in the mesoderm. Although Htl has been extensively studied, the dynamics of its action are poorly understood after the initial phases of mesoderm formation and spreading. To begin to address this challenge, we have developed an optogenetic version of the FGFR Heartless in Drosophila (Opto-htl). Opto-htl enables us to activate the FGFR pathway in selective spatial (~ 35 μm section from one of the lateral sides of the embryo) and temporal domains (ranging from 40 min to 14 h) during embryogenesis. Importantly, the effects can be tuned by the intensity of light-activation, making this approach significantly more flexible than other genetic approaches. We performed controlled perturbations to the FGFR pathway to define the contribution of Htl signalling to the formation of the developing embryonic heart and somatic muscles. We find a direct correlation between Htl signalling dosage and number of Tinman-positive heart cells specified. Opto-htl activation favours the specification of Tinman positive cardioblasts and eliminates Eve-positive DA1 muscles. This effect is seen to increase progressively with increasing light intensity. Therefore, fine tuning of phenotypic responses to varied Htl signalling dosage can be achieved more conveniently than with other genetic approaches. Overall, Opto-htl is a powerful new tool for dissecting the role of FGFR signalling during development.
Transcriptome analysis discloses dysregulated genes in normal appearing tumor-adjacent thyroid tissues from patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: He Huiling , Liyanarachchi Sandya , Li Wei , Comiskey Daniel F. , Yan Pearlly , Bundschuh Ralf , Turkoglu Altan M. , Brock Pamela , Ringel Matthew D. , de la Chapelle Albert
Published: July 2021

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid cancer. The molecular characteristics of histologically normal appearing tissue adjacent to the tumor (NAT) from PTC patients are not well characterized. The aim of this study was to characterize the global gene expression profile of NAT and compare it with those of normal and tumor thyroid tissues. We performed total RNA sequencing with fresh frozen thyroid tissues from a cohort of three categories of samples including NAT, normal thyroid (N), and PTC tumor (T). Transcriptome analysis shows that NAT presents a unique gene expression profile, which was not associated with sex or the presence of lymphocytic thyroiditis. Among the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of NAT vs N, 256 coding genes and 5 noncoding genes have been reported as cancer genes involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and/or tumorigenesis. Bioinformatics analysis with Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software revealed that “Cancer, Organismal Injury and Abnormalities, Cellular Response to Therapeutics, and Cellular Movement” were major dysregulated pathways in the NAT tissues. This study provides improved insight into the complexity of gene expression changes in the thyroid glands of patients with PTC.
Occurrence of mcr-mediated colistin resistance in Salmonella clinical isolates in Thailand
Authors: Luk-in Sirirat , Chatsuwan Tanittha , Kueakulpattana Naris , Rirerm Ubolrat , Wannigama Dhammika Leshan , Plongla Rongpong , Lawung Ratana , Pulsrikarn Chaiwat , Chantaroj Siriporn , Chaichana Pattharaporn , Saksaengsopa Nattida , Shanthachol Teerarat , Techapornroong Malee , Chayangsu Sunee , Kulwichit Wanla
Published: July 2021

Nontyphoidal Salmonella, an important zoonotic pathogen and a major cause of foodborne illnesses, could be a potential reservoir of plasmids harbouring mobile colistin resistance gene (mcr). This study reported, for the first time, a high rate of mcr-carrying Salmonella clinical isolates (3.3%, 24/724) in Thailand, associated with mcr-3 gene (3.0%, 22/724) in S. 4,[5],12:i:-(15.4%, 4/26), S. Typhimurium (8.8%, 5/57), and S. Choleraesuis (5.6%, 13/231). Remarkably, the increasing trends of colistin and extended-spectrum cephalosporin resistances have displayed a high agreement over the years, with a dramatic rise in the mcr-carrying Salmonella from 1.1% (6/563) during 2005–2007 to 11.2% (18/161) during 2014–2018 when CTX-M-55 became abundant. Clonal and plasmid analysis revealed that the self-transferable IncA/C and a novel hybrid IncA/C-FIIs MDR plasmids were the major vehicles to disseminate both mcr-3 and blaCTX-M55 genes among diverse Salmonella strains, from as early as 2007. To our knowledge the occurrence of mcr-3 and the co-existence of it with blaCTX-M-55 in S. Choleraesuis are reported here for the first time, leading to clinical concern over the treatment of the invasive salmonellosis. This study provides evidence of the potential reservoirs and vectors in the dissemination of the mcr and highlights the co-selection by colistin and/or cephalosporins.
Effects of brewing conditions on infusible fluoride levels in tea and herbal products and probabilistic health risk assessment
Authors: Pattaravisitsate Nattha , Phetrak Athit , Denpetkul Thammanitchpol , Kittipongvises Suthirat , Kuroda Keisuke
Published: July 2021

Excessive ingestion of fluorides might adversely affect the health of humans. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the concentrations of infusible fluoride in five different types of tea and herbal products; additionally, the probabilistic health risks associated with the ingestion of fluoride in drinking tea and herbal products were estimated. The highest and lowest concentrations of infusible fluoride were detected in black and white tea, respectively. On average, the highest amount of infusible fluoride was extracted following a short brewing time of 5 min in the case of black tea (2.54 mg/L), herbal tea (0.40 mg/L), and white tea (0.21 mg/L). The level of infusible fluoride during brewing was inversely associated with the leaf size of the tea and herbal products. Furthermore, the type of water used influenced the release of infusible fluoride; purified water yielded lower amounts of infused fluoride. The findings of the probabilistic health risk assessment indicated that the consumption of black tea can increase the fluoride intake leading to chronic exposure. Thus, the health risk posed by fluoride intake from drinking tea needs to be evaluated in more details in the future. Appropriate measures for health risk mitigation need to be implemented to minimize the total body burden of fluorides in humans.
Screening of the HBx transactivation domain interacting proteins and the function of interactor Pin1 in HBV replication
Authors: Zhou Qiaoxia , Yan Libo , Xu Baofu , Wang Xue’er , Sun Xuehong , Han Ning , Tang Hong , Huang Feijun
Published: July 2021

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein (HBx) has been determined to play a crucial role in the replication and transcription of HBV, and its biological functions mainly depend on the interaction with other host proteins. This study aims at screening the proteins that bind to the key functional domain of HBx by integrated proteomics. Proteins that specifically bind to the transactivation domain of HBx were selected by comparing interactors of full-length HBx and HBx-D5 truncation determined by glutathione-S-transferase (GST) pull-down assay combined with mass spectrometry (MS). The function of HBx interactor Pin1 in HBV replication was further investigated by in vitro experiments. In this study, a total of 189 proteins were identified from HepG2 cells that specifically bind to the transactivation domain of HBx by GST pull-down and subsequent MS. After gene ontology (GO) analysis, Pin1 was selected as the protein with the highest score in the largest cluster functioning in protein binding, and also classified into the cluster of proteins with the function of structural molecule activity, which is of great potential to be involved in HBV life cycle. The interaction between Pin1 and HBx has been further confirmed by Ni2+-NTA pulldown assay, co-immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence microscopy. HBsAg and HBeAg levels significantly decreased in Pin1 expression inhibited HepG2.2.15 cells. Besides, the inhibition of Pin1 expression in HepG2 cells impeded the restored replication of HBx-deficient HBV repaired by ectopic HBx expression. In conclusion, our study identified Pin1 as an interactor binds to the transactivation domain of HBx, and suggested the potential association between Pin1 and the function of HBx in HBV replication.
Easy and quick (EQ) sperm freezing method for urgent preservation of mouse strains
Authors: Mochida Keiji , Hasegawa Ayumi , Shikata Daiki , Itami Nobuhiko , Hada Masashi , Watanabe Naomi , Tomishima Toshiko , Ogura Atsuo
Published: July 2021

Cryopreservation of mouse spermatozoa is widely used for the efficient preservation and safe transport of valuable mouse strains. However, the current cryopreservation method requires special containers (plastic straws), undefined chemicals (e.g., skim milk), liquid nitrogen, and expertise when handling sperm suspensions. Here, we report an easy and quick (EQ) sperm freezing method. The main procedure consists of only one step: dissecting a single cauda epididymis in a microtube containing 20% raffinose solution, which is then stored in a −80 °C freezer. The frozen–thawed spermatozoa retain practical fertilization rates after 1 (51%) or even 3 months (25%) with the C57BL/6 J strain, the most sensitive strain for sperm freezing. More than half of the embryos thus obtained developed into offspring after embryo transfer. Importantly, spermatozoa stored at −80 °C can be transferred into liquid nitrogen for indefinite storage. As far as we know, our EQ method is the easiest and quickest method for mouse sperm freezing and should be applicable in all laboratories without expertise in sperm cryopreservation. This technique can help avoid the loss of irreplaceable strains because of closure of animal rooms in emergency situations such as unexpected microbiological contamination or social emergencies such as the COVID-19 threat.
Fuzzy rank-based fusion of CNN models using Gompertz function for screening COVID-19 CT-scans
Authors: Kundu Rohit , Basak Hritam , Singh Pawan Kumar , Ahmadian Ali , Ferrara Massimiliano , Sarkar Ram
Published: July 2021

COVID-19 has crippled the world’s healthcare systems, setting back the economy and taking the lives of several people. Although potential vaccines are being tested and supplied around the world, it will take a long time to reach every human being, more so with new variants of the virus emerging, enforcing a lockdown-like situation on parts of the world. Thus, there is a dire need for early and accurate detection of COVID-19 to prevent the spread of the disease, even more. The current gold-standard RT-PCR test is only 71% sensitive and is a laborious test to perform, leading to the incapability of conducting the population-wide screening. To this end, in this paper, we propose an automated COVID-19 detection system that uses CT-scan images of the lungs for classifying the same into COVID and Non-COVID cases. The proposed method applies an ensemble strategy that generates fuzzy ranks of the base classification models using the Gompertz function and fuses the decision scores of the base models adaptively to make the final predictions on the test cases. Three transfer learning-based convolutional neural network models are used, namely VGG-11, Wide ResNet-50-2, and Inception v3, to generate the decision scores to be fused by the proposed ensemble model. The framework has been evaluated on two publicly available chest CT scan datasets achieving state-of-the-art performance, justifying the reliability of the model. The relevant source codes related to the present work is available in: GitHub.
Low expression of miR-29a is associated with aggressive biology and worse survival in gastric cancer
Authors: Tokumaru Yoshihisa , Oshi Masanori , Huyser Michelle R. , Yan Li , Fukada Masahiro , Matsuhashi Nobuhisa , Futamura Manabu , Akao Yukihiro , Yoshida Kazuhiro , Takabe Kazuaki
Published: July 2021

Advanced gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most lethal cancer types, thus a better understanding of its biology in patients is urgently needed. MicroRNA (miR)-29a is a known tumor suppressive miR that is related to metastasis, but its clinical relevance in GC remains ambiguous. Here, using a large GC patient cohort we hypothesized that low expression of miR-29a in GC is associated with aggressive cancer biology and worse survival. We demonstrated that low miR-29a GC enriched cell proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, and angiogenesis related gene sets, as well as the higher expression of related genes. Low miR-29a GC was associated with less anti-cancer immune cell infiltration as well as immune related scoring. Low miR-29a GC demonstrated a worse overall survival (OS) as well as disease specific survival (DSS) compared with high expressing miR-29a GC. Notably, low miR-29a expression was the only factor, other than residual tumor status, to be an independent prognostic biomarker of worse OS and DSS. In conclusion, low miR-29a GC was associated with aggressive cancer biology and worse OS as well as DSS. Additionally, low expression of miR-29a was an independent prognostic biomarker of OS and DSS in gastric cancer patients.
Yield estimation of the 2020 Beirut explosion using open access waveform and remote sensing data
Authors: Pilger Christoph , Gaebler Peter , Hupe Patrick , Kalia Andre C. , Schneider Felix M. , Steinberg Andreas , Sudhaus Henriette , Ceranna Lars
Published: July 2021

We report on a multi-technique analysis using publicly available data for investigating the huge, accidental explosion that struck the city of Beirut, Lebanon, on August 4, 2020. Its devastating shock wave led to thousands of injured with more than two hundred fatalities and caused immense damage to buildings and infrastructure. Our combined analysis of seismological, hydroacoustic, infrasonic and radar remote sensing data allows us to characterize the source as well as to estimate the explosive yield. The latter is determined within 0.13 to 2 kt TNT (kilotons of trinitrotoluene). This range is plausible given the reported 2.75 kt of ammonium nitrate as explosive source. As there are strict limitations for an on-site analysis of this catastrophic explosion, our presented approach based on data from open accessible global station networks and satellite missions is of high scientific and social relevance that furthermore is transferable to other explosions.
Relationship between serum total testosterone and prostate volume in aging men
Authors: Xia Bo-Wen , Zhao Si-Cong , Chen Zong-Ping , Chen Chao , Liu Tian-Shu , Yang Fan , Yan Yong
Published: July 2021

Total testosterone levels decline with age, while prostate volume and the prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia increase with age. We sought to investigate the correlation of serum testosterone levels with prostate volume in aging men. We analyzed clinical data obtained from 416 ostensibly healthy men who underwent routine health check-ups and recruited and collected data from these subjects 4 years later. We analyzed the correlation between prostate volume and relevant factors, as well as the correlation between changes in prostate volume and low testosterone over a 4-year period. Men with low testosterone had significantly larger prostate volume than those in the normal testosterone group (26.86 ± 8.75 vs. 24.06 ± 6.77 P = 0.02), and subjects with low testosterone had significantly higher levels of obesity-related factors, including waist circumference, body mass index, and insulin (all P < 0.001). After adjustment for age, testosterone level was negatively correlated with prostate volume (P = 0.004), and prostate volume and 4-year changes in prostate volume were associated with low testosterone. With increased testosterone level, prostate volume showed a significant linear decreasing trend. These findings provide evidence of the relationship between testosterone and prostate volume. Additional large studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.
Discovery of potential imaging and therapeutic targets for severe inflammation in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Lee Hyunjong , Park Jeongbin , Im Hyung-Jun , Na Kwon Joong , Choi Hongyoon
Published: July 2021

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been spreading worldwide with rapidly increased number of deaths. Hyperinflammation mediated by dysregulated monocyte/macrophage function is considered to be the key factor that triggers severe illness in COVID-19. However, no specific targeting molecule has been identified for detecting or treating hyperinflammation related to dysregulated macrophages in severe COVID-19. In this study, previously published single-cell RNA-sequencing data of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cells from thirteen COVID-19 patients were analyzed with publicly available databases for surface and imageable targets. Immune cell composition according to the severity was estimated with the clustering of gene expression data. Expression levels of imaging target molecules for inflammation were evaluated in macrophage clusters from single-cell RNA-sequencing data. In addition, candidate targetable molecules enriched in severe COVID-19 associated with hyperinflammation were filtered. We found that expression of SLC2A3, which can be imaged by [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose, was higher in macrophages from severe COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, by integrating the surface target and drug-target binding databases with RNA-sequencing data of severe COVID-19, we identified candidate surface and druggable targets including CCR1 and FPR1 for drug delivery as well as molecular imaging. Our results provide a resource in the development of specific imaging and therapy for COVID-19-related hyperinflammation.
Important gender differences in psychosomatic and school-related complaints in relation to adolescent weight status
Authors: Brooks Samantha J. , Feldman Inna , Schiöth Helgi B. , Titova Olga E.
Published: July 2021

Underweight or overweight in adolescence is linked to several adverse health outcomes. Less evidence exists about the association between weight status and school-related psychosocial characteristics in high income countries. We sought to investigate the relationship between weight status and psychosomatic and school-related complaints with a focus on gender differences. The study is a cohort of 18,462 adolescents (12–19 years; 51% girls) conducted in Sweden. The associations between weight status and psychosomatic and school-related complaints were estimated by binary logistic regression adjusted for several potential confounders. After correction for multiple testing, being underweight or overweight/obese was adversely associated with several psychosomatic and school-related complaints with significant differences between boys and girls. Specifically, underweight boys had higher odds to have psychosomatic complaints than normal-weight boys, while no such associations were observed among underweight girls. Overweight/obese (vs. normal-weight) boys had higher odds to complain about headache, pain in the back/hips, and feeling low. Overweight/obese (vs. normal-weight) girls were more likely to complain about feeling low, anxious/worried and having difficulty in falling asleep (P ≤ 0.01). In relation to school-related complaints (e.g., being bullied at school and academic failure), greater associations were observed for overweight/obese girls and boys than for underweight adolescents compared with normal-weight peers.
A systematic study of the influence of ligand field on the slow magnetic dynamics of Co(ii)-diimine compounds
Authors: Bhowmick Indrani , Newell Brian S. , Shores Matthew P.
Published: July 2021

A systematic study of four structurally-related hexacoordinate Co(ii) diimine complexes demonstrates links between ligand donor (σ/π) characteristics and slow magnetic dynamics and spin–lattice relaxation times.
Discovery of quinolone derivatives as antimycobacterial agents
Authors: Liu Kun-Lin , Teng Fei , Xiong Lu , Li Xiao , Gao Chao , Yu Luo-Ting
Published: July 2021

6b21: MIC against M. tb H37Rv = 1.2 μg mL−1, MIC against drug-resistant strains = 0.9 μg mL−1, solubility = 132 μg mL−1, non-cytotoxicity.
A novel electrochemiluminescence immunosensing strategy fabricated by Co(OH)2 two-dimensional nanosheets and Ru@SiO2–Au NPs for the highly sensitive detection of enrofloxacin
Authors: Jiao Mengqi , Zhang Jiaxin , Wu Kang , Deng Anping , Li Jianguo
Published: July 2021

In this work, a novel sensitive electrochemiluminescence immunosensor based on Ru@SiO2–Au NPs and Co(OH)2 two-dimensional nanosheets (2D Co(OH)2) is constructed for the detection of enrofloxacin (ENR).
In vivo active organometallic-containing antimycotic agents
Authors: Rubbiani Riccardo , Weil Tobias , Tocci Noemi , Mastrobuoni Luciano , Jeger Severin , Moretto Marco , Ng James , Lin Yan , Hess Jeannine , Ferrari Stefano , Kaech Andres , Young Luke , Spencer John , Moore Anthony L. , Cariou Kevin , Renga Giorgia , Pariano Marilena , Romani Luigina , Gasser Gilles
Published: July 2021

Fungal infections represent a global problem and there is an urgent need for new drugs. In this work, we prepared four novel organometallic derivatives of the frontline antifungal drug fluconazole with very promising in vivo activity.
Controllable sulphur vacancies confined in nanoporous ZnS nanoplates for visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Xiong Jinhua , Li Yuling , Lu Shaojuan , Guo Wei , Zou Junhua , Fang Zhibin
Published: July 2021

Nanoporous ZnS nanoplates with controllable sulphur vacancies (Sv) were prepared – via rapid heat treatment of ZnS(en)0.5 nanoplates, achieving visible-light photocatalytic H2 evolution activities with a linear correlation with Sv concentration.
The inspiration and challenge for through-space charge transfer architecture: from thermally activated delayed fluorescence to non-linear optical properties
Authors: Ye Jin-Ting , Qiu Yong-Qing
Published: July 2021

In this perspective, we review the TADF properties of D–π–A molecules with through-space charge transfer architecture with focus on their regulating effects toward NLO responses.
Development of a multi-target anticancer Sn(ii) pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone complex
Authors: Wu Junmiao , Yang Tongfu , Wang Xiaojun , Li Wenjuan , Pang Min , Sun Hongbin , Liang Hong , Yang Feng
Published: July 2021

A series of multi-target anti-cancer Sn(ii) pyridine-2-thiosemicarbazone complexes were designed and synthesized, which inhibit tumors by acting on DNA, Bcl-xL protein, MMP2 protein and Topoisomerase II.
Facile construction of S-containing Co-based metal organic framework core–shell microspheres as an efficient bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst
Authors: Liu Ping , Han Huijuan , Xia Qingyun , Ma Nini , Lu Sihan , Shang Xuefang , Wang Ge , Chao Shujun
Published: July 2021

An efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst, S-containing Co-MOF core–shell microspheres, has been designed and constructed through a facile one-step hydrothermal method. It displays high ORR and OER performances in an alkaline medium.
Techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment of a biorefinery utilizing reductive catalytic fractionation
Authors: Bartling Andrew W. , Stone Michael L. , Hanes Rebecca J. , Bhatt Arpit , Zhang Yimin , Biddy Mary J. , Davis Ryan , Kruger Jacob S. , Thornburg Nicholas E. , Luterbacher Jeremy S. , Rinaldi Roberto , Samec Joseph S. M. , Sels Bert F. , Román-Leshkov Yuriy , Beckham Gregg T.
Published: July 2021

Analysis of a promising lignin-first biorefining technique, reductive catalytic fractionation, provides useful metrics for cost and sustainability to guide researchers toward critical areas for improvement.
Correction: In situ electrochemical H2 production for efficient and stable power-to-gas electromethanogenesis
Authors: Kracke Frauke , Deutzmann Jörg S. , Gu Wenyu , Spormann Alfred M.
Published: July 2021

Correction for ‘In situ electrochemical H2 production for efficient and stable power-to-gas electromethanogenesis’ by Frauke Kracke et al., Green Chem., 2020, 22, 6194–6203, DOI: 10.1039/D0GC01894E.
Exotic physical properties of 2D materials modulated by moiré superlattices
Authors: Shi Beibei , Qi Pengfei , Jiang Meiling , Dai Yuchen , Lin Feng , Zhang Han , Fang Zheyu
Published: July 2021

Exotic quantum phenomena ranging from electronic to excitonic of 2D materials modulated by moiré superlattices.
A flexible quasi-solid-state thermoelectrochemical cell with high stretchability as an energy-autonomous strain sensor
Authors: Liang Lirong , Lv Haicai , Shi Xiao-Lei , Liu Zhuoxin , Chen Guangming , Chen Zhi-Gang , Sun Guoxing
Published: July 2021

A self-powered strain sensing system based on a quasi-solid-state thermoelectrochemical cell is developedviacombining remarkable thermoelectrochemical performance with excellent mechanical flexibility/stretchability.
A facile route toward hydrophilic plasmonic copper selenide nanocrystals: new perspectives for SEIRA applications
Authors: da Silva Jailson J. , dos Santos Wedja M. , Fernandes Rafael da S. , Fontes Adriana , Santos Beate S. , Pereira Claudete F. , Krebs Patrick , Mizaikoff Boris , Pereira Goreti , Pereira Giovannia A. L.
Published: July 2021

Development of versatile and efficient plasmonic nanoprobes for detection of (bio)molecules in an ultrasmall concentration, when applied as substrates in surface-enhanced infrared (SEIRA) spectroscopy.
Facile anomer-oriented syntheses of 4-methylumbelliferyl sialic acid glycosides
Authors: Hassan Abdullah A. , Oscarson Stefan
Published: July 2021

Efficient synthetic pathways to both α- and novel β-anomers of 4-methylumbelliferyl glycosides of neuraminic acid derivatives are described.
A triple-targeting delivery system carrying two anticancer agents
Authors: Li Hui , Lee Chang-Hee , Shin Injae
Published: July 2021

To improve tumor selectivity, we prepared a new triple-targeting delivery system bearing two anticancer agents. Both anticancer agents in this system are released in the presence of both H2O2 and cathepsin B which are highly produced in cancer cells.
High-throughput development of highly active catalyst system to convert bioethanol to 1,3-butadiene
Authors: Shinke Yu , Miyazawa Tomohisa , Hiza Misao , Nakamura Isao , Fujitani Tadahiro
Published: July 2021

The development of highly active catalysts for the conversion of ethanol to 1,3-butadiene using high-throughput catalyst preparation and evaluation systems.
A multi-functional photothermal-catalytic foam for cascade treatment of saline wastewater
Authors: Li Binrong , Guo Zhiwei , Feng Yonghai , Meng Minjia
Published: July 2021

A multifunctional SCoNi–pDA/PVDF foam is designed for saline wastewater treatment through catalytic-evaporation cascade system.
Effective path prediction and data transmission in opportunistic social networks
Authors: Wu Jia , Zou Wenhao , long Huiyun
Published: July 2021

With the development of social media, social networks have become an important platform for people to share and communicate. In social network communication, when people carry mobile devices for data transmission, they need to find a definite transmission destination to ensure the normal conduct of information exchange activities. This is manifested in the process of data transmission by nodes, which requires analysis and judgment of surrounding areas, and finds suitable nodes for effective data classification and transmission. However, the node cache space in social networks is limited, and the process of waiting for the target node will cause end‐to‐end transmission delay. In order to improve such a transmission environment, this paper proposes a node trajectory prediction method named EDPPM algorithm. The EDPPM algorithm guarantees that nodes with high probability are given priority to obtain data information, which realized an effective data transmission mechanism. Through experiments and comparison of opportunistic transmission algorithms in social networks, such as Epidemic algorithm, Spray and Wait algorithm, and PRoPHET algorithm, the proposed scheme outperforms ProPhet by 47% in terms of cache utilization of nodes, 55% in terms of data transmission delay, and 32% in terms of network efficiency; compared with Epidemic by 53% in terms of cache utilization of nodes, 62% in terms of data transmission delay, and 47% in terms of network efficiency; same thing with regard to the Spray and wait by 27% in terms of cache utilization of nodes, 31% in terms of data transmission delay, and 17% in terms of network efficiency.