bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BORYS TEN IN THE CONTEXT OF THE UKRAINIAN-GEORGIAN LITERARY RELATIONS OF THE 20th CENTURY: ON THE UKRAINIAN “TAMARIANI” BY CHAKHRUKHADZE
Authors: Грицик Людмила
Published: March 2023

Based on the study of the Central State Archive-Museum of Literature and Art of Ukraine materials, the work traces the way of Ukrainian translator Borys Ten (M. Khomychevskyi) to Georgian literature. In particular, the paper focuses on the work of Chakhrukhadze as a forerunner of the great Rustaveli, the poem’s role in the literature of the Georgian Middle Ages, the motives for making translation, and reception of the work in Ukraine. The library of the Archive-Museum of Literature and Art of Ukraine received a thirty-page manuscript written in pencil with no title page and no name. Having read it, I immediately recognized Chakhrukhadze’s voice, which made me return to the anthology with fragments of Chakhrukhadze’s poem translated by Borys Ten. The contemporary circle of translators used to be rather stable, and they usually knew each other well. However, Borys Ten did not typically work with Georgian literature, and the numerous pseudonyms that M. Khomychevskyi used after his exile were known mainly to specialists. Despite the peculiarity of a ten-syllable verse, close to the folk samples as much as possible, the translation sounded naturally, without the slightest artificiality. The intrigue was growing since most archival materials concerned the translation of ancient literature and the issues of translation theory and practice, in particular the treatment of hexameter. Even if we consider that due to circumstances, the author had to use pseudonyms at specific periods of his literary activity, Georgian works were not noticed in his translation practice. There emerges a question, the answer to which would explain the path of Borys Ten to Chakhrukhadze and certain pages of his creative life. To reveal the way of the Ukrainian translator to “Tamariani” one must consider his reasons for choosing the field of translation for a career; the role of Ukrainian neo-classics M. Zerov and M. Rylskyi, as well as M. Bazhan and lessons of his translation of “Th e Knight in the Panther’s Skin” by Rustaveli; the search of the translator’s own way amidst a variety of stylistic and compositional solutions; the development of personal approach to the rendering of original work; the ‘creative dominant’ of “Tamariani” by Chakhrukhadze.
INTERMEDIAL INTERPRETATION OF THE KEY TOPICS OF METAPHYSICAL POETRY (TWO CHAPTERS FROM AN INTERNATIONAL ART PROJECT “THE SEA IS HERE. ABSENCE AS PRESENCE”)
Authors: Рязанцева Тетяна
Published: March 2023

The paper discusses the productivity of the new creative approaches to the established types of poetry. Building on the theoretical definitions, taxonomies, and observations formulated in the works of James Smith, Frank Warnke, Michael Nott, Robert Crawford and Norman McBeath, Susan Sontag, Viktoria Khoniu, et al., the research argues that the artistic practices of photopoetry (“a form of photo-text that takes, for its primary components, poetry and photography”, Michael Nott) offer new ways to interpret certain topics of metaphysical poetry. The term “metaphysical poetry” defines an independent trend of literature focused on “the realities of peculiar kind” (James Smith) such as Time, Death, Religion, and Love. The material for analysis is taken from the international multimedia project “The Sea Is Here: Absence as Presence” (2020) edited by Natalia Kutsepova (USA) and Nina Kharchenko (Germany). Two photopoetic pieces from this art book, “Miracles” by Shaun Evans and “Bond” by Kati Dahlmann, explore the themes of Religion and Death, which are central to metaphysical poetry. The detailed analysis of “Miracles” and “Bond” outlines the types of artistic collaboration in both projects and focuses on their structural, stylistic, and semantic characteristics. Special attention is paid to the ways of interaction between photographs and texts. It is noted that the principle of photopoetic imagery is close to the principle of metaphysical conceit (to harmonize the incompatible). The author concludes that the creative strategy of photopoetry can be instrumental in interpreting the key metaphysical topics. It proves the vitality of some traditional concepts (memory as a tool to transform the transient/mortal into the stable/immortal) and introduces important innovations (the detached position of a human being in their communication with God).
Recurring authoritarian revivals: Evidence from Ottoman and Republican Turkey
Authors: Taraktas Basak
Published: March 2023

This study considers recurrent authoritarian revivals. Unlike conventional studies that focus on authoritarian survival and durability, I study the periodicity of regime changes. Using the cases of Ottoman (18761918) and Republican (1923-1960) (2002-2017) Turkey, I show that recurrent authoritarian revivals are more likely in societies where anti-status quo groups assume power upon overthrowing an oppressive regime, begin reforming old institutions, and face dissent. Such governments are more prone to turning authoritarian because they feel menaced by dissent and choose repression over compromise. Repression initially targets old elites but extends to other dissenters as governments do not tolerate alternative reform projects. Cooperation does not arise because uncertainty, distrust, and past repression perpetuate the fear of survival. This article contributes to the regimes and institutionalism literatures by systematically studying an undertheorized issue and offering a mechanistic explanation of recurrent institutional outcomes based on government-opposition interactions and positive feedback.
Synthesis and investigation on microstructural, mechanical features of mesoporous hardystonite/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite for medical applications
Authors: Bagherpour Iman , Yaghtin Amirhossein , Naghib Seyed Morteza , Molaabasi Fatemeh
Published: March 2023

Graphical Abstract
Exosomes combined with biomaterials in the treatment of spinal cord injury
Authors: Zhang Xuanxuan , Jiang Wenwei , Lu Yan , Mao Tiantian , Gu Yu , Ju Dingyue , Dong Chuanming
Published: March 2023

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious and disabling disease with a high mortality rate. It often leads to complete or partial sensory and motor dysfunction and is accompanied by a series of secondary outcomes, such as pressure sores, pulmonary infections, deep vein thrombosis in the lower extremities, urinary tract infections, and autonomic dysfunction. Currently, the main treatments for SCI include surgical decompression, drug therapy, and postoperative rehabilitation. Studies have shown that cell therapy plays a beneficial role in the treatment of SCI. Nonetheless, there is controversy regarding the therapeutic effect of cell transplantation in SCI models. Meanwhile exosomes, as a new therapeutic medium for regenerative medicine, possess the advantages of small size, low immunogenicity, and the ability to cross the blood-spinal cord barrier. Certain studies have shown that stem cell-derived exosomes have anti-inflammatory effects and can play an irreplaceable role in the treatment of SCI. In this case, it is difficult for a single treatment method to play an effective role in the repair of neural tissue after SCI. The combination of biomaterial scaffolds and exosomes can better transfer and fix exosomes to the injury site and improve their survival rate. This paper first reviews the current research status of stem cell-derived exosomes and biomaterial scaffolds in the treatment of SCI respectively, and then describes the application of exosomes combined with biomaterial scaffolds in the treatment of SCI, as well as the challenges and prospects.
Piranha solution treatment: A facile method for improving the antithrombotic ability and regulating smooth muscle cell growth on blood contact materials
Authors: Liao Yuzhen , Chen Xiao , Jiang Yutong , Qu Chao , Liu Xiaoqi , Zhao Ansha , Yang Ping , Huang Nan , Chen Jiang
Published: March 2023

Blood contact materials require strong anti-fouling capabilities to avoid thrombus formation. Recently, TiO2-based photocatalytic antithrombotic treatment has gained focus. Nevertheless, this method is restricted to titanium materials with photocatalytic abilities. This study offers an alternative solution that can be applied to a broader range of materials: piranha solution treatment. Our findings revealed that the free radicals generated by the treatment effectively altered the surface physicochemical properties of various inorganic materials, enhancing their surface hydrophilicity and oxidizing organic contaminants, thus improving their antithrombotic properties. Additionally, the treatment resulted in contrasting effects on the cellular affinity of SS and TiO2. While it significantly reduced the adhesion and proliferation of SMCs on SS surfaces, it significantly enhanced these on TiO2 surfaces. These observations suggested that the impact of the piranha solution treatment on the cellular affinity of biomaterials was closely tied to the intrinsic properties of the materials. Thus, materials suitable for piranha solution treatment could be selected based on the functional requirements of implantable medical devices. In conclusion, the broad applicability of piranha solution surface modification technology in both blood-contact and bone implant materials highlights its promising prospects.
Central carbon metabolite profiling reveals vector-associated differences in the recombinant protein production host Escherichia coli BL21
Authors: García-Calvo Laura , Rane Divyata Vilas , Everson Nikalet , Humlebrekk Sigurd Tømmerberg , Mathiassen Lise Femanger , Mæhlum Astfrid Helene Morka , Malmo Jostein , Bruheim Per
Published: March 2023

The Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli is the most widely used host for recombinant protein production, both as an industrial expression platform and as a model system at laboratory scale. The recombinant protein production industry generates proteins with direct applications as biopharmaceuticals and in technological processes central to a plethora of fields. Despite the increasing economic significance of recombinant protein production, and the importance of E. coli as an expression platform and model organism, only few studies have focused on the central carbon metabolic landscape of E. coli during high-level recombinant protein production. In the present work, we applied four targeted CapIC- and LC-MS/MS methods, covering over 60 metabolites, to perform an in-depth metabolite profiling of the effects of high-level recombinant protein production in strains derived from E. coli BL21, carrying XylS/Pm vectors with different characteristics. The mass-spectrometric central carbon metabolite profiling was complemented with the study of growth kinetics and protein production in batch bioreactors. Our work shows the robustness in E. coli central carbon metabolism when introducing increased plasmid copy number, as well as the greater importance of induction of recombinant protein production as a metabolic challenge, especially when strong promoters are used.
Reception study: The omission of narrative text in the English translation of Mo Yan's Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out
Authors: Guo Jiahao , Zou Deyan
Published: March 2023

This paper examines the omission of narrative texts in the English translation of Mo Yan's Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out. A textual comparison revealed that the translation contains the radical omission of around 50,000 Chinese characters, comprising nearly 13% of the original text. Since the English version reshapes the original work for an English context and a Western audience, it is worthwhile to examine the consequences of the omissions. In particular, are there any patterns among the omitted sections? Is the version with omissions received more favorably by a Western audience? Omissions of narrative texts and their effects were the focus of this study. The adopted methodology comprises textual analysis, narrative analysis, questionnaire, and interviews. The omissions are explored from six categories: narrative text, descriptive text, embedded text, narrator's comments, characters' monologs and lengthy passages containing multiple omission types. The omission of narrative text and its consequences are the focus of this paper. Through textual and narrative analysis, the discussion identifies discrepancies between the source text and the target text, including mitigation of political criticism, stereotyping of Chinese culture, simplification of narrative structure, and plot reorganization. Through questionnaires and interviews, this paper investigates how the omissions may have influenced the reception of the novel by the target audience. Interestingly, significant omissions of political criticism did not impede Western readers' perceptions of the book's political criticisms. Instead, they facilitate and augment the entertainment aspect of the reading. Therefore, this paper argues that the novel has been rewritten to accommodate a Western audience's reading habits and Western poetological systems and to attract a mass audience.
The trace consistency measurement between WFD-net systems
Authors: Zhao Fang , Xiang Dongming , Liu Guanjun
Published: March 2023

Introduction

How to measure the trace consistency between process models in workflow net systems have become a crucial part of process mapping, process integration, and difference testing. Workflow net with data (WFD-net) is an effective language to describe a complete model of a workflow net system. Checking their trace consistency is a significant challenge in service-based software engineering. However, most of the existing research on trace consistency measurement has not taken the data into consideration. Therefore, they cannot accurately calculate the trace consistency degree of two WFD-net systems, especially when data operations and guard functions are complex.

Methods

We explore all traces in two WFD-net systems based on guard analysis and data dependencies.

Results

We point out that the trace consistency degree is uncertain when the values of guard functions are considered.

Discussion

We conduct experiments to evaluate our method and show its effectiveness.
Project design and technology trade-offs for implementing a large-scale sexual and reproductive health mHealth intervention: Lessons from Sierra Leone
Authors: Chukwu Emeka , Gilroy Sonia , Dickson Kim Eva
Published: March 2023

Background

The Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic threatened decades of progress in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and gender-based violence as attendance at health facilities plummeted and service uptake dwindled. Similarly, misinformation regarding COVID-19 was rife. The demographics in Sierra Leone are diverse in the education, economic, and rural/urban divide. Telecommunications coverage, phone ownership, and preference for information access medium also vary greatly in Sierra Leone.

Aim

The aim of the intervention was to reach Sierra Leoneans at scale with information about SRH during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper presents the approach and insights from designing and implementing a large-scale mobile health (mHealth) messaging campaign.

Method

Between April and July 2020, a cross-sectional multichannel SRH messaging campaign was designed and launched in Sierra Leone. Through a secondary analysis of project implementation documents and process evaluation of the messaging campaign report, the project design trade-offs and contextual factors for success were identified and documented.

Result

A total of 1.16 million recorded calls were initiated and 35.46 million text messages (short message service, SMS) were sent to telecommunication subscribers through a two-phased campaign. In phase one, only 31% of the 1,093,606 automated calls to 290,000 subscribers were picked up, dropping significantly at 95% confidence level (p = 1) after each of the four weeks. In addition, the listening duration dropped by one-third when a message was repeated compared to the first 3 weeks. Lessons from phase one were used to design an SMS and radio campaign in the scale-up phase. Evidence from our analysis suggests that the successful scaling of mHealth interventions during a pandemic will benefit from formative research and depend on at least six factors, including the following: (1) the delivery channels’ selection strategy; (2) content development and scheduling; (3) the persona categorization of youths; (4) stakeholder collaboration strategies; (5) technology trade-offs; and (6) cost considerations.

Discussion and Conclusion

The design and implementation of a large-scale messaging campaign is a complex endeavor that requires research, collaboration with other diverse stakeholders, and careful planning. Key success ingredients are the number of messages to be delivered, the format, cost considerations, and whether engagement is necessary. Lessons for similar low-and-middle-income countries are discussed.
Thermal response to sequential tropical cyclone passages: Statistic analysis and idealized experiments
Authors: He Shunzhi , Cheng Xiaoping , Fei Jianfang , Li Xiangcheng , Wei Zexun , Huang Xiaogang
Published: March 2023

The cold wake caused by a tropical cyclone (TC) extends for hundreds of kilometers and persists for several weeks, thus influencing the surface response for any subsequent TCs that might pass over it. It is commonly accepted that sea-surface temperature (SST) cooling, as produced by a single TC, occurs primarily through vertical mixing. However, when there are sequential TCs, the earlier TC can dramatically change the thermal structure of the upper ocean, which may influence the subsequent development of a latter-occurring TC (LTC). Therefore, the contribution of horizontal advection and vertical mixing to SST-cooling during the passage of LTCs is of great interest. Using a 19-year-long observational dataset and the heat budget analysis of an idealized numerical simulation, the SST change during the passage of sequential TCs is investigated. The results demonstrate that, on average, the SST cooling caused by the LTC shows an overall decreasing trend with enhanced lingering wakes. Budget analysis of the model simulations suggests that an earlier TC can suppress the vertical mixing induced by an LTC mainly through an alteration of dynamics within the deepened mixed layer and that the contribution of vertical mixing to the SST cooling is weaker due to the intensification of the earlier TC. The weakened vertical mixing dominates the decreased SST cooling induced by an LTC. In contrast, the cold wake generated by an earlier TC can produce more cold water on the right side of the TC’s track, which contributes to stronger horizontal advection upon the arrival of the LTC. In general, the effects of the earlier TC can suppress the sea-surface thermal response to an LTC. If the contribution of the horizontal advection to SST cooling is neglected, the SST cooling induced by an LTC could be reduced by about 40%. As for the response of the sub-surface water to the passage of an LTC, the weakened warm anomaly induced by vertical mixing and the enhanced cooling anomaly caused by the vertical advection explain the reduced tendency for the mixed layer to deepen. As a result, the tendency for the mixed layer depth (MLD) to increase is suppressed during the passage of an LTC. These results highlight the importance of optimally depicting cold wakes in numerical simulations to improve the prediction of the upper ocean’s response to sequential TCs.
Establishment of papillary thyroid cancer organoid lines from clinical specimens
Authors: Yang Hao , Liang Qingzhuang , Zhang Jian , Liu Jinkun , Wei Hao , Chen Haibo , Wei Wei , Chen Dong , Zhao Yongsheng
Published: March 2023

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is a common malignancy of the endocrine system, and its morbidity and mortality are increasing year by year. Traditional two-dimensional culture of cell lines lacks tissue structure and is difficult to reflect the heterogeneity of tumors. The construction of mouse models is inefficient and time-consuming, which is difficult to be applied to individualized treatment on a large scale. Clinically relevant models that recapitulate the biology of their corresponding parental tumors are urgently needed. Based on clinical specimens of PTC, we have successfully established patient-derived organoids by exploring and optimizing the organoid culture system. These organoids have been cultured stably for more than 5 passages and successfully cryopreserved and retried. Histopathological and genome analysis revealed a high consistency of the histological architectures as well as mutational landscapes between the matched tumors and organoids. Here, we present a fully detailed method to derive PTC organoids from clinical specimens. Using this approach, we have developed PTC organoid lines from thyroid cancer samples with a success rate of 77.6% (38/49) until now.
Genetic structure and local adaptation of Neptunea cumingii crosse populations in China based on GBS technology
Authors: Tan Bamei , Zhang Dandan , Tian Ying , Mao Junxia , Wang Xubo , Wang Luo , Chang Yaqing , Hao Zhenlin
Published: March 2023

To identify the genetic characteristics and local adaptation mechanism of the snail Neptunea cumingii in different sea areas of China, specimens from six coastal areas of the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea were collected. Simplified genome technology was used to study the population genetic structure and genetic diversity level of N. cumingii and to infer the genetic variation pattern of environmental adaptation of this species. In total, 1992 discrete loci with high quality were obtained used for population genomics analysis. The observed heterozygosity was 0.1551–0.1612, and the expected heterozygosity was 0.1064–0.1117. Nucleotide diversity ranged from 0.1120 to 0.1241, and fixation index values ranged from −0.04683 to −0.02041. A total of 330 discrete loci were screened based on two fixation index values and a method associated with environmental factors. Functional annotation showed that the genes of discrete loci were involved in the three major functions of cell composition, biological process, and molecular function, including growth and development and cell metabolism and catalytic activity. These results suggested that different populations of N. cumingii had loci that may be related to local adaptation. The results of this study helped to clarify the level of genetic diversity and the germplasm genetic background of N. cumingii. They also provided information about the genetic mechanism of environmental adaptation of N. cumingii that can be applied to the restoration and management of N. cumingii resources.
Danish translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and electronic migration of the World Endometriosis Research Foundation Endometriosis Phenome and Biobanking Harmonisation Project Endometriosis Patient Questionnaire
Authors: Thomsen Line Holdgaard , Vexø Laura Emilie , Schnack Tine Henrichsen , Hansen Karina Ejgaard , Forman Axel , Hartwell Dorthe , Nielsen Henriette Svarre , Hummelshoj Lone , Nyegaard Mette , Madsen Mette Elkjær
Published: March 2023

Objectives

This study aims to translate and cross-culturally adapt the standard version of the World Endometriosis Research Foundation (WERF) EPHect Endometriosis Patient Questionnaire (EPQ) into Danish and to ensure equivalence of a Danish electronic version.

Methods

The translation, cultural adaption, and electronic migration followed recommendations from the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) and the Critical Path Institute. Ten women with endometriosis were enrolled for cognitive debriefing of the paper version (pEPQ) after translation and back translation. The questionnaire was then migrated into an electronic version (eEPQ) and subsequently tested for usability and measurement equivalence by five women with endometriosis.

Results

Cross-cultural alterations were needed for medical terms, response options for ethnicity, the educational system, and measurement units. Thirteen questions were altered after back translation, while 21 underwent minor changes after cognitive debriefing. After testing the eEPQ, 13 questions were altered. Questions tested for measurement equivalence across the two modes of administration were found comparable. The median time-to-complete the pEPQ and eEPQ was 62 min (range: 29–110) and 63 min (range: 31–88), respectively. General comments included the questionnaire being relevant but long and repetitive.

Conclusions

We find the the Danish pEPQ and eEPQ similar and comparable to the original English instrument. However, attention must be drawn to questions regarding measurement units, ethnicity, and educational systems before cross-country comparison. The Danish pEPQ and eEPQ are suitable for obtaining subjective data on women with endometriosis.
Allergen sensitization stratifies IL-31 production by memory T cells in atopic dermatitis patients
Authors: Sans-de San Nicolàs Lídia , Figueras-Nart Ignasi , García-Jiménez Irene , Bonfill-Ortí Montserrat , Guilabert Antonio , Curto-Barredo Laia , Bertolín-Colilla Marta , Ferran Marta , Serra-Baldrich Esther , Pujol Ramon M. , Santamaria-Babí Luis F.
Published: March 2023

Background

The role of allergen sensitization in IL-31 production by T cells and specifically in the clinical context of atopic dermatitis (AD) has not been characterized.

Methods

The response to house dust mite (HDM) in purified memory T cells cocultured with epidermal cells from AD patients (n=58) and control subjects (n=11) was evaluated. AD-associated cytokines from culture supernatants, plasma proteins and mRNA expression from cutaneous lesions were assessed and related with the clinical features of the patients.

Results

HDM-induced IL-31 production by memory T cells defined two subsets of AD patients according to the presence or absence of IL-31 response. Patients in the IL-31 producing group showed a more inflammatory profile, and increased HDM-specific (sp) and total IgE levels compared to the IL-31 non-producing group. A correlation between IL-31 production and patient’s pruritus intensity, plasma CCL27 and periostin was detected. When the same patients were analyzed based on sp IgE and total IgE levels, an increased IL-31 in vitro response, as well as type 2 markers in plasma and cutaneous lesions, was found in patients with sp IgE levels > 100 kUA/L and total IgE levels > 1000 kU/L. The IL-31 response by memory T cells was restricted to the cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen (CLA)+ T-cell subset.

Conclusion

IgE sensitization to HDM allows stratifying IL-31 production by memory T cells in AD patients and relating it to particular clinical phenotypes of the disease.
Investigating the rate of turbidity impact on underwater spectral reflectance detection
Authors: Song Hong , Mehdi Syed Raza , Li Zixin , Wang Mengjie , Wu Chaopeng , Venediktov Vladimir Yu , Huang Hui
Published: March 2023

Spectral reflectance detection of the targeted object is considered a vital inherent optical property for its potential to provide abundant spectral information, which is crucial in underwater spectral imaging. However, the coarse condition of the underwater environment due to turbidity causes extreme distortions in spectral reflectance detection due to the high absorption and scattering of light. To cope with the effects of light degradation on underwater spectral reflectance detection accuracy, the rate of the impacts of turbidity on spectral reflectance should be examined thoroughly. Therefore, we utilize a stare-type underwater spectral imaging system based on a liquid crystal tunable filter (LCTF) to study the effects of turbidity in underwater spectral imaging of various colored bodies. To examine the accuracy of underwater spectral reflectance detection based on escalating turbidity, the paper models the rate of increase in scattering intensity of the water body. Results show that, based on the non-linear increase in the pixel response of the black and white board, the rapid upsurge in scattering intensity occurs between 400nm to 500nm at different turbidity levels. Additionally, the spectral reconstruction of color bodies relative to the black and white board shows the maximum absolute deviation of 5.3% in spectral reflectance detection accuracy under varying turbidity. While employing underwater spectral imaging, the above findings of optimal band selection can find significant applications to improve the quality of underwater object detection.
Research on the seasonal variation of zooplankton community in Daya Bay, South China Sea
Authors: Wu Feng-Xia , Gu Yang-Guang , Liu Qing-Xia , Zhang Shu-Fei , Rao Yi-Yong , Liu Hua-Xue , Dai Ming , Wang Yan-Guo , Huang Hong-Hui
Published: March 2023

Changes in zooplankton composition, abundance, and some species in response to environmental variation were investigated over four seasons (2020) in Daya Bay. In total, 129 taxa of zooplankton (16 groups of planktonic larvae and 20 indeterminate species) were identified. Zooplankton communities exhibited a significant seasonal shift in abundance and taxonomic composition. The maximum number of zooplankton species was recorded in winter (72 species) and the lowest in spring (42 species). However, the abundance was highest in spring (1,372.01 ± 1,071.14 individuals/m³) and lowest in autumn (50.93 ± 34.05 individuals/m³). Pearson correlation analyses demonstrated that the zooplankton abundance and the variations of indicator species were obviously correlated with environmental parameters (e.g., salinity, temperature, pH, and chlorophyll-a). Based on specificity and occupancy analysis, a total of eight species were selected as indicator species. It is noteworthy that some kollaplankton (such as Dolioletta gegenbauri and Doliolum denticulatum) could potentially cause disaster to the nuclear power plant cooling system because of their relatively large body size and huge blooms in spring. In addition, Centropages tenuiremis blooms in spring and Penilia avirostris blooms in summer could attract assemblages of larval or adult pelagic fish, which would also threaten the cooling system security in Daya Bay. In conclusion, our results suggest that zooplankton communities and some species may be considered as favorable indicators of the marine environment.
Cyanobacterial diversity of biological soil crusts and soil properties in karst desertification area
Authors: Chen Qian , Yan Ni , Xiong Kangning , Zhao Jiawei
Published: March 2023

As important components of the biological soil crusts (BSCs) and of the primary stage of crust succession, cyanobacterial communities occupy an important ecological niche and play an important ecological role in desertification areas. In this study, we focused on the karst desertification area, which also belongs to the same category of desertification, and selected three study areas, Guanling-Zhenfeng Huajiang (HJ), Bijie Salaxi (SLX), and Shibing (SB), in the Guizhou Plateau, which represents the overall ecological environment of South China karst, to conduct surveys on the diversity of BSC species and soil properties. Analysis of the cyanobacterial communities and physicochemical properties using the Shannon-Wiener diversity index, principal component analysis, and redundancy analysis revealed that: (1) The three study areas had common cyanobacterial species, with a total of 200 species distributed across 22 genera, 2 classes, 5 orders, and 6 families belonging to the Oscillatoriales (39%), Scytonematales (24.5%), Chroococcales (23%), Nostocales (11.5%), and Rivulariales (2%), (2) The number of species increased with the intensity of karst desertification—while Oscillatoriaceae was the dominant family in HJ and moderate–severe desertification areas, Chroococcaceae and Scytonemataceae were dominant in the mild and potential desertification areas SLX and SB, (3) The Shannon-Wiener diversity indices followed the trend: SLX (3.56) > SB (3.08) > HJ (3.01), indicating that the species were more evenly distributed in mild desertification, (4) In the carbonate background, shrubland harbored the largest number of cyanobacterial species compared to grassland, bare land, and arbor woodland; however, the highest number was documented in arbor woodland in dolomite karst, (5) The soil is weathered limestone or yellow soil in all three areas, with pH ranging from 5.73 to 6.85, fine sand dominated, and soil nutrients increased with the intensity of desertification, and (6) Redundancy analysis showed that organic carbon, soil moisture content (0–5 cm), and total nitrogen substantially influenced cyanobacterial diversity. These results reveal that differences in soil nutrient content play an important role in regulating the cyanobacterial diversity and composition, thereby establishing a foundation for further research and application of soil ecological restoration of cyanobacteria in BSCs of karst desertification areas.
Comparing the effects of transcranial alternating current and temporal interference (tTIS) electric stimulation through whole-brain mapping of c-Fos immunoreactivity
Authors: Carmona-Barrón Venezia G. , Fernández del Campo Inés S. , Delgado-García José M. , De la Fuente Antonio J. , Lopez Ignacio Plaza , Merchán Miguel A.
Published: March 2023

The analysis of the topography of brain neuromodulation following transcranial alternating current (AC) stimulation is relevant for defining strategies directed to specific nuclei stimulation in patients. Among the different procedures of AC stimulation, temporal interference (tTIS) is a novel method for non-invasive neuromodulation of specific deep brain targets. However, little information is currently available about its tissue effects and its activation topography in in vivo animal models. After a single session (30 min, 0.12 mA) of transcranial alternate current (2,000 Hz; ES/AC group) or tTIS (2,000/2,010 Hz; Es/tTIS group) stimulation, rat brains were explored by whole-brain mapping analysis of c-Fos immunostained serial sections. For this analysis, we used two mapping methods, namely density-to-color processed channels (independent component analysis (ICA) and graphical representation (MATLAB) of morphometrical and densitometrical values obtained by density threshold segmentation. In addition, to assess tissue effects, alternate serial sections were stained for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1), and Nissl. AC stimulation induced a mild superficial increase in c-Fos immunoreactivity. However, tTIS stimulation globally decreased the number of c-Fos-positive neurons and increased blood brain barrier cell immunoreactivity. tTIS also had a stronger effect around the electrode placement area and preserved neuronal activation better in restricted areas of the deep brain (directional stimulation). The enhanced activation of intramural blood vessels’ cells and perivascular astrocytes suggests that low-frequency interference (10 Hz) may also have a trophic effect.
Research on control strategy of vehicle stability based on dynamic stable region regression analysis
Authors: Liu Zhaoyong , Li Yihang , Li Weijun , Li Zefan , Zhang Haosen , Tan Xiaoqiang , Wu Guangqiang
Published: March 2023

The intervention time of stability control system is determined by stability judgment, which is the basis of vehicle stability control. According to the different working conditions of the vehicle, we construct the phase plane of the vehicle's sideslip angle and sideslip angular velocity, and establish the sample dataset of the stable region of the different phase planes. To reduce the complexity of phase plane stable region division and avoid large amount of data, we established the support vector regression (SVR) model, and realized the automatic regression of dynamic stable region. The testing of the test set shows that the model established in this paper has strong generalization ability. We designed a direct yaw-moment control (DYC) stability controller based on linear time-varying model predictive control (LTV-MPC). The influence of key factors such as centroid position and road adhesion coefficient on the stable region is analyzed through phase diagram. The effectiveness of the stability judgment and control algorithm is verified by simulation tests.
Colour and melanopsin mediated responses in the murine retina
Authors: Mouland Joshua W. , Watson Alex J. , Martial Franck P. , Lucas Robert J. , Brown Timothy M.
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) integrate melanopsin and rod/cone-mediated inputs to signal to the brain. Whilst originally identified as a cell type specialised for encoding ambient illumination, several lines of evidence indicate a strong association between colour discrimination and ipRGC-driven responses. Thus, cone-mediated colour opponent responses have been widely found across ipRGC target regions in the mouse brain and influence a key ipRGC-dependent function, circadian photoentrainment. Although ipRGCs exhibiting spectrally opponent responses have also been identified, the prevalence of such properties have not been systematically evaluated across the mouse retina or yet been found in ipRGC subtypes known to influence the circadian system. Indeed, there is still uncertainty around the overall prevalence of cone-dependent colour opponency across the mouse retina, given the strong retinal gradient in S and M-cone opsin (co)-expression and overlapping spectral sensitivities of most mouse opsins.

Methods: To address this, we use photoreceptor isolating stimuli in multielectrode recordings from human red cone opsin knock-in mouse (Opn1mwR) retinas to systematically survey cone mediated responses and the occurrence of colour opponency across ganglion cell layer (GCL) neurons and identify ipRGCs based on spectral comparisons and/or the persistence of light responses under synaptic blockade.

Results: Despite detecting robust cone-mediated responses across the retina, we find cone opponency is rare, especially outside of the central retina (overall ~3% of GCL neurons). In keeping with previous suggestions we also see some evidence of rod-cone opponency (albeit even more rare under our experimental conditions), but find no evidence for any enrichment of cone (or rod) opponent responses among functionally identified ipRGCs.

Conclusion: In summary, these data suggest the widespread appearance of cone-opponency across the mouse early visual system and ipRGC-related responses may be an emergent feature of central visual processing mechanisms.
Epileptiform activity in the acute phase of stroke predicts the outcomes in patients without seizures
Authors: Lasek-Bal Anetta , Dewerenda-Sikora Milena , Binek Łukasz , Student Sebastian , Łabuz-Roszak Beata , Krzystanek Ewa , Kaczmarczyk Aleksandra , Krzan Aleksandra , Żak Amadeusz , Cieślik Aleksandra , Bosak Magdalena
Published: March 2023

Background and purpose

The abnormalities in EEG of stroke-patients increase the risk of epilepsy but their significancy for poststroke outcome is unclear. This presented study was aimed at determining the prevalence and nature of changes in EEG recordings from the stroke hemisphere and from the contralateral hemisphere. Another objective was to determine the significance of abnormalities in EEG in the first days of stroke for the post-stroke functional status on the acute and chronic phase of disease.

Methods

In all qualified stroke-patients, EEG was performed during the first 3 days of hospitalization and at discharge. The correlation between EEG abnormalities both in the stroke hemisphere and in the collateral hemisphere with the neurological and functional state in various time points was performed.

Results

One hundred thirty-one patients were enrolled to this study. Fifty-eight patients (44.27%) had abnormal EEG. The sporadic discharges and generalized rhythmic delta activity were the most common abnormalities in the EEG. The neurological status on the first day and the absence of changes in the EEG in the hemisphere without stroke were the independent factors for good neurological state (0–2 mRS) at discharge. The age-based analysis model (OR 0.981 CI 95% 0.959–1.001, p = 0.047), neurological status on day 1 (OR 0.884 CI 95% 0.82–0.942, p < 0.0001) and EEG recording above the healthy hemisphere (OR 0.607 CI 95% 0.37–0.917, p = 0.028) had the highest prognostic value in terms of achieving good status 90 days after stroke.

Conclusions

Abnormalities in EEG without clinical manifestation are present in 40% of patients with acute stroke. Changes in EEG in acute stroke are associated with a poor neurological status in the first days and poor functional status in the chronic period of stroke.
Reduced cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity is associated with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and pain chronification in patients with headache
Authors: Mueller Bridget R. , Ray Carly , Benitez Alyha , Robinson-Papp Jessica
Published: March 2023

Background

Non-cephalgic symptoms including orthostatic intolerance, fatigue, and cognitive impairment, are common in patients with chronic headache disorders and may result from alterations in the autonomic nervous system. However, little is known about the function of autonomic reflexes, which regulate cardiovascular homeostasis and cerebral perfusion in patients with headache.

Methods

Autonomic function testing data from patients with headache collected between January 2018 and April 2022 was retrospectively analyzed. Through review of EMR we determined headache pain chronicity and patient self-report of orthostatic intolerance, fatigue, and cognitive impairment. Composite Autonomic Severity Score (CASS), CASS subscale scores, and cardiovagal and adrenergic baroreflex sensitivities were used to quantify autonomic reflex dysfunction. Descriptive analyses (Mann-Whitney-U or χ2, as appropriate) determined associations between autonomic reflex dysfunction and POTS as well as chronic headache. Binomial logistic regression adjusted for age and sex. Spearman’s rank correlation determined the association between the total CASS score and the number of painless symptoms reported by each participant.

Results

We identified 34 patients meeting inclusion criteria, of whom there were 16 (47.0%) with orthostatic intolerance, 17 (50.0%) with fatigue, 11 (32.4%) with cognitive complaints, and 11 (32.4%) with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). The majority of participants had migraine (n = 24, 70.6%), were female (n = 23, 67.6%) and had a chronic (>15 headache days in a month) headache disorder (n = 26, 76.5%). Reduced cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity (BRS-V) independently predicted chronic headache [aOR: 18.59 (1.16, 297.05), p = 0.039] and POTS [aOR: 5.78 (1.0, 32.5), p = 0.047]. The total CASS was correlated with the total number of non-painful features in the expected direction (r = 0.46, p = 0.007).

Conclusion

Abnormal autonomic reflexes may play an important role in pain chronification and the development of POTS in patients with headache.
Test-retest reliability of high-resolution surface electromyographic activities of facial muscles during facial expressions in healthy adults: A prospective observational study
Authors: Trentzsch Vanessa , Mueller Nadiya , Heinrich Martin , Kuttenreich Anna-Maria , Guntinas-Lichius Orlando , Volk Gerd Fabian , Anders Christoph
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Surface electromyography (sEMG) is a standard method for psycho-physiological research to evaluate emotional expressions or in a clinical setting to analyze facial muscle function. High-resolution sEMG shows the best results to discriminate between different facial expressions. Nevertheless, the test-retest reliability of high-resolution facial sEMG is not analyzed in detail yet, as good reliability is a necessary prerequisite for its repeated clinical application.

Methods

Thirty-six healthy adult participants (53% female, 18–67 years) were included. Electromyograms were recorded from both sides of the face using an arrangement of electrodes oriented by the underlying topography of the facial muscles (Fridlund scheme) and simultaneously by a geometric and symmetrical arrangement on the face (Kuramoto scheme). In one session, participants performed three trials of a standard set of different facial expression tasks. On one day, two sessions were performed. The two sessions were repeated two weeks later. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and coefficient of variation statistics were used to analyze the intra-session, intra-day, and between-day reliability.

Results

Fridlund scheme, mean ICCs per electrode position: Intra-session: excellent (0.935–0.994), intra-day: moderate to good (0.674–0.881), between-day: poor to moderate (0.095–0.730). Mean ICC’s per facial expression: Intra-session: excellent (0.933–0.991), intra-day: good to moderate (0.674–0.903), between-day: poor to moderate (0.385–0.679). Kuramoto scheme, mean ICC’s per electrode position: Intra-session: excellent (0.957–0.970), intra-day: good (0.751–0.908), between-day: moderate (0.643–0.742). Mean ICC’s per facial expression: Intra-session: excellent (0.927–0.991), intra-day: good to excellent (0.762–0.973), between-day: poor to good (0.235–0.868). The intra-session reliability of both schemes were equal. Compared to the Fridlund scheme, the ICCs for intra-day and between-day reliability were always better for the Kuramoto scheme.

Conclusion

For repeated facial sEMG measurements of facial expressions, we recommend the Kuramoto scheme.
RNA regulation in brain function and disease 2022 (NeuroRNA): A conference report
Authors: Piwecka Monika , Fiszer Agnieszka , Rolle Katarzyna , Olejniczak Marta
Published: March 2023

Recent research integrates novel technologies and methods from the interface of RNA biology and neuroscience. This advancing integration of both fields creates new opportunities in neuroscience to deepen the understanding of gene expression programs and their regulation that underlies the cellular heterogeneity and physiology of the central nervous system. Currently, transcriptional heterogeneity can be studied in individual neural cell types in health and disease. Furthermore, there is an increasing interest in RNA technologies and their application in neurology. These aspects were discussed at an online conference that was shortly named NeuroRNA.