bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ankle Foot Orthosis for Patients with Drop Foot Using Shape-Memory-Alloy Actuators
Authors: Lee Bohyun , Park Ji Su , Park Shinsuk , Kim Choong Hyun
Published: September 2023

Gait disorders can lower the quality of life of patients. Drop foot, a causative factor of deviated gait patterns, renders patients unable to lift their forefoot towards the body. Hence, a light and compact ankle–foot orthosis (AFO), which is the most common treatment for drop foot, must be designed, especially for patients with impaired lower limb muscles as oxygen consumption increases by 30% per 1.96 N load on their foot. Furthermore, the limited range of ankle angles in the first 10% of the gait cycle (GC) is a major drawback for patients with drop foot compared to healthy individuals. This limited range of ankle angles can be improved by gaining support from an AFO composed of shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators (SMA-AFO). Therefore, in this study, an SMA was used to fabricate a soft actuator to reduce the weight of the AFO. An adaptive frequency oscillator (AO) was implemented in real time for continuous gait phase detection. Walk tests were performed on a treadmill with the SMA-AFO attached to the participants (N = 3). The experimental results showed that the participants could lift their forefoot in the dorsiflexion direction with an ankle angle of 8.75° in the first 10% of the GC. Furthermore, the current required to operate the SMA actuator can be supplied to only 45.3% of the GC, reducing the power consumption. Therefore, the proposed SMA-AFO can be used in patients with drop foot.
„Glucagon-like peptide‑1“(GLP‑1)-Rezeptor-Agonisten – die neuen Wunderwaffen in der Adipositastherapie?
Authors: Raddatz Dirk
Published: September 2023

Adipositas ist einechronische Krankheit mit hoher und immer noch steigender Prävalenz und vielen Begleiterkrankungen, was sie zu einem wachsenden globalen Problem macht. Eine effektive und nachhaltige Gewichtsreduktion war bisher oft nur durch die metabolische Chirurgie zu erreichen. Bisherige adjuvante medikamentöse Therapien waren wenig effektiv. „Glucagon-like peptide‑1“-Rezeptor-Agonisten (GLP-1-RA), die zur Behandlung von Typ-2-Diabetes eingesetzt werden, haben sich in präklinischen und klinischen Studien als wirksam bei der Förderung der Gewichtsabnahme erwiesen und ihre Weiterentwicklung ist im vollen Gang. Diese Übersicht fasst aktuelle Studien zusammen, die mit GLP-1-RA und verwandten Inkretinmimetika durchgeführt wurden. Sie gibt dabei einen Überblick über die maximal erreichbare Gewichtsabnahme durch bereits verfügbare Substanzen sowie neue Entwicklungen und skizziert aber auch noch offenstehende Fragen.
Preparation of carbon-based material with high water absorption capacity and its effect on the water retention characteristics of sandy soil
Authors: Yang Youming , Zhong Mingyang , Bian Xiuqi , You Yongjun , Li Fayong
Published: September 2023

Biochar has the potential to provide a multitude of benefits when used in soil remediation and increasing soil organic matter enrichment. Nevertheless, the intricated, hydrophobic pores and groups weaken its water-holding capacity in dry, sandy soils in arid lands. In order to combat this issue, starch-carbon-based material (SB), sodium alginate-carbon-based material (SAB), and chitosan-carbon-based material (CB) have been successfully synthesized through the graft-polymerization of biochar (BC). A series of soil column simulations were used to scrutinize the microstructure of the carbon-based material and explore its water absorption properties and its effects on sandy soil water infiltration, water retention, and aggregation. The results indicated that SB, SAB, and CB achieved water maximum absorption rates of 155, 188, and 172 g g−1, respectively. Considering their impact on sandy soils, SB, SAB, and CB lengthened infiltration times by 1920, 3330, and 3880 min, respectively, whilst enhancing the water retention capabilities of the soil by 18%, 25%, and 23% in comparison to solely adding BC. The utilization of these innovative materials notably encouraged the formation of sandy soil aggregates ranging from 2.0 to 0.25 mm, endowing the aggregates with enhanced structural stability. Findings from potting experiments suggested that all three carbon-based materials were conducive to the growth of soybean seeds. Thus, it is evident that the carbon-based materials have been fabricated with success, and they have great potential not only to significantly augment the water retention capacities and structural robustness of sandy soils in arid areas, but also to bolster the development of soil aggregates and crop growth. These materials possess significant application potential for enhancing the quality of sandy soils in arid and semi-arid regions.

Graphical Abstract
Fight against cold: photosynthetic and antioxidant responses of different bell pepper cultivars (Capsicum annuum L.) to cold stress
Authors: Rácz A. , Czégény Gy. , Kutyáncsánin D. , Nagy N. , Hideg É. , Csepregi K.
Published: September 2023

The special metabolites of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) leaves can protect the plant under possibly damaging circumstances, such as high light, UV, unfavorable temperatures, or other environmental effects. In this study, we examined the cold stress tolerance of three different Hungarian pepper varieties (Darina, Édesalma, Rekord), focusing on the antioxidant and photosynthetic responses. The plants were developed in growth chambers under optimal temperature conditions (day/night 25 °C/20 °C) until the leaves on the fourth node became fully developed, then half of the plants received a cold treatment (day/night 15 °C/10 °C). Via a detailed pigment analysis, the PS II chlorophyll fluorescence responses, gas exchange parameters and total antioxidant capacities, leaf acclimation to low temperatures has been characterized. Our results display some of the developing physiological and antioxidant properties, which are among the main factors in monitoring the damaging effects of cold temperatures. Nevertheless, despite their differences, the tested pepper varieties did not show different cold responses.
Formalstyler: GPT-Based Model for Formal Style Transfer with Meaning Preservation
Authors: de Rivero Mariano , Tirado Cristhiam , Ugarte Willy
Published: September 2023

Style transfer is a natural language processing generation task, it consists of substituting one given writing style for another one. In this work, we seek to perform informal-to-formal style transfers in the English language by using a style transfer model that takes advantage of the GPT-2. This process is shown in our web interface where the user input a informal message by text or voice. Our target audience are students and professionals in the need to improve the quality of their work by formalizing their texts. A style transfer is considered successful when the original semantic meaning of the message is preserved after the independent style has been replaced with a formal one with a high degree of grammatical correctness. This task is hindered by the scarcity of training and evaluation datasets alongside the lack of metrics. To accomplish this task, we opted to utilize OpenAI’s GPT-2 Transformer-based pre-trained model. To adapt the GPT-2 to our research, we fine-tuned the model with a parallel corpus containing informal text entries paired with the equivalent formal ones. We evaluate the fine-tuned model results with two specific metrics, formality and meaning preservation. To further fine-tune the model, we integrate a human-based feedback system where the user selects the best formal sentence out of the ones generated by the model. The resulting evaluations of our solution exhibit similar to improved scores in formality and meaning preservation to state-of-the-art approaches.
Designing a Data Quality Management Framework for CRM Platform Delivery and Consultancy
Authors: Albrecht Renee , Overbeek Sietse , van de Weerd Inge
Published: September 2023

CRM platforms heavily depend on high-quality data, where poor-quality data can negatively influence its adoption. Additionally, these platforms are increasingly interconnected and complex to meet the growing needs of customers. Hence, delivery and consultancy of CRM platforms becomes highly complex. In this study, we propose a CRM data quality management framework that supports CRM delivery and consultancy firms to improve data quality management practices within their CRM projects. We develop the framework by extracting best practices for CRM data quality management by means of a literature study on data quality definition and measurement, data quality challenges, and data quality management methods. In a case study at an IT consultancy company, we investigate how CRM delivery and consultancy projects can benefit from the incorporation of data quality management practices. The results translate into a framework that provides a high-level overview of data quality management practices incorporated in CRM delivery and consultancy projects. It includes the following components: Client profiling, project definition, preparation, migration/integration, data quality definition, assessment, and improvement. The framework is validated by means of confirmatory focus groups and a questionnaire.
Towards a Low-Carbon Plastic Waste Recycling in Finland: Evaluating the Impacts of Improvement Measures on GHG Emissions
Authors: Judl Jáchym , Horn Susanna , Karppinen Tiina K. M.
Published: September 2023

The use of plastics in products and packaging is growing. At the same time, the lifespan of packaging is short and consequently plastic waste volumes are growing in Finland and globally. Although separate collection and recycling of plastic packaging waste exists in Finland, it needs to be strengthened to reach the European Union’s targets. The separately collected plastic waste is mechanically recycled, but the recycling capacity is small, as is the process’s yield of secondary polymers. Hence, a large share of plastic packaging waste remains being recovered for energy. In our study, we first apply material flow analysis (MFA) to identify different routes of plastic packaging waste in Finland, and then we apply life cycle assessment (LCA) to quantify greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the current system and of alternative scenarios based on improvement measures. Domestic GHG emissions of the studied system were estimated to be 178 kt CO2e. Net GHG emissions including exports and credits from avoided production were estimated to be 155 kt CO2e. The results of the scenario assessment indicate that combining more measures offer significantly greater potential to reduce the system’s climate impacts, compared to individual measures. The results are complemented by a sensitivity analysis, helping with the interpretation of the results, understanding modelling challenges, and supporting robust decision-making. The study contributes to academic literature in two ways; it presents a robust, yet flexible way to integrate scenario-based, future-oriented modelling techniques into decision-making, and it assesses the various possibilities to improve the plastic recycling system to identify the quantitative improvement potential.
Surface engineering design on alleviating fretting wear: a review
Authors: Zhu Min-Hao , Fan Xiao-Qiang , Cai Zhen-bing , Peng Jin-Fang , Sun Qi
Published: September 2023

This paper introduces the definition, classification, and running modes of fretting damage, as well as industrial phenomena of fretting damage cases. It is detail reviewed the progress of two-types fretting map theory (running condition fretting map-RCFM and material response fretting map-MRFM), and outlines the protection strategy of fretting wear according to the fretting map theory, i.e. eliminating the mixed fretting regime and slip regime, increasing the strength of the contact surface, reducing the coefficient of friction, and selecting and matching of materials. Several surface engineering techniques (such as PVD, laser surface modification technology, bonded solid lubricant coating, thermal spraying coating, and micro-arc oxidation coating) against fretting wear are reviewed, several mechanisms to alleviating fretting wear are proposed as well as a collection of practical examples of surface engineering designs to anti-fretting wear. Base on the review of previous studies, mechanisms of surface engineering technologies for alleviating fretting wear have been proposed. In addition, the content and process of surface engineering design are introduced in this paper. A quantitative evaluation method using polar coordinate diagram is applied to choose appropriate surface engineering technology. Finally, taking the locking pin of variable gauge train as an example, the process of surface engineering design is further expounded.
Adsorption and surface reactions of C2H2 and C2H4 on Co(0001)
Authors: Xu Lingshun , Wu Zongfang , Wang Haocheng , Shi Junjie , Li Zichen , Huang Weixin
Published: September 2023

In this paper we have studied adsorption and surface reactions of acetylene and ethylene on Co(0001) in detail by temperature desorption spectrum (TDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS). C2H4 adsorption at 130 and 300 K followed by subsequent heating mainly forms C2 clusters and graphitic carbon, respectively, while C2H4 decomposes at 400 and 500 K to form dominant graphitic carbon and carbon adatoms, respectively. C2H2 molecularly adsorbs at 130 K but exclusively dehydrogenates upon heating. The resulting C2H2(a) species at low coverages remains stable up to 400 K and then exclusively dehydrogenates into C2 clusters, while the resulting C2H2(a) species at high coverages remains stable up to 310 K and then majorly dehydrocyclizates into (C2H)n intermediates with ring structures at 340 K which further dehydrogenates into graphitic carbon, and minorly dehydrogenates into C2 clusters. Exposed at 370 K, C2H2 dehydrocyclizates into (C2H)n intermediates with ring structures. These temperature and coverage dependent surface reactions of C2H2 and C2H4 on Co(0001) greatly enrich our fundamental understanding of Co-catalyzed F-T synthesis reaction.
The relationship among posttraumatic stress disorder, posttraumatic growth, and suicidal ideation among Italian healthcare workers during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Gesi Camilla , Cafaro Rita , Achilli Francesco , Boscacci Maria , Cerioli Matteo , Cirnigliaro Giovanna , Loupakis Fotios , Di Maio Massimo , Dell’Osso Bernardo
Published: September 2023

Objective

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted mental health across different groups, including healthcare workers (HWs). To date, few studies focused on potential positive aspects that may follow the exposure to the pandemic. We investigated the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Italian HWs and whether posttraumatic growth (PTG) dimensions affected the risk of suicidal ideation (SI) during the first COVID-19 wave.

Methods

An online self-report survey was conducted between April and May 2020. Sociodemographic data, information about COVID-19-related stressful events, Impact of the Event Scale-revised, and Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory-Short Form (PTGI-SF) scores were collected and compared between participants. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores were also collected to assess SI through item 9. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between PTGI and SI.

Results

Among 948 HWs, 257 (27.0%) reported a provisional PTSD diagnosis. The median PTGI-SF score was 24. Participants reporting PTSD symptoms had higher scores in the Spiritual change, Appreciation of life, and New possibilities domains, and in the total PTG scale. A total of 100 HWs (10.8%) screened positive for SI. Improvements in Relating to others domain of PTGI-SF (odds ratioOR: .46; 95% confidence interval: .25–.85) were associated with lower odds of SI.

Conclusions

COVID-19 pandemic has been indicated as a risk factor for SI, also among HWs. PTG may have a protective role on suicide risk. Improvements in Relating to others domain reduced odds of SI, consistently with the role of loneliness and lack of connectedness with others in enhancing suicidal risk.
Personality Factors and Health Beliefs Related to Attitudes Toward	Wearing Face Masks During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Gallitto Elena , Leth-Steensen Craig
Published: September 2023

Abstract: Background: The COVID-19 virus is a worldwide pandemic health emergency. Although preventative measures have been put in place in an attempt to control its spread, their implementation has been met with resistance. Aims: To verify the nature of the health belief and personality factors associated with favorable attitudes toward face-mask use during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Methods: A sample of N = 680 completed an online survey that included attitudes toward wearing face masks, measures of both malevolent (Machiavellianism, grandiose narcissism, and psychopathy) and benevolent (socially responsible) personality traits, along with a set of health beliefs surrounding COVID-19 (perceived severity and susceptibility, etc.) and the use of face masks (perceived benefits and barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy). Results: Lower perceived susceptibility, lower perceived benefits, and higher perceived barriers to face-mask use, being more motivated by cues to action, being female, and lower levels of grandiose narcissism were uniquely related to more favorable attitudes toward wearing face masks. The relation between socially responsible personality and mask-wearing attitudes was moderated by perceived severity. Namely, higher levels of socially responsible personality predicted more favorable attitudes but only when perceived severity was also high (with the reverse being evident for those who perceived the severity as being low). Limitations: The data relies on self-reports obtained cross-sectionally from a sample of university students. Conclusions: This study sheds light on the link between pro-mask attitudes and both benevolent/malevolent personality traits and the social-contextual factors related to the enactment of preventative health behaviors.
First Online Observation of Aerosol Total Organic Nitrogen at an Urban Site: Insights Into the Emission Sources and Formation Pathways of Nitrogenous Organic Aerosols
Authors: Yu Xu , Zhou Min , Li Jinjian , Qiao Liping , Lou Shengrong , Han Wenye , Zhang Zijing , Huang Cheng , Yu Jian Zhen
Published: September 2023

Nitrogen (N) is a constituent element of ambient organic aerosol; however, we have limited knowledge of the total quantity of organic N (ON) and its relative importance to aerosol N due to a lack of effective analytical methods for ON. Here, we report first online measurements of ON in particulate matter (PM2.5) in urban Shanghai in summer of 2021 using a newly developed aerosol nitrogen analyzer. ON accounted for an average of 25% of total aerosol N and varied in the range of 5%–64% on the hourly scale. Hourly variations identified four distinct types of ON episodes that occurred in different hours of a day. Analysis aided by concurrently measured source indicative pollutants revealed that vehicular emissions, nocturnal chemistry, daytime photochemistry or combined primary sources, and secondary chemistry could drive up ON under different day‐to‐day atmospheric conditions. Our results help bridge the knowledge gap in the emissions and formation of organic aerosol.
Cardiometabolic health in adults born with very low birth weight—a sibling study
Authors: Kaseva Nina , Kuula Juho , Sandboge Samuel , Hauta-alus Helena , Björkqvist Johan , Hovi Petteri , Eriksson Johan G. , Vihervaara Terhi , Pietiläinen Kirsi H. , Kajantie Eero
Published: September 2023

Background

Preterm survivors have increased risk for impaired cardiometabolic health. We assessed glucose regulation and cardiometabolic biomarkers in adult very low birth weight (VLBW, <1500 g) survivors, using siblings as controls.

Methods

VLBW-participants were matched with term-born, same-sex siblings. At mean age 29.2 years (SD 3.9), 74 VLBW-adults and 70 siblings underwent a 2-h 75 g oral glucose tolerance test and blood tests for assessment of cardiometabolic biomarkers.

Results

Of participants, 23 (31%) VLBW and 11 (16%) sibling-controls met World Health Organization criteria for impaired glucose regulation (OR adjusted for age and sex 2.5, 95% CI: 1.1 to 5.8).

Adjusting for age and sex, VLBW-participants showed 9.2% higher 2-h glucose (95% CI: 0.4% to 18.8%) than their siblings. Also, fasting (13.4%, −0.3% to 29.0%) and 2-h free fatty acids (15.6%, −2.4% to 36.9%) were higher in VLBW-participants. These differences were statistically significant only after further adjusting for confounders. No statistically significant differences were found regarding other measured biomarkers, including insulin resistance, atherogenic lipid profiles or liver tests.

Conclusions

VLBW-adults showed more impaired fatty acid metabolism and glucose regulation. Differences in cardiometabolic biomarkers were smaller than in previous non-sibling studies. This may partly be explained by shared familial, genetic, or environmental factors.

Impact

At young adult age, odds for impaired glucose regulation were 3.4-fold in those born at very low birth weight, compared to same-sex term-born siblings.

Taking into consideration possible unmeasured, shared familial confounders, we compared cardiometabolic markers in adults born preterm at very low birth weight with term-born siblings.

Prematurity increased risk for impaired glucose regulation, unrelated to current participant characteristics, including body mass index.

In contrast to previous studies, differences in insulin resistance were not apparent, suggesting that insulin resistance may partially be explained by factors shared between siblings. Also, common cardiometabolic biomarkers were similar within sibling pairs.
Su(var)3-9 mediates age-dependent increase in H3K9 methylation on TDP-43 promoter triggering neurodegeneration
Authors: Marzullo Marta , Romano Giulia , Pellacani Claudia , Riccardi Federico , Ciapponi Laura , Feiguin Fabian
Published: September 2023

Aging progressively modifies the physiological balance of the organism increasing susceptibility to both genetic and sporadic neurodegenerative diseases. These changes include epigenetic chromatin remodeling events that may modify the transcription levels of disease-causing genes affecting neuronal survival. However, how these events interconnect is not well understood. Here, we found that Su(var)3-9 causes increased methylation of histone H3K9 in the promoter region of TDP-43, the most frequently altered factor in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), affecting the mRNA and protein expression levels of this gene through epigenetic modifications that appear to be conserved in agedDrosophilabrains, mouse, and human cells. Remarkably, augmented Su(var)3-9 activity causes a decrease in TDP-43 expression followed by early defects in locomotor activities. In contrast, decreasing Su(var)3-9 action promotes higher levels of TDP-43 expression, improving motility parameters in old flies. The data uncover a novel role of this enzyme in regulating TDP-43 expression and locomotor senescence and indicate conserved epigenetic mechanisms that may play a role in the pathogenesis of ALS.
S100A2 induces epithelial–mesenchymal transition and metastasis in pancreatic cancer by coordinating transforming growth factor β signaling in SMAD4-dependent manner
Authors: Chen Qinbo , Guo Hangcheng , Jiang Haojie , Hu Zujian , Yang Xuejia , Yuan Ziwei , Gao Yuanyuan , Zhang Ge , Bai Yongheng
Published: September 2023

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive tumor and is associated with a poor prognosis. Treatment strategies for PDAC are largely ineffective primarily because of delay in its diagnosis and limited efficacy of systematic treatment. S100A2 is associated with the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of several tumors; however, its effects on PDAC and the associated molecular mechanisms remain to be explored. We studied the mechanisms underlying the effect of S100A2 on epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis in PDAC cells. We found that the level of S100A2 remarkably increased and was associated with poor PDAC prognosis. The overexpression of S100A2 in PANC-1 cells also induced EMT, in addition to increasing the invasion and migration of PDAC cells, whereas the knockdown of S100A2 markedly inhibited cell metastasis. Furthermore, S100A2 was found to enhance metastatic abilities in vivo. The overexpression of S100A2 increased SMAD4 expression, whereas the knockdown of S100A2 reduced SMAD4 expression. SMAD4 overexpression could effectively rescue the effects of S100A2 knockdown on EMT. S100A2 mechanistically activated the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/Smad2/3 signaling pathway, upregulated SMAD4 expression, induced EMT, and increased PANC-1 cell metastasis. In conclusion, the S100A2/SMAD4 axis modulates EMT to accelerate PDAC development. Our results supplement and enrich the understanding of the pathogenesis underlying PDAC and provide a new theoretical basis and strategy targeting S100A2 for the diagnosis and treatment of PDAC.
Revealing the closed pore formation of waste wood-derived hard carbon for advanced sodium-ion battery
Authors: Tang Zheng , Zhang Rui , Wang Haiyan , Zhou Siyu , Pan Zhiyi , Huang Yuancheng , Sun Dan , Tang Yougen , Ji Xiaobo , Amine Khalil , Shao Minhua
Published: September 2023

Although the closed pore structure plays a key role in contributing low-voltage plateau capacity of hard carbon anode for sodium-ion batteries, the formation mechanism of closed pores is still under debate. Here, we employ waste wood-derived hard carbon as a template to systematically establish the formation mechanisms of closed pores and their effect on sodium storage performance. We find that the high crystallinity cellulose in nature wood decomposes to long-range carbon layers as the wall of closed pore, and the amorphous component can hinder the graphitization of carbon layer and induce the crispation of long-range carbon layers. The optimized sample demonstrates a high reversible capacity of 430 mAh g−1 at 20 mA g−1 (plateau capacity of 293 mAh g−1 for the second cycle), as well as good rate and stable cycling performances (85.4% after 400 cycles at 500 mA g−1). Deep insights into the closed pore formation will greatly forward the rational design of hard carbon anode with high capacity.
Tomography of memory engrams in self-organizing nanowire connectomes
Authors: Milano Gianluca , Cultrera Alessandro , Boarino Luca , Callegaro Luca , Ricciardi Carlo
Published: September 2023

Self-organizing memristive nanowire connectomes have been exploited for physical (in materia) implementation of brain-inspired computing paradigms. Despite having been shown that the emergent behavior relies on weight plasticity at single junction/synapse level and on wiring plasticity involving topological changes, a shift to multiterminal paradigms is needed to unveil dynamics at the network level. Here, we report on tomographical evidence of memory engrams (or memory traces) in nanowire connectomes, i.e., physicochemical changes in biological neural substrates supposed to endow the representation of experience stored in the brain. An experimental/modeling approach shows that spatially correlated short-term plasticity effects can turn into long-lasting engram memory patterns inherently related to network topology inhomogeneities. The ability to exploit both encoding and consolidation of information on the same physical substrate would open radically new perspectives for in materia computing, while offering to neuroscientists an alternative platform to understand the role of memory in learning and knowledge.
An all 2D bio-inspired gustatory circuit for mimicking physiology and psychology of feeding behavior
Authors: Ghosh Subir , Pannone Andrew , Sen Dipanjan , Wali Akshay , Ravichandran Harikrishnan , Das Saptarshi
Published: September 2023

Animal behavior involves complex interactions between physiology and psychology. However, most AI systems neglect psychological factors in decision-making due to a limited understanding of the physiological-psychological connection at the neuronal level. Recent advancements in brain imaging and genetics have uncovered specific neural circuits that regulate behaviors like feeding. By developing neuro-mimetic circuits that incorporate both physiology and psychology, a new emotional-AI paradigm can be established that bridges the gap between humans and machines. This study presents a bio-inspired gustatory circuit that mimics adaptive feeding behavior in humans, considering both physiological states (hunger) and psychological states (appetite). Graphene-based chemitransistors serve as artificial gustatory taste receptors, forming an electronic tongue, while 1L-MoS2 memtransistors construct an electronic-gustatory-cortex comprising a hunger neuron, appetite neuron, and feeding circuit. This work proposes a novel paradigm for emotional neuromorphic systems with broad implications for human health. The concept of gustatory emotional intelligence can extend to other sensory systems, benefiting future humanoid AI.
Social isolation shortens lifespan through oxidative stress in ants
Authors: Koto Akiko , Tamura Makoto , Wong Pui Shan , Aburatani Sachiyo , Privman Eyal , Stoffel Céline , Crespi Alessandro , McKenzie Sean Keane , La Mendola Christine , Kay Tomas , Keller Laurent
Published: September 2023

Social isolation negatively affects health, induces detrimental behaviors, and shortens lifespan in social species. Little is known about the mechanisms underpinning these effects because model species are typically short-lived and non-social. Using colonies of the carpenter ant Camponotus fellah, we show that social isolation induces hyperactivity, alters space-use, and reduces lifespan via changes in the expression of genes with key roles in oxidation-reduction and an associated accumulation of reactive oxygen species. These physiological effects are localized to the fat body and oenocytes, which perform liver-like functions in insects. We use pharmacological manipulations to demonstrate that the oxidation-reduction pathway causally underpins the detrimental effects of social isolation on behavior and lifespan. These findings have important implications for our understanding of how social isolation affects behavior and lifespan in general.
Proteomic and genetic analyses of influenza A viruses identify pan-viral host targets
Authors: Haas Kelsey M. , McGregor Michael J. , Bouhaddou Mehdi , Polacco Benjamin J. , Kim Eun-Young , Nguyen Thong T. , Newton Billy W. , Urbanowski Matthew , Kim Heejin , Williams Michael A. P. , Rezelj Veronica V. , Hardy Alexandra , Fossati Andrea , Stevenson Erica J. , Sukerman Ellie , Kim Tiffany , Penugonda Sudhir , Moreno Elena , Braberg Hannes , Zhou Yuan , Metreveli Giorgi , Harjai Bhavya , Tummino Tia A. , Melnyk James E. , Soucheray Margaret , Batra Jyoti , Pache Lars , Martin-Sancho Laura , Carlson-Stevermer Jared , Jureka Alexander S. , Basler Christopher F. , Shokat Kevan M. , Shoichet Brian K. , Shriver Leah P. , Johnson Jeffrey R. , Shaw Megan L. , Chanda Sumit K. , Roden Dan M. , Carter Tonia C. , Kottyan Leah C. , Chisholm Rex L. , Pacheco Jennifer A. , Smith Maureen E. , Schrodi Steven J. , Albrecht Randy A. , Vignuzzi Marco , Zuliani-Alvarez Lorena , Swaney Danielle L. , Eckhardt Manon , Wolinsky Steven M. , White Kris M. , Hultquist Judd F. , Kaake Robyn M. , García-Sastre Adolfo , Krogan Nevan J.
Published: September 2023

Influenza A Virus (IAV) is a recurring respiratory virus with limited availability of antiviral therapies. Understanding host proteins essential for IAV infection can identify targets for alternative host-directed therapies (HDTs). Using affinity purification-mass spectrometry and global phosphoproteomic and protein abundance analyses using three IAV strains (pH1N1, H3N2, H5N1) in three human cell types (A549, NHBE, THP-1), we map 332 IAV-human protein-protein interactions and identify 13 IAV-modulated kinases. Whole exome sequencing of patients who experienced severe influenza reveals several genes, including scaffold protein AHNAK, with predicted loss-of-function variants that are also identified in our proteomic analyses. Of our identified host factors, 54 significantly alter IAV infection upon siRNA knockdown, and two factors, AHNAK and coatomer subunit COPB1, are also essential for productive infection by SARS-CoV-2. Finally, 16 compounds targeting our identified host factors suppress IAV replication, with two targeting CDK2 and FLT3 showing pan-antiviral activity across influenza and coronavirus families. This study provides a comprehensive network model of IAV infection in human cells, identifying functional host targets for pan-viral HDT.
Terahertz Néel spin-orbit torques drive nonlinear magnon dynamics in antiferromagnetic Mn2Au
Authors: Behovits Y. , Chekhov A. L. , Bodnar S. Yu. , Gueckstock O. , Reimers S. , Lytvynenko Y. , Skourski Y. , Wolf M. , Seifert T. S. , Gomonay O. , Kläui M. , Jourdan M. , Kampfrath T.
Published: September 2023

Antiferromagnets have large potential for ultrafast coherent switching of magnetic order with minimum heat dissipation. In materials such as Mn2Au and CuMnAs, electric rather than magnetic fields may control antiferromagnetic order by Néel spin-orbit torques (NSOTs). However, these torques have not yet been observed on ultrafast time scales. Here, we excite Mn2Au thin films with phase-locked single-cycle terahertz electromagnetic pulses and monitor the spin response with femtosecond magneto-optic probes. We observe signals whose symmetry, dynamics, terahertz-field scaling and dependence on sample structure are fully consistent with a uniform in-plane antiferromagnetic magnon driven by field-like terahertz NSOTs with a torkance of (150 ± 50) cm2 A−1 s−1. At incident terahertz electric fields above 500 kV cm−1, we find pronounced nonlinear dynamics with massive Néel-vector deflections by as much as 30°. Our data are in excellent agreement with a micromagnetic model. It indicates that fully coherent Néel-vector switching by 90° within 1 ps is within close reach.
Time-dependent memory transformation in hippocampus and neocortex is semantic in nature
Authors: Krenz Valentina , Alink Arjen , Sommer Tobias , Roozendaal Benno , Schwabe Lars
Published: September 2023

Memories undergo a time-dependent neural reorganization, which is assumed to be accompanied by a transformation from detailed to more gist-like memory. However, the nature of this transformation and its underlying neural mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we report that the time-dependent transformation of memory is semantic in nature, while we find no credible evidence for a perceptual transformation. Model-based MRI analyses reveal time-dependent increases in semantically transformed representations of events in prefrontal and parietal cortices, while specific pattern representations in the anterior hippocampus decline over time. Posterior hippocampal memory reinstatement, in turn, increases over time and is linked to the semantic gist of the original memory, without a statistically significant link to perceptual details. These findings indicate that qualitative changes in memory over time, associated with distinct representational changes in the neocortex and within the hippocampus, reflect a semantic transformation, which may promote the integration of memories into abstract knowledge structures.
Activating lattice oxygen in high-entropy LDH for robust and durable water oxidation
Authors: Wang Fangqing , Zou Peichao , Zhang Yangyang , Pan Wenli , Li Ying , Liang Limin , Chen Cong , Liu Hui , Zheng Shijian
Published: September 2023

The oxygen evolution reaction is known to be a kinetic bottleneck for water splitting. Triggering the lattice oxygen oxidation mechanism (LOM) can break the theoretical limit of the conventional adsorbate evolution mechanism and enhance the oxygen evolution reaction kinetics, yet the unsatisfied stability remains a grand challenge. Here, we report a high-entropy MnFeCoNiCu layered double hydroxide decorated with Au single atoms and O vacancies (AuSA-MnFeCoNiCu LDH), which not only displays a low overpotential of 213 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and high mass activity of 732.925 A g−1 at 250 mV overpotential in 1.0 M KOH, but also delivers good stability with 700 h of continuous operation at ~100 mA cm−2. Combining the advanced spectroscopic techniques and density functional theory calculations, it is demonstrated that the synergistic interaction between the incorporated Au single atoms and O vacancies leads to an upshift in the O 2p band and weakens the metal-O bond, thus triggering the LOM, reducing the energy barrier, and boosting the intrinsic activity.
Sucrose substitution in cake systems is not a piece of cake
Authors: Godefroidt Thibault , Riley Isabella M. , Ooms Nand , Bosmans Geertrui M. , Brijs Kristof , Delcour Jan A.
Published: September 2023

Successful sucrose replacement in cake systems requires thorough understanding of its functionality. Time-domain 1H NMR showed that water in the viscous aqueous phase isolated from cake batter by ultracentrifugation [i.e. the batter liquor (BL)] exhibits low mobility by its low T2 relaxation time (T2,D RT). This is due to its interactions with sucrose or sucrose replacers. The T2,D RT itself is positively related with the effective volumetric hydrogen bond density of sucrose or sucrose replacers. Sucrose additionally co-determines the quantity and viscosity of cake BL and thereby how much air the batter contains at the end of mixing. Like sucrose, maltitol and oligofructose provide adequate volumes of BL with low water mobility and thus sufficient air in the batter, while the rather insoluble mannitol and inulin do not. Differential scanning calorimetry and rapid viscosity analysis revealed, however, that, in contrast to sucrose and maltitol, oligofructose fails to provide appropriate timings of starch gelatinisation and protein denaturation, resulting in poor cake texture. The shortcomings of mannitol and oligofructose in terms of respectively ensuring appropriate gas content in batter and biopolymer transitions during baking can be overcome by using mixtures thereof. This work shows that successful sucrose substitutes or substitute mixtures must provide sufficient BL with low water mobility and ensure appropriate timings of starch and protein biopolymer transitions during baking.
Duration of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine persistence and factors associated with cardiac involvement in recently vaccinated patients
Authors: Krauson Aram J. , Casimero Faye Victoria C. , Siddiquee Zakir , Stone James R.
Published: September 2023

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the BNT162b2 (BioNTech-Pfizer) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna) mRNA vaccines were expediently designed and mass produced. Both vaccines produce the full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike protein for gain of immunity and have greatly reduced mortality and morbidity from SARS-CoV-2 infection. The distribution and duration of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine persistence in human tissues is unclear. Here, we developed specific RT-qPCR-based assays to detect each mRNA vaccine and screened lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and myocardium from recently vaccinated deceased patients. Vaccine was detected in the axillary lymph nodes in the majority of patients dying within 30 days of vaccination, but not in patients dying more than 30 days from vaccination. Vaccine was not detected in the mediastinal lymph nodes, spleen, or liver. Vaccine was detected in the myocardium in a subset of patients vaccinated within 30 days of death. Cardiac ventricles in which vaccine was detected had healing myocardial injury at the time of vaccination and had more myocardial macrophages than the cardiac ventricles in which vaccine was not detected. These results suggest that SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines routinely persist up to 30 days from vaccination and can be detected in the heart.
Few-shot out-of-distribution detection for automated screening in retinal OCT images using deep learning
Authors: Araújo Teresa , Aresta Guilherme , Schmidt-Erfurth Ursula , Bogunović Hrvoje
Published: September 2023

Deep neural networks have been increasingly proposed for automated screening and diagnosis of retinal diseases from optical coherence tomography (OCT), but often provide high-confidence predictions on out-of-distribution (OOD) cases, compromising their clinical usage. With this in mind, we performed an in-depth comparative analysis of the state-of-the-art uncertainty estimation methods for OOD detection in retinal OCT imaging. The analysis was performed within the use-case of automated screening and staging of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide, where we achieved a macro-average area under the curve (AUC) of 0.981 for AMD classification. We focus on a few-shot Outlier Exposure (OE) method and the detection of near-OOD cases that share pathomorphological characteristics with the inlier AMD classes. Scoring the OOD case based on the Cosine distance in the feature space from the penultimate network layer proved to be a robust approach for OOD detection, especially in combination with the OE. Using Cosine distance and only 8 outliers exposed per class, we were able to improve the near-OOD detection performance of the OE with Reject Bucket method by $$\approx$$
≈
10% compared to without OE, reaching an AUC of 0.937. The Cosine distance served as a robust metric for OOD detection of both known and unknown classes and should thus be considered as an alternative to the reject bucket class probability in OE approaches, especially in the few-shot scenario. The inclusion of these methodologies did not come at the expense of classification performance, and can substantially improve the reliability and trustworthiness of the resulting deep learning-based diagnostic systems in the context of retinal OCT.
Physicochemical properties of the vacuolar membrane and cellular factors determine formation of vacuolar invaginations
Authors: Kimura Yoko , Tsuji Takuma , Shimizu Yosuke , Watanabe Yuki , Kimura Masafumi , Fujimoto Toyoshi , Higuchi Miyuki
Published: September 2023

Vacuoles change their morphology in response to stress. In yeast exposed to chronically high temperatures, vacuolar membranes get deformed and invaginations are formed. We show that phase-separation of vacuolar membrane occurred after heat stress leading to the formation of the invagination. In addition, Hfl1, a vacuolar membrane-localized Atg8-binding protein, was found to suppress the excess vacuolar invaginations after heat stress. At that time, Hfl1 formed foci at the neck of the invaginations in wild-type cells, whereas it was efficiently degraded in the vacuole in the atg8Δ mutant. Genetic analysis showed that the endosomal sorting complex required for transport machinery was necessary to form the invaginations irrespective of Atg8 or Hfl1. In contrast, a combined mutation with the vacuole BAR domain protein Ivy1 led to vacuoles in hfl1Δivy1Δ and atg8Δivy1Δ mutants having constitutively invaginated structures; moreover, these mutants showed stress-sensitive phenotypes. Our findings suggest that vacuolar invaginations result from the combination of changes in the physiochemical properties of the vacuolar membrane and other cellular factors.
High-volume hybridoma sequencing on the NeuroMabSeq platform enables efficient generation of recombinant monoclonal antibodies and scFvs for neuroscience research
Authors: Mitchell Keith G. , Gong Belvin , Hunter Samuel S. , Burkart-Waco Diana , Gavira-O’Neill Clara E. , Templeton Kayla M. , Goethel Madeline E. , Bzymek Malgorzata , MacNiven Leah M. , Murray Karl D. , Settles Matthew L. , Froenicke Lutz , Trimmer James S.
Published: September 2023

The Neuroscience Monoclonal Antibody Sequencing Initiative (NeuroMabSeq) is a concerted effort to determine and make publicly available hybridoma-derived sequences of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) valuable to neuroscience research. Over 30 years of research and development efforts including those at the UC Davis/NIH NeuroMab Facility have resulted in the generation of a large collection of mouse mAbs validated for neuroscience research. To enhance dissemination and increase the utility of this valuable resource, we applied a high-throughput DNA sequencing approach to determine immunoglobulin heavy and light chain variable domain sequences from source hybridoma cells. The resultant set of sequences was made publicly available as a searchable DNA sequence database (neuromabseq.ucdavis.edu) for sharing, analysis and use in downstream applications. We enhanced the utility, transparency, and reproducibility of the existing mAb collection by using these sequences to develop recombinant mAbs. This enabled their subsequent engineering into alternate forms with distinct utility, including alternate modes of detection in multiplexed labeling, and as miniaturized single chain variable fragments or scFvs. The NeuroMabSeq website and database and the corresponding recombinant antibody collection together serve as a public DNA sequence repository of mouse mAb heavy and light chain variable domain sequences and as an open resource for enhancing dissemination and utility of this valuable collection of validated mAbs.
Optimal degrees of freedom of the lower extremities for human walking and running
Authors: Kudo Shoma , Fujimoto Masahiro , Sato Takahiko , Nagano Akinori
Published: September 2023

Determining the degrees of freedom (DOF) of the linked rigid-body model, representing a multi-body motion of the human lower extremity, is one of the most important procedures in locomotion analysis. However, a trade-off exists between the quality of data fitting and the generalizability of the model. This study aimed to determine the optimal DOF of the model for the lower extremities that balance the goodness-of-fit and generalizability of the model during walking and running using Akaike’s information criterion (AIC). Empirically obtained kinematic data for the lower extremities during walking and running were fitted by models with 9, 18, or 22 DOF. The relative quality of these models was assessed using their bias-corrected AIC (cAIC) value. A significant simple main effect of the model was found on the cAIC value for both walking and running conditions. Pairwise comparisons revealed that the cAIC value of the 18-DOF model was significantly smaller than that of the 9-DOF (walking: p < 0.001, running: p = 0.010) and 22-DOF (walking: p < 0.001, running: p < 0.001) models. These findings suggest that the 18-DOF model is optimal for representing the lower extremities during walking and running, in terms of goodness-of-fit and generalizability.
Using Differential Evolution to avoid local minima in Variational Quantum Algorithms
Authors: Faílde Daniel , Viqueira José Daniel , Mussa Juane Mariamo , Gómez Andrés
Published: September 2023

Variational Quantum Algorithms (VQAs) are among the most promising NISQ-era algorithms for harnessing quantum computing in diverse fields. However, the underlying optimization processes within these algorithms usually deal with local minima and barren plateau problems, preventing them from scaling efficiently. Our goal in this paper is to study alternative optimization methods that can avoid or reduce the effect of these problems. To this end, we propose to apply the Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm to VQAs optimizations. Our hypothesis is that DE is resilient to vanishing gradients and local minima for two main reasons: (1) it does not depend on gradients, and (2) its mutation and recombination schemes allow DE to continue evolving even in these cases. To demonstrate the performance of our approach, first, we use a robust local minima problem to compare state-of-the-art local optimizers (SLSQP, COBYLA, L-BFGS-B and SPSA) against DE using the Variational Quantum Eigensolver algorithm. Our results show that DE always outperforms local optimizers. In particular, in exact simulations of a 1D Ising chain with 14 qubits, DE achieves the ground state with a 100% success rate, while local optimizers only exhibit around 40%. We also show that combining DE with local optimizers increases the accuracy of the energy estimation once avoiding local minima. Finally, we demonstrate how our results can be extended to more complex problems by studying DE performance in a 1D Hubbard model.