bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vaccine evaluation and genotype characterization in children infected with rotavirus in Qatar
Authors: Mathew Shilu , Al Khatib Hebah A. , Al Ibrahim Malak , Al Ansari Khalid , Smatti Maria K. , Nasrallah Gheyath K. , Ibrahim Emad , Al Thani Asmaa A. , Zaraket Hassan , Yassine Hadi M.
Published: January 2023

Background

We characterized and identified the genetic and antigenic variations of circulating rotavirus strains in comparison to used rotavirus vaccines.

Methods

Rotavirus-positive samples (n = 231) were collected and analyzed. The VP7 and VP4 genes were sequenced and analyzed against the rotavirus vaccine strains. Antigenic variations were illustrated on the three-dimensional models of surface proteins.

Results

In all, 59.7% of the hospitalized children were vaccinated, of which only 57.2% received two doses. There were no significant differences between the vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups in terms of clinical outcome. The G3 was the dominant genotype (40%) regardless of vaccination status. Several amino acid changes were identified in the VP7 and VP4 antigenic epitopes compared to the licensed vaccines. The highest variability was seen in the G3 (6 substitutions) and P[4] (11 substitutions) genotypes in comparison to RotaTeq®. In comparison to Rotarix®, G1 strains possessed three amino acid changes in 7-1a and 7-2 epitopes while P[8] strains possessed five amino acid changes in 8-1 and 8-3 epitopes.

Conclusions

The current use of Rotarix® vaccine might not be effective in preventing the infection due to the higher numbers of G3-associated cases. The wide range of mutations in the antigenic epitopes compared to vaccine strains may compromise the vaccine’s effectiveness.

Impact

The reduced rotavirus vaccine effectiveness necessitate regular evaluation of the vaccine content to ensure optimal protection.

We characterized and identified the genetic and antigenic variations of circulating rotavirus strains in comparison to the Rotarix vaccine strain that is used in Qatar.

The study highlight the importance for regular monitoring of emerging rotavirus variants and their impact on vaccine effectiveness in young children.
Localized coevolution between microbial predator and prey alters community-wide gene expression and ecosystem function
Authors: Hogle Shane L , Ruusulehto Liisa , Cairns Johannes , Hultman Jenni , Hiltunen Teppo
Published: January 2023

Closely interacting microbial species pairs (e.g., predator and prey) can become coadapted via reciprocal natural selection. A fundamental challenge in evolutionary ecology is to untangle how coevolution in small species groups affects and is affected by biotic interactions in diverse communities. We conducted an experiment with a synthetic 30-species bacterial community where we experimentally manipulated the coevolutionary history of a ciliate predator and one bacterial prey species from the community. Altering the coevolutionary history of the focal prey species had little effect on community structure or carrying capacity in the presence or absence of the coevolved predator. However, community metabolic potential (represented by per-cell ATP concentration) was significantly higher in the presence of both the coevolved focal predator and prey. This ecosystem-level response was mirrored by community-wide transcriptional shifts that resulted in the differential regulation of nutrient acquisition and surface colonization pathways across multiple bacterial species. Our findings show that the disruption of localized coevolution between species pairs can reverberate through community-wide transcriptional networks even while community composition remains largely unchanged. We propose that these altered expression patterns may signal forthcoming evolutionary and ecological change.
Cortical connectomic mediations on gamma band synchronization in schizophrenia
Authors: Du Xiaoming , Hare Stephanie , Summerfelt Ann , Adhikari Bhim M. , Garcia Laura , Marshall Wyatt , Zan Peng , Kvarta Mark , Goldwaser Eric , Bruce Heather , Gao Si , Sampath Hemalatha , Kochunov Peter , Simon Jonathan Z. , Hong L. Elliot
Published: January 2023

Aberrant gamma frequency neural oscillations in schizophrenia have been well demonstrated using auditory steady-state responses (ASSR). However, the neural circuits underlying 40 Hz ASSR deficits in schizophrenia remain poorly understood. Sixty-six patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and 85 age- and gender-matched healthy controls completed one electroencephalography session measuring 40 Hz ASSR and one imaging session for resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) assessments. The associations between the normalized power of 40 Hz ASSR and rsFC were assessed via linear regression and mediation models. We found that rsFC among auditory, precentral, postcentral, and prefrontal cortices were positively associated with 40 Hz ASSR in patients and controls separately and in the combined sample. The mediation analysis further confirmed that the deficit of gamma band ASSR in schizophrenia was nearly fully mediated by three of the rsFC circuits between right superior temporal gyrus—left medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), left MPFC—left postcentral gyrus (PoG), and left precentral gyrus—right PoG. Gamma-band ASSR deficits in schizophrenia may be associated with deficient circuitry level connectivity to support gamma frequency synchronization. Correcting gamma band deficits in schizophrenia may require corrective interventions to normalize these aberrant networks.
A comprehensive investigation into the genetic relationship between music engagement and mental health
Authors: Wesseldijk Laura W. , Lu Yi , Karlsson Robert , Ullén Fredrik , Mosing Miriam A.
Published: January 2023

While music engagement is often regarded as beneficial for mental health, some studies report higher risk for depression and anxiety among musicians. This study investigates whether shared underlying genetic influences (genetic pleiotropy) or gene-environment interaction could be at play in the music-mental health association using measured genotypes. In 5,648 Swedish twins with information on music and sport engagement, creative achievements, self-reported mental health and psychiatric diagnoses based on nationwide patient registries, we derived polygenic scores for major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, neuroticism, sensitivity to environmental stress, depressive symptoms and general musicality. In line with phenotypic associations, individuals with higher polygenic scores for major depression and bipolar disorder were more likely to play music, practice more music and reach higher levels of general artistic achievements, while a higher genetic propensity for general musicality was marginally associated with a higher risk for a depression diagnosis. Importantly, polygenic scores for major depression and bipolar remained associated with music engagement when excluding individuals who experienced psychiatric symptoms, just as a genetic propensity for general musicality predicted a depression diagnosis regardless of whether and how much individuals played music. In addition, we found no evidence for gene-environment interaction: the phenotypic association between music engagement and mental health outcomes did not differ for individuals with different genetic vulnerability for mental health problems. Altogether, our findings suggest that mental health problems observed in musically active individuals are partly explained by a pre-existing genetic risk for depression and bipolar disorder and likely reflect horizontal pleiotropy (when one gene influences multiple traits), rather than causal influences of mental health on music engagement, or vice versa (referred to as vertical pleiotropy).
Physical exercise mediates a cortical FMRP–mTOR pathway to improve resilience against chronic stress in adolescent mice
Authors: Yan Lan , Wang Mei , Yang Fengzhen , Wang Yajie , Wang Siqi , So Kwok-Fai , Zhang Li
Published: January 2023

Aerobic exercise effectively relieves anxiety disorders via modulating neurogenesis and neural activity. The molecular mechanism of exercise-mediated anxiolysis, however, remains incomplete. On a chronic restrain stress (CRS) model in adolescent mice, we showed that 14-day treadmill exercise profoundly maintained normal neural activity and axonal myelination in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), in association with the prevention of anxiety-like behaviors. Further interrogation of molecular mechanisms revealed the activation of the mechanistic target of the rapamycin (mTOR) pathway within mPFC under exercise training. At the upstream of mTOR, exercise-mediated brain RNA methylation inhibited the expression of Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) to activate the mTOR pathway. In summary, treadmill exercise modulates an FMRP–mTOR pathway to maintain cortical neural activity and axonal myelination, contributing to improved stress resilience. These results extended our understanding of the molecular substrate of exercise-mediated anxiolytic effect during adolescent period.
Trends in incident diagnoses and drug prescriptions for anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic: an 18-month follow-up study based on the UK Biobank
Authors: Wang Yue , Ge Fenfen , Wang Junren , Yang Huazhen , Han Xin , Ying Zhiye , Hu Yao , Sun Yajing , Qu Yuanyuan , Aspelund Thor , Hauksdóttir Arna , Zoega Helga , Fang Fang , Valdimarsdóttir Unnur A. , Song Huan
Published: January 2023

Serious concerns have been raised about the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on population psychological well-being. However, limited data exist on the long-term effects of the pandemic on incident psychiatric morbidities among individuals with varying exposure to the pandemic. Leveraging prospective data from the community-based UK Biobank cohort, we included 308,400 participants free of diagnosis of anxiety or depression, as well as 213,757 participants free of anxiolytics or antidepressants prescriptions, to explore the trends in incident diagnoses and drug prescriptions for anxiety and depression from 16 March 2020 to 31 August 2021, compared to the pre-pandemic period (i.e., 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2019) and across populations with different exposure statuses (i.e., not tested for COVID-19, tested negative and tested positive). The age- and sex-standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated by month which indicated an increase in incident diagnoses of anxiety or depression among individuals who were tested for COVID-19 (tested negative: SIR 3.05 [95% confidence interval 2.88–3.22]; tested positive: 2.03 [1.76–2.34]), especially during the first six months of the pandemic (i.e., March-September 2020). Similar increases were also observed for incident prescriptions of anxiolytics or antidepressants (tested negative: 1.56 [1.47–1.67]; tested positive: 1.41 [1.22–1.62]). In contrast, individuals not tested for COVID-19 had consistently lower incidence rates of both diagnoses of anxiety or depression (0.70 [0.67–0.72]) and prescriptions of respective psychotropic medications (0.70 [0.68–0.72]) during the pandemic period. These data suggest a distinct rise in health care needs for anxiety and depression among individuals tested for COVID-19, regardless of the test result, in contrast to a reduction in health care consumption for these disorders among individuals not tested for and, presumably, not directly exposed to the disease.
Epigenetics of traumatic stress: The association of NR3C1 methylation and posttraumatic stress disorder symptom changes in response to narrative exposure therapy
Authors: Wilker Sarah , Vukojevic Vanja , Schneider Anna , Pfeiffer Anett , Inerle Stefan , Pauly Markus , Elbert Thomas , Papassotiropoulos Andreas , de Quervain Dominique , Kolassa Iris-Tatjana
Published: January 2023

Epigenetic processes allow plasticity in gene regulation in response to significant environmental events. Accumulating evidence suggests that effective psychotherapy is accompanied by epigenetic changes, rendering DNA methylation a potential biomarker of therapy success. Due to the central role of glucocorticoid dynamics in stress regulation and the alteration of aversive memories, glucocorticoid receptors are likely involved in the molecular processes that are required to successfully treat Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between methylation at the glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) and PTSD treatment success of evidence-based psychotherapy. A sample of N = 153 conflict survivors from Northern Uganda (98 females and 55 males) with PTSD were treated with Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET). Diagnostic interviews and saliva sampling took place at pretreatment and 4 and 10 months after treatment completion. We investigated potential associations between PTSD symptom development and methylation changes at 38 CpG sites spanning NR3C1 over the three times of measurement using the repeated measures correlation. After accounting for multiple comparisons, DNA methylation at CpG site cg25535999 remained negatively associated with PTSD symptoms. These results were followed up by mixed models as well as structural equation modelling. These analyses revealed that treatment responders had a significant cg25535999 methylation increase after treatment with NET. Furthermore, lower methylation at cg25535999 pretreatment predicted a higher symptom improvement. Our results suggest different epigenetic profile dynamics at NR3C1 cg25535999 in therapy responders compared to non-responders and underscore the central role of glucocorticoid signaling in trauma-focused therapy.
Engineered live bacteria suppress Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in mouse lung and dissolve endotracheal-tube biofilms
Authors: Mazzolini Rocco , Rodríguez-Arce Irene , Fernández-Barat Laia , Piñero-Lambea Carlos , Garrido Victoria , Rebollada-Merino Agustín , Motos Anna , Torres Antoni , Grilló Maria Jesús , Serrano Luis , Lluch-Senar Maria
Published: January 2023

Engineered live bacteria could provide a new modality for treating lung infections, a major cause of mortality worldwide. In the present study, we engineered a genome-reduced human lung bacterium, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, to treat ventilator-associated pneumonia, a disease with high hospital mortality when associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. After validating the biosafety of an attenuated M. pneumoniae chassis in mice, we introduced four transgenes into the chromosome by transposition to implement bactericidal and biofilm degradation activities. We show that this engineered strain has high efficacy against an acute P. aeruginosa lung infection in a mouse model. In addition, we demonstrated that the engineered strain could dissolve biofilms formed in endotracheal tubes of patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia and be combined with antibiotics targeting the peptidoglycan layer to increase efficacy against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. We expect our M. pneumoniae-engineered strain to be able to treat biofilm-associated infections in the respiratory tract.
Genome-wide RNA polymerase stalling shapes the transcriptome during aging
Authors: Gyenis Akos , Chang Jiang , Demmers Joris J. P. G. , Bruens Serena T. , Barnhoorn Sander , Brandt Renata M. C. , Baar Marjolein P. , Raseta Marko , Derks Kasper W. J. , Hoeijmakers Jan H. J. , Pothof Joris
Published: January 2023

Gene expression profiling has identified numerous processes altered in aging, but how these changes arise is largely unknown. Here we combined nascent RNA sequencing and RNA polymerase II chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing to elucidate the underlying mechanisms triggering gene expression changes in wild-type aged mice. We found that in 2-year-old liver, 40% of elongating RNA polymerases are stalled, lowering productive transcription and skewing transcriptional output in a gene-length-dependent fashion. We demonstrate that this transcriptional stress is caused by endogenous DNA damage and explains the majority of gene expression changes in aging in most mainly postmitotic organs, specifically affecting aging hallmark pathways such as nutrient sensing, autophagy, proteostasis, energy metabolism, immune function and cellular stress resilience. Age-related transcriptional stress is evolutionary conserved from nematodes to humans. Thus, accumulation of stochastic endogenous DNA damage during aging deteriorates basal transcription, which establishes the age-related transcriptome and causes dysfunction of key aging hallmark pathways, disclosing how DNA damage functionally underlies major aspects of normal aging.
Notch1 mutations drive clonal expansion in normal esophageal epithelium but impair tumor growth
Authors: Abby Emilie , Dentro Stefan C. , Hall Michael W. J. , Fowler Joanna C. , Ong Swee Hoe , Sood Roshan , Herms Albert , Piedrafita Gabriel , Abnizova Irina , Siebel Christian W. , Gerstung Moritz , Hall Benjamin A. , Jones Philip H.
Published: January 2023

NOTCH1 mutant clones occupy the majority of normal human esophagus by middle age but are comparatively rare in esophageal cancers, suggesting NOTCH1 mutations drive clonal expansion but impede carcinogenesis. Here we test this hypothesis. Sequencing NOTCH1 mutant clones in aging human esophagus reveals frequent biallelic mutations that block NOTCH1 signaling. In mouse esophagus, heterozygous Notch1 mutation confers a competitive advantage over wild-type cells, an effect enhanced by loss of the second allele. Widespread Notch1 loss alters transcription but has minimal effects on the epithelial structure and cell dynamics. In a carcinogenesis model, Notch1 mutations were less prevalent in tumors than normal epithelium. Deletion of Notch1 reduced tumor growth, an effect recapitulated by anti-NOTCH1 antibody treatment. Notch1 null tumors showed reduced proliferation. We conclude that Notch1 mutations in normal epithelium are beneficial as wild-type Notch1 favors tumor expansion. NOTCH1 blockade may have therapeutic potential in preventing esophageal squamous cancer.
Wearable full-body motion tracking of activities of daily living predicts disease trajectory in Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Ricotti Valeria , Kadirvelu Balasundaram , Selby Victoria , Festenstein Richard , Mercuri Eugenio , Voit Thomas , Faisal A. Aldo
Published: January 2023

Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize healthcare, yet clinical trials in neurological diseases continue to rely on subjective, semiquantitative and motivation-dependent endpoints for drug development. To overcome this limitation, we collected a digital readout of whole-body movement behavior of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) (n = 21) and age-matched controls (n = 17). Movement behavior was assessed while the participant engaged in everyday activities using a 17-sensor bodysuit during three clinical visits over the course of 12 months. We first defined new movement behavioral fingerprints capable of distinguishing DMD from controls. Then, we used machine learning algorithms that combined the behavioral fingerprints to make cross-sectional and longitudinal disease course predictions, which outperformed predictions derived from currently used clinical assessments. Finally, using Bayesian optimization, we constructed a behavioral biomarker, termed the KineDMD ethomic biomarker, which is derived from daily-life behavioral data and whose value progresses with age in an S-shaped sigmoid curve form. The biomarker developed in this study, derived from digital readouts of daily-life movement behavior, can predict disease progression in patients with muscular dystrophy and can potentially track the response to therapy.
HyU: Hybrid Unmixing for longitudinal in vivo imaging of low signal-to-noise fluorescence
Authors: Chiang Hsiao Ju , Koo Daniel E. S. , Kitano Masahiro , Burkitt Sean , Unruh Jay R. , Zavaleta Cristina , Trinh Le A. , Fraser Scott E. , Cutrale Francesco
Published: January 2023

The expansion of fluorescence bioimaging toward more complex systems and geometries requires analytical tools capable of spanning widely varying timescales and length scales, cleanly separating multiple fluorescent labels and distinguishing these labels from background autofluorescence. Here we meet these challenging objectives for multispectral fluorescence microscopy, combining hyperspectral phasors and linear unmixing to create Hybrid Unmixing (HyU). HyU is efficient and robust, capable of quantitative signal separation even at low illumination levels. In dynamic imaging of developing zebrafish embryos and in mouse tissue, HyU was able to cleanly and efficiently unmix multiple fluorescent labels, even in demanding volumetric timelapse imaging settings. HyU permits high dynamic range imaging, allowing simultaneous imaging of bright exogenous labels and dim endogenous labels. This enables coincident studies of tagged components, cellular behaviors and cellular metabolism within the same specimen, providing more accurate insights into the orchestrated complexity of biological systems.
Dataset for Fracture and Impact Toughness of High-Entropy Alloys
Authors: Fan Xuesong , Chen Shiyi , Steingrimsson Baldur , Xiong Qingang , Li Weidong , Liaw Peter K.
Published: January 2023

Fracture dictates the service limits of metallic structures. Damage tolerance of materials may be characterized by fracture toughness rigorously developed from fracture mechanics, or less rigorous yet more easily obtained impact toughness (or impact energy as a variant). Given the promise of high-entropy alloys (HEAs) in structural and damage-tolerance applications, we compiled a dataset of fracture toughness and impact toughness/energy from the literature till the end of the 2022 calendar year. The dataset is subdivided into three categories, i.e., fracture toughness, impact toughness, and impact energy, which contain 153, 14, and 78 distinct data records, respectively. On top of the alloy chemistry and measured fracture quantities, each data record also documents the factors influential to fracture. Examples are material-processing history, phase structures, grain sizes, uniaxial tensile properties, such as yield strength and elongation, and testing conditions. Data records with comparable conditions are graphically visualized by plots. The dataset is hosted in Materials Cloud, an open data repository.
The global historical climate database HCLIM
Authors: Lundstad Elin , Brugnara Yuri , Pappert Duncan , Kopp Jérôme , Samakinwa Eric , Hürzeler André , Andersson Axel , Chimani Barbara , Cornes Richard , Demarée Gaston , Filipiak Janusz , Gates Lydia , Ives Gemma L. , Jones Julie M. , Jourdain Sylvie , Kiss Andrea , Nicholson Sharon E. , Przybylak Rajmund , Jones Philip , Rousseau Daniel , Tinz Birger , Rodrigo Fernando S. , Grab Stefan , Domínguez-Castro Fernando , Slonosky Victoria , Cooper Jason , Brunet Manola , Brönnimann Stefan
Published: January 2023

There is a growing need for past weather and climate data to support science and decision-making. This paper describes the compilation and construction of a global multivariable (air temperature, pressure, precipitation sum, number of precipitation days) monthly instrumental climate database that encompasses a substantial body of the known early instrumental time series. The dataset contains series compiled from existing databases that start before 1890 (though continuing to the present) as well as a large amount of newly rescued data. All series underwent a quality control procedure and subdaily series were processed to monthly mean values. An inventory was compiled, and the collection was deduplicated based on coordinates and mutual correlations. The data are provided in a common format accompanied by the inventory. The collection totals 12452 meteorological records in 118 countries. The data can be used for climate reconstructions and analyses. It is the most comprehensive global monthly climate dataset for the preindustrial period so far.
Com probe implemented STexS II greatly enhances specificity in SARS-CoV-2 variant detection
Authors: Kim Jae Jong , Park Hyoung-Min , Kyoung A. Young , Lim Si-Kyu , Cha Sun Ho , Lee J. Eugene , Park Byoung Chul
Published: January 2023

The initial introduction of utilizing double helix structural oligonucleotides known as SNP typing with excellent specificity (STexS) in a standard PCR greatly improved the detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) by enhancing amplification rates of primer-matching strands and interrupting mismatched strands by constant instability of kinetics regarding alignment attaching and detaching. The model was beneficial overall in detecting SNP variants consisting of large amounts of wildtype strands such as EGFR mutation genotyping for early detection of non-small cell lung cancer. While the STexS PCR is advantageous in detecting SNPs and biomarkers, limitations were yet observed. Despite the ability to detect variants 10 times more effective than a typical amplification-refractory mutation system PCR, it could only perform optimally in DNA concentrations around 101 ~ 105. To further enhance STexS specificity to perform detecting viral-RNA variants such as the infamous SARS-CoV-2, a novel improvement of the regular TaqMan Probe using Com-probes to inhibit high copy wild targets and amplify low copy mutant targets. By introducing the novel STexS II, omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 were able to be successfully detected in high concentrations of normal genes.
Meshless optical mode solving using scalable deep deconvolutional neural network
Authors: Alagappan G. , Png C. E.
Published: January 2023

Optical mode solving is of paramount importance in photonic design and discovery. In this paper we propose a deep deconvolutional neural network architecture for a meshless, and resolution scalable optical mode calculations. The solution is arbitrary in wavelengths and applicable for a wide range of photonic materials and dimensions. The deconvolutional model consists of two stages: the first stage projects the photonic geometrical parameters to a vector in a higher dimensional space, and the second stage deconvolves the vector into a mode image with the help of scaling blocks. Scaling block can be added or subtracted as per desired resolution in the final mode image, and it can be effectively trained using a transfer learning approach. Being a deep learning model, it is light, portable, and capable of rapidly disseminating edge computing ready solutions. Without the loss of generality, we illustrate the method for an optical channel waveguide, and readily generalizable for wide range photonic components including photonic crystals, optical cavities and metasurfaces.
Human-mediated dispersal drives the spread of the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula)
Authors: Ladin Zachary S. , Eggen Donald A. , Trammell Tara L. E. , D’Amico Vincent
Published: January 2023

The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is a novel invasive insect from Asia now established and spreading throughout the United States. This species is of particular concern given its ability to decimate important crops such as grapes, fruit trees, as well as native hardwood trees. Since its initial detection in Berks County, Pennsylvania in 2014, spotted lanternfly infestations have been detected in 130 counties (87 under quarantine) within Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. Compounding this invasion is the associated proliferation and widespread distribution of the spotted lanternfly’s preferred host plant, the tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima). While alternate host plant species have been observed, the tree-of-heaven which thrives in disturbed and human-dominated areas (e.g., along roads and railways) is likely facilitating the population growth rates of spotted lanternfly. We simulated the population and spread dynamics of the spotted lanternfly throughout the mid-Atlantic USA to help determine areas of risk and inform continued monitoring and control efforts. We tested the prediction that spotted lanternfly spread is driven by human-mediated dispersal using agent-based models that incorporated information on its life-history traits, habitat suitability, and movement and natural dispersal behavior. Overwhelmingly, our results suggest that human-mediated dispersal (e.g., cars, trucks, and trains) is driving the observed spread dynamics and distribution of the spotted lanternfly throughout the eastern USA. Our findings should encourage future surveys to focus on human-mediated dispersal of egg masses and adult spotted lanternflies (e.g., attachment to car or transported substrates) to better monitor and control this economically and ecologically important invasive species.
Modeling and simulation of belt bucket elevator head shaft for safe life operation
Authors: Chikelu Peter Okechukwu , Nwigbo Solomon Chuka , Obot Obotowo William , Okolie Paul Chukwulozie , Chukwuneke Jeremiah L.
Published: January 2023

This research paper presents a step by step conceptual design and life prediction approach for the design, modeling and simulation of head shaft of a belt bucket elevator, to be used for conveying grains to a height of 33.5 m and at the rate of 200 tons/h. output. For this elevator system, the force and torque acting on the head shaft as well as the bending moment were calculated. Furthermore, the diameter of each cross section of the shaft was determined taking into consideration the geometric and fatigue stress concentration factors, due to shoulders which contribute significantly to most fatigue failures of shafts. The stress induced on the shaft by the force and the factor of safety for each cross section of the shaft was calculated using the DE-Goodman criterion. The model of the shaft was created from the calculated diameters and subjected to static and fatigue analysis using SolidWorks FEA. The results were validated by comparing the values from the FEA and the calculated values for stress and factor of safety of the critical section of the shaft, which showed an equivalent value. The FEA gave a fatigue load factor greater than one, which signifies that the shaft will not go into failure mode within the infinite life cycle of the shaft. The value of the fatigue strength obtained from FEA was higher than the value for the maximum von misses stress of the shaft, this result shows that the head shaft will sustain the loading stresses over a finite life prediction. This research is significant because the stress induced forces on the head shaft from each component of the elevator system were properly identified and analyzed so as to obtain precise results for life prediction.
Improving the performance of machine learning algorithms for health outcomes predictions in multicentric cohorts
Authors: Wichmann Roberta Moreira , Fernandes Fernando Timoteo , Chiavegatto Filho Alexandre Dias Porto ,   IACOV-BR Network, Ciconelle Ana Claudia Martins , de Brito Ana Maria Espírito Santo , Nunes Bruno Pereira , Silva Dárcia Lima e , Anschau Fernando , de Castro Rodrigues Henrique , Rocha Hermano Alexandre Lima , dos Reis João Conrado Bueno , de Oliveira Cavalcante Liane , de Oliveira Liszt Palmeira , dos Santos Andrade Lorena Sofia , Nasi Luiz Antonio , de Maria Felix Marcelo , Mimica Marcelo Jenne , de Almeida Araujo Maria Elizete , Arnoni Mariana Volpe , Vianna Rebeca Baiocchi , Junior Renan Magalhães Montenegro , da Penha Renata Vicente , Vicente Rogério Nadin , de Lima Ruchelli França , Batista Sandro Rodrigues , Nunes Silvia Ferreira , de Macedo Tássia Teles Santana , Nuno Valesca Lôbo eSant’ana
Published: January 2023

Machine learning algorithms are being increasingly used in healthcare settings but their generalizability between different regions is still unknown. This study aims to identify the strategy that maximizes the predictive performance of identifying the risk of death by COVID-19 in different regions of a large and unequal country. This is a multicenter cohort study with data collected from patients with a positive RT-PCR test for COVID-19 from March to August 2020 (n = 8477) in 18 hospitals, covering all five Brazilian regions. Of all patients with a positive RT-PCR test during the period, 2356 (28%) died. Eight different strategies were used for training and evaluating the performance of three popular machine learning algorithms (extreme gradient boosting, lightGBM, and catboost). The strategies ranged from only using training data from a single hospital, up to aggregating patients by their geographic regions. The predictive performance of the algorithms was evaluated by the area under the ROC curve (AUROC) on the test set of each hospital. We found that the best overall predictive performances were obtained when using training data from the same hospital, which was the winning strategy for 11 (61%) of the 18 participating hospitals. In this study, the use of more patient data from other regions slightly decreased predictive performance. However, models trained in other hospitals still had acceptable performances and could be a solution while data for a specific hospital is being collected.
Hierarchically guided in situ nanolaminography for the visualisation of damage nucleation in alloy sheets
Authors: Hurst Mathias , Helfen Lukas , Morgeneyer Thilo F. , Suhonen Heikki , Buljac Ante , Hild François , Suuronen Jussi-Petteri , Baumbach Tilo , Hänschke Daniel
Published: January 2023

Hierarchical guidance is developed for three-dimensional (3D) nanoscale X-ray imaging, enabling identification, refinement, and tracking of regions of interest (ROIs) within specimens considerably exceeding the field of view. This opens up new possibilities for in situ investigations. Experimentally, the approach takes advantage of rapid multiscale measurements based on magnified projection microscopy featuring continuous zoom capabilities. Immediate and continuous feedback on the subsequent experimental progress is enabled by suitable on-the-fly data processing. For this, by theoretical justification and experimental validation, so-called quasi-particle phase-retrieval is generalised to conical-beam conditions, being key for sufficiently fast computation without significant loss of imaging quality and resolution compared to common approaches for holographic microscopy. Exploiting 3D laminography, particularly suited for imaging of ROIs in laterally extended plate-like samples, the potential of hierarchical guidance is demonstrated by the in situ investigation of damage nucleation inside alloy sheets under engineering-relevant boundary conditions, providing novel insight into the nanoscale morphological development of void and particle clusters under mechanical load. Combined with digital volume correlation, we study deformation kinematics with unprecedented spatial resolution. Correlation of mesoscale (i.e. strain fields) and nanoscale (i.e. particle cracking) evolution opens new routes for the understanding of damage nucleation within sheet materials with application-relevant dimensions.
Pretreatment CT differential diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis from peritoneal carcinomatosis of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Lee Chul-min , Choi Joong Sub , Kim Mimi , Kang Bo-Kyeong , Bae Jaeman , Lee Won Moo , Jung Un Suk , Eom Jeong Min , Kim Yeon Kyoung , Kim Jin Young
Published: January 2023

Delayed diagnosis of female genital tuberculosis (FGTB) can lead to inappropriate treatment and unnecessary surgical procedures rather than standard anti-TB medication. We tried to evaluate the use of computed tomography (CT) imaging to differentiate TB peritonitis from peritoneal carcinomatosis of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (AEOC). We investigated women who underwent CT to distinguish between TB peritonitis and peritoneal carcinomatosis of AEOC. We evaluated various CT imaging features to identify differences between the two diseases. In addition, we performed univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to identify the independent imaging parameters associated with TB peritonitis and evaluated the diagnostic performance of the combined imaging parameters. We also performed the histopathological analysis of the available salpinx specimens of TB peritonitis. We included 25 women with TB peritonitis and 34 women with peritoneal carcinomatosis of AEOC. A multivariate analysis of the discriminant CT imaging features between the two diseases revealed that changes in fallopian tubes and peritoneal micronodules were independent parameters associated with TB peritonitis (p ≤ 0.012). Combining the two imaging parameters showed an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.855, a sensitivity of 88.0%, and a specificity of 67.7% for differentiating TB peritonitis from peritoneal carcinomatosis. Furthermore, changes in fallopian tubes were correlated with histopathological abnormalities in salpinx specimens. Pretreatment CT evaluation with useful imaging features could help differentiate TB peritonitis from peritoneal carcinomatosis of AEOC.
Alcohol-induced deficits in reactive control of response selection and inhibition are counteracted by a seemingly paradox increase in proactive control
Authors: Stock Ann-Kathrin , Wendiggensen Paul , Ghin Filippo , Beste Christian
Published: January 2023

High-dose alcohol intoxication reduces cognitive control, including inhibition. Although inhibition deficits may contribute to the behavioral deficits commonly observed in alcohol use disorder (AUD), many questions about potentially modulating factors have remained unanswered. We examined the effects of experimentally induced high-dose alcohol intoxication (~ 1.1 ‰) on the interplay between controlled vs. automatic response selection and inhibition in healthy young men. A holistic EEG-based theta activity analysis that considered both reactive control during task performance and preceding proactive control processes was run. It revealed a previously unknown seesaw relationship, with decreased reactive control, but paradoxically increased proactive control. Most importantly, alcohol-induced increases in proactive occipital theta band power were associated with reductions in negative alcohol effects on reactive control processes associated with decreased activity in the SMA and medial frontal cortex. Our findings demonstrate that research should not solely focus on immediate effects during task performance. Aside from differential neurobiochemical and neuroanatomical effects of alcohol, it is also conceivable that proactive control may have been recruited in a (secondary) response to compensate for alcohol-induced impairments in reactive control. Against this background, it could be promising to investigate changes in such compensatory mechanisms in pronounced alcohol-associated inhibition deficits, like in AUD patients.
Salivary Huntingtin protein is uniquely associated with clinical features of Huntington’s disease
Authors: Parkin Georgia M. , Corey-Bloom Jody , Snell Chase , Smith Haileigh , Laurenza Angela , Daldin Manuel , Bresciani Alberto , Thomas Elizabeth A.
Published: January 2023

Measuring Huntingtin (HTT) protein in peripheral cells represents an essential step in biomarker discovery for Huntington’s Disease (HD), however to date, investigations into the salivary expression of HTT has been lacking. In the current study, we quantified total HTT (tHTT) and mutant HTT (mHTT) protein in matched blood and saliva samples using single molecule counting (SMC) immunoassays: 2B7-D7F7 (tHTT) and 2B7-MW1 (mHTT). Matched samples, and clinical data, were collected from 95 subjects: n = 19 manifest HD, n = 34 premanifest HD (PM), and n = 42 normal controls (NC). Total HTT and mHTT levels were not correlated in blood and saliva. Plasma tHTT was significantly associated with age, and participant sex; whereas salivary mHTT was significantly correlated with age, CAG repeat length and CAP score. Plasma and salivary tHTT did not differ across cohorts. Salivary and plasma mHTT were significantly increased in PM compared to NC; salivary mHTT was also significantly increased in HD compared to NC. Only salivary tHTT and mHTT were significantly correlated with clinical measures. Salivary HTT is uniquely associated with clinical measures of HD and offers significant promise as a relevant, non-invasive HD biomarker. Its use could be immediately implemented into both translational and clinical research applications.
Diel niche variation in mammalian declines in the Anthropocene
Authors: Cox Daniel T. C. , Gardner Alexandra S. , Gaston Kevin J.
Published: January 2023

Biodiversity is being eroded worldwide. Many human pressures are most forcefully exerted or have greatest effect during a particular period of the day. Therefore when species are physically active (their diel niche) may influence their risk of population decline. We grouped 5032 terrestrial extant mammals by their dominant activity pattern (nocturnal, crepuscular, cathemeral and diurnal), and determine variation in population decline across diel niches. We find an increased risk of population decline in diurnal (52.1% of species), compared to nocturnal (40.1% of species), crepuscular (39.1% of species) and cathemeral (43.0% of species) species, associated with the larger proportion of diurnal mammals that are primates. Those species with declining populations whose activity predominantly coincides with that of humans (cathemeral, diurnal) face an increased number of anthropogenic threats than those principally active at night, with diurnal species more likely to be declining from harvesting. Across much of the land surface habitat loss is the predominant driver of population decline, however, harvesting is a greater threat to day-active species in sub-Saharan Africa and mainland tropical Asia, associated with declines in megafauna and arboreal foragers. Deepening understanding of diel variation in anthropogenic pressures and resulting population declines will help target conservation actions.
Subjective and objective sleep quality does not predict behavioural episodic foresight in younger or older adults
Authors: Demichelis Olivia P. , Grainger Sarah A. , McKay Kate T. , Burr Lucy , Kim Joanne , Henry Julie D.
Published: January 2023

Episodic foresight refers to one’s capacity to use imagined scenarios to guide future-directed behaviors. It is important in facilitating complex activities of daily living, such as managing finances. Broader literature shows that older adults perform more poorly on tests of episodic foresight relative to their younger counterparts. At the same time, age-related changes in sleep often contribute to age-related decline in other cognitive abilities known to support episodic foresight, such as memory. No study to date has tested whether sleep quality is associated with episodic foresight when it is measured behaviorally; or whether this relationship is moderated by age. To address this, in the present study healthy younger (n = 39) and older (n = 41) adults were asked to wear an actigraphy watch and self-report their sleep quality for seven nights. Participants then completed the virtual-week foresight task—a behavioral assessment of episodic foresight. Neither objective or subjective sleep quality predicted episodic foresight outcomes, and this was not moderated by age group. Bayesian analyses provided evidence in favour of the null hypotheses. These results suggest that sleep quality (at least in healthy adult populations) may not be linked to episodic foresight.
An integrated approach of remote sensing and geospatial analysis for modeling and predicting the impacts of climate change on food security
Authors: Kazemi Garajeh Mohammad , Salmani Behnam , Zare Naghadehi Saeid , Valipoori Goodarzi Hamid , Khasraei Ahmad
Published: January 2023

The agriculture sector provides the majority of food supplies, ensures food security, and promotes sustainable development. Due to recent climate changes as well as trends in human population growth and environmental degradation, the need for timely agricultural information continues to rise. This study analyzes and predicts the impacts of climate change on food security (FS). For 2002–2021, Landsat, MODIS satellite images and predisposing variables (land surface temperature (LST), evapotranspiration, precipitation, sunny days, cloud ratio, soil salinity, soil moisture, groundwater quality, soil types, digital elevation model, slope, and aspect) were used. First, we used a deep learning convolutional neural network (DL-CNN) based on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) to detect agricultural land (AL). A remote sensing-based approach combined with the analytical network process (ANP) model was used to identify frost-affected areas. We then analyzed the relationship between climatic, geospatial, and topographical variables and AL and frost-affected areas. We found negative correlations of − 0.80, − 0.58, − 0.43, and − 0.45 between AL and LST, evapotranspiration, cloud ratio, and soil salinity, respectively. There is a positive correlation between AL and precipitation, sunny days, soil moisture, and groundwater quality of 0.39, 0.25, 0.21, and 0.77, respectively. The correlation between frost-affected areas and LST, evapotranspiration, cloud ratio, elevation, slope, and aspect are 0.55, 0.40, 0.52, 0.35, 0.45, and 0.39. Frost-affected areas have negative correlations with precipitation, sunny day, and soil moisture of − 0.68, − 0.23, and − 0.38, respectively. Our findings show that the increase in LST, evapotranspiration, cloud ratio, and soil salinity is associated with the decrease in AL. Additionally, AL decreases with a decreasing in precipitation, sunny days, soil moisture, and groundwater quality. It was also found that as LST, evapotranspiration, cloud ratio, elevation, slope, and aspect increase, frost-affected areas increase as well. Furthermore, frost-affected areas increase when precipitation, sunny days, and soil moisture decrease. Finally, we predicted the FS threat for 2030, 2040, 2050, and 2060 using the CA–Markov method. According to the results, the AL will decrease by 0.36% from 2030 to 2060. Between 2030 and 2060, however, the area with very high frost-affected will increase by about 10.64%. In sum, this study accentuates the critical impacts of climate change on the FS in the region. Our findings and proposed methods could be helpful for researchers to model and quantify the climate change impacts on the FS in different regions and periods.
The role of atypical MAP kinase 4 in the host interaction with Cryptosporidium parvum
Authors: Watanabe Nina , Bando Hironori , Murakoshi Fumi , Sakurai Riku , Kabir Mohammad Hazzaz Bin , Fukuda Yasuhiro , Kato Kentaro
Published: January 2023

Cryptosporidium parvum is an apicomplexan parasite that causes severe zoonotic diarrhea in humans and calves. Since there are no effective treatments or vaccines for infants or immunocompromised patients, it is important to understand the molecular mechanisms of the parasite–host interaction for novel drug discovery. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) is a key host factor in interactions between host and various pathogens, including parasites. Although the function of conventional MAP kinases against parasite infection has been investigated, that of atypical MAP kinases remains largely unknown. Therefore, we focused on one of the atypical MAP kinases, MAPK4, and its effect on C. parvum infection in human intestinal cells. Here, we report that MAPK4-deficient intestinal cells showed a significant reduction in C. parvum infection. We also show that host MAPK4 has a role in host cell survival from C. parvum infection. In addition, we show that C. parvum requires host MAPK4 for its successful invasion and asexual reproduction. Taken together, our data suggest that MAPK4 is an important host factor contributing to C. parvum infection in human intestinal cells.