bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urinary Schistosomiasis and Associated Risk Factors Among Primary School Students in the Zaki Local Government Area, Bauchi State, Nigeria
Authors: Abubakar Bashir Mohammed , Abubakar Aishatu , Moi Ibrahim Musa , Gagman Haladu Ali , Mohammed Umar Aminu , Katagum Yahaya Mohammed , Musa Sulaiman Ibrahim
Published: November 2022

Urinary schistosomiasis, a water-based disease, is endemic to Nigeria. The infection is transmitted by trematodes known as Schistosoma haematobium. The goal of this study was to determine the occurrence of urinary schistosomiasis among primary school children in the Zaki Local Government Area, Bauchi State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study involving 300 school pupils from three primary schools in Zaki was conducted between June and November of 2021. The urine samples were examined with the sedimentation technique to detect S. haematobium eggs. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors were obtained through a well-structured questionnaire. In SPSS version 24, the associations between the dependent and independent variables were evaluated with Chi-square, bivariate, and multiple logistic regression analyses. The strength of associations was determined with the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval. Urinary schistosomiasis was found in 29.7% of school-aged children in the three primary schools. Significantly higher prevalence was observed in the Almajiri (informal) school (59.6%) and one public primary school (31.5%), P = 0.001. Boys were four times more likely than girls to have schistosomiasis [AOR (95% CI): 4.38 (2.23–8.60)]. Children who played in shallow water had a higher risk of contracting schistosomiasis infection and were five times more likely to be infected [AOR (95% CI): 5.14 (1.97–13.37)]. Children who had blood in their urine (hematuria) were nearly nine times more likely to be infected [AOR (95% CI): 9.64 (4.79–20.66)]. The present study indicated that urinary schistosomiasis is endemic to the study area in the Zaki Local Government Area, with a moderate infection rate.
ALMA (finally!) discloses a rotating disk+bipolar wind system at the centre of the wind-prominent pPN OH 231.8+4.2
Authors: Sánchez Contreras C. , Alcolea J. , Rodríguez-Cardoso R. , Bujarrabal V. , Castro-Carrizo A. , Velilla-Prieto L. , Quintana-Lacaci G. , Santander-García M. , Agúndez M. , Cernicharo J.
Published: November 2022

We present interferometric continuum and molecular line emission maps obtained with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) of OH231.8+4.2, a well studied bipolar nebula around an asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star that is key to understand the remarkable changes in nebular morphology and kinematics during the short transition from the AGB to the Planetary Nebula (PN) phase. The excellent angular resolution of our maps (∼20 mas ∼30 AU) allows us to scrutinize the central nebular regions of OH231.8+4.2, which hold the clues to understanding how this iconic object assembled its complex nebular architecture. We report, for the first time in this object and others of its kind (i.e. pre-PNe with massive bipolar outflows), the discovery of a rotating circumbinary disk of radius ∼30 AU traced by NaCl, KCl, and H2O emission lines. The disk lies at the base of a young bipolar wind with signs of rotation as well. A compact spatially resolved dust disk is found perpendicular to the bipolar outflow. We also identify a point-like continuum source, which likely represents the central Mira star enshrouded by a ∼3 R* shell or disk of hot (∼1400 K) freshly formed dust. The point source is slightly off-centre from the disk centroid, enabling us for the first time to place constraints to the orbital separation of the central binary system.
Atmospheric structure and dynamics of evolved massive stars. Thanks to 3D radiative hydrodynamical simulations of stellar convection
Authors: Chiavassa A.
Published: November 2022

Evolved massive stars are major cosmic engines, providing strong mechanical and radiative feedback on their host environment. They contribute to the enrichment of their environment through a strong stellar winds, still poorly understood. Wind physics across the life cycle of these stars is the key ingredient to accomplish a complete understanding of their evolution in the near and distant Universe. Nowadays, the development of the observational instruments is so advanced that the observations became very sensitive to the details of the stellar surface making possible to quantitatively study what happens on their surfaces and above where the stellar winds become dominant. Three-dimensional radiative hydrodynamics simulations of evolved stars are essential to a proper and quantitative analysis of these observations. This work presents how these simulations have been (and will be) crucial to prepare and interpret a multitude of observations and how they are important to achieve the knowledge of the mass-loss mechanism.
Lessons from the ionised and molecular mass of post-CE PNe
Authors: Santander-García Miguel , Jones David , Alcolea Javier , Bujarrabal Valentín , Wesson Roger
Published: November 2022

Close binary evolution is widely invoked to explain the formation of axisymmetric planetary nebulae, after a brief common envelope phase. The evolution of the primary would be interrupted abruptly, its still quite massive envelope being fully ejected to form the PN, which should be more massive than a planetary nebula coming from the same star, were it single. We test this hypothesis by investigating the ionised and molecular masses of a sample consisting of 21 post-common-envelope planetary nebulae, roughly one fifth of their known total population, and comparing them to a large sample of regular planetary nebulae (not known to host close-binaries). We find that post-common-envelope planetary nebulae arising from single-degenerate systems are, on average, neither more nor less massive than regular planetary nebulae, whereas post-common-envelope planetary nebulae arising from double-degenerate systems are considerably more massive, and show substantially larger linear momenta and kinetic energy than the rest. Reconstruction of the common envelope of four objects further suggests that the mass of single-degenerate nebulae actually amounts to a very small fraction of the envelope of their progenitor stars. This leads to the uncomfortable question of where the rest of the envelope is, raising serious doubts on our understanding of these intriguing objects.
3D hydrodynamical survey of the impact of a companion on the morphology and dynamics of AGB outflows
Authors: Malfait Jolien , Maes Silke , Homan Ward , Bolte Jan , Siess Lionel , De Ceuster Frederik , Decin Leen
Published: November 2022

With the use of high-resolution ALMA observations, complex structures that resemble those observed in post-AGB stars and planetary nebulae are detected in the circumstellar envelopes of low-mass evolved stars. These deviations from spherical symmetry are believed to be caused primarily by the interaction with a companion star or planet. With the use of three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations, we study the impact of a binary companion on the wind morphology and dynamics of an AGB outflow. We classifiy the wind structures and morphology that form in these simulations with the use of a classification parameter, constructed with characteristic parameters of the binary configuration. Finally we conclude that the companion alters the wind expansion velocity through the slingshot mechanism, if it is massive enough.
The first 3D models of evolved hot star outflows
Authors: Moens Nicolas , Hennicker Levin
Published: November 2022

The mechanisms driving mass loss from massive stars in late stages of their evolution is still very much unknown. Stellar evolution models indicate that the last stage before going supernova for many massive stars is the Wolf-Rayet (WR) phase, characterized by a strong, optically thick stellar wind. Stellar models show that these stars exceed the Eddington limit already in deep sub-surface layers around the so-called ‘iron-opacity’ bump, and so should launch a supersonic outflow from there. However, if the outward force does not suffice to accelerate the gas above the local escape speed, the initiated flow will stagnate and start raining down upon the stellar core. In previous, spherically symmetric, WR wind models, this has been circumvented by artificially increasing either clumping or the line force. Here, we present pioneering 3D time-dependent radiation-hydrodynamic simulations of WR winds. In these models, computed without any ad-hoc force enhancement, the stagnated flow leads to co-existing regions of up- and down-flows, which dynamically interact with each other to form a multi-dimensional and complex outflow. These density structures, and the resulting highly non-monotonic velocity field, can have important consequences for mass-loss rates and the interpretation of observed Wolf-Rayet spectra.
Pre-planetary nebulae: a context for principles, progress, and questions on how binaries and magnetic fields produce jets
Authors: Blackman Eric G.
Published: November 2022

Astrophysical outflows treated initially as spherically symmetric often show evidence for asymmetry once seen at higher resolution. The preponderance of aspherical and multipolar planetary nebulae (PN) and pre-planetary nebulae (PPN) was evident after many observations from the Hubble Space Telescope. Binary interactions have long been thought to be essential for shaping asymmetric PN/PPN, but how? PPN are the more kinematically demanding of the two, and warrant particular focus. I address how progress from observation and theory suggests two broad classes of accretion driven PPN jets: one for wider binaries (PPN-W) where the companion is outside the outer radius of the giant and accretes via Roche lobe overflow, and the other which occurs in the later stages of CE for close binaries (PPN-C). The physics within these scenarios connects to progress and open questions about the role and origin of magnetic fields in the engines and in astrophysical jets more generally.
Towards the identification of carriers of the unidentified infrared (UIR) bands in novae
Authors: Endo Izumi , Sakon Itsuki , Onaka Takashi , Kimura Yuki , Kimura Seiji , Wada Setsuko , Helton L. Andrew , Lau Ryan M. , Kebukawa Yoko , Muramatsu Yasuji , Ogawa Nanako O. , Ohkouchi Naohiko , Nakamura Masato , Kwok Sun
Published: November 2022

The unidentified infrared (UIR) bands, whose carriers are thought to be organics, have been widely observed in various astrophysical environments. However, our knowledge of the detailed chemical composition and formation process of the carriers is still limited. We have synthesized laboratory organics named Quenched Nitrogen-included Carbonaceous Composite (QNCC) by quenching plasma produced from nitrogen gas and hydrocarbon solids. Infrared and X-ray analyses of QNCC showed that infrared properties of QNCC well reproduce the UIR bands observed in novae and amine structures contained in QNCC play an important role in the origin of the broad 8 m feature, which characterizes the UIR bands in novae. QNCC is at present the best laboratory analog of organic dust formed around dusty classical novae, which carries the UIR bands in novae via thermal emission process [Endo et al.(2021)].
Mass loss from binary stars approaching merger
Authors: Pejcha Ondřej
Published: November 2022

Some binary stars experience common envelope evolution, which is accompanied by drastic loss of angular momentum, mass, and orbital energy and which leaves behind close binaries often involving at least one white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole. The best studied phase of common envelope is the dynamical inspiral lasting few original orbital periods. We show theoretical interpretation of observations of V1309 Sco and AT2018bwo revealing that binaries undergo substantial prolonged mass loss before the dynamical event amounting up to few solar masses. This mass loss is concentrated in the orbital plane in the form of an outflow or a circumbinary disk. Collision between this slower mass loss and the subsequent faster dynamical ejection powers a bright red transient. The resulting radiative shock helps to shape the explosion remnant and provides a site of dust and molecule formation.
RGB mass loss: inferences from CMD-fitting and asteroseismology
Authors: Tailo Marco
Published: November 2022

The amount of mass lost by stars during the red-giant branch (RGB) phase is one of the main parameters needed to fully understand later stages of stellar evolution. In spite of its importance, a fully-comprehensive physical understanding of this phenomenon is still missing, and we, mostly, rely on empirical formulations. The Galactic Globular Clusters are ideal targets to derive such formulations, but, until recently, the presence of multiple populations has been a major challenge.

We will discuss the insights on RGB mass loss that can be obtained from the study of the horizontal branch stars in such stellar associations. The estimates obtained via the study of the photometric data will be compared with recent and newly obtained estimates derived for few high metallicity open clusters and a large sample of field stars with asteroseismic techniques.
Chemistry on hot astrochemical dust surfaces: Sulfur in AGB outflows
Authors: Wolstenholme-Hogg Amy , James Alexander D. , Plane John M. C. , Van de Sande Marie
Published: November 2022

Astrochemical models treat dust surfaces as ice covered. We investigate the effects of implementing increased bare dust binding energies of CO and S-bearing species on the chemistry in the outflows of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. We demonstrate the potential for improving agreement with observations in the outflow of IK Tau.

Increasing the binding energies to measured and computationally derived values in high mass-loss AGB outflows increased the production of daughter species. Switching from a high binding energy on bare dust to weaker binding to ice, the gas phase abundance increased at a radius in agreement with observations of IK Tau, suggesting that displacement of bound species could contribute to this observational puzzle. Using a strong binding to bare dust, a gas phase increase was not observed, however parent species concentrations had to be increased by around a factor of four to explain observed concentrations.
Warm Soil, Westerly Wind, and Wet Feet: Feeling and Measuring Ecological Time in the Roman World
Authors: Tally‐Schumacher Kaja J.
Published: November 2022

Although climate change, pollution, and environmental degradation are contemporary problems, these are also challenges with deep historic roots in antiquity. 2,000 years ago, during the Roman Climate Optimum, a period of unusually warm, wet, and stable temperatures in the Mediterranean from roughly 200 BCE to 150 CE, the Romans altered the natural environment so greatly that they produced a level of pollution that was unparalleled until the Industrial Revolution. It is precisely in this contradictory time of unusually productive growth and destruction that we discover a blossoming of textual and visual ecological calendars illustrating how the Romans experienced the changing Mediterranean seasons. Roman agricultural treatises instruct us on specific agricultural tasks based on celestial movement, the arrival of particular winds, and on corporeal sensations, such as the warmth of the soil. Literary texts from the period portray kinship and shared corporeality between farmers and plants, with parent farmers listening to and assisting plant‐children in achieving their desires. The concept of measuring time by means of the human body and its sensations is most explicit in the agricultural mosaics of the Late Roman period, which depict enslaved workers laboring, sweating, stomping, plowing, and performing seasonal tasks. While much of the conceptualization of indigenous ecological calendars is framed within the context of modern states, juxtaposing ancient predecessors and contemporary practices offers a new perspective on this topic.
Crustal Deformation in the Sierra Nevada and Walker Lane Region Inferred From P‐Wave Azimuthal Anisotropy
Authors: Wang Kai , Wu Shucheng , Tong Ping
Published: November 2022

Crustal deformation in the Sierra Nevada and Walker Lane is mainly investigated by geologic and geodetic constraints which suffer from a lack of depth information. In this study, we construct a new depth‐dependent azimuthally anisotropic P‐wave velocity (Vp) model of this area to investigate regional deformation regimes in the upper and middle crust. The model is built based on adjoint‐state traveltime tomography of ∼650,000 local direct P arrivals collected from 1967 to 2021. The average Vp structure agrees well with previous tomographic models with refined velocity features benefiting from the ray‐free adjoint‐state tomography and more arrival time data. The azimuthal anisotropy of Vp reveals distinct differences between the rigid Sierra Nevada block and the Walker Lane shear zone: (a) The western Sierra Nevada shows weak anisotropy (<2%) and NW‐SE oriented fast velocity directions that are parallel to the Pacific‐North American plate boundary, mainly reflecting preserved paleofabrics developed in past subduction processes. (b) In the shallow Walker Lane (<4 km), the orientation of fast‐velocity directions is NNE controlled by regional compressive stress, and changes to NNW at greater depths in the north under shear deformation regimes. (c) In the central Walker Lane, strong anisotropy with ENE‐oriented P fast axes is imaged at 6–16 km from the area south of Lake Tahoe (2%–4%) to the Long Valley volcanic area (4%–8%) because of clockwise crustal block rotations and crustal fluids. The proposed anisotropic Vp model provides new insight into how past and present‐day deformation is accommodated in this tectonic complex plate boundary region.
Estimating Vegetation Greening Influences on Runoff Signatures Using a Log‐Based Weighted Ensemble Method
Authors: Huang Qi , Zhang Yongqiang , Ma Ning , Post David
Published: November 2022

Vegetation greening profoundly impacts the water cycle, and recent concerns about greening impacts have focused on various hydrological cycle components. However, the impacts of greening on catchment runoff signatures reflecting magnitude, low/high flow frequency, low/high flow duration and flow dynamics remain poorly understood. To properly simulate these runoff signatures, we use five modified hydrological models incorporating vegetation dynamics and further derive three ensemble approaches to obtain eight runoff time series outputs in a major tributary of the Yellow River Basin. Multiple validations suggest that the log‐based weighted ensemble (LWE) approach is robust for depicting the impact of greening on selected runoff signatures. This is especially true for the low flow part of the runoff time series and the overall performance of the selected signatures since LWE explicitly reduces the low flow bias. With this approach, five experiments were designed to isolate the impact of vegetation greening on runoff signatures, and the comparisons among the experiments indicate that greening noticeably decreases runoff magnitude, increases low flow frequency/duration and decreases high flow frequency/duration signatures. However, greening has little influence on runoff dynamic signatures. Each percent increase in leaf area index results in (a) changes of −0.2 ± 0.1% for magnitude signatures; (b) changes of −0.34 ± 0.30% and 0.56 ± 0.28% with wide ranges for annual high flow days and annual low flow days, respectively; and (c) marginal change on flow dynamic signatures. This study provides new insights by disentangling greening impacts on various runoff signatures using a trade‐off ensemble method.
3D designed battery-free wireless origami pressure sensor
Authors: Kim Taeil , Kalhori Amirhossein Hassanpoor , Kim Tae-Ho , Bao Chao , Kim Woo Soo
Published: November 2022

A pressure monitoring structure is a very useful element for a wearable device for health monitoring and sports biomechanics. While pressure sensors have been studied extensively, battery-free functions working in wireless detection have not been studied much. Here, we report a 3D-structured origami-based architecture sensor for wireless pressure monitoring. We developed an architectured platform for wireless pressure sensing through inductor-capacitor (LC) sensors and a monopole antenna. A personalized smart insole with Miura-ori origami designs has been 3D printed together with conductive 3D printed sensors seamlessly. Wireless monitoring of resonant frequency and intensity changes of LC sensors have been demonstrated to monitor foot pressure for different postures. The sensitivity of the wireless pressure sensor is tunable from 15.7 to 2.1 MHz/kPa in the pressure ranges from 0 to 9 kPa and from 10 to 40 kPa, respectively. The proposed wireless pressure-sensing platform can be utilized for various applications such as orthotics, prosthetics, and sports gear.
Entropically engineered formation of fivefold and icosahedral twinned clusters of colloidal shapes
Authors: Lee Sangmin , Glotzer Sharon C.
Published: November 2022

Fivefold and icosahedral symmetries induced by multiply twinned crystal structures have been studied extensively for their role in influencing the shape of synthetic nanoparticles, and solution chemistry or geometric confinement are widely considered to be essential. Here we report the purely entropy-driven formation of fivefold and icosahedral twinned clusters of particles in molecular simulation without geometric confinement or chemistry. Hard truncated tetrahedra self-assemble into cubic or hexagonal diamond colloidal crystals depending on the amount of edge and vertex truncation. By engineering particle shape to achieve a negligible entropy difference between the two diamond phases, we show that the formation of the multiply twinned clusters is easily induced. The twinned clusters are entropically stabilized within a dense fluid by a strong fluid-crystal interfacial tension arising from strong entropic bonding. Our findings provide a strategy for engineering twinning behavior in colloidal systems with and without explicit bonding elements between particles.
Room-temperature polariton quantum fluids in halide perovskites
Authors: Peng Kai , Tao Renjie , Haeberlé Louis , Li Quanwei , Jin Dafei , Fleming Graham R. , Kéna-Cohen Stéphane , Zhang Xiang , Bao Wei
Published: November 2022

Quantum fluids exhibit quantum mechanical effects at the macroscopic level, which contrast strongly with classical fluids. Gain-dissipative solid-state exciton-polaritons systems are promising emulation platforms for complex quantum fluid studies at elevated temperatures. Recently, halide perovskite polariton systems have emerged as materials with distinctive advantages over other room-temperature systems for future studies of topological physics, non-Abelian gauge fields, and spin-orbit interactions. However, the demonstration of nonlinear quantum hydrodynamics, such as superfluidity and Čerenkov flow, which is a consequence of the renormalized elementary excitation spectrum, remains elusive in halide perovskites. Here, using homogenous halide perovskites single crystals, we report, in both one- and two-dimensional cases, the complete set of quantum fluid phase transitions from normal classical fluids to scatterless polariton superfluids and supersonic fluids—all at room temperature, clear consequences of the Landau criterion. Specifically, the supersonic Čerenkov wave pattern was observed at room temperature. The experimental results are also in quantitative agreement with theoretical predictions from the dissipative Gross-Pitaevskii equation. Our results set the stage for exploring the rich non-equilibrium quantum fluid many-body physics at room temperature and also pave the way for important polaritonic device applications.
Global distribution and climate sensitivity of the tropical montane forest nitrogen cycle
Authors: Gay Justin D. , Currey Bryce , Brookshire E. N. J.
Published: November 2022

Tropical forests are pivotal to global climate and biogeochemical cycles, yet the geographic distribution of nutrient limitation to plants and microbes across the biome is unresolved. One long-standing generalization is that tropical montane forests are nitrogen (N)-limited whereas lowland forests tend to be N-rich. However, empirical tests of this hypothesis have yielded equivocal results. Here we evaluate the topographic signature of the ecosystem-level tropical N cycle by examining climatic and geophysical controls of surface soil N content and stable isotopes (δ15N) from elevational gradients distributed across tropical mountains globally. We document steep increases in soil N concentration and declining δ15N with increasing elevation, consistent with decreased microbial N processing and lower gaseous N losses. Temperature explained much of the change in N, with an apparent temperature sensitivity (Q10) of ~1.9. Although montane forests make up 11% of forested tropical land area, we estimate they account for >17% of the global tropical forest soil N pool. Our findings support the existence of widespread microbial N limitation across tropical montane forest ecosystems and high sensitivity to climate warming.
Membrane-mediated protein interactions drive membrane protein organization
Authors: Jiang Yining , Thienpont Batiste , Sapuru Vinay , Hite Richard K. , Dittman Jeremy S. , Sturgis James N. , Scheuring Simon
Published: November 2022

The plasma membrane’s main constituents, i.e., phospholipids and membrane proteins, are known to be organized in lipid-protein functional domains and supercomplexes. No active membrane-intrinsic process is known to establish membrane organization. Thus, the interplay of thermal fluctuations and the biophysical determinants of membrane-mediated protein interactions must be considered to understand membrane protein organization. Here, we used high-speed atomic force microscopy and kinetic and membrane elastic theory to investigate the behavior of a model membrane protein in oligomerization and assembly in controlled lipid environments. We find that membrane hydrophobic mismatch modulates oligomerization and assembly energetics, and 2D organization. Our experimental and theoretical frameworks reveal how membrane organization can emerge from Brownian diffusion and a minimal set of physical properties of the membrane constituents.
Butein promotes ubiquitination-mediated survivin degradation inhibits tumor growth and overcomes chemoresistance
Authors: Dong Xin , Liu Wenbin , Li Xiaoying , Gan Yu , Zhou Li , Li Wei , Xie Li
Published: November 2022

Overexpression of survivin is frequently observed in human malignancies and is associated with poor prognosis. The present study found that survivin is highly expressed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) tumor tissues. Depleting survivin with shRNA inhibited cell viability, colony formation, and in vivo tumorigenesis of NPC cells. With a natural product screening, we identified Butein as a potential anti-tumor compound for NPC by reducing survivin protein level. Butein shortened the half-life of survivin and enhanced ubiquitination-mediated degradation. The mechanism study showed that Butein promoted the interaction between survivin and E3 ligase Fbxl7, and the knockdown of Fbxl7 compromised Butein-induced survivin ubiquitination. Butein suppressed the Akt-Wee1-CDK1 signaling and decreased survivin Thr34 phosphorylation, facilitating E3 ligase Fbxl7-mediated survivin ubiquitination and degradation. Moreover, Butein exhibited a strong in vivo anti-tumor activity, as the tumor volume of Butein-treated xenografts was reduced significantly. Butein alone or combined with cisplatin (CDDP) overcame chemoresistance in NPC xenograft tumors. Overall, our data indicate that Butein is a promising anti-tumor agent for NPC treatment.
Comparison of a human acellular dermal matrix and a polypropylene mesh for pelvic floor reconstruction: a randomized trial study in a rabbit model
Authors: Pero Marta , Castells-Sala Cristina , Alserawan Leticia , Casani Laura , Juan Babot Josep Oriol , Jorba Ignasi , Pérez Maria Luisa , Moga Esther , Otero Jorge , López-Chicón Patricia , Badimon Lina , Vilarrodona Serrat Anna , Porta-Roda Oriol
Published: November 2022

Non-absorbable polypropylene (PP) meshes have been widely used in surgical reconstruction of the pelvic floor disorders. However, they are associated with serious complications. Human acellular dermal matrices (hADM) have demonstrated safety and efficacy in reconstructive medicine, but their suitability and efficacy at vaginal level is not known. This study compares the biological performance of PP mesh and a newly developed hADM. 20 rabbits were randomized to receive the hADM graft or the PP mesh. Grafts were surgically implanted in the abdominal wall and vagina. After 180 days, grafts were explanted and evaluated. The vaginal mesh extrusion rate was higher in the PP group (33% vs. 0%, p = 0.015). Full integration of the vaginal grafts was more frequent in the hADM group, where 35% of the grafts were difficult to recognize. In the PP group, the vaginal mesh was identified in 100% of the animals (p = 0.014). In PP group, the infiltrates had a focal distribution and were mostly located in the internal part of the epithelium, while in the hADM group, the infiltrates had a diffuse distribution. Additionally, the hADM group also presented more B-lymphocytes and less T-lymphocytes. Biomechanical analysis showed that hADM had lower resistance to stress. Moreover, PP mesh stiffness and elasticity were higher. Then, hADM is associated with fewer clinical complications, as well as better tissue integration. However, it shows greater incorporation into the surrounding native tissue, especially in the vaginal location, undergoing a reduction in its biomechanical properties 6 months after implantation.
Minimally invasive treatment of cirrhotic secondary hypersplenism with high-intensity focused ultrasound
Authors: Zhang Xiumei , Tang Shilin , Huang Guohua , Xu Zhihong , Feng Caiju , Yan Gaowu , He Suyu
Published: November 2022

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been reported to be a minimally invasive effective method for the treatment of secondary hypersplenism. However, neither the short-term efficacy nor the indications and/or contraindications have been described in patients with cirrhosis. From October 2019 to May 2021, eleven cases of patients with cirrhotic secondary hypersplenism were enrolled. The blood counts, liver function tests and abdominal ultrasound and/or MRI scans of all patients were closely evaluated. Among these 11 patients, eight (72.7%) patients were classified as Child–Pugh A, and the other 3 (27.3%) patients were Child–Pugh B; Five (45%) patients were diagnosed with gallstone, including multiple small stones in 2 patients and single stone in 3 patients. HIFU was performed successfully in all 11 patients. After HIFU, hematologic parameters and liver function were significantly improved in all 11 patients (p < 0.05). The HIFU ablated volume to spleen volume rate was 35–61%. Complications were ecchymosis of the waist in 7 (63.3%) patients, ablated area pain in 3 (27.3%) patients, and choledocholithiasis in 2 (18.2%) patients with multiple small gallstones. All of them recovered smoothly without additional treatment except for 2 patients with choledocholithiasis recovered with risky endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) treatment. This series suggested that HIFU is an effective and safe treatment for cirrhotic secondary hypersplenism in patients classified as Child–Pugh A or B. However, multiple small gallstones could be a relative contraindication for it.
Transcriptomic comparison of primary human lung cells with lung tissue samples and the human A549 lung cell line highlights cell type specific responses during infections with influenza A virus
Authors: Bertrams Wilhelm , Hönzke Katja , Obermayer Benedikt , Tönnies Mario , Bauer Torsten T. , Schneider Paul , Neudecker Jens , Rückert Jens C. , Stiewe Thorsten , Nist Andrea , Eggeling Stephan , Suttorp Norbert , Wolff Thorsten , Hippenstiel Stefan , Schmeck Bernd , Hocke Andreas C.
Published: November 2022

Influenza A virus (IAV) causes pandemics and annual epidemics of severe respiratory infections. A better understanding of the molecular regulation in tissue and cells upon IAV infection is needed to thoroughly understand pathogenesis. We analyzed IAV replication and gene expression induced by IAV strain H3N2 Panama in isolated primary human alveolar epithelial type II cells (AECIIs), the permanent A549 adenocarcinoma cell line, alveolar macrophages (AMs) and explanted human lung tissue by bulk RNA sequencing. Primary AECII exhibit in comparison to AM a broad set of strongly induced genes related to RIG-I and interferon (IFN) signaling. The response of AECII was partly mirrored in A549 cells. In human lung tissue, we observed induction of genes unlike in isolated cells. Viral RNA was used to correlate host cell gene expression changes with viral burden. While relative induction of key genes was similar, gene abundance was highest in AECII cells and AM, while weaker in the human lung (due to less IAV replication) and A549 cells (pointing to their limited suitability as a model). Correlation of host gene induction with viral burden allows a better understanding of the cell-type specific induction of pathways and a possible role of cellular crosstalk requiring intact tissue.
Comparison of a pre-bariatric surgery very low-calorie ketogenic diet and the Mediterranean diet effects on weight loss, metabolic parameters, and liver size reduction
Authors: Erdem Nihal Zekiye , Ozelgun Demet , Taskin Halit Eren , Avsar Fatih Mehmet
Published: November 2022

This study compared the effects on weight as well as on metabolic parameters and liver size of a very low-calorie ketogenic diet versus a Mediterranean diet in patients with morbid obesity preparing to undergo bariatric surgery. This prospective comparison study evaluated patients 18–65 years of age who enrolled for bariatric surgery. Study duration was limited to an immediate preoperative period of 15 days. The very low-calorie ketogenic diet incorporated 10–12 kcal/kg/day of energy and 1–1.2 g/kg of protein using Kalibra (Societa Dietetica Medica) (VLCKD-SDM). The Mediterranean diet (MD) included 15–20% protein, 45–50% carbohydrate, and 25–35% fat. Changes in body mass index (BMI), liver size, and anthropometric and metabolic measurements were assessed. Between January 2016 and March 2017, of 45 patients enrolled, 30 completed the study (VLCKD-SDM, n = 15; MD, n = 15). Respective median BMI loss after VLCKD-SDM was 2.7 kg/m2 versus MD 1.4 kg/m2 (p < 0.05); median fat percentage reduction was 3.2 units versus 1.7 units (p < 0.05). Median liver size decreased 5.5% in the VLCKD-SDM group versus 1.7% in the MD group (p < 0.05). Median total cholesterol, and LDL levels decreased in both groups (p < 0.05), with greater relative decreases in the VLCKD-SDM group. Short-term preoperative diet-based weight loss in patients with morbid obesity preparing for bariatric surgery was significantly greater following a very low-calorie ketogenic diet versus a Mediterranean diet. The very low-calorie diet also significantly improved anthropometric and metabolic parameters and reduced preoperative liver size above that of the MD.
Confounding effects of heart rate, breathing rate, and frontal fNIRS on interoception
Authors: Candia-Rivera Diego , Sappia M. Sofía , Horschig Jörn M. , Colier Willy N. J. M. , Valenza Gaetano
Published: November 2022

Recent studies have established that cardiac and respiratory phases can modulate perception and related neural dynamics. While heart rate and respiratory sinus arrhythmia possibly affect interoception biomarkers, such as heartbeat-evoked potentials, the relative changes in heart rate and cardiorespiratory dynamics in interoceptive processes have not yet been investigated. In this study, we investigated the variation in heart and breathing rates, as well as higher functional dynamics including cardiorespiratory correlation and frontal hemodynamics measured with fNIRS, during a heartbeat counting task. To further investigate the functional physiology linked to changes in vagal activity caused by specific breathing rates, we performed the heartbeat counting task together with a controlled breathing rate task. The results demonstrate that focusing on heartbeats decreases breathing and heart rates in comparison, which may be part of the physiological mechanisms related to “listening” to the heart, the focus of attention, and self-awareness. Focusing on heartbeats was also observed to increase frontal connectivity, supporting the role of frontal structures in the neural monitoring of visceral inputs. However, cardiorespiratory correlation is affected by both heartbeats counting and controlled breathing tasks. Based on these results, we concluded that variations in heart and breathing rates are confounding factors in the assessment of interoceptive abilities and relative fluctuations in breathing and heart rates should be considered to be a mode of covariate measurement of interoceptive processes.
Fibrin glue does not promote migration and proliferation of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells in collagenic membranes: an in vitro study
Authors: Migliorini Filippo , Prinz Julia , Eschweiler Jörg , Schenker Hanno , Weber Christian , Maffulli Nicola , Lecouturier Sophie , Hildebrand Frank , Greven Johannes
Published: November 2022

During Autologous Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis (AMIC), the membrane is often glued into the chondral defect. However, whether fibrin glue influences cells proliferation and migration remain unclear. This study evaluated the impact of fibrin glue addition to biologic membranes loaded with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (B-MSCs). A porcine derived collagen membrane (Cartimaix, Matricel GmbH, Germany) was used. B-MSCs were harvested from three different unrelated donors. The membranes were embedded in mounting medium with DAPI (ABCAM, Cambridge, UK) and analysed at 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 6-, and at 8-week follow-up. The DAPI ties the DNA of the cell nucleus, emitting blue fluorescence. DAPI/nuclei signals were analysed with fluorescence microscopy at 100-fold magnification. The group without fibrin glue demonstrated greater migration of the B-MSCs within the membrane at week 4 (P < 0.001), 6 (P < 0.001), and 8 (P < 0.001). No difference was found at week 1, 2, and 3. The group without fibrin glue demonstrated greater proliferation of B-MSCs within the membrane. These differences were significant at week 1 (P = 0.02), 2 (P = 0.008), 3 (P = 0.0009), 4 (P < 0.0001), 6 (P < 0.0001), 8 (P < 0.0001). Concluding, in the present setting, the use of fibrin in a collagenic biomembrane impairs B-MSCs proliferation and migration in vitro.
Inter-individual variability in mechanical pain sensation in patients with cervicogenic headache: an explorative study
Authors: Mingels Sarah , Dankaerts Wim , Bruckers Liesbeth , Granitzer Marita
Published: November 2022

Currently, evidence for effective physiotherapy interventions in patients with cervicogenic headache (CeH) is inconsistent. Although inter-individual variability in pain response is predictive for successful physiotherapy interventions, it was never explored in patients with CeH. Therefore the objective of the current study was to explore inter-individual variability in mechanical pain sensation, and its association with biopsychosocial-lifestyle (BPSL) characteristics in patients with CeH. A cross-sectional explorative analysis of inter-individual variability in mechanical pain sensation in 18 participants with CeH (29–51 years) was conducted.Inter-individual variability in mechanical pain sensation(standard deviations (SDs), F-statistics, Measurement System Analysis) was deducted from bilateral pressure pain thresholds of the suboccipitals, erector spine, tibialis anterior.BPSL-characteristicsdepression, anxiety, stress (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21), quality of life (Headache Impact Test-6), sleep-quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), and sedentary time (hours/week) were questioned. Inter-individual variability in mechanical pain sensation explained 69.2% (suboccipital left), 86.8% (suboccipital right), 94.6% (erector spine left), 93.2% (erector spine right), 91.7% (tibialis anterior left), and 82% (tibialis anterior right) of the total variability in patients with CeH. The significant p-values and large F-statistic values indicate inter-individual differences in SDs. Significant associations between (1) lower quality of life and lower SDs of the suboccipital left PPT (p.005), and (2) longer sedentary time and higher SDs of the suboccipital left PPT (p.001) were observed. Results from our explorative study could suggest inter-individual variability in mechanical pain sensation at the left suboccipitals which associates with quality of life and sedentary time. These novel findings should be considered when phenotyping patients and ‘individually’ match interventions.
Essential oils block cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2 delta variant
Authors: Torres Neto Luiz , Monteiro Maria Lúcia Guerra , Fernández-Romero José , Teleshova Natalia , Sailer James , Conte Junior Carlos Adam
Published: November 2022

Aiming to fill a gap in the literature, we aimed to identify the most promising EOs blocking in vitro cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2 delta variant without conferring human cytotoxicity and provide insights into the influence of their composition on these activities. Twelve EOs were characterized by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The antiviral and cytotoxicity activities were determined using the cell-based pseudoviral entry with SARS-CoV-2 delta pseudovirus and the XTT assay in HeLa cells expressing human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (HeLa ACE-2), respectively.Syzygium aromaticum,Cymbopogon citratus,Citrus limon,Pelargonium graveolens,Origanum vulgare, “Illicium verum”, andMatricaria recutitashowed EC50lowered or close to 1 µg/mL but also the lowest CC50(0.20–1.70 µg/mL), except “I. verum” (30.00 µg/mL). Among these, “I. verum”,C. limon,P. graveolensandS. aromaticumproved to be promising alternatives for SARS-CoV-2 delta variant inhibition (therapeutic index above 4), which possibly was related to the compounds (E)-anetole, limonene and beta-pinene, citronellol, and eugenol, respectively.
Prussian blue/RGO with less coordinated water as superior cathode material for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Yang Dezhi , Xu Jing , Liao Xiao-Zhen , Wang Hong , He Yu-Shi , Ma Zi-Feng
Published: November 2022

Prussian blue with less coordinated water was obtained by heating a graphene oxide–PB composite. The product material delivered super-high electrochemical performances with sufficient redox reactions of Fe sites as a cathode in sodium ion batteries.
Electrochemical sulfinylation of phenols with sulfides: a metal- and oxidant-free cross-coupling for the synthesis of aromatic sulfoxides
Authors: Kumar Rakesh , Taily Irshad Maajid , Banerjee Prabal
Published: November 2022

Electrochemical site-selective sulfinylation of phenol.
An electrocatalytic three-component reaction for the synthesis of phosphoroselenoates
Authors: Zhang Chi , Zhou Yaqin , Zhao Zhiheng , Xue Wei , Gu Lijun
Published: November 2022

Phosphoroselenoates are important organic molecules because they have found widespread applications in many fields.
N-Allylbenzimidazole as a strategic surrogate in Rh-catalyzed stereoselective trans-propenylation of aryl C(sp2)–H bond
Authors: Biswal Pragati , Nanda Tanmayee , Banjare Shyam Kumar , Mohanty Smruti Ranjan , Mishra Ranjit , Ravikumar Ponneri C.
Published: November 2022

A Rh-catalyzed C(sp2)–H propenylation has been reported by using N-allyl benzimidazole as an allylamine congener.
Enhanced stability of sub-nanometric iridium decorated graphitic carbon nitride for H2 production upon hydrous hydrazine decomposition
Authors: Bellomi Silvio , Barlocco Ilaria , Chen Xiaowei , Delgado Juan J. , Arrigo Rosa , Dimitratos Nikolaos , Roldan Alberto , Villa Alberto
Published: November 2022

A combination of computational and experimental studies demonstrates that g-CN is able to stabilize subnanometric Ir particles during the production of H2 from hydrous hydrazine.
Large-fused-ring-based D–A type electrochromic polymer with magenta/yellowish green/cyan three-color transitions
Authors: Ming Shouli , Zhang Yuling , Lin Kaiwen , Zhao Jinsheng , Zhang Yan
Published: November 2022

Large-fused-ring-based conjugated polymers possess wide application prospects in optoelectronic devices due to their high charge transport and wide optical absorption.
Tailored modifications of the electronic properties of g-C3N4/C2N-h2D nanoribbons by first-principles calculations
Authors: Fan Dong , Yin Maoye , Zhu Minghui , Li Hengshuai , Wang Zhihao , Hu Haiquan , Guo Feng , Feng Zhenbao , Li Jun , Hu Xiaocheng , Zhang Dong , Li Zhi
Published: November 2022

The electronic structure of g-C3N4/C2N-h2D nanoribbons was investigated by first-principles calculations.
Predictive stochastic analysis of massive filter-based electrochemical reaction networks
Authors: Barter Daniel , Clark Spotte-Smith Evan Walter , Redkar Nikita S. , Khanwale Aniruddh , Dwaraknath Shyam , Persson Kristin A. , Blau Samuel M.
Published: November 2022

New methods for chemical reaction network construction and analysis enable the discovery of novel products and mechanisms in battery electrochemistry.
Templating metallocycles with a macrocycle: synthesis, structures and magnetic studies of {Cr11M2} complexes
Authors: Alotaibi Rajeh , Brookfield Adam , Fowler Jonathan M. , Whitehead George F. S. , Lockyer Selena J. , Timco Grigore A. , Collison David , Schnack Jürgen , Winpenny Richard E. P.
Published: November 2022

Two new metal rings are reported, grown around a [M(cyclen)]2+ macrocyclic complex (M = ZnII or CuII, cyclen = 1,4,7,10-tetrazacyclododecane).
Twisted grain boundary leads to high thermoelectric performance in tellurium crystals
Authors: Abbey Stanley , Jang Hanhwi , Frimpong Brakowaa , Kumar Naveen , Nam Woo Hyun , Nguyen Van Quang , Park Jong Ho , Nguyen Chien Viet , Shin Hosun , Song Jae Yong , Park Su-Dong , Cho Sunglae , Bera Chandan , Kang Jaimin , Park Byong-Guk , Malki Muath Al , Snyder G. Jeffrey , Jung Yeon Sik , Hong Ki-Ha , Oh Min-Wook
Published: November 2022

A twisted grain boundary is introduced in the tellurium crystal to effectively block phonon propagation while maintaining high electron mobility for superior thermoelectric properties.
The formation of a lithium–iridium complex hydride toward ammonia synthesis
Authors: Yan Hanxue , Gao Wenbo , Wang Qianru , Guo Jianping , Chen Ping
Published: November 2022

Ir, generally considered inactive for nitrogen fixation, can catalyze ammonia formation at much enhanced reaction rates by compositing with LiH.
Acylation of phenols to phenolic esters with organic salts
Authors: Zhang Zhanrong , Zhao Ziwei , Liu Mingyang , Liu Huizhen , Li Qian , Xiang Junfeng , Wu Tianbin , Han Buxing
Published: November 2022

SelectiveO-acylation of phenols with organic salts as acylating reagents are achieved under room temperature in air.
A microfluidic finger-actuated blood lysate preparation device enabled by rapid acoustofluidic mixing
Authors: Haque Md Ehtashamul , Conde Alvaro J. , MacPherson William N. , Knight Stephen R. , Carter Richard M. , Kersaudy-Kerhoas Maïwenn
Published: November 2022

An integrated finger-actuated device utilising an acoustofluidic mixer, allows for the preparation of a filtered blood lysate from in under 3 minutes and without any pipetting.
Expanding the structure–activity relationships of alkynyl diphenylurea scaffold as promising antibacterial agents
Authors: Nour El-Din Hanzada T. , Elsebaie Mohamed M. , Abutaleb Nader S. , Kotb Ahmed M. , Attia Ahmed S. , Seleem Mohamed N. , Mayhoub Abdelrahman S.
Published: November 2022

With the continuous and alarming threat of exhausting the current antimicrobial arsenals, efforts are urgently needed to develop new effective ones.