bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evangelical attitudes toward Syrian refugees: are evangelicals distinctive in their opposition to Syrian refugees to the United States?
Authors: Roy Oindrila
Published: August 2023

This study analyzes a potential source of immigration policy by comparing attitudes toward Syrian refugees across different religious traditions in the United States. The analysis focuses on the puzzling case of evangelical public opinion, where the views of lay evangelicals showed a contrast with the pro-refugee stance of the church leadership. The current analysis examines the sources of evangelical public opinion by scrutinizing the mediating effects of Muslim stereotypes. The findings from a series of regression analyses using the ANES dataset (2016) suggest that while evangelicals are not distinctive in their opposition to Syrian refugees, they are unique in holding significantly high levels of Muslim stereotypes, which makes them more opposed to allowing refugees from Syria. Additionally, interesting differences in attitudes emerge within the evangelical community, thereby cautioning against generalizing the divide between church leadership and laity. Finally, measures of religiosity demonstrate significant effects on attitudes across religious traditions.
Long‐Term Changes in Concentration and Yield of Riverine Dissolved Silicon From the Poles to the Tropics
Authors: Jankowski Kathi Jo , Johnson Keira , Sethna Lienne , Julian Paul , Wymore Adam S. , Shogren Arial J. , Thomas Patrick K. , Sullivan Pamela L. , McKnight Diane M. , McDowell William H. , Heindel Ruth , Jones Jeremy B. , Wollheim Wilfred , Abbott Benjamin , Deegan Linda , Carey Joanna C.
Published: August 2023

Riverine exports of silicon (Si) influence global carbon cycling through the growth of marine diatoms, which account for ∼25% of global primary production. Climate change will likely alter river Si exports in biome‐specific ways due to interacting shifts in chemical weathering rates, hydrologic connectivity, and metabolic processes in aquatic and terrestrial systems. Nonetheless, factors driving long‐term changes in Si exports remain unexplored at local, regional, and global scales. We evaluated how concentrations and yields of dissolved Si (DSi) changed over the last several decades of rapid climate warming using long‐term data sets from 60 rivers and streams spanning the globe (e.g., Antarctic, tropical, temperate, boreal, alpine, Arctic systems). We show that widespread changes in river DSi concentration and yield have occurred, with the most substantial shifts occurring in alpine and polar regions. The magnitude and direction of trends varied within and among biomes, were most strongly associated with differences in land cover, and were often independent of changes in river discharge. These findings indicate that there are likely diverse mechanisms driving change in river Si biogeochemistry that span the land‐water interface, which may include glacial melt, changes in terrestrial vegetation, and river productivity. Finally, trends were often stronger in months outside of the growing season, particularly in temperate and boreal systems, demonstrating a potentially important role of shifting seasonality for the flux of Si from rivers. Our results have implications for the timing and magnitude of silica processing in rivers and its delivery to global oceans.
Retrieval of Monsoon Landslide Timings With Sentinel‐1 Reveals the Effects of Earthquakes and Extreme Rainfall
Authors: Burrows K. , Marc O. , Andermann C.
Published: August 2023

Monsoon rainfall triggers hundreds of landslides across Nepal every year, causing significant hazard and mass wasting. Annual inventories of these landslides have been mapped using multi‐spectral satellite images, but these images are obscured by cloud cover during the monsoon, making it impossible to use them to constrain landslide timing. We employ recently developed techniques to derive individual timings from Sentinel‐1 for 579 landslides in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019 in Nepal. We use this new timing information alongside satellite rainfall data to identify spatio‐temporal clusters of landslides and associate these with periods of particularly intense rainfall. We also observed that during the 2015 monsoon, many landslides failed earlier and in dryer conditions than in 2017–2019. We use physical models to demonstrate how this requires a temporary loss of hillslope strength following the Mw 7.8 Gorkha Earthquake sequence and suggest a modeled cohesion loss in the range 1–3 kPa.
Transient Deformation Excited by the 2021 M7.4 Maduo (China) Earthquake: Evidence of a Deep Shear Zone
Authors: Jin Zeyu , Fialko Yuri , Yang Hongfeng , Li Yu
Published: August 2023

We use Sentinel‐1 and ALOS‐2 Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data to investigate the mechanisms of coseismic and postseismic deformation due to the 2021 M7.4 Maduo (China) earthquake. We present a refined coseismic slip model constrained by the rupture trace and precisely located aftershocks. The InSAR time series corrected for the atmospheric and decorrelation noise reveal postseismic line of sight displacements up to ∼0.1 m. The displacements are discontinuous along the fault trace, indicating shallow afterslip and velocity‐strengthening friction in the top 2–3 km of the upper crust. The magnitude of shallow afterslip is however insufficient to compensate for the coseismic slip deficit, implying substantial off‐fault yielding. The observed surface deformation does not exhibit obvious features that could be attributed to poroelastic effects. We developed a fully coupled model that accounts for both stress‐driven creep on a deep localized shear zone and viscoelastic relaxation in the bulk of the lower crust. The mid‐ to near‐field data can be reasonably well explained by deep afterslip and/or non‐Maxwellian visco‐elasticity. Our results suggest a power‐law stress exponent of ∼4–4.5 assuming a power‐law rheology, and transient and steady‐state viscosities of 1018 and 1019 Pa s, respectively, assuming a bi‐viscous (Burgers) rheology. However, a good fit to the GNSS data cannot be achieved assuming the bulk viscoelastic relaxation alone, and requires a contribution of deep afterlip and/or a localized shear zone extending through much of the lower crust.
PPP at Low Latitudes With Ionospheric Model Exclusively Based on Single Frequency GNSS Measurements
Authors: Christovam Ana L. , Prol Fabricio S. , Jerez Gabriel O. , Hernández‐Pajares Manuel , Camargo Paulo O.
Published: August 2023

Single frequency users of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) should correct the ionospheric delay to obtain positioning solutions. A valuable source of ionospheric delay corrections is the global ionospheric models (GIMs) of Vertical Total Electron Content. The accuracy of GIMs is therefore important to improve the positioning accuracy. One of the main issues that affects the GIM performance, especially at low latitude regions, is the high sensitivity of the global positioning system (GPS) L2 frequency to ionospheric scintillation. As an attempt to overcome this issue, in this work, we study the capabilities of using only GPS L1 frequency to compute ionospheric corrections in form of regional ionospheric maps. The performance of the new ionospheric model is evaluated by means of single frequency precise point positioning, comparing the positioning results against the correction using dual‐frequency GPS signals, as well as compared to the corrections provided by GIMs produced by the international GNSS service. As a result, the positioning performance using single frequency model presented similar accuracy to the dual frequency models and, at the same time, provided less observations affected by ionospheric scintillations. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using single frequency GNSS data to develop ionospheric models and to improve the positioning over low latitudes.
Anti-angiogenic therapy using the multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor Regorafenib enhances tumor progression in a transgenic mouse model of ß-cell carcinogenesis
Authors: Egidi Maren Juliane , Krug Sebastian , Haybaeck Johannes , Michl Patrick , Griesmann Heidi
Published: August 2023

Background

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) represent a distinct hypervascularized tumor entity, often diagnosed at metastatic stage. Therapeutic efficacy of anti-angiogenic multi-kinase inhibitors is frequently limited by primary or acquired resistance in vivo. This study aimed to characterize the molecular mode of action as well as resistance mechanisms to the anti-angiogenic multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) Regorafenib in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

In vitro, human and murine pancreatic neuroendocrine cell lines were comparatively treated with Regorafenib and other TKIs clinically used in PNETs. Effects on cell viability and proliferation were analyzed. In vivo, transgenic RIP1Tag2 mice were treated with Regorafenib at two different time periods during carcinogenesis and its impact on angiogenesis and tumor progression was evaluated.

Results

Compared to the established TKI therapies with Sunitinib and Everolimus, Regorafenib showed the strongest effects on cell viability and proliferation in vitro, but was unable to induce apoptosis. Unexpectedly and in contrast to these in vitro findings, Regorafenib enhanced proliferation during early tumor development in RIP1Tag2 mice and had no significant effect in late tumor progression. In addition, invasiveness was increased at both time points. Mechanistically, we could identify an upregulation of the pro-survival protein Bcl-2, the induction of the COX2-PGE2-pathway as well as the infiltration of CSF1R positive immune cells into the tumors as potential resistance mechanisms following Regorafenib treatment.

Discussion

Our data identify important tumor cell-autonomous and stroma-dependent mechanisms of resistance to antiangiogenic therapies.
Autophagy deficiency protects against ocular hypertension and neurodegeneration in experimental and spontaneous glaucoma mouse models
Authors: Dixon Angela , Shim Myoung Sup , Nettesheim April , Coyne Aislyn , Su Chien-Chia , Gong Haiyan , Liton Paloma B.
Published: August 2023

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that leads to chronic degeneration of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons and progressive loss of RGCs, resulting in vision loss. While aging and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) have been identified as the main contributing factors to glaucoma, the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways triggering RGC death and axonal degeneration are not fully understood. Previous studies in our laboratory found that overactivation of autophagy in DBA/2J::GFP-LC3 mice led to RGC death and optic nerve degeneration with glaucomatous IOP elevation. We found similar findings in aging GFP-LC3 mice subjected to chronic IOP elevation. Here, we further investigated the impact of autophagy deficiency on autophagy-deficient DBA/2J-Atg4bko and DBA/2J-Atg4b+/− mice, generated in our laboratory via CRISPR/Cas9 technology; as well as in Atg4bko mice subjected to the experimental TGFβ2 chronic ocular hypertensive model. Our data shows that, in contrast to DBA/2J and DBA/2J-Atg4b+/− littermates, DBA/2J-Atg4bko mice do not develop glaucomatous IOP elevation. Atg4b deficiency also protected against glaucomatous IOP elevation in the experimental TGFβ2 chronic ocular hypertensive model. Atg4 deletion did not compromise RGC or optic nerve survival in Atg4bko mice. Moreover, our results indicate a protective role of autophagy deficiency against RGC death and ON atrophy in the hypertensive DBA/2J-Atg4b+/− mice. Together, our data suggests a pathogenic role of autophagy activation in ocular hypertension and glaucoma.
Cancer-cell-secreted miR-204-5p induces leptin signalling pathway in white adipose tissue to promote cancer-associated cachexia
Authors: Hu Yong , Liu Liu , Chen Yong , Zhang Xiaohui , Zhou Haifeng , Hu Sheng , Li Xu , Li Meixin , Li Juanjuan , Cheng Siyuan , Liu Yong , Xu Yancheng , Yan Wei
Published: August 2023

Cancer-associated cachexia is a multi-organ weight loss syndrome, especially with a wasting disorder of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) serve as emerging messengers to connect primary tumour and metabolic organs to exert systemic regulation. However, whether and how tumour-derived sEVs regulate white adipose tissue (WAT) browning and fat loss is poorly defined. Here, we report breast cancer cell-secreted exosomal miR-204-5p induces hypoxia-inducible factor 1A (HIF1A) in WAT by targeting von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene. Elevated HIF1A protein induces the leptin signalling pathway and thereby enhances lipolysis in WAT. Additionally, exogenous VHL expression blocks the effect of exosomal miR-204-5p on WAT browning. Reduced plasma phosphatidyl ethanolamine level is detected in mice lack of cancer-derived miR-204-5p secretion in vivo. Collectively, our study reveals circulating miR-204-5p induces hypoxia-mediated leptin signalling pathway to promote lipolysis and WAT browning, shedding light on both preventive screenings and early intervention for cancer-associated cachexia.
Recent increases in tropical cyclone rapid intensification events in global offshore regions
Authors: Li Yi , Tang Youmin , Wang Shuai , Toumi Ralf , Song Xiangzhou , Wang Qiang
Published: August 2023

Rapid intensification (RI) is an essential process in the development of strong tropical cyclones and a major challenge in prediction. RI in offshore regions is more threatening to coastal populations and economies. Although much effort has been devoted to studying basin-wide temporal-spatial fluctuations, variations of global RI events in offshore regions remain uncertain. Here, we show that compared with open oceans, where the annual RI counts do not show significant changes, offshore areas within 400 km of the coastline have experienced a significant increase in RI events, with the count tripling from 1980 to 2020. Furthermore, thermodynamic environments present more favorable conditions for this trend, and climate models show that global ocean warming has enhanced such changes. This work yields an important finding that an increasing threat of RI in coastal regions has occurred in the preceding decades, which may continue under a future warming climate.
A universal metasurface antenna to manipulate all fundamental characteristics of electromagnetic waves
Authors: Wu Geng-Bo , Dai Jun Yan , Shum Kam Man , Chan Ka Fai , Cheng Qiang , Cui Tie Jun , Chan Chi Hou
Published: August 2023

Metasurfaces have promising potential to revolutionize a variety of photonic and electronic device technologies. However, metasurfaces that can simultaneously and independently control all electromagnetics (EM) waves’ properties, including amplitude, phase, frequency, polarization, and momentum, with high integrability and programmability, are challenging and have not been successfully attempted. Here, we propose and demonstrate a microwave universal metasurface antenna (UMA) capable of dynamically, simultaneously, independently, and precisely manipulating all the constitutive properties of EM waves in a software-defined manner. Our UMA further facilitates the spatial- and time-varying wave properties, leading to more complicated waveform generation, beamforming, and direct information manipulations. In particular, the UMA can directly generate the modulated waveforms carrying digital information that can fundamentally simplify the architecture of information transmitter systems. The proposed UMA with unparalleled EM wave and information manipulation capabilities will spark a surge of applications from next-generation wireless systems, cognitive sensing, and imaging to quantum optics and quantum information science.
Adoption of climate-resilient groundnut varieties increases agricultural production, consumption, and smallholder commercialization in West Africa
Authors: Tabe-Ojong Martin Paul Jr , Lokossou Jourdain C. , Gebrekidan Bisrat , Affognon Hippolyte D.
Published: August 2023

As part of the climate-smart agriculture approach, the adoption of climate-resilient crop varieties has the potential to build farmers’ climate resilience but could also induce agricultural transformation in developing nations. We investigate the relationship between adoption of climate-resilient groundnut varieties and production, consumption, and smallholder commercialization using panel data from Ghana, Mali, and Nigeria. We find adoption of climate-resilient groundnut varieties to increase smallholder production, consumption, and commercialization. The biggest adoption impact gains are observed under the sustained use of these climate-resilient varieties. We show that adoption benefits all households, but the biggest gains are found among smaller producers, suggesting that adoption is inclusive. Furthermore, we provide suggestive evidence that yield increases could explain commercialization, although household consumption also matters. We conclude that adoption of climate-resilient groundnut varieties can at least partially reduce production constraints and promote smallholder consumption and commercialization, with implications for agricultural transformation.
Circadian clock regulator Bmal1 gates axon regeneration via Tet3 epigenetics in mouse sensory neurons
Authors: Halawani Dalia , Wang Yiqun , Ramakrishnan Aarthi , Estill Molly , He Xijing , Shen Li , Friedel Roland H. , Zou Hongyan
Published: August 2023

Axon regeneration of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons after peripheral axotomy involves reconfiguration of gene regulatory circuits to establish regenerative gene programs. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, through an unbiased survey, we show that the binding motif of Bmal1, a central transcription factor of the circadian clock, is enriched in differentially hydroxymethylated regions (DhMRs) of mouse DRG after peripheral lesion. By applying conditional deletion of Bmal1 in neurons, in vitro and in vivo neurite outgrowth assays, as well as transcriptomic profiling, we demonstrate that Bmal1 inhibits axon regeneration, in part through a functional link with the epigenetic factor Tet3. Mechanistically, we reveal that Bmal1 acts as a gatekeeper of neuroepigenetic responses to axonal injury by limiting Tet3 expression and restricting 5hmC modifications. Bmal1-regulated genes not only concern axon growth, but also stress responses and energy homeostasis. Furthermore, we uncover an epigenetic rhythm of diurnal oscillation of Tet3 and 5hmC levels in DRG neurons, corresponding to time-of-day effect on axon growth potential. Collectively, our studies demonstrate that targeting Bmal1 enhances axon regeneration.
Immunotherapy targeting different immune compartments in combination with radiation therapy induces regression of resistant tumors
Authors: Rudqvist Nils-Petter , Charpentier Maud , Lhuillier Claire , Wennerberg Erik , Spada Sheila , Sheridan Caroline , Zhou Xi Kathy , Zhang Tuo , Formenti Silvia C. , Sims Jennifer S. , Alonso Alicia , Demaria Sandra
Published: August 2023

Radiation therapy (RT) increases tumor response to CTLA-4 inhibition (CTLA4i) in mice and in some patients, yet deep responses are rare. To identify rational combinations of immunotherapy to improve responses we use models of triple negative breast cancer highly resistant to immunotherapy in female mice. We find that CTLA4i promotes the expansion of CD4+ T helper cells, whereas RT enhances T cell clonality and enriches for CD8+ T cells with an exhausted phenotype. Combination therapy decreases regulatory CD4+ T cells and increases effector memory, early activation and precursor exhausted CD8+ T cells. A combined gene signature comprising these three CD8+ T cell clusters is associated with survival in patients. Here we show that targeting additional immune checkpoints expressed by intratumoral T cells, including PD1, is not effective, whereas CD40 agonist therapy recruits resistant tumors into responding to the combination of RT and CTLA4i, indicating the need to target different immune compartments.
Astroglial exosome HepaCAM signaling and ApoE antagonization coordinates early postnatal cortical pyramidal neuronal axon growth and dendritic spine formation
Authors: Jin Shijie , Chen Xuan , Tian Yang , Jarvis Rachel , Promes Vanessa , Yang Yongjie
Published: August 2023

Developing astroglia play important roles in regulating synaptogenesis through secreted and contact signals. Whether they regulate postnatal axon growth is unknown. By selectively isolating exosomes using size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and employing cell-type specific exosome reporter mice, our current results define a secreted astroglial exosome pathway that can spread long-range in vivo and stimulate axon growth of cortical pyramidal neurons. Subsequent biochemical and genetic studies found that surface expression of glial HepaCAM protein essentially and sufficiently mediates the axon-stimulating effect of astroglial exosomes. Interestingly, apolipoprotein E (ApoE), a major astroglia-secreted cholesterol carrier to promote synaptogenesis, strongly inhibits the stimulatory effect of astroglial exosomes on axon growth. Developmental ApoE deficiency also significantly reduces spine density of cortical pyramidal neurons. Together, our study suggests a surface contact mechanism of astroglial exosomes in regulating axon growth and its antagonization by ApoE, which collectively coordinates early postnatal pyramidal neuronal axon growth and dendritic spine formation.
Downregulation of chemokine receptor 9 facilitates CD4+CD8αα+ intraepithelial lymphocyte development
Authors: Ono Keiko , Sujino Tomohisa , Miyamoto Kentaro , Harada Yosuke , Kojo Satoshi , Yoshimatsu Yusuke , Tanemoto Shun , Koda Yuzo , Zheng Jiawen , Sayama Kazutoshi , Koide Tsuyoshi , Teratani Toshiaki , Mikami Yohei , Takabayashi Kaoru , Nakamoto Nobuhiro , Hosoe Naoki , London Mariya , Ogata Haruhiko , Mucida Daniel , Taniuchi Ichiro , Kanai Takanori
Published: August 2023

Intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) reside in the gut epithelial layer, where they help in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. Peripheral CD4+ T cells can develop into CD4+CD8αα+ IELs upon arrival at the gut epithelium via the lamina propria (LP). Although this specific differentiation of T cells is well established, the mechanisms preventing it from occurring in the LP remain unclear. Here, we show that chemokine receptor 9 (CCR9) expression is low in epithelial CD4+CD8αα+ IELs, but CCR9 deficiency results in CD4+CD8αα+ over-differentiation in both the epithelium and the LP. Single-cell RNA sequencing shows an enriched precursor cell cluster for CD4+CD8αα+ IELs in Ccr9−/− mice. CD4+ T cells isolated from the epithelium of Ccr9−/− mice also display increased expression of Cbfβ2, and the genomic occupancy modification of Cbfβ2 expression reveals its important function in CD4+CD8αα+ differentiation. These results implicate a link between CCR9 downregulation and Cbfb2 splicing upregulation to enhance CD4+CD8αα+ IEL differentiation.
Radiation damage by extensive local water ionization from two-step electron-transfer-mediated decay of solvated ions
Authors: Gopakumar G. , Unger I. , Slavíček P. , Hergenhahn U. , Öhrwall G. , Malerz S. , Céolin D. , Trinter F. , Winter B. , Wilkinson I. , Caleman C. , Muchová E. , Björneholm O.
Published: August 2023

Biomolecular radiation damage is largely mediated by radicals and low-energy electrons formed by water ionization rather than by direct ionization of biomolecules. It was speculated that such an extensive, localized water ionization can be caused by ultrafast processes following excitation by core-level ionization of hydrated metal ions. In this model, ions relax via a cascade of local Auger–Meitner and, importantly, non-local charge- and energy-transfer processes involving the water environment. Here, we experimentally and theoretically show that, for solvated paradigmatic intermediate-mass Al3+ ions, electronic relaxation involves two sequential solute–solvent electron transfer-mediated decay processes. The electron transfer-mediated decay steps correspond to sequential relaxation from Al5+ to Al3+ accompanied by formation of four ionized water molecules and two low-energy electrons. Such charge multiplication and the generated highly reactive species are expected to initiate cascades of radical reactions.
Outflows from the youngest stars are mostly molecular
Authors: Ray T. P. , McCaughrean M. J. , Caratti o Garatti A. , Kavanagh P. J. , Justtanont K. , van Dishoeck E. F. , Reitsma M. , Beuther H. , Francis L. , Gieser C. , Klaassen P. , Perotti G. , Tychoniec L. , van Gelder M. , Colina L. , Greve Th. R. , Güdel M. , Henning Th. , Lagage P. O. , Östlin G. , Vandenbussche B. , Waelkens C. , Wright G.
Published: August 2023

The formation of stars and planets is accompanied not only by the build-up of matter, namely accretion, but also by its expulsion in the form of highly supersonic jets that can stretch for several parsecs1,2. As accretion and jet activity are correlated and because young stars acquire most of their mass rapidly early on, the most powerful jets are associated with the youngest protostars3. This period, however, coincides with the time when the protostar and its surroundings are hidden behind many magnitudes of visual extinction. Millimetre interferometers can probe this stage but only for the coolest components3. No information is provided on the hottest (greater than 1,000 K) constituents of the jet, that is, the atomic, ionized and high-temperature molecular gases that are thought to make up the jet’s backbone. Detecting such a spine relies on observing in the infrared that can penetrate through the shroud of dust. Here we report near-infrared observations of Herbig-Haro 211 from the James Webb Space Telescope, an outflow from an analogue of our Sun when it was, at most, a few times 104 years old. These observations reveal copious emission from hot molecules, explaining the origin of the ‘green fuzzies’4–7 discovered nearly two decades ago by the Spitzer Space Telescope8. This outflow is found to be propagating slowly in comparison to its more evolved counterparts and, surprisingly, almost no trace of atomic or ionized emission is seen, suggesting its spine is almost purely molecular.
A framework for Li-ion battery prognosis based on hybrid Bayesian physics-informed neural networks
Authors: Nascimento Renato G. , Viana Felipe A. C. , Corbetta Matteo , Kulkarni Chetan S.
Published: August 2023

Li-ion batteries are the main power source used in electric propulsion applications (e.g., electric cars, unmanned aerial vehicles, and advanced air mobility aircraft). Analytics-based monitoring and forecasting for metrics such as state of charge and state of health based on battery-specific usage data are critical to ensure high reliability levels. However, the complex electrochemistry that governs battery operation leads to computationally expensive physics-based models; which become unsuitable for prognosis and health management applications. We propose a hybrid physics-informed machine learning approach that simulates dynamical responses by directly implementing numerical integration of principle-based governing equations through recurrent neural networks. While reduced-order models describe part of the voltage discharge under constant or variable loading conditions, model-form uncertainty is captured through multi-layer perceptrons and battery-to-battery aleatory uncertainty is modeled through variational multi-layer perceptrons. In addition, we use a Bayesian approach to merge fleet-wide data in the form of priors with battery-specific discharge cycles, where the battery capacity is fully available or only partially available. We illustrate the effectiveness of our proposed framework using the NASA Prognostics Data Repository Battery dataset, which contains experimental discharge data on Li-ion batteries obtained in a controlled environment.
Assessing children’s potential exposures to harmful metals in tire crumb rubber by accelerated photodegradation weathering
Authors: Winz Robyn , Yu Lee L. , Sung Li-Piin , Tong YuYe J. , Chen Dejun
Published: August 2023

Whether a tire crumb rubber (TCR) playground would expose children to potentially harmful chemicals such as heavy metals is an open question. The released metals available for pickup on the surface of TCR tiles was studied by accelerated 2-year aging of the TCRs in the NIST-SPHERE (National Institute of Standards and Technology Simulated Photodegradation via High Energy Radiant Exposure). The dermal contact was mimicked by a method of composite surface wiping from US Environmental Protection Agency throughout the weathering process. The surface release of ten most concerned harmful metals (Be, Cr, Cu, As, Se, Cd, Sb, Ba, Tl, Pb) was monitored through the course of aging. The cumulative release of Cu, As, Tl, and Sb reached potentially harmful levels at various times within 3 years, although only Cr was found at a harmful level on the surface of the tiles. Taking the cleansing effect of precipitation or periodic cleansing with rain into account, TCR playgrounds may still be safe for use.
Physiological and biochemical alterations in Vigna rdiate L. triggered by sesame derived elicitors as defense mechanism against Rhizoctonia and Macrophomina infestation
Authors: Kalaivani Kandaswamy , Senthil-Nathan Sengottayan , Stanley‑Raja Vethamonickam , Vasantha-Srinivasan Prabhakaran
Published: August 2023

Improving agricultural products by the stimulation of plant growth and defense mechanisms by priming with plant extracts is needed to attain sustainability in agriculture. This study focused to consider the possible improvement in Vigna radiata L. seed germination rate, plant growth, and protection against the natural stress by increasing the defense mechanisms through the incorporation of Sesamum indicum phytochemical compounds with pre-sowing seed treatment technologies. The gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) analysis revealed that the methanol extract of S. indicum leaf extract contained eight major bioactive compounds, namely, 2-ethylacridine (8.24%), tert-butyl (5-isopropyl-2-methylphenoxy) dimethylsilane (13.25%), tris(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy) arsane (10.66%), 1,1,1,3,5,5,5-heptamethyltrisiloxane (18.50%), acetamide, N-[4-(trimethylsilyl) phenyl (19.97%), 3,3-diisopropoxy-1,1,1,5,5,5-hexamethyltrisiloxane (6.78%), silicic acid, diethyl bis(trimethylsilyl) ester (17.71%) and cylotrisiloxane, hexamethyl-(4.89%). The V. radiata seeds were treated with sesame leaf extract seeds at concentrations 0, 10, 25, 50, and 100 mg/L. Sesame leaf extract at 50 and 100 mg/L concentrations was effective in increasing the germination percentage and the fresh and dry weights of roots and shoots. The increased peroxidase activity was noticed after treatment with S. indicum extract. In addition, disease percentage (< 60%) of both fungal pathogens (Rhizoctonia and Macrophomina) was significantly reduced in V. radiata plants treated with 100 mg/L of sesame leaf extract. These results revealed that physiochemical components present in S. indicum mature leaf extract significantly enhanced growth and defense mechanism in green gram plants.
Line-field confocal optical coherence tomography coupled with artificial intelligence algorithms to identify quantitative biomarkers of facial skin ageing
Authors: Bonnier Franck , Pedrazzani Mélanie , Fischman Sébastien , Viel Théo , Lavoix Agnes , Pegoud Didier , Nili Meryem , Jimenez Yolande , Ralambondrainy Samuel , Cauchard Jean-Hubert , Korichi Rodolphe
Published: August 2023

Quantitative biomarkers of facial skin ageing were studied from one hundred healthy Caucasian female volunteers, aged 20–70 years, using in vivo 3D Line-field Confocal Optical Coherence Tomography (LC-OCT) imaging coupled with Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based quantification algorithms. Layer metrics, i.e. stratum corneum thickness (SC), viable epidermal thickness and Dermal–Epidermal Junction (DEJ) undulation, as well as cellular metrics were measured for the temple, cheekbone and mandible. For all three investigated facial areas, minimal age-related variations were observed in the thickness of the SC and viable epidermis layers. A flatter and more homogeneous epidermis (decrease in the standard deviation of the number of layers means), a less dense cellular network with fewer cells per layer (decrease in cell surface density), and larger and more heterogeneous nuclei within each layer (increase in nuclei volume and their standard deviation) were found with significant variations with age. The higher atypia scores further reflected the heterogeneity of nuclei throughout the viable epidermis. The 3D visualisation of fine structures in the skin at the micrometric resolution and the 1200 µm × 500 µm field of view achieved with LC-OCT imaging enabled to compute relevant quantitative biomarkers for a better understanding of skin biology and the ageing process in vivo.
Feasibility and safety of non-contrast optical coherence tomography imaging using hydroxyethyl starch in coronary arteries
Authors: Kang Dong Oh , Nam Hyeong Soo , Kim Sunwon , Yoo Hongki , Kim Jin Won
Published: August 2023

Intracoronary optical coherence tomography (OCT) requires injection of flushing media for image acquisition. Alternative flushing media needs to be investigated to reduce the risk of contrast-induced renal dysfunction. We investigated the feasibility and safety of pentastarch (hydroxyethyl starch) for clinical OCT imaging. We prospectively enrolled 43 patients with 70 coronary lesions (46-stented; 24-native). Total 81 OCT pullback pairs were obtained by manual injection of iodine contrast, followed by pentastarch. Each pullback was assessed frame-by-frame using an automated customized lumen contour/stent strut segmentation algorithm. Paired images were compared for the clear image segments (CIS), blood-flushing capability, and quantitative morphometric measurements. Overall image quality, as assessed by the proportion of CIS, was comparable between the contrast- and pentastarch-flushed images (97.1% vs. 96.5%; p = 0.160). The pixel-based blood-flushing capability was similar between the groups (0.951 [0.947–0.953] vs. 0.950 [0.948–0.952], p = 0.125). Quantitative two- and three-dimensional morphometric measurements of the paired images correlated well (p < 0.001) with excellent inter-measurement variability. All patients safely underwent OCT imaging using pentastarch without resulting in clinically relevant complications or renal deterioration. Non-contrast OCT imaging using pentastarch is clinically safe and technically feasible with excellent image quality and could be a promising alternative strategy for patients at high risk of renal impairment.
Ultrasound-guided nerve hydrodissection of cervical nerve roots for cervical radicular pain in patients with mild and moderate to severe stenosis: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lin Chang-Hao , Yen Yun-Shan , Wu Cheng-Yi
Published: August 2023

Because fascial entrapment neuropathy can occur in multiple locations, ultrasound-guided nerve hydrodissection has become a key component of the treatment of cervical radicular pain. In this paper, we propose a combination of injectates used for nerve hydrodissection of the cervical nerve roots and compare the clinical outcomes of this treatment among patients with different severities of stenosis. This is a retrospective cohort study designed to compare outcomes between patients with mild stenosis and moderate to severe stenosis. Forty-four patients with mild cervical stenosis and 30 patients with moderate to severe cervical stenosis were consecutively enrolled into two groups. A 10-mL mixture in a single level consisting of 5% in Dextrose, 0.2% lidocaine (Xylocaine), and 4 mg betamethasone (Rinderon) was used for nerve roots hydrodissection. The two groups were compared with regard to their numeric rating scales (NRS) of pain, proportion of patients who exhibited a favorable outcome (a reduction of pain ≥ 50%), duration of patient exhibited a favorable outcome, and occurrence of serious complications and minor side effects. The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 20 months. The NRS of both groups improved significantly by 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and final follow-up after the initial injection. Differences in the groups’ NRS, proportion of patients who exhibited a favorable outcome, duration of patient exhibited a favorable outcome, and occurrence of serious complications and minor side effects were nonsignificant. There were 4 patients (5.4%) experienced dizziness in that resolved without further treatment. Ultrasound-guided nerve hydrodissection of cervical nerve roots is a safe procedure that reduces pain associated with cervical radicular pain, even in patients with moderate to severe stenosis.
Trends and projection of incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years of HIV in the Middle East and North Africa (1990–2030)
Authors: Khorrami Zahra , Balooch Hasankhani Mohammadreza , Khezri Mehrdad , Jafari-Khounigh Ali , Jahani Yones , Sharifi Hamid
Published: August 2023

Evidence shows a growing trend of the HIV epidemic in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). We aimed to project the incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) in the region from 1990 to 2019 and assess its trend by 2025, and 2030. We extracted the HIV incidence, mortality, and DALY data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) and UNAIDS databases. The joinpoint regression model was used to examine changes in HIV trends. The trend changes were estimated by average annual percent change (AAPC). In most countries, an increasing trend was observed in HIV incidence, mortality, and DALY. Specifically, the highest growth in the annual incidence rate was related to Egypt (AAPC = 14.4, GBD) and Iran (AAPC = 9.6, UNAIDS). Notably, Qatar (AAPC = − 5.6, GBD), Bahrain (AAPC = − 3.3, GBD), and Somalia (AAPC = − 4.2, UNAIDS) demonstrated a significant reduction in incidence. Regarding mortality rates, Djibouti (AAPC = 24.2, GBD) and Iran (AAPC = 16.2, UNAIDS) exhibited a significant increasing pattern. Furthermore, the estimated increase in incidence by 2030 was most marked in Djibouti (985%) and Iran (174%). Iran (422%) and Egypt (339%) showed a prominent rise in mortality rates. GBD data showed 16 countries had an increasing pattern in DALY in both genders. According to age and period effects, there was a significant upward trend in incidence, mortality rates, and DALY. Findings highlighted the urgent need for improved prevention and treatment services, including expanding access to HIV testing, promoting safe practices, increasing antiretroviral therapy coverage, and supporting targeted interventions for high-risk populations.
A new method for the calculation of functional and path integrals
Authors: Hari Amos A. , Givli Sefi
Published: August 2023

This paper addresses a disconnect between the pivotal role of functional (path) integrals in modern theories, such as quantum mechanics and statistical thermodynamics, and the currently limited ability to perform the actual calculation. We present a new method for calculating functional integrals, based on a finite-element formulation, which solves all limitations of existing methods. This approach is far more robust, versatile, and powerful than the prevailing methods, thus allowing for more sophisticated computations and the study of problems that could not previously be tackled. Importantly, existing procedures, element libraries and shape functions, which have been developed throughout the years in the context of engineering analysis and partial differential equations, may be directly employed for this purpose.
Racially fair pupillometry measurements for RGB smartphone cameras using the far red spectrum
Authors: Barry Colin , Wang Edward
Published: August 2023

Pupillometry is a measurement of pupil dilation commonly performed as part of neurological assessments. Prior work have demonstrated the potential for pupillometry in screening or diagnosing a number of neurological disorders including Alzheimer’s Disease, Schizophrenia, and Traumatic Brain Injury. Unfortunately, the expense and inaccessibility of specialized pupilometers that image in the near infrared spectrum limit the measurement to high resource clinics or institutions. Ideally, this measurement could be available via ubiquitous devices like smartphones or tablets with integrated visible spectrum imaging systems. In the visible spectrum of RGB cameras, the melanin in the iris absorbs light such that it is difficult to distinguish the pupil aperature that appears black. In this paper, we propose a novel pupillometry technique to enable smartphone RGB cameras to effectively differentiate the pupil from the iris. The proposed system utilizes a 630 nm long-pass filter to image in the far red (630–700 nm) spectrum, where the melanin in the iris reflects light to appear brighter in constrast to the dark pupil. Using a convolutional neural network, the proposed system measures pupil diameter as it dynamically changes in a frame by frame video. Comparing across 4 different smartphone models, the pupil-iris contrast of N = 12 participants increases by an average of 451% with the proposed system. In a validation study of N = 11 participants comparing the relative pupil change in the proposed system to a Neuroptics PLR-3000 Pupillometer during a pupillary light response test, the prototype system acheived a mean absolute error of 2.4%.
The morphology, morphometry and functionality of fresh and cryopreserved wisent (Bison bonasus) epididymal spermatozoa
Authors: Eberhardt Maria , Prochowska Sylwia , Partyka Agnieszka , Bielas Wiesław , Van Soom Ann , Olech Wanda , Niżański Wojciech
Published: August 2023

Epididymal spermatozoa obtained post mortem are considered a valuable source of genetic material which is often irrevocably lost. This makes these gametes constitute a key element in protection and restitution programs. The wisent (Bison bonasus, Linnaeus 1758) is a species that survived in zoos after extinction from its natural habitat. This resulted in a narrowing of the genetic pool of the whole population, which is at present derived from only 12 ancestors. Currently, wisent protection programs are aimed at preserving the genetic diversity by establishing a germplasm bank. The objective of this study was to comprehensively characterize the morphology, morphometry and functionality of wisent epididymal spermatozoa and evaluate the effectiveness of their cryopreservation in extender based on Tris buffer and chicken egg yolk. The median total number of spermatozoa obtained from one individual was 1985.0 × 106 (62.5 × 106–7452.0 × 106). These gametes were characterized by median: 40.0% (0.5–70.0%) subjective motility, 69.8% (32.5–90.0%) viability and 54.3% (10.5–83.3%) normal morphology. The sperm head had a median size of 5.0 μm (3.5–6.7 μm) width, 8.5 μm (6.4–11.3 μm) length and 36.9 μm2 (23.7–48.6 μm2) surface area. The viable population of the obtained gametes was characterized by median values 53.2% (4.5–80.3%) of intact sperm membrane, 50.8 (26.0–76.6%) of intact acrosome, 0.4% (0–98.7%) of fragmented chromatin, 5.9% (0.0–88.8%) of cells with high mitochondrial potential and 42.1% (8.3–63.7%) without lipid peroxidation. The viable population of the frozen/thawed gametes was characterized by median values: 18.4% (2.4–57.9%) of intact sperm membrane, 35.1 (11.9–56.7%) of intact acrosome, 0.07% (0–89.2%) of fragmented chromatin, 12.8% (0.0–49.7%) of cells with high mitochondrial potential and 16.3% (2.2–53.6%) without lipid peroxidation. Due to the material originating from a relatively large number of wild individuals, the research presented here contributed to the description of certain species standards for the assessment of wisent epididymal spermatozoa. The presented effect of cryopreservation on these gametes justifies the use of an extender based on Tris buffer with the addition of chicken egg yolk. The obtained effects are satisfactory from the point of view of preserving valuable genetic material and their use in ART.
Design, synthesis, and performance evaluation of TiO2-dye sensitized solar cells using 2,2′-bithiophene-based co-sensitizers
Authors: Elmorsy Mohamed R. , Abdelhamed Fatma H. , Badawy Safa A. , Abdel-Latif Ehab , Abdel-Shafi Ayman A. , Ismail Mohamed A.
Published: August 2023

We report on the synthesis and characterization of six novel 2,2′-bithiophene-based organic compounds (3a–c and 5a–c) that are designed to serve as co-sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on TiO2. The compounds are linked to various donor and acceptor groups, and we confirm their chemical structures through spectral analyses. Our focus is on enhancing the performance of metal based N3, and the compounds were designed to operate at the nanoscale. We performed absorption and fluorescence emission measurements in dimethylformamide (DMF), where one of our compounds 5a exhibited the longest maximum absorption and maximum emission wavelengths, indicating the significant impact of the para methoxy group as a strong electron-donating group. Our dyes 5a + N3 (η = 7.42%) and 5c + N3 (η = 6.57%) outperformed N3 (η = 6.16%) alone, where the values of short current density (JSC) and open circuit voltage (VOC) for these two systems also improved. We also investigated the charge transfer resistance at the TiO2/dye/electrolyte interface using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), which is important in the context of nanotechnology. According to the Nyquist plot, the 5a + N3 cocktail exhibited the lowest recombination rate, resulting in the highest VOC. Our theoretical calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) are also in agreement with the experimental process. These findings suggest that our compounds have great potential as efficient DSSC co-sensitizers. This study provides valuable insights into the design and synthesis of new organic compounds for use as co-sensitizers in DSSCs based on TiO2 and highlights the potential of these compounds for use in efficient solar energy conversion.
Efficacy and safety of epigallocatechin-3-gallate in treatment acute severe dermatitis in patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy: a phase I clinical trial
Authors: Xie Jingjing , Jia Li , Xie Peng , Yin Xiaoyan , Zhu Wanqi , Zhao Hong , Wang Xin , Meng Xiangjiao , Xing Ligang , Zhao Hanxi , Li Xiaolin
Published: August 2023

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) solution treating the acute severe dermatitis in patients receiving radiotherapy. This phase I research enrolled patients with thoracic cancer receiving radiotherapy at Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute in Shandong, China. EGCG solution was sprayed to the radiation field when grade III radiation-induced dermatitis (RID) first appearance. EGCG concentration escalated from 660 to 2574 μmol/L using modified-Fibonacci dose-escalation. RID and related symptoms were followed up every day. Between March 2021 and November 2021, 19 patients were enrolled in this phase I research. The median dose of grade III RID first observation was 44 Gy (30.6–52 Gy). As the EGCG treatment was performed continuously, all these grade III RID reactions were significantly decreased to grade I or grade II RID at three days after use of EGCG (p < 0.001). Significant relief can be observed in burning sensation (p < 0.001), tractive sensation (p < 0.001), tenderness (p < 0.001), erythema (p < 0.001), itching (p < 0.001) and pain (p < 0.001) after 15 days of EGCG treatment. No radiation therapy delay or interruption for all 19 patients. No adverse events were observed and reported associated with EGCG. The highest dose of this Phase I trial (2574 μmol/L) was recommended for continuous Phase II trial for further evaluation. In this phase I clinical research, use of EGCG solution is safe and can significantly relief grade III RID in patients receiving radiotherapy. Thus, EGCG might be a new choice for acute sever RID.

Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02580279 (Full date of first registration: 12/2014).