bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prostitution and Sex Work, Who Counts? Mapping Local Data to Inform Policy and Service Provision
Authors: Lanau Alba , Matolcsi Andrea
Published: April 2022

Data on the sex industry is notably hard to obtain. Existing evidence points towards an increase in the number of people selling sex, particularly through the online industry. The growing and increasingly diverse population poses challenges to service provision, as new groups are less visible and less likely to be in contact with specialist services. Simultaneously, there are increased calls for policies regulating the sex industry to be grounded in evidence. Relying on systematic literature and data reviews, this article provides a synthesis of the evidence on the prevalence of sex work and prostitution in England and Wales. It shows that no existing source allows producing reliable estimates of the size and characteristics of sex markets. As a result, policy is informed by partial pictures. The article proposes local mapping, an underused approach, to inform both policy development and service provision.
Three‐Dimensional Reconstruction of Tongue of Ionization During the 11 October 2010 Geomagnetic Storm and Evolution Analysis With TIEGCM
Authors: Shan L. L. , Yao Y. B. , Kong J. , Zhai C. Z. , Zhou C. , Chen X. X.
Published: April 2022

The three‐dimensional computerized ionospheric tomography (3DCIT) technique that fused multisource data is used to reconstruct the spatial distribution of tongue of ionization (TOI) appeared over Greenland during a moderate geomagnetic storm on 11 October 2010. The reconstruction results are validated with observations from the constellation observing system for meteorology, ionosphere, and climate radio occultations and two ionosonde stations, which show good agreements. The 3DCIT images indicated a zone of high electron density (magnitude of ∼5 TECU) that crossed northern Greenland and electrons were input into the polar region in the anti‐sunward direction after aggregating at midlatitudes, which formed a TOI. The images also revealed that the TOI magnitude was larger in the upper ionosphere ssand lower at 300 and 500 km but still noticeable. Below 300 km, the TOI was difficult to detect. The simulation result of the Thermosphere‐Ionosphere‐Electrodynamic General Circulation Model (TIEGCM) also showed the same TOI structure. Then, we combined the measured ionospheric data and term‐by‐term analysis of the ion continuity formula in TIEGCM to further identify the principal TOI formation mechanisms. We assume that the dominant TOI formation mechanism is electric field transport, which is offset by ambipolar diffusion and neutral wind transport. Furthermore, the uplift of electrons and the insignificant effect of other physical processes explained the insignificant TOI in lower ionosphere.
Superposed Epoch Analyses of Geoelectric Field Disturbances in Japan in Response to Different Geomagnetic Activities
Authors: Zhang T. , Ebihara Y.
Published: April 2022

An increase in geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) is an inevitable result of geomagnetic field disturbances, and is harmful to the power grid, in particular, at high latitudes. At mid and low latitudes, the amplitude of the GICs is, in general, small, but large‐amplitude GICs are often observed during magnetic storms. It is of importance to understand major characteristics and extreme values of GICs at mid and low latitudes. For the geoelectric field disturbances ΔE observed at Kakioka (27.8° geomagnetic latitude) in Japan in 1996–2004, we performed superposed epoch analyses with respect to three types of geomagnetic disturbances: (a) storm sudden commencements (SSCs)/sudden impulses (SIs), (b) main phase of magnetic storms, and (c) bay disturbances. It is shown that the SSCs/SIs and the main phase of the magnetic storms are equally important for causing large‐amplitude disturbances of ΔE at Kakioka. GICs are thought to be amplified when the SIs and/or the bay disturbances occur during the magnetic storms. The maximum value of ΔE tends to be correlated with the maximum value of ΔH during the three types of events, where ΔH is the horizontal component of the geomagnetic field. Assuming that a quasi‐linear relationship between the maximum ΔE and the maximum ΔH is valid, we estimated GICs at three substations in Japan for an extreme SSCs/SIs, and the extreme magnetic storms. This scheme could be applicable to estimate roughly the GICs against extreme events, and to forecast the maximum GICs in a real‐time manner.
Unhealthy Air Could Become Routine in the Pacific Northwest
Authors: Duncombe Jenessa
Published: April 2022

If the world stays on fossil fuels, fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke could more than double in the late summer to early fall in the U.S. Pacific Northwest by 2100.
Robotic Vehicles Explore World War II Era Ocean Battlefields
Authors: Dacey James
Published: April 2022

Project Recover used autonomous underwater vehicles to identify, access, and image hard-to-reach World War II wreckage sites near the Northern Mariana Islands.
Thank You to Our 2021 Peer Reviewers
Authors: Huber Matthew , Röhl Ursula (Ulla)
Published: April 2022

Abstract/Introduction

Once a year we take the opportunity to thank the reviewers whose difficult, important work is never sufficiently recognized. Two years into the COVID‐19 pandemic, reviewers continued to show deep resolve to support their community, by providing thorough, timely reviews aiming to improve manuscripts, while simultaneously dealing with very difficult personal and professional circumstances. Without their intense, robust, and helpful attention, all the science we do would be diminished. Ulla and I would like to express our gratitude and appreciation for your efforts this year and our hope for improvement in 2022 and beyond.
γ-Secretase in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Hur Ji-Yeun
Published: April 2022

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is caused by synaptic and neuronal loss in the brain. One of the characteristic hallmarks of AD is senile plaques containing amyloid β-peptide (Aβ). Aβ is produced from amyloid precursor protein (APP) by sequential proteolytic cleavages by β-secretase and γ-secretase, and the polymerization of Aβ into amyloid plaques is thought to be a key pathogenic event in AD. Since γ-secretase mediates the final cleavage that liberates Aβ, γ-secretase has been widely studied as a potential drug target for the treatment of AD. γ-Secretase is a transmembrane protein complex containing presenilin, nicastrin, Aph-1, and Pen-2, which are sufficient for γ-secretase activity. γ-Secretase cleaves >140 substrates, including APP and Notch. Previously, γ-secretase inhibitors (GSIs) were shown to cause side effects in clinical trials due to the inhibition of Notch signaling. Therefore, more specific regulation or modulation of γ-secretase is needed. In recent years, γ-secretase modulators (GSMs) have been developed. To modulate γ-secretase and to understand its complex biology, finding the binding sites of GSIs and GSMs on γ-secretase as well as identifying transiently binding γ-secretase modulatory proteins have been of great interest. In this review, decades of findings on γ-secretase in AD are discussed.
Active lithoautotrophic and methane-oxidizing microbial community in an anoxic, sub-zero, and hypersaline High Arctic spring
Authors: Magnuson Elisse , Altshuler Ianina , Fernández-Martínez Miguel Á , Chen Ya-Jou , Maggiori Catherine , Goordial Jacqueline , Whyte Lyle G
Published: April 2022

Lost Hammer Spring, located in the High Arctic of Nunavut, Canada, is one of the coldest and saltiest terrestrial springs discovered to date. It perennially discharges anoxic (<1 ppm dissolved oxygen), sub-zero (~−5 °C), and hypersaline (~24% salinity) brines from the subsurface through up to 600 m of permafrost. The sediment is sulfate-rich (1 M) and continually emits gases composed primarily of methane (~50%), making Lost Hammer the coldest known terrestrial methane seep and an analog to extraterrestrial habits on Mars, Europa, and Enceladus. A multi-omics approach utilizing metagenome, metatranscriptome, and single-amplified genome sequencing revealed a rare surface terrestrial habitat supporting a predominantly lithoautotrophic active microbial community driven in part by sulfide-oxidizing Gammaproteobacteria scavenging trace oxygen. Genomes from active anaerobic methane-oxidizing archaea (ANME-1) showed evidence of putative metabolic flexibility and hypersaline and cold adaptations. Evidence of anaerobic heterotrophic and fermentative lifestyles were found in candidate phyla DPANN archaea and CG03 bacteria genomes. Our results demonstrate Mars-relevant metabolisms including sulfide oxidation, sulfate reduction, anaerobic oxidation of methane, and oxidation of trace gases (H2, CO2) detected under anoxic, hypersaline, and sub-zero ambient conditions, providing evidence that similar extant microbial life could potentially survive in similar habitats on Mars.
Depressive disorders are associated with increased peripheral blood cell deformability: a cross-sectional case-control study (Mood-Morph)
Authors: Walther Andreas , Mackens-Kiani Anne , Eder Julian , Herbig Maik , Herold Christoph , Kirschbaum Clemens , Guck Jochen , Wittwer Lucas Daniel , Beesdo-Baum Katja , Kräter Martin
Published: April 2022

Pathophysiological landmarks of depressive disorders are chronic low-grade inflammation and elevated glucocorticoid output. Both can potentially interfere with cytoskeleton organization, cell membrane bending and cell function, suggesting altered cell morpho-rheological properties like cell deformability and other cell mechanical features in depressive disorders. We performed a cross-sectional case-control study using the image-based morpho-rheological characterization of unmanipulated blood samples facilitating real-time deformability cytometry (RT-DC). Sixty-nine pre-screened individuals at high risk for depressive disorders and 70 matched healthy controls were included and clinically evaluated by Composite International Diagnostic Interview leading to lifetime and 12-month diagnoses. Facilitating deep learning on blood cell images, major blood cell types were classified and morpho-rheological parameters such as cell size and cell deformability of every individual cell was quantified. We found peripheral blood cells to be more deformable in patients with depressive disorders compared to controls, while cell size was not affected. Lifetime persistent depressive disorder was associated with increased cell deformability in monocytes and neutrophils, while in 12-month persistent depressive disorder erythrocytes deformed more. Lymphocytes were more deformable in 12-month major depressive disorder, while for lifetime major depressive disorder no differences could be identified. After correction for multiple testing, only associations for lifetime persistent depressive disorder remained significant. This is the first study analyzing morpho-rheological properties of entire blood cells and highlighting depressive disorders and in particular persistent depressive disorders to be associated with increased blood cell deformability. While all major blood cells tend to be more deformable, lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils are mostly affected. This indicates that immune cell mechanical changes occur in depressive disorders, which might be predictive of persistent immune response.
The role of sphingosine-1-phosphate in bone remodeling and osteoporosis
Authors: Grewe Justus M. , Knapstein Paul-Richard , Donat Antonia , Jiang Shan , Smit Daniel J. , Xie Weixin , Keller Johannes
Published: April 2022

Osteoporosis is a systemic bone disease that affects more than 200 million people worldwide and is caused by the disruption of the equilibrium between osteoclastic bone resorption and osteoblastic bone formation. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a natural, bioactive sphingolipid that has been shown to play a major role in cardiovascular and immunological pathologies by regulating biological and cellular processes, including migration, differentiation, proliferation and survival. Recent studies also suggest a central role for S1P in bone diseases, including osteoporosis; however, the effects of S1P, particularly in bone metabolism, remain to be further elucidated. In this review, we summarize the available literature on the role of S1P in bone metabolism with a focus on osteoporosis. On the cellular level, S1P acts as an osteoclast-osteoblast coupling factor to promote osteoblast proliferation and bone formation. Moreover, the recruitment of osteoclast precursors to resorption sites is regulated by the interplay of S1P gradients and S1P receptor expression. From a clinical perspective, increasing evidence suggests that systemically elevated S1P blood levels may serve as an independent risk factor for osteoporosis-related fractures. Taken together, S1P signaling is a potential therapeutic target and may serve as a novel biomarker in patients with systemic bone disease.
HucMSC-derived exosomes delivered BECN1 induces ferroptosis of hepatic stellate cells via regulating the xCT/GPX4 axis
Authors: Tan Youwen , Huang Yan , Mei Rong , Mao Fei , Yang Dakai , Liu Jinwen , Xu Wenrong , Qian Hui , Yan Yongmin
Published: April 2022

Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are significant in liver fibrosis. Our past investigations have shown that human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hucMSCs) and their secreted exosomes (MSC-ex) could alleviate liver fibrosis via restraining HSCs activation. However, the mechanisms underlying the efficacy were not clear. Ferroptosis is a regulatory cell death caused by excessive lipid peroxidation, and it plays a vital role in the occurrence and development of liver fibrosis. In the present study, we aimed to study the proferroptosis effect and mechanism of MSC-ex in HSCs. MSC-ex were collected and purified from human umbilical cord MSCs. Proferroptosis effect of MSC-ex was examined in HSCs line LX-2 and CCl4 induced liver fibrosis in mice. Gene knockdown or overexpression approaches were used to investigate the biofactors in MSC-ex-mediated ferroptosis regulation. Results: MSC-ex could trigger HSCs ferroptosis by promoting ferroptosis-like cell death, ROS formation, mitochondrial dysfunction, Fe2+ release, and lipid peroxidation in human HSCs line LX-2. Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) is a crucial regulator of ferroptosis. We found that intravenous injection of MSC-ex significantly decreased glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression in activated HSCs and collagen deposition in experimental mouse fibrotic livers. Mechanistically, MSC-ex derived BECN1 promoted HSCs ferroptosis by suppressing xCT-driven GPX4 expression. In addition, ferritinophagy and necroptosis might also play a role in MSC-ex-promoted LX-2 cell death. Knockdown of BECN1 in MSC diminished proferroptosis and anti-fibrosis effects of MSC-ex in LX-2 and fibrotic livers. MSC-ex may promote xCT/GPX4 mediated HSCs ferroptosis through the delivery of BECN1 and highlights BECN1 as a potential biofactor for alleviating liver fibrosis.
Large barocaloric effect in intermetallic La1.2Ce0.8Fe11Si2H1.86 materials driven by low pressure
Authors: Liu Yanfeng , Zheng Xinqi , Liang Feixiang , Hu Fengxia , Huang Qingzhen , Li Zhe , Liu Jian
Published: April 2022

Barocaloric materials are particularly promising for green and efficient solid-state cooling technology because of their great potential in terms of cooling performance. However, intermetallic materials with outstanding barocaloric effects under low hydrostatic pressure are especially lacking, which has severely delayed the development of barocaloric refrigeration. Here, in a rare-earth intermetallic La-Ce-Fe-Si-H, we achieve a giant specific barocaloric temperature change of 8 K per kbar according to direct measurements of the adiabatic temperature change ΔTBCE under hydrostatic pressure, which is confirmed by a phenomenological transition simulation. This barocaloric strength is significantly better than those in previously reported phase-transitioned alloys. By using a cutting-edge in situ neutron diffraction technique operating under simultaneously varying temperature, magnetic field, and hydrostatic pressure, we reveal that the large isotropic transition volume change in La-Ce-Fe-Si-H plays a crucial role in the giant barocaloric effect. Additionally, we employ Landau expansion theory to demonstrate that the high sensitivity of the transition temperature to the applied pressure produces the sizable ΔTBCE in the itinerant electron metamagnetic transition alloys. Our results provide insight into the development of high-performance barocaloric materials and related cooling systems.
Freestanding non-covalent thin films of the propeller-shaped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon decacyclene
Authors: van der Ham Alex , Liu Xue , Calvani Dario , Melcrová Adéla , Kozdra Melania , Buda Francesco , Overkleeft Herman S. , Roos Wouter H. , Filippov Dmitri V. , Schneider Grégory F.
Published: April 2022

Molecularly thin, nanoporous thin films are of paramount importance in material sciences. Their use in a wide range of applications requires control over their chemical functionalities, which is difficult to achieve using current production methods. Here, the small polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon decacyclene is used to form molecular thin films, without requiring covalent crosslinking of any kind. The 2.5 nm thin films are mechanically stable, able to be free-standing over micrometer distances, held together solely by supramolecular interactions. Using a combination of computational chemistry and microscopic imaging techniques, thin films are studied on both a molecular and microscopic scale. Their mechanical strength is quantified using AFM nanoindentation, showing their capability of withstanding a point load of 26 ± 9 nN, when freely spanning over a 1 μm aperture, with a corresponding Young’s modulus of 6 ± 4 GPa. Our thin films constitute free-standing, non-covalent thin films based on a small PAH.
Creep-dilatancy development at a transform plate boundary
Authors: Sultan Nabil , Murphy Shane , Riboulot Vincent , Géli Louis
Published: April 2022

How tectonic plates slip slowly and episodically along their boundaries, is a major, open question in earthquake science. Here, we use offshore in-situ sediment pore-pressure acquired in the proximity of the active offshore Main Marmara Fault and onshore geodetic time-series data set from a single GPS station to demonstrate the pore-pressure/deformation coupling during a 10-month slow-slip event. We show that pore pressure fluctuations are the expression of hydro-mechanical process affecting the deep seismogenic zone and indicate that small disturbances in geodetic data may have important meaning in terms of transient deformations. These results have major implications in understanding the spatial impact of slow-slip processes and their role in earthquake cycles. We demonstrate that piezometers measuring along a transform fault can help define the time scale regulating the coupling between slow-slip events and earthquake nucleation process.
Microscopic theory of light-induced ultrafast skyrmion excitation in transition metal films
Authors: Viñas Boström Emil , Rubio Angel , Verdozzi Claudio
Published: April 2022

Magnetic skyrmions are topological excitations of great promise for compact and efficient memory storage. However, to interface skyrmionics with electronic devices requires efficient and reliable ways of creating and destroying such excitations. In this work, we unravel the microscopic mechanism behind ultrafast skyrmion generation by femtosecond laser pulses in transition metal thin films. We employ a theoretical approach based on a two-band electronic model, and show that by exciting the itinerant electronic subsystem with a femtosecond laser ultrafast skyrmion nucleation can occur on a 100 fs timescale. By combining numerical simulations with an analytical treatment of the strong s–d exchange limit, we identify the coupling between electronic currents and the localized d-orbital spins, mediated via Rashba spin–orbit interactions among the itinerant electrons, as the microscopic and central mechanism leading to ultrafast skyrmion generation. Our results show that an explicit treatment of itinerant electron dynamics is crucial to understand optical skyrmion generation.
Processing of high temperature alumina/aluminum titanate ceramic composites from clean sources
Authors: Besisa Nada H. A. , Besisa Dina H. A. , Ewais Emad M. M.
Published: April 2022

Producing new technological materials with high performance from clean sources has become a global requirement. Alumina/aluminum titanate (Al2O3/Al2TiO5) composites are high-temperature portentous materials used in various advanced applications. In this work, different Al2O3/Al2TiO5 composites were obtained with high thermal and mechanical properties for high-temperature applications by a low-cost process. The targeted composites were produced from calcined alumina and, rutile ore extracted from the Egyptian black sands by pressureless sintering at a temperature of 1650 °C/2 h. Rutile was added to alumina with a different content (0–40 wt%) to promote its sinterability and thermo-mechanical response. Evaluation of the produced composites in terms of phase composition, densification, microstructural features, mechanical and thermal properties was investigated. The results indicated that the addition of small amounts of rutile (10 and 20 wt%) succeeded in forming a stable Al2O3/Al2TiO5 composite structure. However, higher content of rutile led to the formation of Al2TiO5 rich matrix composites. Moreover, highly dense composites with harmonic microstructure and enhanced mechanical strength were attained by increasing the rutile content. The composite with only 10 wt% rutile addition gave the highest density of 3.6 g/cm3 and the highest cold crushing strength and modulus of rupture values of 488.73 MPa and 106.19 MPa, respectively. Notably, the addition of rutile has a substantial effect on promoting the thermal properties and thermal stability of the obtained composites up to a high temperature of 1400 °C. The present study shows that addition of rutile ore to alumina is one economical way of improving the densification and thermal expansion of Al2O3 for high temperature applications. Using a clean source such as rutile ore that contains some thermal stabilizers as Fe2O3, Al2O3, SiO2, ZrO2, and MgO instead of pure TiO2 has played a noticeable role in improving the reaction sintering and resulting in a highly qualified material. Thus, sintered Al2O3/Al2TiO5 composites can be considered as a promising high-temperature material for advanced applications.
Effects of intramuscularly injected plant-derived antimicrobials in the mouse model
Authors: Johnson Elizabeth J. , Duan Jingyue Ellie , Srirattana Kanokwan , Venkitanarayanan Kumar , Tulman Edan R. , Tian Xiuchun Cindy
Published: April 2022

With increasing antibiotic resistance, the use of plant derived antimicrobials (PDAs) has gained momentum. Here, we investigated the toxicity of trans-cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, and carvacrol after intramuscular injection in mice. Two doses of each PDA—300 and 500 mg/kg body weight—and vehicle controls were injected into the muscle of the right hind limb of CD-1 adult mice (n = 8/treatment). Ten physical/behavioral parameters were monitored hourly for 2 h and twice daily for 4 days post-injection together with postmortem examination of leg muscles and organs. Within the first 2 days of carvacrol treatment, one male died in each dose level and a third male receiving 500 mg/kg was removed from the study. No mortality was seen with any other treatment. Among all 81 parameters examined, significant higher relative liver weights (300 and 500 mg/kg eugenol groups; P < 0.05) and relative kidney weights (300 mg/kg carvacrol group; P < 0.001) were observed. Taken together, little to mild toxicity was seen for trans-cinnamaldehyde and eugenol, respectively, while carvacrol exerted more toxicity in males. This study lays the foundation for future extensive work with large sample size, varied treatment durations, and additional treatment levels.
Challenging monogamy in a spider with nontraditional sexual behavior
Authors: Bollatti Fedra , Simian Catalina , Peretti Alfredo V. , Aisenberg Anita
Published: April 2022

Each species and sex can develop different reproductive strategies to optimize their fitness while assigning reproductive effort. Allocosasenex is a sex-role reversed spider whose males construct long burrows in the sand. They wait for wandering females to approach, assess their sexual partners and donate their constructions to females after copulation. Females stay in the burrow and lay their egg-sac. When offspring are ready for dispersion, females leave the burrow and gain access to new mating opportunities. Males are choosy during mate courtship, preferring to mate with virgin females over copulated ones, which can even be cannibalized if males reject them. This situation turns new mating opportunities dangerous for copulated females. We wondered whether a copulated female inside the previous mate's burrow responds to courtship from a new male and if this new male can copulate, avoiding burrow construction costs. We also explored whether courtship and copulation behaviors during the first sexual encounter affected the probability of occurrence of a second copulation. For that purposes we exposed copulated females inside male burrows to new males (non-donor males). Males could locate and court females inside the previous male's burrow, and females accepted a second copulation. Hence, A.senex females are not monogamous as was expected but increase their reproductive success by copulating with non-donor males. Also, males can develop opportunistic tactics, suggesting a more dynamic mating system for this sex-role reversed spider than assumed.
Relationships between species richness and ecosystem services in Amazonian forests strongly influenced by biogeographical strata and forest types
Authors: Steur Gijs , ter Steege Hans , Verburg René W. , Sabatier Daniel , Molino Jean-François , Bánki Olaf S. , Castellanos Hernan , Stropp Juliana , Fonty Émile , Ruysschaert Sofie , Galbraith David , Kalamandeen Michelle , van Andel Tinde R. , Brienen Roel , Phillips Oliver L. , Feeley Kenneth J. , Terborgh John , Verweij Pita A.
Published: April 2022

Despite increasing attention for relationships between species richness and ecosystem services, for tropical forests such relationships are still under discussion. Contradicting relationships have been reported concerning carbon stock, while little is known about relationships concerning timber stock and the abundance of non-timber forest product producing plant species (NTFP abundance). Using 151 1-ha plots, we related tree and arborescent palm species richness to carbon stock, timber stock and NTFP abundance across the Guiana Shield, and using 283 1-ha plots, to carbon stock across all of Amazonia. We analysed how environmental heterogeneity influenced these relationships, assessing differences across and within multiple forest types, biogeographic regions and subregions. Species richness showed significant relationships with all three ecosystem services, but relationships differed between forest types and among biogeographical strata. We found that species richness was positively associated to carbon stock in all biogeographical strata. This association became obscured by variation across biogeographical regions at the scale of Amazonia, resembling a Simpson’s paradox. By contrast, species richness was weakly or not significantly related to timber stock and NTFP abundance, suggesting that species richness is not a good predictor for these ecosystem services. Our findings illustrate the importance of environmental stratification in analysing biodiversity-ecosystem services relationships.
Fast fluoride ion conduction of NH4(Mg1-xLix)F3-x and (NH4)2(Mg1-xLix)F4-x assisted by molecular cations
Authors: Motohashi Kota , Matsukawa Yosuke , Nakamura Takashi , Kimura Yuta , Kuwata Naoaki , Uchimoto Yoshiharu , Amezawa Koji
Published: April 2022

Aiming development of the fast anion conductors, we proposed a new material design using flexible molecular cation as a host cation, and demonstrated it with fluoride ion conduction in NH4MgF3 and (NH4)2MgF4 based materials. Dominant fluoride ion conduction with relatively high conductivities of 4.8 × 10–5 S cm−1 and 8.4 × 10–6 S cm−1 were achieved at 323 K in (NH4)2(Mg0.85Li0.15)F3.85 and NH4(Mg0.9Li0.1)F2.9, respectively. It is implied that the molecular cation in the host lattice can assist the anion conduction. Our findings suggest molecular cation-containing compounds can be attractive material groups for fast anion conductors.
Increased interleukin-6 levels associated with malaria infection and disease severity: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wilairatana Polrat , Mala Wanida , Milanez Giovanni De Jesus , Masangkay Frederick Ramirez , Kotepui Kwuntida Uthaisar , Kotepui Manas
Published: April 2022

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is generated by immune cells during infection with malaria parasites and they are associated with the immunopathogenesis of malaria. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the differences in IL-6 levels between several groups of patients with malaria and healthy control groups. The systematic review was registered at PROSPERO with a registration number: CRD42021290753. Systematic literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus until November 7, 2021 to obtain studies that documented IL-6 levels in patients with malaria. The quality of the included studies was assessed using critical appraisal tools from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Differences in the mean IL-6 levels among patients with: (1) severe and non-severe malaria, (2) uncomplicated malaria and controls, (3) uncomplicated and asymptomatic malaria, (4) asymptomatic malaria and healthy controls, and (5) those that died or survived were estimated using a random-effects model. Forty-three of 1,969 studies were included in the systematic review. Results of the meta-analysis showed that patients with severe malaria had higher mean IL-6 levels than those with non-severe malaria [P = 0.04, weight mean difference (WMD) = 96.63 pg/mL, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.88 − 19.38 pg/mL,I2 = 99.9%, 13 studies]. Patients with uncomplicated malaria had higher mean IL-6 levels than the controls (P < 0.001, WMD = 42.86 pg/mL, 95% CI = 30.17 − 55.56 pg/mL,I2 = 100%, 17 studies). No differences in the mean levels of IL-6 were found between patients with uncomplicated malaria and those with asymptomatic malaria (P = 0.063, WMD = 42.07 pg/mL, 95% CI =  − 2.23 pg/mL to − 86.37 pg/mL,I2 = 99.1%, 8 studies), or between patients with asymptomatic malaria and healthy controls (P = 0.45, WMD = 1.67 pg/mL, 95% CI =  − 2.73 pg/mL to − 6.07 pg/mL,I2 = 98.1%, 2 studies). A higher mean level of IL-6 was observed in patients who died compared with the levels of those who survived (P = 0.007, WMD = 1,399.19 pg/mL, 95% CI = 384.16 − 2,414.2 pg/mL,I2 = 93.1%, 4 studies). Our meta-analysis of the pooled evidence can be used to guide future studies in which IL-6 levels are measured during malaria outbreaks to monitor malaria severity. Heterogeneity of the effect estimate among the included studies was the main limitation of this analysis. In conclusion, significantly increased levels of IL-6 were observed in patients with severe malaria compared with those in patients with non-severe malaria, which indicates that IL-6 is a candidate marker for severe malaria. Future studies should investigate the sensitivity and specificity of increased IL-6 levels to determine the effectiveness of assessments of IL-6 levels monitoring of malaria infection and severity.
Two-step discriminant analysis based multi-view polarimetric SAR image classification with high confidence
Authors: Imani Maryam
Published: April 2022

Polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (PolSAR) image classification is a hot topic in remote sensing field. Although recently many deep learning methods such as convolutional based networks have provided great success in PolSAR image classification, but they need a high volume of labeled samples, which are not usually available in practice, or they cause a high computational burden for implementation. In this work, instead of spending cost for network training, the inherent nature of PolSAR image is used for generation of convolutional kernels for extraction of deep and robust features. Moreover, extraction of diverse scattering characteristics contained in the coherency matrix of PolSAR and fusion of their output classification results with a high confidence have high impact in providing a reliable classification map. The introduced method called discriminative features based high confidence classification (DFC) utilizes several approaches to deal with difficulties of PolSAR image classification. It uses a multi-view analysis to generate diverse classification maps with different information. It extracts deep polarimetric-spatial features, consistent and robust with respect to the original PolSAR data, by applying several pre-determined convolutional filters selected from the important regions of image. Convolutional kernels are fixed without requirement to be learned. The important regions are determined with selecting the key points of image. In addition, a two-step discriminant analysis method is proposed to reduce dimensionality and result in a feature space with minimum overlapping and maximum class separability. Eventually, a high confidence decision fusion is implemented to find the final classification map. Impact of multi-view analysis, selection of important regions as fixed convolutional kernels, two-step discriminant analysis and high confidence decision fusion are individually assessed on three real PolSAR images in different sizes of training sets. For example, the proposed method achieves 96.40% and 98.72% overall classification accuracy by using 10 and 100 training samples per class, respectively in L-band Flevoland image acquired by AIRSAR. Generally, the experiments show high efficiency of DFC compared to several state-of-the-art methods especially for small sample size situations.
Dopamine receptor 1 expressing B cells exert a proinflammatory role in female patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Wieber Karolin , Fleige Leonie , Tsiami Styliani , Reinders Jörg , Braun Jürgen , Baraliakos Xenofon , Capellino Silvia
Published: April 2022

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic rheumatic disease with a clear sex-bias. Recent data indicated a role for dopamine in RA pathogenesis, while dopaminergic pathways can be modulated by estrogens. As defined mechanism of action of dopamine on B cell function in RA are unclear, we aimed to elucidate this, with special focus on sex-differences. Healthy controls (HC, n = 64) and RA patients (n = 61) were recruited. Expression of D1–D5 dopamine receptors (DRs) was investigated by flow cytometry on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). D1-like DRs were stimulated in vitro to assess effects on B cell activation and proliferation. Secretion of cytokines and dopamine content were measured by ELISA. All DRs were expressed on PBMCs of HC and RA patients. Dopamine content in PBMCs, and frequency of D1DR expressing B cells were significantly higher in RA females (p < 0.001). Expression of D1DR on RA B cells correlated positively with disease duration and severity only in women. Combined B cell and D1-like DR stimulation induced higher IL-8 and CCL-3 secretion from PBMCs of female RA patients compared to HC. These results indicate sex-specific differences in dopaminergic pathway in RA, with a proinflammatory feature of the D1DR pathway in women.
A note on factor normalization for deep neural network models
Authors: Qi Haobo , Zhou Jing , Wang Hansheng
Published: April 2022

Deep neural network (DNN) models often involve high-dimensional features. In most cases, these high-dimensional features can be decomposed into two parts: a low-dimensional factor and residual features with much-reduced variability and inter-feature correlation. This decomposition has several interesting theoretical implications for DNN training. Based on these implications, we develop a novel factor normalization method for better performance. The proposed method leads to a new deep learning model with two important characteristics. First, it allows factor-related feature extraction, and second, it allows for adaptive learning rates for factors and residuals. These model features improve the convergence speed on both training and testing datasets. Multiple empirical experiments are presented to demonstrate the model’s superior performance.
Up-regulation of ST18 in pemphigus vulgaris drives a self-amplifying p53-dependent pathomechanism resulting in decreased desmoglein 3 expression
Authors: Assaf Sari , Vodo Dan , Malovitski Kiril , Mohamad Janan , Bergson Shir , Feller Yarden , Malki Liron , Sarig Ofer , Sprecher Eli
Published: April 2022

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a life-threatening autoimmune mucocutaneous blistering disease which is to a large extent genetically determined, and results, at least in part, from the deleterious activity of autoantibodies directed against desmoglein (DSG)3, a prominent intra-epidermal adhesion molecule. Those autoantibodies lead to decreased membranal DSG3 expression in keratinocytes (KCs), thereby destabilizing cell–cell adhesion within the epidermis and leading to blister formation. We previously showed that rs17315309, a strong risk variant for PV within the promoter of the ST18 transcription factor gene, promotes epidermal ST18 up-regulation in a p53/p63-dependent manner. Accordingly, ST18 was found to be overexpressed in the skin of PV patients. Increased ST18 expression was then shown to markedly augment PV autoantibodies-mediated loss of KCs cohesion. Here, we demonstrate that ST18 overexpression significantly increases autoantibody-mediated DSG3 down-regulation in keratinocytes. In addition, DSG3 decreased expression boosts p53 function through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) activation and dramatically augments p53-dependent ST18 promoter activity. Finally, the PV risk variant rs17315309 is associated with increased p53 expression in PV skin. Taken collectively, these observations reveal a novel self-amplifying pathomechanism involving ST18, DSG3, p38 and p53, capable of perpetuating disease activity, and therefore indicative of novel actionable molecular targets in PV.
Ischemia during rest intervals between sets prevents decreases in fatigue during the explosive squat exercise: a randomized, crossover study
Authors: Trybulski Robert , Jarosz Jakub , Krzysztofik Michal , Lachowicz Milena , Trybek Grzegorz , Zajac Adam , Wilk Michal
Published: April 2022

The study aimed to evaluate the impact of ischemia, used only before particular sets of a lower limb resistance exercise on power output. Ten healthy resistance-trained males (age = 26 ± 6 years; body mass = 90 ± 9 kg; training experience = 9 ± 7 years) performed two experimental sessions (with ischemia; control without ischemia) following a randomized crossover design. During the ischemic condition, the cuffs were inflated to 60% of arterial occlusion pressure. The cuffs were applied before each set for 4.5 min and released 30 s before the start of the set as the reperfusion (4.5 min ischemia + 0.5 min reperfusion). In the control condition, ischemia was not applied. During the experimental sessions, the subjects performed the Keiser machine squat exercise protocol which consisted of 5 sets of two repetitions, at a load of 60% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), with 5 min rest intervals between sets. The repetitions were performed with maximal velocity. The two-way repeated-measures ANOVA showed a statistically significant interaction effect for power output (p < 0.01; η2 = 0.26). There was also a statistically significant main effect of condition for power output (p = 0.02; η2 = 0.40). The post hoc analysis for interaction did not show significant differences between conditions in particular sets. The post hoc analysis for the main effect of the condition revealed that power output was significantly lower in the control group compared to the group where ischemic was used (p = 0.02). The t-test comparisons for particular sets showed a significant lower power output in set 3 (p = 0.03); set 4 (p < 0.01) and set 5 (p < 0.01) for the control condition when compared to the ischemic condition. The results indicate that ischemia applied before each set and released 30 s prior to the start of the squat exercise did not increase power output performance. However, we observed a significantly lower decline in power for the ischemic condition (4.5 min ischemia + 0.5 min reperfusion) in sets 3–5 compared to the control condition. Thus repeated ischemia with reperfusion used between sets can be an effective form of performance enhancement by preventing or at least diminishing fatigue during resistance exercise.
Alteration of cortical functional networks in mood disorders with resting-state electroencephalography
Authors: Kim Sungkean , Baek Ji Hyun , Shim Se-hoon , Kwon Young Joon , Lee Hwa Young , Yoo Jae Hyun , Kim Ji Sun
Published: April 2022

Studies comparing bipolar disorder (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are scarce, and the neuropathology of these disorders is poorly understood. This study investigated source-level cortical functional networks using resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) in patients with BD and MDD. EEG was recorded in 35 patients with BD, 39 patients with MDD, and 42 healthy controls (HCs). Graph theory-based source-level weighted functional networks were assessed via strength, clustering coefficient (CC), and path length (PL) in six frequency bands. At the global level, patients with BD and MDD showed higher strength and CC, and lower PL in the high beta band, compared to HCs. At the nodal level, compared to HCs, patients with BD showed higher high beta band nodal CCs in the right precuneus, left isthmus cingulate, bilateral paracentral, and left superior frontal; however, patients with MDD showed higher nodal CC only in the right precuneus compared to HCs. Although both MDD and BD patients had similar global level network changes, they had different nodal level network changes compared to HCs. Our findings might suggest more altered cortical functional network in patients with BD than in those with MDD.
A candidate material EuSn2As2-based terahertz direct detection and imaging
Authors: Liu Changlong , Liu Yi , Chen Zhiqingzi , Zhang Shi , Shi Chaofan , Li Guanhai , Yu Xiao , Xu Zhiwei , Zhang Libo , Zhao Wenchao , Chen Xiaoshuang , Lu Wei , Wang Lin
Published: April 2022

Exploring the photoelectric performance of emerging materials represented by graphene, black phosphorus and transition metal dichalcogenides is attracting enormous research interest for a wide range of electronic and photonic applications. The realization of low-power consuming photodetectors with high sensitivity and fast photoresponse in the terahertz band remains one of the profound challenges in optoelectronics. In this study, a material-EuSn2As2 has been successfully implemented to realize highly sensitive terahertz photodetectors. The non-equilibrium dynamics in a two-dimensional plane allow an optionally switching between different styles of direct photon-conversions: the analogous photoconductive and photovoltaic modes spontaneously supported by the intrinsic electronic system. The prototype devices exhibited excellent sensitivity of 0.2–1.6 A/W (0.3–2.4 kV/W) from 0.02 to 0.30 THz at room temperature, corresponding to a noise-equivalent power <30pW/Hz0.5 and a fast response time <16 μs. The versatile switching behaviour and performance of the EuSn2As2 flakes-based terahertz detectors were validated via rigorous full-dimension and imaging experiments. These results open the feasibility avenues for low-energy photoelectronic applications of EuSn2As2 material.
Suppression of trabecular meshwork phagocytosis by norepinephrine is associated with nocturnal increase in intraocular pressure in mice
Authors: Ikegami Keisuke , Masubuchi Satoru
Published: April 2022

Intraocular pressure (IOP) is an important factor in glaucoma development, which involves aqueous humor (AH) dynamics, with inflow from the ciliary body and outflow through the trabecular meshwork (TM). IOP has a circadian rhythm entrained by sympathetic noradrenaline (NE) or adrenal glucocorticoids (GCs). Herein, we investigated the involvement of GC/NE in AH outflow. Pharmacological prevention of inflow/outflow in mice indicated a diurnal outflow increase, which was related to TM phagocytosis. NE showed a non-self-sustained inhibition in phagocytosis of immortalized human TM cells, but not GC. The pharmacological and reverse genetic approaches identified β1-adrenergic receptor (AR)-mediated exchange proteins directly activated by cyclic adenosine monophosphate (EPAC)-SHIP1 signal activation by ablation of phosphatidylinositol triphosphate, regulating phagocytic cup formation. Furthermore, we revealed the phagocytosis involvement in the β1-AR-EPAC-SHIP1-mediated nocturnal IOP rise in mice. These suggest that TM phagocytosis suppression by NE can regulate IOP rhythm through AH outflow. This discovery may aid glaucoma management.
Interaction effects of the 5-HTT and MAOA-uVNTR gene variants on pre-attentive EEG activity in response to threatening voices
Authors: Martínez Róger Marcelo , Liao Tsai-Tsen , Fan Yang-Teng , Chen Yu-Chun , Chen Chenyi
Published: April 2022

Both the serotonin transporter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) and the monoamine oxidase A gene (MAOA-uVNTR) are considered genetic contributors for anxiety-related symptomatology and aggressive behavior. Nevertheless, an interaction between these genes and the pre-attentive processing of threatening voices –a biological marker for anxiety-related conditions– has not been assessed yet. Among the entire sample of participants in the study with valid genotyping and electroencephalographic (EEG) data (N = 140), here we show that men with low-activity MAOA-uVNTR, and who were not homozygous for the 5-HTTLPR short allele (s) (n = 11), had significantly larger fearful MMN amplitudes –as driven by significant larger ERPs to fearful stimuli– than men with high-activity MAOA-uVNTR variants (n = 20). This is in contrast with previous studies, where significantly reduced fearful MMN amplitudes, driven by increased ERPs to neutral stimuli, were observed in those homozygous for the 5-HTT s-allele. In conclusion, using genetic, neurophysiological, and behavioral measurements, this study illustrates how the intricate interaction between the 5-HTT and the MAOA-uVNTR variants have an impact on threat processing, and social cognition, in male individuals (n = 62).
Crystalline hydrogen bonding of water molecules confined in a metal-organic framework
Authors: Bae Jinhee , Park Sun Ho , Moon Dohyun , Jeong Nak Cheon
Published: April 2022

Hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) of water molecules confined in nanopores is of particular interest because it is expected to exhibit chemical features different from bulk water molecules due to their interaction with the wall lining the pores. Herein, we show a crystalline behavior of H-bonded water molecules residing in the nanocages of a paddlewheel metal-organic framework, providing in situ and ex situ synchrotron single-crystal X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy studies. The crystalline H-bond is demonstrated by proving the vibrational chain connectivity arising between hydrogen bond and paddlewheel Cu−Cu bond in sequentially connected Cu–Cu·····coordinating H2O·····H-bonded H2O and by proving the spatial ordering of H-bonded water molecules at room temperature, where they are anticipated to be disordered. Additionally, we show a substantial distortion of the paddlewheel Cu2+-centers that arises with water coordination simultaneously. Also, we suggest the dynamic coordination bond character of the H-bond of the confined water, by which an H-bond transitions to a coordination-bond at the Cu2+-center instantaneously after dissociating a previously coordinated H2O.