bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sensory processing sensitivity and social pain: a hypothesis and theory
Authors: Morellini Lucia , Izzo Alessia , Celeghin Alessia , Palermo Sara , Morese Rosalba
Published: June 2023

Sensory-processing sensitivity (SPS) defined, as a personality trait, seems to be characterized by emotional sensitivity, and stronger reactivity to both external and internal stimuli. SPS can represent a risk factor for developing clinical conditions during childhood and adolescence. This personality trait is not to be considered a pathological clinical condition, however, can expose to greater environmental vulnerability. In particular, the recent studies about SPS can be contextualized to social situations that evoke traumatic and stressful emotional responses such as social exclusion. We hypothesize that highly sensitive people (HSP) are more vulnerable to social exclusion and social pain. This hypothesis could help structure new educational and intervention models designed to improve coping strategies and promote HSP’s psychophysical and social well-being.
Abnormal flow pattern of low wall shear stress and high oscillatory shear index in spontaneous vertebral artery dissection with vertebral artery hypoplasia
Authors: Bao Jiajia , Gan Xinling , Feng Wentao , Li Yanbo , Qiu Yue , Zhou Muke , Guo Jian , He Li
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Spontaneous vertebral artery dissection (sVAD) might tend to develop in vertebral artery hypoplasia (VAH) with hemodynamic dysfunction and it is crucial to assess hemodynamics in sVAD with VAH to investigate this hypothesis. This retrospective study aimed to quantify hemodynamic parameters in patients with sVAD with VAH.

Methods

Patients who had suffered ischemic stroke due to an sVAD of VAH were enrolled in this retrospective study. The geometries of 14 patients (28 vessels) were reconstructed using Mimics and Geomagic Studio software from CT angiography (CTA). ANSYS ICEM and ANSYS FLUENT were utilized for mesh generation, set boundary conditions, solve governing equations, and perform numerical simulations. Slices were obtained at the upstream area, dissection or midstream area and downstream area of each VA. The blood flow patterns were visualized through instantaneous streamline and pressure at peak systole and late diastole. The hemodynamic parameters included pressure, velocity, time-averaged blood flow, time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS), oscillatory shear index (OSI), endothelial cell action potential (ECAP), relative residence time (RRT) and time-averaged nitric oxide production rate (TARNO).

Results

Significant focal increased velocity was present in the dissection area of steno-occlusive sVAD with VAH compared to other nondissected areas (0.910 m/s vs. 0.449 vs. 0.566, p < 0.001), while focal slow flow velocity was observed in the dissection area of aneurysmal dilatative sVAD with VAH according to velocity streamlines. Steno-occlusive sVAD with VAH arteries had a lower time-averaged blood flow (0.499 cm3/s vs. 2.268, p < 0.001), lower TAWSS (1.115 Pa vs. 2.437, p = 0.001), higher OSI (0.248 vs. 0.173, p = 0.006), higher ECAP (0.328 Pa−1 vs. 0.094, p = 0.002), higher RRT (3.519 Pa−1 vs. 1.044, p = 0.001) and deceased TARNO (104.014 nM/s vs. 158.195, p < 0.001) than the contralateral VAs.

Conclusion

Steno-occlusive sVAD with VAH patients had abnormal blood flow patterns of focal increased velocity, low time-averaged blood flow, low TAWSS, high OSI, high ECAP, high RRT and decreased TARNO. These results provide a good basis for further investigation of sVAD hemodynamics and support the applicability of the CFD method in testing the hemodynamic hypothesis of sVAD. More detailed hemodynamic conditions with different stages of sVAD are warranted in the future.
The body mass index is associated with increased temporal variability of functional connectivity in brain reward system
Authors: Guo Yiqun , Xia Yuxiao , Chen Ke
Published: June 2023

The reward system has been proven to be contributed to the vulnerability of obesity. Previous fMRI studies have shown abnormal functional connectivity of the reward system in obesity. However, most studies were based on static index such as resting-state functional connectivity (FC), ignoring the dynamic changes over time. To investigate the dynamic neural correlates of obesity susceptibility, we used a large, demographically well-characterized sample from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) to determine the relationship of body mass index (BMI) with the temporal variability of FC from integrated multilevel perspectives, i.e., regional and within- and between-network levels. Linear regression analysis was used to investigate the association between BMI and temporal variability of FC, adjusting for covariates of no interest. We found that BMI was positively associated with regional FC variability in reward regions, such as the ventral orbitofrontal cortex and visual regions. At the intra-network level, BMI was positively related to the variability of FC within the limbic network (LN) and default mode network (DMN). At the inter-network level, variability of connectivity of LN with DMN, frontoparietal, sensorimotor, and ventral attention networks showed positive correlations with BMI. These findings provided novel evidence for abnormal dynamic functional interaction between the reward network and the rest of the brain in obesity, suggesting a more unstable state and over-frequent interaction of the reward network and other attention and cognitive networks. These findings, thus, provide novel insight into obesity interventions that need to decrease the dynamic interaction between reward networks and other brain networks through behavioral treatment and neural modulation.
Regional references vs. international standards for assessing weight and length by gestational age in Lithuanian neonates
Authors: Morkuniene Ruta , Cole Tim J. , Jakimaviciene Egle Marija , Bankauskiene Agne , Isakova Jelena , Drazdiene Nijole , Basys Vytautas , Tutkuviene Janina
Published: June 2023

Introduction

There is no global consensus as to which standards are the most appropriate for the assessment of birth weight and length. The study aimed to compare the applicability of regional and global standards to the Lithuanian newborn population by sex and gestational age, based on the prevalence of small or large for gestational age (SGA/LGA).

Materials and Methods

Analysis was performed on neonatal length and weight data obtained from the Lithuanian Medical Birth Register from 1995 to 2015 (618,235 newborns of 24–42 gestational weeks). Their distributions by gestation and sex were estimated using generalized additive models for location, scale, and shape (GAMLSS), and the results were compared with the INTERGROWTH-21st (IG-21) standard to evaluate the prevalence of SGA/LGA (10th/90th centile) at different gestational ages.

Results

The difference in median length at term between the local reference and IG-21 was 3 cm–4 cm, while median weight at term differed by 200 g. The Lithuanian median weight at term was higher than in IG-21 by a full centile channel width, while the median length at term was higher by two channel widths. Based on the regional reference, the prevalence rates of SGA/LGA were 9.7%/10.1% for boys and 10.1%/9.9% for girls, close to the nominal 10%. Conversely, based on IG-21, the prevalence of SGA in boys/girls was less than half (4.1%/4.4%), while the prevalence of LGA was double (20.7%/19.1%).

Discussion

Regional population-based neonatal references represent Lithuanian neonatal weight and length much more accurately than the global standard IG-21 which provides the prevalence rates for SGA/LGA that differ from the true values by a factor of two.
Case Report: Patient with deficiency of ADA2 presenting leukocytoclastic vasculitis and pericarditis during infliximab treatment
Authors: Simão Raimundo Diana , Cordeiro Ana Isabel , Parente Freixo João , Valente Pinto Marta , Neves Conceição , Farela Neves João
Published: June 2023

Deficiency of adenosine deaminase 2 (DADA2), first reported in 2014, is a disease with great phenotypic variability, which has been increasingly reported. Therapeutic response depends on the phenotype. We present a case of an adolescent with recurrent fever, oral aphthous ulcers, and lymphadenopathy from 8 to 12 years of age and subsequently presented with symptomatic neutropenia. After the diagnosis of DADA2, therapy with infliximab was started, but after the second dose, she developed leukocytoclastic vasculitis and showed symptoms of myopericarditis. Infliximab was switched to etanercept, with no relapses. Despite the safety of tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors (TNFi), paradoxical adverse effects have been increasingly reported. The differential diagnosis between disease new-onset manifestations of DADA2 and side effects of TNFi can be challenging and warrants further clarification.
Human amnion-derived mesenchymal stem cells attenuate acute lung injury in two different acute lung injury mice models
Authors: Wu Yuxuan , Sun Hao , Qin Lianju , Zhang Xiaomin , Zhou Hao , Wang Yao , Wang Lumin , Li Meng , Liu Jiayin , Zhang Jinsong
Published: June 2023

Acute lung injury (ALI) is one of the most common clinical emergencies with limited effective pharmaceutical treatment in the clinic, especially when it progresses to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Currently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit specific superiority for ALI/ARDS treatment. However, stem cells from different sources may result in controversial effects on similar disease conditions. This study aimed to determine the effects of human amnion-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) on two different ALI mice model. The administered hAMSCs effectively accumulated in the lung tissues in all hAMSC-treated groups. Compared with the model and 1% human serum albumin (HSA) groups, high-dose hAMSCs (1.0 × 106 cells) group significantly alleviated alveolar-capillary permeability, oxidative stress, inflammatory factors level and histopathological damage. In addition, the NF-κB signaling pathway is one of the key pathways activated during lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or paraquat (PQ)-induced lung injury. Our results indicated that hAMSCs (1.0 × 106 cells) obviously inhibited the expression of p-IKKα/β, p-IκBα, and p-p65 in the lung tissue (p < 0.05). The high-dose (HD) hAMSC treatment exerted beneficial therapeutic effects on ALI mice models without detectable adverse reactions. The therapeutic effect of hAMSCs might involve NF-κB signaling pathway inhibition. hAMSC treatment is a potential candidate therapy for ALI.
Physical inactivity induces insulin resistance in plantaris muscle through protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B activation in mice
Authors: Kakehi Saori , Tamura Yoshifumi , Ikeda Shin-ichi , Kaga Naoko , Taka Hikari , Nishida Yuya , Kawamori Ryuzo , Watada Hirotaka
Published: June 2023

Inactivity causes insulin resistance in skeletal muscle and exacerbates various lifestyle-related diseases. We previously found that 24-h hindlimb cast immobilization (HCI) of the predominantly slow-twitch soleus muscle increased intramyocellular diacylglycerol (IMDG) and insulin resistance by activation of lipin1, and HCI after a high-fat diet (HFD) further aggravated insulin resistance. Here, we investigated the effects of HCI on the fast-twitch–predominant plantaris muscle. HCI reduced the insulin sensitivity of plantaris muscle by approximately 30%, and HCI following HFD dramatically reduced insulin sensitivity by approximately 70% without significant changes in the amount of IMDG. Insulin-stimulated phosphorylation levels of insulin receptor (IR), IR substrate-1, and Akt were reduced in parallel with the decrease in insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), a protein known to inhibit insulin action by dephosphorylating IR, was activated, and PTP1B inhibition canceled HCI-induced insulin resistance. In conclusion, HCI causes insulin resistance in the fast-twitch–predominant plantaris muscle as well as in the slow-twitch–predominant soleus muscle, and HFD potentiates these effects in both muscle types. However, the mechanism differed between soleus and plantaris muscles, since insulin resistance was mediated by the PTP1B inhibition at IR in plantaris muscle.
Personal and contextual variables predict music consumption during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Canada
Authors: Dandiwal Yuvika , Fleming Lindsay , Levitin Daniel J.
Published: June 2023

The global COVID-19 lockdowns shattered familiar routines, plunging individuals into a disorienting emotional landscape characterized by loss, uncertainty, and a deep yearning for social bonds. Many employed coping strategies such as cleaning, dancing, and mindfulness-based practices to ameliorate negative emotions. Music listening was one of the most widely used coping strategies, moderated by personal and contextual variables. We obtained data from a Canadian national survey conducted in April 2020 to examine the role of personal (sex, age, education level, pre-pandemic income, minority status, feelings about music, and Schwartz’s “personal values”) and contextual variables (level of worry, changes to income, COVID-19 status and risk, having children at home, and internet access) in predicting music listening for stress relief, changes to music listening, changes to music watching, and music discovery. Our results indicate that women, younger adults, individuals who like or love music, and those reporting high levels of worry were more likely to listen to music to relieve stress. Personal variables were more significantly associated with music listening for stress relief than contextual variables.
Exploring the relationship between unemployment perception and health during COVID-19: a comparative study of rural and urban adults in China
Authors: Zheng Fengtian , Xiong Huanhuan , Jin Yanhong , Zhang Man
Published: June 2023

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global economies and individual health. This study uses data from the China Family Panel Data (CFPS) in 2018 (before the pandemic) and 2020 (during the pandemic) to a) estimate the relationships between the perceived risk of unemployment and individuals' mental health, physical health, and health behaviors; and b) explore the variations of these relationships between rural and urban adults in China.

Methods

Ordinary linear regression models or Logit models are employed, depending on the nature (continuous vs. discrete) of the dependent variables.

Results

We find that the perceived risk of unemployment was statistically and positively associated with the risk of depression, and the association was greater for rural adults than for urban adults. Rural-urban variations were observed in various dimensions. For rural adults, the perceived risk of unemployment was statistically and negatively associated with life satisfaction, the probability of gaining weight and becoming obese, the probability of having adequate sleep, and computer-based screen time. These associations were statistically insignificant for urban adults. On the other hand, the perceived risk of unemployment was statistically and negatively associated with self-rated very-good-to-excellent health condition and health-compromising behaviors (e.g., smoking and drinking) for urban adults; but such associations were statistically insignificant for rural adults.

Discussion

These findings suggest that rural and urban adults exhibited different psychological and behavioral responses to the unemployment risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public policies aiming to improve health and employment should be strategically designed to address the unique needs of urban and rural populations.
The temperament of pre-teens at risk of educational and social exclusion
Authors: Moanţă Alina Daniela , Pelin Florin , Ciolcă Corina , Nanu Marian Costin , Mitrache Georgeta , Badea Dan , Ciuntea Lucian Mihai
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Vulnerability and poverty increase the educational and social exclusion of pre-teens. The goal of the present study was to identify the temperamental characteristics of pre-teens at risk of educational and social exclusion, depending on type of vulnerability and gender.

Methods

For the study, 329 students (167 boys and 162 girls) at risk of early school leaving were involved and grouped into four categories: preadolescents from single-parent families, students with an absent parent (for example, is working abroad), socially assisted students, and Roma pre-teens (socially assisted). To assess temperament the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire (EATQ-R) was used.

Results

The results underline that in the case of the four super factors and for the two behavioral scales investigated, the scores (at group level) are, generally, within the average limits. The study highlights the importance of specialists to increase, in the case of pre-teens at risk of early school leaving, Effortful Control, and to decrease Negative Affectivity (which includes frustration and fear) and Depressive Mood. Significant differences between vulnerable boys and girls were observed, in the case of Surgency, Affiliation, and Depressive Mood. Also, using the Mann-Whitney (U) test and an independent sample t-test, gender-dependent differences were highlighted (considering the EATQ-R scales), in the case of each type of vulnerability. Using single-factor multivariate analysis of variances, the differences between preadolescents, depending on the type of vulnerability, were presented.

Discussion

In the case of Surgency, boys registered significantly higher scores than girls, while in the case of Affiliation and Depressive Mood girls obtained higher values. Gender- and type of vulnerability-dependent differences in temperament were discussed in the case of pre-teens, and showed a temperament-conscious education is necessary in future parental education and teacher training.
Powered knee and ankle prosthesis use with a K2 level ambulator: a case report
Authors: Simon Ann M. , Finucane Suzanne B. , Ikeda Andrea J. , Cotton R. James , Hargrove Levi J.
Published: June 2023

Powered prosthetic knees and ankles have the capability of restoring power to the missing joints and potential to provide increased functional mobility to users. Nearly all development with these advanced prostheses is with individuals who are high functioning community level ambulators even though limited community ambulators may also receive great benefit from these devices. We trained a 70 year old male participant with a unilateral transfemoral amputation to use a powered knee and powered ankle prosthesis. He participated in eight hours of therapist led in-lab training (two hours per week for four weeks). Sessions included static and dynamic balance activities for improved stability and comfort with the powered prosthesis and ambulation training on level ground, inclines, and stairs. Assessments were taken with both the powered prosthesis and his prescribed, passive prosthesis post-training. Outcome measures showed similarities in velocity between devices for level-ground walking and ascending a ramp. During ramp descent, the participant had a slightly faster velocity and more symmetrical stance and step times with the powered prosthesis compared to his prescribed prosthesis. For stairs, he was able to climb with reciprocal stepping for both ascent and descent, a stepping strategy he is unable to do with his prescribed prosthesis. More research with limited community ambulators is necessary to understand if further functional improvements are possible with either additional training, longer accommodation periods, and/or changes in powered prosthesis control strategies
Identification and description of the sociomotor sub-roles and the Ludogram of Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Authors: Schmidt Vagner Augusto de Oliveira , Ribas João Francisco Magno
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) was conceived to be an oppositional sociomotor practice with an emphasis on self-defense, but throughout the 20th century, BJJ gained sporting features, modifying its internal logic (IL). In BJJ, the richness of the motor itineraries can be revealed in the different sociomotor sub-roles. Considering the absence of research that identifies and describes the sub-roles and the Ludogram of BJJ, the following question was asked: how can the Ludogram of sociomotor sub-roles of Brazilian jiu-jitsu be systematized in accordance with its internal logic?

Methods

This work is characterized as theoretical research that is dedicated to rebuilding theories and concepts with a view, in immediate terms, to improving theoretical foundations. In this study, a theoretical reconstruction of BJJ’s operating dynamics was carried out, identifying roles and sub-roles, culminating in the construction of a Ludogram. The praxeological analysis was divided in two stages: (1) Description of the BJJ sub-roles based on sports rules and video analysis; (2) Systematization of the BJJ Ludogram. Eight public videos with unrestricted access were selected of fights from the 2018 BJJ World Championship. The sample was considered based on the following criteria: convenience, typicality, and saturation.

Results and Discussion

The 26 identified and described sub-roles of BJJ indicate the richness of choices and possible paths to be followed by fighters within this itinerary of motor interaction. These different BJJ sub-roles described in this research highlight the importance of the concept of praxis communication, specifically, motor counter-communication, since many of the dynamics between a fighter’s subroles refer to the choices that the opponent indicates for the motor dialogue. BJJ requires from fighters incessant activations on aspects related to sociomotor intelligence, such as the need for sociomotor empathy, motor strategy, to anticipate anticipations, pre-acting, developing the capacity to make motor decisions, to recognize the affective, cognitive, relational, and organic loads activated during the fight, and to develop their motor conduct. In this sense, the Ludogram was elaborated, which enables future praxeological analyses of the sub-roles and motor conducts of any subject who wants to assume the sociomotor role of a BJJ fighter according to the rules of this Brazilian combat sport.
Durum Wheat Field Performance and Stability in the Irrigated, Dry and Heat-Prone Environments of Sudan
Authors: Tahir Izzat S. A. , Elbashier Elfadil M. E. , Mustafa Hala M. , Elhashimi Ashraf M. A. , Abdalla Modather G. A. , Hassan Mohamed K. , Saad Abu Sefyan I. , Elbashir Awad A. E. , Elsheikh Omer , Meheesi Sara
Published: June 2023

Developing climate-resilient crop varieties with better performance under variable environments is essential to ensure food security in a changing climate. This process is significantly influenced, among other factors, by genotype × environment (G × E) interactions. With the objective of identifying high-yielding and stable genotypes, 20 elite durum wheat lines were evaluated in 24 environments (location–season combination) during 5 crop seasons (2010/11–2014/15). The REML (residual maximum likelihood)-predicted means of grain yield of 16 genotypes that were common across all environments ranged from 3522 kg/ha in G201 to 4132 kg/ha in G217. Results of additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis showed that genotypes (G), environments (E), and genotype × environment interaction (GEI) significantly affected grain yield. From the total sum of squares due to treatments (G + E + GEI), E attributed the highest proportion of the variation (90.0%), followed by GEI (8.7%) and G (1.3%). Based on the first four AMMI selections for grain yield in the 24 environments, genotypes G217, G219, G211, and G213 were selected in 23, 12, 11, and 9 environments, respectively. The genotype and genotype × environment biplot (GGE) biplot polygon view showed that the environments were separated into three mega-environments. The winning genotypes in these mega-environments were G217, G214, and G204. Genotypes G212, G220, G217, G215, and G213 showed low AMMI stability values (ASV), whereas genotypes G217, G220, G212, G211, and G219 showed low genotype selection index (GSI), indicating their better stability and adaptability to the test environments. The results indicated that genotypes G217, G219, G211, G213, and G220 combined both high grain yield and stability/adaptability under dry but irrigated and heat-prone environments. An in-depth analysis of the superior genotypes could help better understand the stress-adaptive traits that could be targeted to further increase durum wheat yield and stability under the changing climate.
Relative and Quantitative Characterization of the Bovine Bacterial Ocular Surface Microbiome in the Context of Suspected Ocular Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Gafen Hannah B. , Liu Chin-Chi , Ineck Nikole E. , Scully Clare M. , Mironovich Melanie A. , Guarneri Lauren , Taylor Christopher M. , Luo Meng , Leis Marina L. , Scott Erin M. , Carter Renee T. , Lewin Andrew C.
Published: June 2023

The ocular surface microbiome is altered in certain disease states. The aim of this study was to characterize the bovine bacterial ocular surface microbiome (BBOSM) in the context of ocular squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The conjunctiva of normal (n = 28) and OSCC (n = 10) eyes of cows aged 2 to 13 years from two farms in Louisiana and Wyoming were sampled using individual sterile swabs. DNA extraction followed by 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene sequencing and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were performed to, respectively, assess the relative and absolute BBOSM. Discriminant analysis (DA) was performed using RT-PCR data, and relative abundance analysis was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing data. The 11 most abundant phyla in both normal and OSCC-affected cows were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. The relative abundance of Euryarchaeota was found to be significantly lower (p = 0.0372) in OSCC eyes compared to normal eyes. Relative abundance differences within and between geographic locations were also identified. Quadratic DA categorized samples as OSCC or normal with 100% sensitivity and 83.3–100% specificity. Relative abundance analysis identified relative BBOSM phylum alterations in OSCC. Quadratic DA can be used to accurately categorize BBOSM from normal and OSCC ocular surface samples.
Ammonia Increases the Stress of the Amazonian Giant Arapaima gigas in a Climate Change Scenario
Authors: Ramírez José Fernando Paz , Amanajás Renan Diego , Val Adalberto Luis
Published: June 2023

Ammonia is toxic to fish, and when associated with global warming, it can cause losses in aquaculture. In this study, we investigated the physiological and zootechnical responses of Arapaima gigas to the current scenarios and to RCP8.5, a scenario predicted by the IPCC for the year 2100 which is associated with high concentrations of environmental ammonia (HEA). Forty-eight chipped juvenile A. gigas were distributed in two experimental rooms (current scenario and RCP8.5) in aquariums with and without the addition of ammonia (0.0 mM and 2.44 mM) for a period of 30 days. The HEA, the RCP8.5 scenario, and the association of these factors affects the zootechnical performance, the ionic regulation pattern, and the levels of ammonia, glucose, triglycerides, sodium, and potassium in pirarucu plasma. The branchial activity of H+-ATPase was reduced and AChE activity increased, indicating that the species uses available biological resources to prevent ammonia intoxication. Thus, measures such as monitoring water quality in regard to production, densities, and the feed supplied need to be more rigorous and frequent in daily management in order to avoid the accumulation of ammonia in water, which, in itself, proved harmful and more stressful to the animals subjected to a climate change scenario.
Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Diarrheic and Non-Diarrheic Calves from Ningxia, Northwestern China
Authors: Gao Haihui , Liang Gaoxing , Su Na , Li Qirui , Wang Dong , Wang Jiandong , Zhao Long , Kang Xiaodong , Guo Kangkang
Published: June 2023

Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are significant parasitic gastrointestinal pathogens with global distribution in humans and domestic animals, including calves. The main symptoms of calf infection are severe diarrhea, dehydration, growth retardation, and sometimes even death. To date, there has been limited information on the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp., G. duodenalis, and E. bieneusi infections in calves in Ningxia, China, especially between diarrheic and non-diarrheic calves. A total of 438 fecal samples were collected from diarrheic (201) and non-diarrheic (237) calves in Ningxia. PCR and DNA sequencing were used to find the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. at 46.8% (205/438), G. duodenalis at 16.9% (74/438), and E. bieneusi at 10.0% (44/438). The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. infection in diarrheic and non-diarrheic calves was 54.0% (128/237) and 38.3% (77/201), respectively, and statistical analysis showed a positive correlation between the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. infection and calf diarrhea (p < 0.01). However, in this study, there was no statistical correlation between the prevalence of G. duodenalis infection as well as E. bieneusi infection and calf diarrhea (p > 0.05). Furthermore, four known Cryptosporidium species were successfully identified by comparing them with SSU rRNA gene sequences, including C. parvum, C. bovis, C. ryanae, and C. andersoni. In addition, all 74 G. duodenalis-positive samples were identified as assemblage E by comparative analysis of bg gene sequences. Among the 44 E. bieneusi-positive samples sequenced in the present study, 4 distinct E. bieneusi genotypes were successfully identified by comparative analysis of ITS sequences, including 3 known genotypes (J, BEB4, and N) and 1 novel genotype, the latter of which was identified and designated as NX1. These findings indicated that the high genetic diversity and complex population structures of Cryptosporidium spp., G. duodenalis, and E. bieneusi in Ningxia diarrhea calves and non-diarrhea calves, which provide new data for understanding the epidemiological status of Cryptosporidium spp., G. duodenalis, and E. bieneusi in Ningxia calves.
Robust Removal of Slow Artifactual Dynamics Induced by Deep Brain Stimulation in Local Field Potential Recordings Using SVD-Based Adaptive Filtering
Authors: Bahador Nooshin , Saha Josh , Rezaei Mohammad R. , Utpal Saha , Ghahremani Ayda , Chen Robert , Lankarany Milad
Published: June 2023

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is widely used as a treatment option for patients with movement disorders. In addition to its clinical impact, DBS has been utilized in the field of cognitive neuroscience, wherein the answers to several fundamental questions underpinning the mechanisms of neuromodulation in decision making rely on the ways in which a burst of DBS pulses, usually delivered at a clinical frequency, i.e., 130 Hz, perturb participants’ choices. It was observed that neural activities recorded during DBS were contaminated with large artifacts, which lasts for a few milliseconds, as well as a low-frequency (slow) signal (~1–2 Hz) that can persist for hundreds of milliseconds. While the focus of most of methods for removing DBS artifacts was on the former, the artifact removal capabilities of the slow signal have not been addressed. In this work, we propose a new method based on combining singular value decomposition (SVD) and normalized adaptive filtering to remove both large (fast) and slow artifacts in local field potentials, recorded during a cognitive task in which bursts of DBS were utilized. Using synthetic data, we show that our proposed algorithm outperforms four commonly used techniques in the literature, namely, (1) normalized least mean square adaptive filtering, (2) optimal FIR Wiener filtering, (3) Gaussian model matching, and (4) moving average. The algorithm’s capabilities are further demonstrated by its ability to effectively remove DBS artifacts in local field potentials recorded from the subthalamic nucleus during a verbal Stroop task, highlighting its utility in real-world applications.
Automatic Facial Palsy, Age and Gender Detection Using a Raspberry Pi
Authors: Amsalam Ali Saber , Al-Naji Ali , Daeef Ammar Yahya , Chahl Javaan
Published: June 2023

Facial palsy (FP) is a neurological disorder that affects the facial nerve, specifically the seventh nerve, resulting in the patient losing control of the facial muscles on one side of the face. It is an annoying condition that can occur in both children and adults, regardless of gender. Diagnosis by visual examination, based on differences in the sides of the face, can be prone to errors and inaccuracies. The detection of FP using artificial intelligence through computer vision systems has become increasingly important. Deep learning is the best solution for detecting FP in real-time with high accuracy, saving patients time, effort, and cost. Therefore, this work proposes a real-time detection system for FP, and for determining the patient’s gender and age, using a Raspberry Pi device with a digital camera and a deep learning algorithm. The solution facilitates the diagnosis process for both the doctor and the patient, and it could be part of a medical assessment activity. This study used a dataset of 20,600 images, containing 19,000 normal images and 1600 FP images, to achieve an accuracy of 98%. Thus, the proposed system is a highly accurate and capable medical diagnostic tool for detecting FP.
Uncovering Disease-Related Polymorphisms through Correlations between SNP Frequencies, Population and Epidemiological Data
Authors: Reis Samara Marques Dos , Bugs Cristhian Augusto , Chies José Artur Bogo , Cañedo Andrés Delgado
Published: June 2023

Background: According to GWAS, which analyzes large amounts of DNA variants in case-control strategies, the genetic differences between two human individuals do not exceed 0.5%. As a consequence, finding biological significance in GWAS results is a challenging task. We propose an alternative method for identifying disease-causing variants based on the simultaneous evaluation of genome variant data acquired from public databases and pathology epidemiological data. This method is grounded on the following premise: If a particular pathology is common in a community, genetic variants that confer susceptibility to that pathology should also be common in that population. Methods: Three groups of genes were evaluated to test this premise: variants related to depression found through GWAS, six genes unrelated to depression, and four genes already genotyped in case-control studies involving depression (TPH2, NR3C1, SLC6A2 and SLC6A3). In terms of GWAS depression-related variants, nine of the 82 SNPs evaluated showed a favorable correlation between allele frequency and epidemiological data. As anticipated, none of the 286 SNPs were correlated in the neutral group. In terms of proof of concept, two THP2 variants, 26 NR3C1 variants and four SLC6A3 variants were found to be related to depression rates and epidemiological statistics. Conclusions: Together with data from the literature involving these SNPs, these correlations support this strategy as a complementary method for identifying possible disease-causing variants.
A Label-Free and Antibody-Free Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-Based Impedimetric Sensor for NSCLC-Cells-Derived Exosomes Detection
Authors: Zhang Jingbo , Chen Quancheng , Gao Xuemin , Lin Qian , Suo Ziqin , Wu Di , Wu Xijie , Chen Qing
Published: June 2023

In this study, a label-free and antibody-free impedimetric biosensor based on molecularly imprinting technology for exosomes derived from non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells was established. Involved preparation parameters were systematically investigated. In this design, with template exosomes anchored on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) by decorated cholesterol molecules, the subsequent electro-polymerization of APBA and elution procedure afforded a selective adsorption membrane for template A549 exosomes. The adsorption of exosomes caused a rise in the impedance of the sensor, so the concentration of template exosomes can be quantified by monitoring the impedance of GCEs. Each procedure in the establishment of the sensor was monitored with a corresponding method. Methodological verification showed great sensitivity and selectivity of this method with an LOD = 2.03 × 103 and an LOQ = 4.10 × 104 particles/mL. By introducing normal cells and other cancer cells derived exosomes as interference, high selectivity was proved. Accuracy and precision were measured, with an obtained average recovery ratio of 100.76% and a resulting RSD of 1.86%. Additionally, the sensors’ performance was retained at 4 °C for a week or after undergoing elution and re-adsorption cycles seven times. In summary, the sensor is competitive for clinical translational application and improving the prognosis and survival for NSCLC patients.
Current Practice in Using Voltage Imaging to Record Fast Neuronal Activity: Successful Examples from Invertebrate to Mammalian Studies
Authors: Aseyev Nikolay , Ivanova Violetta , Balaban Pavel , Nikitin Evgeny
Published: June 2023

The optical imaging of neuronal activity with potentiometric probes has been credited with being able to address key questions in neuroscience via the simultaneous recording of many neurons. This technique, which was pioneered 50 years ago, has allowed researchers to study the dynamics of neural activity, from tiny subthreshold synaptic events in the axon and dendrites at the subcellular level to the fluctuation of field potentials and how they spread across large areas of the brain. Initially, synthetic voltage-sensitive dyes (VSDs) were applied directly to brain tissue via staining, but recent advances in transgenic methods now allow the expression of genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs), specifically in selected neuron types. However, voltage imaging is technically difficult and limited by several methodological constraints that determine its applicability in a given type of experiment. The prevalence of this method is far from being comparable to patch clamp voltage recording or similar routine methods in neuroscience research. There are more than twice as many studies on VSDs as there are on GEVIs. As can be seen from the majority of the papers, most of them are either methodological ones or reviews. However, potentiometric imaging is able to address key questions in neuroscience by recording most or many neurons simultaneously, thus providing unique information that cannot be obtained via other methods. Different types of optical voltage indicators have their advantages and limitations, which we focus on in detail. Here, we summarize the experience of the scientific community in the application of voltage imaging and try to evaluate the contribution of this method to neuroscience research.
Mode-Coupling Generation Using ITO Nanodisk Arrays with Au Substrate Enabling Narrow-Band Biosensing
Authors: Chu Shuwen , Liang Yuzhang , Lu Mengdi , Yuan Huizhen , Han Yi , Masson Jean-Francois , Peng Wei
Published: June 2023

Plasmonic metal nanostructures have promising applications in biosensing due to their ability to facilitate light–matter interaction. However, the damping of noble metal leads to a wide full width at half maximum (FWHM) spectrum which restricts sensing capabilities. Herein, we present a novel non-full-metal nanostructure sensor, namely indium tin oxide (ITO)–Au nanodisk arrays consisting of periodic arrays of ITO nanodisk arrays and a continuous gold substrate. A narrow-band spectral feature under normal incidence emerges in the visible region, corresponding to the mode-coupling of surface plasmon modes, which are excited by lattice resonance at metal interfaces with magnetic resonance mode. The FWHM of our proposed nanostructure is barely 14 nm, which is one fifth of that of full-metal nanodisk arrays, and effectively improves the sensing performance. Furthermore, the thickness variation of nanodisks hardly affects the sensing performance of this ITO-based nanostructure, ensuring excellent tolerance during preparation. We fabricate the sensor ship using template transfer and vacuum deposition techniques to achieve large-area and low-cost nanostructure preparation. The sensing performance is used to detect immunoglobulin G (IgG) protein molecules, promoting the widespread application of plasmonic nanostructures in label-free biomedical studies and point-of-care diagnostics. The introduction of dielectric materials effectively reduces FWHM, but sacrifices sensitivity. Therefore, utilizing structural configurations or introducing other materials to generate mode-coupling and hybridization is an effective way to provide local field enhancement and effective regulation.
Synthetic and Structural Chemistry of Uranyl-Amidoxime Complexes: Technological Implications
Authors: Tsantis Sokratis T. , Iliopoulou Maria , Tzimopoulos Demetrios I. , Perlepes Spyros P.
Published: June 2023

Resource shortage is a major problem in our world. Nuclear energy is a green energy and because of this and its high energy density, it has been attracting more and more attention during the last few decades. Uranium is a valuable nuclear fuel used in the majority of nuclear power plants. More than one thousand times more uranium exists in the oceans, at very low concentrations, than is present in terrestrial ores. As the demand for nuclear power generation increases year-on-year, access to this reserve is of paramount importance for energy security. Water-insoluble polymeric materials functionalized with the amidoxime group are a technically feasible platform for extracting uranium, in the form of {UO2}2+, from seawater, which also contains various concentrations of other competing metal ions, including vanadium (V). An in-depth understanding of the coordination modes and binding strength of the amidoxime group with uranyl and other competing ions is a key parameter for improving extraction efficiency and selectivity. Very limited information on the complexation of {UO2}2+ with amidoximes was available before 2012. However, significant advances have been made during the last decade. This report reviews the solid-state coordination chemistry of the amidoxime group (alone or within ligands with other potential donor sites) with the uranyl ion, while sporadic attention on solution and theoretical studies is also given. Comparative studies with vanadium complexation are also briefly described. Eight different coordination modes of the neutral and singly deprotonated amidoxime groups have been identified in the structures of the uranyl complexes. Particular emphasis is given to describing the reactivity of the open-chain glutardiamidoxime, closed-ring glutarimidedioxime and closed-ring glutarimidoxioxime moieties, which are present as side chains on the sorbents, towards the uranyl moiety. The technological implications of some of the observed coordination modes are outlined. It is believed that X-ray crystallography of small uranyl-amidoxime molecules may help to build an understanding of the interactions of seawater uranyl with amidoxime-functionalized polymers and improve their recovery capacity and selectivity, leading to more efficient extractants. The challenges for scientists working on the structural elucidation of uranyl coordination complexes are also outlined. The review contains six sections and 95 references.
Copper Nitride: A Versatile Semiconductor with Great Potential for Next-Generation Photovoltaics
Authors: Rodríguez-Tapiador M. I. , Asensi J. M. , Roldán M. , Merino J. , Bertomeu J. , Fernández S.
Published: June 2023

Copper nitride (Cu3N) has gained significant attention recently due to its potential in several scientific and technological applications. This study focuses on using Cu3N as a solar absorber in photovoltaic technology. Cu3N thin films were deposited on glass substrates and silicon wafers via radio-frequency magnetron sputtering at different nitrogen flow ratios with total pressures ranging from 1.0 to 5.0 Pa. The thin films’ structural, morphology, and chemical properties were determined using XRD, Raman, AFM, and SEM/EDS techniques. The results revealed that the Cu3N films exhibited a polycrystalline structure, with the preferred orientation varying from 100 to 111 depending on the working pressure employed. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of Cu-N bonds in characteristic peaks observed in the 618–627 cm−1 range, while SEM and AFM images confirmed the presence of uniform and smooth surface morphologies. The optical properties of the films were investigated using UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy and photothermal deflection spectroscopy (PDS). The obtained band gap, refractive index, and Urbach energy values demonstrated promising optical properties for Cu3N films, indicating their potential as solar absorbers in photovoltaic technology. This study highlights the favourable properties of Cu3N films deposited using the RF sputtering method, paving the way for their implementation in thin-film photovoltaic technologies. These findings contribute to the progress and optimisation of Cu3N-based materials for efficient solar energy conversion.
Mycotoxins in the Dairy Industry
Authors: Corassin Carlos Humberto , de Oliveira Carlos Augusto Fernandes
Published: June 2023

Dairy animals’ diets may be naturally and simultaneously contaminated by several fungi that are able to produce different secondary toxic metabolites, known as mycotoxins [...]
Approach to Equilibrium of Statistical Systems: Classical Particles and Quantum Fields Off-Equilibrium
Authors: Álvarez-Estrada Ramon F.
Published: June 2023

Non-equilibrium evolution at absolute temperature T and approach to equilibrium of statistical systems in long-time (t) approximations, using both hierarchies and functional integrals, are reviewed. A classical non-relativistic particle in one spatial dimension, subject to a potential and a heat bath (hb), is described by the non-equilibrium reversible Liouville distribution (W) and equation, with a suitable initial condition. The Boltzmann equilibrium distribution Weq generates orthogonal (Hermite) polynomials Hn in momenta. Suitable moments Wn of W (using the Hn’s) yield a non-equilibrium three-term hierarchy (different from the standard Bogoliubov–Born–Green–Kirkwood–Yvon one), solved through operator continued fractions. After a long-t approximation, the Wn’s yield irreversibly approach to equilibrium. The approach is extended (without hb) to: (i) a non-equilibrium system of N classical non-relativistic particles interacting through repulsive short range potentials and (ii) a classical ϕ4 field theory (without hb). The extension to one non-relativistic quantum particle (with hb) employs the non-equilibrium Wigner function (WQ): difficulties related to non-positivity of WQ are bypassed so as to formulate approximately approach to equilibrium. A non-equilibrium quantum anharmonic oscillator is analyzed differently, through functional integral methods. The latter allows an extension to relativistic quantum ϕ4 field theory (a meson gas off-equilibrium, without hb), facing ultraviolet divergences and renormalization. Genuine simplifications of quantum ϕ4 theory at high T and large distances and long t occur; then, through a new argument for the field-theoretic case, the theory can be approximated by a classical ϕ4 one, yielding an approach to equilibrium.