bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Histone FRET reports the spatial heterogeneity in nanoscale chromatin architecture that is imparted by the epigenetic landscape at the level of single foci in an intact cell nucleus
Authors: Liang Zhen , Solano Ashleigh , Lou Jieqiong , Hinde Elizabeth
Published: January 2024

Genome sequencing has identified hundreds of histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) that define an open or compact chromatin nanostructure at the level of nucleosome proximity, and therefore serve as activators or repressors of gene expression. Direct observation of this epigenetic mode of transcriptional regulation in an intact single nucleus, is however, a complex task. This is because despite the development of fluorescent probes that enable observation of specific histone PTMs and chromatin density, the changes in nucleosome proximity regulating gene expression occur on a spatial scale well below the diffraction limit of optical microscopy. In recent work, to address this research gap, we demonstrated that the phasor approach to fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between fluorescently labelled histones core to the nucleosome, is a readout of chromatin nanostructure that can be multiplexed with immunofluorescence (IF) against specific histone PTMs. Here from application of this methodology to gold standard gene activators (H3K4Me3 and H3K9Ac) versus repressors (e.g., H3K9Me3 and H3K27Me), we find that while on average these histone marks do impart an open versus compact chromatin nanostructure, at the level of single chromatin foci, there is significant spatial heterogeneity. Collectively this study illustrates the importance of studying the epigenetic landscape as a function of space within intact nuclear architecture and opens the door for the study of chromatin foci sub-populations defined by combinations of histone marks, as is seen in the context of bivalent chromatin.
Impact of Reducing Fluoroscopy Pulse Rate on Adult Modified Barium Swallow Studies
Authors: Bonilha Heather Shaw , Reedy Erin L. , Wilmskoetter Janina , Nietert Paul J. , Martin-Harris Bonnie
Published: January 2024

Modified Barium Swallow Studies (MBSS) are a critical part of the evaluation, treatment planning, and outcome assessment for persons with swallowing disorders. Since MBSSs use ionizing radiation with associated cancer risks, many clinicians have reduced radiation exposure by reducing the fluoroscopic pulse rate. However, by reducing pulse rate, we also decrease the temporal resolution of MBSSs which has been shown in pilot studies to significantly reduce diagnostic accuracy. Two hundred MBSSs from patients routinely undergoing MBSS as standard of care conducted at 30 pulses per second (pps) using the Modified Barium Swallow Study Impairment Profile (MBSImP™) standardized administration protocol were selected. A stratified sampling method ensured that a full range of swallowing impairments (etiology, type, and severity) was represented. Recordings were down sampled from 30 pps to 15, 7.5, and 4 pps. MBSSs were rated using the MBSImP components and Penetration–Aspiration Scale (PAS) score for each swallow. Percent agreement was calculated across raters for MBSImP and PAS scores by bolus type and volume. The Least-Squares Method was used for hypothesis testing. Statistically significant and clinically meaningful changes in scores of swallowing physiology and penetration/aspiration occurred when reducing pulse rate below 30pps. These changes were evident across bolus types and volumes. Given the impact on diagnostic accuracy and the low radiation risks to adults undergoing MBSSs, reducing pulse rate to 15pps or below is not aligned with the As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) principle and should not be used as a viable method to reduce radiation exposure from MBSSs.
Occult metastasis is no burden factor in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients when adhering to a standardized approach in neck dissection
Authors: Struckmeier Ann-Kristin , Buchbender Mayte , Moest Tobias , Lutz Rainer , Agaimy Abbas , Kesting Marco
Published: January 2024

Objectives

Management of the neck in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is pivotal to oncologic control and survival. However, there is controversy regarding necessity of neck dissection (ND) in patients with clinically node-negative neck. We aimed to assess risk factors for occult metastasis and to explore whether the presence of occult lymph node metastases (LNMs) has an impact on recurrence and survival.

Material and methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed including patients with primary OSCC who underwent radical tumor resection and ND in a high-volume center adhering to the prevailing German guideline. The ND was performed according to a standardized approach.

Results

Four hundred twenty-one patients with primary surgically treated OSCC were included. The incidence of occult metastasis was 14.49%. A pathological T stage > 1 (multivariate analysis, odds ratio (OR) 3.958, p = 0.042) and the presence of extranodal extension in LNMs (multivariate analysis, OR 0.287, p = 0.020) were identified as independent risk factors for occult metastasis. When comparing patients with and without occult metastasis, there were no significant differences in terms of progression-free survival (log-rank, p = 0.297) and overall survival (log-rank, p = 0.320). There were no cases of ipsilateral neck recurrence. One patient developed contralateral neck metastasis; however, he initially presented with a unilateral pT1 pN0 tumor.

Conclusions

Overall, our findings suggest that conducting a standardized approach in ND should be applied in terms of management of the neck in order to maintain survival rates and to prevent neck recurrence in OSCC patients.

Clinical relevance.

None of the risk factors for occult metastasis can be reliably assessed preoperatively. Although elective ND does not guarantee the complete prevention of neck recurrence, it increases the likelihood of either timely removal of micrometastases or strengthens the justification for adjuvant therapy. Consequently, this approach leads to improvements in clinical outcomes.
Antecedent-contained argument ellipsis in Japanese
Authors: Takahashi Daiko
Published: January 2024

This article aims to provide new and solid evidence for the observation made in the previous literature that antecedent containment needs to be resolved in overt syntax in cases of antecedent contained deletion in Japanese. The evidence is new in the sense that it is based on argument ellipsis, which the recent literature has convincingly shown to be available in Japanese, rather than verb-stranding VP-ellipsis, the existence of which has been debated. It is shown how to construct relevant data using elliptic clausal arguments in the hope that similar research will be conducted with data from other languages where argument ellipsis is assumed to be available. It is argued that cases of antecedent-contained argument ellipsis in Japanese can be accounted for by the PF deletion analysis or the derivational copying analysis, but not by the LF copying analysis that posits that copying applies at the very end of the LF derivation.
Hybrid inorganic–organic coatings enhancing glass corrosion resistance
Authors: Pipota Tomáš , Peňáková Helena , Helebrant Aleš
Published: January 2024

This work aims to prepare a functional hybrid organic–inorganic coating on glass using the sol–gel process. The sol–gel coatings are commonly used for changing and/or enhancing optical, chemical and mechanical properties of the substrate glass. The coatings prepared in this work should exhibit high transmittance and good chemical resistance, whereof should be achieved by the combination of default precursor tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and various functionalized silicon alkoxides 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (MEMO) and isobutyl(trimethoxy)silane (IBTMS). Sols were applied on substrate glass via the dip-coating method at different withdrawal speeds. Coatings were dried 1 h at 200 °C in ambient atmosphere. Assessment of transmittance was done by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, chemical resistance was observed by accelerated weathering tests in a humidity chamber, mechanical properties were evaluated with the means of standardized pencil hardness test and cross-cut tape test, and moreover analysis of abrasion resistance was done by model test. The most efficient functionalization was combination of 1% IBTMS + 1% MEMO and functionalization with MEMO up to 2% alone. These coatings showed good resistance against damp heat, they can withstand certain loads of abrasion and concurrently still exhibit high transmittance in the visible spectrum.

Graphical Abstract
Association between changed self-rated health and the risk of venous thromboembolism in Malmö Preventive Program: a cohort study
Authors: Nymberg Peter , Milos Nymberg Veronica , Calling Susanna , Engström Gunnar , Svensson Peter , Elf Johan , Zöller Bengt
Published: January 2024

Poor self-rated health (SRH) is associated with incident arterial cardiovascular disease in both sexes. Studies on the association between SRH and incident venous thromboembolism (VTE) show divergent results in women and no association in men. This study focuses on the association between change in SRH and incident VTE in a cohort of 11,558 men and 6682 women who underwent a baseline examination and assessment of SRH between 1974 and 1992 and a re-examination in 2002–2006. To investigate if changes in SRH over time affect the risk of incident VTE in men and women. During a follow-up time from the re-examination of more than 16 years, there was a lower risk for incident VTE among women if SRH changed from poor at baseline to very good/excellent (HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.28; 0.74) at the re-examination. Stable good SRH (good to very good/excellent at the re-examination, HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.42; 0.89), or change from good SRH at baseline into poor/fair at the re-examination (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.51; 0.90) were all significantly associated with a reduced risk for VTE. All comparisons were done with the group with stable poor SRH. This pattern was not found among men. Regardless of a decreased or increased SRH during life, having an SRH of very good/excellent at any time point seems to be associated with a decreased risk of VTE among women.
Translatability of mouse muscle-aging for humans: the role of sex
Authors: de Jong Jelle C. B. C. , Caspers Martien P. M. , Worms Nicole , Keijzer Nanda , Kleemann Robert , Menke Aswin L. , Nieuwenhuizen Arie G. , Keijer Jaap , Verschuren Lars , van den Hoek Anita M.
Published: January 2024

Muscle-aging drives sarcopenia and is a major public health issue. Mice are frequently used as a model for human muscle-aging, however, research investigating their translational value is limited. In addition, mechanisms underlying muscle-aging may have sex-specific features in humans, but it is not yet assessed whether these are recapitulated in mice. Here, we studied the effects of aging on a functional, histological and transcriptional level at multiple timepoints in male and female mice (4, 17, 21 and 25 months), with particular emphasis on sex-differences. The effects of natural aging on the transcriptome of quadriceps muscle were compared to humans on pathway level. Significant loss of muscle mass occurred late, at 25 months, in both male (-17%, quadriceps) and female mice (-10%, quadriceps) compared to young control mice. Concomitantly, we found in female, but not male mice, a slower movement speed in the aged groups compared to the young mice (P < 0.001). Consistently, weighted gene co-expression network analysis revealed a stronger association between the aging-related reduction of movement and aging-related changes in muscle transcriptome of female compared to male mice (P < 0.001). In male, but not female mice, major distinctive aging-related changes occurred in the last age group (25 months), which highlights the necessity for careful selection of age using mice as a muscle-aging model. Furthermore, contrasting to humans, more aging-related changes were found in the muscle transcriptome of male mice compared to female mice (4090 vs. 2285 differentially expressed genes at 25 months, respectively). Subsequently, male mice recapitulated more muscle-aging related pathways characteristic for both male and female humans. In conclusion, our data show that sex has a critical effect on the mouse muscle-aging trajectory, although these do not necessarily reflect sex differences observed in the human muscle-aging trajectory.
Future Skills – Zukunftsorientierte Hochschullehre
Authors: Zahn Carmen
Published: January 2024

In diesem Theoriebeitrag der Zeitschrift für Psychodrama und Soziometrie wird ein wissenschaftliches Erklärungsmodell für die Wirksamkeit psychodramatischer Methoden in der Hochschullehre entwickelt. Eine zukunftsfähige Hochschullehre, die bei Studierenden neben dem Erlernen komplexer Wissens- und Handlungszusammenhänge auch mit fundierten Methoden die Kreativität, Innovationsfreude und „Future skills“ fördert, ist wichtiger denn je.
Germline Mutations and Ancestry in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Bataba Eudoxie , Babcock Kevin , Isensee Kathryn A. , Eldhose Binil , Kohaar Indu , Chesnut Gregory T. , Dobi Albert
Published: January 2024

Purpose of Review

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed non-cutaneous malignancy of men in the USA; notably, the incidence is higher among men of African, followed by European and Asian ancestry. Germline mutations and, in particular, mutations in DNA damage repair genes (DDRGs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer. This review intends to discuss the implication of ancestry on prostate cancer, specifically in regard to lack of diversity in genomic and genetic databases and the ability of providers to properly counsel patients on the significance of cancer genetic results.

Recent Findings

Ancestral differences in prostate cancer-associated DDRG germline mutations are increasingly recognized. Guidelines for treatment by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) support germline testing in certain patients, and a myriad of genetic testing panels for DDRG mutations are now available in clinical practice. However, the consensus among providers on what genes and mutations to include in the genetic tests has evolved from experience from men of European ancestry (EA). Gaps in ancestry-informed clinical practice exist in genetic risk assessment, implementation of screening, counseling, guiding recommendations, treatment, and clinical trial enrollment.

The lack of diversity in tumor genomic and genetic databases may hinder ancestry-specific disease-predisposing alterations from being discovered and targeted in prostate cancer and, therefore, impede the ability of providers to accurately counsel patients on the significance of cancer genetic test results.
Anaerobic Co-digestion of the Liquid Fraction of Food Waste with Waste Activated Sludge
Authors: Kanellos Gerasimos , Tremouli Asimina , Kondylis Antonios , Stamelou Antigoni , Lyberatos Gerasimos
Published: January 2024

The present study investigated the feasibility of the anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) of condensate, resulting from drying food waste, with Waste Activated Sludge in a pilot scale continuous stirred tank reactor. Different parameters were assessed in order to enhance the AcoD performance; the condensate potency (condensate A: 13 gCOD/L and condensate B: 4 gCOD/L), the volumetric ratio of condensate to WAS (0–67% v/v) and the hydraulic retention time (HRT) (20, 15 and 12 days). The results showed that increasing the condensate content in the feed from 0 to 67% v/v, enhances the organic load removal (up to 41% increased total COD removal) and the bioenergy production (up to 35% increased biomethane production). Moreover, in the case of condensate A, the reduction of HRT from 20 to 15 days enhanced the bioenergy production (up to 19% increased biomethane production) while the reduction of HRT from 20 to 12 days in the case of condensate B did not significantly affect the reactor’s performance. Overall it is concluded that condensate can be safely introduced in existing facilities for anaerobic digestion, while maintaining a more stable operation and improved effluent quality and bioenergy production in comparison with conventional anaerobic sludge digestion.

Graphical Abstract
On the electric behaviour of conductive grease inside the contact zone
Authors: Zhou Yuxin , Liu Jinjie , Li Xinming , Chong He , Han Bo , Bai Qinghua
Published: January 2024

Conductive grease has been considered as a potential solution in addressing electric erosion issue inside motor bearings. Understanding the conductive grease performance, especially the electric and tribological behaviour is crucial for its application. This paper combines bulk grease characterization and contact film study considering both electrical and tribological loading conditions. The results show that the electric performance for the selected conductive grease sample is electric field dependent, including both frequency and voltage amplitude. Its film impedance inside the contact area is closely related to the external electric field, running condition, and lubrication regime. The following film impedance calculation tells that not only bulk grease electric parameters, but the contact parameter, lubricant film contour and lubrication condition should be considered when performing the overall bearing electrical modelling.
Roof movement and instability fracture characteristics in shallow-buried thin coal seam conventional mining faces
Authors: Zhang Jihua , Rui Qiao , Yang Yushun , Chen Jiarui , Shen Wei , Yuan Yue , Wang Chengwu , Liu Weili
Published: January 2024

The variation in the width of the mining face significantly affects the stability of the face, leading to potential roof fracturing and collapse. Additionally, strong mining pressure can manifest, severely impeding the safe production of coal mines. This study uses the No. 16705 conventional working face of Jinda Coal Mine as its engineering background to investigate the characteristics of roof strata movement and instability under conditions of variable-width mining in shallow-buried thin coal seams. First, the dynamic load of the roof strata is estimated based on the key strata theory. Next, a mechanical model of the immediate roof strata movement in the working face is established based on the theory of elastic thin plates, which has been used to reveal the impact of different dimensions of the overhanging plate structure and residual overhanging structures in the corner on roof movement and its associated fracture mechanics. The findings indicated that the maximum bending deformation, deformation moment, and bending stress all have an exponential function relationship with the roof width. Similarly, these metrics have an exponential function relationship with the overhanging span of the roof. In addition, these parameters all have a linear functional relationship with the size of the residual overhanging structures in the corner. Finally, the effect of roof instability on overlying pressure is analyzed, and both the initial fracture step length and cyclic movement fracture step length of the roof are estimated. These insights offer valuable scientific guidance and a theoretical foundation for analyzing the adaptability of load-bearing pillars pressure in thin coal seam mining faces, bearing significant relevance to safety production.
Zur Anbahnung diskursiven Unterrichts in der Grundschule. Theoretische und empirische Anregungen zur Begründung und Etablierung einer postheroischen Lehr-Lern-Form
Authors: Goldmann Daniel
Published: January 2024

Der Beitrag untersucht anhand von Unterrichtstranskripten einen diskursiven Grundschulunterricht, der anhand des systemtheoretischen Begriffsvorschlags der Lernkonflikte als kategorial andere Unterrichtsweise identifizierbar ist. Der Unterricht wird daraufhin befragt, welche Mittel und dahinterliegenden Strategien der Anbahnung und Etablierung eines solchen Unterrichts im Verlauf der Grundschulzeit rekonstruiert werden können. Die identifizierten Strategien können gleichzeitig als Grundlage für die Etablierung eines solchen Lehrformats in anderen Schulformen oder der universitären Lehre dienen.
All the Earth will not remember: how geographic gaps structure the record of diversity and extinction
Authors: Krone Isaac W. , Magoulick Katherine M. , Yohler Ryan M.
Published: January 2024

We know the fossil record is incomplete, but just how much biodiversity does it miss? We produce the first geographically controlled estimate by comparing the geographic ranges of 34,266 modern tetrapods with a map of the world's sedimentary basins. By modeling which tetrapods live within sedimentary basins, we produce a first-order estimate of what might be found in the fossil record of the future. In this record, nearly 30% of tetrapod species have almost no chance of fossilizing, and more stringent criteria for fossilization exclude far more diversity. This geographically structured fossil record preserves disparate patterns of taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity in different tetrapod groups and underpreserves projected extinctions. For the globally threatened amphibians, the magnitude of the extinction of all endangered species would be underestimated by 66–98% in our future record. These results raise profound questions about the structure of the fossil record. Is it capable of recording major origination and extinction events on land? Have swaths of terrestrial diversity gone unrecorded based on geography alone? There are chapters of Earth history that paleontologists can never hope to know, but what is missing, and why?
Species occurrences of Mio-Pliocene horses (Equidae) from Florida: sampling, ecology, or both?
Authors: Killingsworth Stephanie R. , MacFadden Bruce J.
Published: January 2024

During the late Miocene and early Pliocene (latest Hemphillian, Hh4 interval, 5.7 to 4.75 Ma) a distinctive suite of four species of extinct horses (Family Equidae) were widespread in North America. This includes Nannippus aztecus, Neohipparion eurystyle, Astrohippus stocki, and Dinohippus mexicanus. In Florida, two additional equid species, Pseudhipparion simpsoni and Cormohipparion emsliei, are also typically found at Hh4 localities. Here we compare horses from four Hh4 Florida fossil sites, including three from the Bone Valley mines and a fourth from the recently discovered Montbrook site. Two of these sites have all six expected species, one has five species, and one has only four species present. To explain these differences, we used species counts from research databases and rarefaction simulation to clarify the relative abundances, species richness, and occurrences of these horses from these four sites. The Palmetto Mine (Agrico) site, with five equid species, appears to lack the sixth species owing to ecological reasons. This is different from Montbrook, the site with only four of the six species. Results indicate that Montbrook is likely lacking two missing equid species for a couple of reasons: sampling bias and biological/ecological causes. Our results demonstrate that sampling biases can account for observed equid species richness when the overall abundance of certain equid species is low. Nevertheless, other factors, including ecology and with sufficient resolution, perhaps also time, may also explain the distribution and occurrences of individual species at these and other fossil sites. In a broader perspective, analyses such as this example provide an opportunity to address a persistent challenge in paleontology, that is, how do we explain absences of extinct taxa from the fossil record?
CHALCOLITHIC/EARLY BRONZE AGE AND ADDITIONAL MAGDALENIAN RADIOCARBON DATES FOR EL MIRÓN CAVE (RAMALES DE LA VICTORIA, CANTABRIA, SPAIN). DATE LIST VII
Authors: González Morales Manuel R , González-Rabanal Borja , Gutiérrez-Zugasti Igor , Cuenca-Solana David , Straus Lawrence G
Published: January 2024

There are now 101 radiocarbon dates from the long Paleolithic and post-Paleolithic culture-stratigraphic sequence in El Mirón Cave, Cantabrian Spain. Here we report on two dates on bone from two different humans whose remains were found in disturbed surface sediments in the cave vestibule rear and that confirm the existence of burials in addition to previously reported residential occupations in the vestibule front pertaining to the Chalcolithic and early Bronze Age periods (ca. 5500–3500 cal BP). In another attempt to resolve problems of stratigraphic incoherence of dates from the early Magdalenian periods in the vestibule rear, six new assays on faunal remains from Levels 119, 117, 114, 108, and 106 were run at Queen’s University in Belfast. There continue to be date inversions in the Lower Magdalenian range of levels that may be explained by a combination of intensive anthropic and rodent activity, major rock fall, slope wash and gravity-caused object movements, as well as possible problems in following some thin levels during excavations over a large area and across many years of work in the cave vestibule interior, particularly in the absence of any layers that are culturally sterile or even poor. Nonetheless, the coherent age of the Initial Magdalenian is fully confirmed by a new date from Level 21 in the vestibule front at ca. 22,000–20,500 cal BP), as is the general age range of the Lower Magdalenian (ca. 20,500–18,000 cal BP).
COUNTERMYTHOLOGIES: IPHIGENIA'S ANIMAL PART
Authors: Haselswerdt Ella
Published: January 2024

Early in the first act of Shorter and spalding's …(Iphigenia) the carousing band of Argive soldiers cum frat boys dumps the body of a deer stage left, close to the audience. A spotlight is trained onto the carcass, and there it remains: as the bodies of Iphigenias pile up alongside it through Act I; as the Iphigenias are revivified and we enter a new conceptual plane in Act II; as the mythic plot reconvenes in Act III; and during the curtain call, when the cast, musicians, and crew come onto the stage to take their bows. At one point, I half expected the ensemble to smile wide and extend their arms towards the rigid body of the deer, inviting audience applause for their fellow performer, still, even now, fixed motionless under a spotlight.
Ut Poesis Historia? A Computational-Hermeneutic Approach to the Renaissance Art of History
Authors: Kluge Sofie , Kristensen-Mclachlan Ross Deans
Published: January 2024

This article aims to reopen discussion of the Renaissance ars historica, a genre that has garnered little attention in modern scholarship. It does so by using a set of computational tools to measure the quantitative occurrence of terms related to artistry and cognition in Johann Wolff's collection of historical-method texts entitled “Artis Historicae Penus” (1579). Like the period's historical writing, which amalgamated aesthetics and historiography, the Renaissance artes historicae belonged to a historiographical paradigm in which the skillful construction of discourse went hand in hand with the search for historical truth. The title of Wolff's anthology accordingly draws an overt connection between the concepts of “ars” and “historia,” yet what did sixteenth-century theorists mean by “art”?
Effects of co-infection with Clonorchis sinensis on T cell exhaustion levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Dong Huimin , Liao Yuan , Shang Mei , Fu Yuechun , Zhang Hongbin , Luo Minqi , Hu Bo
Published: January 2024

To investigate the effects of co-infection with Clonorchis sinensis (C. sinensis) on T cell exhaustion levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B, we enrolled clinical cases in this study, including the patients with concomitant C. sinensis and HBV infection. In this study, we detected inhibitory receptors and cytokine expression in circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells by flow cytometry. PD-1 and TIM-3 expression levels were significantly higher on CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells from co-infected patients than on those from the HBV patients. In addition, CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells function were significantly inhibited by C. sinensis and HBV co-infection compared with HBV single infection, secreting lower levels of Interferon gamma (IFN-γ), Interleukin-2 (IL-2), and TNF-α. Our current results suggested that C. sinensis co-infection could exacerbate T cell exhaustion in patients with chronic hepatitis B. PD-1 and TIM-3 could be novel biomarkers for T cell exhaustion in patients with Clonorchis sinensis and chronic hepatitis B co-infection. Furthermore, it may be one possible reason for the weaker response to antiviral therapies and the chronicity of HBV infection in co-infected patients. We must realize the importance of C. sinensis treatment for HBV-infected patients. It might provide useful information for clinical doctors to choose the right treatment plans.
A contact parameter estimation method for multi-modal robot locomotion on deformable granular terrains
Authors: Lyu Shipeng , Zhang Wenyao , Yao Chen , Liu Zhengtao , Su Yang , Zhu Zheng , Jia Zhenzhong
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we consider the problem of contact parameters (slippage and sinkage) estimation for multi-modal robot locomotion on granular terrains. To describe the contact events in the same framework for robots operated at different modes (e.g., wheel, leg), we propose a unified description of contact parameters for multi-modal robots. We also provide a parameter estimation method for multi-modal robots based on CNN and DWT (discrete wavelet transformation) techniques and verify its effectiveness over different types of granular terrains. Besides motion modes, this paper also considers the influence of slope angles and the robot’s handing angles over contact parameters. Through comparison and analysis of the prediction results, our method can not only effectively predict the contact parameters of multi-modal robot locomotion on a granular medium (better than
$96\%$
accuracy) but also achieves the same or better performance when compared to other (direct) contact measurement methods designed for individual motion modes, that is, single-modal robots such as quadruped robots and mars rovers. Our proposed unified contact parameter estimation method can be useful for studying the interaction mechanics between multi-modal robots and granular terrains as well as terrain classification tasks due to its superior sensitivity which is analyzed in the experiments.
Trends of risk factors associated with childhood stunting and anaemia in Ghana: evidence from the Demographic Health Survey and Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (2003–2017)
Authors: Sewor Christian , Jayalakshmi Rajeev
Published: January 2024

Objective:

This study investigated the trend of effect estimates of the key risk factors of childhood stunting and anaemia between 2003 and 2017.

Design:

A secondary analysis of the Demographic Health Survey (DHS) and Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) data for the Ghanaian population between 2003 and 2017. Associations of selected socio-demographic (child age and gender; maternal age and education), economic (household wealth), environmental, dietary (minimum dietary diversity and iodine use) and health system (place of delivery and vaccination) factors were explored using the Poisson regression model. Trend analysis was explored using a fitted linear regression line on a time series plot.

Setting:

Ghana

Participants:

Children under 5 years

Results:

The results showed a reduction in the prevalence of stunting and anaemia over the 15-year duration. These health outcomes were found to be negatively associated with a wide array of socio-demographic (child age and gender, maternal age and education, residency), economic (household wealth), dietary (iodised salt use) and health service (place of delivery and vaccination) factors; however, the most consistent statistically significant association was observed between child’s age and belonging to the poor wealth quintile.

Conclusion:

In order to prevent these indicators of child malnutrition, key consideration must be given to the early developmental stages of life. Child health policies must focus on addressing the key contextual factors of child malnutrition.
Gamma Knife treatment strategies for paediatric AVMs: approaches to refractory cases
Authors: Horiba A. , Hayashi M. , Oka M. , Funatsu T. , Ishikawa T. , Yamaguchi K. , Kawamata T.
Published: January 2024

Introduction:

While paediatric arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) often require aggressive therapeutic intervention due to their high bleeding incidence, choosing a course of treatment for deep and eloquent areas and asymptomatic cases is difficult. Sequelae are a concern in children, as they survive for longer after treatment. The authors have long recommended and implemented staged Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) in their treatment guidelines to maximise therapeutic effects.

Methods:

Fifty-eight paediatric patients with AVM and ≤15 years old who underwent GKRS under general anesthesia from 2002 to 2020 were followed up for an average of 81·5 months. Obliteration dynamics and clinical outcomes were analysed.

Results:

The mean patient age was 10·5 years. The mean nidus volume was 6·6 cm3, the complete occlusion rate was 69%, the annual post-irradiation bleeding rate was 2·19% and nine (16%) cases had transient radiation-induced changes. One (1·7%) patient had sequela, and three (5·1%) developed encapsulated hematomas and cysts. Additionally, the 3- and 5-year cumulative occlusion rates were 39·0% and 53·3%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed significantly higher occlusion rates in patients ≤12 years old and with a nidus volume of ≤4 cm3.

Conclusions:

GKRS is a useful treatment for paediatric AVM; however, its use poses some challenges.
Orbital and Millennial‐Scale Cycles Through the Hirnantian (Late Ordovician) in Southern China
Authors: Jin Siding , Cao Haiyang , Hou Mingcai , Wang Jiawei , Ma Chao , Liu Yu
Published: January 2024

The Hirnantian period, making the end of the Ordovician with significant mass extinctions and large ice‐sheets, is a critical interval for studying paleoclimate variations. This research represents the first cyclostratigraphic study of this period, utilizing high‐resolution (1 mm sampling rate) geochemical data from the ∼7‐m thick SH‐1 drill core, capturing the latest Ordovician glaciation. Our analysis identifies the presence of Milankovitch cycles with periods of 17–21, ∼33, and ∼100‐kyr, suggesting an optimal sedimentation rate of 3.1 m/Myr. Notably, we detected signals of millennial‐scale variability, aligning with the ∼1.5‐kyr Dansgaard‐Oeschger and ∼2.4‐kyr Hallstatt heliomagnetic cycles, even in deposits lacking visible laminae alternation. This finding bolsters the hypothesis of an external origin for these millennial‐scale features. Additionally, our reconstruction of sea‐level variations, using principal component analysis and sedimentary noise modeling, reveals two intervals of sea‐level fall and one sea‐level rise, linked to an astronomical forcing cycle of ∼1.2‐Myr. The obliquity band power‐total power ratios correspond to ∼1.2‐Myr periodicities for s4‐s3 term. The synchronization of ∼1.2‐Myr cycle minimum with a sea‐level drop (low PC1 value) suggests that glacio‐eustatic variations were influenced by ∼1.2‐Myr obliquity modulation cycles. This research enhances our understanding of glacio‐eustasy during the latest Ordovician from an astronomical perspective, offering valuable insights into the interplay between orbital cycles and Earth's paleoclimate.
Evidence of Sulfate‐Rich Fluid Alteration in Jezero Crater Floor, Mars
Authors: Siljeström Sandra , Czaja Andrew D. , Corpolongo Andrea , Berger Eve L. , Li An Y. , Cardarelli Emily , Abbey William , Asher Sanford A. , Beegle Luther W. , Benison Kathleen C. , Bhartia Rohit , Bleefeld Benjamin L. , Burton Aaron S. , Bykov Sergei V. , Clark Benton , DeFlores Lauren , Ehlmann Bethany L. , Fornaro Teresa , Fox Allie , Gómez Felipe , Hand Kevin , Haney Nikole C. , Hickman‐Lewis Keyron , Hug William F. , Imbeah Samara , Jakubek Ryan S. , Kah Linda C. , Kivrak Lydia , Lee Carina , Liu Yang , Martínez‐Frías Jesús , McCubbin Francis M. , Minitti Michelle , Moore Kelsey , Morris Richard V. , Núñez Jorge I. , Osterhout Jeffrey T. , Phua Yu Yu , Randazzo Nicolas , Hollis Joseph Razzell , Rodriguez Carolina , Roppel Ryan , Scheller Eva L. , Sephton Mark , Sharma Shiv K. , Sharma Sunanda , Steadman Kim , Steele Andrew , Tice Michael , Uckert Kyle , VanBommel Scott , Williams Amy J. , Williford Kenneth H. , Winchell Katherine , Wu Megan Kennedy , Yanchilina Anastasia , Zorzano Maria‐Paz
Published: January 2024

Sulfur plays a major role in martian geochemistry and sulfate minerals are important repositories of water. However, their hydration states on Mars are poorly constrained. Therefore, understanding the hydration and distribution of sulfate minerals on Mars is important for understanding its geologic, hydrologic, and atmospheric evolution as well as its habitability potential. NASA's Perseverance rover is currently exploring the Noachian‐age Jezero crater, which hosts a fan‐delta system associated with a paleolake. The crater floor includes two igneous units (the Séítah and Máaz formations), both of which contain evidence of later alteration by fluids including sulfate minerals. Results from the rover instruments Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemistry and Planetary Instrument for X‐ray Lithochemistry reveal the presence of a mix of crystalline and amorphous hydrated Mg‐sulfate minerals (both MgSO4·[3–5]H2O and possible MgSO4·H2O), and anhydrous Ca‐sulfate minerals. The sulfate phases within each outcrop may have formed from single or multiple episodes of water activity, although several depositional events seem likely for the different units in the crater floor. Textural and chemical evidence suggest that the sulfate minerals most likely precipitated from a low temperature sulfate‐rich fluid of moderate pH. The identification of approximately four waters puts a lower constraint on the hydration state of sulfate minerals in the shallow subsurface, which has implications for the martian hydrological budget. These sulfate minerals are key samples for future Mars sample return.
Crosstalk between autophagy and metabolism: implications for cell survival in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Chen Yongfeng , Chen Jia , Zou Zhenyou , Xu Linglong , Li Jing
Published: January 2024

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a prevalent form of leukemia in adults, is often characterized by low response rates to chemotherapy, high recurrence rates, and unfavorable prognosis. A critical barrier in managing refractory or recurrent AML is the resistance to chemotherapy. Increasing evidence indicates that tumor cell metabolism plays a crucial role in AML progression, survival, metastasis, and treatment resistance. Autophagy, an essential regulator of cellular energy metabolism, is increasingly recognized for its role in the metabolic reprogramming of AML. Autophagy sustains leukemia cells during chemotherapy by not only providing energy but also facilitating rapid proliferation through the supply of essential components such as amino acids and nucleotides. Conversely, the metabolic state of AML cells can influence the activity of autophagy. Their mutual coordination helps maintain intrinsic cellular homeostasis, which is a significant contributor to chemotherapy resistance in leukemia cells. This review explores the recent advancements in understanding the interaction between autophagy and metabolism in AML cells, emphasizing their roles in cell survival and drug resistance. A comprehensive understanding of the interplay between autophagy and leukemia cell metabolism can shed light on leukemia cell survival strategies, particularly under adverse conditions such as chemotherapy. This insight may also pave the way for innovative targeted treatment strategies.
Anti-correlated feature selection prevents false discovery of subpopulations in scRNAseq
Authors: Tyler Scott R. , Lozano-Ojalvo Daniel , Guccione Ernesto , Schadt Eric E.
Published: January 2024

While sub-clustering cell-populations has become popular in single cell-omics, negative controls for this process are lacking. Popular feature-selection/clustering algorithms fail the null-dataset problem, allowing erroneous subdivisions of homogenous clusters until nearly each cell is called its own cluster. Using real and synthetic datasets, we find that anti-correlated gene selection reduces or eliminates erroneous subdivisions, increases marker-gene selection efficacy, and efficiently scales to millions of cells.
Emergence of periodic circumferential actin cables from the anisotropic fusion of actin nanoclusters during tubulogenesis
Authors: Sekine Sayaka , Tarama Mitsusuke , Wada Housei , Sami Mustafa M. , Shibata Tatsuo , Hayashi Shigeo
Published: January 2024

The periodic circumferential cytoskeleton supports various tubular tissues. Radial expansion of the tube lumen causes anisotropic tensile stress, which can be exploited as a geometric cue. However, the molecular machinery linking anisotropy to robust circumferential patterning is poorly understood. Here, we aim to reveal the emergent process of circumferential actin cable formation in a Drosophila tracheal tube. During luminal expansion, sporadic actin nanoclusters emerge and exhibit circumferentially biased motion and fusion. RNAi screening reveals the formin family protein, DAAM, as an essential component responding to tissue anisotropy, and non-muscle myosin II as a component required for nanocluster fusion. An agent-based model simulation suggests that crosslinkers play a crucial role in nanocluster formation and cluster-to-cable transition occurs in response to mechanical anisotropy. Altogether, we propose that an actin nanocluster is an organizational unit that responds to stress in the cortical membrane and builds a higher-order cable structure.
Patterns of tropical forest understory temperatures
Authors: Ismaeel Ali , Tai Amos P. K. , Santos Erone Ghizoni , Maraia Heveakore , Aalto Iris , Altman Jan , Doležal Jiří , Lembrechts Jonas J. , Camargo José Luís , Aalto Juha , Sam Kateřina , Avelino do Nascimento Lair Cristina , Kopecký Martin , Svátek Martin , Nunes Matheus Henrique , Matula Radim , Plichta Roman , Abera Temesgen , Maeda Eduardo Eiji
Published: January 2024

Temperature is a fundamental driver of species distribution and ecosystem functioning. Yet, our knowledge of the microclimatic conditions experienced by organisms inside tropical forests remains limited. This is because ecological studies often rely on coarse-gridded temperature estimates representing the conditions at 2 m height in an open-air environment (i.e., macroclimate). In this study, we present a high-resolution pantropical estimate of near-ground (15 cm above the surface) temperatures inside forests. We quantify diurnal and seasonal variability, thus revealing both spatial and temporal microclimate patterns. We find that on average, understory near-ground temperatures are 1.6 °C cooler than the open-air temperatures. The diurnal temperature range is on average 1.7 °C lower inside the forests, in comparison to open-air conditions. More importantly, we demonstrate a substantial spatial variability in the microclimate characteristics of tropical forests. This variability is regulated by a combination of large-scale climate conditions, vegetation structure and topography, and hence could not be captured by existing macroclimate grids. Our results thus contribute to quantifying the actual thermal ranges experienced by organisms inside tropical forests and provide new insights into how these limits may be affected by climate change and ecosystem disturbances.
A one-two punch targeting reactive oxygen species and fibril for rescuing Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Wang Jiefei , Shangguan Ping , Chen Xiaoyu , Zhong Yong , Lin Ming , He Mu , Liu Yisheng , Zhou Yuan , Pang Xiaobin , Han Lulu , Lu Mengya , Wang Xiao , Liu Yang , Yang Huiqing , Chen Jingyun , Song Chenhui , Zhang Jing , Wang Xin , Shi Bingyang , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: January 2024

Toxic amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaque and harmful inflammation are two leading symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, precise AD therapy is unrealizable due to the lack of dual-targeting therapy function, poor BBB penetration, and low imaging sensitivity. Here, we design a near-infrared-II aggregation-induced emission (AIE) nanotheranostic for precise AD therapy. The anti-quenching emission at 1350 nm accurately monitors the in vivo BBB penetration and specifically binding of nanotheranostic with plaques. Triggered by reactive oxygen species (ROS), two encapsulated therapeutic-type AIE molecules are controllably released to activate a self-enhanced therapy program. One specifically inhibits the Aβ fibrils formation, degrades Aβ fibrils, and prevents the reaggregation via multi-competitive interactions that are verified by computational analysis, which further alleviates the inflammation. Another effectively scavenges ROS and inflammation to remodel the cerebral redox balance and enhances the therapy effect, together reversing the neurotoxicity and achieving effective behavioral and cognitive improvements in the female AD mice model.
Magnetoresistive-coupled transistor using the Weyl semimetal NbP
Authors: Rocchino Lorenzo , Balduini Federico , Schmid Heinz , Molinari Alan , Luisier Mathieu , Süß Vicky , Felser Claudia , Gotsmann Bernd , Zota Cezar B.
Published: January 2024

Semiconductor transistors operate by modulating the charge carrier concentration of a channel material through an electric field coupled by a capacitor. This mechanism is constrained by the fundamental transport physics and material properties of such devices—attenuation of the electric field, and limited mobility and charge carrier density in semiconductor channels. In this work, we demonstrate a new type of transistor that operates through a different mechanism. The channel material is a Weyl semimetal, NbP, whose resistivity is modulated via a magnetic field generated by an integrated superconductor. Due to the exceptionally large electron mobility of this material, which reaches over 1,000,000 cm2/Vs, and the strong magnetoresistive coupling, the transistor can generate significant transconductance amplification at nanowatt levels of power. This type of device can enable new low-power amplifiers, suitable for qubit readout operation in quantum computers.
Overcoming small-bandgap charge recombination in visible and NIR-light-driven hydrogen evolution by engineering the polymer photocatalyst structure
Authors: Elsayed Mohamed Hammad , Abdellah Mohamed , Alhakemy Ahmed Zaki , Mekhemer Islam M. A. , Aboubakr Ahmed Esmail A. , Chen Bo-Han , Sabbah Amr , Lin Kun-Han , Chiu Wen-Sheng , Lin Sheng-Jie , Chu Che-Yi , Lu Chih-Hsuan , Yang Shang-Da , Mohamed Mohamed Gamal , Kuo Shiao-Wei , Hung Chen-Hsiung , Chen Li-Chyong , Chen Kuei-Hsien , Chou Ho-Hsiu
Published: January 2024

Designing an organic polymer photocatalyst for efficient hydrogen evolution with visible and near-infrared (NIR) light activity is still a major challenge. Unlike the common behavior of gradually increasing the charge recombination while shrinking the bandgap, we present here a series of polymer nanoparticles (Pdots) based on ITIC and BTIC units with different π-linkers between the acceptor-donor-acceptor (A-D-A) repeated moieties of the polymer. These polymers act as an efficient single polymer photocatalyst for H2 evolution under both visible and NIR light, without combining or hybridizing with other materials. Importantly, the difluorothiophene (ThF) π-linker facilitates the charge transfer between acceptors of different repeated moieties (A-D-A-(π-Linker)-A-D-A), leading to the enhancement of charge separation between D and A. As a result, the PITIC-ThF Pdots exhibit superior hydrogen evolution rates of 279 µmol/h and 20.5 µmol/h with visible (>420 nm) and NIR (>780 nm) light irradiation, respectively. Furthermore, PITIC-ThF Pdots exhibit a promising apparent quantum yield (AQY) at 700 nm (4.76%).