bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Immunoinformatics Prediction of Novel Multi-Epitope Vaccines Candidate Against Surface Antigens of Nipah Virus
Authors: Rahman Md. Mahfuzur , Puspo Joynob Akter , Adib Ahmed Ahsan , Hossain Mohammad Enayet , Alam Mohammad Mamun , Sultana Sharmin , Islam Ariful , Klena John D. , Montgomery Joel M. , Satter Syed M. , Shirin Tahmina , Rahman Mohammed Ziaur
Published: June 2022

Nipah virus (NiV) is an emerging zoonotic virus causing outbreaks of encephalitis and respiratory illnesses in humans, with high mortality. NiV is considered endemic in Bangladesh and Southeast Asia. There are no licensed vaccines against NiV. This study aimed at predicting a dual-antigen multi-epitope subunit chimeric vaccine against surface-glycoproteins G and F of NiV. Targeted proteins were subjected to immunoinformatics analyses to predict antigenic B-cell and T-cell epitopes. The proposed vaccine designs were implemented based on the conservancy, population coverage, molecular docking, immune simulations, codon adaptation, secondary mRNA structure, and in-silico cloning. Total 40 T and B-cell epitopes were found to be conserved, antigenic (vaxijen-value > 0.4), non-toxic, non-allergenic, and human non-homologous. Of 12 hypothetical vaccines, two (NiV_BGD_V1 and NiV_BGD_V2) were strongly immunogenic, non-allergenic, and structurally stable. The proposed vaccine candidates show a negative Z-score (− 6.32 and − 6.67) and 83.6% and 89.3% of most rama-favored regions. The molecular docking confirmed the highest affinity of NiV_BGD_V1 and NiV_BGD_V2 with TLR-4 (ΔG = − 30.7) and TLR8 (ΔG = − 20.6), respectively. The vaccine constructs demonstrated increased levels of immunoglobulins and cytokines in humans and could be expressed properly using an adenoviral-based pAdTrack-CMV expression vector. However, more experimental investigations and clinical trials are needed to validate its efficacy and safety.
Selective GSK3β Inhibition Mediates an Nrf2-Independent Anti-inflammatory Microglial Response
Authors: Yousef Mohamed H. , Salama Mohamed , El-Fawal Hassan A. N. , Abdelnaser Anwar
Published: June 2022

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) is associated with the proinflammatory phenotype of microglia and has been shown to act in concert with nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). GSK3 is also a suppressor of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), the principal regulator of redox homeostasis. Agreeing with the oxidative paradigm of aging, Nrf2 is often deregulated in parainflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we aimed to explore a multimodal disease-modifying utility of GSK3 inhibition, beyond neuronal proteopathologies. Furthermore, we aimed to underscore the difference in therapeutic value between the two GSK3 paralogs by isoform-selective chemical inhibition. The anti-inflammatory effects of paralog-selective GSK3 inhibitors were evaluated as a function of the reductive capacity of each to mitigate LPS-induced activation of SIM-A9 microglia. The Griess method was employed to detect the nitrate-lowering capacity of selective GSK3 inhibition. Real-time PCR was used to assess post-treatment expression levels of pro-inflammatory markers and antioxidant genes; pro-inflammatory cytokines were assayed by ELISA. Nuclear lysates of treated cells were examined for Nrf2 and NF-κB accumulation by immunoblotting. Finally, to infer whether the counter-inflammatory activity of GSK3 inhibition was Nrf2-dependent, DsiRNA-mediated knockdown of Nrf2 was attempted. Results from our experiments reveal a superior anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative efficacy for GSK3β-selective inhibition, compared to GSK3α-selective and non-selective pan-inhibition; hence, use of selective GSK3β inhibitors is likely to be more propitious than non-selective dual inhibitors administered at comparable doses. Moreover, our results suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of GSK3 inhibition are not Nrf2 dependent.

Graphical abstract
How oxygen deficiency in the Baltic Sea proper has spread and worsened: The role of ammonium and hydrogen sulphide
Authors: Rolff Carl , Walve Jakob , Larsson Ulf , Elmgren Ragnar
Published: June 2022

Even large inflows of oxygen-rich seawater to the Baltic Proper have in recent decades given only short-lived relief from oxygen deficiency below the halocline. We analyse long-term changes in oxygen deficiency, and calculate the “total oxygen debt” $$\Sigma$$
Σ
OD, the oxygen required to oxidize the hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and ammonium (NH4) that builds up during stagnation periods. Since the early 1990s, oxygen below 65m has gradually decreased during successive stagnation periods, and the $$\Sigma$$
Σ
OD has increased, with NH4 more important than previously recognised. After the major inflow in 2014, the Baltic Proper $$\Sigma$$
Σ
OD has reached its highest level so far. The gradual shift of the $$\Sigma$$
Σ
OD to shallower sub-halocline waters in the western and northern basins has increased the risk of periodic coastal hypoxia and export of hypoxic water to the Bothnian Sea. The potential for inflows large enough to more than eliminate the $$\Sigma$$
Σ
OD seems limited in the near term.
Application of circulating tumour cells to predict response to treatment in head and neck cancer
Authors: Zhang Xi , Ekanayake Weeramange Chameera , Hughes Brett G. M. , Vasani Sarju , Liu Zhen Yu , Warkiani Majid Ebrahimi , Hartel Gunter , Ladwa Rahul , Thiery Jean Paul , Kenny Liz , Punyadeera Chamindie
Published: June 2022

Background

Local recurrence and metastasis remain the major causes of death in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) are shed from primary and metastatic sites into the circulation system and have been reported to play critical roles in the metastasis and recurrence of HNC. Here, we explored the use of CTCs to predict the response to treatment and disease progression in HNC patients.

Methods

Blood samples were collected at diagnosis from HNC patients (n = 119). CTCs were isolated using a spiral microfluidic device and were identified using immunofluorescence staining. Correlation of baseline CTC numbers to 13-week PET-CT data and multidisciplinary team consensus data were conducted.

Results

CTCs were detected in 60/119 (50.4%) of treatment naïve HNC patients at diagnosis. Baseline CTC numbers were higher in stage III vs. stage I-II p16-positive oropharyngeal cancers (OPCs) and other HNCs (p = 0.0143 and 0.032, respectively). In addition, we found that baseline CTC numbers may serve as independent predictors of treatment response, even after adjusting for other conventional prognostic factors. CTCs were detected in 10 out of 11 patients exhibiting incomplete treatment responses.

Conclusions

We found that baseline CTC numbers are correlated with treatment response in patients with HNC. The expression level of cell-surface vimentin (CSV) on CTCs was significantly higher in patients with persistent or progressive disease, thus providing additional prognostic information for stratifying the risk at diagnosis in HNC patients. The ability to detect CTCs at diagnosis allows more accurate risk stratification, which in the future may be translated into better patient selection for treatment intensification and/or de-intensification strategies.
Numerical conservation laws of time fractional diffusion PDEs
Authors: Cardone Angelamaria , Frasca-Caccia Gianluca
Published: June 2022

This paper introduces sufficient conditions to determine conservation laws of diffusion equations of arbitrary fractional order in time. Numerical methods that satisfy discrete counterparts of these conditions have conservation laws that approximate the continuous ones. On the basis of this result, we derive conservation laws for a mixed scheme that combines a finite difference method in space with a spectral integrator in time. A range of numerical experiments shows the convergence of the proposed method and its conservation properties.
Ultra-bright green carbon dots with excitation-independent fluorescence for bioimaging
Authors: Singh Amandeep , Qu Zhi , Sharma Astha , Singh Mandeep , Tse Brian , Ostrikov Kostya , Popat Amirali , Sonar Prashant , Kumeria Tushar
Published: June 2022

Current and future diagnostics urgently need imaging agents that are non-toxic and superior to clinically used small molecule dyes. Herein, we have developed luminescent green light-emitting carbon dots (GCDs) via a single-step hydrothermal reaction using a low-cost chemical precursor, p-toluenesulfonic acid. The GCDs exhibit excitation-independent fluorescence (FL) emission with the photoluminescence quantum yield of 70% and no FL quenching up to 1.25 mg/mL. The GCDs exhibit negligible cytotoxicity up to 250 µg/mL concentration in RAW 264.7 cells. Interestingly, GCDs exhibit an excitation-independent and concentration-dependent fluorescence emission behaviour. In vitro, the peak emission was obtained at 520 nm using the excitation at 430 nm. Whereas FL intensity increased with increasing concentration up to 1.25 mg/mL and a sharp decrease in FL intensity is observed upon further increasing the concentration of GCDs. Upon subcutaneously injecting the GCDs into a euthanized mouse, a similar concentration-dependent FL behaviour is evident. Background autofluorescence hinders the use of the GCDs at 420 nm excitation, however, a strong FL emission at 520 nm can be obtained by exciting subcutaneously injected GCDs at 465 nm—demonstrating excitation-independent emission characteristics. The above results indicate the potential of the non-toxic, low-cost carbon dots for diverse bioimaging applications.

Graphical abstract

Ultra-bright green-emitting carbon dots (GCDs) with photoluminescence quantum yield of 70% were synthesized using p-toluenesulfonic acid and ethylenediamine as precursors. The GCDs were subcutaneously injected into fresh mouse cadaver for fluorescence (FL)bioimaging, showing dose-dependent FL intensity behaviour.
Friends with or without benefits? An empirical evaluation of bilateral trade and economic integration between some of the post-Soviet economies
Authors: Cieślik Andrzej , Gurshev Oleg
Published: June 2022

The third decade of post-Soviet transition has seen a significant resurrection of economic integration centered around Russia. This paper analyzes bilateral trade of the Eurasian Economic Union (EUEA) members using gravity models with incomplete specialization in production and reviews the impact of newly signed preferential/free trade agreements across 2008–2019. The presented study relies on the explicit use of per worker physical capital endowments in determining cross-country trade and theory-consistent discrimination method between a variety of neoclassical and monopolistic models of trade. Our analysis highlights the importance of intra-industry trade in low processing sectors such as agri-food, mineral products, and metals between the block members. We find that the impact of new treaties has been primarily beneficial for imports, where the EUEA-Vietnam treaty had the most significant and persistent economic effect, while the EUEA membership has generated short-lived gains across different modes of trade for all members, except Kyrgyzstan.
The Evolution of China’s Railway Network (CRN) 1999-2019: Urbanization Impact and Regional Connectivity
Authors: Wang Wei , Du Wenbo , Liu Kun , Tong Lu
Published: June 2022

With the rapid development of China’s economy and society, China’s railway transportation system has been dramatically improved in terms of its scale and operational efficiency. To uncover the underlying relationship between urbanization and railway network structure, this paper examines the evolution of China’s railway transportation system from 1999 to 2019 by applying complex network theory. The results show that China’s railway network (CRN) has become more connected, more “small-world” and more heterogeneous since the beginning of the twenty-first century. Based on the train flow and train travel distance, the evolutionary course of CRN is found to undergo two apparent stages, with a turning point in 2007. By calculating the regional railway connection index (RRCI), it is revealed that the planned core cities in different regions act as bridges connecting the regions to the rest of the whole network.
Systematic review and meta-analysis for the impact of rod materials and sizes in the surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Authors: Bowden Dawn , Michielli Annalisa , Merrill Michelle , Will Steven
Published: June 2022

Purpose

To assess surgical and safety outcomes associated with different rod materials and diameters in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) surgery.

Methods

A systematic literature review and meta-analysis evaluated the surgical management of AIS patients using pedicle screw fixation systems (i.e., posterior rods and pedicle screws) with rods of different materials and sizes. Postoperative surgical outcomes (e.g., kyphosis and coronal correction) and complications (i.e., hyper/hypo-lumbar lordosis, proximal junctional kyphosis, revisions, reoperations, and infections) were assessed. Random-effects models (REMs) pooled data for outcomes reported in ≥ 2 studies.

Results

Among 75 studies evaluating AIS surgery using pedicle screw fixation systems, 46 described rod materials and/or diameters. Two studies directly comparing titanium (Ti) and cobalt–chromium (CoCr) rods found that CoCr rods provided significantly better postoperative kyphosis angle correction vs. Ti rods during a shorter follow-up (0–3 months, MD = − 2.98°, 95% CI − 5.79 to − 0.17°, p = 0.04), and longer follow-up (≥ 24 months, MD = − 3.99°, 95% CI − 6.98 to − 1.00, p = 0.009). Surgical infection varied from 2% (95% CI 1.0–3.0%) for 5.5 mm rods to 4% (95% CI 2.0–7.0%) for 6 mm rods. Reoperation rates were lower with 5.5 mm rods 1% (95% CI 0.0–3.0%) vs. 6 mm rods [6% (95% CI 2.0–9.0%); p = 0.04]. Differences in coronal angle, lumbar lordosis, proximal junctional kyphosis, revisions, and infections did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) among rods of different materials or diameters.

Conclusion

For AIS, CoCr rods provided better correction of thoracic kyphosis compared to Ti rods. Patients with 5.5 mm rods had fewer reoperations vs. 6.0 and 6.35 mm diameter rods.

Level of evidence

III.
The warfare for plant highway: vascular plant–microbe interaction pinpoints lignin
Authors: Ai Gan , Yang Dong-Lei , Dou Daolong
Published: June 2022

Plant vascular pathogens are one kind of destructive pathogens in agricultural production. However, mechanisms behind the vascular pathogen-recognition and the subsequent defense responses of plants are not well known. A recent pioneering study on plant vascular immunity discovered a conserved MKP1-MPK-MYB signaling cascade that activates lignin biosynthesis in vascular tissues to confer vascular resistance in both monocot rice and the dicot Arabidopsis. The breakthrough provides a novel view on plant immunity to vascular pathogens and offers a potential strategy for the future breeding of disease-resistant crops.
Maternal, environmental and demographic factors in hypospadias: Jordan tertiary center results
Authors: Al-Taher Raed , Al-Ghazawi Munir , Rashdan Mohammad , Amarin Marzouq , AbuHasheesh Amal , Zakaria Renad , Amoudi Runa , AlDarabkeh Tala , Aldemour Saddam
Published: June 2022

Highlights
The Scientific Method
Authors: Armstrong J. Scott , Green Kesten C.
Published: June 2022

The scientific method delivers prosperity, yet scientific practice has become subject to corrupting influences from within and without the scientific community. This essential reference is intended to help remedy those threats. The authors identify eight essential criteria for the practice of science and provide checklists to help avoid costly failures in scientific practice. Not only for scientists, this book is for all stakeholders of the broad enterprise of science. Science administrators, research funders, journal editors, and policymakers alike will find practical guidance on how they can encourage scientific research that produces useful discoveries. Journalists, commentators, and lawyers can turn to this text for help with assessing the validity and usefulness of scientific claims. The book provides practical guidance and makes important recommendations for reforms in science policy and science administration. The message of the book is complemented by Nobel Laureate Vernon L. Smith's foreword, and an afterword by Terence Kealey.
Neural network-based velocity-controllable UAV flocking
Authors: He T. , Wang L.
Published: June 2022

The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flocking among obstacles was transferred to a velocity-controllable UAV flocking problem, which means that multi-UAV gradually form and maintain the$\alpha$-lattice geometry as they track the desired flocking velocity, and can be applied to tasks such as obstacle avoidance and velocity tracking. Velocity-controllable UAV flocking problem is a multi-objective flocking controller parameters optimisation problem, for which we design flocking velocity and geometry objective function, and solve them using a multi-objective particle swarm optimisation algorithm (MOPSO). On this basis, to address the problem that MOPSO has random results and long computation time, we propose to use a neural network (NN) to approximate the mathematical relationship between the UAV flocking state and the flocking controller parameters. We simulate the flight process of 5 and 49 UAVs performing obstacle avoidance and velocity tracking tasks, respectively. The results show that the proposed UAV flocking controller has better convergence performance, obtains reproducible results, reduces computation time, and can be used for large-scale UAV flocking control.
The Rayleigh prolongation factor at small bubble to wall stand-off distances
Authors: Reuter Fabian , Zeng Qingyun , Ohl Claus-Dieter
Published: June 2022

The Rayleigh collapse time is the time it would take to shrink an empty spherical bubble in an infinite liquid domain to zero size, which is a function of ambient pressure and initial bubble radius. If a solid boundary is located in the vicinity of the shrinking or collapsing bubble, then liquid flow is hindered, such that the collapse time is prolonged. This can be quantified with the Rayleigh prolongation factor

$k$

. Here, we provide

$k$

for intermediate to smallest bubble to wall stand-off distances. It is measured with single laser-induced cavitation bubbles in water close to a solid boundary. Maximum bubble radii are determined from microscopic high-speed imaging at one million frames per second. Collapse times are measured acoustically via the acoustic transients emitted during bubble seeding and collapse. The experimental findings are compared, with good agreement, to numerical simulations based on a volume of fluid method. As a result, a polynomial fit of

$k$

versus stand-off distance is given for the near-wall bubble collapse in water. Then the influence of the viscosity on

$k$

is studied numerically in the near-wall regime.
Holocene climate background for lake evolution in the Badain Jaran Desert of northwestern China revealed by proxies from calcareous root tubes
Authors: Li Zhuolun , Li Xiang , Dong Shipei , Gao Youhong
Published: June 2022

It has been unclear whether Holocene lake evolution in the Badain Jaran Desert of northwestern China, an area in which lakes are mainly recharged by groundwater, responded to climate change. In this study, we analyzed the Mg/Ca ratio and phytolith assemblages from 10 Holocene calcareous root tube samples from the desert to reconstruct changes in effective moisture and mean annual precipitation (MAP) at the millennial scale during the Holocene and to explore the factors affecting lake evolution. Our results revealed that the effective moisture at 7000–5000 cal yr BP was higher than that of 5000–2000 cal yr BP. Similarly, the MAP was higher at 7000–5000 cal yr BP (175 ± 37 to 205 ± 37 mm) than at 5000–2000 cal yr BP (145 ± 37 to 165 ± 39 mm). The expansion of the lakes during the Early Holocene would have resulted from the input of groundwater from the meltwater in the recharge area. High lake levels in the Middle Holocene corresponded to increased monsoonal precipitation and groundwater recharge. The gradual decline of lake levels in the Late Holocene indicated a relatively arid climate with decreased monsoonal precipitation and groundwater recharge.
From development to taxonomy: the case of Sciaenacotyle pancerii (Monogenea: Microcotylidae) in the Mediterranean meagre
Authors: Villar-Torres Mar , Montero Francisco Esteban , Merella Paolo , Garippa Giovanni , Cherchi Santino , Raga Juan Antonio , Repullés-Albelda Aigües
Published: June 2022

The microcotylid Sciaenacotyle pancerii is a pathogenic monogenean infecting Argyrosomus regius, a candidate for species diversification in the Mediterranean aquaculture. Life-history stages of S. pancerii commonly co-occur in field infections, but to date, morphological data have only been provided for oncomiracidia and adults although identifying life-history stages can be useful in infection management. A total of 114 specimens of S. pancerii were analysed to characterize the developmental events and to assess morphological and morphometric variations before and after maturity. The post-larval development of S. pancerii is characterized by: expansion and bifurcation of the gut, loss of the larval haptor, protandrous development of the genitalia and vitellaria formation. The size variability of larval hooks, hamuli and germanium of S. pancerii is firstly reported and dimensional ranges of parasite body, haptor, testes, posteriormost clamps and eggs are widened. The size of most of the diagnostic features of S. pancerii significantly increases after parasite maturity and therefore, only those specimens with more than 116 clamps should be considered for minimising development-related variability in size. The high number of clamps, their fast development and the asymmetry in their size and arrangement suggest that S. pancerii may use a mixed attachment strategy between the closely related microcotylids and heteraxinids. This combination of features may be host related and linked to the gill structure of the sciaenid fish and the phylogenetic position of the genus Sciaenacotyle; distant from other microcotylids while close to heteraxinid species.
Mycoplasma genitalium and Chlamydia trachomatis infection among women in Southwest China: a retrospective study
Authors: Che Guanglu , Liu Fang , Yang Qiuxia , Lai Shuyu , Teng Jie , Tan Yuan , Duan Jiaxin , Chang Li
Published: June 2022

Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) are the most common sexually transmitted pathogens, which can cause cervicitis, pelvic inflammation and infertility in female. In the present study, we collected the basic information, clinical results of leucorrhoea and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection of patients, who were involved in both MG and CT RNA detection in West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University from January 2019 to April 2021, ranging from 18 to 50 years old. The results showed that the infection frequencies of MG and CT were 2.6% and 6.5%, respectively. The infection rate of CT in gynaecological patients was significantly higher than that of MG (P < 0.001). Moreover, patients with CT infection often had symptoms of gynaecological diseases, while patients with MG infection remain often asymptomatic. By exploring the connection between MG or CT infection and vaginal secretions, we found that the infection of MG or CT promoted to the increase of vaginal leukocytes, and CT infection exacerbated the decrease of the number of Lactobacillus in the vagina. Further analysis suggested that independent infection and co-infection of MG or CT resulted in abnormal vaginal secretion, affecting the stability of vaginal environment, which may induce vaginal diseases. Unexpectedly, our study found no association between MG or CT infection and high-risk HPV infection. In conclusion, our study explored the infection of MG and CT among women in Southwest China for the first time, and revealed that the infection of MG or CT would affect the homeostasis of vaginal environment, which laid a foundation for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of MG and CT infection.
Living in a fringe environment: three Late Roman settlements in the Kharga Oasis (Egypt's Western Desert)
Authors: Rossi Corinna , De Troia Nicoletta , Pasqui Andrea , Migliozzi Antonello
Published: June 2022

This article presents a comparative analysis of three Late Roman sites located at the northern outskirts of the Kharga Oasis in Egypt's Western Desert: Umm al-Dabadib, Ayn al-Labakha, and the Gib/Sumayra Complex. These were part of the district of the Oasis Magna, which included the oases of Dakhla and Kharga. An analysis of their layout, including both shape and extent, is followed by an evaluation of their absolute and relative positions. These data are then compared to the administrative and historical contexts within which the three sites flourished. Both administrative and economic aspects are considered, as well as the presence of the army. The complex picture that emerges suggests that these three sites played several roles at the same time and were part of a large-scale strategic design that encompassed not only the Kharga Oasis but the entire Western Desert.
Media Neuroscience on a Shoestring
Authors: Jahn Nolan T. , Meshi Dar , Bente Gary , Schmälzle Ralf
Published: June 2022

Abstract: Event-related potentials (ERPs) capture neural responses to media stimuli with a split-second resolution, opening the door to examining how attention modulates the reception process. However, the relatively high cost and difficulty of incorporating ERP methods have prevented broader adoption. This study tested the potential of a new mobile, relatively easy-to-mount, and highly affordable device for electroencephalography (EEG) measurement – the Muse EEG system – combined with a free, open-source platform for ERP recording and analysis. Specifically, we compared ERPs with affective visual stimuli – representative of the kind of engaging content that pervades modern social media. Our results confirm that the Muse system provides robust visual ERPs, highly reliable across two samples. Although there was no difference between ERPs to moderately positive and neutral stimuli in the expected time windows (200–300 ms, 400–600 ms), an exploratory analysis provided some evidence for differential processing of positive versus neutral images at the right temporal sensor site (TP10). Additionally, a compliance-gaining manipulation in participant instructions significantly improved data quality. These results support the use of the Muse EEG system in large-scale studies examining brain responses to screen media. They also suggest an easy social influence tactic that can enhance data quality as communication neuroscience is scaled up. The availability of a mobile EEG system for 250 USD makes it possible to incorporate neuroimaging into various communication paradigms beyond visual communication.
Implications of Local‐Scale Approximations on Describing Fluid Flow in Rock Fractures With Stress‐Induced Void Heterogeneity
Authors: Cui Pengfei , Xie Heping , Wang Zhihe , Hao Haichun , Li Cunbao , Gao Mingzhong
Published: June 2022

Studies on discrete fracture network models have recently shown progress by incorporating aperture heterogeneity to individual fracture elements for more accurate description of flow‐related processes in subsurface fractured rocks. Compared to a more realistic account of fracture‐scale void heterogeneity, the standard Reynolds equation (RE) is mostly adopted as the flow governing equation despite its inaccuracy described in many previous studies. To find effective models for flow in rock fractures under realistic subsurface stresses with proper knowledge of the associated uncertainties, we test four conceptual flow models with incorporation of five local‐scale approximations in rock fractures with varying stress‐induced void heterogeneity. From the analysis, we show that the parallel‐planar plate local‐scale approximation in the standard RE can lead to both overestimation and underestimation of the local flow due to the defect of the aperture‐averaging approach. In general, higher local deviations are observed for slow‐flow regions in the fracture void for all tested local‐scale approximations, whereas the faster‐flow regions are responsible for the overall deviation of the predicted fracture transmissivity. Among the tested local‐scale approximations, two of them are found to evidently improve the standard RE in terms of describing the local velocity field and estimating the overall fracture transmissivity, with absolute mean deviations of ∼11% and ∼7%, respectively. The results from this work further confirm improved flow estimation for subsurface stressed rock fractures by incorporating more accurate local‐scale approximations.
Type II collagen-positive progenitors are important stem cells in controlling skeletal development and vascular formation
Authors: Li Xinhua , Yang Shuting , Yuan Gongsheng , Jing Dian , Qin Ling , Zhao Hu , Yang Shuying
Published: June 2022

Type II collagen-positive (Col2+) cells have been reported as skeletal stem cells (SSCs), but the contribution of Col2+ progenitors to skeletal development both prenatally and postnatally during aging remains unclear. To address this question, we generated new mouse models with ablation of Col2+ cells at either the embryonic or postnatal stages. The embryonic ablation of Col2+ progenitors resulted in the death of newborn mice due to a decrease in skeletal blood vessels, loss of all vertebral bones and absence of most other bones except part of the craniofacial bone, the clavicle bone and a small piece of the long bone and ribs, which suggested that intramembranous ossification is involved in long bone development but does not participate in spine development. The postnatal ablation of Col2+ cells resulted in mouse growth retardation and a collagenopathy phenotype. Lineage tracing experiments with embryonic or postnatal mice revealed that Col2+ progenitors occurred predominantly in the growth plate (GP) and articular cartilage, but a limited number of Col2+ cells were detected in the bone marrow. Moreover, the number and differentiation ability of Col2+ progenitors in the long bone and knee joints decreased with increasing age. The fate-mapping study further revealed Col2+ lineage cells contributed to, in addition to osteoblasts and chondrocytes, CD31+ blood vessels in both the calvarial bone and long bone. Specifically, almost all blood vessels in calvarial bone and 25.4% of blood vessels in long bone were Col2+ lineage cells. However, during fracture healing, 95.5% of CD31+ blood vessels in long bone were Col2+ lineage cells. In vitro studies further confirmed that Col2+ progenitors from calvarial bone and GP could form CD31+ vascular lumens. Thus, this study provides the first demonstration that intramembranous ossification is involved in long bone and rib development but not spine development. Col2+ progenitors contribute to CD31+ skeletal blood vessel formation, but the percentage differs between long bone and skull bone. The number and differentiation ability of Col2+ progenitors decreases with increasing age.
High-throughput computation and structure prototype analysis for two-dimensional ferromagnetic materials
Authors: Shen Zhen-Xiong , Su Chuanxun , He Lixin
Published: June 2022

We perform high-throughput first-principles computations to search the high Curie temperature (TC) two-dimensional ferromagnetic (2DFM) materials. We identify 79 2DFM materials and calculate their TC, in which Co2F2 has the highest TC = 541 K, well above the room temperature. The 79 2DFM materials are classified into different structural prototypes according to their structural similarity. We perform sure independence screening and sparsifying operator (SISSO) analysis to explore the relation between TC and the material structures. The results suggest that the 2DFM materials with shorter distance between the magnetic atoms, larger local magnetic moments and more neighboring magnetic atoms are more likely to have higher TC.
Resonant tunneling in disordered borophene nanoribbons with line defects
Authors: Hu Pei-Jia , Wang Si-Xian , Chen Xiao-Feng , Liang Zeng-Ren , Fang Tie-Feng , Guo Ai-Min , Xu Hui , Sun Qing-Feng
Published: June 2022

Recently, borophene has attracted extensive interest as the wonder material, showing that line defects (LDs) occur widely at the interface between $$\nu _{1/5}$$

ν

1
/
5

and $$\nu _{1/6}$$

ν

1
/
6

boron sheets. Here, we study theoretically the electron transport through two-terminal disordered borophene nanoribbons (BNRs) with random distribution of LDs. Our results indicate that LDs strongly affect the electron transport properties of BNRs. Both $$\nu _{1/5}$$

ν

1
/
5

and $$\nu _{1/6}$$

ν

1
/
6

BNRs exhibit metallic behavior without any LD, in agreement with experiments. While in the presence of LDs, the overall electron transport ability is dramatically decreased, but some resonant peaks of conductance quantum are found in the transmission spectrum of any disordered BNR with arbitrary arrangement of LDs. These disordered BNRs exhibit metal-insulator transition with tunable transmission gap in the insulating regime. Furthermore, two evolution phenomena of resonant peaks are revealed for disordered BNRs with different widths. These results may help for understanding structure-property relationships and designing LD-based nanodevices.
Humoral response to anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in breastfeeding mothers and mother-to-infant antibody transfer through breast milk
Authors: Pietrasanta Carlo , Darwich Abbass , Ronchi Andrea , Crippa Beatrice , Spada Elena , Mosca Fabio , Pugni Lorenza , Rescigno Maria
Published: June 2022

The magnitude of mother-to-infant transfer of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies through breast milk (BM) after maternal vaccination during breastfeeding, in the absence of transplacental transfer of IgG, remains unclear. Here, we quantified anti-S and anti-RBD IgG, IgA, IgA1, and IgA2 in maternal serum, maternal saliva, BM, infant buccal swabs, and infant feces up to 90 days after the second maternal vaccine dose. BNT162b2 vaccine induced long-lasting IgG in maternal serum, but weaker mucosal antibody production, with anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgA amounts in BM between 10- and 150-fold lower compared to serum. BM IgA were exclusively of the IgA1 isotype, with no production of the mucosal-specific and protease-resistant IgA2. Accordingly, only traces of antibodies were retrieved from the feces of breastfed infants, and no IgG nor IgA were retrieved from infants’ buccal swabs. Newly engineered anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines may be needed to stimulate the antibody production at mucosal sites such as breast milk.
Flexible, self-powered sensors for estimating human head kinematics relevant to concussions
Authors: Dsouza Henry , Pastrana Juan , Figueroa José , Gonzalez-Afanador Ian , Davila-Montero Bianca M. , Sepúlveda Nelson
Published: June 2022

The present work demonstrates the development of a flexible, self-powered sensor patch that can be used to estimate angular acceleration and angular velocity, which are two essential markers for predicting concussions. The device monitors the dynamic strain experienced by the neck through a thin, polypropylene-based ferroelectret nanogenerator that produces a voltage pulse with profile proportional to strain. The intrinsic property of this device to convert mechanical input to electrical output, along with its flexibility and $$\sim$$
∼
100 $$\mu$$
μ
m thickness makes it a viable and practical device to be used as a wearable patch for athletes in high-contact sports. After processing the dynamic behavior of the produced voltage, a correspondence between the electric signal profile and the measurements from accelerometers integrated inside a human head and neck substitute was found. This demonstrates the ability of obtaining an electronic signature that can be used to extract head kinematics during collision, and creates a marker that could be used to detect concussions. Unlike accelerometer-based current trends on concussion-detection systems, which rely on sensors integrated in the athlete’s helmet, the flexible patch attached to the neck would provide information on the dynamics of the head movement, thus eliminating the potential of false readings from helmet sliding or peak angular acceleration.
Predicting neural deficits in sensorineural hearing loss from word recognition scores
Authors: Grant Kelsie J. , Parthasarathy Aravindakshan , Vasilkov Viacheslav , Caswell-Midwinter Benjamin , Freitas Maria E. , de Gruttola Victor , Polley Daniel B. , Liberman M. Charles , Maison Stéphane F.
Published: June 2022

The current gold standard of clinical hearing assessment includes a pure-tone audiogram combined with a word recognition task. This retrospective study tests the hypothesis that deficits in word recognition that cannot be explained by loss in audibility or cognition may reflect underlying cochlear nerve degeneration (CND). We collected the audiological data of nearly 96,000 ears from patients with normal hearing, conductive hearing loss (CHL) and a variety of sensorineural etiologies including (1) age-related hearing loss (ARHL); (2) neuropathy related to vestibular schwannoma or neurofibromatosis of type 2; (3) Ménière’s disease; (4) sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), (5) exposure to ototoxic drugs (carboplatin and/or cisplatin, vancomycin or gentamicin) or (6) noise damage including those with a 4-kHz “noise notch” or reporting occupational or recreational noise exposure. Word recognition was scored using CID W-22 monosyllabic word lists. The Articulation Index was used to predict the speech intelligibility curve using a transfer function for CID W-22. The level at which maximal intelligibility was predicted was used as presentation level (70 dB HL minimum). Word scores decreased dramatically with age and thresholds in all groups with SNHL etiologies, but relatively little in the conductive hearing loss group. Discrepancies between measured and predicted word scores were largest in patients with neuropathy, Ménière’s disease and SSNHL, intermediate in the noise-damage and ototoxic drug groups, and smallest in the ARHL group. In the CHL group, the measured and predicted word scores were very similar. Since word-score predictions assume that audiometric losses can be compensated by increasing stimulus level, their accuracy in predicting word score for CHL patients is unsurprising. The lack of a strong age effect on word scores in CHL shows that cognitive decline is not a major factor in this test. Amongst the possible contributions to word score discrepancies, CND is a prime candidate: it should worsen intelligibility without affecting thresholds and has been documented in human temporal bones with SNHL. Comparing the audiological trends observed here with the existing histopathological literature supports the notion that word score discrepancies may be a useful CND metric.
Long-COVID in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analyses
Authors: Lopez-Leon Sandra , Wegman-Ostrosky Talia , Ayuzo del Valle Norma Cipatli , Perelman Carol , Sepulveda Rosalinda , Rebolledo Paulina A. , Cuapio Angelica , Villapol Sonia
Published: June 2022

The objective of this systematic review and meta-analyses is to estimate the prevalence of long-COVID in children and adolescents and to present the full spectrum of symptoms present after acute COVID-19. We have used PubMed and Embase to identify observational studies published before February 10th, 2022 that included a minimum of 30 patients with ages ranging from 0 to 18 years that met the National Institute for Healthcare Excellence (NICE) definition of long-COVID, which consists of both ongoing (4 to 12 weeks) and post-COVID-19 (≥ 12 weeks) symptoms. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed using the MetaXL software to estimate the pooled prevalence with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviewers and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) reporting guideline was followed (registration PROSPERO CRD42021275408). The literature search yielded 8373 publications, of which 21 studies met the inclusion criteria, and a total of 80,071 children and adolescents were included. The prevalence of long-COVID was 25.24%, and the most prevalent clinical manifestations were mood symptoms (16.50%), fatigue (9.66%), and sleep disorders (8.42%). Children infected by SARS-CoV-2 had a higher risk of persistent dyspnea, anosmia/ageusia, and/or fever compared to controls. Limitations of the studies analyzed include lack of standardized definitions, recall, selection, misclassification, nonresponse and/or loss of follow-up, and a high level of heterogeneity.
Comparison between drug-coated balloons and drug-eluting stents in very small coronary artery interventions
Authors: Tsai Cheng-Hsuan , Yeh Chih-Fan , Meng Shih-Wei , Hung Chi-Sheng , Lin Mao-Shin , Huang Ching-Chang , Chen Chun-Kai , Huang Kuo-Ping , Chen Ying-Hsien , Kao Hsien-Li
Published: June 2022

The optimal management of very small vessel (reference diameter from 2.0 to 2.25 mm) in percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) is controversial. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of drug-coated balloons (DCBs) and drug-eluting stents (DESs) for de-novo very small vessel interventions. We conducted a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients who received very small vessel PCI with a DCB or DES between January 2018 and March 2021. The outcome measures were the incidence of ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization (TLR) and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) within 1 year after PCI. MACCEs were defined as the composite of ischemia-driven TLR, all-cause death, non-fatal acute coronary syndrome, stroke, or heart failure requiring hospitalization. A total of 205 patients undergoing PCI with a DCB or DES were enrolled in this study. The procedural complication rate was 2.5% in the DES group and 1.7% in the DCB group (P = 1.000). After 1-year of follow-up, the cumulative incidence of TLR was 7.2% in the DCB group and 4.9% in the DES group (P = 0.530). The cumulative incidence of MACCEs was 10.6% in the DCB group and 12.7% in the DES group (P = 0.769). Only female gender, acute coronary syndrome on presentation, and dual antiplatelet therapy duration < 3 months were significantly associated with MACCEs at 1 year, but the use of DCB or DES was not. The use of DCBs or DESs in de novo very small vessel intervention was not associated with different outcomes at 1 year.
Ponatinib sensitizes myeloma cells to MEK inhibition in the high-risk VQ model
Authors: Flietner Evan , Wen Zhi , Rajagopalan Adhithi , Jung Oisun , Watkins Lyndsay , Wiesner Joshua , You Xiaona , Zhou Yun , Sun Yuqian , Kingstad-Bakke Brock , Callander Natalie S. , Rapraeger Alan , Suresh M. , Asimakopoulos Fotis , Zhang Jing
Published: June 2022

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant plasma cell cancer. Mutations in RAS pathway genes are prevalent in advanced and proteasome inhibitor (PI) refractory MM. As such, we recently developed a VQ MM mouse model recapitulating human advanced/high-risk MM. Using VQ MM cell lines we conducted a repurposing screen of 147 FDA-approved anti-cancer drugs with or without trametinib (Tra), a MEK inhibitor. Consistent with its high-risk molecular feature, VQ MM displayed reduced responses to PIs and de novo resistance to the BCL2 inhibitor, venetoclax. Ponatinib (Pon) is the only tyrosine kinase inhibitor that showed moderate MM killing activity as a single agent and strong synergism with Tra in vitro. Combined Tra and Pon treatment significantly prolonged the survival of VQ MM mice regardless of treatment schemes. However, this survival benefit was moderate compared to that of Tra alone. Further testing of Tra and Pon on cytotoxic CD8+ T cells showed that Pon, but not Tra, blocked T cell function in vitro, suggesting that the negative impact of Pon on T cells may partially counteract its MM-killing synergism with Tra in vivo. Our study provides strong rational to comprehensively evaluate agents on both MM cells and anti-MM immune cells during therapy development.
The role of expertise and culture in visual art appreciation
Authors: Darda Kohinoor M. , Cross Emily S.
Published: June 2022

Is art appreciation universal? Previous evidence suggests a general preference for representational art over abstract art, and a tendency to like art originating from one’s own culture more than another culture (an ingroup bias), modulated by art expertise. However, claims about universality are difficult given that most research has focused on Western populations. Across two pre-registered and statistically powered experiments, we explore the role of culture and art expertise in the aesthetic evaluation of Indian and Western paintings and dance depicting both abstract and representational content, by inviting expert and art-naïve Indian and Western participants to rate stimuli on beauty and liking. Results suggest an ingroup bias (for dance) and a preference for representational art (for paintings) exists, both modulated by art expertise. As predicted, the ingroup bias was present only in art-naïve participants, and the preference for representational art was lower in art experts, but this modulation was present only in Western participants. The current findings have two main implications: (1) they inform and constrain understanding of universality of aesthetic appreciation, cautioning against generalising models of empirical aesthetics to non-western populations and across art forms, (2) they highlight the importance of art experience as a medium to counter prejudices.
Visualizing RNA polymers produced by hot wet-dry cycling
Authors: Hassenkam Tue , Deamer David
Published: June 2022

It is possible that the transition from abiotic systems to life relied on RNA polymers that served as ribozyme-like catalysts and for storing genetic information. The source of such polymers is uncertain, but previous investigations reported that wet–dry cycles simulating prebiotic hot springs provide sufficient energy to drive condensation reactions of mononucleotides to form oligomers and polymers. The aim of the study reported here was to verify this claim and visualize the products prepared from solutions composed of single mononucleotides and 1:1 mixture of two mononucleotides. Therefore, we designed experiments that allowed comparisons of all such mixtures representing six combinations of the four mononucleotides of RNA. We observed irregular stringy patches and crystal strands when wet-dry cycling was performed at room temperature (20 °C). However, when the same solutions were exposed to wet–dry cycles at 80 °C, we observed what appeared to be true polymers. Their thickness was consistent with RNA-like products composed of covalently bonded monomers, while irregular strings and crystal segments of mononucleotides dried or cycled at room temperature were consistent with structures assembled and stabilized by weak hydrogen bonds. In a few instances we observed rings with short polymer attachments. These observations are consistent with previous claims of polymerization during wet–dry cycling. We conclude that RNA-like polymers and rings could have been synthesized non-enzymatically in freshwater hot springs on the prebiotic Earth with sizes sufficient to fold into ribozymes and genetic molecules required for life to begin.