bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extubation in operating room versus early extubation in ICU after open-heart surgery in patients with CHDs
Authors: Kim Chan Hyeong , Lee Jae Hong , Kwon Hye Won , Cho Sungkyu , Kim Woong-Han , Ji Sang-Hwan , Jang Young-Eun , Kim Jin-Tae , Kwak Jae Gun
Published: November 2023

Backgrounds and Objectives:

The “Fast track” protocol is an early extubation strategy to reduce ventilator-associated complications and induce early recovery after open-heart surgery. This study compared clinical outcomes between operating room extubation and ICU extubation after open-heart surgery in patients with CHD.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed 215 patients who underwent open-heart surgery for CHDs under the scheduled “Fast track” protocol between September 2016 and April 2022. The clinical endpoints were post-operative complications, including bleeding, respiratory and neurological complications, and hospital/ICU stays.

Results:

The patients were divided into operating room extubation (group O, n = 124) and ICU extubation (group I, n=91) groups. The most frequently performed procedures were patch closures of the atrial septal (107/215, 49.8%) and ventricular septal (89/215, 41.4%) defects. There were no significant differences in major post-operative complications or ICU and hospital stay duration between the two groups; however, patients in group I showed longer mechanical ventilatory support (0.0 min vs. 59.0 min (interquartile range: 17.0–169.0), p < 0.001). Patients in Group O showed higher initial lactate levels (3.2 ± 1.7 mg/dL versus 2.5 ± 2.0 mg/dL, p = 0.007) and more frequently used additional sedatives and opioid analgesics (33.1% versus 19.8%, p = 0.031).

Conclusions:

Extubation in the operating room was not beneficial for patients during post-operative ICU or hospital stay. Early extubation in the ICU resulted in more stable hemodynamics in the immediate post-operative period and required less use of sedatives and analgesics.
Acouscapes: A software for ecoacoustic education and soundscape composition in primary and secondary education
Authors: Tejada Jesús , Murillo Adolf , Berenguer José Manuel
Published: November 2023

Acouscapes is a software designed as a simple educational solution for the creation of soundscapes and their use in the composition of soundscape music in primary and secondary education. The software has slots in which the user must place the sounds that will make up the desired soundscape, allowing them to make different soundwalks by interacting with the graphic interface. Acouscapes allows the content of these soundscapes to be modified by means of sound and structural processing, and includes a recording function. This article aims to present the conceptual and educational foundations of Acouscapes, to describe the software technically and functionally, and to offer some applications of this software as a mediation artefact in educational processes.
On the Use of Field Recordings on Radio: A history of the beginnings
Authors: Masson Jean-Baptiste
Published: November 2023

This article traces the history of the use and reception of field recordings on radio, in France and Britain, outside the categories considered as art or music such as hörspiel or musique concrète. It shows that radio producers had diverse reactions to the use of sonic ambiences recorded in the field. There was an opposition between a ‘Pure Sound School’, which promoted the use of field recordings instead of voice to depict the environment where the reporter was, and a school that privileged voice. If the use of recordings of sonic ambiences was not new, their utilisation on radio as elements autonomous in themselves was. They were falling between categories: they were not reports (because of the absence of voice), they were not musique concrète (because sounds were not modified and were presented within their context, that is, not as sound objects), they were not sound effects (because they lasted several minutes and could be composed through editing), and they were not wildlife recordings (because wildlife could be absent). Sonic ambiences were new sonic objects that took time to digest. This time also represented a listening mutation, and this will be analysed through the beginnings of radio documentaries and the works of sound hunters.
Single-molecule tracking of myelin basic protein during oligodendrocyte differentiation
Authors: Rassul Sayed M. , Otsu Masahiro , Styles Iain B. , Neely Robert K. , Fulton Daniel
Published: November 2023

This study aimed to expand our understanding of myelin basic protein (MBP), a key component of central nervous system myelin, by developing a protocol to track and quantifying individual MBP particles during oligodendrocyte (OL) differentiation. MBP particle directionality, confinement, and diffusion were tracked by rapid TIRF and HILO imaging of Dendra2 tagged MBP in three stages of mouse oligodendroglia: OL precursors, early myelinating OLs, and mature myelinating OLs. The directionality and confinement of MBP particles increased at each stage consistent with progressive transport toward, and recruitment into, emerging myelin structures. Unexpectedly, diffusion data presented a more complex pattern with subpopulations of the most diffusive particles disappearing at the transition between the precursor and early myelinating stage, before reemerging in the membrane sheets of mature OLs. This diversity of particle behaviors, which would be undetectable by conventional ensemble-averaged methods, are consistent with a multifunctional view of MBP involving roles in myelin expansion and compaction.
Alloying metal cations in perovskite nanocrystals is a new route to controlling hot carrier cooling
Authors: Mondal Navendu , Carwithen Ben P. , Bakulin Artem A.
Published: November 2023

Hot carrier cooling is slowed down upon alloying tin in lead-halide perovskite nanocrystals through the engineering of carrier-phonon and carrier-defect interactions.
Hypoxia-induced signaling in the cardiovascular system: pathogenesis and therapeutic targets
Authors: Zhao Yongchao , Xiong Weidong , Li Chaofu , Zhao Ranzun , Lu Hao , Song Shuai , Zhou You , Hu Yiqing , Shi Bei , Ge Junbo
Published: November 2023

Hypoxia, characterized by reduced oxygen concentration, is a significant stressor that affects the survival of aerobic species and plays a prominent role in cardiovascular diseases. From the research history and milestone events related to hypoxia in cardiovascular development and diseases, The "hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) switch" can be observed from both temporal and spatial perspectives, encompassing the occurrence and progression of hypoxia (gradual decline in oxygen concentration), the acute and chronic manifestations of hypoxia, and the geographical characteristics of hypoxia (natural selection at high altitudes). Furthermore, hypoxia signaling pathways are associated with natural rhythms, such as diurnal and hibernation processes. In addition to innate factors and natural selection, it has been found that epigenetics, as a postnatal factor, profoundly influences the hypoxic response and progression within the cardiovascular system. Within this intricate process, interactions between different tissues and organs within the cardiovascular system and other systems in the context of hypoxia signaling pathways have been established. Thus, it is the time to summarize and to construct a multi-level regulatory framework of hypoxia signaling and mechanisms in cardiovascular diseases for developing more therapeutic targets and make reasonable advancements in clinical research, including FDA-approved drugs and ongoing clinical trials, to guide future clinical practice in the field of hypoxia signaling in cardiovascular diseases.
Apoptotic dysregulation mediates stem cell competition and tissue regeneration
Authors: Yusupova Marianna , Ankawa Roi , Yosefzon Yahav , Meiri David , Bachelet Ido , Fuchs Yaron
Published: November 2023

Since adult stem cells are responsible for replenishing tissues throughout life, it is vital to understand how failure to undergo apoptosis can dictate stem cell behavior both intrinsically and non-autonomously. Here, we report that depletion of pro-apoptotic Bax protein bestows hair follicle stem cells with the capacity to eliminate viable neighboring cells by sequestration of TNFα in their membrane. This in turn induces apoptosis in “loser” cells in a contact-dependent manner. Examining the underlying mechanism, we find that Bax loss-of-function competitive phenotype is mediated by the intrinsic activation of NFκB. Notably, winner stem cells differentially respond to TNFα, owing to their elevated expression of TNFR2. Finally, we report that in vivo depletion of Bax results in an increased stem cell pool, accelerating wound-repair and de novo hair follicle regeneration. Collectively, we establish a mechanism of mammalian cell competition, which can have broad therapeutic implications for tissue regeneration and tumorigenesis.
Catalyst switch strategy enabled a single polymer with five different crystalline phases
Authors: Zhang Pengfei , Ladelta Viko , Abou-hamad Edy , Müller Alejandro J. , Hadjichristidis Nikos
Published: November 2023

Well-defined multicrystalline multiblock polymers are essential model polymers for advancing crystallization physics, phase separation, self-assembly, and improving the mechanical properties of materials. However, due to different chain properties and incompatible synthetic methodologies, multicrystalline multiblock polymers with more than two crystallites are rarely reported. Herein, by combining polyhomologation, ring-opening polymerization, and catalyst switch strategy, we synthesized a pentacrystalline pentablock quintopolymer, polyethylene-b-poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone)-b-poly(L-lactide)-b-polyglycolide (PE-b-PEO-b-PCL-b-PLLA-b-PGA). The fluoroalcohol-assisted catalyst switch enables the successful incorporation of a high melting point polyglycolide block into the complex multiblock structure. Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry revealed the existence of five different crystalline phases.
LHP1-mediated epigenetic buffering of subgenome diversity and defense responses confers genome plasticity and adaptability in allopolyploid wheat
Authors: Li Zijuan , Zhang Yuyun , Ding Ci-Hang , Chen Yan , Wang Haoyu , Zhang Jinyu , Ying Songbei , Wang Meiyue , Zhang Rongzhi , Liu Jinyi , Xie Yilin , Tang Tengfei , Diao Huishan , Ye Luhuan , Zhuang Yili , Teng Wan , Zhang Bo , Huang Lin , Tong Yiping , Zhang Wenli , Li Genying , Benhamed Moussa , Dong Zhicheng , Gou Jin-Ying , Zhang Yijing
Published: November 2023

Polyploidization is a major driver of genome diversification and environmental adaptation. However, the merger of different genomes may result in genomic conflicts, raising a major question regarding how genetic diversity is interpreted and regulated to enable environmental plasticity. By analyzing the genome-wide binding of 191 trans-factors in allopolyploid wheat, we identified like heterochromatin protein 1 (LHP1) as a master regulator of subgenome-diversified genes. Transcriptomic and epigenomic analyses of LHP1 mutants reveal its role in buffering the expression of subgenome-diversified defense genes by controlling H3K27me3 homeostasis. Stripe rust infection releases latent subgenomic variations by eliminating H3K27me3-related repression. The simultaneous inactivation of LHP1 homoeologs by CRISPR–Cas9 confers robust stripe rust resistance in wheat seedlings. The conditional repression of subgenome-diversified defenses ensures developmental plasticity to external changes, while also promoting neutral-to-non-neutral selection transitions and adaptive evolution. These findings establish an LHP1-mediated buffering system at the intersection of genotypes, environments, and phenotypes in polyploid wheat. Manipulating the epigenetic buffering capacity offers a tool to harness cryptic subgenomic variations for crop improvement.
Wireless, battery-free, multifunctional integrated bioelectronics for respiratory pathogens monitoring and severity evaluation
Authors: Li Hu , Gong Huarui , Wong Tsz Hung , Zhou Jingkun , Wang Yuqiong , Lin Long , Dou Ying , Jia Huiling , Huang Xingcan , Gao Zhan , Shi Rui , Huang Ya , Chen Zhenlin , PARK Wooyoung , Li Ji Yu , Chu Hongwei , Jia Shengxin , Wu Han , Wu Mengge , Liu Yiming , Li Dengfeng , Li Jian , Xu Guoqiang , Chang Tianrui , Zhang Binbin , Gao Yuyu , Su Jingyou , Bai Hao , Hu Jie , Yiu Chun Ki , Xu Chenjie , Hu Wenchuang , Huang Jiandong , Chang Lingqian , Yu Xinge
Published: November 2023

The rapid diagnosis of respiratory virus infection through breath and blow remains challenging. Here we develop a wireless, battery-free, multifunctional pathogenic infection diagnosis system (PIDS) for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection and symptom severity by blow and breath within 110 s and 350 s, respectively. The accuracies reach to 100% and 92% for evaluating the infection and symptom severity of 42 participants, respectively. PIDS realizes simultaneous gaseous sample collection, biomarker identification, abnormal physical signs recording and machine learning analysis. We transform PIDS into other miniaturized wearable or portable electronic platforms that may widen the diagnostic modes at home, outdoors and public places. Collectively, we demonstrate a general-purpose technology for rapidly diagnosing respiratory pathogenic infection by breath and blow, alleviating the technical bottleneck of saliva and nasopharyngeal secretions. PIDS may serve as a complementary diagnostic tool for other point-of-care techniques and guide the symptomatic treatment of viral infections.
Comprehensive mapping of lunar surface chemistry by adding Chang'e-5 samples with deep learning
Authors: Yang Chen , Zhang Xinmei , Bruzzone Lorenzo , Liu Bin , Liu Dawei , Ren Xin , Benediktsson Jon Atli , Liang Yanchun , Yang Bo , Yin Minghao , Zhao Haishi , Guan Renchu , Li Chunlai , Ouyang Ziyuan
Published: November 2023

Lunar surface chemistry is essential for revealing petrological characteristics to understand the evolution of the Moon. Existing chemistry mapping from Apollo and Luna returned samples could only calibrate chemical features before 3.0 Gyr, missing the critical late period of the Moon. Here we present major oxides chemistry maps by adding distinctive 2.0 Gyr Chang’e-5 lunar soil samples in combination with a deep learning-based inversion model. The inferred chemical contents are more precise than the Lunar Prospector Gamma-Ray Spectrometer (GRS) maps and are closest to returned samples abundances compared to existing literature. The verification of in situ measurement data acquired by Chang'e 3 and Chang'e 4 lunar rover demonstrated that Chang’e-5 samples are indispensable ground truth in mapping lunar surface chemistry. From these maps, young mare basalt units are determined which can be potential sites in future sample return mission to constrain the late lunar magmatic and thermal history.
Eicosanoid and eicosanoid-related inflammatory mediators and exercise intolerance in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Lau Emily S. , Roshandelpoor Athar , Zarbafian Shahrooz , Wang Dongyu , Guseh James S. , Allen Norrina , Varadarajan Vinithra , Nayor Matthew , Shah Ravi V. , Lima Joao A. C. , Shah Sanjiv J. , Yu Bing , Alotaibi Mona , Cheng Susan , Jain Mohit , Lewis Gregory D. , Ho Jennifer E.
Published: November 2023

Systemic inflammation has been implicated in the pathobiology of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Here, we examine the association of upstream mediators of inflammation as ascertained by fatty-acid derived eicosanoid and eicosanoid-related metabolites with HFpEF status and exercise manifestations of HFpEF. Among 510 participants with chronic dyspnea and preserved LVEF who underwent invasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing, we find that 70 of 890 eicosanoid and related metabolites are associated with HFpEF status, including 17 named and 53 putative eicosanoids (FDR q-value < 0.1). Prostaglandin (15R-PGF2α, 11ß-dhk-PGF2α) and linoleic acid derivatives (12,13 EpOME) are associated with greater odds of HFpEF, while epoxides (8(9)-EpETE), docosanoids (13,14-DiHDPA), and oxylipins (12-OPDA) are associated with lower odds of HFpEF. Among 70 metabolites, 18 are associated with future development of heart failure in the community. Pro- and anti-inflammatory eicosanoid and related metabolites may contribute to the pathogenesis of HFpEF and serve as potential targets for intervention.
Integrated microwave photonic notch filter using a heterogeneously integrated Brillouin and active-silicon photonic circuit
Authors: Garrett Matthew , Liu Yang , Merklein Moritz , Bui Cong Tinh , Lai Choon Kong , Choi Duk-Yong , Madden Stephen J. , Casas-Bedoya Alvaro , Eggleton Benjamin J.
Published: November 2023

Microwave photonics (MWP) has unlocked a new paradigm for Radio Frequency (RF) signal processing by harnessing the inherent broadband and tunable nature of photonic components. Despite numerous efforts made to implement integrated MWP filters, a key RF processing functionality, it remains a long-standing challenge to achieve a fully integrated photonic circuit that can merge the megahertz-level spectral resolution required for RF applications with key electro-optic components. Here, we overcome this challenge by introducing a compact 5 mm × 5 mm chip-scale MWP filter with active E-O components, demonstrating 37 MHz spectral resolution. We achieved this device by heterogeneously integrating chalcogenide waveguides, which provide Brillouin gain, in a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) foundry-manufactured silicon photonic chip containing integrated modulators and photodetectors. This work paves the way towards a new generation of compact, high-resolution RF photonic filters with wideband frequency tunability demanded by future applications, such as air and spaceborne RF communication payloads.
Vaginal microbial dynamics and pathogen colonization in a humanized microbiota mouse model
Authors: Mejia Marlyd E. , Mercado-Evans Vicki , Zulk Jacob J. , Ottinger Samantha , Ruiz Korinna , Ballard Mallory B. , Fowler Stephanie W. , Britton Robert A. , Patras Kathryn A.
Published: November 2023

Vaginal microbial composition is associated with differential risk of urogenital infection. Although Lactobacillus spp. are thought to confer protection against infection, the lack of in vivo models resembling the human vaginal microbiota remains a prominent barrier to mechanistic discovery. Using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing of C57BL/6J female mice, we found that vaginal microbial composition varies within and between colonies across three vivaria. Noting vaginal microbial plasticity in conventional mice, we assessed the vaginal microbiome of humanized microbiota mice (HMbmice). Like the community structure in conventional mice, HMbmice vaginal microbiota clustered into community state types but, uniquely, HMbmice communities were frequently dominated by Lactobacillus or Enterobacteriaceae. Compared to conventional mice, HMbmice were less susceptible to uterine ascension by urogenital pathobionts group B Streptococcus (GBS) and Prevotella bivia. Although Escherichia and Lactobacillus both correlated with the absence of uterine GBS, vaginal pre-inoculation with exogenous HMbmouse-derived E. coli, but not Ligilactobacillus murinus, reduced vaginal GBS burden. Overall, HMbmice serve as a useful model to elucidate the role of endogenous microbes in conferring protection against urogenital pathogens.
Disrupting links between poverty, chronic stress, and educational inequality
Authors: Harms Madeline B. , Garrett-Ruffin Sherona D.
Published: November 2023

The income-achievement gap is a significant and stubborn problem in the United States, which has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. In this article, we link two emerging literatures that have historically been disparate: the neurobiology of poverty as a form of early life stress, and research on educational policies with the potential to reduce SES-based disparities in academic achievement. In doing so, we (1) integrate the literature on poverty-related mechanisms that contribute to early life stress, alter neurobiology, and lead to educational inequities, and (2) based on this research, highlight policies and practices at the school/classroom level and broader structural level that have the potential to address the problem of inequity in our educational systems. We emphasize that educational inequity is a systemic issue, and its resolution will require coordination of local, state, and national policies.
Outlook of pandemic preparedness in a post-COVID-19 world
Authors: Williams B. Adam , Jones Charles H. , Welch Verna , True Jane M.
Published: November 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic was met with rapid, unprecedented global collaboration and action. Even still, the public health, societal, and economic impact may be felt for years to come. The risk of another pandemic occurring in the next few decades is ever-present and potentially increasing due to trends such as urbanization and climate change. While it is difficult to predict the next pandemic pathogen threat, making reasonable assumptions today and evaluating prior efforts to plan for and respond to disease outbreaks and pandemics may enable a more proactive, effective response in the future. Lessons from the COVID-19 response and pandemic influenza preparedness underscore the importance of strengthening surveillance systems, investing in early-stage research on pandemic pathogens and development of platform technologies, and diversifying response plans across a range of tactics to enable earlier access to safe and effective interventions in the next pandemic. Further, sustaining the robust vaccine manufacturing capacity built because of COVID-19 will keep it ready for rapid response in the future. These actions will not be successful without improved global coordination and collaboration. Everyone, including the biopharmaceutical industry, has a role to play in pandemic preparedness, and working together will ensure that the most lives are saved in the next pandemic.
Genomic data resources of the Brain Somatic Mosaicism Network for neuropsychiatric diseases
Authors: Garrison McKinzie A. , Jang Yeongjun , Bae Taejeong , Cherskov Adriana , Emery Sarah B. , Fasching Liana , Jones Attila , Moldovan John B. , Molitor Cindy , Pochareddy Sirisha , Peters Mette A. , Shin Joo Heon , Wang Yifan , Yang Xiaoxu , Akbarian Schahram , Chess Andrew , Gage Fred H. , Gleeson Joseph G. , Kidd Jeffrey M. , McConnell Michael , Mills Ryan E. , Moran John V. , Park Peter J. , Sestan Nenad , Urban Alexander E. , Vaccarino Flora M. , Walsh Christopher A. , Weinberger Daniel R. , Wheelan Sarah J. , Abyzov Alexej ,   BSMN Consortium, Amero Aitor Serres , Antaki Danny , Averbuj Dan , Ball Laurel , Bizzotto Sara , Bohrson Craig , Borges-Monroy Rebeca , Breuss Martin , Cho Sean , Chu Chong , Chung Changuk , Cortes-Ciriano Isidro , Coulter Michael , Daily Kenneth , Dias Caroline , D’Gama Alissa , Dou Yanmei , Erwin Jennifer , Flasch Diane A. , Frisbie Trenton J. , Galor Alon , Ganz Javier , Gulhan Doga , Hill Robert , Huang August Yue , Jaffe Andrew , Jourdon Alexandre , Juan David , Khoshkhoo Sattar , Kim Sonia , Kopera Huira C. , Kwan Kenneth Y. , Kwon Minseok , Langmead Ben , Lee Eunjung Alice , Linker Sara , Lobon Irene , Lodato Michael A. , Luquette Lovelace J. , Mathern Gary , Marques-Bonet Tomas , Maury Eduardo A. , Miller Michael , Moruno Manuel Solis , Narurkar Rujuta , Paquola Apua , Pattni Reenal , Perez Raquel Garcia , Povolotskaya Inna , Reed Patrick , Rodin Rachel , Rosenbluh Chaggai , Scuderi Soraya , Sherman Maxwell , Straub Richard , Soriano Eduardo , Sun Chen , Thorpe Jeremy , Viswanadham Vinay , Wang Meiyan , Zhao Xuefang , Zhou Bo , Zhou Weichen , Zhou Zinan , Zhu Xiaowei
Published: November 2023

Somatic mosaicism is defined as an occurrence of two or more populations of cells having genomic sequences differing at given loci in an individual who is derived from a single zygote. It is a characteristic of multicellular organisms that plays a crucial role in normal development and disease. To study the nature and extent of somatic mosaicism in autism spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, focal cortical dysplasia, schizophrenia, and Tourette syndrome, a multi-institutional consortium called the Brain Somatic Mosaicism Network (BSMN) was formed through the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). In addition to genomic data of affected and neurotypical brains, the BSMN also developed and validated a best practices somatic single nucleotide variant calling workflow through the analysis of reference brain tissue. These resources, which include >400 terabytes of data from 1087 subjects, are now available to the research community via the NIMH Data Archive (NDA) and are described here.
Benchmarking of a microgel-reinforced hydrogel-based aqueous lubricant against commercial saliva substitutes
Authors: Pabois Olivia , Avila-Sierra Alejandro , Ramaioli Marco , Mu Mingduo , Message Yasmin , You Kwan-Mo , Liamas Evangelos , Kew Ben , Durga Kalpana , Doherty Lisa , Sarkar Anwesha
Published: November 2023

Xerostomia, the subjective sensation of ‘dry mouth’ affecting at least 1 in 10 adults, predominantly elders, increases life-threatening infections, adversely impacting nutritional status and quality of life. A patented, microgel-reinforced hydrogel-based aqueous lubricant, prepared using either dairy or plant-based proteins, has been demonstrated to offer substantially enhanced lubricity comparable to real human saliva in in vitro experiments. Herein, we present the benchmarking of in vitro lubrication performance of this aqueous lubricant, both in its dairy and vegan formulation against a range of widely available and employed commercial saliva substitutes, latter classified based on their shear rheology into “liquids”, “viscous liquids” and “gels”, and also had varying extensional properties. Strikingly, the fabricated dairy-based aqueous lubricant offers up to 41–99% more effective boundary lubrication against liquids and viscous liquids, irrespective of topography of the tested dry mouth-mimicking tribological surfaces. Such high lubricity of the fabricated lubricants might be attributed to their limited real-time desorption (7%) from a dry-mouth mimicking hydrophobic surface unlike the tested commercial products including gels (23–58% desorption). This comprehensive benchmarking study therefore paves the way for employing these microgel-based aqueous lubricant formulations as a novel topical platform for dry mouth therapy.
Using deep neural networks as a guide for modeling human planning
Authors: Kuperwajs Ionatan , Schütt Heiko H. , Ma Wei Ji
Published: November 2023

When developing models in cognitive science, researchers typically start with their own intuitions about human behavior in a given task and then build in mechanisms that explain additional aspects of the data. This refinement step is often hindered by how difficult it is to distinguish the unpredictable randomness of people’s decisions from meaningful deviations between those decisions and the model. One solution for this problem is to compare the model against deep neural networks trained on behavioral data, which can detect almost any pattern given sufficient data. Here, we apply this method to the domain of planning with a heuristic search model for human play in 4-in-a-row, a combinatorial game where participants think multiple steps into the future. Using a data set consisting of 10,874,547 games, we train deep neural networks to predict human moves and find that they accurately do so while capturing meaningful patterns in the data. Thus, deviations between the model and the best network allow us to identify opportunities for model improvement despite starting with a model that has undergone substantial testing in previous work. Based on this analysis, we add three extensions to the model that range from a simple opening bias to specific adjustments regarding endgame planning. Overall, our work demonstrates the advantages of model comparison with a high-performance deep neural network as well as the feasibility of scaling cognitive models to massive data sets for systematically investigating the processes underlying human sequential decision-making.
Identifying who adolescents prefer as source of information within their social network
Authors: Slagter Scarlett K. , Gradassi Andrea , van Duijvenvoorde Anna C.K. , van den Bos Wouter
Published: November 2023

Adolescents are highly influenced by their peers within their social networks. This social influence can stem from both unsolicited peer pressure and the active search for guidance. While extensive research examined the mechanisms of peer pressure, little is known about who adolescents prefer as a source of information. To address this gap, we conducted two independent studies using a novel social search paradigm that allows participants to choose which social sources they wish to observe. In both studies, adolescents demonstrated a preference for their friends over non-friends, as well as for peers who were perceived as trustworthy. Across both studies, we found mixed evidence for the role of perceived popularity as a selection criterion. Notable, study 2 revealed the significance of “cool”, “admirable” and “acting mean” as additional characteristics of preferred peers, traits that are often associated with elevated peer status. It also revealed an interest for peers perceived as being smart. These findings highlight the active role adolescents have in choosing social sources and emphasize the importance of multiple peer characteristics. Future research should investigate whether adolescents’ interest in these types of peers is contingent upon specific social contexts, age groups, and peer cultures.
Maternal physical activity affects yolk sac size and growth in early pregnancy, but girls and boys use different strategies
Authors: Vietheer Alexander , Kiserud Torvid , Ebbing Cathrine , Rajkumar Hemamaalini , Ariansen Haaland Øystein , Lie Rolv Terje , Romero Roberto , Kessler Jörg
Published: November 2023

This longitudinal study investigated the impact of actigraphy-measured maternal physical activity on yolk sac size during early development. The yolk sac, a transient extraembryonic organ, plays a crucial role in embryonic development and is involved in metabolism, nutrition, growth, and hematopoiesis. Prospectively collected data from 190 healthy women indicated that their total daily physical activity, including both light and moderate-vigorous activity, was associated with yolk sac growth dynamics depending on embryonic sex and gestational age. Higher preconception maternal physical activity was linked to a larger yolk sac at 7 weeks (95% CI [0.02–0.13 mm]) and a smaller yolk sac at 10 weeks’ gestation (95% CI [− 0.18 to − 0.00]) in male embryos; in female embryos, the yolk sac size was increased at 10 weeks’ gestation (95% CI [0.06–0.26]) and was, on average, 24% larger than that in male embryos (95% CI [0.12–0.38]). Considering the pattern of other maternal effects on yolk sac size—e.g., body composition and sleep duration—we suggest that physiological yolk sac adaptations occur in short, sex-specific time windows and can be influenced by various maternal factors.
Association of CD4-positive cell infiltration with response to vedolizumab in patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Miyazaki Haruka , Hoshi Namiko , Ishida Tsukasa , Nishioka Chiharu , Ouchi Sachiko , Shirasaka Daisuke , Yoshie Tomoo , Munetomo Yoshinori , Sakamoto Yoshio , Osuga Tatsuya , Matsui Saori , Hyodo Toshiki , Denda Tamami , Watanabe Daisuke , Ooi Makoto , Kodama Yuzo
Published: November 2023

Not all patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) respond initially to treatment with biologic agents, and predicting their efficacy prior to treatment is difficult. Vedolizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against alpha 4 beta 7 (α4β7) integrin, suppresses immune cell migration by blocking the interaction between α4β7 integrin and mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule 1. Reports about histological features that predict vedolizumab efficacy are scarce. So, we examined the association between histological features and vedolizumab efficacy. This was a multicenter, retrospective study of patients with UC treated with vedolizumab. Biopsy specimens taken from the colonic mucosa prior to vedolizumab induction were used, and the areas positively stained for CD4, CD68, and CD45 were calculated. Clinical and histological features were compared between those with and without remission at week 22, and the factors associated with clinical outcomes were identified. We enrolled 42 patients. Patients with a high CD4+ infiltration showed a better response to vedolizumab [odds ratio (OR) = 1.44, P = 0.014]. The concomitant use of corticosteroids and high Mayo scores had a negative association with the vedolizumab response (OR = 0.11, P = 0.008 and OR = 0.50, P = 0.009, respectively). Histological evaluation for CD4+ cell infiltration may be helpful in selecting patients who can benefit from vedolizumab.
Optimized SAR imaging algorithm with SSL constraints for the Azimuth direction
Authors: Wang Zhenli , Cai Mengsheng , Wang Qun , Chen Xianyi
Published: November 2023

In order to address the low azimuth imaging problem of traditional Range Doppler (RD) algorithm, a high-resolution imaging algorithm with optimal azimuth sampling sequence length (SSL) constraints is hereby proposed. According to this algorithm, efforts are made to design a formula for the calculation of the initial azimuth SSL on the basis of SAR azimuth imaging parameters. Having obtained the initial SSL and the criteria for the evaluation of SAR imaging performance, we continue to figure out the extreme values of the curve within a reasonable range of variation. On the basis of these values, the optimal azimuth SSL can be determined to provide data support for global azimuth imaging. Measurement data from imaging experiments on airborne and spaceborne SARs show that, compared with traditional RD algorithm, the proposed algorithm reveals outstanding advantages as indicated by a number of factors critical for the evaluation of imaging performance, such as resolution, peak sidelobe ratio (PSLR) and integral sidelobe ratio (ISLR). Compared with reference methods with local optimal imaging performance, the proposed algorithm can help to obtain global optimal SAR imaging data.
Single-cell and spatial architecture of primary liver cancer
Authors: Zhou Pei-Yun , Zhou Cheng , Gan Wei , Tang Zheng , Sun Bao-Ye , Huang Jin-Long , Liu Gao , Liu Wei-Ren , Tian Meng-Xin , Jiang Xi-Fei , Wang Han , Tao Chen-Yang , Fang Yuan , Qu Wei-Feng , Huang Run , Zhu Gui-Qi , Huang Cheng , Fu Xiu-Tao , Ding Zhen-Bin , Gao Qiang , Zhou Jian , Shi Ying-Hong , Yi Yong , Fan Jia , Qiu Shuang-Jian
Published: November 2023

Primary liver cancer (PLC) poses a leading threat to human health, and its treatment options are limited. Meanwhile, the investigation of homogeneity and heterogeneity among PLCs remains challenging. Here, using single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomic and bulk multi-omics, we elaborated a molecular architecture of 3 PLC types, namely hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (CHC). Taking a high-resolution perspective, our observations revealed that CHC cells exhibit internally discordant phenotypes, whereas ICC and HCC exhibit distinct tumor-specific features. Specifically, ICC was found to be the primary source of cancer-associated fibroblasts, while HCC exhibited disrupted metabolism and greater individual heterogeneity of T cells. We further revealed a diversity of intermediate-state cells residing in the tumor-peritumor junctional zone, including a congregation of CPE+ intermediate-state endothelial cells (ECs), which harbored the molecular characteristics of tumor-associated ECs and normal ECs. This architecture offers insights into molecular characteristics of PLC microenvironment, and hints that the tumor-peritumor junctional zone could serve as a targeted region for precise therapeutical strategies.
Elevated stress response marks deeply quiescent reserve cells of gastric chief cells
Authors: Shiokawa Daisuke , Sakai Hiroaki , Koizumi Miho , Okimoto Yoshie , Mori Yutaro , Kanda Yusuke , Ohata Hirokazu , Honda Hiroaki , Okamoto Koji
Published: November 2023

Gastrointestinal tract organs harbor reserve cells, which are endowed with cellular plasticity and regenerate functional units in response to tissue damage. However, whether the reserve cells in gastrointestinal tract exist as long-term quiescent cells remain incompletely understood. In the present study, we systematically examine H2b-GFP label-retaining cells and identify a long-term slow-cycling population in the gastric corpus but not in other gastrointestinal organs. The label-retaining cells, which reside near the basal layers of the corpus, comprise a subpopulation of chief cells. The identified quiescent cells exhibit induction of Atf4 and its target genes including Atf3, a marker of paligenosis, and activation of the unfolded protein response, but do not show elevated expression of Troy, Lgr5, or Mist. External damage to the gastric mucosa induced by indomethacin treatment triggers proliferation of the quiescent Atf4+ population, indicating that the gastric corpus harbors a specific cell population that is primed to facilitate stomach regeneration.
Auditory inputs modulate intrinsic neuronal timescales during sleep
Authors: Klar Philipp , Çatal Yasir , Fogel Stuart , Jocham Gerhard , Langner Robert , Owen Adrian M. , Northoff Georg
Published: November 2023

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have demonstrated that intrinsic neuronal timescales (INT) undergo modulation by external stimulation during consciousness. It remains unclear if INT keep the ability for significant stimulus-induced modulation during primary unconscious states, such as sleep. This fMRI analysis addresses this question via a dataset that comprises an awake resting-state plus rest and stimulus states during sleep. We analyzed INT measured via temporal autocorrelation supported by median frequency (MF) in the frequency-domain. Our results were replicated using a biophysical model. There were two main findings: (1) INT prolonged while MF decreased from the awake resting-state to the N2 resting-state, and (2) INT shortened while MF increased during the auditory stimulus in sleep. The biophysical model supported these results by demonstrating prolonged INT in slowed neuronal populations that simulate the sleep resting-state compared to an awake state. Conversely, under sine wave input simulating the stimulus state during sleep, the model’s regions yielded shortened INT that returned to the awake resting-state level. Our results highlight that INT preserve reactivity to stimuli in states of unconsciousness like sleep, enhancing our understanding of unconscious brain dynamics and their reactivity to stimuli.
Identifying opportunities for late-stage C-H alkylation with high-throughput experimentation and in silico reaction screening
Authors: Nippa David F. , Atz Kenneth , Müller Alex T. , Wolfard Jens , Isert Clemens , Binder Martin , Scheidegger Oliver , Konrad David B. , Grether Uwe , Martin Rainer E. , Schneider Gisbert
Published: November 2023

Enhancing the properties of advanced drug candidates is aided by the direct incorporation of specific chemical groups, avoiding the need to construct the entire compound from the ground up. Nevertheless, their chemical intricacy often poses challenges in predicting reactivity for C-H activation reactions and planning their synthesis. We adopted a reaction screening approach that combines high-throughput experimentation (HTE) at a nanomolar scale with computational graph neural networks (GNNs). This approach aims to identify suitable substrates for late-stage C-H alkylation using Minisci-type chemistry. GNNs were trained using experimentally generated reactions derived from in-house HTE and literature data. These trained models were then used to predict, in a forward-looking manner, the coupling of 3180 advanced heterocyclic building blocks with a diverse set of sp3-rich carboxylic acids. This predictive approach aimed to explore the substrate landscape for Minisci-type alkylations. Promising candidates were chosen, their production was scaled up, and they were subsequently isolated and characterized. This process led to the creation of 30 novel, functionally modified molecules that hold potential for further refinement. These results positively advocate the application of HTE-based machine learning to virtual reaction screening.
Spatially embedded recurrent neural networks reveal widespread links between structural and functional neuroscience findings
Authors: Achterberg Jascha , Akarca Danyal , Strouse D. J. , Duncan John , Astle Duncan E.
Published: November 2023

Brain networks exist within the confines of resource limitations. As a result, a brain network must overcome the metabolic costs of growing and sustaining the network within its physical space, while simultaneously implementing its required information processing. Here, to observe the effect of these processes, we introduce the spatially embedded recurrent neural network (seRNN). seRNNs learn basic task-related inferences while existing within a three-dimensional Euclidean space, where the communication of constituent neurons is constrained by a sparse connectome. We find that seRNNs converge on structural and functional features that are also commonly found in primate cerebral cortices. Specifically, they converge on solving inferences using modular small-world networks, in which functionally similar units spatially configure themselves to utilize an energetically efficient mixed-selective code. Because these features emerge in unison, seRNNs reveal how many common structural and functional brain motifs are strongly intertwined and can be attributed to basic biological optimization processes. seRNNs incorporate biophysical constraints within a fully artificial system and can serve as a bridge between structural and functional research communities to move neuroscientific understanding forwards.
Life expectancy can increase by up to 10 years following sustained shifts towards healthier diets in the United Kingdom
Authors: Fadnes Lars T. , Celis-Morales Carlos , Økland Jan-Magnus , Parra-Soto Solange , Livingstone Katherine M. , Ho Frederick K. , Pell Jill P. , Balakrishna Rajiv , Javadi Arjmand Elaheh , Johansson Kjell Arne , Haaland Øystein A. , Mathers John C.
Published: November 2023

Adherence to healthy dietary patterns can prevent the development of non-communicable diseases and affect life expectancy. Here, using a prospective population-based cohort data from the UK Biobank, we show that sustained dietary change from unhealthy dietary patterns to the Eatwell Guide dietary recommendations is associated with 8.9 and 8.6 years gain in life expectancy for 40-year-old males and females, respectively. In the same population, sustained dietary change from unhealthy to longevity-associated dietary patterns is associated with 10.8 and 10.4 years gain in life expectancy in males and females, respectively. The largest gains are obtained from consuming more whole grains, nuts and fruits and less sugar-sweetened beverages and processed meats. Understanding the contribution of sustained dietary changes to life expectancy can provide guidance for the development of health policies.
Enhanced luminescence efficiency in Eu-doped GaN superlattice structures revealed by terahertz emission spectroscopy
Authors: Murakami Fumikazu , Takeo Atsushi , Mitchell Brandon , Dierolf Volkmar , Fujiwara Yasufumi , Tonouchi Masayoshi
Published: November 2023

Eu-doped Gallium nitride (GaN) is a promising candidate for GaN-based red light-emitting diodes, which are needed for future micro-display technologies. Introducing a superlattice structure comprised of alternating undoped and Eu-doped GaN layers has been observed to lead to an order-of-magnitude increase in output power; however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Here, we explore the optical and electrical properties of these superlattice structures utilizing terahertz emission spectroscopy. We find that ~0.1% Eu doping reduces the bandgap of GaN by ~40 meV and increases the index of refraction by ~20%, which would result in potential barriers and carrier confinement within a superlattice structure. To confirm the presence of these potential barriers, we explored the temperature dependence of the terahertz emission, which was used to estimate the barrier potentials. The result revealed that even a dilutely doped superlattice structure induces significant confinement for carriers, enhancing carrier recombination within the Eu-doped regions. Such an enhancement would improve the external quantum efficiency in the Eu-doped devices. We argue that the benefits of the superlattice structure are not limited to Eu-doped GaN, which provides a roadmap for enhanced optoelectronic functionalities in all rare-earth-doped semiconductor systems.
Millennial-scale climate variability in the Northern Hemisphere influenced glacier dynamics in the Alps around 250,000 years ago
Authors: Skiba Vanessa , Spötl Christoph , Trüssel Martin , Schröder-Ritzrau Andrea , Schröder Birgit , Frank Norbert , Eichstädter René , Tjallingii Rik , Marwan Norbert , Zhang Xu , Fohlmeister Jens
Published: November 2023

Mountain glaciers are sensitive recorders of natural and human-induced climate change. Therefore, it is imperative to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between climate and glacier response on both short and long timescales. Here we present an analysis of oxygen and carbon isotope data from speleothems formed mainly below a glacier-covered catchment in the Alps 300,000 to 200,000 years ago. Isotope-enabled climate model simulations reveal that δ18O of precipitation in the Alps was higher by approximately 1 ‰ during interstadials compared to stadials. This agrees with interstadial-stadial amplitudes of our new speleothem-based estimate after correcting for cave-internal effects. We propose that the variability of these cave-internal effects offers a unique tool for reconstructing long-term dynamics of warm-based Alpine palaeoglaciers. Our data thereby suggests a close link between North Atlantic interstadial-stadial variability and the meltwater dynamics of Alpine glaciers during Marine Isotope Stage 8 and 7d.
Nitrogen fixing shrubs advance the pace of tall-shrub expansion in low-Arctic tundra
Authors: Schore Aiden I. G. , Fraterrigo Jennifer M. , Salmon Verity G. , Yang Dedi , Lara Mark J.
Published: November 2023

Tall deciduous shrubs are critically important to carbon and nutrient cycling in high-latitude ecosystems. As Arctic regions warm, shrubs expand heterogeneously across their ranges, including within unburned terrain experiencing isometric gradients of warming. To constrain the effects of widespread shrub expansion in terrestrial and Earth System Models, improved knowledge of local-to-regional scale patterns, rates, and controls on decadal shrub expansion is required. Using fine-scale remote sensing, we modeled the drivers of patch-scale tall-shrub expansion over 68 years across the central Seward Peninsula of Alaska. Models show the heterogeneous patterns of tall-shrub expansion are not only predictable but have an upper limit defined by permafrost, climate, and edaphic gradients, two-thirds of which have yet to be colonized. These observations suggest that increased nitrogen inputs from nitrogen-fixing alders contributed to a positive feedback that advanced overall tall-shrub expansion. These findings will be useful for constraining and projecting vegetation-climate feedbacks in the Arctic.