bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Single-cell analysis reveals inflammatory interactions driving macular degeneration
Authors: Kuchroo Manik , DiStasio Marcello , Song Eric , Calapkulu Eda , Zhang Le , Ige Maryam , Sheth Amar H. , Majdoubi Abdelilah , Menon Madhvi , Tong Alexander , Godavarthi Abhinav , Xing Yu , Gigante Scott , Steach Holly , Huang Jessie , Huguet Guillaume , Narain Janhavi , You Kisung , Mourgkos George , Dhodapkar Rahul M. , Hirn Matthew J. , Rieck Bastian , Wolf Guy , Krishnaswamy Smita , Hafler Brian P.
Published: May 2023

Due to commonalities in pathophysiology, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) represents a uniquely accessible model to investigate therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, leading us to examine whether pathways of disease progression are shared across neurodegenerative conditions. Here we use single-nucleus RNA sequencing to profile lesions from 11 postmortem human retinas with age-related macular degeneration and 6 control retinas with no history of retinal disease. We create a machine-learning pipeline based on recent advances in data geometry and topology and identify activated glial populations enriched in the early phase of disease. Examining single-cell data from Alzheimer’s disease and progressive multiple sclerosis with our pipeline, we find a similar glial activation profile enriched in the early phase of these neurodegenerative diseases. In late-stage age-related macular degeneration, we identify a microglia-to-astrocyte signaling axis mediated by interleukin-1βwhich drives angiogenesis characteristic of disease pathogenesis. We validated this mechanism using in vitro and in vivo assays in mouse, identifying a possible new therapeutic target for AMD and possibly other neurodegenerative conditions. Thus, due to shared glial states, the retina provides a potential system for investigating therapeutic approaches in neurodegenerative diseases.
Room temperature phosphorescence from natural wood activated by external chloride anion treatment
Authors: Zhai Yingxiang , Li Shujun , Li Jian , Liu Shouxin , James Tony D. , Sessler Jonathan L. , Chen Zhijun
Published: May 2023

Producing afterglow room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) from natural sources is an attractive approach to sustainable RTP materials. However, converting natural resources to RTP materials often requires toxic reagents or complex processing. Here we report that natural wood may be converted into a viable RTP material by treating with magnesium chloride. Specifically, immersing natural wood into an aqueous MgCl2solution at room temperature produces so-called C-wood containing chloride anions that act to promote spin orbit coupling (SOC) and increase the RTP lifetime. Produced in this manner, C-wood exhibits an intense RTP emission with a lifetime of ~ 297 ms (vs. the ca. 17.5 ms seen for natural wood). As a demonstration of potential utility, an afterglow wood sculpture is prepared in situ by simply spraying the original sculpture with a MgCl2solution. C-wood was also mixed with polypropylene (PP) to generate printable afterglow fibers suitable for the fabrication of luminescent plastics via 3D printing. We anticipate that the present study will facilitate the development of sustainable RTP materials.
Non-volatile electric control of spin-orbit torques in an oxide two-dimensional electron gas
Authors: Grezes Cécile , Kandazoglou Aurélie , Cosset-Cheneau Maxen , Arche Luis M. Vicente , Noël Paul , Sgarro Paolo , Auffret Stephane , Garello Kevin , Bibes Manuel , Vila Laurent , Attané Jean-Philippe
Published: May 2023

Spin-orbit torques (SOTs) have opened a novel way to manipulate the magnetization using in-plane current, with a great potential for the development of fast and low power information technologies. It has been recently shown that two-dimensional electron gases (2DEGs) appearing at oxide interfaces provide a highly efficient spin-to-charge current interconversion. The ability to manipulate 2DEGs using gate voltages could offer a degree of freedom lacking in the classical ferromagnetic/spin Hall effect bilayers for spin-orbitronics, in which the sign and amplitude of SOTs at a given current are fixed by the stack structure. Here, we report the non-volatile electric-field control of SOTs in an oxide-based Rashba-Edelstein 2DEG. We demonstrate that the 2DEG is controlled using a back-gate electric-field, providing two remanent and switchable states, with a large resistance contrast of 1064%. The SOTs can then be controlled electrically in a non-volatile way, both in amplitude and in sign. This achievement in a 2DEG-CoFeB/MgO heterostructures with large perpendicular magnetization further validates the compatibility of oxide 2DEGs for magnetic tunnel junction integration, paving the way to the advent of electrically reconfigurable SOT MRAMS circuits, SOT oscillators, skyrmion and domain-wall-based devices, and magnonic circuits.
High-order harmonic generation from a thin film crystal perturbed by a quasi-static terahertz field
Authors: Li Sha , Tang Yaguo , Ortmann Lisa , Talbert Bradford K. , Blaga Cosmin I. , Lai Yu Hang , Wang Zhou , Cheng Yang , Yang Fengyuan , Landsman Alexandra S. , Agostini Pierre , DiMauro Louis F.
Published: May 2023

Studies of laser-driven strong field processes subjected to a (quasi-)static field have been mainly confined to theory. Here we provide an experimental realization by introducing a bichromatic approach for high harmonic generation (HHG) in a dielectric that combines an intense 70 femtosecond duration mid-infrared driving field with a weak 2 picosecond period terahertz (THz) dressing field. We address the physics underlying the THz field induced static symmetry breaking and its consequences on the efficient production/suppression of even-/odd-order harmonics, and demonstrate the ability to probe the HHG dynamics via the modulation of the harmonic distribution. Moreover, we report a delay-dependent even-order harmonic frequency shift that is proportional to the time derivative of the THz field. This suggests a limitation of the static symmetry breaking interpretation and implies that the resultant attosecond bursts are aperiodic, thus providing a frequency domain probe of attosecond transients while opening opportunities in precise attosecond pulse shaping.
Circulating tumor DNA reveals mechanisms of lorlatinib resistance in patients with relapsed/refractory ALK-driven neuroblastoma
Authors: Berko Esther R. , Witek Gabriela M. , Matkar Smita , Petrova Zaritza O. , Wu Megan A. , Smith Courtney M. , Daniels Alex , Kalna Joshua , Kennedy Annie , Gostuski Ivan , Casey Colleen , Krytska Kateryna , Gerelus Mark , Pavlick Dean , Ghazarian Susan , Park Julie R. , Marachelian Araz , Maris John M. , Goldsmith Kelly C. , Radhakrishnan Ravi , Lemmon Mark A. , Mossé Yaël P.
Published: May 2023

Activating point mutations inAnaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) have positionedALKas the only mutated oncogene tractable for targeted therapy in neuroblastoma. Cells with these mutations respond to lorlatinib in pre-clinical studies, providing the rationale for a first-in-child Phase 1 trial (NCT03107988) in patients with ALK-driven neuroblastoma. To track evolutionary dynamics and heterogeneity of tumors, and to detect early emergence of lorlatinib resistance, we collected serial circulating tumor DNA samples from patients enrolled on this trial. Here we report the discovery of off-target resistance mutations in 11 patients (27%), predominantly in the RAS-MAPK pathway. We also identify newly acquired secondary compoundALKmutations in 6 (15%) patients, all acquired at disease progression. Functional cellular and biochemical assays and computational studies elucidate lorlatinib resistance mechanisms. Our results establish the clinical utility of serial circulating tumor DNA sampling to track response and progression and to discover acquired resistance mechanisms that can be leveraged to develop therapeutic strategies to overcome lorlatinib resistance.
Critical nematic correlations throughout the superconducting doping range in Bi2−zPbzSr2−yLayCuO6+x
Authors: Song Can-Li , Main Elizabeth J. , Simmons Forrest , Liu Shuo , Phillabaum Benjamin , Dahmen Karin A. , Hudson Eric W. , Hoffman Jennifer E. , Carlson Erica W.
Published: May 2023

Charge modulations have been widely observed in cuprates, suggesting their centrality for understanding the high-Tc superconductivity in these materials. However, the dimensionality of these modulations remains controversial, including whether their wavevector is unidirectional or bidirectional, and also whether they extend seamlessly from the surface of the material into the bulk. Material disorder presents severe challenges to understanding the charge modulations through bulk scattering techniques. We use a local technique, scanning tunneling microscopy, to image the static charge modulations on Bi2−zPbzSr2−yLayCuO6+x. The ratio of the phase correlation length ξCDW to the orientation correlation length ξorient points to unidirectional charge modulations. By computing new critical exponents at free surfaces including that of the pair connectivity correlation function, we show that these locally 1D charge modulations are actually a bulk effect resulting from classical 3D criticality of the random field Ising model throughout the entire superconducting doping range.
Oligomeric scaffolding for curvature generation by ER tubule-forming proteins
Authors: Xiang Yun , Lyu Rui , Hu Junjie
Published: May 2023

The reticulons and receptor expression-enhancing proteins (REEPs) in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are necessary and sufficient for generating ER tubules. However, the mechanism of curvature generation remains elusive. Here, we systematically analyze components of the REEP family based on AI-predicted structures. In yeast REEP Yop1p, TM1/2 and TM3/4 form hairpins and TM2-4 exist as a bundle. Site-directed cross-linking reveals that TM2 and TM4 individually mediate homotypic dimerization, allowing further assembly into a curved shape. Truncated Yop1p lacking TM1 (equivalent to REEP1) retains the curvature-generating capability, undermining the role of the intrinsic wedge. Unexpectedly, both REEP1 and REEP5 fail to replace Yop1p in the maintenance of ER morphology, mostly due to a subtle difference in oligomerization tendency, which involves not only the TM domains, but also the TM-connecting cytosolic loop and previously neglected C-terminal helix. Several hereditary spastic paraplegia-causing mutations in REEP1 appear at the oligomeric interfaces identified here, suggesting compromised self-association of REEP as a pathogenic mechanism. These results indicate that membrane curvature stabilization by integral membrane proteins is dominantly achieved by curved, oligomeric scaffolding.
A randomized trial of Trendelenburg position for acute moderate ischemic stroke
Authors: Chen Hui-Sheng , Zhang Nan-Nan , Cui Yu , Li Xiao-Qiu , Zhou Cheng-Shu , Ma Yu-Tong , Zhang Hong , Jiang Chang-Hao , Li Run-Hui , Wan Li-Shu , Jiao Zhen , Xiao Hong-Bo , Li Zhuo , Yan Ting-Guang , Wang Duo-Lao , Nguyen Thanh N.
Published: May 2023

We aim to explore the effect of head-down position (HDP), initiated within 24 hours of onset, in moderate anterior circulation stroke patients with probable large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) etiology. This investigator-initiated, multi-center trial prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint, multi-center and phase-2 trial was conducted in China and completed in 2021. Eligible patients were randomly assigned (1:1) into the HDP group receiving −20° Trendelenburg, or control group receiving standard care according to national guideline. The primary endpoint was proportion of modified Rankin Scale (mRS) of 0 to 2 at 90 days, which is a scale for measuring the degree of disability after stroke. 90-day mRS was assessed by a certified staff member who was blinded to group assignment. A total of 96 patients were randomized (47 in HDP group and 49 in control group) and 94 (97.9%) patients were included in the final analysis: 46 in HDP group and 48 in control group. The proportion of favorable outcome was 65.2% (30/46) in the HDP group versus 50.0% (24/48) in the control group (unadjusted: OR 2.05 [95%CI 0.87-4.82], P = 0.099). No severe adverse event was attributed to HDP procedures. This work suggests that the head-down position seems safe and feasible, but does not improve favorable functional outcome in acute moderate stroke patients with LAA. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03744533.
Dynamic and stable hippocampal representations of social identity and reward expectation support associative social memory in male mice
Authors: Kong Eunji , Lee Kyu-Hee , Do Jongrok , Kim Pilhan , Lee Doyun
Published: May 2023

Recognizing an individual and retrieving and updating the value information assigned to the individual are fundamental abilities for establishing social relationships. To understand the neural mechanisms underlying the association between social identity and reward value, we developed Go-NoGo social discrimination paradigms that required male subject mice to distinguish between familiar mice based on their individually unique characteristics and associate them with reward availability. We found that mice could discriminate individual conspecifics through a brief nose-to-nose investigation, and this ability depended on the dorsal hippocampus. Two-photon calcium imaging revealed that dorsal CA1 hippocampal neurons represented reward expectation during social, but not non-social tasks, and these activities were maintained over days regardless of the identity of the associated mouse. Furthermore, a dynamically changing subset of hippocampal CA1 neurons discriminated between individual mice with high accuracy. Our findings suggest that the neuronal activities in CA1 provide possible neural substrates for associative social memory.
Multispectral versus texture features from ZiYuan-3 for recognizing on deciduous tree species with cloud and SVM models
Authors: Liu Xiao , Wang Ling , Liu Xiaolu , Li Langping , Zhu Xicun , Chang Chunyan , Lan Hengxing
Published: May 2023

Tree species recognition accuracy greatly affects forest remote sensing mapping and forestry resource monitoring. The multispectral and texture features of the remote sensing images from the ZiYuan-3 (ZY-3) satellite at two phenological phases of autumn and winter (September 29th and December 7th) were selected for constructing and optimizing sensitive spectral indices and texture indices. Multidimensional cloud model and support vector machine (SVM) model were constructed by the screened spectral and texture indices for remote sensing recognition of Quercus acutissima (Q. acutissima) and Robinia pseudoacacia (R. pseudoacacia) on Mount Tai. The results showed that, the correlation intensities of the constructed spectral indices with tree species were preferable in winter than in autumn. The spectral indices constructed by band 4 showed the superior correlation compared with other bands, both in the autumn and winter time phases. The optimal sensitive texture indices for both phases were mean, homogeneity and contrast for Q. acutissima, and contrast, dissimilarity and second moment for R. pseudoacacia. Spectral features were found to have a higher recognition accuracy than textural features for recognizing on both Q. acutissima and R. pseudoacacia, and winter showing superior recognition accuracy than autumn, especially for Q. acutissima. The recognition accuracy of the multidimensional cloud model (89.98%) does not show a superior advantage over the one-dimensional cloud model (90.57%). The highest recognition accuracy derived from a three-dimensional SVM was 84.86%, which was lower than the cloud model (89.98%) in the same dimension. This study is expected to provide technical support for the precise recognition and forestry management on Mount Tai.
Risk of adverse pregnancy and infant outcomes associated with prenatal Zika virus infection: a post-epidemic cohort in Central-West Brazil
Authors: Rosado Luiza Emylce Pela , Martelli Celina M. Turchi , Brickley Elizabeth B. , Gomes Maria Barbara Franco , de Toledo Lima Talita , da Costa Paulo Sergio Sucasas , de Ávila Marcos Pereira , Viggiano Marcello Braga , do Amaral Waldemar Naves , de Rezende Feres Valeria Christina , Fiaccadori Fabiola Souza , de Sene Amancio Zara Ana Laura , Ferreira-Lopes Angela , Turchi Marilia Dalva
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to estimate the risks of adverse infant outcomes in the first year of life related to prenatal Zika virus (ZIKV) exposure. A prospective cohort of pregnant women with rash was recruited in Central-West Brazil in a post-epidemic period (January 2017 to April 2019). We evaluated participants’ medical histories and performed ZIKV diagnostic testing using molecular (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR]) and serologic (immunoglobulin [Ig]M and plaque reduction neutralization tests [PRNT90]) assays. The ZIKV-positive group included both RT-PCR-confirmed cases as well as IgM and/or PRNT90-positive probable cases. Children were evaluated at birth and in the first 12 months of life. Transfontanellar ultrasound, central nervous system computed tomography, eye fundoscopy and retinography were performed. We estimated the absolute risk and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of adverse infant outcomes among confirmed prenatally ZIKV-exposed children. Among 81 pregnant women with rash, 43 (53.1%) were ZIKV infected. The absolute risk of microcephaly among offspring of ZIKV-infected pregnant women was 7.0% (95% CI: 1.5–19.1), including the two cases of microcephaly detected prenatally and one detected postnatally. In total, 54.5% (95% CI: 39.8–68.7) of children in the ZIKV-exposed group had at least one ophthalmic abnormality, with the most frequent abnormalities being focal pigmentary mottling and chorioretinal atrophy or scarring. Our findings reinforce the importance of long-term monitoring of prenatally ZIKV-exposed children born apparently asymptomatic for Congenital Zika Syndrome.
Machine learning analysis predicts a person’s sex based on mechanical but not thermal pain thresholds
Authors: Lötsch Jörn , Mayer Benjamin , Kringel Dario
Published: May 2023

Sex differences in pain perception have been extensively studied, but precision medicine applications such as sex-specific pain pharmacology have barely progressed beyond proof-of-concept. A data set of pain thresholds to mechanical (blunt and punctate pressure) and thermal (heat and cold) stimuli applied to non-sensitized and sensitized (capsaicin, menthol) forearm skin of 69 male and 56 female healthy volunteers was analyzed for data structures contingent with the prior sex structure using unsupervised and supervised approaches. A working hypothesis that the relevance of sex differences could be approached via reversibility of the association, i.e., sex should be identifiable from pain thresholds, was verified with trained machine learning algorithms that could infer a person's sex in a 20% validation sample not seen to the algorithms during training, with balanced accuracy of up to 79%. This was only possible with thresholds for mechanical stimuli, but not for thermal stimuli or sensitization responses, which were not sufficient to train an algorithm that could assign sex better than by guessing or when trained with nonsense (permuted) information. This enabled the translation to the molecular level of nociceptive targets that convert mechanical but not thermal information into signals interpreted as pain, which could eventually be used for pharmacological precision medicine approaches to pain. By exploiting a key feature of machine learning, which allows for the recognition of data structures and the reduction of information to the minimum relevant, experimental human pain data could be characterized in a way that incorporates "non" logic that could be translated directly to the molecular pharmacological level, pointing toward sex-specific precision medicine for pain.
Parallel dynamics in the yield of universal SARS-CoV-2 admission screening and population incidence
Authors: Schreiber Peter W. , Scheier Thomas , Wolfensberger Aline , Saleschus Dirk , Vazquez Miriam , Kouyos Roger , Zingg Walter
Published: May 2023

The majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmissions originates from either asymptomatic or presymptomatic individuals. To prevent unnoticed introduction of SARS-CoV-2, many hospitals have implemented universal admission screening during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aimed to investigate associations between results of an universal SARS-CoV-2 admission screening and public SARS-CoV-2 incidence. Over a study period of 44 weeks, all patients admitted to a large tertiary care hospital were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction. SARS-CoV-2 positive patients were retrospectively categorized as symptomatic or asymptomatic at admission. Cantonal data were used to calculate weekly incidence rates per 100,000 inhabitants. We used regression models for count data to assess the association of the weekly cantonal incidence rate and the proportion of positive SARS-CoV-2 tests in the canton with (a) the proportion of SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals and (b) the proportion of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals identified in universal admission screening, respectively. In a 44-week period, a total of 21,508 admission screenings were performed. SARS-CoV-2 PCR was positive in 643 (3.0%) individuals. In 97 (15.0%) individuals, the positive PCR reflected residual viral replication after recent COVID-19, 469 (72.9%) individuals had COVID-19 symptoms and 77 (12.0%) SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals were asymptomatic. Cantonal incidence correlated with the proportion of SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals [rate ratio (RR): 2.03 per 100 point increase of weekly incidence rate, 95%CI 1.92–2.14] and the proportion of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals (RR: 2.40 per 100 point increase of weekly incidence rate, 95%CI 2.03–2.82). The highest correlation between dynamics in cantonal incidence and results of admission screening was observed at a lag time of one week. Similarly, the proportion of positive SARS-CoV-2 tests in the canton of Zurich correlated with the proportion of SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals (RR: 2.86 per log increase in the proportion of positive SARS-CoV-2 tests in the canton, 95%CI 2.56–3.19) and the proportion of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals (RR: 6.50 per log increase in the proportion of positive SARS-CoV-2 tests in the canton, 95%CI 3.93–10.75) in admission screening. Around 0.36% of admission screenings were positive in asymptomatic patients. Admission screening results paralleled changes in population incidence with a brief lag.
Exploring gold mineralization in altered ultramafic rocks in south Abu Marawat, Eastern Desert, Egypt
Authors: Eldougdoug Abdelmonem , Abdelazeem Maha , Gobashy Mohamed , Abdelwahed Mohamed , Abd El-Rahman Yasser , Abdelhalim Ahmed , Said Said
Published: May 2023

Gold mining is an important strategic sector. The search for mineral reserves is moving deeper as more accessible shallow resources are discovered. Geophysical techniques are now being employed more frequently in mineral exploration because they are quick and can provide crucial subsurface information for discovering potential metal deposits, particularly in high-relief and inaccessible places. The potential for gold in a large-scale gold mining (LSGM) locality in the South Abu Marawat area is investigated using a geological field investigation that includes rock sampling, structural measurements, detailed petrography, reconnaissance geochemistry, and thin section analysis, integrated with various transformation filters of surface magnetic data (analytic signal, normalized source strength, tilt angle), contact occurrence density maps, and tomographic modelling for the subsurface magnetic susceptibilities. The benefits of remote sensing (RS) and its technology in mapping detailed rock differentiation, and characterizing physical objects on the land surface using various spatial, and spectral resolution datasets are integrated. Both aeromagnetic and measured land magnetic profiles are used to investigate the area’s present geological conditions and possible future mining localities. Results indicate that gold mineralization in the study area is linked to the altered ultramafic zones that are associated with faulting and shearing and characterized by a low magnetic susceptibility anomaly.
Inaccuracies of deterministic finite-element models of human middle ear revealed by stochastic modelling
Authors: Ebrahimian Arash , Mohammadi Hossein , Rosowski John J. , Cheng Jeffrey Tao , Maftoon Nima
Published: May 2023

For over 40 years, finite-element models of the mechanics of the middle ear have been mostly deterministic in nature. Deterministic models do not take into account the effects of inter-individual variabilities on middle-ear parameters. We present a stochastic finite-element model of the human middle ear that uses variability in the model parameters to investigate the uncertainty in the model outputs (umbo, stapes, and tympanic-membrane displacements). We demonstrate: (1) uncertainties in the model parameters can be magnified by more than three times in the umbo and stapes footplate responses at frequencies above 2 kHz; (2) middle-ear models are biased and they distort the output distributions; and (3) with increased frequency, the highly-uncertain regions spatially spread out on the tympanic membrane surface. Our results assert that we should be mindful when using deterministic finite-element middle-ear models for critical tasks such as novel device developments and diagnosis.
Children’s affective involvement in early word learning
Authors: Outters Vivien , Hepach Robert , Behne Tanya , Mani Nivedita
Published: May 2023

The current study set out to examine the underlying physiological mechanisms of and the emotional response associated with word learning success in young 3-year-old predominantly white children. In particular, we examined whether children’s physiological arousal following a word learning task predicts their word learning success and whether successful learning in turn predicts children’s subsequent positive emotions. We presented children (n = 50) with a cross-situational word learning task and measured their pupillary arousal following completion of the task, as well as changes to their upper body posture following completion of the task, as indices of children’s emotions following task completion. Children who showed greater physiological arousal following the novel word recognition task (n = 40) showed improved subsequent word recognition performance. We found that children showed more elevated posture after completing a familiar word learning task compared to completing a novel word learning task (n = 33) but results on children’s individual learning success and postural elevation were mixed. We discuss the findings with regards to children’s affective involvement in word learning.
Modifications of peripheral perfusion in patients with vasopressor-dependent septic shock treated with polymyxin B-direct hemoperfusion
Authors: Sekino Motohiro , Murakami Yu , Sato Shuntaro , Shintani Ryosuke , Kaneko Shohei , Iwasaki Naoya , Araki Hiroshi , Ichinomiya Taiga , Higashijima Ushio , Hara Tetsuya
Published: May 2023

Abnormal peripheral perfusion (PP) worsens the prognosis of patients with septic shock. Polymyxin B-direct hemoperfusion (PMX-DHP) increases blood pressure and reduces vasopressor doses. However, the modification of PP following administration of PMX-DHP in patients with vasopressor-dependent septic shock have not yet been elucidated. A retrospective exploratory observational study was conducted in patients with septic shock treated with PMX-DHP. Pulse-amplitude index (PAI), vasoactive inotropic score (VIS), and cumulative fluid balance data were extracted at PMX-DHP initiation (T0) and after 24 (T24) and 48 (T48) h. Changes in these data were analyzed in all patients and two subgroups (abnormal PP [PAI < 1] and normal PP [PAI ≥ 1]) based on the PAI at PMX-DHP initiation. Overall, 122 patients (abnormal PP group, n = 67; normal PP group, n = 55) were evaluated. Overall and in the abnormal PP group, PAI increased significantly at T24 and T48 compared with that at T0, with a significant decrease in VIS. Cumulative 24-h fluid balance after PMX-DHP initiation was significantly higher in the abnormal PP group. PMX-DHP may be an effective intervention to improve PP in patients with abnormal PP; however, caution should be exercised as fluid requirements may differ from that of patients with normal PP.
Evaluating the ability of some natural phenolic acids to target the main protease and AAK1 in SARS COV-2
Authors: Ghamry Heba I. , Belal Amany , El-Ashrey Mohamed Kandeel , Tawfik Haytham O. , Alsantali Reem I. , Obaidullah Ahmad J. , El-Mansi Ahmed A. , Abdelrahman Doaa
Published: May 2023

Researchers are constantly searching for drugs to combat the coronavirus pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, which has lasted for over two years. Natural compounds such as phenolic acids are being tested against Mpro and AAK1, which are key players in the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle. This research work aims to study the ability of a panel of natural phenolic acids to inhibit the virus's multiplication directly through Mpro and indirectly by affecting the adaptor-associated protein kinase-1 (AAK1). Pharmacophore mapping, molecular docking, and dynamic studies were conducted over 50 ns and 100 ns on a panel of 39 natural phenolic acids. Rosmarinic acid (16) on the Mpro receptor (− 16.33 kcal/mol) and tannic acid (17) on the AAK1 receptor (− 17.15 kcal/mol) exhibited the best docking energy against both receptors. These favourable docking score values were found to be superior to those of the co-crystallized ligands. Preclinical and clinical research is required before using them simultaneously to halt the COVID-19 life cycle in a synergistic manner.
Linking plant and vertebrate species to Nature’s Contributions to People in the Swiss Alps
Authors: Rey Pierre-Louis , Vittoz Pascal , Petitpierre Blaise , Adde Antoine , Guisan Antoine
Published: May 2023

Since the late 1990s, Nature’s Contributions to People (NCPs; i.e. ecosystem services) were used as a putative leverage for fostering nature preservation. NCPs have largely been defined and mapped at the landscape level using land use and cover classifications. However, NCP mapping attempts based directly on individual species are still uncommon. Given that species shape ecosystems and ultimately deliver NCPs, mapping NCPs based on species distribution data should deliver highly meaningful results. This requires first establishing a census of the species-to-NCP relationships. However, datasets quantifying these relationships across several species and NCPs are rare. Here, we fill this gap by compiling literature and expert knowledge to establish the relationships of 1816 tracheophyte and 250 vertebrate species with 17 NCPs in the Swiss Alps. We illustrated the 31,098 identified species-NCP relationships for the two lineages and discuss why such a table is a key initial step in building spatial predictions of NCPs directly from species data, e.g. to ultimately complement spatial conservation planning.
Heavy metal pollution levels and health risk assessment of dust storms in Jazmurian region, Iran
Authors: Soleimani-Sardo Mojtaba , Shirani Mahboube , Strezov Vladimir
Published: May 2023

The Jazmurian basin in Iran is an area affected by climate change and desertification where aerosols and dust storms are common. The aim of this work was to determine the human and ecological risks from atmospheric particles during dust storms in different cities in the Jazmurian basin. For this purpose, the dust samples were collected from Jiroft, Roodbar Jonoob, Ghaleh Ganj, Kahnooj and Iranshahr cities, which are located around the Jazmurian playa in southeast of Iran. Satellite-based Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aerosol products and the Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) were used to detect aerosol loading in the atmosphere. Moreover, the trace element composition of the collected particles was determined and used to evaluate human and ecological impact assessment using US EPA human health risk assessment and ReCiPe 2016 endpoint hierarchist impact assessment method incorporated in the OpenLCA 1.10.3 software. The human health risk assessment of the particles revealed high non-carcinogenic risks for children from exposure to nickel and manganese and carcinogenic risks in both adults and children due to hexavalent chromium, arsenic and cobalt during dust storm events. Terrestrial ecotoxicity was found to have the largest ecological impact on ecosystems with copper, nickel and zinc exhibiting the largest contributions.
Deletion of MIF gene from live attenuated LdCen−/− parasites enhances protective CD4+ T cell immunity
Authors: Fiuza Jacqueline Araújo , Gannavaram Sreenivas , Gaze Soraya Torres , de Ornellas Letícia Gambogi , Alves Érica Alessandra , Ismail Nevien , Nakhasi Hira Lal , Correa-Oliveira Rodrigo
Published: May 2023

Vaccination with live attenuated Leishmania parasites such as centrin deleted Leishmania donovani (LdCen−/−) against visceral leishmaniasis has been reported extensively. The protection induced by LdCen−/− parasites was mediated by both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. While the host immune mediators of protection are known, parasite determinants that affect the CD4+ and CD8+ T cell populations remain unknown. Parasite encoded inflammatory cytokine MIF has been shown to modulate the T cell differentiation characteristics by altering the inflammation induced apoptosis during contraction phase in experimental infections with Leishmania or Plasmodium. Neutralization of parasite encoded MIF either by antibodies or gene deletion conferred protection in Plasmodium and Leishmania studies. We investigated if the immunogenicity and protection induced by LdCen−/− parasites is affected by deleting MIF genes from this vaccine strain. Our results showed that LdCen−/−MIF−/− immunized group presented higher percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ central memory T cells, increased CD8+ T cell proliferation after challenge compared to LdCen−/− immunization. LdCen−/−MIF−/− immunized group presented elevated production of IFN-γ+ and TNF-α+ CD4+ T cells concomitant with a reduced parasite load in spleen and liver compared to LdCen−/−group following challenge with L. infantum. Our results demonstrate the role of parasite induced factors involved in protection and long-term immunity of vaccines against VL.
Ability of detecting and willingness to share fake news
Authors: Arin K. Peren , Mazrekaj Deni , Thum Marcel
Published: May 2023

By conducting large-scale surveys in Germany and the United Kingdom, we investigate the individual-level determinants of the ability to detect fake news and the inclination to share it. We distinguish between deliberate and accidental sharing of fake news. We document that accidental sharing is much more common than deliberate sharing. Furthermore, our results indicate that older, male, high-income, and politically left-leaning respondents better detect fake news. We also find that accidental sharing decreases with age and is more prevalent among right-leaning respondents. Deliberate sharing of fake news is more prevalent among younger respondents in the United Kingdom. Finally, our results imply that respondents have a good assessment of their ability to detect fake news: those we identified as accidental sharers were also more likely to have admitted to having shared fake news.
Rapid and reliable re-design of miniaturized microwave passives by means of concurrent parameter scaling and intermittent local tuning
Authors: Koziel Slawomir , Pietrenko-Dabrowska Anna
Published: May 2023

Re-design of microwave passive components for the assumed operating frequencies or substrate parameters is an important yet a tedious process. It requires simultaneous tuning of relevant circuit variables, often over broad ranges thereof, to ensure satisfactory performance of the system. If the operating conditions at the available design are distant from the intended ones, local optimization is typically insufficient, whereas global search entails excessive computational expenses. The problem is aggravated for miniaturized components, typically featuring large numbers of geometry parameters. Furthermore, owing to their tightly-arranged layouts, compact structures exhibit considerable cross-coupling effects. In order to reliably evaluate electrical characteristics under such conditions full-wave electromagnetic (EM) analysis is mandatory. Needless to say, EM-driven design over broad ranges of operating frequencies is an arduous and costly endeavor. In this paper, we introduce a novel procedure for rapid and reliable re-design of microwave passives. Our methodology involves concurrent scaling of geometry parameters interleaved with local (gradient-based) tuning. The scaling stage allows for low-cost relocation of the operating frequencies of the circuit, whereas the optimization stage ensures continuous (iteration-wise) alignment of the performance figures with their target values. The presented framework is validated using several miniaturized microstrip couplers, re-designed over extended ranges of the center frequencies. For all considered structures, satisfactory designs are successfully identified despite the initial designs being distant from the targets, whereas local tuning turns out to be demonstrably inferior. Apart from its efficacy, one of the most important advantages of the proposed framework is its simplicity, and the lack of problem-dependent control parameters.
A novel approach with a fuzzy sliding mode proportional integral control algorithm tuned by fuzzy method (FSMPIF)
Authors: Nguyen Tuan Anh
Published: May 2023

An automobile's vibration can be caused by stimulation from the road's surface. The change in displacement and acceleration values of the sprung mass is used to evaluate the automobile's vibration. Utilizing an active suspension system is recommended in order to attain an increased level of ride comfort. This article presents a novel strategy for regulating the operation of an active suspension system that has been put up for consideration. The PI (Proportional Integral) algorithm, the SMC (Sliding Mode Control) algorithm, and the Fuzzy algorithm served as the basis for developing the FSMPIF algorithm. The signal generated by the SMC algorithm is what is used as the input for the Fuzzy algorithm. In addition, the settings of the PI controller are modified with the help of yet another Fuzzy algorithm. These two Fuzzy methods operate independently from one another and in a setting that is wholly distinct from one another. This algorithm was created in a wholly original and novel way. Using a numerical modelling technique, the vibration of automobiles is investigated with a particular emphasis on two distinct usage situations. In each case, a comparison is made between four different circumstances. Once the FSMPIF method is implemented, the results of the simulation process have demonstrated that the values of displacement and acceleration of the sprung mass are significantly decreased. This was determined by looking at the values before and after implementing the new algorithm. In the first case, these figures do not surpass a difference of 2.55% compared to automobiles that use passive suspension systems. The second case sees these figures falling short of 12.59% in total. As a direct result, the automobile's steadiness and level of comfort have been significantly improved.
Structural, optical, and cytotoxicity studies of laser irradiated ZnO doped borate bioactive glasses
Authors: Ghazy Ahmed R. , Elmowafy B. M. , Abdelghany A. M. , Meaz T. M. , Ghazy R. , Ramadan R. M.
Published: May 2023

Borate glasses (BG) doped with different amounts of ZnO (0–0.6 mol%) were formed by the traditional melt quenching technique. The different glasses so made were characterized using different characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and UV–Vis absorption optical properties. The XRD patterns showed an amorphous structure with one broad peak at 2θ = 29°, while the phonons bands were studied in terms of the FTIR bands. Optical properties of the glasses were studied using UV–Vis absorption spectra in the range 190–1100 nm, in which the prominent band lies at about 261.5 nm of peak position, from which the bandgab (Eg) was calculated from its edge using Tauc’s plot, with Eg ~ 3.5 eV. The laser irradiation showed no significant changes in the absorption bands, despite a significant change observed in the amorphous behavior in the XRD pattern. The cell viability was performed for two samples of the BG and 0.6 mol% ZnO doped using 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay method. The result showed better cell viability and low toxicity. So, ZnO doped BG can be used in various biomedical applications.
A new regional cotton growth model based on reference crop evapotranspiration for predicting growth processes
Authors: Lin Shudong , Deng Mingjiang , Wei Kai , Wang Quanjiu , Su Lijun
Published: May 2023

Meteorological conditions and irrigation amounts are key factors that affect crop growth processes. Typically, crop growth and development are modeled as a function of time or growing degree days (GDD). Although the most important component of GDD is temperature, it can vary significantly year to year while also gradually shifting due to climate changes. However, cotton is highly sensitive to various meteorological factors, and reference crop evapotranspiration (ETO) integrates the primary meteorological factors responsible for global dryland extension and aridity changes. This paper constructs a cotton growth model using ETO, which improves the accuracy of crop growth simulation. Two cotton growth models based on the logistic model established using GDD or ETO as independent factors are evaluated in this paper. Additionally, this paper examines mathematical models that relate irrigation amount and irrigation water utilization efficiency (IWUE) to the maximum leaf area index (LAImax) and cotton yield, revealing some key findings. First, the model using cumulative reference crop evapotranspiration (CETO) as the independent variable is more accurate than the one using cumulative growing degree days. To better reflect the effects of meteorological conditions on cotton growth, this paper recommends using CETO as the independent variable to establish cotton growth models. Secondly, the maximum cotton yield is 7171.7 kg/ha when LAImax is 6.043 cm2/cm2, the corresponding required irrigation amount is 518.793 mm, and IWUE is 21.153 kg/(ha·mm). Future studies should consider multiple associated meteorological factors and use ETO crop growth models to simulate and predict crop growth and yield.
Trophic relationship between Salix flowers, Orthosia moths and the western barbastelle
Authors: Apoznański Grzegorz , Carr Andrew , Gelang Magnus , Kokurewicz Tomasz , Rachwald Alek
Published: May 2023

We present the results of a study which describes the relationship between the western barbastelle Barbastella barbastellus a highly specialised moth predator, and its prey—moths of the genus Orthosia, another selective animal known to converge around a dominant producer of pollen and nectar in early spring—willow trees Salix sp. In order to describe this trophic relationship, we conducted acoustic recordings at five paired sites (willow/control tree) in proximity to known barbastelle hibernation sites (Natura 2000: PLH080003 and PLH200014) beginning in mid-March 2022 after the first willow blossom sighting. Our study confirms a relationship between willow trees and barbastelles during early spring, as their activity around them was significantly higher than control sites. We also explore the activity of barbastelles over time, finding that activity levels around willows significantly decrease from the night of the first recorded bat, while the abundance of non-moth specialist bats remains consistent. Short-time importance (directly after hibernation) of willows for a moth specialist bat is probably due to other species blossom, attracting alternative prey, and in consequence—the bat. This newly described relationship should influence current conservation measures aimed at barbastelles.
The prevalence and factors associated with obesity and hypertension in university academic staff: a cross-sectional study in Bangladesh
Authors: Ali Nurshad , Ahmed Shamim , Mahmood Shakil , Trisha Aporajita Das , Mahmud Firoz
Published: May 2023

Obesity is a major risk factor for hypertension, type 2 diabetes and other morbidities. On the other hand, hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease. The presence of obesity in hypertensive persons increases cardiovascular risk and related mortality. Data on the prevalence of obesity and hypertension in academic staff in Bangladesh are scarce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with obesity and hypertension among university academic staff in Bangladesh. In total, 352 academic staff were enrolled in this study from two universities in Bangladesh. A pre-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on anthropometric, demographic and lifestyle-related factors. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the factors associated with obesity and hypertension. Overall, the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity and hypertension was 26.7%, 46.9% and 33.7%, respectively. Female staff had a significantly higher prevalence of both general and abdominal obesity (41% and 64.1%, respectively) than male staff (21.5% and 34.9%, respectively) (p < 0.001). In contrast, male staff had a higher prevalence of hypertension (36.9%) than female staff (25.6%)(p < 0.001). An increased prevalence of hypertension was found in the higher BMI and WC groups of the participants. The prevalence of general obesity, abdominal obesity and hypertension was higher in the 30–40 years, > 50 years and 41–50 years age groups, respectively. According to the regression analysis, female gender and inadequate physical activity were independently associated with general and abdominal obesity. On the other hand, increased age, BMI, WC, presence of diabetes and smoking showed a significant association with hypertension. In conclusion, the prevalence of obesity and hypertension was higher among university academic staff members in Bangladesh. Our findings suggest that comprehensive screening programs are needed to facilitate the diagnosis, control, and prevention of obesity and hypertension in high-risk population groups.
Variational relevance evaluation of individual fMRI data enables deconstruction of task-dependent neural dynamics
Authors: Lv Xiaoyu , Funahashi Shintaro , Li Chunlin , Wu Jinglong
Published: May 2023

In neuroimaging research, univariate analysis has always been used to localize “representations” at the microscale, whereas network approaches have been applied to characterize transregional “operations”. How are representations and operations linked through dynamic interactions? We developed the variational relevance evaluation (VRE) method to analyze individual task fMRI data, which selects informative voxels during model training to localize the “representation”, and quantifies the dynamic contributions of single voxels across the whole-brain to different cognitive functions to characterize the “operation”. Using 15 individual fMRI data files for higher visual area localizers, we evaluated the characterization of selected voxel positions of VRE and revealed different object-selective regions functioning in similar dynamics. Using another 15 individual fMRI data files for memory retrieval after offline learning, we found similar task-related regions working in different neural dynamics for tasks with diverse familiarities. VRE demonstrates a promising horizon in individual fMRI research.