bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of the Northern Hemisphere cold regions changes from 1901 to 2019
Authors: Huang Yutao , Zhang Lijuan , Li Yongsheng , Ren Chong , Pan Tao , Zhang Wenshuai , Zhang Fan , Li Chunyang , Gu Jiakai , Liu Jie
Published: March 2023

The accurate delineation of the spatial extent of cold regions provides the basis for the study of global environmental change. However, attention has been lacking on the temperature-sensitive spatial changes in the cold regions of the Earth in the context of climate warming. In this study, the mean temperature in the coldest month lower than − 3 °C, no more than 5 months over 10 °C, and an annual mean temperature no higher than 5 °C were selected to define cold regions. Based on the Climate Research Unit land surface air temperature (CRUTEM) of monthly mean surface climate elements, the spatiotemporal distribution and variation characteristics of the Northern Hemisphere (NH) continental cold regions from 1901 to 2019 are analyzed in this study, by adopting time trend and correlation analyses. The results show: (1) In the past 119 years, the cold regions of the NH covered on average about 4.074 × 107 km2, accounting for 37.82% of the total land area of the NH. The cold regions can be divided into the Mid-to-High latitude cold regions and the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau cold regions, with spatial extents of 3.755 × 107 km2 and 3.127 × 106 km2, respectively. The Mid-to-High latitude cold regions in the NH are mainly distributed in northern North America, most of Iceland, the Alps, northern Eurasia, and the Great Caucasus with a mean southern boundary of 49.48° N. Except for the southwest, the entire region of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, northern Pakistan, and most of Kyrgyzstan are cold regions. (2) In the past 119 years, the rates of change in the spatial extent of the cold regions in the NH, the Mid-to-High latitude, and the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau were − 0.030 × 107 km2/10 a, − 0.028 × 107 km2/10 a, and − 0.013 × 106 km2/10 a, respectively, showing an extremely significant decreasing trend. In the past 119 years, the mean southern boundary of the Mid-to-High latitude cold regions has been retreating northward at all longitudes. For instance, the mean southern boundary of the Eurasian cold regions moved 1.82° to the north and that of North America moved 0.98° to the north. The main contribution of the study lies in the accurate definition of the cold regions and documentation of the spatial variation of the cold regions in the NH, revealing the response trends of the cold regions to climate warming, and deepening the study of global change from a new perspective.
MR-guided ultrasound-stimulated microbubble therapy enhances radiation-induced tumor response
Authors: McNabb Evan , Sharma Deepa , Sannachi Lakshmanan , Giles Anoja , Yang Wenyi , Czarnota Gregory J.
Published: March 2023

High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) systems have been approved for therapeutic ultrasound delivery to cause tissue ablation or induced hyperthermia. Microbubble agents have also been used in combination with sonication exposures. These require temperature feedback and monitoring to prevent unstable cavitation and prevent excess tissue heating. Previous work has utilized lower power and pressure to oscillate microbubbles and transfer energy to endothelial cells in the absence of thermally induced damage that can radiosensitize tumors. This work investigated whether reduced acoustic power and pressure on a commercial available MR-integrated HIFU system could result in enhanced radiation-induced tumor response after exposure to ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles (USMB) therapy. A commercially available MR-integrated HIFU system was used with a hyperthermia system calibration provided by the manufacturer. The ultrasound transducer was calibrated to reach a peak negative pressure of − 750 kPa. Thirty male New Zealand white rabbits bearing human derived PC3 tumors were grouped to receive no treatment, 14 min of USMB, 8 Gy of radiation in a separate irradiation cabinet, or combined treatments. In vivo temperature changes were collected using MR thermometry at the tumor center and far-field muscle region. Tissues specimens were collected 24 h post radiation therapy. Tumor cell death was measured and compared to untreated controls through hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical analysis. The desired peak negative pressure of − 750 kPa used for previous USMB occurred at approximately an input power of 5 W. Temperature changes were limited to under 4 °C in ten of twelve rabbits monitored. The median temperature in the far-field muscle region of the leg was 2.50 °C for groups receiving USMB alone or in combination with radiation. Finally, statistically significant tumor cell death was demonstrated using immunohistochemical analysis in the combined therapy group compared to untreated controls. A commercial MR-guided therapy HIFU system was able to effectively treat PC3 tumors in a rabbit model using USMB therapy in combination with radiation exposures. Future work could find the use of reduced power and pressure levels in a commercial MR-guided therapy system to mechanically stimulate microbubbles and damage endothelial cells without requiring high thermal doses to elicit an antitumor response.
Interpreting random forest analysis of ecological models to move from prediction to explanation
Authors: Simon Sophia M. , Glaum Paul , Valdovinos Fernanda S.
Published: March 2023

As modeling tools and approaches become more advanced, ecological models are becoming more complex. Traditional sensitivity analyses can struggle to identify the nonlinearities and interactions emergent from such complexity, especially across broad swaths of parameter space. This limits understanding of the ecological mechanisms underlying model behavior. Machine learning approaches are a potential answer to this issue, given their predictive ability when applied to complex large datasets. While perceptions that machine learning is a “black box” linger, we seek to illuminate its interpretive potential in ecological modeling. To do so, we detail our process of applying random forests to complex model dynamics to produce both high predictive accuracy and elucidate the ecological mechanisms driving our predictions. Specifically, we employ an empirically rooted ontogenetically stage-structured consumer-resource simulation model. Using simulation parameters as feature inputs and simulation output as dependent variables in our random forests, we extended feature analyses into a simple graphical analysis from which we reduced model behavior to three core ecological mechanisms. These ecological mechanisms reveal the complex interactions between internal plant demography and trophic allocation driving community dynamics while preserving the predictive accuracy achieved by our random forests.
Interannual variability in early life phenology is driven by climate and oceanic processes in two NE Atlantic flatfishes
Authors: Vaz Ana , Primo Ana Lígia , Crespo Daniel , Pardal Miguel , Martinho Filipe
Published: March 2023

Early life phenology is a crucial factor for population dynamics in a climate change scenario. As such, understanding how the early life cycle of marine fishes is influenced by key oceanic and climate drivers is of chief importance for sustainable fisheries. This study documents interannual changes in early life phenology of two commercial flatfishes: European flounder (Platichthys flesus) and common sole (Solea solea) from 2010 to 2015 based on otolith microstructure. Using GAMs, we looked for correlations of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), Eastern Atlantic pattern (EA), sea surface temperature (SST), chlorophyl a concentration (Chla) and upwelling (Ui) variation with the onset of hatch, metamorphosis, and benthic settlement day. We concluded that higher SST, more intensive upwelling, and EA were coincident with a later the onset of each stage, while increasing NAO induces an earlier onset of each stage. Although similar to S. solea, P. flesus showed a more complex interaction with the environmental drivers, most possibly because it is at its southern limit of its distribution. Our results highlight the complexity of the relationship between climate conditions and fish early life history, particularly those with complex life cycles that include migrations between coastal areas and estuaries.
Characterization of phyto-components with antimicrobial traits in supercritical carbon dioxide and soxhlet Prosopis juliflora leaves extract using GC-MS
Authors: Naik Nagaraj M. , Krishnaveni M. , Mahadevswamy M. , Bheemanna M. , Nidoni Udaykumar , Kumar Vasant , Tejashri K.
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to screen the bioactive compounds from Prosopis juliflora leaf supercritical fluid extract and to assess its antimicrobial properties. Supercritical carbon dioxide and Soxhlet methods were used for extraction. The extract was subjected to Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) and Fourier Transform Infrared for the characterization of the phyto-components. When compared to soxhlet extraction, more components (35) were eluted by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), according to GC-MS screening. Rhizoctonia bataticola, Alternaria alternata, and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides were all successfully inhibited by P. juliflora leaf SFE extract, which demonstrated strong antifungal properties with mycelium percent inhibition of 94.07%, 93.15%, and 92.43%, respectively, compared to extract from Soxhlet, which registered 55.31%, 75.63% and 45.13% mycelium inhibition respectively. Also, SFE P. juliflora extracts registered higher zone of inhibition 13.90 mm, 14.47 mm and 14.53 mm against all three test food-borne bacterial pathogens viz Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica and Staphylococcus aureus respectively. Results obtained from GC-MS screening revealed that SFE is more efficient than soxhlet extraction in recovering the phyto-components. P. juliflora may provide antimicrobial agents, a novel natural inhibitory metabolite.
Lrig1-expressing epidermal progenitors require SCD1 to maintain the dermal papilla niche
Authors: Lim Sophia Beng Hui , Wei Shang , Tan Andy Hee-Meng , van Steensel Maurice A. M. , Lim Xinhong
Published: March 2023

Niche cells are widely known to regulate stem/progenitor cells in many mammalian tissues. In the hair, dermal papilla niche cells are well accepted to regulate hair stem/progenitor cells. However, how niche cells themselves are maintained is largely unknown. We present evidence implicating hair matrix progenitors and the lipid modifying enzyme, Stearoyl CoA Desaturase 1, in the regulation of the dermal papilla niche during the anagen-catagen transition of the mouse hair cycle. Our data suggest that this takes place via autocrine Wnt signalling and paracrine Hedgehog signalling. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating a potential role for matrix progenitor cells in maintaining the dermal papilla niche.
Short term results in a population based study indicate advantage for laparoscopic colon cancer surgery versus open
Authors: Petersson Josefin , Matthiessen Peter , Jadid Kaveh Dehlaghi , Bock David , Angenete Eva
Published: March 2023

The aim of this study was to compare LAP with OPEN regarding short-term mortality, morbidity and completeness of the cancer resection for colon cancer in a routine health care setting using population based register data. All 13,683 patients who were diagnosed 2012–2018 and underwent elective surgery for right-sided or sigmoid colon cancer were included from the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry and the National Patient Registry. Primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes were 90-day mortality, length of hospital stay, reoperation, readmission and positive resection margin (R1). Weighted and unweighted multi regression analyses were performed. There were no difference in 30-day mortality: LAP (0.9%) and OPEN (1.3%) (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.62–1.29, P = 0.545). The weighted analyses showed an increased 90-day mortality following OPEN, P < 0.001. Re-operations and re-admission were more frequent after OPEN and length of hospital stay was 2.9 days shorter following LAP (P < 0.001). R1 resections were significantly more common in the OPEN group in the unweighted and weighted analysis with P = 0.004 and P < 0.001 respectively. Therefore, the favourable short-term outcomes following elective LAP versus OPEN resection for colon cancer in routine health care indicate an advantage of laparoscopic surgery.
Zinc and iron dynamics in human islet amyloid polypeptide-induced diabetes mouse model
Authors: Fukunaka Ayako , Shimura Mari , Ichinose Takayuki , Pereye Ofejiro B. , Nakagawa Yuko , Tamura Yasuko , Mizutani Wakana , Inoue Ryota , Inoue Takato , Tanaka Yuto , Sato Takashi , Saitoh Tatsuya , Fukada Toshiyuki , Nishida Yuya , Miyatsuka Takeshi , Shirakawa Jun , Watada Hirotaka , Matsuyama Satoshi , Fujitani Yoshio
Published: March 2023

Metal homeostasis is tightly regulated in cells and organisms, and its disturbance is frequently observed in some diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic disorders. Previous studies suggest that zinc and iron are necessary for the normal functions of pancreatic β cells. However, the distribution of elements in normal conditions and the pathophysiological significance of dysregulated elements in the islet in diabetic conditions have remained unclear. In this study, to investigate the dynamics of elements in the pancreatic islets of a diabetic mouse model expressing human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP): hIAPP transgenic (hIAPP-Tg) mice, we performed imaging analysis of elements using synchrotron scanning X-ray fluorescence microscopy and quantitative analysis of elements using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. We found that in the islets, zinc significantly decreased in the early stage of diabetes, while iron gradually decreased concurrently with the increase in blood glucose levels of hIAPP-Tg mice. Notably, when zinc and/or iron were decreased in the islets of hIAPP-Tg mice, dysregulation of glucose-stimulated mitochondrial respiration was observed. Our findings may contribute to clarifying the roles of zinc and iron in islet functions under pathophysiological diabetic conditions.
Novel long non-coding RNAs associated with inflammation and macrophage activation in human
Authors: Chini Avisankar , Guha Prarthana , Malladi Venkat S. , Guo Zibiao , Mandal Subhrangsu S.
Published: March 2023

Inflammation plays a central role in immune response and macrophage activation. Emerging studies demonstrate that along with proteins and genomic factors, noncoding RNA are potentially involved in regulation of immune response and inflammation. Our recent study demonstrated that lncRNA HOTAIR plays key roles in cytokine expression and inflammation in macrophages. The primary goal of this study is to discover novel lncRNAs that are crucial players in inflammation, macrophage activation, and immune response in humans. Towards this, we have stimulated THP1-derived macrophages (THP1-MΦ) with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and performed the whole transcriptome RNA-seq analysis. Based on this analysis, we discovered that along with well-known marker for inflammation (such as cytokines), a series of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) expression were highly induced upon LPS-stimulation of macrophages, suggesting their potential roles in inflammation and macrophage activation. We termed these family of lncRNAs as Long-noncoding Inflammation Associated RNA (LinfRNA). Dose and time dependent analysis demonstrated that many human LinfRNA (hLinfRNAs) expressions follow similar patterns as cytokine expressions. Inhibition of NF-κB suppressed the expression of most hLinfRNAs suggesting their potential regulation via NF-κB activation during inflammation and macrophage activation. Antisense-mediated knockdown of hLinfRNA1 suppressed the LPS-induced expression of cytokines and pro-inflammatory genes such as IL6, IL1β, and TNFα expression, suggesting potential functionality of the hLinfRNAs in cytokine regulation and inflammation. Overall, we discovered a series of novel hLinfRNAs that are potential regulators of inflammation and macrophage activation and may be linked to inflammatory and metabolic diseases.
The PaleoJump database for abrupt transitions in past climates
Authors: Bagniewski Witold , Rousseau Denis-Didier , Ghil Michael
Published: March 2023

Tipping points (TPs) in Earth’s climate system have been the subject of increasing interest and concern in recent years, given the risk that anthropogenic forcing could cause abrupt, potentially irreversible, climate transitions. Paleoclimate records are essential for identifying past TPs and for gaining a thorough understanding of the underlying nonlinearities and bifurcation mechanisms. However, the quality, resolution, and reliability of these records can vary, making it important to carefully select the ones that provide the most accurate representation of past climates. Moreover, as paleoclimate time series vary in their origin, time spans, and periodicities, an objective, automated methodology is crucial for identifying and comparing TPs. To address these challenges, we introduce the open-source PaleoJump database, which contains a collection of carefully selected, high-resolution records originating in ice cores, marine sediments, speleothems, terrestrial records, and lake sediments. These records describe climate variability on centennial, millennial and longer time scales and cover all the continents and ocean basins. We provide an overview of their spatial distribution and discuss the gaps in coverage. Our statistical methodology includes an augmented Kolmogorov–Smirnov test and Recurrence Quantification Analysis; it is applied here, for illustration purposes, to selected records in which abrupt transitions are automatically detected and the presence of potential tipping elements is investigated. These transitions are shown in the PaleoJump database along with other essential information about the records, including location, temporal scale and resolution, as well as temporal plots. This open-source database represents, therefore, a valuable resource for researchers investigating TPs in past climates.
The prognostic role of C-reactive protein to albumin ratio and anti-MDA5 antibody-positive in idiopathic inflammatory myopathy: a retrospective study
Authors: Zhou Pei , Shen Qinxue , Zhou Shiting , Ouyang Xiaoli , Guo Ting , Song Min , Guo Wei , Zhang Yi , Peng Hong
Published: March 2023

This cohort study aimed to identify the characteristics and risk factors of adult idiopathic inflammatory myopathy-associated interstitial lung disease (IIM-ILD) and further explore the prognostic factors of IIM-ILD. We extracted data regarding 539 patients with laboratory-confirmed idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) with or without interstitial lung disease (ILD) from the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University between January 2016 and December 2021. The regression analysis was conducted to identify the possible risk factors for ILD as well as mortality. Of 539 IIM patients, 343 (64.6%) were diagnosed with IIM-ILD. The median (IQR) baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) and ferritin were 4.1371 (2.6994–6.8143), 0.1685 (0.0641–0.5456) and 393.6 (210.6–532.2), respectively. Risk factors associated with IIM-ILD were older age (p = 0.002), arthralgia (p = 0.014), lung infection (p = 0.027), hemoglobin (p = 0.022), high CAR (p = 0.014), anti-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (anti-ARS) antibody-positive (p < 0.001), and anti-MDA5 antibody-positive (p < 0.001). The IIM-ILD patients whose age at diagnosis of disease ≥ 59.5 (HR = 2.673, 95% CI 1.588–4.499, p < 0.001), NLR ≥ 6.6109 (HR = 2.004, 95% CI 1.193–3.368, p = 0.009), CAR ≥ 0.2506 (HR = 1.864, 95% CI 1.041–3.339, p = 0.036), ferritin ≥ 397.68 (HR = 2.451, 95% CI 1.245–4.827, p = 0.009) and anti-MDA5 antibody-positive (HR = 1.928, 95% CI 1.123–3.309, p = 0.017) had a higher mortality rate. High CAR and anti-MDA5 antibody-positive are more likely to be associated with a high mortality rate of IIM-ILD, which can be used as serum biomarkers, especially the CAR, a simple, objective tool to assess the prognosis of IIM.
The role of position in consensus dynamics of polarizable networks
Authors: Giese Helge , Gaisbauer Felix , Gradwohl Nico , Strandburg-Peshkin Ariana
Published: March 2023

Communication constraints often complicate group decision-making. In this experiment, we investigate how the network position of opinionated group members determines both the speed and the outcome of group consensus in 7-member communication networks susceptible to polarization. To this end, we implemented an online version of a color coordination task within experimentally controlled communication networks. In 72 networks, one individual was incentivized to prefer one of two options. In 156 networks, two individuals were incentivized to prefer conflicting options. The network positions of incentivized individuals were varied. In networks with a single incentivized individual, network position played no significant role in either the speed or outcome of consensus decisions. For conflicts, the incentivized individual with more neighbors was more likely to sway the group to their preferred outcome. Furthermore, consensus emerged more slowly when the opponents had the same number of neighbors, but could not see each other’s votes directly. These results suggest that the visibility of an opinion is key to wielding group influence, and that specific structures are sufficient to run communication networks into polarization, hindering a speedy consensus.
Chemical-state distributions in charged LiCoO2 cathode particles visualized by soft X-ray spectromicroscopy
Authors: Zhang Wenxiong , Hosono Eiji , Asakura Daisuke , Yuzawa Hayato , Ohigashi Takuji , Kobayashi Masaki , Kiuchi Hisao , Harada Yoshihisa
Published: March 2023

Lithium-ion deintercalation/intercalation during charge/discharge processes is one of the essential reactions that occur in the layered cathodes of lithium-ion batteries, and the performance of the cathode can be expressed as the sum of the reactions that occur in the local area of the individual cathode particles. In this study, the spatial distributions of the chemical states present in prototypical layered LiCoO2cathode particles were determined at different charging conditions using scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) with a spatial resolution of approximately 100 nm. The CoL3- and OK-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) spectra, extracted from the same area of the corresponding STXM images, at the initial state as well as after charging to 4.5 V demonstrate the spatial distribution of the chemical state changes depending on individual particles. In addition to the CoL3-edge XAS spectra, the OK-edge XAS spectra of the initial and charged LiCoO2particles are different, indicating that both the Co and O sites participate in charge compensation during the charging process possibly through the hybridization between the Co 3dand O 2porbitals. Furthermore, the element maps of both the Co and O sites, derived from the STXM stack images, reveal the spatial distribution of the chemical states inside individual particles after charging to 4.5 V. The element mapping analysis suggests that inhomogeneous reactions occur on the active particles and confirm the existence of non-active particles. The results of this study demonstrate that an STXM-based spatially resolved electronic structural analysis method is useful for understanding the charging and discharging of battery materials.
Insight into pressure effect on optoelectronic, mechanical, and lattice vibrational properties of nanostructured GaxIn1 − xPySbzAs1 − y − z for the solar cells system
Authors: Elkenany E. B. , Alfrnwani O. A. , Sallah M.
Published: March 2023

The electronic, optical, and elastic characteristics of the GaxIn1 − xPySbzAs1 − y − z alloy lattice matched to the GaSb substrate using a pseudo-potential formalism (EPM) based on the virtual crystal approximation (VCA) are performed. The mechanical features, acoustic velocity, and phonon frequencies of the GaxIn1 − xPySbzAs1 − y − z/GaSb system are calculated. The sensitivity of these properties to pressure is considered. Our findings are reasonably consistent with the experimental evidence that is currently available. The studied properties of this alloy under the influence of pressure are a new achievement. Novel device applications would be made possible by the pentanary GaxIn1 − xPySbzAs1 − y − z alloy under high pressure.
Inactivation and spike protein denaturation of novel coronavirus variants by CuxO/TiO2 nano-photocatalysts
Authors: Tatsuma Tetsu , Nakakido Makoto , Ichinohe Takeshi , Kuroiwa Yoshinori , Tomioka Kengo , Liu Chang , Miyamae Nobuhiro , Onuki Tatsuya , Tsumoto Kouhei , Hashimoto Kazuhito , Wakihara Toru
Published: March 2023

In order to reduce infection risk of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), we developed nano-photocatalysts with nanoscale rutile TiO2 (4–8 nm) and CuxO (1–2 nm or less). Their extraordinarily small size leads to high dispersity and good optical transparency, besides large active surface area. Those photocatalysts can be applied to white and translucent latex paints. Although Cu2O clusters involved in the paint coating undergo gradual aerobic oxidation in the dark, the oxidized clusters are re-reduced under > 380 nm light. The paint coating inactivated the original and alpha variant of novel coronavirus under irradiation with fluorescent light for 3 h. The photocatalysts greatly suppressed binding ability of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of coronavirus (the original, alpha and delta variants) spike protein to the receptor of human cells. The coating also exhibited antivirus effects on influenza A virus, feline calicivirus, bacteriophage Qβ and bacteriophage M13. The photocatalysts would be applied to practical coatings and lower the risk of coronavirus infection via solid surfaces.
Early exploitation of Neapolitan pozzolan (pulvis puteolana) in the Roman theatre of Aquileia, Northern Italy
Authors: Dilaria Simone , Secco Michele , Ghiotto Andrea R. , Furlan Guido , Giovanardi Tommaso , Zorzi Federico , Bonetto Jacopo
Published: March 2023

The paper reports the results of the analyses on mortar-based materials from the Roman theatre of Aquileia (Friuli Venezia Giulia, Northern Italy), recently dated between the mid-1st Century BCE and the mid-1st Century CE. Samples were characterized by Polarized Light Microscopy on thin sections (PLM), Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM–EDS) and Quantitative Phase Analysis by X-Ray Powder Diffraction (QPA-XRPD). Pyroclastic aggregates (mainly pumices and scattered tuffs), incompatible with the regional geology, were found in two samples from the preparation layers of the ground floor of the building. Their provenance was determined by means of QPA-XRPD, SEM–EDS, X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Laser-Ablation Inductively-Coupled-Plasma Mass-Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Mineralogical and geochemical analyses demonstrated their provenance from the Bay of Naples, thus recognizing them aspulvis puteolana, a type of pozzolanic aggregate outcropping around the modern town of Pozzuoli and prescribed by Vitruvius (De Architectura, 2.6.1) in mortar-based materials to strengthen masonries and produce hydraulic concrete for harbor piers. This evidence represents the oldest analytically-established case ofpulvis puteolanaexploitation in Northern Italy up to now, and an early use of the material out of Campania adapted for civil constructions in a non-strictly maritime-related environment. Indeed, the theatre was built in the low-lying Aquileia’s deltaic plain, prone to water infiltrations that are typical in lagoon-like environments. The data highlight the craftsmen’s resilience in adapting and reinterpreting the traditional use of the Neapolitan volcanic materials to deal with the geomorphological challenges of Aquileia’s lowland.
Oncogenic role and potential regulatory mechanism of fatty acid binding protein 5 based on a pan-cancer analysis
Authors: Wang Jinhua , Zhao Siqi , Sun Jian , Wang Xiaobo , Guan Mingze , Yin Jiajun , Tang Bo
Published: March 2023

As one member of fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs), FABP5 makes a contribution in the occurrence and development of several tumor types, but existing analysis about FABP5 and FABP5-related molecular mechanism remains limited. Meanwhile, some tumor patients showed limited response rates to current immunotherapy, and more potential targets need to be explored for the improvement of immunotherapy. In this study, we made a pan-cancer analysis of FABP5 based on the clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database for the first time. FABP5 overexpression was observed in many tumor types, and was statistically associated with poor prognosis of several tumor types. Additionally, we further explored FABP5-related miRNAs and corresponding lncRNAs. Then, miR-577-FABP5 regulatory network in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma as well as CD27-AS1/GUSBP11/SNHG16/TTC28-AS1-miR-22-3p-FABP5 competing endogenous RNA regulatory network in liver hepatocellular carcinoma were constructed. Meanwhile, Western Blot and reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis were used to verify miR-22-3p-FABP5 relationship in LIHC cell lines. Moreover, the potential relationships of FABP5 with immune infiltration and six immune checkpoints (CD274, CTLA4, HAVCR2, LAG3, PDCD1 and TIGIT) were discovered. Our work not only deepens the understanding of FABP5’s functions in multiple tumors and supplements existing FABP5-related mechanisms, but also provides more possibilities for immunotherapy.
Differentiating malignant and benign eyelid lesions using deep learning
Authors: Lee Min Joung , Yang Min Kyu , Khwarg Sang In , Oh Eun Kyu , Choi Youn Joo , Kim Namju , Choung Hokyung , Seo Chang Won , Ha Yun Jong , Cho Min Ho , Cho Bum-Joo
Published: March 2023

Artificial intelligence as a screening tool for eyelid lesions will be helpful for early diagnosis of eyelid malignancies and proper decision-making. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of a deep learning model in differentiating eyelid lesions using clinical eyelid photographs in comparison with human ophthalmologists. We included 4954 photographs from 928 patients in this retrospective cross-sectional study. Images were classified into three categories: malignant lesion, benign lesion, and no lesion. Two pre-trained convolutional neural network (CNN) models, DenseNet-161 and EfficientNetV2-M architectures, were fine-tuned to classify images into three or two (malignant versus benign) categories. For a ternary classification, the mean diagnostic accuracies of the CNNs were 82.1% and 83.0% using DenseNet-161 and EfficientNetV2-M, respectively, which were inferior to those of the nine clinicians (87.0–89.5%). For the binary classification, the mean accuracies were 87.5% and 92.5% using DenseNet-161 and EfficientNetV2-M models, which was similar to that of the clinicians (85.8–90.0%). The mean AUC of the two CNN models was 0.908 and 0.950, respectively. Gradient-weighted class activation map successfully highlighted the eyelid tumors on clinical photographs. Deep learning models showed a promising performance in discriminating malignant versus benign eyelid lesions on clinical photographs, reaching the level of human observers.
Quantum computing reduces systemic risk in financial networks
Authors: Aboussalah Amine Mohamed , Chi Cheng , Lee Chi-Guhn
Published: March 2023

In highly connected financial networks, the failure of a single institution can cascade into additional bank failures. This systemic risk can be mitigated by adjusting the loans, holding shares, and other liabilities connecting institutions in a way that prevents cascading of failures. We are approaching the systemic risk problem by attempting to optimize the connections between the institutions. In order to provide a more realistic simulation environment, we have incorporated nonlinear/discontinuous losses in the value of the banks. To address scalability challenges, we have developed a two-stage algorithm where the networks are partitioned into modules of highly interconnected banks and then the modules are individually optimized. We developed a new algorithms for classical and quantum partitioning for directed and weighed graphs (first stage) and a new methodology for solving Mixed Integer Linear Programming problems with constraints for the systemic risk context (second stage). We compare classical and quantum algorithms for the partitioning problem. Experimental results demonstrate that our two-stage optimization with quantum partitioning is more resilient to financial shocks, delays the cascade failure phase transition, and reduces the total number of failures at convergence under systemic risks with reduced time complexity.
Cryo-EM structure of a catalytic amyloid fibril
Authors: Heerde Thomas , Bansal Akanksha , Schmidt Matthias , Fändrich Marcus
Published: March 2023

Catalytic amyloid fibrils are novel types of bioinspired, functional materials that combine the chemical and mechanical robustness of amyloids with the ability to catalyze a certain chemical reaction. In this study we used cryo-electron microcopy to analyze the amyloid fibril structure and the catalytic center of amyloid fibrils that hydrolyze ester bonds. Our findings show that catalytic amyloid fibrils are polymorphic and consist of similarly structured, zipper-like building blocks that consist of mated cross-β sheets. These building blocks define the fibril core, which is decorated by a peripheral leaflet of peptide molecules. The observed structural arrangement differs from previously described catalytic amyloid fibrils and yielded a new model of the catalytic center.
A high-resolution melt curve toolkit to identify lineage-defining SARS-CoV-2 mutations
Authors: Fraser Alice J. , Greenland-Bews Caitlin , Kelly Daniel , Williams Christopher T. ,   LSTM Diagnostics Group, Bengey Daisy , Buist Kate , Clerkin Karina , Finch Lorna S , Gould Susan , Kontogianni Konstantina , Savage Helen R , Thompson Caitlin R , Wardale Jahanara , Watkins Rachel L , Wooding Dominic ,   CONDOR Steering Group, Allen A. Joy , Body Richard , Braybrook Julian , Buckle Peter , Clark Eloïse , Dark Paul , Davis Kerrie , Gordon Adam , Hayward Gail , Halstead Anna , Harden Charlotte , Inkson Colette , Jones Naoko , Jones William , Lasserson Dan , Lee Joseph , Lendrem Clare , Lewington Andrew , Logan Mary , Micocci Massimo , Nicholson Brian , Perera-Salazar Rafael , Prestwich Graham , Price Ashley , Reynard Charles , Riley Beverley , Simpson A. J. , Tate Valerie , Turner Philip , Wilcox Mark , Zhifang Melody , Body Richard , Adams Emily R. , Atienzar Ana Cubas , Edwards Thomas , Allen David J.
Published: March 2023

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOCs), with mutations linked to increased transmissibility, vaccine escape and virulence, has necessitated the widespread genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2. This has placed a strain on global sequencing capacity, especially in areas lacking the resources for large scale sequencing activities. Here we have developed three separate multiplex high-resolution melting assays to enable the identification of Alpha, Beta, Delta and Omicron VOCs. The assays were evaluated against whole genome sequencing on upper-respiratory swab samples collected during the Alpha, Delta and Omicron [BA.1] waves of the UK pandemic. The sensitivities of the eight individual primer sets were all 100%, and specificity ranged from 94.6 to 100%. The multiplex HRM assays have potential as a tool for high throughput surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs, particularly in areas with limited genomics facilities.
Occupant privacy perception, awareness, and preferences in smart office environments
Authors: Li Beatrice , Tavakoli Arash , Heydarian Arsalan
Published: March 2023

Building management systems tout numerous benefits, such as energy efficiency and occupant comfort but rely on vast amounts of data from various sensors. Advancements in machine learning algorithms make it possible to extract personal information about occupants and their activities beyond the intended design of a non-intrusive sensor. However, occupants are not informed of data collection and possess different privacy preferences and thresholds for privacy loss. While privacy perceptions and preferences are most understood in smart homes, limited studies have evaluated these factors in smart office buildings, where there are more users and different privacy risks. To better understand occupants’ perceptions and privacy preferences, we conducted twenty-four semi-structured interviews between April 2022 and May 2022 on occupants of a smart office building. We found that data modality features and personal features contribute to people’s privacy preferences. The features of the collected modality define data modality features – spatial, security, and temporal context. In contrast, personal features consist of one’s awareness of data modality features and data inferences, definitions of privacy and security, and the available rewards and utility. Our proposed model of people’s privacy preferences in smart office buildings helps design more effective measures to improve people’s privacy.
3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase genes from Glycine max regulate plant growth and isoprenoid biosynthesis
Authors: Wang Shuai , Feng Yumei , Lou Yin , Niu Jingping , Yin Congcong , Zhao Jinzhong , Du Weijun , Yue Aiqin
Published: March 2023

Isoprenoids, a large kind of plant natural products, are synthesized by the mevalonate (MVA) pathway in the cytoplasm and the 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway in plastids. As one of the rate-limiting enzymes in the MVA pathway of soybean (Glycine max), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) is encoded by eight isogenes (GmHMGR1–GmHMGR8). To begin, we used lovastatin (LOV), a specific inhibitor of GmHMGR, to investigate their role in soybean development. To further investigate, we overexpressed the GmHMGR4 and GmHMGR6 genes in Arabidopsis thaliana. The growth of soybean seedlings, especially the development of lateral roots, was inhibited after LOV treatment, accompanied by a decrease in sterols content and GmHMGR gene expression. After the overexpression of GmHMGR4 and GmHMGR6 in A. thaliana, the primary root length was higher than the wild type, and total sterol and squalene contents were significantly increased. In addition, we detected a significant increase in the product tocopherol from the MEP pathway. These results further support the fact that GmHMGR1–GmHMGR8 play a key role in soybean development and isoprenoid biosynthesis.
Land-use induced soil carbon stabilization at the expense of rock derived nutrients: insights from pristine Andean soils
Authors: Jungkunst Hermann F. , Heitkamp Felix , Doetterl Sebastian , Sylvester Steven P. , Sylvester Mitsy D. P. V. , Vetter Vanessa , Maqsood Shafique , Zeppenfeld Thorsten , Kessler Michael , Fiedler Sabine
Published: March 2023

Soils contain significantly more carbon than the atmosphere, hence we should understand how best to stabilize it. Unfortunately, the role of human interventions on soil organic carbon (SOC) persistence in the Anthropocene remains vague, lacking adequate sites that allow unbiased direct comparisons of pristine and human influenced soils. Here we present data from a unique study system in the High Andes that guarantees pristineness of the reference sites by physical inaccessibility through vertical cliffs. By comparing the isotopic signatures of SOC, mineral related carbon stabilization, and soil nutrient status across grazed versus pristine soils, we provide counterintuitive evidence that thousands of years of pastoralism increased soil C persistence. Mineral associated organic carbon (MAOC) was significantly higher in pastures. Land use increased poorly crystalline minerals (PCM’s), of which aluminum correlated best with MAOC. On the other hand, human’s acceleration of weathering led to acidification and higher losses of cations. This highlights a dilemma of lower soil quality but higher persistence of SOC due to millennia of pastoralism. The dynamics of soil genesis in the Anthropocene needs better understanding, but if human-induced weathering proves generally to promote soil carbon persistence it will need to be included in climate—soil feedback projections.
On taylor correlation functions in isotropic turbulent flows
Authors: Chen Wei
Published: March 2023

A turbulent flow can be characterized by Taylor correlation functions which are obtained empirically, understood by statistical mechanics and regarded as universal. Here, we show that Taylor correlations are analytically derived by hypothesizing turbulence as a phenomenon of superfluids at resonance. Leveraging from a recent study on heat transfer at the speed of sound, we derived and fitted the longitudinal and lateral turbulent velocities in an isotropic, turbulent flow. The concept of the boundary of the second law helps to specify the integration constants in the solution. From the velocity profiles, Taylor’s correlation functions are analytically determined. From the linearity of the eigenfunction, we introduce amplitude and frequency factors. These factors are curve-fitted with two experimental dataset. Additional experimental datasets in the public domain are compared to the correlations, which shows that the theory agrees with experiments very well in isotropic flows. The analytical correlation functions help to elucidate observations that experiments and statistical mechanics have challenges to explain.
Horses cross-modally recognize women and men
Authors: Gouyet Chloé , Ringhofer Monamie , Yamamoto Shinya , Jardat Plotine , Parias Céline , Reigner Fabrice , Calandreau Ludovic , Lansade Léa
Published: March 2023

Several studies have shown that horses have the ability to cross-modally recognize humans by associating their voice with their physical appearance. However, it remains unclear whether horses are able to differentiate humans according to different criteria, such as the fact that they are women or men. Horses might recognize some human characteristics, such as sex, and use these characteristics to classify them into different categories. The aim of this study was to explore whether domesticated horses are able to cross-modally recognize women and men according to visual and auditory cues, using a preferential looking paradigm. We simultaneously presented two videos of women and men’s faces, while playing a recording of a human voice belonging to one of these two categories through a loudspeaker. The results showed that the horses looked significantly more towards the congruent video than towards the incongruent video, suggesting that they are able to associate women’s voices with women’s faces and men’s voices with men’s faces. Further investigation is necessary to determine the mechanism underlying this recognition, as it might be interesting to determine which characteristics horses use to categorize humans. These results suggest a novel perspective that could allow us to better understand how horses perceive humans.
Survival in non-small cell lung cancer patients with versus without prior cancer
Authors: Sato Akira , Morishima Toshitaka , Takeuchi Masato , Nakata Kayo , Kawakami Koji , Miyashiro Isao
Published: March 2023

Clinical trials on cancer treatments frequently exclude patients with prior cancer, but more evidence is needed to understand their possible effects on outcomes. This study analyzed the prognostic impact of prior cancer in newly diagnosed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients while accounting for various patient and cancer characteristics. Using population-based cancer registry data linked with administrative claims data, this retrospective cohort study examined patients aged 15–84 years diagnosed with NSCLC between 2010 and 2015 in Japan. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of all-cause mortality in patients with versus without prior cancer. The analysis was stratified according to NSCLC stage and diagnostic time intervals between prior cancers and the index NSCLC. We analyzed 9103 patients (prior cancer: 1416 [15.6%]; no prior cancer: 7687 [84.4%]). Overall, prior cancer had a non-significant mortality HR of 1.07 (95% CI: 0.97–1.17). Furthermore, prior cancer had a significantly higher mortality hazard for diagnostic time intervals of 3 years (HR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.06–1.43) and 5 years (1.18, 1.04–1.33), but not for longer intervals. However, prior cancer in patients with more advanced NSCLC did not show a higher mortality risk for any diagnostic time interval. Smoking-related prior cancers and prior cancers with poorer prognosis were associated with poorer survival. NSCLC patients with prior cancer do not have an invariably higher risk of mortality, and should be considered for inclusion in clinical trials depending on their cancer stage.
Numerical investigation of the effect of fluid pressurization rate on laboratory-scale injection-induced fault slip
Authors: Hutka Gergő András , Cacace Mauro , Hofmann Hannes , Zang Arno , Wang Lei , Ji Yinlin
Published: March 2023

The effect of normal stress variations on fault frictional strength has been extensively characterized in laboratory experiments and modelling studies based on a rate-and-state-dependent fault friction formalism. However, the role of pore pressure changes during injection-induced fault reactivation and associated frictional phenomena is still not well understood. We apply rate-and-state friction (RSF) theory in finite element models to investigate the effect of fluid pressurization rate on fault (re)activation and on the resulting frictional slip characteristics at the laboratory scale. We consider a stepwise injection scenario where each fluid injection cycle consists of a fluid pressurization phase followed by a constant fluid pressure phase. We first calibrate our model formulation to recently published laboratory results of injection-driven shear slip experiments. In a second stage, we perform a parametric study by varying fluid pressurization rates to cover a higher dimensional parameter space. We demonstrate that, for high permeability laboratory samples, the energy release rate associated with fault reactivation can be effectively controlled by a stepwise fluid injection scheme, i.e. by the applied fluid pressurization rate and the duration of the constant pressure phase between each successive fluid pressurization phase. We observe a gradual transition from fault creep to slow stick–slip as the fluid pressurization rate increases. Furthermore, computed peak velocities for an extended range of fluid pressurization rate scenarios (0.5 MPa/min to 10 MPa/min) indicate a non-linear (power-law) relationship between the imposed fluid pressurization rate and the peak slip velocities, and consequently with the energy release rate, for scenarios with a fluid pressurization rate higher than a critical value of 4 MPa/min. We also observe that higher pressurization rates cause a delay in the stress release by the fault. We therefore argue that by adopting a stepwise fluid injection scheme with lower fluid pressurization rates may provide the operator with a better control over potential induced seismicity. The implications for field-scale applications that we can derive from our study are limited by the high matrix and fault permeability of the selected sample and the direct hydraulic connection between the injection well and the fault, which may not necessarily represent the conditions typical for fracture dominated deep geothermal reservoirs. Nevertheless, our results can serve as a basis for further laboratory experiments and field-scale modelling studies focused on better understanding the impact of stepwise injection protocols on fluid injection-induced seismicity.