bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Routine Histopathology of Tonsillectomy Specimens, Is It Necessary? A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Mestry Vidula , Sardesai Ravindra B. , Sonawale Sanjaykumar , Vaidya Mihir , Joshi Samir V.
Published: July 2024

Routine histopathology of tonsillectomy specimens is not standard practice due to cost and resource constraints. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of abnormal histopathologies in tonsillectomy specimens to determine the necessity of routine histopathology. A prospective observational study was conducted from January 2014 to August 2016 at a general tertiary care center after approval of Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC). Patients scheduled for tonsillectomy surgery as per the AAOHNS 2011 criteria were included in the study. All tonsillectomy specimens were sent for histopathology, and abnormal findings were documented. Statistical analysis was performed. A total of 111 patients were enrolled in this study, and 222 tonsillectomy specimens were analyzed. The most common finding was chronic tonsillitis, which justified the selection criteria in 91.89% of patients. Two patients with chronic tonsillitis were also found to have actinomycosis present on the surface without parenchymal tissue reaction. Abnormal histopathological findings were observed in 9 (8.10%) of patients, leading to further investigations or treatment in 8 cases. These abnormalities included chronic granuloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, early squamous cell carcinoma, and one choristoma. Tonsillar asymmetry, recent onset of symptoms and older age were found to be significantly correlated with abnormal histopathology and malignancy. Routine histopathology in tonsillectomy specimens helps to identify important findings that may require additional treatment. Based on the study we strongly recommend routine histopathology of tonsillectomy specimen. When significant cost constraints exist, risk-based approach can be adopted. Factors such as older age, asymmetry of tonsils, referred otalgia, duration of symptoms (recent onset) and a history of addiction should be considered for proceeding with histopathology.
Moral Responsibility in a Vat
Authors: Kosterec Miloš
Published: July 2024

This paper investigates an ingenious argument by Andrew Khoury which, if valid, could shed new light on some of the most relevant discussions within the field of moral philosophy. The argument is based on the idea that if we deny the phenomenon of resultant moral luck, then the proper objects of moral responsibility must be internal willings. I analyse the argument and find it unsound. The argument does not adequately account for the positions of all relevant moral actors when it comes to the moral evaluation of agents and their actions.
Retrospective study on suicide attempts among psychiatric emergencies admitted to the emergency department of a Regional hospital in Turkey
Authors: Boğan Mustafa , Beki̇rcan Esra , Boğan Fatma , Kara Neslihan , Kara Ali Can
Published: July 2024

Introduction

The aim of this study was to determine the sociodemographic characteristics of psychiatric emergencies presenting to emergency departments (ED), the provisional diagnoses and reasons for consultation by emergency physicians, and to determine the rate of suicide attempts among patients presenting to emergency departments for psychiatric emergencies.

Methods

The records of all patients aged 18 years and older admitted to the emergency department of the Department of Emergency Medicine, a tertiary hospital, with either a pre-existing psychiatric diagnosis or a new psychiatric provisional diagnosis made by emergency physicians between January 2020 and December 2023 were reviewed.

Results

According to the data obtained in the study, it was determined that the most common provisional diagnoses made by emergency physicians in psychiatric emergencies were suicide attempts (41.88%), agitation (21.94%), schizophrenia (8.44%), psychosis (7.91%) and manic attack (6.54%). It was found that 49.3% of psychiatric emergencies resulted in discharge and 25.5% resulted in hospitalisation. Among the provisional diagnoses, depression, mutism and sleep disorders were most commonly associated with refusal of treatment, while depression and suicide were the most common reasons for hospitalisation. Among psychiatric emergency patients who attempted suicide, medication, sharp objects and chemicals were the most common substances ingested.

Discussion

In this study, it was determined that a great portion of the emergency psychiatric cases admitted to the emergency department consisted of patients who attempted suicide. However, due to the crowdedness and fast pace of emergency departments, it is understood that in psychiatric emergencies, epidemiological profile data are missing in the files of the cases and detailed medical history cannot be obtained from the patients We think that recording better data of patient who admitted a psychiatric condition to the emergency department will provide better information about the patients in future visits and improve the care to be provided. Psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses recommend the implementation of emergency department-based rehabilitation programs for these patients.
Statistical analysis of water quality change by total maximum daily load policy stage
Authors: Jo Chang Dae , Choi Seon Yeon , Kwon Heon Gak
Published: July 2024

This study aimed to derive major pollutants for standard watersheds with relatively high pollution levels and identify their trends. Hence, the water quality index (WQI) and multivariate statistical techniques were used to analyze the water quality evaluation of standard watershed during the total maximum daily load (TMDL) policy period implemented since 2004. The WQI was calculated for 41 standard watersheds, divided into 14 main streams and 27 tributaries. Consequently, in the main stream, WQI decreased as it moved downstream after the MS5 site. In the tributary, WQI values were found to be low at TS11, TS15, TS16, and TS17 sites. However, the Mann–Kendall test results indicated that the overall WQI value was increasing, suggesting that the water quality of the study basin was improving as the TMDL policy phase progressed. Principal component analysis of the group with relatively low WQI among the standard watersheds revealed that water temperature, dissolved oxygen, total phosphorus, chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, and electrical conductivity were the main variables in the main stream cluster. In the tributary stream cluster, total phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, total suspended solids, total nitrogen, and electrical conductivity showed high loading values. This study proposed a series of methods to provide the basic data required for watershed management through detailed water quality assessment methods, statistical techniques for deriving major pollutants, and trend analysis of water quality evaluation.
Forward-Forward Mean Field Games in Mathematical Modeling with Application to Opinion Formation and Voting Models
Authors: Festa Adriano , Göttlich Simone , Ricciardi Michele
Published: July 2024

While the general theory for the terminal-initial value problem in mean-field games is widely used in many models of applied mathematics, the modeling potential of the corresponding forward-forward version is still under-considered. In this work, we discuss some features of the problem in a quite general setting and explain how it may be appropriate to model a system of players that have a complete knowledge of the past states of the system and are adapting to new information without any knowledge about the future. Then we show how forward-forward mean field games can be effectively used in mathematical models for opinion formation and other social phenomena.
Synergistic Effects of Microbial Gibberellic Acid and Vitamins on Onion (Allium cepa L.) Yield, and Quality in Low-Fertility Soil
Authors: Mahmoud Ghada Abd-Elmonsef , Hefzy Mohamed , Zahran Mostafa M. A. A.
Published: July 2024

Onion is one of the most popular vegetables that play a major role in boosting immunity against diseases. As a result of the successive population increase, many farmers resort to excessive use of chemical plant growth enhancers to increase the crop's productivity, which causes many health and environmental problems and reduces the sustainability of the soil. Microbial phytohormones and vitamins are safe, eco-friendly, and effective natural solutions to increase the crop's productivity and maintain the soil health at the same time. To our knowledge, until know there is no information about the roles of microbial gibberellic acid (GA3), and vitamins on the growth and quality traits of onions. Two field experiments were conducted during two consecutive winter seasons in a sandy calcareous soil farm. Two treatments were in the main plot (without and with microbial GA3), and six were in the sub-plot (control, chemical thiamine, ascorbic acid, riboflavin, and microbial ascorbic acid and riboflavin). Plant growth parameters including plant height, fresh weight, leaf number, bulb diameter, and neck diameter were recorded. Onion yield and their quality traits of sugar content, protein, antioxidants, vitamin C, phenols, flavonoids, and NPK were measured. The major findings revealed that plants treated with applications of microbial GA3 or vitamin treatments significantly improved the onion yield, phenotypic, physiological, and biochemical characteristics in both seasons. In the majority of the measured parameters, the microbial ascorbic acid treatment outperformed the other vitamin treatments. The combination of foliar microbial GA3 spray and vitamins, especially microbial ascorbic acid, and microbial riboflavin, produced the high onion yield, growth and quality traits of plant height, number of leaves, fresh weights, bulb diameter, sugar content, vitamin C, total antioxidants, total phenols, and flavonoids during both seasons. The application of microbial GA3 in combination with microbial vitamins as foliar spraying are promising eco-friendly, cheap, plant bio-stimulators that could be used safely in the field, especially under low-fertility soil, for good growth, yield, and high-quality onions.
Enhancing the Performance of Vocational Education in the Digital Economy with the Application of Fuzzy Logic Algorithm
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan , Wang Aiwen
Published: July 2024

Vocational education improves the skill and efficiency of students/learners in addition to their regular courses. Within a short period of such courses, the performance has to be improved for providing professional development. In this article, the fuzzy-based performance improvement validation method (FPIVM) is introduced. This method excels in analyzing the performance of instructor-centered vocational education improvements for varied learners. In this process, the differential performance between various training and learning sessions is identified for identifying the gap in skill improvement. The fuzzy process operates using continuous intervals for performance measures based on instructor and learner scores. This is synchronized based on the existing learner’s skill and the instructor’s efficiency in meeting the vocational course study level. In particular, the fuzzification over the independent (learner and trainer) skill score is updated for new intervals. Such skill scores are classified as high or low compared to the previous outcomes. This improves the change in instructor or mode of education for successive sessions. Thus, the quality and performance of the sessions are retained unanimously for providing better outcomes. The outcomes are revised after each session for sustaining a high learning score regardless of student density.
Ball milling boosted magnetic cotton husk-derived biochar adsorptive removal of oxytetracycline and ciprofloxacin from water
Authors: Chen Chen , Yang Fengxia , Ma Yongfei , Dai Lihong , Zhang Zulin , Guo Haixin , Ding Yongzhen
Published: July 2024

Oxytetracycline (OTC) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) contamination have caused serious risks to human health, and modified biochar is considered as a potential adsorbent for their removal. The typical agricultural waste of cotton husk was used as the feedstock, then was combined with γ-Fe2O3 and ball milling to innovatively synthesize nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) supporting magnetic cotton hush-derived biochar (Fe2O3@BMBC) by reductive calcination. Fe2O3@BMBC performed excellent adsorption performance with a maximum adsorption capacity for OTC (266.7 mg·g−1) and CIP (83.36 mg·g−1), and its adsorption capacity was 1.6 and 2.3 times that of cotton husk biochar (BC). Characterization analysis showed that Fe2O3@BMBC contained abundant oxygenated functional groups (e.g., -OH, C = O and Fe–O) and its surface was covered by diverse iron oxides. The high magnetization sensitivity of Fe2O3@BMBC guaranteed that it was easily to be separated by a magnet. Oxygenated functional groups (e.g., -OH, C = O and Fe–O) participated in the adsorption process, and solution pH significantly affected the adsorption behaviour, and pseudo-second-order model and Freundlich model better fitting the kinetics and isotherms data. These results confirmed that π-π conjugation, H-bonding, Fe–O complexation and electrostatic interactions contributed to the greater adsorption capacity of Fe2O3@BMBC. Ethanol + ultrasound could efficiently regenerate the used Fe2O3@BMBC and maintain its sustainable adsorption performance for OTC and CIP. Additionally, Fe2O3@BMBC performed a good environmental security in a wide pH range (from 3 to 11) in view of the low leaching risk of Fe.

Graphical Abstract
Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in south interior Karnataka: a case study on august 31, 2023
Authors: Patil Chanabasanagouda S. , Shaik Darga Saheb , Nagaraja Kamsali
Published: July 2024

Study aims to conduct a synoptic and thermodynamic analysis of significant rainfall events that happened during the break monsoon season. During the investigation of meteorological events, it was observed that the monsoon trough at mean sea level passed along the foothills of the Himalaya. On August 31, 2023, there was a cyclonic circulation observed in the northeast Bay of Bengal as well as adjacent areas, reaching an altitude of 5.8 km above mean sea level (AMSL). This circulation tilted southwestward with height. During the period of August 31-September 2, 2023, there was a cyclonic circulation persistent that occurred inside a particular geographical area. This phenomenon extended up to a height of 4.5 km AMSL and exhibited a south-westward tilt as the altitude increased. On August 31, 2023, the Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE) was measured to be 2153 J/kg, whereas the Convective Inhibition Energy (CINE) was recorded as 0 J/kg. INSAT-3D satellite image showed a cloud top temperature of – 40 °C to – 60 °C. The Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) pictures also showed convective clouds to support this phenomenon. The synoptic and thermodynamic indices indicate a high likelihood of significant precipitation occurring over Bengaluru and its surrounding regions.
The ambiguous nature of complex semantic types: an experimental investigation
Authors: Huyghe Richard , Barque Lucie , Delafontaine François , Salvadori Justine
Published: July 2024

Words with complex semantic types such as book are characterised by a multiplicity of interpretations that are not mutually exclusive (e.g., as a physical object and/or informational content). Their status with respect to lexical ambiguity is notoriously unclear, and it is debatable whether complex types are a particular form of polysemy (closely related to metonymy) or whether they belong to monosemy. In this study, we investigate the nature of complex types by conducting two experiments on ambiguous nouns in French. The first experiment collects speakers’ judgements about the sameness of meaning between different uses of complex-type, metonymic and monosemous words. The second experiment uses a priming paradigm and a sensicality task to investigate the online processing of complex-type words, as opposed to metonymic and monosemous words. Overall results indicate that, on a continuum of lexical ambiguity, complex types are closer to monosemy than to metonymy. The different interpretations of complex-type words are highly connected and fall under the same meaning, arguably in relation to a unique reference. These results suggest that complex types are associated with single underspecified entries in the mental lexicon. Moreover, they highlight the need for a model of lexical representations of ambiguous words that can account for the difference between complex types and metonymy.
The Size of the Great Salt Lake Affects Storm Precipitation
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: July 2024

Utah’s most famous body of water is shrinking, and storms might deliver less precipitation than normal if that trend continues.
On the Factors Controlling the Relationship Between Type of Pulsating Aurora and Energy of Pulsating Auroral Electrons: Simultaneous Observations by Arase Satellite, Ground‐Based All‐Sky Imagers and EISCAT Radar
Authors: Ito Y. , Hosokawa K. , Ogawa Y. , Miyoshi Y. , Tsuchiya F. , Fukizawa M. , Kasaba Y. , Kazama Y. , Oyama S. , Murase K. , Nakamura S. , Kasahara Y. , Matsuda S. , Kasahara S. , Hori T. , Yokota S. , Keika K. , Matsuoka A. , Teramoto M. , Shinohara I.
Published: July 2024

Pulsating Aurora (PsA) is one of the major classes of diffuse aurora associated with precipitation of a few to a few tens of keV electrons from the magnetosphere. Recent studies suggested that, during PsA, more energetic (i.e., sub‐relativistic/relativistic) electrons precipitate into the ionosphere at the same time. Those electrons are considered to be scattered at the higher latitude part of the magnetosphere by whistler‐mode chorus waves propagating away from the magnetic equator. However, there have been no actual cases of simultaneous observations of precipitating electrons causing PsA (PsA electrons) and chorus waves propagating toward higher latitudes; thus, we still do not quite well understand under what conditions PsA electrons become harder and precipitate to lower altitudes. To address this question, we have investigated an extended interval of PsA on 12 January 2021, during which simultaneous observations with the Arase satellite, ground‐based all‐sky imagers and the European Incoherent SCATter (EISCAT) radar were conducted. We found that, when the PsA shape became patchy, the PsA electron energy increased and Arase detected intense chorus waves at magnetic latitudes above 20°, indicating the propagation of chorus waves up to higher latitudes along the field line. A direct comparison between the irregularities of the magnetospheric electron density and the emission intensity of PsA patches at the footprint of the satellite suggests that the PsA morphology and the energy of PsA electrons are determined by the presence of “magnetospheric density ducts,” which allow chorus waves to travel to higher latitudes and thereby precipitate more energetic electrons.
Fluid‐Driven Particle Migration and Its Impact on Hydraulic Transmissivity of Stressed Filled Fractures
Authors: Tan Jie , Li Bingchen , Li Changdong , Zhan Hongbin , Zhou Jia‐Qing , Tang Yating , Tang Huiming
Published: July 2024

The accurate assessment of hydraulic transmissivity in rock fractures filled with particles is not only a scientific challenge but also a critical need for various industrial applications. However, the intricate dynamics of particle erosion and pore clogging that govern transmissivity evolution remain largely unexplored. In this study, we experimentally examine the fluid‐driven particle migration behavior in filled fractures and its consequent impact on fracture transmissivity under various hydraulic gradients, normal stresses, and fracture apertures. We find that escalating hydraulic gradients not only intensify particle erosion through amplified fluid drag forces and hydro‐mechanical coupling effects but also lead to an increase in the size of migrating particles, thereby augmenting pore clogging. The dynamics of erosion and clogging define four distinct migration phases within the filled fractures. Variations in normal stress and initial fracture aperture significantly alter the particle arrangement and the soil structure stability within the fractures, thereby modulating the progress of particle migration in response to hydraulic gradients. The pattern of particle migration in filled fractures dictates the development of the internal pore structure and normal deformation, ultimately affecting fracture transmissivity. We propose an empirical expression to encapsulate the comprehensive evolution of fracture transmissivity across different particle migration patterns. Our research advances the understanding of fluid‐driven particle migration within filled fractures and provides a practical tool for the precise determination of hydraulic properties of fractured rocks amidst complex geological settings.
Diverse Orbital‐Scale Variations of Precipitation Oxygen Isotopes in the Northern Hemisphere Mid‐Latitudes: A Comparative Study Between East Asia and North America
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Liu Xiaodong , Xie Xiaoxun , Yin Zhi‐Yong
Published: July 2024

The oxygen isotope (δ18O) records of paleo‐precipitation contain abundant information on past climate changes. Nevertheless, at the orbital scale, our current understanding about the characteristics and mechanisms of precipitation oxygen isotope (δ18Op) variations in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) mid‐latitudes remains limited due to the lack of abundant long‐term geological records. In this study, based on a 300‐ka transient simulation involving stable isotope fractionation processes, we systematically analyzed the characteristics of the orbital‐scale δ18Op variations and their potential mechanisms, especially in two representative regions: mid‐latitude East Asia (MEA) and mid‐latitude North America (MNA) located in the Eastern and Western Hemispheres respectively. Our findings reveal that the MEA δ18Op is dominated by a 23‐ka cycle, ultimately driven by the precession‐induced insolation variation; while the MNA δ18Op primarily exhibits a 100‐ka glacial‐interglacial cycle and is eventually governed by the ice volume forcing. The δ18Op changes in these two regions not only present diverse dominant cycles and forcing factors, but also involve distinct physical processes. In MEA, water vapor transport by the westerly circulation during the rainy season (May–August) is the key process linking the April–July boreal insolation with the annual/rainy‐season δ18Op variations. In contrast, the annual δ18Op changes in MNA mainly depend on the water vapor transport processes triggered by the expansion and retreat of the North American ice sheet, albeit with certain influence of the temperature effect as well. These results suggest that the dominant periodicities and forcing mechanisms of the orbital‐scale δ18Op variations across the NH mid‐latitudes are complex and varied.
Pulse-doubling perovskite nanowire lasers enabled by phonon-assisted multistep energy funneling
Authors: Zhao Chunhu , Guo Jia , Tao Jiahua , Chu Junhao , Chen Shaoqiang , Xing Guichuan
Published: July 2024

Laser pulse multiplication from an optical gain medium has shown great potential in miniaturizing integrated optoelectronic devices. Perovskite multiple quantum wells (MQWs) structures have recently been recognized as an effective gain media capable of doubling laser pulses that do not rely on external optical equipment. Although the light amplifications enabled with pulse doubling are reported based on the perovskite MQWs thin films, the micro-nanolasers possessed a specific cavity for laser pulse multiplication and their corresponding intrinsic laser dynamics are still inadequate. Herein, a single-mode double-pulsed nanolaser from self-assembled perovskite MQWs nanowires is realized, exhibiting a pulse duration of 28 ps and pulse interval of 22 ps based on single femtosecond laser pulse excitation. It is established that the continuous energy building up within a certain timescale is essential for the multiple population inversion in the gain medium, which arises from the slowing carrier localization process owning to the stronger exciton–phonon coupling in the smaller-n QWs. Therefore, the double-pulsed lasing is achieved from one fast energy funnel process from the adjacent small-n QWs to gain active region and another slow process from the spatially separated ones. This report may shed new light on the intrinsic energy relaxation mechanism and boost the further development of perovskite multiple-pulse lasers.
Electrically tunable third-harmonic generation using intersubband polaritonic metasurfaces
Authors: Park Seongjin , Yu Jaeyeon , Boehm Gerhard , Belkin Mikhail A. , Lee Jongwon
Published: July 2024

Nonlinear intersubband polaritonic metasurfaces, which integrate giant nonlinear responses derived from intersubband transitions of multiple quantum wells (MQWs) with plasmonic nanoresonators, not only facilitate efficient frequency conversion at pump intensities on the order of few tens of kW cm-2 but also enable electrical modulation of nonlinear responses at the individual meta-atom level and dynamic beam manipulation. The electrical modulation characteristics of the magnitude and phase of the nonlinear optical response are realized through Stark tuning of the resonant intersubband nonlinearity. In this study, we report, for the first time, experimental implementations of electrical modulation characteristics of mid-infrared third-harmonic generation (THG) using an intersubband polaritonic metasurface based on MQW with electrically tunable third-order nonlinear response. Experimentally, we achieved a 450% modulation depth of the THG signal, 86% suppression of zero-order THG diffraction tuning based on local phase tuning exceeding 180 degrees, and THG beam steering using phase gradients. Our work proposes a new route for electrically tunable flat nonlinear optical elements with versatile functionalities.
Enhancing the performance of porous silicon biosensors: the interplay of nanostructure design and microfluidic integration
Authors: Awawdeh Kayan , Buttkewitz Marc A. , Bahnemann Janina , Segal Ester
Published: July 2024

This work presents the development and design of aptasensor employing porous silicon (PSi) Fabry‒Pérot thin films that are suitable for use as optical transducers for the detection of lactoferrin (LF), which is a protein biomarker secreted at elevated levels during gastrointestinal (GI) inflammatory disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease and chronic pancreatitis. To overcome the primary limitation associated with PSi biosensors—namely, their relatively poor sensitivity due to issues related to complex mass transfer phenomena and reaction kinetics—we employed two strategic approaches: First, we sought to optimize the porous nanostructure with respect to factors including layer thickness, pore diameter, and capture probe density. Second, we leveraged convection properties by integrating the resulting biosensor into a 3D-printed microfluidic system that also had one of two different micromixer architectures (i.e., staggered herringbone micromixers or microimpellers) embedded. We demonstrated that tailoring the PSi aptasensor significantly improved its performance, achieving a limit of detection (LOD) of 50 nM—which is >1 order of magnitude lower than that achieved using previously-developed biosensors of this type. Moreover, integration into microfluidic systems that incorporated passive and active micromixers further enhanced the aptasensor’s sensitivity, achieving an additional reduction in the LOD by yet another order of magnitude. These advancements demonstrate the potential of combining PSi-based optical transducers with microfluidic technology to create sensitive label-free biosensing platforms for the detection of GI inflammatory biomarkers.
PDZK1 protects against mechanical overload-induced chondrocyte senescence and osteoarthritis by targeting mitochondrial function
Authors: Shao Yan , Zhang Hongbo , Guan Hong , Wu Chunyu , Qi Weizhong , Yang Lingfeng , Yin Jianbin , Zhang Haiyan , Liu Liangliang , Lu Yuheng , Zhao Yitao , Zhang Sheng , Zeng Chun , Wang Guiqing , Bai Xiaochun , Cai Daozhang
Published: July 2024

Mechanical overloading and aging are two essential factors for osteoarthritis (OA) development. Mitochondria have been identified as a mechano-transducer situated between extracellular mechanical signals and chondrocyte biology, but their roles and the associated mechanisms in mechanical stress-associated chondrocyte senescence and OA have not been elucidated. Herein, we found that PDZ domain containing 1 (PDZK1), one of the PDZ proteins, which belongs to the Na+/H+ Exchanger (NHE) regulatory factor family, is a key factor in biomechanically induced mitochondrial dysfunction and chondrocyte senescence during OA progression. PDZK1 is reduced by mechanical overload, and is diminished in the articular cartilage of OA patients, aged mice and OA mice. Pdzk1 knockout in chondrocytes exacerbates mechanical overload-induced cartilage degeneration, whereas intraarticular injection of adeno-associated virus-expressing PDZK1 had a therapeutic effect. Moreover, PDZK1 loss impaired chondrocyte mitochondrial function with accumulated damaged mitochondria, decreased mitochondrion DNA (mtDNA) content and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. PDZK1 supplementation or mitoubiquinone (MitoQ) application alleviated chondrocyte senescence and cartilage degeneration and significantly protected chondrocyte mitochondrial functions. MRNA sequencing in articular cartilage from Pdzk1 knockout mice and controls showed that PDZK1 deficiency in chondrocytes interfered with mitochondrial function through inhibiting Hmgcs2 by increasing its ubiquitination. Our results suggested that PDZK1 deficiency plays a crucial role in mediating excessive mechanical load-induced chondrocyte senescence and is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. PDZK1 overexpression or preservation of mitochondrial functions by MitoQ might present a new therapeutic approach for mechanical overload-induced OA.
Nanoparticles destabilizing the cell membranes triggered by NIR light for cancer imaging and photo-immunotherapy
Authors: Tang Dongsheng , Cui Minhui , Wang Bin , Liang Ganghao , Zhang Hanchen , Xiao Haihua
Published: July 2024

Cationic polymers have great potential for cancer therapy due to their unique interactions with cancer cells. However, their clinical application remains limited by their high toxicity. Here we show a cell membrane-targeting cationic polymer with antineoplastic activity (Pmt) and a second near-infrared (NIR-II) fluorescent biodegradable polymer with photosensitizer Bodipy units and reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsive thioketal bonds (PBodipy). Subsequently, these two polymers can self-assemble into antineoplastic nanoparticles (denoted mt-NPBodipy) which could further accumulate at the tumor and destroy cell membranes through electrostatic interactions, resulting in cell membrane destabilization. Meanwhile, the photosensitizer Bodipy produces ROS to induce damage to cell membranes, proteins, and DNAs to kill cancer cells concertedly, finally resulting in cell membrane lysis and cancer cell death. This work highlights the use of near-infrared light to spatially and temporarily control cationic polymers for photodynamic therapy, photo-immunotherapy, and NIR-II fluorescence for bio-imaging.
Placebo treatment affects brain systems related to affective and cognitive processes, but not nociceptive pain
Authors: Botvinik-Nezer Rotem , Petre Bogdan , Ceko Marta , Lindquist Martin A. , Friedman Naomi P. , Wager Tor D.
Published: July 2024

Drug treatments for pain often do not outperform placebo, and a better understanding of placebo mechanisms is needed to improve treatment development and clinical practice. In a large-scale fMRI study (N = 392) with pre-registered analyses, we tested whether placebo analgesic treatment modulates nociceptive processes, and whether its effects generalize from conditioned to unconditioned pain modalities. Placebo treatment caused robust analgesia in conditioned thermal pain that generalized to unconditioned mechanical pain. However, placebo did not decrease pain-related fMRI activity in brain measures linked to nociceptive pain, including the Neurologic Pain Signature (NPS) and spinothalamic pathway regions, with strong support for null effects in Bayes Factor analyses. In addition, surprisingly, placebo increased activity in some spinothalamic regions for unconditioned mechanical pain. In contrast, placebo reduced activity in a neuromarker associated with higher-level contributions to pain, the Stimulus Intensity Independent Pain Signature (SIIPS), and affected activity in brain regions related to motivation and value, in both pain modalities. Individual differences in behavioral analgesia were correlated with neural changes in both modalities. Our results indicate that cognitive and affective processes primarily drive placebo analgesia, and show the potential of neuromarkers for separating treatment influences on nociception from influences on evaluative processes.
Type II innate lymphoid cell plasticity contributes to impaired reconstitution after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Laurie Sonia J. , Foster Joseph P. , Bruce Danny W. , Bommiasamy Hemamalini , Kolupaev Oleg V. , Yazdimamaghani Mostafa , Pattenden Samantha G. , Chao Nelson J. , Sarantopoulos Stefanie , Parker Joel S. , Davis Ian J. , Serody Jonathan S.
Published: July 2024

Type II innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) maintain homeostasis and barrier integrity in mucosal tissues. In both mice and humans, ILC2s poorly reconstitute after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Determining the mechanisms involved in their impaired reconstitution could improve transplant outcomes. By integrating single-cell chromatin and transcriptomic analyses of transplanted ILC2s, we identify a previously unreported population of converted ILC1-like cells in the mouse small intestine post-transplant. Exposure of ILC2s to proinflammatory cytokines resulted in a mixed ILC1-ILC2 phenotype but was able to convert only a small population of ILC2s to ILC1s, which were found post-transplant. Whereas ILC2s protected against acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) mediated mortality, infusion of proinflammatory cytokine-exposed ILC2s accelerated aGvHD. Interestingly, murine ILC2 reconstitution post-HSCT is decreased in the presence of alloreactive T cells. Finally, peripheral blood cells from human patients with aGvHD have an altered ILC2-associated chromatin landscape compared to transplanted controls. These data demonstrate that following transplantation ILC2s convert to a pro-pathogenic population with an ILC1-like chromatin state and provide insights into the contribution of ILC plasticity to the impaired reconstitution of ILC2 cells, which is one of several potential mechanisms for the poor reconstitution of these important cells after allo-HSCT.
Cockayne Syndrome Linked to Elevated R-Loops Induced by Stalled RNA Polymerase II during Transcription Elongation
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Xu Jun , Hu Jing , Zhang Sitao , Hao Yajing , Zhang Dongyang , Qian Hao , Wang Dong , Fu Xiang-Dong
Published: July 2024

Mutations in the Cockayne Syndrome group B (CSB) gene cause cancer in mice, but premature aging and severe neurodevelopmental defects in humans. CSB, a member of the SWI/SNF family of chromatin remodelers, plays diverse roles in regulating gene expression and transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER); however, these functions do not explain the distinct phenotypic differences observed between CSB-deficient mice and humans. During investigating Cockayne Syndrome-associated genome instability, we uncover an intrinsic mechanism that involves elongating RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) undergoing transient pauses at internal T-runs where CSB is required to propel RNAPII forward. Consequently, CSB deficiency retards RNAPII elongation in these regions, and when coupled with G-rich sequences upstream, exacerbates genome instability by promoting R-loop formation. These R-loop prone motifs are notably abundant in relatively long genes related to neuronal functions in the human genome, but less prevalent in the mouse genome. These findings provide mechanistic insights into differential impacts of CSB deficiency on mice versus humans and suggest that the manifestation of the Cockayne Syndrome phenotype in humans results from the progressive evolution of mammalian genomes.
Non-volatile 2D MoS2/black phosphorus heterojunction photodiodes in the near- to mid-infrared region
Authors: Zhu Yuyan , Wang Yang , Pang Xingchen , Jiang Yongbo , Liu Xiaoxian , Li Qing , Wang Zhen , Liu Chunsen , Hu Weida , Zhou Peng
Published: July 2024

Cutting-edge mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) sensing technologies leverage infrared photodetectors, memory units, and computing units to enhance machine vision. Real-time processing and decision-making challenges emerge with the increasing number of intelligent pixels. However, current operations are limited to in-sensor computing capabilities for near-infrared technology, and high-performance MWIR detectors for multi-state switching functions are lacking. Here, we demonstrate a non-volatile MoS2/black phosphorus (BP) heterojunction MWIR photovoltaic detector featuring a semi-floating gate structure design, integrating near- to mid-infrared photodetection, memory and computing (PMC) functionalities. The PMC device exhibits the property of being able to store a stable responsivity, which varies linearly with the stored conductance state. Significantly, device weights (stable responsivity) can be programmed with power consumption as low as 1.8 fJ, and the blackbody peak responsivity can reach 1.68 A/W for the MWIR band. In the simulation of Faster Region with convolution neural network (CNN) based on the FLIR dataset, the PMC hardware responsivity weights can reach 89% mean Average Precision index of the feature extraction network software weights. This MWIR photovoltaic detector, with its versatile functionalities, holds significant promise for applications in advanced infrared object detection and recognition systems.
ER-associated VAP27-1 and VAP27-3 proteins functionally link the lipid-binding ORP2A at the ER-chloroplast contact sites
Authors: Renna Luciana , Stefano Giovanni , Puggioni Maria Paola , Kim Sang-Jin , Lavell Anastasiya , Froehlich John E. , Burkart Graham , Mancuso Stefano , Benning Christoph , Brandizzi Federica
Published: July 2024

The plant endoplasmic reticulum (ER) contacts heterotypic membranes at membrane contact sites (MCSs) through largely undefined mechanisms. For instance, despite the well-established and essential role of the plant ER-chloroplast interactions for lipid biosynthesis, and the reported existence of physical contacts between these organelles, almost nothing is known about the ER-chloroplast MCS identity. Here we show that the Arabidopsis ER membrane-associated VAP27 proteins and the lipid-binding protein ORP2A define a functional complex at the ER-chloroplast MCSs. Specifically, through in vivo and in vitro association assays, we found that VAP27 proteins interact with the outer envelope membrane (OEM) of chloroplasts, where they bind to ORP2A. Through lipidomic analyses, we established that VAP27 proteins and ORP2A directly interact with the chloroplast OEM monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG), and we demonstrated that the loss of the VAP27-ORP2A complex is accompanied by subtle changes in the acyl composition of MGDG and PG. We also found that ORP2A interacts with phytosterols and established that the loss of the VAP27-ORP2A complex alters sterol levels in chloroplasts. We propose that, by interacting directly with OEM lipids, the VAP27-ORP2A complex defines plant-unique MCSs that bridge ER and chloroplasts and are involved in chloroplast lipid homeostasis.
Prolonged hospitalization signature and early antibiotic effects on the nasopharyngeal resistome in preterm infants
Authors: Dhariwal Achal , Rajar Polona , Salvadori Gabriela , Åmdal Heidi Aarø , Berild Dag , Saugstad Ola Didrik , Fugelseth Drude , Greisen Gorm , Dahle Ulf , Haaland Kirsti , Petersen Fernanda Cristina
Published: July 2024

Respiratory pathogens, commonly colonizing nasopharynx, are among the leading causes of death due to antimicrobial resistance. Yet, antibiotic resistance determinants within nasopharyngeal microbial communities remain poorly understood. In this prospective cohort study, we investigate the nasopharynx resistome development in preterm infants, assess early antibiotic impact on its trajectory, and explore its association with clinical covariates using shotgun metagenomics. Our findings reveal widespread nasopharyngeal carriage of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) with resistomes undergoing transient changes, including increased ARG diversity, abundance, and composition alterations due to early antibiotic exposure. ARGs associated with the critical nosocomial pathogen Serratia marcescens persist up to 8–10 months of age, representing a long-lasting hospitalization signature. The nasopharyngeal resistome strongly correlates with microbiome composition, with inter-individual differences and postnatal age explaining most of the variation. Our report on the collateral effects of antibiotics and prolonged hospitalization underscores the urgency of further studies focused on this relatively unexplored reservoir of pathogens and ARGs.
The chromosome-level genome assembly of Aphidoletes aphidimyza Rondani (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)
Authors: Shen Xiuxian , Jin Jianfeng , Zhang Guoqiang , Yan Bin , Yu Xiaofei , Wu Huizi , Yang Maofa , Zhang Feng
Published: July 2024

Aphidoletes aphidimyza is widely recognized as an effective predator of aphids in agricultural systems. However, there is limited understanding of its predation mechanisms. In this study, we generated a high-quality chromosome level of the A. aphidimyza genome by combining PacBio, Illumina, and Hi-C data. The genome has a size of 192.08 Mb, with a scaffold N50 size of 46.85 Mb, and 99.08% (190.35 Mb) of the assembly is located on four chromosomes. The BUSCO analysis of our assembly indicates a completeness of 97.8% (n = 1,367), including 1,307 (95.6%) single-copy BUSCOs and 30 (2.2%) duplicated BUSCOs. Additionally, we annotated a total of 13,073 protein-coding genes, 18.43% (35.40 Mb) repetitive elements, and 376 non-coding RNAs. Our study is the first time to report the chromosome-scale genome for the species of A. aphidimyza. It provides a valuable genomic resource for the molecular study of A. aphidimyza.
Optimising the hygiene of a liquid feeding system to improve the quality of liquid feed for pigs
Authors: Cullen J. T. , Lawlor P. G. , Viard F. , Lourenco A. , Gómez-Mascaraque L. G. , O’Doherty J. V. , Cormican P. , Gardiner G. E.
Published: July 2024

Poor feeding system hygiene may contribute to uncontrolled spontaneous fermentation in liquid pig feed and its associated undesirable effects. This study aimed to determine the effects of an intensive sanitisation programme in a grow-finisher liquid feeding system by monitoring microbiological and physico-chemical parameters of liquid feed and microbial colonisation of the feeding system surfaces. The sanitisation programme involved a combination of physical and chemical cleaning between batches of grow-finisher pigs, combined with nightly rinsing of the system with an organic acid blend. Improved hygiene of the internal surfaces of the mixing tank and feed pipeline, particularly until week 5 post-cleaning, was evidenced by reduced counts of lactic acid bacteria, total aerobes, Enterobacteriaceae, yeasts and moulds and decreased adenosine triphosphate concentrations. Enterobacteriaceae and moulds remained undetectable on pipeline surfaces for 10 weeks. Scanning electron microscopy of the feed pipelines confirmed these findings. Conversely, the impact on liquid feed microbiology was minimal and short-lived. However, acetic acid, ethanol and biogenic amine concentrations decreased in the feed post-cleaning and no gross energy losses were observed. Therefore, by controlling surface microbial communities on liquid feeding systems via implementation of the sanitisation programme developed in the current study, on-farm liquid feed quality should be improved.
Dynamic stress characterization and instability risk identification using multisource acoustic signals in cut-and-fill stopes
Authors: Dong Longjun , Zhang Yihan , Chen Zhongjie , Kou Yongyuan , Pei Zhongwei
Published: July 2024

The quantitative characterization of rock mass and stress changes induced by mining activities is crucial for structural stability monitoring and disaster early warning. This paper investigates the time–space–intensity distribution of microseismic sources during the pillar-free large-area continuous extraction. Furthermore, it explores a method involving collaborative evolution patterns of the velocity field and spatial b-value to identify stress and structural changes at the panel stope. Results show that anomalous zones in wave velocities and b-values form at the intersections of extraction drifts, strike drifts, cross drifts, and connection roadways influenced by mining activities, as well as in footwall ore-rock contacts, often accompanied by the nucleation of microseismic events. The synergistic use of wave velocity fields and spatial b-value models reveals the relationship between stress migration behavior and stope structure changes due to mining disturbances. The velocity field primarily reflects macroscopic changes in the structure and stress distribution, while spatial b-values further explain stress gradients in specific areas. Additionally, we have advanced the identification of an instability disaster at the connection roadway and cross drift intersection based on increases in wave velocity and abnormal changes in b-value. This paper demonstrates the potential of risk identification using the proposed method, providing insights into predicting geotechnical engineering disasters in complex stress environments.
Association between weight-adjusted waist index and bone mineral density in adolescents
Authors: Ma Guoliang , Xu Bo , Zhang Dian , Zhu Liguo , Zhang Yili , Yang Bowen , Qin Xiaokuan , Yin He , Wei Xu
Published: July 2024

The negative effects of obesity and excess body fat on bone mineral density (BMD) have been widely reported. As opposed to waist circumference (WC) or body mass index (BMI), weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) is a superior method for assessing obesity. WWI also indicates centripetal obesity independently of the weight of the individual. An investigation of WWI and adolescents’ BMD was conducted in this study. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2018 provided the data for this cross-sectional investigation. In this study, weighted multivariate logit models were employed to assess the correlation between teenage BMD and WWI. Additionally, we conducted interaction tests and subgroup analysis. Through multivariate linear regression, we discovered that WWI was negatively linked with lumbar, trunk, and total BMD but not pelvis BMD in this study, which included 6828 subjects. We found that each unit increase in WWI resulted in a lumbar BMD decline of 0.04 g/cm2 (95%CI −0.04, −0.04), a trunk BMD decrease of 0.03 g/cm2 (95%CI −0.03, −0.02), and a total BMD decrease of 0.02 g/cm2 (95%CI −0.02, −0.02). In conclusion, in US teenagers, there were negative connections discovered between WWI and lumbar, trunk, and total BMD, but not pelvis BMD.