bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Response surface optimised photocatalytic degradation and quantitation of repurposed COVID-19 antibiotic pollutants in wastewaters; towards greenness and whiteness perspectives
Authors: Elbalkiny Heba T. , El-Borady Ola M. , Saleh Sarah S. , El-Maraghy Christine M.
Published: December 2023

Environmental context The consumption of repurposed antibiotics increased due to the management of COVID-19, which in turn led to their increased presence in wastewater and potential environmental effects. This change has created a greater need for their analysis and treatment in different environmental water. This work presents a safe, low-cost method for analysing and treating water samples to ensure their suitability for human and animal use. Rationale Certain antibiotics have been repurposed for the management of infected COVID-19 cases, because of their possible effect against the virus, and treatment of co-existing bacterial infection. The consumption of these antibiotics leads to their access to sewage, industrial and hospital effluents, then to environmental waters. This creates a need for the routine analysis and treatment of water resources. Methodology Detection and quantitation of three repurposed antibiotics: levofloxacin (LEVO), azithromycin (AZI) and ceftriaxone (CEF) were studied in different water samples using LC-MS/MS methods employing a C18 column and a mobile phase consisting of 80% acetonitrile/20% (0.1% formic acid in water) after solid phase extraction on Oasis HLB Prime cartridges. Real water samples were treated with synthesised graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) to remove the three types of antibiotics from contaminated water under experimental conditions optimised by response surface methodology, using Box–Behnken experimental design. Results The analytical method was validated in the concentration range of 10–5000 ng mL–1 for the three drugs. The removal percentages were found to be 92.55, 98.48 and 99.10% for LEVO, AZI and CEF, respectively, using synthesised g-C3N4. Discussion The analytical method was used for the estimation of the three cited drugs before and after their removal. The method was assessed using ComplexGAPI as a greenness tool and the RGB 12 algorithm as a whiteness model. The method was applied for the analysis and treatment of real water samples before and after their treatment. It proved to be simple, low-cost and environmentally sustainable.
Increased cortical inhibition following brief motor memory reactivation supports reconsolidation and overnight offline learning gains
Authors: Eisenstein Tamir , Furman-Haran Edna , Tal Assaf
Published: December 2023

Practicing motor skills stabilizes and strengthens motor memories by repeatedly reactivating and reconsolidating them. The conventional view, by which a repetitive practice is required for substantially improving skill performance, has been recently challenged by behavioral experiments, in which even brief reactivations of the motor memory have led to significant improvements in skill performance. However, the mechanisms which facilitate brief reactivation-induced skill improvements remain elusive. While initial memory consolidation has been repeatedly associated with increased neural excitation and disinhibition, reconsolidation has been shown to involve a poorly understood mixture of both excitatory and inhibitory alterations. Here, we followed a 3-d reactivation–reconsolidation framework to examine whether the excitatory/inhibitory mechanisms which underlie brief reactivation and repetitive practice differ. Healthy volunteers practiced a motor sequence learning task using either brief reactivation or repetitive practice and were assessed using ultrahigh field (7T) magnetic resonance spectroscopy at the primary motor cortex (M1). We found that increased inhibition (GABA concentrations) and decreased excitation/inhibition (glutamate/GABA ratios) immediately following the brief reactivation were associated with overnight offline performance gains. These gains were on par with those exhibited following repetitive practice, where no correlations with inhibitory or excitatory changes were observed. Our findings suggest that brief reactivation and repetitive practice depend on fundamentally different neural mechanisms and that early inhibition—and not excitation—is particularly important in supporting the learning gains exhibited by brief reactivation.
A dicer-related helicase opposes the age-related pathology from SKN-1 activation in ASI neurons
Authors: Turner Chris D. , Stuhr Nicole L. , Ramos Carmen M. , Van Camp Bennett T. , Curran Sean P.
Published: December 2023

Coordination of cellular responses to stress is essential for health across the lifespan. The transcription factor SKN-1 is an essential homeostat that mediates survival in stress-inducing environments and cellular dysfunction, but constitutive activation of SKN-1 drives premature aging thus revealing the importance of turning off cytoprotective pathways. Here, we identify how SKN-1 activation in two ciliated ASI neurons in
Caenorhabditis elegans
results in an increase in organismal transcriptional capacity that drives pleiotropic outcomes in peripheral tissues. An increase in the expression of established SKN-1 stress response and lipid metabolism gene classes of RNA in the ASI neurons, in addition to the increased expression of several classes of noncoding RNA, define a molecular signature of animals with constitutive SKN-1 activation and diminished healthspan. We reveal neddylation as a unique regulator of the SKN-1 homeostat that mediates SKN-1 abundance within intestinal cells. Moreover, RNAi-independent activity of the dicer-related DExD/H-box helicase,
drh-1
, in the intestine, can oppose the effects of aberrant SKN-1 transcriptional activation and delays age-dependent decline in health. Taken together, our results uncover a cell nonautonomous circuit to maintain organism-level homeostasis in response to excessive SKN-1 transcriptional activity in the sensory nervous system.
Synapses without tension fail to fire in an in vitro network of hippocampal neurons
Authors: Joy Md Saddam Hossain , Nall Duncan L. , Emon Bashar , Lee Ki Yun , Barishman Alexandra , Ahmed Movviz , Rahman Saeedur , Selvin Paul R. , Saif M. Taher A.
Published: December 2023

Neurons in the brain communicate with each other at their synapses. It has long been understood that this communication occurs through biochemical processes. Here, we reveal that mechanical tension in neurons is essential for communication. Using in vitro rat hippocampal neurons, we find that 1) neurons become tout/tensed after forming synapses resulting in a contractile neural network, and 2) without this contractility, neurons fail to fire. To measure time evolution of network contractility in 3D (not 2D) extracellular matrix, we developed an ultrasensitive force sensor with 1 nN resolution. We employed Multi-Electrode Array and iGluSnFR, a glutamate sensor, to quantify neuronal firing at the network and at the single synapse scale, respectively. When neuron contractility is relaxed, both techniques show significantly reduced firing. Firing resumes when contractility is restored. This finding highlights the essential contribution of neural contractility in fundamental brain functions and has implications for our understanding of neural physiology.
Atmospheric pressure plasmas interacting with wet and dry microchannels: reverse surface ionization waves
Authors: Konina Kseniia , Raskar Sai , Adamovich Igor V , Kushner Mark J
Published: December 2023

Atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APPJs) are increasingly being used to functionalize polymers and dielectric materials for biomedical and biotechnology applications. Once such application is microfluidic labs-on-a-chip consisting of dielectric slabs with microchannel grooves hundreds of microns in width and depth. The periodic channels, an example of a complex surface, present challenges in terms of directly and uniformly exposing the surface to the plasma. In this paper, we discuss results from computational and experimental investigations of negative APPJs sustained in Ar/N2 mixtures flowing into ambient air and incident onto a series of microchannels. Results from two-dimensional plasma hydrodynamics modeling are compared to experimental measurements of electric field and fast-camera imaging. The propagation of the plasma across dry microchannels largely consists of a sequence of surface ionization waves (SIWs) on the top ridges of the channels and bulk ionization waves (IWs) crossing over the channels. The IWs are directed into electric field enhanced vertices of the next ridge. The charging of these ridges produce reverse IWs responsible for the majority of the ionization. The propagation of the plasma across water filled microchannels evolve into hopping SIWs between the leading edges of the water channels, regions of electric enhancement due to polarization of the water. Positive, reverse IWs follow the pre-ionized path of the initial negative waves.
Computational ghost image encryption method based on sparse speckles
Authors: Li Xinjia , Liu Yang , Sun Mingze , Yu Zhan , Li Yue , Zhao Dan , Zhang Jialin , Zhou Xin
Published: December 2023

Optical encryption based on ghost imaging has the advantages of high-speed parallel processing and multi-dimensional information. However, in practical application, a large number of speckle patterns are required to achieve the encryption, resulting in a significant increase in transmission costs and low encryption efficiency. In this paper, a compressive sensing-based ghost imaging encryption method using sparse speckles is proposed. The sparse speckle used in this method has the characteristics of easy compression and greatly reducing the amount of encryption keys. According to calculation, the memory overhead of keys using sparse speckles can reduce to 2.44% of that using random speckles. And the decryption effect and anti-noise performance of this method are also verified better than that using random speckles by simulation and experiment results.
Exploring the Mercury Beating Heart system: synchronization dynamics and potential applications in the field of nonlinear dynamics
Authors: Verma Dinesh Kumar , Kumar Pawan , Singh Ranjeet , Kumar Subhash , Prakash Yadav Satya , Kumar Gupta Pradeep
Published: December 2023

The Mercury Beating Heart (MBH) system, an intriguing chemo-mechanical oscillator, holds significance in experimental nonlinear dynamics. This system features a mercury droplet in an electrolyte, inducing oscillations through electrochemical reactions at their junction. It offers insights into coupled oscillator dynamics, showcasing synchronization behavior such as partial and explosive synchronization. Its simplicity and diverse dynamic behaviours make it an excellent choice for empirical and theoretical study. This article examines the MBH system’s innovation and potential applications, emphasizing topics like topological modes, chemo-mechanical synchronization, and collective behaviour. Notable demonstrations include observing Kuramoto transition via global coupling’s mean field interactions and explosive synchronization in star network setups. The goal is to present a comprehensive guide for researchers keen on using the MBH system to deepen our understanding of coupled oscillator dynamics. By exploring intricate synchronization phenomena, this article aims to inspire further investigation, advancing our comprehension and guiding future research paths.
Stochastic resonance in Hindmarsh-Rose neural model driven by multiplicative and additive Gaussian noise
Authors: Xu Lianbing , Zhang Gang , Bi Lujie , Li Zhaorui , Wu Xiongwei
Published: December 2023

This paper investigates the occurrence of stochastic resonance in the three-dimensional Hindmarsh-Rose (HR) neural model driven by both multiplicative and additive Gaussian noise. Firstly, the three-dimensional HR neural model is transformed into the one-dimensional Langevin equation of the HR neural model using the adiabatic elimination method, and the effects of HR neural model parameters on the potential function are analyzed. Secondly the Steady-state Probability Density (SPD), the Mean First-Passage Time (MFPT), and the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of the HR neural model are derived, based on two-state theory. Then, the effects of different parameters (a, b, c, s), noise intensity, and the signal amplitude on these metrics are analyzed through theoretical simulations, and the behavior of particles in a potential well is used to analyze how to choose the right parameters to achieve high-performance stochastic resonance. Finally, numerical simulations conducted with the fourth-order Runge–Kutta algorithm demonstrate the superiority of the HR neural model over the classical bistable stochastic resonance (CBSR) in terms of performance. The peak SNR of the HR neural model is 0.63 dB higher than that of the CBSR system. Simulation results indicate that the occurrence of stochastic resonance occur happens in HR neural model under different values of parameters. Furthermore, under certain conditions, there is a ‘suppress’ phenomenon that can be produced by changes in noise, which provides great feasibilities and practical value for engineering application.
Coherent and incoherent pumping of a three-level laser
Authors: Parvin Babak
Published: December 2023

This article investigates the quantum and semi-classical aspects of a three-level atom-cavity system within the context of cavity quantum electrodynamics. The study examines the behavior of the system through a quantum perspective and a semi-classical approximation. The steady-state master equation is solved in the atom-cavity basis, resulting in a closed set of equations describing the atom’s level occupancies and the cavity’s photon number. The accuracy of the semi-classical approximation is assessed by comparing it with quantum simulations. The research analyzes the system’s behavior near the laser threshold, highlighting the interplay between semi-classical and quantum behaviors. Additionally, the conversion of the three-level atom to a two-level atom is explored under specific conditions, enabling an investigation into the weak driving limit. Quantum simulation results are used to validate the proposed approximations. This work contributes to the understanding of atom-cavity interactions and provides insights into the transition from semi-classical to quantum behavior in such systems.
Shapes of the cosmological low-speed collider
Authors: Jazayeri Sadra , Renaux-Petel Sébastien , Werth Denis
Published: December 2023

Massive particles produced during inflation leave specific signatures in soft limits of correlation functions of primordial fluctuations. When the Goldstone boson of broken time translations acquires a reduced speed of sound, implying that de Sitter boosts are strongly broken, we introduce a novel discovery channel to detect new physics during inflation, called the cosmological low-speed collider signal. This signal is characterised by a distinctive resonance lying in mildly-soft kinematic configurations of cosmological correlators, indicating the presence of a heavy particle, whose position enables to reconstruct its mass. We show that this resonance can be understood in terms of a non-local single-field effective field theory, in which the heavy field becomes effectively non-dynamical. This theory accurately describes the full dynamics of the Goldstone boson
and captures all multi-field physical effects distinct from the non-perturbative particle production leading to the conventional cosmological collider signal. As such, this theory provides a systematic and tractable way to study the imprint of massive fields on cosmological correlators. We conduct a thorough study of the low-speed collider phenomenology in the scalar bispectrum, showing that
large non-Gaussianities with new shapes can be generated, in particular beyond weak mixing. We also provide a low-speed collider template for future cosmological surveys.
The HSPC — a high speed PCIe readout card for the HFRS-TPC
Authors: Tian Jing , Sun Zhipeng , Chang Songbo , Qian Yi , Zhao Hongyun , Hu Zhengguo
Published: December 2023

A new High-Speed PCI Express (PCIe) readout Card (HSPC) has
been designed to transmit and aggregate data from the Time
Projection Chamber (TPC) that will be assembled on High energy
FRagment Separator (HFRS) beamlines at the High Intensity heavy-ion
Accelerator Facility (HIAF) currently being built in Huizhou City,
China. The HSPC features a high-performance controller utilizing the
Xilinx Kintex Ultrascale Series Field Programmable Gate Array
(FPGA), two Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable Plus (QSFP+)
connectors, and a PCIe Gen3×8 interface with theoretical
bandwidth of 64 Gbps. Experimental testing shows that there are no
errors on the 8-fiber optics when operating at 9.6 Gbps per link,
and the bit error rate (BER) is less than 1.0 × 10-15. In
addition, the total read bandwidth of PCIe Gen3×8 reaches
7085.4 MB/s. Consequently, the HSPC can meet HFRS requirements.
Evaluation of Antarctic sea ice thickness and volume during 2003–2014 in CMIP6 using Envisat and CryoSat-2 observations
Authors: Hou Yaqi , Nie Yafei , Min Chao , Shu Qi , Luo Hao , Liu Jiping , Yang Qinghua
Published: December 2023

Sea ice thickness (SIT), which is a crucial and sensitive indicator of climate change in the Antarctic, has a substantial impact on atmosphere-sea-ice-ocean interactions. Despite the slight thinning in SIT and reduction in sea ice volume (SIV) in the Antarctic in the recent decade, challenges remain in quantifying their changes, primarily because of the limited availability of high-quality long-term observational data. Therefore, it is crucial to accurately simulate Antarctic SIT and to assess the SIT simulation capability of state-of-the-art climate models. In this study, we evaluated historical simulations of SIT by 51 climate models of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) using Envisat (ES) and CryoSat-2 (CS2) observations. Results revealed that most models can capture the seasonal cycles in SIV and that the CMIP6 multimodel mean (MMM) can reproduce the increasing and decreasing trends in the SIV anomaly based on ES and CS2 data, although the magnitudes of the trends in the SIV anomaly are underestimated. Additionally, the intermodel spread in simulations of SIT and SIV was found to be reduced (by 43%) from CMIP5 to CMIP6. Nevertheless, based on the CMIP6 MMM, substantial underestimations in SIV of 57.52% and 59.66% were found compared to those derived from ES and CS2 observations, respectively. The most notable underestimation in SIT was located in the sea ice deformation zone surrounding the northwestern Weddell Sea, coastal areas of the Bellingshausen and Amundsen seas, and the eastern Ross Sea. The substantial bias in the simulated SIT might result from deficiencies in simulating critical physical processes such as ocean heat transport, dynamic sea ice processes, and sea ice-ocean interactions. Therefore, increasing the model resolution and improving the representation of sea ice dynamics and the physical processes controlling sea ice-ocean interactions are essential for improving the accuracy of Antarctic sea ice simulation.
Study of chemical compositions of wild and dry rose hip extract regarding the geographical zone of growth
Authors: Shomirov B A , Choriev A Zh , Toshtemirova M J , Sabirdjanov R A , Sabirdjanova M A
Published: December 2023

The purpose of the study was a comparative study of the chemical compositions of wild and dry rosehip extract. The chemical composition of wild rose hips dried using the solar-air drying method was studied. The results of the analysis of the chemical composition showed that in wild rose hips the mass fraction of protein is 1.2 times less, ash and carbohydrates are 1.1 times less. The mass fraction of lipids in wild rose hips was 3-4%. Rose hips contain a higher amount of dietary fiber compared to dry rose hip extract. The ash content is 6.3 times, the protein is 1.7 times more, and the lipids are 20 times less in dry rose hip extract than in rose hips. The mineral composition of rose hips shows a high content of potassium and low sodium in wild rose hips, which is a positive factor in the prevention of atherosclerosis and hypertension. Wild rose hips contained 2.2 times more magnesium than varietal rose hips. The amount of vitamin C was 400 mg%, carotenoids 44 mg%. The total content of flavonoids in wild rose hips was 323 mg%. The study showed that during the solar-air drying process used in the Republic of Uzbekistan significant losses of vitamin C occur amounting to more than 50%.
Mathematical modeling of small soil channel laboratory stand drive and evaluation of its energy state
Authors: Alimova F A
Published: December 2023

The article presents data on improving the design of the Small Soil Channel research laboratory stand. The possibilities of experimental works on study of kinematic parameters and structural parameters, spatial dynamometering of working elements of tillage and sowing machines are described. The article considers the method for assessing the energy state of the laboratory stand small soil channel and studying the power distribution in its moving mechanisms. Based on the parameters obtained as a result of solving the equations of motion and energy state, using the full differential of the Hamelton function, the power distribution in the mechanisms under the action of external forces and the total mechanical energy of the stand are determined. The traction resistance of stand working body was determined using the Goryachkin formula. Based on the developed kinematic scheme, a mathematical model has been developed that imitates the movement of the belt transmission mechanism of the stand. Based on the developed mathematical model, calculation experiments were carried out using the Runge-Kutt numerical method, the results made it possible to find the motion parameters of the belt transmission mechanism of the stand. The results obtained when solving the mathematical model of the belt transmission mechanism of the stand made it possible to determine the parameters of movement of the stand engine and the drum. This article presents the results of determining the stiffness and elasticity coefficients of the belt, the moment of resistance of the drum, the driving moment of the driving pulley, angular speed, angular rooting, the moment of inertia of the driving and driven pulleys by compiling a mathematical model of the Laboratory Stand Small Soil Channel that imitates the working process of tillage and sowing machines.
High softening performance indicators of plug-softener
Authors: Irgashev D B , Kurbanov Sh B , Mamatov F M , Temirov I G , Mamatov S F
Published: December 2023

Currently, ripper plows are widely used in the world, with working bodies "paraglider" type. In the conditions of Uzbekistan, their quality work does not meet the agro technical requirements. The aim study is to study the influence the parameters upper ripper on the performance working body with an inclined rack. The proposed working body consists of an inclined rack, an upper and lower ripper, as well as a chisel. Theoretical studies technological process the rippers are carried out using the basic provisions classical agricultural mechanics and mathematical analysis. Experimental studies were carried out using a specially designed experimental setup in accordance with the developed private and standard methods using the theory of planning single-factor and multifactor experiments. Analytical dependences for determining the width upper ripper are obtained. Based on experiments, empirical formulas were obtained that allow analyzing the performance working body depending on the width grip and the depth processing upper ripper. It is established that to ensure the required quality tillage, the width upper ripper should be within 15.3-22.6 cm and the depth tillage within 7-10 sm.
Examining the complex relations between climate and streamflow in the mid-atlantic region of the United States
Authors: Rice Karen C , Mason Christopher A , Mills Aaron L
Published: December 2023

We explored the complex relations between climate and streamflow in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. In 124 watersheds across this region, we quantified spatial and temporal variation in air temperature (AT), precipitation (P), and streamflow (Q) from 1981 through 2020. Upward directional trends in monthly values of AT, P, and Q indicated an increase of 0.27–1.9 degrees Celsius, 0.12–1.9 millimeters day−1, and 0.01–7.1 cubic meters s−1 day−1, respectively, over the 40-year period. Comparison of the first 20 years to the last 20 years of data indicated an acceleration in the trend slopes in AT, P, and Q. Changes also were observed in temporal trends in the center of volume (CV) of both P and Q, which generally occurred later in the year; the 7-day mean low flow increased, and the annual day of occurrence of the 7-day mean low flow occurred earlier in the year. Principal components analysis revealed differences in P, Q, CVP, and CVQ trends in watersheds with median elevations greater than and less than 400 meters, as well as by latitude. A seasonal analysis revealed that P increased throughout the study area in spring, summer, and fall but decreased in winter. AT, P, and Q have broadly increased across the region over the 40-year period, and the temporal, spatial, and seasonal changes in P have affected Q. Results highlight the strong couplings between climatic variability and watershed responses.
SeedAI: a novel seed germination predictionsystem using dual stage deep learning framework
Authors: Ramesh Reddy D , Cheruku Ramalingaswamy , Kodali Prakash
Published: December 2023

The detection of germinating seeds through automated means is a significant concern for seed testing agencies. Traditional approaches employ inspection manually. In recent years, there has been an increasing scientific focus on deep learning, particularly in the domain of seed detection, recognition, and germination in germination trays. In this paper, a novel two-stage network is proposed which leverages various Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) to automate detection of seeds and the assessment of their germination state. In the first stage Mask R-CNN framework is used for instantaneous segmentation of seeds and in the next stage this Region of Interest (RoI) is given as input to the proposed CNN model for germination prediction. The proposed model is trained and tested on our own dataset. The experimental results proved that our proposed model is achieved better performance than state-of-the-art models with less trainable parameters.
Understanding the pyrolysis kinetics, thermodynamic, and environmental sustainability parameters of Sesamum indicum crop residue
Authors: Sivaraman Subramaniyasharma , Shanmugam Saravanan Ramiah , Veerapandian Bhuvaneshwari , Venkatachalam Ponnusami
Published: December 2023

In this work, the physiochemical characteristics, thermodynamics, and sustainability of the pyrolysis of Sesamum indicum biomass were assessed. The pyrolysis kinetics of sesame agro-residues performed using isoconversional techniques such as Kissinger, KAS, and OFW methods showed activation energies of 192, 120, and 123 kJ mol−1, respectively. The impact of the pyrolysis temperature (550, 650, 750 °C) on the generation of biochar, bio-oil, and gas is also studied; the exergy efficiency increased from 82.7 at 550 °C to 87.3% at 750 °C with an increase in the temperature. Sesame biochar’s Van Krevalan diagram showed how its fuel-like characteristics also grew with rising temperatures. The input and output parameters showed a high agreement in the mass, energy, and exergy balance closures. However, it was shown that the overall energy efficiency was greater at 750 °C (71.2%) compared to 55.5% and 69.8% at 550 °C and 650 °C, respectively. Sustainability analysis showed that lower temperatures had a smaller impact on the environment.
Detection and quantification of Babesia species intraerythrocytic parasites by flow cytometry
Authors: Vanderboom Patrick M , Misra Anisha , Rodino Kyle G , Eberly Allison R , Greenwood Jason D , Morris Heather E , Norrie Felicity C , Fernholz Emily C , Pritt Bobbi S , Norgan Andrew P
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Recent work has demonstrated that automated fluorescence flow cytometry (FLC) is a potential alternative for the detection and quantification of Plasmodium parasites. The objective of this study was to apply this novel FLC method to detect and quantify Babesia parasites in venous blood and compare results to light microscopy and polymerase chain reaction methods.

Methods

An automated hematology/malaria analyzer (XN-31; Sysmex) was used to detect and quantify B microti–infected red blood cells from residual venous blood samples (n = 250: Babesia positive, n = 170; Babesia negative, n = 80). As no instrument software currently exists for Babesia, qualitative and quantitative machine learning (ML) algorithms were developed to facilitate analysis.

Results

Performance of the ML models was verified against the XN-31 software using P falciparum–infected samples. When applied to Babesia-infected samples, the qualitative ML model demonstrated an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.956 (sensitivity, 95.9%; specificity, 83.3%) relative to polymerase chain reaction. For valid scattergrams, the qualitive model achieved an AUC of 1.0 (sensitivity and specificity, 100%), while the quantitative model demonstrated an AUC of 0.986 (sensitivity, 94.4%; specificity, 100%).

Conclusions

This investigation demonstrates that Babesia parasites can be detected and quantified directly from venous blood using FLC. Although promising, opportunities remain to improve the general applicability of the method.
CoRegNet: unraveling gene co-regulation networks from public RNA-Seq repositories using a beta-binomial statistical model
Authors: Wang Jiasheng , Wan Ying-Wooi , Al-Ouran Rami , Huang Meichen , Liu Zhandong
Published: December 2023

Millions of RNA sequencing samples have been deposited into public databases, providing a rich resource for biological research. These datasets encompass tens of thousands of experiments and offer comprehensive insights into human cellular regulation. However, a major challenge is how to integrate these experiments that acquired at different conditions. We propose a new statistical tool based on beta-binomial distributions that can construct robust gene co-regulation network (CoRegNet) across tens of thousands of experiments. Our analysis of over 12 000 experiments involving human tissues and cells shows that CoRegNet significantly outperforms existing gene co-expression-based methods. Although the majority of the genes are linearly co-regulated, we did discover an interesting set of genes that are non-linearly co-regulated; half of the time they change in the same direction and the other half they change in the opposite direction. Additionally, we identified a set of gene pairs that follows the Simpson’s paradox. By utilizing public domain data, CoRegNet offers a powerful approach for identifying functionally related gene pairs, thereby revealing new biological insights.
Parent satisfaction with lotion, cream, gel and ointment emollient types: secondary analysis of the Best Emollients for Eczema study
Authors: Allen Olivia G E , MacNeill Stephanie , Ridd Matthew J
Published: December 2023

Background

The main determinant of emollient effectiveness is whether it is used, which in turn is linked with user satisfaction.

Objectives

To compare parental satisfaction with emollient type for the treatment of childhood eczema.

Methods

Secondary analysis of data from the Best Emollients for Eczema (BEE) trial was undertaken. In total, 550 children aged between 6 months and 12 years were recruited from primary care in England and randomized to use a lotion, cream, gel or ointment as their main emollient for 16 weeks. At week, 16 parents were asked to complete an Emollient Satisfaction Questionnaire (ESQ). Completion rates and scores were compared, using χ2 test, t-test calculations and one-way Anova as appropriate.

Results

Data on 378 participants (68.7% of those randomized) were analysed. Mean ESQ scores were gel 20.9 (SD 5.3), lotion 20.4 (SD 5.6), cream 18.8 (SD 6.3) and ointment 15.2 (SD 6.8) (P < 0.001). In pairwise comparisons, there was a statistically significant difference in mean ESQ scores between ointment and lotion (P < 0.001), ointment and cream (P < 0.001) and ointment and gel (P < 0.001) but not between lotion, cream and gel. Participants using lotions had highest overall satisfaction and were most likely to continue using their emollient. ESQ scores were correlated with reported emollient use and improvements in parent-reported eczema severity.

Conclusions

Overall, lotions and gels were favoured over creams and ointments. Although satisfaction is determined by personal preference, these results will aid parents, clinicians and children to find the right emollient(s) for them.
RNA virus-mediated gene editing for tomato trait breeding
Authors: Uranga Mireia , Aragonés Verónica , García Arcadio , Mirabel Sophie , Gianoglio Silvia , Presa Silvia , Granell Antonio , Pasin Fabio , Daròs José-Antonio
Published: December 2023

Virus-induced genome editing (VIGE) leverages viral vectors to deliver CRISPR-Cas components into plants for robust and flexible trait engineering. We describe here a VIGE approach applying an RNA viral vector based on potato virus X (PVX) for genome editing of tomato, a mayor horticultural crop. Viral delivery of single-guide RNA into Cas9-expressing lines resulted in efficient somatic editing with indel frequencies up to 58%. By proof-of-concept VIGE of PHYTOENE DESATURASE (PDS) and plant regeneration from edited somatic tissue, we recovered loss-of-function pds mutant progeny displaying an albino phenotype. VIGE of STAYGREEN 1 (SGR1), a gene involved in fruit color variation, generated sgr1 mutant lines with recolored red-brown fruits and high chlorophyll levels. The obtained editing events were heritable, overall confirming the successful breeding of fruit color. Altogether, our VIGE approach offers great potential for accelerated functional genomics of tomato variation, as well as for precision breeding of novel tomato traits.
Association of hormonal and reproductive factors with differentiated thyroid cancer risk in women: a pooled prospective cohort analysis
Authors: O’Grady Thomas J , Rinaldi Sabina , Michels Kara A , Adami Hans-Olov , Buring Julie E , Chen Yu , Clendenen Tess V , D’Aloisio Aimee , DeHart Jessica Clague , Franceschi Silvia , Freedman Neal D , Gierach Gretchen L , Giles Graham G , Lacey James V , Lee I-Min , Liao Linda M , Linet Martha S , McCullough Marjorie L , Patel Alpa V , Prizment Anna , Robien Kim , Sandler Dale P , Stolzenberg-Solomon Rachael , Weiderpass Elisabete , White Emily , Wolk Alicja , Zheng Wei , Berrington de Gonzalez Amy , Kitahara Cari M
Published: December 2023

Background

The incidence of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is higher in women than in men but whether sex steroid hormones contribute to this difference remains unclear. Studies of reproductive and hormonal factors and thyroid cancer risk have provided inconsistent results.

Methods

Original data from 1 252 907 women in 16 cohorts in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia were combined to evaluate associations of DTC risk with reproductive and hormonal factors. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs.

Results

During follow-up, 2142 women were diagnosed with DTC. Factors associated with higher risk of DTC included younger age at menarche (<10 vs 10–11 years; HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.00–1.64), younger (<40; HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.05–1.62) and older (≥55; HR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.05–1.68) ages at menopause (vs 40–44 years), ever use of menopausal hormone therapy (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.02–1.33) and previous hysterectomy (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.13–1.39) or bilateral oophorectomy (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.00–1.29). Factors associated with lower risk included longer-term use (≥5 vs <5 years) of oral contraceptives (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.76–0.96) among those who ever used oral contraception and baseline post-menopausal status (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.70–0.96). No associations were observed for parity, duration of menopausal hormone therapy use or lifetime number of reproductive years or ovulatory cycles.

Conclusions

Our study provides some evidence linking reproductive and hormonal factors with risk of DTC. Results should be interpreted cautiously considering the modest strength of the associations and potential for exposure misclassification and detection bias. Prospective studies of pre-diagnostic circulating sex steroid hormone measurements and DTC risk may provide additional insight.
Solder die attach lifetime characterization of SOT-227 power MOSFET module in a 3-phase inverter under power cycling
Authors: Cheng Hsien-Chie , Hsu Chih-Wei
Published: December 2023

This study aims to assess the power cycling lifetime of the solder die attach of the silicon power metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor modules in an SOT-227 package in a 3-phase bridge inverter. This goal is achieved through a loose one-way coupling framework that incorporates a thermal computational fluid dynamics model for temperature estimation and a transient thermal-mechanical finite element model that accounts for the time-dependent viscoplastic behavior of the solder die attach through the Anand viscoplastic constitutive model for thermal-mechanical responses assessment. To facilitate an accurate prediction of the solder die attach lifetime during power cycling, a physical lifetime prediction model is constructed through the strain-based Coffin-Manson Eq. together with the experimental lifetime data and the corresponding calculated equivalent viscoplastic strain increments. Furthermore, parametric study via the coupling framework is conducted to examine the effect of cooling, operating, and structural parameters on the solder die attach lifetime, and also to identify the most crucial design parameters. At last, experimental design using a Taguchi method is conducted to seek the optimal level combination of design parameters for enhanced power cycling lifetime of the solder die attach.
Is size in the eye of the beholder? Visual estimation of penis size among transgender and cisgender people and implications for genital gender-affirming surgery and sexual medicine
Authors: Castaneda Peris R , Zaliznyak Michael , Sandhu Sandeep S , Cook-Wiens Galen , Smith Shannon M , Mallavarapu Samhita , Garcia Maurice M
Published: December 2023

Background

Transgender men (TM) seeking gender-affirming phalloplasty and transgender women (TW) seeking vaginoplasty and desiring insertive intercourse must consider penis size. Evidence has shown that, at least among cisgender men (CM), penile dimensions tend to be poorly estimated. In transgender patients desiring gender-affirming surgery, inaccuracy in estimation of penis dimensions may lead to unnecessary morbidity: for TW, trauma to the neovagina; for TM with excess girth, an inability to insert. Studies on the accuracy with which transgender and cisgender patients estimate penis size are limited.

Aim

To assess the degree of accuracy with which CM and CW, as well as TM and TW, visually estimate the size of the human penis, including length, width, and girth.

Methods

There were 142 participants included (25 TM, 47 TW, 30 CM, and 40 CW; net mean ± SD age, 36.6 ± 11.2 years). Participants were shown these models and asked to estimate length, width, and midshaft girth by visual inspection of 6 realistic models of a penis and scrotum of varying lengths and widths. We evaluated the accuracy of the visual measurements by comparing mean perceived dimensions with the actual dimensions of each model.

Outcomes

We used a multivariate model of all 3 bias dimensions to test for differences in average bias among gender groups (CM, CW, TM, and TW).

Results

TM significantly overestimated length across the longest models. TW significantly overestimated length in the longer 3 models. All groups except for TM significantly underestimated girth in at least 1 model. No groups significantly underestimated width. CM, CW, and TM significantly overestimated width in all 6 models.

Clinical Implications

When transgender patients use numbers to express penis size (either in neophallus or vaginal depth based on perceived partner size), the result is likely to be larger than expected. Use of realistic penis models as a decision-making tool may help manage patient expectations and surgery decision making preoperatively and improve postoperative patient satisfaction and safety.

Strengths and Limitations

To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess visual estimation in penis size in TM and CM, as well as TW and CW. The penile models in our study were shown side by side and in the flaccid state despite having dimensions more consistent with an erect penis, which may have influenced estimations across all dimensions.

Conclusion

Men and women (cisgender and transgender) tend to significantly overestimate penis length and width.
Late Ordovician Mass Extinction: Earth, fire and ice
Authors: Harper David A T
Published: December 2023

The Late Ordovician Mass Extinction was the earliest of the ‘big’ five extinction events and the earliest to affect the trajectory of metazoan life. Two phases have been identified near the start of the Hirnantian period and in the middle. It was a massive taxonomic extinction, a weak phylogenetic extinction and a relatively benign ecological extinction. A rapid cooling, triggering a major ice age that reduced the temperature of surface waters, prompted a drop in sea level of some 100 m and introduced toxic bottom waters onto the shelves. These symptoms of more fundamental planetary processes have been associated with a range of factors with an underlying driver identified as volcanicity. Volcanic eruptions, and other products, may have extended back in time to at least the Sandbian and early Katian, suggesting the extinctions were more protracted and influential than hitherto documented.
On-demand engineerable visible spectrum by fine control of electrochemical reactions
Authors: Liu Qirong , Liu Lei , Zheng Yongping , Li Min , Ding Baofu , Diao Xungang , Cheng Hui-Ming , Tang Yongbing
Published: December 2023

Tunability of optical performance is one of the key technologies for adaptive optoelectronic applications, such as camouflage clothing, displays, and infrared shielding. High-precision spectral tunability is of great importance for some special applications with on-demand adaptability but remains challenging. Here we demonstrate a galvanostatic control strategy to achieve this goal, relying on the finding of the quantitative correlation between optical properties and electrochemical reactions within materials. An electrochromic electro-optical efficiency index is established to optically fingerprint and precisely identify electrochemical redox reactions in the electrochromic device. Consequently, the charge-transfer process during galvanostatic electrochemical reaction can be quantitatively regulated, permitting precise control over the final optical performance and on-demand adaptability of electrochromic devices as evidenced by an ultralow deviation of <3.0%. These findings not only provide opportunities for future adaptive optoelectronic applications with strict demand on precise spectral tunability but also will promote in situ quantitative research in a wide range of spectroelectrochemistry, electrochemical energy storage, electrocatalysis, and material chemistry.
Real-life Data on Cefiderocol Efficacy and Safety to Treat Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Infections
Authors: Campogiani Laura , Crea Angela Maria Antonia , Minardi Maria Letizia , Ansaldo Lorenzo , Coppola Luigi , Compagno Mirko , Vitale Pietro , Spalliera Ilaria , Malagnino Vincenzo , Teti Elisabetta , D’agostini C , Pennacchiotti Chiara , Abate Davide Natale , Celeste Maria Grazia , Andreoni Massimo , Iannetta Marco , Sarmati Loredana
Published: December 2023

Background

The objective of this study was to expand real-life data on cefiderocol efficacy to treat multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections.

Methods

This was a retrospective monocentric study including patients hospitalized (>24 hours) at Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy, between May 1, 2021, and September 1, 2022, treated with cefiderocol (>48 hours). The primary objective was early clinical improvement at 48–72 hours from cefiderocol start; secondary objectives were clinical success (composite outcome of infection resolution and 14-day survival), breakthrough infection, overall 30-day mortality, and cefiderocol-related adverse events.

Results

Eleven patients were enrolled; 91% males (10/11), with a median age (interquartile range [IQR]) of 69 (59–71) years, 91% had ≥1 comorbidity, and 72.7% (8/11) were hospitalized in internal medicine wards. Six patients with bloodstream infection (54.5%; 4 primary, 2 central line–associated), 2 with pneumonia (18.2%), 2 with urinary tract infections (18.2%), and 1 with intra-abdominal infection (9.1%) were treated. Four patients (36.3%) presented with septic shock at cefiderocol start. Cefiderocol was used as monotherapy in 3/11 patients (27.3%), was combined with colistin in all the other 8 cases, and was used in triple combination with tigecycline in 2 patients. The median duration of treatment (IQR) was 12 (10–14) days. Early clinical improvement was documented in 8/11 patients (72.7%), clinical success in 8/11 patients (72.7%). Overall 30-day mortality was 27.3% (3/11), with death occurring a median (IQR) of 19 (17.5–20.5) days after the start of therapy. No cefiderocol-related adverse events were documented.

Conclusions

Cefiderocol seems to be a safe and effective option for multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections.
Prevalence of Endemic Respiratory Viruses During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Urban and Rural Malawi
Authors: Vink Elen , Banda Louis , Amoah Abena S , Kasenda Stephen , Read Jonathan M , Jewell Chris , Denis Brigitte , Mwale Annie Chauma , Crampin Amelia , Anscombe Catherine , Menyere Mavis , Ho Antonia
Published: December 2023

Background

We investigated endemic respiratory virus circulation patterns in Malawi, where no lockdown was imposed, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Within a prospective household cohort in urban and rural Malawi, adult participants provided upper respiratory tract (URT) samples at 4 time points between February 2021 and April 2022. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed for SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and other endemic respiratory viruses.

Results

1626 URT samples from 945 participants in 542 households were included. Overall, 7.6% (n = 123) samples were PCR- positive for >1 respiratory virus; SARS-CoV-2 (4.4%) and rhinovirus (2.0%) were most common. No influenza A virus was detected. Influenza B and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were rare. Higher virus positivity were detected in the rural setting and at earlier time points. Coinfections were infrequent.

Conclusions

Endemic respiratory viruses circulated in the community in Malawi during the pandemic, though influenza and RSV were rarely detected. Distinct differences in virus positivity and demographics were observed between urban and rural cohorts.