bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surveillance of hemodialysis related infections: a prospective multicenter study
Authors: Hasanoglu Imran , Guner Rahmet , Sahin Suzan , Yılmaz Karadag Fatma , Parmaksiz Ergun , Atalay H. Veli , Alısır Ecder Sabahat , Arslan Gulen Tugba , Atan Ucar Zuhal , Karabay Oguz , Sipahi Savas , Kaya Kılıc Esra , Duranay Murat , Yapar Derya , Dogan İbrahim , Ersoz Gulden , Turkmen Gulcan , Kıykım Ahmet Alper
Published: December 2022

As in many countries, there is neither a surveillance system nor a study to reveal the hemodialysis (HD) related infection rates in Turkey. We aimed to investigate the infection rate among HD outpatients and implement CDC’s surveillance system. A multicenter prospective surveillance study is performed to investigate the infection rate among HD patients. CDC National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) dialysis event (DE) protocol is adopted for definitions and reporting. During April 2016–April 2018, 9 centers reported data. A total of 199 DEs reported in 10,035 patient-months, and the overall DE rate was 1.98 per 100 patient-months. Risk of blood culture positivity is found to be 17.6 times higher when hemodialysis was through a tunneled catheter than through an arteriovenous fistula. DE rate was significantly lower in patients educated about the care of their vascular access site. Staphylococcus aureus was the most causative microorganism among mortal patients. Outcomes of DEs were hospitalization (73%), loss of vascular access (18.2%), and death (7.7%). This first surveillance study revealed the baseline status of HD related infections in Turkey and showed that CDC National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) DE surveillance system can be easily implemented even in a high workload dialysis unit and be adopted as a nationwide DE surveillance program.
Optical gain reduction caused by nonrelevant subbands in narrow-period terahertz quantum cascade laser designs
Authors: Wang Li , Lin Tsung-Tse , Wang Ke , Hirayama Hideki
Published: December 2022

The recent designs of terahertz quantum cascade lasers usually employ the short periodic length and also the tall barriers for high-temperature operation. In this work, the effect of high-energy lying non-relevant subbands is studied based on nonequilibrium Green’s function formalisms model, demonstrating those subbands are probable to play a minor role on the population inversion, but play a major role on the optical gain at high temperatures. The phenomenon can be ascribed to the appearance of leakages crossing neighboring periods via sequential resonant tunneling, and those leakages are inherently created by the specific features of the two-well configuration in this design that the phonon well should be wide enough for performing the phonon scattering to depopulate the lower-laser subband. The narrower periodic length design can strengthen this inter-period leakage. A parasitic absorption between the first high-lying nonrelevant subbands from two laser wells can closely overlap the gain shape and thus significantly reduce the peak gain.
Effect of thermal osteonecrosis around implants in the rat tibia: numerical and histomorphometric results in context of implant removal
Authors: Kniha Kristian , Hermanns-Sachweh Benita , Al-Sibai Faruk , Kneer Reinhold , Möhlhenrich Stephan Christian , Heitzer Marius , Hölzle Frank , Modabber Ali
Published: December 2022

The purpose of this rat study was to explore the feasibility of in vivo temperature thresholds affecting bone contact at the implant surface. Based on these data, thermal necrosis should be used for implant removal in the subsequent in vivo study. Rat tibiae of 48 animals at one site were randomly treated with heat or cold before implant insertion. Temperatures of 4 °C, 3 °C, 2 °C, 48 °C, 49 °C and 50 °C for a tempering time of 1 min were evaluated. Numerical simulations of the heat source-implant-bone system were carried out. Effects were assessed by histomorphometrical measurements. The results showed that the selected method of direct tempering using a tempering pin was suitable for maintaining a uniform layer around the pin. Starting at warm temperatures of 48 °C and rising to 50 °C, the BIC ratio revealed declining values and a significant difference was observed when comparing 50 °C to the control group (p = 0.03). However, there were no significant variations within the cold temperatures. This study pinpointed temperature discovered that could lead to the thermo-explantation and so that the number of samples used in future studies on temperature-induced bone necrosis can be reduced to a minimum. Significant BIC value reduction was seen at a temperature of 50 °C for 1 min.
Epibiotic fauna of the Antarctic minke whale as a reliable indicator of seasonal movements
Authors: Ten S. , Konishi K. , Raga J. A. , Pastene L. A. , Aznar F. J.
Published: December 2022

Antarctic minke whales,Balaenoptera bonaerensis, breed in tropical and temperate waters of the Southern Hemisphere in winter and feed in Antarctic grounds in the austral summer. These seasonal migrations could be less defined than those of other whale species, but the evidence is scanty. We quantitatively describe the epibiotic fauna of Antarctic minke whales and explore its potential to trace migrations. Seven species were found on 125 out of 333 examined Antarctic minke whales captured during the last Antarctic NEWREP-A expedition in the Southern Ocean: the amphipodBalaenocyamus balaenopterae(prevalence = 22.2%), the copepodPennella balaenoptera(0.6%); three coronulid, obligate barnacles,Xenobalanus globicipitis(11.1%),Coronula reginae(8.7%),C. diadema(0.9%); and two lepadid, facultative barnacles,Conchoderma auritum(9.0%) andC. virgatum(0.3%). Species with prevalence > 8% exhibited a modest increase in their probability of occurrence with whale body length. Data indicated positive associations between coronulid barnacles and no apparent recruitment in Antarctic waters.All specimens ofX. globicipitiswere dead, showing progressive degradation throughout the sampling period, and a geographic analysis indicated a marked drop of occurrence where the minimum sea surface temperature is < 12 °C. Thus, field detection -with non-lethal methodologies, such as drones- of coronulid barnacles, especiallyX. globicipitis, on whales in the Southern Ocean could evince seasonal migration. Future investigations on geographical distribution, growth rate, and degradation (forX. globicipitis) could also assist in timing whales’ migration.
A strategy to formulate data-driven constitutive models from random multiaxial experiments
Authors: Tasdemir Burcu , Pellegrino Antonio , Tagarielli Vito
Published: December 2022

We present a test technique and an accompanying computational framework to obtain data-driven, surrogate constitutive models that capture the response of isotropic, elastic–plastic materials loaded in-plane stress by combined normal and shear stresses. The surrogate models are based on feed-forward neural networks (NNs) predicting the evolution of state variables over arbitrary increments of strain. The feasibility of the approach is assessed by conducting virtual experiments, i.e. Finite Element (FE) simulations of the response of a hollow, cylindrical, thin-walled test specimen to random histories of imposed axial displacement and rotation. In these simulations, the specimen’s material is modelled as an isotropic, rate-independent elastic–plastic solid obeying J2 plasticity with isotropic hardening. The virtual experiments allow assembling a training dataset for the surrogate models. The accuracy of two different surrogate models is evaluated by performing predictions of the response of the material to the application of random multiaxial strain histories. Both models are found to be effective and to have comparable accuracy.
Biodegradation of bovine spongiform encephalopathy prions in compost
Authors: Xu Shanwei , Abeysekara Sujeema , Dudas Sandor , Czub Stefanie , Staskevicius Antanas , Mitchell Gordon , Amoako Kingsley K. , McAllister Tim A.
Published: December 2022

To reduce the transmission risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy prions (PrPBSE), specified risk materials (SRM) that can harbour PrPBSE are prevented from entering the feed and food chains. As composting is one approach to disposing of SRM, we investigated the inactivation of PrPBSE in lab-scale composters over 28 days and in bin composters over 106–120 days. Lab-scale composting was conducted using 45 kg of feedlot manure with and without chicken feathers. Based on protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA), after 28 days of composting, PrPBSE seeding activity was reduced by 3–4 log10 with feathers and 3 log10 without. Bin composters were constructed using ~ 2200 kg feedlot manure and repeated in 2017 and 2018. PMCA results showed that seeding activity of PrPBSE was reduced by 1–2 log10 in the centre, but only by 1 log10 in the bottom of bin composters. Subsequent assessment by transgenic (Tgbov XV) mouse bioassay confirmed a similar reduction in PrPBSE infectivity. Enrichment for proteolytic microorganisms through the addition of feathers to compost could enhance PrPBSE degradation. In addition to temperature, other factors including varying concentrations of PrPBSE and the nature of proteolytic microbial populations may be responsible for differential degradation of PrPBSE during composting.
Active waveguide Bragg lasers via conformal contact PDMS stamps
Authors: Li Yun , Lakhwani Girish
Published: December 2022

Lasing is observed in Bragg lasers formed through conformal contact of a patterned PDMS stamp with a plain active film, spincoated on glass. The thresholds, output efficiencies and spectral characteristics are compared to standard substrate patterned gratings and is discussed in relation to the coupling coefficient $$\upkappa $$
κ
. The reported thresholds are highly sensitive in distributed feedback (DFB) lasers to grating duty cycles, for both PDMS-air and substrate–film lasers. Overall, laser thresholds of PDMS-air (PA) DFB lasers are found to be significantly higher than substrate–film (SF) lasers, which is attributed to an approximate three-fold reduction of optical-confinement in the grating region. Slope output efficiencies are found to be comparatively higher in PA lasers relative to SF lasers for both DFB and DBR configurations and is attributed to several competing factors. The PDMS can be removed from the surface of the active film repeatedly and conformal contact is limited mainly by the particle build up on the PDMS surface. The proposed PA system is expected to be useful in rapid laser metrology of new gain materials and in practical applications of optically pumped lasers.
Region of interest-specific loss functions improve T2 quantification with ultrafast T2 mapping MRI sequences in knee, hip and lumbar spine
Authors: Tolpadi Aniket A. , Han Misung , Calivà Francesco , Pedoia Valentina , Majumdar Sharmila
Published: December 2022

MRI T2 mapping sequences quantitatively assess tissue health and depict early degenerative changes in musculoskeletal (MSK) tissues like cartilage and intervertebral discs (IVDs) but require long acquisition times. In MSK imaging, small features in cartilage and IVDs are crucial for diagnoses and must be preserved when reconstructing accelerated data. To these ends, we propose region of interest-specific postprocessing of accelerated acquisitions: a recurrent UNet deep learning architecture that provides T2 maps in knee cartilage, hip cartilage, and lumbar spine IVDs from accelerated T2-prepared snapshot gradient-echo acquisitions, optimizing for cartilage and IVD performance with a multi-component loss function that most heavily penalizes errors in those regions. Quantification errors in knee and hip cartilage were under 10% and 9% from acceleration factors R = 2 through 10, respectively, with bias for both under 3 ms for most of R = 2 through 12. In IVDs, mean quantification errors were under 12% from R = 2 through 6. A Gray Level Co-Occurrence Matrix-based scheme showed knee and hip pipelines outperformed state-of-the-art models, retaining smooth textures for most R and sharper ones through moderate R. Our methodology yields robust T2 maps while offering new approaches for optimizing and evaluating reconstruction algorithms to facilitate better preservation of small, clinically relevant features.
A metagenomic insight into the microbiomes of geothermal springs in the Subantarctic Kerguelen Islands
Authors: Allioux Maxime , Yvenou Stéven , Merkel Alexander , Cozannet Marc , Aubé Johanne , Pommellec Jolann , Le Romancer Marc , Lavastre Véronique , Guillaume Damien , Alain Karine
Published: December 2022

The Kerguelen Islands, located in the southern part of the Indian Ocean, are very isolated geographically. The microbial diversity and communities present on the island, especially associated to geothermal springs, have never been analyzed with high-throughput sequencing methods. In this article, we performed the first metagenomics analysis of microorganisms present in Kerguelen hot springs. From four hot springs, we assembled metagenomes and recovered 42 metagenome-assembled genomes, mostly associated with new putative taxa based on phylogenomic analyses and overall genome relatedness indices. The 42 MAGs were studied in detail and showed putative affiliations to 13 new genomic species and 6 new genera of Bacteria or Archaea according to GTDB. Functional potential of MAGs suggests the presence of thermophiles and hyperthermophiles, as well as heterotrophs and primary producers possibly involved in the sulfur cycle, notably in the oxidation of sulfur compounds. This paper focused on only four of the dozens of hot springs in the Kerguelen Islands and should be considered as a preliminary study of the microorganisms inhabiting the hot springs of these isolated islands. These results show that more efforts should be made towards characterization of Kerguelen Islands ecosystems, as they represent a reservoir of unknown microbial lineages.
A System for Converting and Recovering Texts Managed as Structured Information
Authors: Verdesoto Edgardo Samuel Barraza , Ortiz Marlly Yaneth Rojas , Herrera Richard de Jesus Gil
Published: December 2022

This paper introduces a system that incorporates several strategies based on scientific models of how the brain records and recovers memories. Methodologically, an incremental prototyping approach has been applied to develop a satisfactory architecture that can be adapted to any language. A special case is studied and tested regarding the Spanish language. The applications of this proposal are vast because, in general, information such as text way, reports, emails, and web content, among others, is considered unstructured and, hence, the repositories based on SQL databases usually do not handle this kind of data correctly and efficiently. The conversion of unstructured textual information to structured one can be useful in contexts such as Natural Language Generation, Data Mining, and dynamic generation of theories, among others.
Atomized droplet size prediction for supersonic atomized water drainage and natural gas extraction
Authors: Liu Chengting , He Liang
Published: December 2022

In the later stage of natural gas reservoir exploration, the wellbore pressure is reduced and the liquid accumulation is serious, in order to solve the problem of liquid accumulation and low production in low-pressure and low-yield gas wells, the supersonic atomization drainage gas recovery technology is used to improve the recovery rate. By studying the influence of working condition parameters of downhole nozzle atomization drainage gas recovery on atomization effect and liquid carrying rate, a new physical model of atomization nozzle is established, the back propagation (BP) neural network atomization model and BP neural network atomization model optimized by genetic algorithm (GA) is established, and the Matlab is used to train the 45 groups of data sets before the experiment. After the model training, the normalized atomization parameters are trained for sensitivity analysis. The relationship between the strength and weakness of the factors affecting Sotel's average droplet particle size (SMD) is as follows: gas flow (Qg) > liquid inlet diameter (d) > liquid phase flow (Ql). The last 15 sets of data sets outside the training samples were tested by BP model and BP neural model optimized by genetic algorithm (GA-BP), and the size of SMD was predicted. The experimental results show that the determination coefficient R2 of the established GA-BP network model to the experimental parameters is 0.979 and the goodness of fit is high; the mean square error (MSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of the predicted value of GA-BP atomization model and the experimental value are 4.471, 1.811 and 0.031 respectively, the error is small, the prediction accuracy is high, and the establishment of the model is accurate. The GA-BP model can efficiently predict SMD under different operating conditions, at present, the new supersonic atomizing nozzle has been successfully applied to the Xushen gas field block of Daqing Oilfield, which can improve the recovery rate of natural gas by 4.5–8.6%, alleviate the problem of effusion near the end of oil exploration, and has certain guiding significance for solving the problem of wellbore effusion and improving production efficiency.
The predictability of graft thickness for Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty using a mechanical microkeratome system
Authors: Nishisako Sota , Yamaguchi Takefumi , Kusano Yuki , Higa Kazunari , Aoki Dai , Sasaki Chiaki , Shimazaki Jun
Published: December 2022

Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) is used for treating corneal endothelial dysfunction, and the postoperative visual acuity outcome depends on the thickness of the graft. We created a simple nomogram using factors affecting the cutting thickness during graft preparation via a mechanical microkeratome system for DSAEK. This retrospective study was conducted from May 2018 through October 2022 and included donor eyes cut by automatic methods. We measured the graft thickness, cutting accuracy, and assessed ten variables with donor/cornea-related factors potentially affecting the cutting thickness. Subsequently, we created a simple nomogram. We analyzed 81 donor tissues, and the donor median age was 76 years. The mean central graft thickness was 122.2 μm, with 62% of the grafts that could be cut within the target central graft thickness range. Comparatively, donor corneas from those with cardiac diseases were cut deeper (P = 0.007). The developed nomogram provided a 83% probability of estimating the post-cutting graft thickness within 25 µm. Our nomogram, which considers cause of death, enables reproducible production of graft of a desired thickness. A detailed analysis of donor tissues, including the cause of donor death and the characteristics from pressurization to cutting, will enable more precise DSAEK graft preparation.
New quantitative method for dental wear analysis of small mammals
Authors: Bañuls-Cardona Sandra , Blasco Ruth , Rosell Jordi , Rufà Anna , Vallverdú Josep , Rivals Florent
Published: December 2022

The application of dental wear study to murids has always been ruled out because of their omnivorous diet, which does not leave significant wear on the dentition. Nevertheless, in our work we select Apodemus sylvaticus (wood mouse) as the object of study for several reasons: its seasonal diet, its ability to resist the gastric juices of predators, the fact that it has not undergone major morphological changes since its appearance 3 million years ago, and its widespread distribution throughout much of Europe and part of Africa. The importance of this work lies in the modifications we make to the dental wear methodology for its application to murids. These enable us to obtain quantitative data on the entire tooth surface. The sample chosen was a total of 75 lower first molars from two different archaeological sites: Teixoneres cave and Xaragalls cave. The chronology of the samples chosen ranges from Marine Isotope Stages 5–3. The data obtained reveal that the part of the tooth that shows most wear is the distal part (entoconid). Furthermore, the results provide us with relevant information on the types of accumulations of remains in the caves (short vs. long term), as well as on the seasonality of Neanderthal occupations during the Upper Pleistocene (MIS5-3) of the northeastern Iberian Peninsula.
Adsorption of a water-soluble molecular rotor fluorescent probe on hydrophobic surfaces
Authors: Mirzahossein Elham , Grzelka Marion , Guerton Fabrice , Bonn Daniel , Brown Ross
Published: December 2022

Environmentally sensitive molecular rotors are widely used to probe the local molecular environment in e.g. polymer solutions, polymer glasses, and biological systems. These applications make it important to understand its fluorescence properties in the vicinity of a solid surface, since fluorescence microscopy generically employs cover slides, and measurements are often done in its immediate vicinity. Here, we use a confocal microscope to investigate the fluorescence of (4-daspi) in glycerol/water solutions close to the interface using hydrophilic or hydrophobic cover slips. Despite the dye’s high solubility in water, the observed lengthening of the fluorescence lifetime close to the hydrophobic surface, implies a surprising affinity of the dye with the surface. Because the homogeneous solution and the refractive index mismatch reduces the optical sectioning power of the microscope, we quantify the affinity with the help of a simple model of the signal vs. depth of focus, exhibiting surface and bulk contributions. The model reduces artefacts due to refractive index mismatch, as supported by Monte Carlo ray tracing simulations.
The role of centrifugal partition chromatography in the removal of β-asarone from Acorus calamus essential oil
Authors: Szczeblewski Paweł , Wróblewski Mateusz , Borzyszkowska-Bukowska Julia , Bairamova Tetiana , Górska Justyna , Laskowski Tomasz , Samulewicz Anna , Kosno Michał , Sobiech Łukasz , Polit Justyna Teresa , Kukula-Koch Wirginia
Published: December 2022

Β-asarone is a phenylpropane derivative present in the rhizomes of Acorus calamus, that was proved to exhibit toxic effects in humans. Because of its presence the whole plant that is commonly used in traditional medicine for its sedative, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and other properties has limited application nowadays. In the study, qualitative and quantitative analysis of a collection of nine essential oil (EO) samples of European and Asian origin was performed. The final content of β-asarone in the tested samples ranged between 0.265 and 1.885 mg/mL. Having in mind a possible application of the EO as a biopesticide, this research aimed at the development of CPC-based purification protocol that could help remove β-asarone from EO. It was proved that the biphasic solvent system composed of n-hexane/EtOAc/MeOH/water, 9:1:9:1 (v/v/v/v) was capable of the removal of the toxic constituent in the CPC chromatograph operated in the ascending elution mode with 2200 rpm and a flow rate of 5 mL/min. The chromatographic analysis that lasted only 144 min effectively separated β-asarone (purity of 95.5%) and α-asarone (purity of 93.7%) directly from the crude Acorus calamus rhizome EO.
Body surface scan anthropometrics are related to cardiorespiratory fitness in the general population
Authors: Köhler Armin , Filges Berit , Völzke Henry , Felix Stephan B. , Ewert Ralf , Stubbe Beate , Markus Marcello R. P. , Groß Stefan , Dörr Marcus , Ittermann Till , Bahls Martin
Published: December 2022

The assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is an important tool for prognosis evaluation of cardiovascular events. The gold standard to measure CRF is cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) to determine peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak). However, CPET is not only time consuming but also expensive and is therefore not widely applicable in daily practice. The aim of our study was to analyze, whether and which anthropometric markers derived from a 3D body scanner were related to VO2peak in a general population-based study. We analyzed data (SHIP-START-3) from 3D body scanner and CPET of 1035 subjects (529 women; 51.1%, age range 36–93). A total of 164 anthropometric markers were detected with the 3D body scanner VITUS Smart XXL using the software AnthroScan Professional. Anthropometric measurements were standardized and associated with CRF by sex-stratified linear regression models adjusted for age and height. Anthropometric markers were ranked according to the  − log- p values derived from these regression models. In men a greater left and right thigh-knee-ratio, a longer forearm-fingertip length, a greater left thigh circumference and greater left upper arm circumference were most strongly associated with a higher VO2peak. In women a greater left and right thigh circumference, left calf circumference, thigh thickness and right calf circumference were most strongly associated with a higher VO2peak. The detected VO2peak-related anthropometric markers could be helpful in assessing CRF in clinical routine. Commonly used anthropometric markers, e.g. waist and hip circumference, were not among the markers associated with VO2peak.
Alginate-like polymers from full-scale aerobic granular sludge: content, recovery, characterization, and application for cadmium adsorption
Authors: Cydzik-Kwiatkowska Agnieszka , Gusiatin Mariusz Z. , Zielińska Magdalena , Wojnowska-Baryła Irena , Kulikowska Dorota , Bernat Katarzyna
Published: December 2022

Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) is a proven resource for the recovery of biopolymers like alginate-like polymers (ALP). This is the first report on the dynamics of ALP produced by AGS (ALP-AGS) in a full-scale wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), optimization of ALP recovery from AGS, and adsorption of cadmium (Cd2+) by ALP. Recovery of ALP was highest when using 120 mL of 0.2 M Na2CO3 at 70 °C for 45 min. Seasonal (1.5 years, over 3100 cycles) and intra-cycle changes in ALP-AGS in the WWTP were monitored. The ALP content in AGS increased in the transition period between winter and spring, reaching over 150 mg/g MLSS. In the batch reactor cycle, the ALP-AGS level peaked 2 h after the start of aeration (mean peak level: 120 mg/g MLSS), then decreased about two-fold by the end of the cycle. The ALP-AGS had a small surface area and a lamellar structure with crystalline outgrowths. The optimal conditions of Cd2+ adsorption with ALP were a dosage of 7.9 g d.m./L, a pH of 4–8, and an equilibrium time of 60 min. Carboxyl and hydroxyl groups were the key functional groups involved in Cd2+ adsorption. According to the Sips model, the maximum Cd2+ adsorption capacity of ALP-AGS was 29.5 mg/g d.m., which is similar to that of commercial alginate. AGS is a richer source of ALP than activated sludge, which ensures the cost-effectiveness of ALP recovery and increases the sustainability of wastewater treatment. Information on the chemical properties and yields of ALP from full-scale WWTPs is important for downstream applications with the recovered ALP.
Risk factors for delayed gastric emptying in pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Mao Shih-Hao , Shyr Bor-Shiuan , Chen Shih-Chin , Wang Shin-E , Shyr Yi-Ming , Shyr Bor-Uei
Published: December 2022

The study of robotic pancreaticouodenectomy (RPD) focusing on delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is seldom reported. This study explored the incidence of DGE in RPD with extracorporeal hand-sewn gastrojejunostomy involving downward positioning of the stomach. Patients with periampullary lesions undergoing RPD or open pancreaticouodenectomy (OPD) were included for comparison. A variety of clinical factors were evaluated for the risk of developing DGE. There were 409 (68.2%) RPD and 191 (31.8%) OPD in this study. DGE occurred in 7.7% of patients after pancreaticoduodenectomy, with 4.4% in RPD and 14.7% in OPD, p < 0.001. Nausea/vomiting (12.6% vs. 6.3%) and jaundice (9.9% vs. 5.2%) were significant preoperative risk factors for DGE, while malignancy (8.7% vs. 2.2%) and lymph node involvement (9.8% vs. 5.6%) were significant pathological risk factors. Intraoperative blood loss > 200 c.c. was the other factor related to DGE (11.2% vs. 4.4% in those with blood loss ≤ 200 c.c.). None of the postoperative complications was significantly associated with DGE. Hospital stay was significantly longer in the group with DGE (median, 37 vs. 20 days in the group without DGE). After multivariate analysis by binary logistic regression, compared with OPD, RPD was the only independent factor associated with a lower incidence of DGE. RPD with extracorporeal hand-sewn antecolic, antiperistaltic, and inframesocolic gastrojejunostomy via a small umbilical wound involving careful downward positioning of the stomach was associated with a low incidence of DGE and presented as the most powerful independent predictor of this condition.
Mutation analysis of the WFS1 gene in a Chinese family with autosomal-dominant non-syndrome deafness
Authors: Zhao Jing , Zhang Siqi , Jiang Yuan , Liu Yan , Wang Jiantao , Zhu QingWen
Published: December 2022

To analyse the pathogenic genes and mutations of a family with hereditary deafness. We recruited a three-generation family with NSHL. A detailed medical history inquiry and related examinations were performed. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to confirm the gene mutation in the proband, and Sanger sequencing was used for verification. The effect of the WFS1 mutation on the function and structure of the wolframin protein was predicted by multiple computational software. From the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, we obtained GSE40585 dataset and performed enrichment analyses. The family clinically manifested as autosomal dominant NSHL. A novel WFS1 c.2421C>G (p.Ser807Arg) mutation was identified in four affected individuals in the pedigree . The p.Ser807Arg mutation is a highly conserved residue and causes an increase in protein stability. It had an important influence on not only amino acid size, charge and hydrophobicity but also protein intermolecular hydrogen bonding and spatial structure. There were differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in GSE40585 dataset. Enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs mainly functioned in amino acid metabolism, signal transduction and dephosphorylation. We reported a novel mutation c.2421C>G (p.Ser807Arg in WFS1. This study expands the mutation spectrum of WFS1.
Time-scale analysis of the long-term variability of human gut microbiota characteristics in Chinese individuals
Authors: Han Na , Zhang Tingting , Qiang Yujun , Peng Xianhui , Li Xiuwen , Zhang Wen
Published: December 2022

Studying the dynamics and stability of the human gut microbiota over time is important for exploring their relationship with human health and developing treatment strategies for putative microbiome-related ailments. Here, we collected stool samples from seven healthy Chinese subjects at 1-month intervals between 2016 and 2020. Sequencing and bioinformatics analyses revealed that the bacteria in the collected fecal samples fluctuated over time, and the extent of these changes increased over time. Further, the average shared proportion value obtained using Sourcetracker2 was 63.5% for samples collected from the same individual in the preceding month, and over a 3-year period, this value decreased to 40.7%. Furthermore, the proportion of different bacteria in the gut microbiota of the different subjects fluctuated to varying degrees. Therefore, our results suggested that it is important to consider the effect of time on gut microbiota composition when it is used to evaluate health. Our study opens up a new field of microbiota research, considering not just the instantaneous microbiota, but also the change of the gut microbiota over time.
Asymmetric gene expression in grain development of reciprocal crosses between tetraploid and hexaploid wheats
Authors: Jia Zhen , Gao Peng , Yin Feifan , Quilichini Teagen D. , Sheng Huajin , Song Jingpu , Yang Hui , Gao Jie , Chen Ting , Yang Bo , Kochian Leon V. , Zou Jitao , Patterson Nii , Yang Qingyong , Gillmor C. Stewart , Datla Raju , Li Qiang , Xiang Daoquan
Published: December 2022

Production of viable progeny from interploid crosses requires precise regulation of gene expression from maternal and paternal chromosomes, yet the transcripts contributed to hybrid seeds from polyploid parent species have rarely been explored. To investigate the genome-wide maternal and paternal contributions to polyploid grain development, we analyzed the transcriptomes of developing embryos, from zygote to maturity, alongside endosperm in two stages of development, using reciprocal crosses between tetraploid and hexaploid wheats. Reciprocal crosses between species with varied levels of ploidy displayed broad impacts on gene expression, including shifts in alternative splicing events in select crosses, as illustrated by active splicing events, enhanced protein synthesis and chromatin remodeling. Homoeologous gene expression was repressed on the univalent D genome in pentaploids, but this suppression was attenuated in crosses with a higher ploidy maternal parent. Imprinted genes were identified in endosperm and early embryo tissues, supporting predominant maternal effects on early embryogenesis. By systematically investigating the complex transcriptional networks in reciprocal-cross hybrids, this study presents a framework for understanding the genomic incompatibility and transcriptome shock that results from interspecific hybridization and uncovers the transcriptional impacts on hybrid seeds created from agriculturally-relevant polyploid species.
The coastal transition zone is an underexplored frontier in hydrology and geoscience
Authors: Weymer Bradley A. , Everett Mark E. , Haroon Amir , Jegen-Kulcsar Marion , Micallef Aaron , Berndt Christian , Michael Holly A. , Evans Rob L. , Post Vincent
Published: December 2022

We have better maps of the surfaces of Venus, Mars, and the Moon than of the Earth’s seafloor. There is even less information available about the geologic structure below the seafloor. In particular, the transition zone deep beneath and crossing the coastline is a very poorly studied frontier resulting from limitations of technology and logistical barriers. Here, we point out the significance of this region for understanding fundamental geologic processes, geohazards, and especially coastal aquifers. One prominent example is the increasing awareness of the importance of groundwater exchange between land and sea. This Perspective defines the region beneath the coastal transition zone, or coastal white ribbon as an underexplored frontier, and highlights the need for characterization of this critical region to depths of tens of km. We discuss available geophysical methods and their limitations with coastal groundwater used as the primary illustration. Advances in geophysical and drilling technology, coupled with numerical modeling, are needed to enable better accounting of this poorly understood component of the geosphere.
Photoaffinity labelling-based chemoproteomic strategy identifies PEBP1 as the target of ethyl gallate against macrophage activation
Authors: Yu Wei , Liao Min , Chen Yang , Xue Rui , Shi Xiao-Meng , Liu Dan , Zhuo Fang-Fang , Tang Hui , Lu Zhi-Yuan , Tu Peng-Fei , Han Bo , Jia Xin , Zeng Ke-Wu
Published: December 2022

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory disease of the colon with an unmet need for therapeutic targets.
Synthesis, structures and magnetic properties of four dysprosium-based complexes with a multidentate ligand with steric constraint
Authors: Li Wen-Qiang , Ma Meng-Xia , Ni Qing-Ling , Li Shi-Ming , Gui Liu-Cheng , Wang Xiu-Jian
Published: December 2022

Four dysprosium-based complexes with a multidentate ligand with steric constraint were constructed. Their structures and magnetic properties were studied.
Uncovering water effects in protein–ligand recognition: importance in the second hydration shell and binding kinetics
Authors: Chen Wei , He Huan , Wang Jing , Wang Jiahui , Chang Chia-en A.
Published: December 2022

Developing a ligand with high affinity for a specific protein target is essential for drug design, and water molecules are well known to play a key role in protein–drug recognition.
A study of the Rashba effect in two-dimensional ternary compounds ABC monolayers (A = Sb, Bi; B = Se, Te; C = Br; I)
Authors: Li Tongwei , Xu Yanmin , Li Mengjie , Zhou Qingxiao , Wu Caixia , Wang Zhaowu , Ju Weiwei
Published: December 2022

The remarkable Rashba spin splitting with a Rashba coefficient of 1.84 eV Å is found in a ternary compound BiSeI monolayer.
Thermal modulation of reaction equilibria controls mass transfer in CO2-binding organic liquids
Authors: Moore Thomas , Varni Anthony J. , Pang Simon H. , Akhade Sneha A. , Li Sichi , Nguyen Du T. , Stolaroff Joshuah K.
Published: December 2022

CO2BOLs are promising CCS solvents, whose mass transfer rates improve upon cooling. We show this unintuitive behavior is due to slow transport of reaction products from the gas–liquid interface, caused by shifts in reaction equilibria.
Dipole–dipole interactions for inhibiting solvent co-intercalation into a graphite anode to extend the horizon of electrolyte design
Authors: Qin Mingsheng , Zeng Ziqi , Wu Qiang , Yan Hui , Liu Mengchuang , Wu Yuanke , Zhang Han , Lei Sheng , Cheng Shijie , Xie Jia
Published: December 2022

A dipole–dipole interaction model, in which the non-solvents weaken Li+-solvents’ strength, facilitating desolvation and thus ameliorating graphite compatibility, is developed to expedite electrolyte innovation in LIBs.
Development of high-performance bi-functional novel CdSnS2 atom clusters for adsorption of rose Bengal and AOP-assisted degradation of methylene blue
Authors: Mishra Soumya Ranjan , Gadore Vishal , Ahmaruzzaman Md.
Published: December 2022

The fabrication of glycerol-mediated novel CdSnS2 atom clusters by one-pot co-precipitation was conducted to address rising concerns about environmental harm from hazardous organic compounds.
Uncovering the role of non-covalent interactions in solid-state photoswitches by non-spherical structure refinements with NoSpherA2
Authors: Hatcher Lauren E. , Saunders Lucy K. , Coulson Ben A.
Published: December 2022

Charge density analysis, via Hirshfeld atom refinement in NoSpherA2, is used to rationalise key structure–property relationships in photoswitchable single-crystals.
Naringenin mitigates thioacetamide-induced hepatic encephalopathy in rats: targeting the JNK/Bax/caspase-8 apoptotic pathway
Authors: Eraky Salma M. , El-Kashef Dalia H. , El-Sherbiny Mohamed , Abo El-Magd Nada F.
Published: December 2022

The proposed mechanism of naringenin (NGN) in reversing thioacetamide inducing hepatic encephalopathy through its anti-apoptotic properties through upregulation of pro-BDNF, BDNF and down-regulation of cJNK/Bax/caspase-8 pathway.
Single-chirality of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) through chromatography and its potential biological applications
Authors: Khalid Asif , Yi Wenhui , Yoo Sweejiang , Abbas Shakeel , Si Jinhai , Hou Xun , Hou Jin
Published: December 2022

Gel chromatography is used to separate single-chirality and selective-diameter SWCNTs. We also explore the use of photothermal therapy and biosensor applications based on single-chirality, selected-diameter, and unique geometric shape.
Voltage driven chemiresistor with ultralow power consumption based on self-heating bridged WO3 nanowires
Authors: Dai Tiantian , Deng Zanhong , Li Meng , Wang Shimao , Chen Mengxiao , Meng Gang
Published: December 2022

The structure of bridged NWs effectively blocks the Joule heat dissipation/conduction from the (tip) bridged NWs to the (bottom) substrate and offers high utilization efficiency of Joule heat compared with film NWs device, resulting in low power use.
A thermosensitive Pickering gel emulsion with a high oil–water ratio for long-term X-ray imaging and permanent embolization of arteries
Authors: Xie Wenjing , Li Han , Yu Houqiang , Zhou Hongfu , Guo Anran , Yao Qing , Zhang Ling , Zhao Yongsheng , Tian Hongan , Li Ling
Published: December 2022

Iodized oil has an excellent X-ray imaging effect, but it shows poor embolization performance.
A solid-state lithium metal battery with extended cycling and rate performance using a low-melting alloy interface
Authors: Luo Tingting , Wang Ling , Dai Lei , Luo Jiayan , Liu Shan
Published: December 2022

The anode with a low-melting alloy interlayer shows dendrite-free behavior, alleviating side reactions on the interface. Liquid metal alloy achieves close contact between lithium and solid-state electrolytes at room temperature.
Si regulation of hydrogen adsorption on nanoporous PdSi hybrids towards enhancing electrochemical hydrogen evolution activity
Authors: Ren Zhandong , Jiang Hucheng , Yuan Min , Xie Zhiqiang , Deng Li , Han Juanjuan , Lyu Kangjie , Zhu Yuchan , Li Xiao , Zhuang Lin
Published: December 2022

The addition of Si can obviously change the electronic structure and hydrogen adsorption energy of Pd, thus bringing excellent HER activity to PdSi hybrids.
Synthesis of rGO supported Cu@FeCo catalyst and catalytic hydrolysis of ammonia borane
Authors: Qiu Fangyuan , Hao Xiang , Huang Wanyou , Wu Yanling , Chu Ruixia , Yang Jun , Fu Wenjun , Ren Guohong , Xu Chuanyan , Bao Wujisiguleng
Published: December 2022

Highly dispersed Cu@FeCo/rGO catalysts have been prepared by two-step reduction method and used for hydrogen production from ammonia borane (NH3BH3, AB) hydrolysis at 298 K.
Ca2+ and Ag+ orient low-molecular weight amphiphile self-assembly into “nano-fishnet” fibrillar hydrogels with unusual β-sheet-like raft domains
Authors: Poirier Alexandre , Le Griel Patrick , Hoffmann Ingo , Perez Javier , Pernot Petra , Fresnais Jérôme , Baccile Niki
Published: December 2022

Calcium or silver ions drive self-assembly of natural glycolipid low-molecular weight gelators (LMWGs) into a fibrillar network hydrogel with a unique “nano-fishnet” structure, characterized by entanglement and β-sheet-like rafts.
Astrocytes in the pathophysiology of neuroinfection
Authors: Zorec Robert , Verkhratsky Alexei
Published: December 2022

Key homeostasis providing cells in the central nervous system (CNS) are astrocytes, which belong to the class of cells known as atroglia, a highly heterogeneous type of neuroglia and a prominent element of the brain defence. Diseases evolve due to altered homeostatic state, associated with pathology-induced astroglia remodelling represented by reactive astrocytes, astroglial atrophy and astrodegeneration. These features are hallmarks of most infectious insults, mediated by bacteria, protozoa and viruses; they are also prominent in the systemic infection. The COVID-19 pandemic revived the focus into neurotropic viruses such as SARS-CoV2 (Coronaviridae) but also the Flaviviridae viruses including tick-borne encephalitis (TBEV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) causing the epidemic in South America prior to COVID-19. Astrocytes provide a key response to neurotropic infections in the CNS. Astrocytes form a parenchymal part of the blood–brain barrier, the site of virus entry into the CNS. Astrocytes exhibit aerobic glycolysis, a form of metabolism characteristic of highly morphologically plastic cells, like cancer cells, hence a suitable milieu for multiplication of infectious agent, including viral particles. However, why the protection afforded by astrocytes fails in some circumstances is an open question to be studied in the future.
Functions and specificity of bacterial carbohydrate sulfatases targeting host glycans
Authors: Luis Ana S. , Yates Edwin A. , Cartmell Alan
Published: December 2022

Sulfated host glycans (mucin O-glycans and glycosaminoglycans [GAGs]) are critical nutrient sources and colonisation factors for Bacteroidetes of the human gut microbiota (HGM); a complex ecosystem comprising essential microorganisms that coevolved with humans to serve important roles in pathogen protection, immune signalling, and host nutrition. Carbohydrate sulfatases are essential enzymes to access sulfated host glycans and are capable of exquisite regio- and stereo-selective substrate recognition. In these enzymes, the common recognition features of each subfamily are correlated with their genomic and environmental context. The exo-acting carbohydrate sulfatases are attractive drug targets amenable to small-molecule screening and subsequent engineering, and their high specificity will help elucidate the role of glycan sulfation in health and disease. Inhibition of carbohydrate sulfatases provides potential routes to control Bacteroidetes growth and to explore the influence of host glycan metabolism by Bacteroidetes on the HGM ecosystem. The roles of carbohydrate sulfatases from the HGM organism Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and the soil isolated Pedobacter heparinus (P. heparinus) in sulfated host glycan metabolism are examined and contrasted, and the structural features underpinning glycan recognition and specificity explored.
Role of carbohydrate-active enzymes in mycorrhizal symbioses
Authors: Gong Yuhua , Lebreton Annie , Zhang Feng , Martin Francis
Published: December 2022

Mycorrhizal fungi form mutually beneficial interactions with a wide range of terrestrial plants. During this symbiosis, the associated fungus provides mineral nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, to its host plant in exchange of photosynthesis-derived carbohydrates. Genome sequencing of mycorrhizal fungi has shown that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and ectomycorrhizal fungi have a restricted set of plant-cell wall degrading enzymes (PCWDE) genes, while orchid and ericoid mycorrhizal fungi have an extended PCWDE repertoire similar to soil decomposers and wood-decay fungi. On the other hand, mycorrhizal fungi have retained a substantial set of carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZymes) acting on microbial polysaccharides. Functional analysis has shown that several of the remaining PCWDEs are involved in the fungal root colonization and establishment of the symbiotic interface. In this review, we highlight the current knowledge on the evolution and function of PCWDEs in mycorrhizal fungi.
Novel stability criteria for discrete‐time delayed neural networks via extended negative‐definiteness approaches of matrix‐valued quadratic function
Authors: Xie Ke‐You , Chen Wen‐Hu , Jin Li , Zhang Chuan‐Ke , He Yong
Published: December 2022

This article investigates the stability analysis of discrete‐time neural networks with time‐varying delays by the utilization of quadratic delay information. First, three extended negative‐definiteness lemmas for matrix‐valued quadratic function with different matrices injection are established. Second, a novel delay‐product‐type Lyapunov functional with the asymmetric summation is developed to relax the positive‐definiteness of functional. Then, the proposed negative definite approaches are utilized in combination with some typical summation inequalities to realize the construction of linear matrix inequalities. Based on these improved technologies, two delay‐dependent stability criteria with less conservatism and fewer computational burdens are derived. Finally, several numerical examples are presented to show the validity and superiority of the proposed methods.
Copper loss analysis and loss separation method in a dynamic process of ultra‐high speed motor with slotless stator
Authors: Gao Qixing , Wang Xiaolin , Gu Cong , Zhang Yan
Published: December 2022

Different from the copper loss of general permanent magnet (PM) motors, the copper loss of ultra‐high‐speed permanent magnet motors (UHSPMSM) includes DC losses and eddy current losses, which lead to difficulty in analysis. In consideration of the influence of speed, wire diameter and current harmonic loss, DC copper loss and eddy current copper loss are calculated and analysed, respectively, so as to find the main excitation source of copper loss of UHSPMSM. Then, in order to calculate the Litz wire loss in a slotless stator, a Litz wire loss equivalent model is established, which can be used to accurately and quickly calculate the DC loss and eddy current loss of Litz wire independently. Finally, a copper loss separation method is designed to test copper loss of 550,000 rpm UHSPMSM considering the influence of the rotor PM flux at ultra‐high speed. The theoretical analysis and experimental results verify each other. In the end, the experimental results verify the effectiveness of theoretical analysis.