bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microwave analogy of Förster resonance energy transfer and effect of finite antenna length
Authors: Lezhennikova Kseniia , Rustomji Kaizad , Jomin Pierre , Glybovski Stanislav , de Sterke C. Martijn , Wenger Jerome , Abdeddaim Redha , Enoch Stefan
Published: May 2024

The near-field interaction between quantum emitters, governed by Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), plays a pivotal role in nanoscale energy transfer mechanisms. However, FRET measurements in the optical regime are challenging as they require nanoscale control of the position and orientation of the emitters. To overcome these challenges, microwave measurements were proposed for enhanced spatial resolution and precise orientation control. However, unlike in optical systems for which the dipole can be taken to be infinitesimal in size, the finite size of microwave antennas can affect energy transfer measurements, especially at short distances. This highlights the necessity to consider the finite antenna length to obtain accurate results. In this study, we advance the understanding of dipole–dipole energy transfer in the microwave regime by developing an analytical model that explicitly considers finite antennas. Unlike previous works, our model calculates the mutual impedance of finite-length thin-wire dipole antennas without assuming a uniform current distribution. We validate our analytical model through experiments investigating energy transfer between antennas placed adjacent to a perfect electric conductor mirror. This allows us to provide clear guidelines for designing microwave experiments, distinguishing conditions where finite-size effects can be neglected and where they must be taken into account. Our study not only contributes to the fundamental physics of energy transfer but also opens avenues for microwave antenna impedance-based measurements to complement optical FRET experiments and quantitatively explore dipole–dipole energy transfer in a wider range of conditions.
Physiological paradigm for assessing reward prediction and extinction using cortical direct current potential responses in rats
Authors: Matsuda Yoshiki , Ozawa Nobuyuki , Shinozaki Takiko , Tatebayashi Yoshitaka , Honda Makoto , Shinba Toshikazu
Published: May 2024

Anticipating positive outcomes is a core cognitive function in the process of reward prediction. However, no neurophysiological method objectively assesses reward prediction in basic medical research. In the present study, we established a physiological paradigm using cortical direct current (DC) potential responses in rats to assess reward prediction. This paradigm consisted of five daily 1-h sessions with two tones, wherein the rewarded tone was followed by electrical stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle (MFB) scheduled at 1000 ms later, whereas the unrewarded tone was not. On day 1, both tones induced a negative DC shift immediately after auditory responses, persisting up to MFB stimulation. This negative shift progressively increased and peaked on day 4. Starting from day 3, the negative shift from 600 to 1000 ms was significantly larger following the rewarded tone than that following the unrewarded tone. This negative DC shift was particularly prominent in the frontal cortex, suggesting its crucial role in discriminative reward prediction. During the extinction sessions, the shift diminished significantly on extinction day 1. These findings suggest that cortical DC potential is related to reward prediction and could be a valuable tool for evaluating animal models of depression, providing a testing system for anhedonia.
Treatment of flexibility of protein backbone in simulations of protein–ligand interactions using steered molecular dynamics
Authors: Truong Duc Toan , Ho Kiet , Pham Dinh Quoc Huy , Chwastyk Mateusz , Nguyen-Minh Thai , Nguyen Minh Tho
Published: May 2024

To ensure that an external force can break the interaction between a protein and a ligand, the steered molecular dynamics simulation requires a harmonic restrained potential applied to the protein backbone. A usual practice is that all or a certain number of protein’s heavy atoms or Cα atoms are fixed, being restrained by a small force. This present study reveals that while fixing both either all heavy atoms and or all Cα atoms is not a good approach, while fixing a too small number of few atoms sometimes cannot prevent the protein from rotating under the influence of the bulk water layer, and the pulled molecule may smack into the wall of the active site. We found that restraining the Cα atoms under certain conditions is more relevant. Thus, we would propose an alternative solution in which only the Cα atoms of the protein at a distance larger than 1.2 nm from the ligand are restrained. A more flexible, but not too flexible, protein will be expected to lead to a more natural release of the ligand.
A comparative study of an on premise AutoML solution for medical image classification
Authors: Elangovan Kabilan , Lim Gilbert , Ting Daniel
Published: May 2024

Automated machine learning (AutoML) allows for the simplified application of machine learning to real-world problems, by the implicit handling of necessary steps such as data pre-processing, feature engineering, model selection and hyperparameter optimization. This has encouraged its use in medical applications such as imaging. However, the impact of common parameter choices such as the number of trials allowed, and the resolution of the input images, has not been comprehensively explored in existing literature. We therefore benchmark AutoKeras (AK), an open-source AutoML framework, against several bespoke deep learning architectures, on five public medical datasets representing a wide range of imaging modalities. It was found that AK could outperform the bespoke models in general, although at the cost of increased training time. Moreover, our experiments suggest that a large number of trials and higher resolutions may not be necessary for optimal performance to be achieved.
Gold nanostructure-enhanced immunosensing: ultra-sensitive detection of VEGF tumor marker for early disease diagnosis
Authors: Yarjoo Sadaf , Siampour Hossein , Khalilipour Mehrsa , Sajedi Reza H. , Bagheri Hassan , Moshaii Ahmad
Published: May 2024

We present an advanced electrochemical immunosensor designed to detect the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) precisely. The sensor is constructed on a modified porous gold electrode through a fabrication process involving the deposition of silver and gold on an FTO substrate. Employing thermal annealing and a de-alloying process, the silver is eliminated from the electrode, producing a reproducible porous gold substrate. Utilizing a well-defined protocol, we immobilize the heavy-chain (VHH) antibody against VEGF on the gold substrate, facilitating VEGF detection through various electrochemical methods. Remarkably, this immunosensor performs well, featuring an impressive detection limit of 0.05 pg/mL and an extensive linear range from 0.1 pg/mL to 0.1 µg/mL. This emphasizes it’s to measure biomarkers across a wide concentration spectrum precisely. The robust fabrication methodology in this research underscores its potential for widespread application, offering enhanced precision, reproducibility, and remarkable detection capabilities for the developed immunosensor.
Transcriptome- and proteome-wide effects of a circular RNA encompassing four early exons of the spinal muscular atrophy genes
Authors: Luo Diou , Ottesen Eric W. , Lee Ji Heon , Singh Ravindra N.
Published: May 2024

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) genes, SMN1 and SMN2 (hereinafter referred to as SMN1/2), produce multiple circular RNAs (circRNAs), including C2A–2B–3–4 that encompasses early exons 2A, 2B, 3 and 4. C2A-2B-3-4 is a universally and abundantly expressed circRNA of SMN1/2. Here we report the transcriptome- and proteome-wide effects of overexpression of C2A–2B–3–4 in inducible HEK293 cells. Our RNA-Seq analysis revealed altered expression of ~ 15% genes (4172 genes) by C2A–2B–3–4. About half of the affected genes by C2A–2B–3–4 remained unaffected by L2A–2B–3–4, a linear transcript encompassing exons 2A, 2B, 3 and 4 of SMN1/2. These findings underscore the unique role of the structural context of C2A–2B–3–4 in gene regulation. A surprisingly high number of upregulated genes by C2A–2B–3–4 were located on chromosomes 4 and 7, whereas many of the downregulated genes were located on chromosomes 10 and X. Supporting a cross-regulation of SMN1/2 transcripts, C2A–2B–3–4 and L2A–2B–3–4 upregulated and downregulated SMN1/2 mRNAs, respectively. Proteome analysis revealed 61 upregulated and 57 downregulated proteins by C2A–2B–3–4 with very limited overlap with those affected by L2A–2B–3–4. Independent validations confirmed the effect of C2A–2B–3–4 on expression of genes associated with chromatin remodeling, transcription, spliceosome function, ribosome biogenesis, lipid metabolism, cytoskeletal formation, cell proliferation and neuromuscular junction formation. Our findings reveal a broad role of C2A–2B–3–4, and expands our understanding of functions of SMN1/2 genes.
Continuous monitoring using thermography can capture the heat oscillations maintaining body temperature in neonates
Authors: Morimoto Aya , Nakamura Shinji , Koyano Kosuke , Nishisho Sae , Nakao Yasuhiro , Arioka Makoto , Inoue Kota , Inoue Eri , Nishioka Katsufumi , Morita Hirosuke , Konishi Yukihiko , Hirao Konomu , Kusaka Takashi
Published: May 2024

The body temperature of infants at equilibrium with their surroundings is balanced between heat production from metabolism and the transfer of heat to the environment. Total heat production is related to body size, which is closely related to metabolic rate and oxygen consumption. Body temperature control is a crucial aspect of neonatal medicine but we have often struggled with temperature measures. Contactless infrared thermography (IRT) is useful for vulnerable neonates and may be able to assess their spontaneous thermal metabolism. The present study focused on heat oscillations and their cause. IRT was used to measure the skin temperature every 15 s of neonates in an incubator. We analyzed the thermal data of 27 neonates (32 measurements), calculated the average temperature within specified regions, and extracted two frequency components—Components A and B—using the Savitzky–Golay method. Furthermore, we derived an equation describing the cycle—named cycle T—for maintaining body temperature according to body weight. A positive correlation was observed between cycle T and Component B (median [IQR]: 368 [300–506] s). This study sheds light on the physiological thermoregulatory function of newborns and will lead to improved temperature management methods for newborns, particularly premature, low-birth-weight infants.
Long-term stimulation by implanted pacemaker enables non-atrophic treatment of bilateral vocal fold paresis in a human-like animal model
Authors: Walluks Kassandra , Hoffmann Bianca , Svensson Carl-Magnus , Förster Gerhard , Müller Andreas H. , Jarvis Jonathan , Perkins Justin , Figge Marc Thilo , Arnold Dirk
Published: May 2024

A wide variety of treatments have been developed to improve respiratory function and quality of life in patients with bilateral vocal fold paresis (BVFP). One experimental method is the electrical activation of the posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscle with a laryngeal pacemaker (LP) to open the vocal folds. We used an ovine (sheep) model of unilateral VFP to study the long-term effects of functional electrical stimulation on the PCA muscles. The left recurrent laryngeal nerve was cryo-damaged in all animals and an LP was implanted except for the controls. After a reinnervation phase of six months, animals were pooled into groups that received either no treatment, implantation of an LP only, or implantation of an LP and six months of stimulation with different duty cycles. Automated image analysis of fluorescently stained PCA cross-sections was performed to assess relevant muscle characteristics. We observed a fast-to-slow fibre type shift in response to nerve damage and stimulation, but no complete conversion to a slow-twitch-muscle. Fibre size, proportion of hybrid fibres, and intramuscular collagen content were not substantially altered by the stimulation. These results demonstrate that 30 Hz burst stimulation with duty cycles of 40% and 70% did not induce PCA atrophy or fibrosis. Thus, long-term stimulation with an LP is a promising approach for treating BVFP in humans without compromising muscle conditions.
Study on the dynamic response characteristics of lining structures in large-section tunnel blasting using JH-2 model analysis
Authors: Li Fengting , Wu Ke , Li Shengrui , Wang Cao , Liu Yajun , Dou Zhongyu
Published: May 2024

The lining structures of tunnels are typically constructed using sprayed or cast concrete materials, and their performance and quality during tunnel excavation and blasting are crucial for the stability and safety of tunnels. Therefore, the safe distance between the lining structure and blasting source should be determined to avoid concrete damage caused by blasting vibrations. In this study, taking the subway tunnel of Danshan Station in Qingdao as an example, the JH-2 model is introduced as the constitutive model of the tunnel blasting simulation, and the JH-2 model parameters of the local surrounding rock are obtained by experiments, and finally the numerical simulation and theoretical verification are carried out to study the safety distance of shotcrete under various safety judgment standards. The results indicate that the JH-2 model can effectively simulate the propagation of stress waves under different media conditions, and the closer the strength parameters and pressure constant of the lining structure are to those of the surrounding rock, the safer the concrete–rock bonding interface. During tunnel blasting construction using the ring blasting method, the peak particle velocity (PPV) of the lining structure increases with an increase in the arch angle. Based on the numerical simulation results, we recommend that concrete lining be constructed at a distance of at least 62 m from the blasting source to avoid damage caused by vibrations. The effect of concrete tensile failure caused by longitudinal stress is much smaller than the damage to the bonding interface caused by the PPV and can be neglected.
Stroke walking and balance characteristics via principal component analysis
Authors: Cho Jieun , Ha Sunghe , Lee Jooyoung , Kim Minseok , Kim Hogene
Published: May 2024

Balance impairment is associated gait dysfunction with several quantitative spatiotemporal gait parameters in patients with stroke. However, the link between balance impairments and joint kinematics during walking remains unclear. Clinical assessments and gait measurements using motion analysis system was conducted in 44 stroke patients. This study utilised principal component analysis to identify key joint kinematics characteristics of patients with stroke during walking using average joint angles of pelvis and bilateral lower limbs in every gait-cycle percentile related to balance impairments. Reconstructed kinematics showed the differences in joint kinematics in both paretic and nonparetic lower limbs that can be distinguished by balance impairment, particularly in the sagittal planes during swing phase. The impaired balance group exhibited greater joint variability in both the paretic and nonparetic limbs in the sagittal plane during entire gait phase and during terminal swing phase respectively compared with those with high balance scores. This study provides a more comprehensive understanding of stroke hemiparesis gait patterns and suggests considering both nonparetic and paretic limb function, as well as bilateral coordination in clinical practice. Principal component analysis can be a useful assessment tool to distinguish differences in balance impairment and dynamic symmetry during gait in patients with stroke.
Prominin 1 is crucial for the early development of photoreceptor outer segments
Authors: Yanardag Sila , Rhodes Scott , Saravanan Thamaraiselvi , Guan Tongju , Ramamurthy Visvanathan
Published: May 2024

Prominin 1 (PROM1) is a pentaspan transmembrane glycoprotein localized on the nascent photoreceptor discs. Mutations in PROM1 are linked to various retinal diseases. In this study, we assessed the role of PROM1 in photoreceptor biology and physiology using the PROM1 knockout murine model (rd19). Our study found that PROM1 is essential for vision and photoreceptor development. We found an early reduction in photoreceptor response beginning at post-natal day 12 (P12) before eye opening in the absence of PROM1 with no apparent loss in photoreceptor cells. However, at this stage, we observed an increased glial cell activation, indicative of cell damage. Contrary to our expectations, dark rearing did not mitigate photoreceptor degeneration or vision loss in PROM1 knockout mice. In addition to physiological defects seen in PROM1 knockout mice, ultrastructural analysis revealed malformed outer segments characterized by whorl-like continuous membranes instead of stacked disks. In parallel to the reduced rod response at P12, proteomics revealed a significant reduction in the levels of protocadherin, a known interactor of PROM1, and rod photoreceptor outer segment proteins, including rhodopsin. Overall, our results underscore the indispensable role of PROM1 in photoreceptor development and maintenance of healthy vision.
No evidence that averaging voices influences attractiveness
Authors: Ostrega Jessica , Shiramizu Victor , Lee Anthony J. , Jones Benedict C. , Feinberg David R.
Published: May 2024

Vocal attractiveness influences important social outcomes. While most research on the acoustic parameters that influence vocal attractiveness has focused on the possible roles of sexually dimorphic characteristics of voices, such as fundamental frequency (i.e., pitch) and formant frequencies (i.e., a correlate of body size), other work has reported that increasing vocal averageness increases attractiveness. Here we investigated the roles these three characteristics play in judgments of the attractiveness of male and female voices. In Study 1, we found that increasing vocal averageness significantly decreased distinctiveness ratings, demonstrating that participants could detect manipulations of vocal averageness in this stimulus set and using this testing paradigm. However, in Study 2, we found no evidence that increasing averageness significantly increased attractiveness ratings of voices. In Study 3, we found that fundamental frequency was negatively correlated with male vocal attractiveness and positively correlated with female vocal attractiveness. By contrast with these results for fundamental frequency, vocal attractiveness and formant frequencies were not significantly correlated. Collectively, our results suggest that averageness may not necessarily significantly increase attractiveness judgments of voices and are consistent with previous work reporting significant associations between attractiveness and voice pitch.
Influence of operating pressure on the durability of a satellite hydraulic motor supplied by rapeseed oil
Authors: Sliwinski Pawel
Published: May 2024

This article describes the results of a durability test of a hydraulic satellite motor supplied by rapeseed oil. The tests were carried out on a test stand in a power recuperation system. The tests of the motor were carried out at a constant shaft speed for three fixed pressure drops in the motor. This made it possible to demonstrate the influence of the motor operating pressure on the durability of the satellite mechanism. The influence of the pressure drop in the motor and the influence of the operating time on the motor absorbency, on the torque on the motor shaft and the influence on the volumetric and hydraulic-mechanical efficiency are also shown. The basic relationship between the efficiency of the motor and the temperature rise in the motor is also described. The results of the calculations of the temperature rise in the motor are compared with the experimental results. The article also shows which components of the motor’s working mechanism wear out the fastest. The cause of the wear and failure is also explained.
Universal and cultural factors shape body part vocabularies
Authors: Tjuka Annika , Forkel Robert , List Johann-Mattis
Published: May 2024

Every human has a body. Yet, languages differ in how they divide the body into parts to name them. While universal naming strategies exist, there is also variation in the vocabularies of body parts across languages. In this study, we investigate the similarities and differences in naming two separate body parts with one word, i.e., colexifications. We use a computational approach to create networks of body part vocabularies across languages. The analyses focus on body part networks in large language families, on perceptual features that lead to colexifications of body parts, and on a comparison of network structures in different semantic domains. Our results show that adjacent body parts are colexified frequently. However, preferences for perceptual features such as shape and function lead to variations in body part vocabularies. In addition, body part colexification networks are less varied across language families than networks in the semantic domains of emotion and colour. The study presents the first large-scale comparison of body part vocabularies in 1,028 language varieties and provides important insights into the variability of a universal human domain.
Committing to the wrong artificial delegate in a collective-risk dilemma is better than directly committing mistakes
Authors: Terrucha Inês , Fernández Domingos Elias , Simoens Pieter , Lenaerts Tom
Published: May 2024

While autonomous artificial agents are assumed to perfectly execute the strategies they are programmed with, humans who design them may make mistakes. These mistakes may lead to a misalignment between the humans’ intended goals and their agents’ observed behavior, a problem of value alignment. Such an alignment problem may have particularly strong consequences when these autonomous systems are used in social contexts that involve some form of collective risk. By means of an evolutionary game theoretical model, we investigate whether errors in the configuration of artificial agents change the outcome of a collective-risk dilemma, in comparison to a scenario with no delegation. Delegation is here distinguished from no-delegation simply by the moment at which a mistake occurs: either when programming/choosing the agent (in case of delegation) or when executing the actions at each round of the game (in case of no-delegation). We find that, while errors decrease success rate, it is better to delegate and commit to a somewhat flawed strategy, perfectly executed by an autonomous agent, than to commit execution errors directly. Our model also shows that in the long-term, delegation strategies should be favored over no-delegation, if given the choice.
Comparison of preventive effects of combined furosemide and mannitol versus single diuretics, furosemide or mannitol, on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity
Authors: Takagi Ayaka , Miyoshi Takanori , Hayashi Toshinobu , Koizumi Hinako , Tsumagari Kyouichi , Yokota Chiaki , Nakano Takafumi , Matsuo Koichi , Egawa Takashi
Published: May 2024

Cisplatin (CDDP)-induced nephrotoxicity is a common dose-limiting toxicity, and diuretics are often administered to prevent nephrotoxicity. However, the efficacy and optimal administration of diuretics in preventing CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity remain to be established. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of combining furosemide and mannitol to prevent CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity. This was a post-hoc analysis of pooled data from a multicenter, retrospective, observational study, including 396 patients who received one or two diuretics for CDDP-based chemotherapy, compared using propensity score matching. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors for nephrotoxicity. There was no significant difference in the incidence of nephrotoxicity between the two groups (22.2% vs. 28.3%, P = 0.416). Hypertension, CDDP dose ≥ 75 mg/m2, and no magnesium supplementation were identified as risk factors for nephrotoxicity, whereas the use of diuretics was not found to be a risk factor. The combination of furosemide and mannitol showed no advantage over a single diuretic in preventing CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity. The renal function of patients receiving CDDP-based chemotherapy (≥ 75 mg/m2) and that of those with hypertension should be carefully monitored. Magnesium supplementation is important for these patients.
Configurational entropy of ice XIX and its isotope effect
Authors: Gasser Tobias M. , Thoeny Alexander V. , Fortes A. Dominic , Loerting Thomas
Published: May 2024

Ice XIX is a partly hydrogen-ordered polymorph related to disordered ice VI, similar to ice XV. We here investigate the order–order–disorder sequence ice XIX→ice XV→ice VI based on calorimetry at ambient pressure both for D2O and H2O-ice XIX. From these data we extract configurational entropy differences between ice XIX, ice XV and ice VI. This task is complex because, unlike for all other ices, the order–disorder transition from ice XIX to ice VI takes place in two steps via ice XV. Even more challenging, these two steps take place in an overlapping manner, so that careful separation of slow kinetics is necessary. This is evidenced best by changing the heating rate in calorimetry experiments: For fast heating experiments the second step, disordering of ice XV, is suppressed because the first step, formation of ice XV from ice XIX, is too slow. The transient state ice VI‡ that is initially produced upon ice XIX decay then does not have enough time to convert to ice XV, but remains disordered all along. In order to tackle the challenge to determine the entropy difference between ice XIX and VI as well as the entropy difference between ice XV and VI we employ two different approaches that allow assessing the impact of kinetics on the entropy change. “Single peak integration” defines a kinetically limited result, but “combined peak integration” allows estimation of the true thermodynamic values. Our best estimate for the true value shows ice XIX to be much more ordered than ice XV (25 ± 3% vs 9 ± 4% of the Pauling entropy). For D2Oice XIX samples we obtain 28% of order, but only when a small number of fast H-isotope defects are used. In the second part we use these results to estimate the location of the ice XIX phase boundary both for protiated and deuterated ice XIX. The initial Clapeyron slope at ambient pressure is determined from the combination of neutron powder diffraction volume differences and calorimetry entropy differences data to be 21 K GPa−1 with an order–disorder transition temperature To-d(0.0 GPa) = 103 ± 1 K. An in situ bracketing experiment at 1.8 GPa yields To-d(1.8 GPa) = 116 ± 3 K, i.e., the phase boundary slope flattens at higher pressures. These data allow us to determine the region of thermodynamic stability of ice XIX in the phase diagram and to explain the surprising isotope shift reversal at 1.6 GPa compared to 0.0 GPa, i.e., why D2O-ice XIX disorders at lower temperatures than H2O-ice XIX at 1.6 GPa, but at higher temperatures at ambient pressures.
Enhancing Curcumin’s therapeutic potential in cancer treatment through ultrasound mediated liposomal delivery
Authors: Radha Remya , Paul Vinod , Anjum Shabana , Bouakaz Ayache , Pitt William G. , Husseini Ghaleb A.
Published: May 2024

Improving the efficacy of chemotherapy remains a key challenge in cancer treatment, considering the low bioavailability, high cytotoxicity, and undesirable side effects of some clinical drugs. Targeted delivery and sustained release of therapeutic drugs to cancer cells can reduce the whole-body cytotoxicity of the agent and deliver a safe localized treatment to the patient. There is growing interest in herbal drugs, such as curcumin, which is highly noted as a promising anti-tumor drug, considering its wide range of bioactivities and therapeutic properties against various tumors. Conversely, the clinical efficacy of curcumin is limited because of poor oral bioavailability, low water solubility, instability in gastrointestinal fluids, and unsuitable pH stability. Drug-delivery colloid vehicles like liposomes and nanoparticles combined with microbubbles and ultrasound-mediated sustained release are currently being explored as effective delivery modes in such cases. This study aimed to synthesize and study the properties of curcumin liposomes (CLs) and optimize the high-frequency ultrasound release and uptake by a human breast cancer cell line (HCC 1954) through in vitro studies of culture viability and cytotoxicity. CLs were effectively prepared with particles sized at 81 ± 2 nm, demonstrating stability and controlled release of curcumin under ultrasound exposure. In vitro studies using HCC1954 cells, the combination of CLs, ultrasound, and Definity microbubbles significantly improved curcumin’s anti-tumor effects, particularly under specific conditions: 15 s of continuous ultrasound at 0.12 W/cm2 power density with 0.6 × 107 microbubbles/mL. Furthermore, the study delved into curcumin liposomes’ cytotoxic effects using an Annexin V/PI-based apoptosis assay. The treatment with CLs, particularly in conjunction with ultrasound and microbubbles, amplified cell apoptosis, mainly in the late apoptosis stage, which was attributed to heightened cellular uptake within cancer cells.
Spatial analysis of cholangiocarcinoma in relation to diabetes mellitus and Opisthorchis viverrini infection in Northeast Thailand
Authors: Thinkhamrop Kavin , Suwannatrai Kulwadee , Kelly Matthew , Suwannatrai Apiporn T.
Published: May 2024

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) exhibits a heightened incidence in regions with a high prevalence of Opisthorchis viverrini infection, with previous studies suggesting an association with diabetes mellitus (DM). Our study aimed to investigate the spatial distribution of CCA in relation to O. viverrini infection and DM within high-risk populations in Northeast Thailand. Participants from 20 provinces underwent CCA screening through the Cholangiocarcinoma Screening and Care Program between 2013 and 2019. Health questionnaires collected data on O. viverrini infection and DM, while ultrasonography confirmed CCA diagnoses through histopathology. Multiple zero-inflated Poisson regression, accounting for covariates like age and gender, assessed associations of O. viverrini infection and DM with CCA. Bayesian spatial analysis methods explored spatial relationships. Among 263,588 participants, O. viverrini infection, DM, and CCA prevalence were 32.37%, 8.22%, and 0.36%, respectively. The raw standardized morbidity ratios for CCA was notably elevated in the Northeast’s lower and upper regions. Coexistence of O. viverrini infection and DM correlated with CCA, particularly in males and those aged over 60 years, with a distribution along the Chi, Mun, and Songkhram Rivers. Our findings emphasize the association of the spatial distribution of O. viverrini infection and DM with high-risk CCA areas in Northeast Thailand. Thus, prioritizing CCA screening in regions with elevated O. viverrini infection and DM prevalence is recommended.
Minimum spanning tree analysis of EEG resting-state functional networks in schizophrenia
Authors: Becske Melinda , Marosi Csilla , Molnár Hajnalka , Fodor Zsuzsanna , Farkas Kinga , Rácz Frigyes Sámuel , Baradits Máté , Csukly Gábor
Published: May 2024

Schizophrenia is a serious and complex mental disease, known to be associated with various subtle structural and functional deviations in the brain. Recently, increased attention is given to the analysis of brain-wide, global mechanisms, strongly altering the communication of long-distance brain areas in schizophrenia. Data of 32 patients with schizophrenia and 28 matched healthy control subjects were analyzed. Two minutes long 64-channel EEG recordings were registered during resting, eyes closed condition. Average connectivity strength was estimated with Weighted Phase Lag Index (wPLI) in lower frequencies: delta and theta, and Amplitude Envelope Correlation with leakage correction (AEC-c) in higher frequencies: alpha, beta, lower gamma and higher gamma. To analyze functional network topology Minimum Spanning Tree (MST) algorithms were applied. Results show that patients have weaker functional connectivity in delta and alpha frequency bands. Concerning network differences, the result of lower diameter, higher leaf number, and also higher maximum degree and maximum betweenness centrality in patients suggest a star-like, and more random network topology in patients with schizophrenia. Our findings are in accordance with some previous findings based on resting-state EEG (and fMRI) data, suggesting that MST network structure in schizophrenia is biased towards a less optimal, more centralized organization.
Loose suture-related ocular surface inflammation and activation of conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissue in patients after keratoplasty
Authors: Wang Jingrao , Jin Xin , Jin Hao , Jin Di , Zhang Hong
Published: May 2024

The purpose of this study is to evaluate loose suture-related inflammation and activation of conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissue (CALT) in patients after keratoplasty. The patients who were treated with keratoplasty at the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University between 2015 and 2022 were recruited into the study. We evaluated the time and location of loose suture development in patients after keratoplasty. In addition, in vivo confocal microscopy was used to evaluate the activation of CALT and the accumulation of inflammatory cells around loose sutures. Meso Scale Discovery assay detection kits were used to evaluate the inflammatory cytokines in the tears of patients before and after the loose suture was removed. In this study, we collected the information from 212 cases (212 eyes) who had PK (126 eyes) and DALK-treated (86 eyes) for corneal transplantation, including 124 males and 88 females, aged 14–84 years old. The average age was 50.65 ± 16.81 years old. Corneal sutures were more prone to loose at 3 months and 6 months after keratoplasty, and the frequent sites were at 5 and 6 o’clock. An increased number of inflammatory cells could be observed around the loose sutures than normal sutures (P < 0.001). In CALT, the density of diffuse lymphocytes (P < 0.001), follicles (P < 0.001), and parafollicular lymphocytes (P < 0.001) were higher and the central reflection of the follicles (P < 0.001) was stronger when suture loosening happened. The levels of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β (P = 0.003), IL-8 (P = 0.012), and TNF-α (P < 0.001) were higher in the tears of the patients with loose sutures. The activation of CALT was partly settled after removing the loose sutures. In conclusion, loose sutures after corneal transplantation can lead to increased infiltration of inflammatory cells, activation of CALT, and increased secretion of inflammatory cytokines in the tears of patients. Regular follow-up to identify and solve the problem in time can avoid suture-related complications.
Influence of acute kidney injury and its recovery subtypes on patient-centered outcomes after lung transplantation
Authors: Park Jin Ha , Shim Jae‑Kwang , Choi Mingee , Zhang Hyun-Soo , Jun Na Hyung , Choi Seokyeong , Kwak Young-Lan
Published: May 2024

This study aimed to investigate the association between acute kidney injury (AKI) recovery subtypes and days alive out of hospital within the first 3 months (DAOH-90) in patients undergoing lung transplantation. Patients who underwent lung transplantation from January 2012 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed and stratified into three groups: no-AKI, early recovery AKI (within 7 days), and non-early recovery AKI group. AKI occurred in 86 (35%) of patients, of which 40 (16%) achieved early recovery, and the remaining 46 (19%) did not. The median DAOH-90 was 21 days shorter in the AKI than in the no-AKI (P = 0.002), and 29 days shorter in the non-early recovery AKI group than in the no-AKI group (P < 0.001). Non-early recovery AKI and preoperative tracheostomy status were independently associated with shorter DAOH-90. The prevalence of CKD (76%), and 1-year mortality (48%) were highest in the non-early recovery AKI group. Postoperative AKI was associated with an adverse patient-centered quality measure for perioperative care, and shorter DAOH-90. The non-early recovery AKI group exhibited the worst prognosis in terms of DAOH-90, CKD progression, and 1-year mortality, highlighting the important role of AKI and early-recovery AKI on both the quality of life and clinical outcomes after lung transplantation.
Research on the impact of ESG performance on carbon emissions from the perspective of green credit
Authors: Kong Xiangrong , Li Zhezhou , Lei Xiao
Published: May 2024

Utilizing panel data from 30 Chinese provinces, this research examines the non-linear relationship between regional environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance and carbon emissions (CE) from the viewpoint of green credit. The study reveals a single threshold effect between ESG performance and CE, with green credit acting as the threshold variable. When the amount of green credit in a region exceeds the threshold, the growth rate of CE in that region begins to decline with higher ESG scores. Furthermore, green credit acts as a catalyst, playing a negative moderating role between ESG performance and CE, validated by both threshold regression and fixed effects models on panel data. Green credit indirectly influences carbon emissions by supporting green innovation, thus facilitating the transition to a greener economic development framework. Lastly, regional disparities are found in the moderating influence of green credit between ESG performance and CE. In regions with high ESG performance, the moderating impact of green credit is smaller, while in regions with low ESG performance, the effect is more significant. The research findings offer theoretical backing for policymakers regarding the efficacy of ESG in achieving carbon neutrality objectives, and offer valuable strategic recommendations for the diversified formulation of green credit strategies on both national and provincial scales. Regional heterogeneity test results provide valuable support for formulating policies that encourage green credit in provinces with low ESG performance.
Comprehensive pan-cancer analysis of inflammatory age-clock-related genes as prognostic and immunity markers based on multi-omics data
Authors: Yan Bo , Liao Pan , Liu Shan , Lei Ping
Published: May 2024

Inflammatory age (iAge) is a vital concept for understanding the intricate interplay between chronic inflammation and aging in the context of cancer. However, the importance of iAge-clock-related genes (iAge-CRGs) across cancers remains unexplored. This study aimed to explore the mechanisms and applications of these genes across diverse cancer types. We analyzed profiling data from over 10,000 individuals, covering 33 cancer types, 750 small molecule drugs, and 24 immune cell types. We focused on DCBLD2’s function at the single-cell level and computed an iAge-CRG score using GSVA. This score was correlated with cancer pathways, immune infiltration, and survival. A signature was then derived using univariate Cox and LASSO regression, followed by ROC curve analysis, nomogram construction, decision curve analysis, and immunocytochemistry. Our comprehensive analysis revealed epigenetic, genomic, and immunogenomic alterations in iAge-CRGs, especially DCBLD2, leading to abnormal expression. Aberrant DCBLD2 expression strongly correlated with cancer-associated fibroblast infiltration and prognosis in multiple cancers. Based on GSVA results, we developed a risk model using five iAge-CRGs, which proved to be an independent prognostic index for uveal melanoma (UVM) patients. We also systematically evaluated the correlation between the iAge-related signature risk score and immune cell infiltration. iAge-CRGs, particularly DCBLD2, emerge as potential targets for enhancing immunotherapy outcomes. The strong correlation between abnormal DCBLD2 expression, cancer-associated fibroblast infiltration, and patient survival across various cancers underscores their significance. Our five-gene risk signature offers an independent prognostic tool for UVM patients, highlighting the crucial role of these genes in suppressing the immune response in UVM.Kindly check and confirm whether the corresponding affiliation is correctly identified.I identified the affiliation is correctly.thank you.Per style, a structured abstract is not allowed so we have changed the structured abstract to an unstructured abstract. Please check and confirm.I confirm the abstract is correctly ,thank you.
Impact of pyrolysis process conditions on the structure of biochar obtained from apple waste
Authors: Barszcz Wioletta , Łożyńska Monika , Molenda Jarosław
Published: May 2024

Biochar is an eco-friendly carbon material whose properties allow it to be used as a sorbent for wastewater treatment or soil remediation. The paper presents the results of research related to the pyrolysis process of apple waste after supercritical CO2 extraction with the simultaneous use of physical activation. The research assessed the influence of the temperature of the pyrolysis process and steam activation on the structural properties of the obtained biochar, i.e. specific surface, porous structure, and presence of functional groups. The results obtained confirmed that lower temperature pyrolysis produces biochar characterised by the presence of functional groups and ordered structure. On the other hand, high temperature pyrolysis with simultaneous steam activation determines microporosity and high values of the specific surface area. Taking into consideration pollutant sorption mechanisms (physical and chemical sorption), the obtained biochar materials can be used as sorbents in water and wastewater treatment.
Online cognitive monitoring technology for people with Parkinson’s disease and REM sleep behavioural disorder
Authors: Bălăeţ Maria , Alhajraf Falah , Zerenner Tanja , Welch Jessica , Razzaque Jamil , Lo Christine , Giunchiglia Valentina , Trender William , Lerede Annalaura , Hellyer Peter J. , Manohar Sanjay G. , Malhotra Paresh , Hu Michele , Hampshire Adam
Published: May 2024

Automated online cognitive assessments are set to revolutionise clinical research and healthcare. However, their applicability for Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and REM Sleep Behavioural Disorder (RBD), a strong PD precursor, is underexplored. Here, we developed an online battery to measure early cognitive changes in PD and RBD. Evaluating 19 candidate tasks showed significant global accuracy deficits in PD (0.65 SD, p = 0.003) and RBD (0.45 SD, p = 0.027), driven by memory, language, attention and executive underperformance, and global reaction time deficits in PD (0.61 SD, p = 0.001). We identified a brief 20-min battery that had sensitivity to deficits across these cognitive domains while being robust to the device used. This battery was more sensitive to early-stage and prodromal deficits than the supervised neuropsychological scales. It also diverged from those scales, capturing additional cognitive factors sensitive to PD and RBD. This technology offers an economical and scalable method for assessing these populations that can complement standard supervised practices.
Chiral limit and origin of topological flat bands in twisted transition metal dichalcogenide homobilayers
Authors: Crépel Valentin , Regnault Nicolas , Queiroz Raquel
Published: May 2024

The observation of zero field fractional quantum Hall analogs in twisted transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) asks for a deeper understanding of what mechanisms lead to topological flat bands in two-dimensional heterostructures, and what makes TMDs an excellent platform for topologically ordered phases, surpassing twisted bilayer graphene. To this aim, we explore the chiral limits of massive Dirac theories applicable toC3-symmetric moiré materials, and show their relevance for both bilayer graphene and TMD homobilayers. In the latter, the Berry curvature of valence bands leads to relativistic corrections of the moiré potential that promote band flattening, and permit a limit with exactly flat bands with nonzero Chern number. The relativistic corrections enter as alayer-orbit coupling, analogous to spin-orbit coupling for relativistic Dirac fermions, which we show is non-negligible on the moiré scale. The Berry curvature of the TMD monolayers therefore plays an essential role in the flattening of moiré Chern bands in these heterostructures.
Microwave quantum memcapacitor effect
Authors: Qiu Xinyu , Kumar Shubham , Cárdenas-López Francisco A. , Alvarado Barrios Gabriel , Solano Enrique , Albarrán-Arriagada Francisco
Published: May 2024

Developing the field of neuromorphic quantum computing necessitates designing scalable quantum memory devices. Here, we propose a superconducting quantum memory device in the microwave regime, termed a microwave quantum memcapacitor. It comprises two linked resonators, the primary one is coupled to a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device, which allows for the modulation of the resonator properties through external magnetic flux. The auxiliary resonator, operated through weak measurements, provides feedback to the primary resonator, ensuring stable memory behavior. This device operates with a classical input in one cavity while reading the response in the other, serving as a fundamental building block toward arrays of microwave quantum memcapacitors. We observe that a bipartite setup can retain its memory behavior and gains entanglement and quantum correlations. Our findings pave the way for the experimental implementation of memcapacitive superconducting quantum devices and memory device arrays for neuromorphic quantum computing.
An open-access web application to visualise countries’ and regions’ carbon footprints using Sankey diagrams
Authors: Andrieu Baptiste , Le Boulzec Hugo , Delannoy Louis , Verzier François , Winter Guillaume , Vidal Olivier , Stadler Konstantin
Published: May 2024

Consumption-based carbon assessments are essential for evaluating climate change responsibility. However, the results vary greatly depending on the boundary chosen, making them hard to understand for non-expert readers and hindering their uptake by policy makers. Sankey diagrams are a type of flow diagram where the thickness of a flow is proportional to its value. They allow to shed light on the various ways to calculate carbon footprints and on the implications of choosing one method over another. Although several multi-regional input-output databases allow for the calculation of footprints, none of them has been systematically represented as Sankey diagrams. To fill this gap, we build an open access web application to represent carbon footprints for 49 world regions between 1995 and 2019 based on EXIOBASE 3 data. We include production-based, consumption-based and consumption-based with capital endogenized accounts. We then provide examples of the insights gained with such diagrams.