bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of hemodilution on flow cytometry based measurable residual disease assessment in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Tettero Jesse M. , Heidinga Maaike E. , Mocking Tim R. , Fransen Glenn , Kelder Angèle , Scholten Willemijn J. , Snel Alexander N. , Ngai Lok Lam , Bachas Costa , van de Loosdrecht Arjan A. , Ossenkoppele Gert J. , de Leeuw David C. , Cloos Jacqueline , Janssen Jeroen J. W. M.
Published: January 2024

Measurable residual disease (MRD) measured in the bone marrow (BM) of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients after induction chemotherapy is an established prognostic factor. Hemodilution, stemming from peripheral blood (PB) mixing within BM during aspiration, can yield false-negative MRD results. We prospectively examined hemodilution by measuring MRD in BM aspirates obtained from three consecutive 2 mL pulls, along with PB samples. Our results demonstrated a significant decrease in MRD percentages between the first and second pulls (P = 0.025) and between the second and third pulls (P = 0.025), highlighting the impact of hemodilution. Initially, 39% of MRD levels (18/46 leukemia-associated immunophenotypes) exceeded the 0.1% cut-off, decreasing to 30% (14/46) in the third pull. Additionally, we assessed the performance of six published methods and parameters for distinguishing BM from PB samples, addressing or compensating for hemodilution. The most promising results relied on the percentages of CD16dim granulocytic population (scarce in BM) and CD117high mast cells (exclusive to BM). Our findings highlight the importance of estimating hemodilution in MRD assessment to qualify MRD results, particularly near the common 0.1% cut-off. To avoid false-negative results by hemodilution, it is essential to collect high-quality BM aspirations and preferably utilizing the initial pull for MRD testing.
Variation in temperature of peak trait performance constrains adaptation of arthropod populations to climatic warming
Authors: Pawar Samraat , Huxley Paul J. , Smallwood Thomas R. C. , Nesbit Miles L. , Chan Alex H. H. , Shocket Marta S. , Johnson Leah R. , Kontopoulos Dimitrios - Georgios , Cator Lauren J.
Published: January 2024

The capacity of arthropod populations to adapt to long-term climatic warming is currently uncertain. Here we combine theory and extensive data to show that the rate of their thermal adaptation to climatic warming will be constrained in two fundamental ways. First, the rate of thermal adaptation of an arthropod population is predicted to be limited by changes in the temperatures at which the performance of four key life-history traits can peak, in a specific order of declining importance: juvenile development, adult fecundity, juvenile mortality and adult mortality. Second, directional thermal adaptation is constrained due to differences in the temperature of the peak performance of these four traits, with these differences expected to persist because of energetic allocation and life-history trade-offs. We compile a new global dataset of 61 diverse arthropod species which provides strong empirical evidence to support these predictions, demonstrating that contemporary populations have indeed evolved under these constraints. Our results provide a basis for using relatively feasible trait measurements to predict the adaptive capacity of diverse arthropod populations to geographic temperature gradients, as well as ongoing and future climatic warming.
An EEG motor imagery dataset for brain computer interface in acute stroke patients
Authors: Liu Haijie , Wei Penghu , Wang Haochong , Lv Xiaodong , Duan Wei , Li Meijie , Zhao Yan , Wang Qingmei , Chen Xinyuan , Shi Gaige , Han Bo , Hao Junwei
Published: January 2024

The brain-computer interface (BCI) is a technology that involves direct communication with parts of the brain and has evolved rapidly in recent years; it has begun to be used in clinical practice, such as for patient rehabilitation. Patient electroencephalography (EEG) datasets are critical for algorithm optimization and clinical applications of BCIs but are rare at present. We collected data from 50 acute stroke patients with wireless portable saline EEG devices during the performance of two tasks: 1) imagining right-handed movements and 2) imagining left-handed movements. The dataset consists of four types of data: 1) the motor imagery instructions, 2) raw recording data, 3) pre-processed data after removing artefacts and other manipulations, and 4) patient characteristics. This is the first open dataset to address left- and right-handed motor imagery in acute stroke patients. We believe that the dataset will be very helpful for analysing brain activation and designing decoding methods that are more applicable for acute stroke patients, which will greatly facilitate research in the field of motor imagery-BCI.
A chromosome-level genome assembly of a deep-sea symbiotic Aplacophora mollusc Chaetoderma sp.
Authors: Wang Yue , Wang Minxiao , Li Jie , Zhang Junlong , Zhang Linlin
Published: January 2024

The worm-shaped, shell-less Caudofoveata is one of the least known groups of molluscs. As early-branching molluscs, the lack of high-quality genomes hinders our understanding of their evolution and ecology. Here, we report a high-quality chromosome-scale genome of Chaetoderma sp. combining PacBio, Illumina, and high-resolution chromosome conformation capture sequencing. The final assembly has a size of 2.45 Gb, with a scaffold N50 length of 141.46 Mb, and is anchored to 17 chromosomes. Gene annotations showed a high level of accuracy and completeness, with 23,675 predicted protein-coding genes and 94.44% of the metazoan conserved genes by BUSCO assessment. We further present 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of the gut microbiota in Chaetoderma sp., which was dominated by the chemoautotrophic bacteria (phylum Gammaproteobacteria). This chromosome-level genome assembly presents the first genome for the Caudofoveata, which constitutes an important resource for studies ranging from molluscan evolution, symposium, to deep-sea adaptation.
Escape behaviors in prey and the evolution of pennaceous plumage in dinosaurs
Authors: Park Jinseok , Son Minyoung , Park Jeongyeol , Bang Sang Yun , Ha Jungmoon , Moon Hyungpil , Lee Yuong-Nam , Lee Sang-im , Jablonski Piotr G.
Published: January 2024

Numerous non-avian dinosaurs possessed pennaceous feathers on their forelimbs (proto-wings) and tail. Their functions remain unclear. We propose that these pennaceous feathers were used in displays to flush hiding prey through stimulation of sensory-neural escape pathways in prey, allowing the dinosaurs to pursue the flushed prey. We evaluated the escape behavior of grasshoppers to hypothetical visual flush-displays by a robotic dinosaur, and we recorded neurophysiological responses of grasshoppers’ escape pathway to computer animations of the hypothetical flush-displays by dinosaurs. We show that the prey of dinosaurs would have fled more often when proto-wings were present, especially distally and with contrasting patterns, and when caudal plumage, especially of a large area, was used during the hypothetical flush-displays. The reinforcing loop between flush and pursue functions could have contributed to the evolution of larger and stiffer feathers for faster running, maneuverability, and stronger flush-displays, promoting foraging based on the flush-pursue strategy. The flush-pursue hypothesis can explain the presence and distribution of the pennaceous feathers, plumage color contrasts, as well as a number of other features observed in early pennaraptorans. This scenario highlights that sensory-neural processes underlying prey’s antipredatory reactions may contribute to the origin of major evolutionary innovations in predators.
Monitoring phosphorylation and acetylation of CRISPR-mediated HiBiT-tagged endogenous proteins
Authors: Alves Juliano , Schwinn Marie , Machleidt Thomas , Goueli Said A. , Cali James J. , Zegzouti Hicham
Published: January 2024

Intracellular pathways transduce signals through changes in post-translational modifications (PTMs) of effector proteins. Among the approaches used to monitor PTM changes are immunoassays and overexpression of recombinant reporter genes. Genome editing by CRISPR/Cas9 provides a new means to monitor PTM changes by inserting reporters onto target endogenous genes while preserving native biology. Ideally, the reporter should be small in order not to interfere with the processes mediated by the target while sensitive enough to detect tightly expressed proteins. HiBiT is a 1.3 kDa reporter peptide capable of generating bioluminescence through complementation with LgBiT, an 18 kDa subunit derived from NanoLuc. Using HiBiT CRISPR/Cas9-modified cell lines in combination with fluorescent antibodies, we developed a HiBiT-BRET immunoassay (a.k.a. Immuno-BRET). This is a homogeneous immunoassay capable of monitoring post-translational modifications on diverse protein targets. Its usefulness was demonstrated for the detection of phosphorylation of multiple signaling pathway targets (EGFR, STAT3, MAPK8 and c-MET), as well as chromatin containing histone H3 acetylation on lysine 9 and 27. These results demonstrate the ability to efficiently monitor endogenous biological processes modulated by post-translational modifications using a small bioluminescent peptide tag and fluorescent antibodies, providing sensitive quantitation of the response dynamics to multiple stimuli.
A prospective, multicentre, registry study of RECO in the endovascular treatment of acute ischaemic stroke
Authors: Ding Yunlong , Zhai Tingting , Chen Ronghua , Chen Fangshu , Cheng Yanbo , Zhu Shiguang , Liu Yajie , Xiao Guodong , Zhang Yunfeng , Liu Yan , Miao Zhongrong , Niu Jiali
Published: January 2024

The RECO is a novel endovascular treatment (EVT) device that adjusts the distance between two mesh segments to axially hold the thrombus. We organized this postmarket study to assess the safety and performance of RECO in acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO). This was a single-arm prospective multicentre study that enrolled patients as first-line patients treated with RECO at 9 stroke centres. The primary outcome measures included functional independence at 90 days (mRS 0–2), symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (sICH), time from puncture to recanalization and time from symptom onset to recanalization. The secondary outcome measures were a modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) score of 2b or 3 after the first attempt and at the end of the procedure and the all-cause mortality rate within 90 days. From May 22, 2020, to July 30, 2022, a total of 268 consecutive patients were enrolled in the registry. The median puncture-to-recanalization time was 64 (IQR, 45–92), and the symptom onset-to-recanalization time was 328 min (IQR, 228–469). RECO achieved successful reperfusion (mTICI 2b-3) after the first pass in 133 of 268 patients (49.6%). At the end of the operation, 96.6% of the patients reached mTICI 2b-3, and 97.4% of the patients ultimately achieved successful reperfusion. Sixteen (7.2%) patients had sICH. A total of 132 (49.3%) patients achieved functional independence at 90 days, and the all-cause mortality rate within 90 days was 17.5%. In this clinical experience, the RECO device achieved a high rate of complete recanalization with a good safety profile and favourable 90-day clinical outcomes.

Clinical trial registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/; Unique identifier: NCT04840719.
Modeling forecast errors for microgrid operation using Gaussian process regression
Authors: Yoo Yeuntae , Jung Seungmin
Published: January 2024

Microgrids, denoting small-scale and self-sustaining grids, constitute a pivotal component in future power systems with a high penetration of renewable generators. The inherent uncertainty tied to renewable power generation, typified by photovoltaic and wind turbine systems, necessitates counterbalancing mechanisms. These mechanisms encompass Energy storage systems or conventional thermal fossil-fuel generators imbued with heightened flexibility. Addressing the uncertainty stemming from renewable generators mandates a cost-effective assessment and operational strategy for said compensatory devices. To this end, myriad uncertainty factors warrant scrutiny, conceivably concretized into a unified probability distribution function (PDF) that takes into account their temporal inter-dependencies. Diverse uncertainty factors, characterized by varying marginal distributions and scales, can be assimilated into a multivariate probability distribution through a conversion to normal distributions via rank correlation. However, with the escalation in the number of uncertainty factors embraced within a microgrid context, the endeavour becomes notably intricate when aiming to define conditional probability distributions originating from joint PDFs. This paper presents a method proposing the modelling of net-load forecast error distribution, considering the interplay among uncertainty factors. The approach introduces a data-driven Gaussian process regression technique for training and validating conditional PDFs among these uncertainty factors. Notably, this approach facilitates the transformation of said factors into normal distributions while preserving their inherent marginal characteristics. The resultant conditional density function, as per the proposed methodology, exhibits enhanced suitability for estimating net-load error distribution. Consequently, the conditional density function stemming from this proposed approach demonstrates superior aptitude in approximating the distribution of net load error.
The effect of intentional summer flooding for mosquito control on the nitrogen dynamics of impounded Avicennia germinans mangrove forests
Authors: Laanbroek H. J. , Rains M. C. , Verhoeven J. T. A. , Whigham D. F.
Published: January 2024

Coastal wetlands such as mangrove forests are breeding grounds for nuisance-causing insects. Rotational Impoundment Management (RIM) for mosquito control involves annual summer inundation of impounded mangrove forests with estuarine water during the summer half year. However, in addition to controlling mosquitos, RIM may change biogeochemical pathways. This study set out to investigate how RIM quantitatively affects physicochemical soil characteristics and potential nitrifying and denitrifying activities (PNA and PDA), which are key in the global nitrogen cycle. Before and after the implementation of RIM, soil samples were collected annually in habitats differing in size and abundance of black mangroves (Avicennia germinans) in an impoundment with RIM and in an adjacent impoundment with a more open connection to the lagoon. Compared to the non-managed impoundment, soil moisture content, total nitrogen and PDA increased, while salinity decreased after the start of annual summer flooding, but only in the dwarf habitat. In the sparse and dense habitats, total nitrogen and PDA increased independently of summer flooding, whereas soil moisture content and salinity were not affected by RIM. Labile organic nitrogen increased only in the RIM impoundment, irrespective of the habitat type. PNA was generally not affected with time, except in the dwarf habitat in the absence of intentional summer flooding where it increased. Changes in the non-managed impoundment adjacent to the RIM impoundment demonstrate the importance of groundwater exchange in linked ecosystems. The consequences of interventions in the management of mangrove impoundments and adjacent forests for the nitrogen budget are discussed.
Transcriptional characterization of iPSC-derived microglia as a model for therapeutic development in neurodegeneration
Authors: Ramaswami Gokul , Yuva-Aydemir Yeliz , Akerberg Brynn , Matthews Bryan , Williams Jenna , Golczer Gabriel , Huang Jiaqi , Al Abdullatif Ali , Huh Dann , Burkly Linda C. , Engle Sandra J. , Grossman Iris , Sehgal Alfica , Sigova Alla A. , Fremeau Robert T. , Liu Yuting , Bumcrot David
Published: January 2024

Microglia are the resident immune cells in the brain that play a key role in driving neuroinflammation, a hallmark of neurodegenerative disorders. Inducible microglia-like cells have been developed as an in vitro platform for molecular and therapeutic hypothesis generation and testing. However, there has been no systematic assessment of similarity of these cells to primary human microglia along with their responsiveness to external cues expected of primary cells in the brain. In this study, we performed transcriptional characterization of commercially available human inducible pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived microglia-like (iMGL) cells by bulk and single cell RNA sequencing to assess their similarity with primary human microglia. To evaluate their stimulation responsiveness, iMGL cells were treated with Liver X Receptor (LXR) pathway agonists and their transcriptional responses characterized by bulk and single cell RNA sequencing. Bulk transcriptome analyses demonstrate that iMGL cells have a similar overall expression profile to freshly isolated human primary microglia and express many key microglial transcription factors and functional and disease-associated genes. Notably, at the single-cell level, iMGL cells exhibit distinct transcriptional subpopulations, representing both homeostatic and activated states present in normal and diseased primary microglia. Treatment of iMGL cells with LXR pathway agonists induces robust transcriptional changes in lipid metabolism and cell cycle at the bulk level. At the single cell level, we observe heterogeneity in responses between cell subpopulations in homeostatic and activated states and deconvolute bulk expression changes into their corresponding single cell states. In summary, our results demonstrate that iMGL cells exhibit a complex transcriptional profile and responsiveness, reminiscent of in vivo microglia, and thus represent a promising model system for therapeutic development in neurodegeneration.
Effects of host-associated low-temperature probiotics in olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) aquaculture
Authors: Lee Su-Jeong , Noh Da-In , Lee Young-Sun , Hasan Md Tawheed , Hur Sang Woo , Lee Seunghan , Jeong Seong-Mok , Lee Jong Min , Lee Eun-Woo , Kim Kang-Woong , Jang Won Je
Published: January 2024

This study investigated the effects of supplementation of low-temperature probiotics isolated from the intestines of olive flounder on the growth performance, digestibility, and regulation of intestinal microbiota and the expression of genes related to growth, immunity, and apoptosis in olive flounder. Bacteria showing high growth at approximately 15–20 °C, which is the temperature of olive flounder culture, were isolated and confirmed to be Pseudomonas species through 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the strain has a 6,195,122 bp single circular chromosome and a guanine–cytosine content of 59.9%. In the feeding trial, supplementation with 1 × 108 CFU/g of the isolate strain positively modulated growth performances, digestive enzyme activity, and gut microbiota composition of olive flounder. RT-qPCR for the comparison of growth, immunity, and apoptosis-related gene expression levels showed no significant differences between the groups. Therefore, the isolated host-associated low-temperature probiotics improved the growth performance of olive flounder by causing positive changes in digestive activity and intestinal microbial composition without affecting host gene expression.
Efficacy of golimumab in patients with refractory non-infectious panuveitis
Authors: Tungsattayathitthan Usanee , Tesavibul Nattaporn , Choopong Pitipol , Treeratsakulchai Chaipat , Ngathaweesuk Yaninsiri , Sanphan Wilawan , Boonsopon Sutasinee
Published: January 2024

This study investigated the efficacy of golimumab in the management of refractory non-infectious panuveitis. Nineteen patients (38 eyes; mean age, 31 years) were retrospectively reviewed between June 2016 and June 2022. All patients had bilateral eye involvement and Behçet’s disease was the most common diagnosis (57.9%). Compared to the period before golimumab treatment, the rate of uveitis relapses after golimumab treatment significantly decreased from 1.73 to 0.62 events per person-years (incidence ratio 0.33, 95% confidence interval 0.19–0.57, P < 0.001). After golimumab therapy, 12 patients (63.2%) were able to reduce the number or dosage of immunosuppressive drugs, and the median dosage of systemic corticosteroids was reduced from 15.0 to 7.5 mg/d (P = 0.013) compared to baseline. The median logMAR visual acuity improved from 0.9 at baseline to 0.6 at the last visit (P = 0.006). Golimumab demonstrated efficacy against refractory non-infectious panuveitis in terms of a corticosteroid-sparing effect and reduced the rate of uveitis relapses to approximately one-third.
An artificial neural network model for evaluating the risk of hyperuricaemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Chen Qingquan , Hu Haiping , She Yuanyu , He Qing , Huang Xinfeng , Shi Huanhuan , Cao Xiangyu , Zhang Xiaoyang , Xu Youqiong
Published: January 2024

Type 2 diabetes with hyperuricaemia may lead to gout, kidney damage, hypertension, coronary heart disease, etc., further aggravating the condition of diabetes as well as adding to the medical and financial burden. To construct a risk model for hyperuricaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus based on artificial neural network, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the risk model to provide directions for the prevention and control of the disease in this population. From June to December 2022, 8243 patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited from six community service centers for questionnaire and physical examination. Secondly, the collected data were used to select suitable variables and based on the comparison results, logistic regression was used to screen the variable characteristics. Finally, three risk models for evaluating the risk of hyperuricaemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus were developed using an artificial neural network algorithm and evaluated for performance. A total of eleven factors affecting the development of hyperuricaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in this study, including gender, waist circumference, diabetes medication use, diastolic blood pressure, γ-glutamyl transferase, blood urea nitrogen, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting glucose and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Among the generated models, baseline & biochemical risk model had the best performance with cutoff, area under the curve, accuracy, recall, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, precision, negative predictive value, KAPPA and F1-score were 0.488, 0.744, 0.689, 0.625, 0.749, 2.489, 0.501, 0.697, 0.684, 0.375 and 0.659. In addition, its Brier score was 0.169 and the calibration curve also showed good agreement between fitting and observation. The constructed artificial neural network model has better efficacy and facilitates the reduction of the harm caused by type 2 diabetes mellitus combined with hyperuricaemia.
Toxicity of nitrophenolic pollutant 4-nitroguaiacol to terrestrial plants and comparison with its non-nitro analogue guaiacol (2-methoxyphenol)
Authors: Adamek Maksimiljan , Kavčič Anja , Debeljak Marta , Šala Martin , Grdadolnik Jože , Vogel-Mikuš Katarina , Kroflič Ana
Published: January 2024

Phenols, and especially their nitrated analogues, are ubiquitous pollutants and known carcinogens which have already been linked to forest decline. Although nitrophenols have been widely recognized as harmful to different aquatic and terrestrial organisms, we could not find any literature assessing their toxicity to terrestrial plants. Maize (monocot) and sunflower (dicot) were exposed to phenolic pollutants, guaiacol (GUA) and 4-nitroguaiacol (4NG), through a hydroponics system under controlled conditions in a growth chamber. Their acute physiological response was studied during a two-week root exposure to different concentrations of xenobiotics (0.1, 1.0, and 10 mM). The exposure visibly affected plant growth and the effect increased with increasing xenobiotic concentration. In general, 4NG affected plants more than GUA. Moreover, sunflower exhibited an adaptive response, especially to low and moderate GUA concentrations. The integrity of both plant species deteriorated during the exposure: biomass and photochemical pigment content were significantly reduced, which reflected in the poorer photochemical efficiency of photosystem II. Our results imply that 4NG is taken up by sunflower plants, where it could enter a lignin biosynthesis pathway.
Development and preliminary validation of a PROS scale for Chinese bladder cancer patients with abdominal stoma
Authors: Lu Jingya , Hong Hui , Xiong Zhufeng , Zhang Yonghui , Zeng Fanyan , Xie Zhiqin , Yu Mengjia , Liu Xiaohan , Li Huiting , Xian Daming , Shen Junjie
Published: January 2024

Bladder cancer is a common malignant tumor, and patients who have undergone radical cystectomy and urinary diversion require a lifelong abdominal stoma. This greatly affects their physiological, psychological, and social well-being. However, there is currently a lack of a self-assessment outcome scale specifically designed for bladder cancer patients with abdominal stomas. Therefore, we developed and validated a self-assessment outcome scale (PROS-BCAS) for Chinese bladder cancer patients with abdominal stomas. The scale was initially developed through literature research and expert consultation, and it comprised four dimensions: physiological, psychological, social, and treatment, with a total of 66 items. After item analysis, 44 items were retained. We collected scale data from 382 patients to examine its validity and reliability. The results showed that the PROS-BCAS scale had good content validity (S-CVI/Ave = 0.992), construct validity (KMO > 0.6), and discriminant validity (correlation coefficient 0.404–0.870). The Cronbach's alpha coefficients (0.801–0.954), test–retest reliability (0.778–0.956), and split-half reliability (0.896–0.977) all demonstrated good internal consistency for each dimension and the overall scale. The study demonstrated that the PROS-BCAS scale is a reliable and valid tool for accurately assessing the health-related quality of life of bladder cancer patients with abdominal stomas, providing reference for developing individualized clinical care plans.
Mechanical properties of rock under uniaxial compression tests of different control modes and loading rates
Authors: He Zhilei , Wu Guoli , Zhu Jun
Published: January 2024

To study the influence of control mode and loading rate on mechanical property of rock, uniaxial compression tests of four types of rocks (gray sandstone, red sandstone, mudstone and granite) are carried out under axial strain control mode and lateral strain control mode respectively. The characteristics of complete stress and strain curves, strength, brittleness and failure modes are analyzed. The results show that control mode has little influence on the pre-peak deformation, stress thresholds, while it has a greater impact on post-peak stress and strain curve, which makes the post-peak deformation stable and controllable, and shows the feature of Class II behavior. With lateral loading rates decrease, post-peak stress and strain curves appear more and more obvious fluctuations in the post-peak stage, and the time required for rock failure increases sharply, but the lateral control rate has little effect on the brittleness of rock. The failure mode of rock samples under axial strain control mode is mainly splitting failure, while that under lateral strain control is gradually changed to shear failure. The smaller the lateral loading control rate is, the more obvious the characteristics of shear failure is. Compared with uniaxial compression tests, under high confining pressure, the lateral dilation deformation is restricted, so peak strength is larger and stress redistribution can be better adjusted and stress fluctuation reduced accordingly in post-peak stage. The research results are an effective supplement to rate-dependent property of rocks and can provide some reference for deformation and strength characteristics research of brittle rock under lateral control mode.
An appraisal of lung computer tomography in very early anti-inflammatory treatment of two different ovine ARDS phenotypes
Authors: Wildi Karin , Colombo Sebastiano Maria , McGuire Daniel , Ainola Carmen , Heinsar Silver , Sato Noriko , Sato Kei , Liu Keibun , Bouquet Mahé , Wilson Emily , Passmore Margaret , Hyslop Kieran , Livingstone Samantha , Di Feliciantonio Marianna , Strugnell Wendy , Palmieri Chiara , Suen Jacky , Li Bassi Gianluigi , Fraser John
Published: January 2024

Mortality and morbidity of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) are largely unaltered. A possible new approach to treatment of ARDS is offered by the discovery of inflammatory subphenotypes. In an ovine model of ARDS phenotypes, matching key features of the human subphenotypes, we provide an imaging characterization using computer tomography (CT). Nine animals were randomized into (a) OA (oleic acid, hypoinflammatory; n = 5) and (b) OA-LPS (oleic acid and lipopolysaccharides, hyperinflammatory; n = 4). 48 h after ARDS induction and anti-inflammatory treatment, CT scans were performed at high (H) and then low (L) airway pressure. After CT, the animals were euthanized and lung tissue was collected. OA-LPS showed a higher air fraction and OA a higher tissue fraction, resulting in more normally aerated lungs in OA-LPS in contrast to more non-aerated lung in OA. The change in lung and air volume between H and L was more accentuated in OA-LPS, indicating a higher recruitment potential. Strain was higher in OA, indicating a higher level of lung damage, while the amount of lung edema and histological lung injury were largely comparable. Anti-inflammatory treatment might be beneficial in terms of overall ventilated lung portion and recruitment potential, especially in the OA-LPS group.
A comparative analysis of CNN-based deep learning architectures for early diagnosis of bone cancer using CT images
Authors: Sampath Kanimozhi , Rajagopal Sivakumar , Chintanpalli Ananthakrishna
Published: January 2024

Bone cancer is a rare in which cells in the bone grow out of control, resulting in destroying the normal bone tissue. A benign type of bone cancer is harmless and does not spread to other body parts, whereas a malignant type can spread to other body parts and might be harmful. According to Cancer Research UK (2021), the survival rate for patients with bone cancer is 40% and early detection can increase the chances of survival by providing treatment at the initial stages. Prior detection of these lumps or masses can reduce the risk of death and treat bone cancer early. The goal of this current study is to utilize image processing techniques and deep learning-based Convolution neural network (CNN) to classify normal and cancerous bone images. Medical image processing techniques, like pre-processing (e.g., median filter), K-means clustering segmentation, and, canny edge detection were used to detect the cancer region in Computer Tomography (CT) images for parosteal osteosarcoma, enchondroma and osteochondroma types of bone cancer. After segmentation, the normal and cancerous affected images were classified using various existing CNN-based models. The results revealed that AlexNet model showed a better performance with a training accuracy of 98%, validation accuracy of 98%, and testing accuracy of 100%.
Knowledge and attitudes toward the use of anabolic–androgenic steroids among physical education university students: a cross-sectional study from Palestine
Authors: Hattab Suhaib , Saleh Bashar , Qasarweh Laith , Draidi Mahmoud , Zyoud Sa’ed H.
Published: January 2024

The use of androgenic–anabolic steroids (AASs) has increased in recent years, especially among athletes, due to their effect on body shape and performance. These agents could have serious side effects on this highly susceptible population, which tends to use these substances frequently to promote muscle growth and physical performance. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes toward the use of anabolic androgenic steroids among physical education university students in Palestine. A cross-sectional study of physical education students from November 2020 to January 2021 was conducted using an electronic questionnaire. The main outcome was to measure the level of knowledge and use of the AAS. A total of 380 students were included. The mean age of the students was 21 years (SD = 4.2), and the study participants were distributed almost equally according to sex. Approximately a quarter of the students were smokers. Eighty percent (80%) of the study participants were from the West Bank, while the remaining 20% were from Jerusalem and 48 territories. Furthermore, most of the students lived with their families; half lived in cities, approximately 152 (40%) lived in villages, and only 29 (8%) lived in camps. The average level of knowledge of the AAS was 2.95 out of 8 (37/100), with a median of three. Furthermore, only 36 (10%) of the participants had satisfactory knowledge, scoring 80% or more. Regarding the use of AAS, 11 (2.9%) participants, all males, confirmed that they were currently using AAS. Additionally, approximately 28 (7%) had previously used them, while 30 (8%) planned to try them in the future. Overall, 221 (58%) patients were confirmed to use vitamins and minerals. Our study showed that most of the participants had a substantial lack of information on the potential side effects of AAS, while the level of use was comparable with that of other populations.
Real-time motion force-feedback system with predictive-vision for improving motor accuracy
Authors: Matsui Ryo , Aoyama Tadayoshi , Kato Kenji , Hasegawa Yasuhisa
Published: January 2024

Many haptic guidance systems have been studied over the years; however, most of them have been limited to predefined guidance methods. Calculating guidance according to the operator’s motion is important for efficient human motor adaptation and learning. In this study, we developed a system that haptically provides guidance trajectory by sequential weighting between the operator’s trajectory and the ideal trajectory calculated from a predictive-vision system. We investigated whether motion completion with a predictive-vision system affects human motor accuracy and adaptation in time-constrained goal-directed reaching and ball-hitting tasks through subject experiments. The experiment was conducted with 12 healthy participants, and all participants performed ball-hitting tasks. Half of the participants get forceful guidance from the proposed system in the middle of the experiment. We found that the use of the proposed system improved the operator’s motor performance. Furthermore, we observed a trend in which the improvement in motor performance using this system correlated with that after the washout of this system. These results suggest that the predictive-vision system effectively enhances motor accuracy to the target error in dynamic and time-constrained reaching and hitting tasks and may contribute to facilitating motor learning.
Sex modulation of faces prediction error in the autistic brain
Authors: Lacroix Adeline , Harquel Sylvain , Mermillod Martial , Garrido Marta , Barbosa Leonardo , Vercueil Laurent , Aleysson David , Dutheil Frédéric , Kovarski Klara , Gomot Marie
Published: January 2024

Recent research suggests that autistic females may have superior socio-cognitive abilities compared to autistic males, potentially contributing to underdiagnosis in females. However, it remains unclear whether these differences arise from distinct neurophysiological functioning in autistic males and females. This study addresses this question by presenting 41 autistic and 48 non-autistic adults with a spatially filtered faces oddball paradigm. Analysis of event-related potentials from scalp electroencephalography reveal a neurophysiological profile in autistic females that fell between those of autistic males and non-autistic females, highlighting sex differences in autism from the initial stages of face processing. This finding underscores the urgent need to explore neurophysiological sex differences in autism and encourages efforts toward a better comprehension of compensation mechanism and a clearer definition of what is meant by camouflaging.
A karst-inspired hierarchical Mg/Al layered double hydroxide with a high entropy-driven process for interception and storage
Authors: Shi Hongyu , Qin Jun , Lv Qing , Zhang Lijin , Li Qingxin , Ou Bin , Chen Xiaolang
Published: January 2024

A funnel-like and cave-like Mg/Al layered double hydroxide (called Karst-LDH) has a high phosphate adsorption capacity and good selectivity for chloride and nitrate ions.
Alkali metal alkoxyborate ester salts; a contemporary look at old compounds
Authors: Berger Amanda , Ibrahim Ainee , Hales Thomas A. , D'Angelo Anita M. , Buckley Craig E. , Paskevicius Mark
Published: January 2024

Sodium tetraalkoxyborate salts are used in synthetic catalysis, hydrogen storage, or battery applications, however, understanding of the structural, thermal and electrochemical properties of these salts has been lacking since the 1950s and 1960s.
Integration of fine-tuned chiral donor with hybrid long/short-range charge-transfer for high-performance circularly polarized electroluminescence
Authors: Yin Xiaojun , Huang Haoxin , Li Nengquan , Li Wendi , Mo Xuechao , Huang Manli , Chen Guohao , Miao Jingsheng , Yang Chuluo
Published: January 2024

Synergistic integration of a fine-tuned chiral donor with hybrid long/short-range charge-transfer offers desirable circularly polarized emitters with both a high dissymmetry factor of 1.6 × 10−3 and maximum external quantum efficiency of 37.4%.
Decarbonylative borylation of aryl anhydrides via rhodium catalysis
Authors: Li Kexin , Li Ruxing , Cui Yongmei , Liu Chengwei
Published: January 2024

Decarbonylative borylation of aryl anhydrides by rhodium catalysis has been reported. A base-free system with Rh(PPh3)3Cl as a catalyst allows efficient synthesis of arylboronate esters from readily available aryl anhydrides. The reaction involves cleavage of C(O)–O bonds and formation of C–B bonds.
ortho-Cyanomethylation of aryl fluoroalkyl sulfoxides via a sulfonium–Claisen rearrangement
Authors: Ye Sheng , Wang Huanhuan , Liang Guoqing , Hu Zhengkai , Wan Kun , Zhang Lei , Peng Bo
Published: January 2024

The sulfonium–Claisen rearrangement of aryl fluoroalkyl sulfoxides with acetonitrile enables the simultaneous incorporation of a cyanomethyl group and a fluoroalkylthio group into arenes.
Didymorenloids A and B, two polycyclic cyclopenta[b]fluorene-type alkaloids with anti-hepatoma activity from the mangrove endophytic fungus Didymella sp. CYSK-4
Authors: Chen Yan , Yang Wencong , Zhu Ge , Wang Guisheng , Chen Tao , Li Hang , Yuan Jie , She Zhigang
Published: January 2024

Molecular networking guidance lead to the isolation of a new cyclopenta[b]fluorene-type alkaloid didymorenloid A (1), containing an unprecedented 6/5/6/5/13(6)/5/5/5-fused ring system, from the mangrove endophytic fungus Didymella sp. CYSK-4.
2D-Graph of intermolecular interactions predicts radical character of anion–π* type charge-transfer complexes
Authors: Lin Zhenda , Su Hao , Huang Wenhuan , Zhang Xuepeng , Zhang Guoqing
Published: January 2024

An alternative description of bimolecular interactions in organic chemistry is proposed, where the overlap integral (SDA) and energy gap (EDA) between donor HOMO and acceptor LUMO are used as two axes in the 2D map.
Janus bottlebrush compatibilizers
Authors: Chen Zhan , Seong Hong-Gyu , Hu Mingqiu , Gan Xuchen , Ribbe Alexander E. , Ju Jaechul , Wang Hanyu , Doucet Mathieu , Emrick Todd , Russell Thomas P.
Published: January 2024

Bottlebrush random copolymers (BRCPs), consisting of a random distribution of two homopolymer chains along a backbone, can segregate to the interface between two immiscible homopolymers.
Expediting hole transfer kinetics through surface state modulation of a Ru–FeOOH and FeNi(OH)x dual-layer cocatalyst coated Zr–Fe2O3 photoanode for boosting photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: Anushkkaran Periyasamy , Chae Weon-Sik , Ryu Jungho , Choi Sun Hee , Jang Jum Suk
Published: January 2024

Ru–FeOOH and FeNi(OH)x dual-layer cocatalysts passivated the recombination surface states, resulting in the Fermi level de-pinning effect, while tailoring the intermediate surface states for effective hole transfer to the electrolyte.
Size-dependent cathodoluminescence properties of 5,5′-di(4-biphenylyl)-2,2′-bithiophene nanocrystals
Authors: Jinjyo Tomomi , Mizuno Hitoshi , Sasaki Fumio
Published: January 2024

Crystal-size-dependent cathodoluminescence measurements demonstrated that 0-1 band peak energy of BP2T nanocrystals gradually blue-shifted compared to that of the bulk crystal as the nanocrystal size decreased below 560 nm.
Meeting reports
Authors: Rosa Higor
Published: January 2024

This Biochemical Society sponsored event, that took place from 20 to 22 November 2023, was organized by first-year PhD students from EMBL sites across Europe. The event gathered 160 participants from 25 countries to explore the impact of collective behaviour in various biological realms, from molecular interactions to ecological systems.
Hubble Asteroid Hunter
Authors: García-Martín Pablo , Kruk Sandor , Popescu Marcel , Merín Bruno , Stapelfeldt Karl R. , Evans Robin W. , Carry Benoit , Thomson Ross
Published: January 2024

Context. Determining the size distribution of asteroids is key to understanding the collisional history and evolution of the inner Solar System.

Aims. We aim to improve our knowledge of the size distribution of small asteroids in the main belt by determining the parallaxes of newly detected asteroids in the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) archive and subsequently their absolute magnitudes and sizes.

Methods. Asteroids appear as curved trails in HST images because of the parallax induced by the fast orbital motion of the spacecraft. Taking into account the trajectory of this latter, the parallax effect can be computed to obtain the distance to the asteroids by fitting simulated trajectories to the observed trails. Using distance, we can obtain the absolute magnitude of an object and an estimation of its size assuming an albedo value, along with some boundaries for its orbital parameters.

Results. In this work, we analyse a set of 632 serendipitously imaged asteroids found in the ESA HST archive. Images were captured with the ACS/WFC and WFC3/UVIS instruments. A machine learning algorithm (trained with the results of a citizen science project) was used to detect objects in these images as part of a previous study. Our raw data consist of 1031 asteroid trails from unknown objects, not matching any entries in the Minor Planet Center (MPC) database using their coordinates and imaging time. We also found 670 trails from known objects (objects featuring matching entries in the MPC). After an accuracy assessment and filtering process, our analysed HST asteroid set consists of 454 unknown objects and 178 known objects. We obtain a sample dominated by potential main belt objects featuring absolute magnitudes (H) mostly between 15 and 22 mag. The absolute magnitude cumulative distribution log N(H > H0) ∝ α log(H0) confirms the previously reported slope change for 15 < H < 18, from α ≈ 0.56 to α ≈ 0.26, maintained in our case down to absolute magnitudes of around H ≈ 20, and therefore expanding the previous result by approximately two magnitudes.

Conclusions. HST archival observations can be used as an asteroid survey because the telescope pointings are statistically randomly oriented in the sky and cover long periods of time. They allow us to expand the current best samples of astronomical objects at no extra cost in regard to telescope time.
A new method of measuring Forbush decreases
Authors: Dumbović M. , Kramarić L. , Benko I. , Heber B. , Vršnak B.
Published: January 2024

Context. Forbush decreases (FDs) are short-term depressions in the galactic cosmic ray (GCR) flux and one of the common signatures of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in the heliosphere. They often show a two-step profile, the second one associated with the CME’s magnetic structure. This second step can be described by the recently developed analytical FD model for flux ropes (FRs) – ForbMod.

Aims. The aim of this study is to utilise ForbMod to develop a best-fit procedure to be applied on FR-related FDs as a convenient measurement tool. Our motivation is to develop a best-fit procedure that can be applied to a data series from an arbitrary detector. Thus, the basic procedure would facilitate measurement estimation of the magnitude of the FR-related FD, with the possibility of being adapted for the energy response of a specific detector for a more advanced analysis.

Methods. The non-linear fitting was performed by calculating all possible ForbMod curves constrained within the FR borders to the designated dataset and minimising the mean square error (MSE). In order to evaluate the performance of the ForbMod best-fit procedure, we used synthetic measurements produced by calculating the theoretical ForbMod curve for a specific example CME and then applying various effects to the data to mimic the imperfection of the real measurements. We also tested the ForbMod best-fit function on the real data, measured by detector F of the SOHO/EPHIN instrument on a sample containing 30 events, all of which have a distinct FD corresponding to the magnetic obstacle. The extraction of FD profiles (from the onset to the end) was performed manually by an observer, whereby we applied two different versions of border selection and assigned a quality index to each event.

Results. We do not find notable differences between events marked by a different quality index. For events with a selection of two different borders, we find that the best fit applied on extended interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) structure borders results in a slightly larger MSE and differences compared to the traditional method due to a larger scatter of the data points. We find that the best-fit results can visually be categorised into six different FD profile types. Although some profiles do not show a visually pleasing FD, the ForbMod best-fit function still manages to find a solution with a relatively small MSE.

Conclusions. Overall, we find that the ForbMod best-fit procedure performs similar to the traditional algorithm-based observational method, but with slightly smaller values for the FD amplitude, as it’s taking into account the noise in the data. Furthermore, we find that the best-fit procedure has an advantage compared to the traditional method as it can estimate the FD amplitude even when there is a data gap at the onset of the FD.