bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simplifying complex fault data for systems-level analysis: Earthquake geology inputs for U.S. NSHM 2023
Authors: Hatem Alexandra E. , Collett Camille M. , Briggs Richard W. , Gold Ryan D. , Angster Stephen J. , Field Edward H. , Powers Peter M. ,   Earthquake Geology Working Group, Anderson Megan , Ben-Horin Jeri Young , Dawson Timothy , DeLong Stephen , DuRoss Christopher , Jobe Jessica Thompson , Kleber Emily , Knudsen Keith L. , Koehler Richard , Koning Daniel , Lifton Zachery , Madin Ian , Mauch James , Pearthree Phil , Pollitz Fred , Scharer Katherine , Sherrod Brian , Stickney Michael , Wittke Seth , Zachariasen Judith
Published: August 2022

As part of the U.S. National Seismic Hazard Model (NSHM) update planned for 2023, two databases were prepared to more completely represent Quaternary-active faulting across the western United States: the NSHM23 fault sections database (FSD) and earthquake geology database (EQGeoDB). In prior iterations of NSHM, fault sections were included only if a field-measurement-derived slip rate was estimated along a given fault. By expanding this inclusion criteria, we were able to assess a larger set of faults for use in NSHM23. The USGS Quaternary Fault and Fold Database served as a guide for assessing possible additions to the NSHM23 FSD. Reevaluating available data from published sources yielded an increase of fault sections from ~650 faults in NSHM18 to ~1,000 faults proposed for use in NSHM23. EQGeoDB, a companion dataset linked to NSHM23 FSD, contains geologic slip rate estimates for fault sections included in FSD. Together, these databases serve as common input data used in deformation modeling, earthquake rupture forecasting, and additional downstream uses in NSHM development.
Development of a novel anti-tuberculosis nanodelivery formulation using magnesium layered hydroxide as the nanocarrier and pyrazinamide as a model drug
Authors: Saifullah Bullo , Arulselvan Palanisamy , Fakurazi Sharida , Webster Thomas J. , Bullo Naeemullah , Hussein Mohd Zobir , El Zowalaty Mohamed E.
Published: August 2022

Designing and synthesizing biodegradable drug delivery systems are key research areas in biomedical nanotechnology. Here, we report the development of biodegradable magnesium-layered hydroxide (MgLH) based nanodelivery systems using magnesium oxide (MgO) as the precursor by a precipitation method. The designed nanocarrier does not contain any trivalent metal ions, which are most commonly used for the synthesis of layered double hydroxides (LDHs). The designed delivery system was characterized in detail using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analyses. The anti-tuberculosis (anti-TB) drug pyrazinamide (PZA) was successfully intercalated into interlayer galleries of MgLH, resulting in the formation of the nanocomposite, PZA-MgLH, having an average size of about 107 ± 24 nm with a uniform circular shape. The in vitro release of PZA in a human body simulated phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution was sustained (i.e., almost 66 h) and followed a pseudo-secondorder kinetic model. Moreover, the designed nanodelivery system was found to be highly biocompatible with human normal lung cells (MRC-5) and with 3T3 fibroblast cells as controls for 24 and 48 h. Lastly, the PZA-MgLH nanocomposite showed good anti-tuberculosis activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and both the PZA-MgLH nanocomposite and its released free drug PZA showed antibacterial activity against tested Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with percentage inhibition ranging from 5.6% to 68% against S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa for the PZA free drug, and 32% to 32.5% against E. coli for the PZA-MgLH nanocomposite. In summary, the present results provide significant evidence that the designed nanodelivery system can be used for the delivery of PZA and, thus, should be investigated further for a wide range of anti-TB applications.
The role of the serum 25-OH vitamin D level on detecting prostate cancer in men with elevated prostate-specific antigen levels
Authors: Kim Min Hyuk , Yoo Sangjun , Choo Min Soo , Cho Min Chul , Son Hwancheol , Jeong Hyeon
Published: August 2022

We aimed to determine whether vitamin D levels before prostate biopsy have diagnostic value for clinically significant prostate cancer. The study cohort included patients who underwent prostate biopsy. A total of 224 patients were enrolled in our study and serum vitamin D levels were measured from February 2016 to December 2019 in routine laboratory tests. To determine the relationship between vitamin D levels and aggressiveness of prostate cancer, we used logistic multivariate analysis. Based on the histopathological results of patients who underwent radical prostatectomy, the serum vitamin D level was significantly lower with the large tumor volume group. In the univariate analysis, the prostate cancer diagnosis rate was associated with low vitamin D levels. Low vitamin D level is negatively correlated with clinically significant prostate cancer (biopsy Gleason score of 7 or higher) in the univariate (Odds ratio [OR], 0.955; P < 0.001) and multivariate (OR, 0.944; P = 0.027) analyses. In conclusion, we found that the incidence of clinically significant prostate cancer might related to low vitamin D level in the Asian population. In the future, a larger population and prospective study are needed.
Prognosis of asymptomatic versus symptomatic metastatic breast cancer: a multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Kuba Sayaka , Maeda Shigeto , Minami Shigeki , Moriuchi Hiroki , Tanaka Aya , Akashi Momoko , Morita Michi , Sakimura Chika , Baba Masayuki , Otsubo Ryota , Matsumoto Megumi , Yamanouchi Kosho , Yano Hiroshi , Kanetaka Kengo , Nagayasu Takeshi , Eguchi Susumu
Published: August 2022

In Japan, asymptomatic metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is often detected using tumor markers or imaging tests. We aimed to investigate differences in clinicopathological features, prognosis, and treatment between asymptomatic and symptomatic MBCs. Patients with MBC were retrospectively divided into asymptomatic and symptomatic groups to compare their prognosis by breast cancer subtype: luminal, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive, and triple negative. Of 204 patients with MBC (114 asymptomatic, 90 symptomatic), the symptomatic group had a higher frequency of multiple metastatic sites and TN subtype. All cohorts in the asymptomatic group tended to or had longer post-recurrence survival (PRS) than those in the symptomatic group. In contrast, all cohorts and TN patients in the asymptomatic group tended to have or had longer overall survival (OS) than those in the symptomatic group, although no significant difference was observed in the luminal and HER2 subtypes. In the multivariate analysis, TN, recurrence-free survival, multiple metastatic sites, and symptomatic MBC were independently predictive of PRS. Regarding the luminal subtype, the asymptomatic group had longer chemotherapy duration than the symptomatic group, with no significant difference in OS between the groups. Asymptomatic and symptomatic MBCs differ in terms of subtypes and prognosis, and whether they require different treatment strategies for each subtype warrants further investigation.
Efficient engraftment and viral transduction of human hepatocytes in an FRG rat liver humanization model
Authors: Carbonaro Marisa , Lee Jeffrey , Pefanis Evangelos , Desclaux Mathieu , Wang Kehui , Pennington Alexander , Huang Hui , Mujica Alejo , Rojas Jose , Ally Roxanne , Kennedy Daniel , Brown Michael , Rogulin Vitaliy , Moller-Tank Sven , Sabin Leah , Zambrowicz Brian , Thurston Gavin , Li Zhe
Published: August 2022

Humanized liver rodent models, in which the host liver parenchyma is repopulated by human hepatocytes, have been increasingly used for drug development and disease research. Unlike the leading humanized liver mouse model in which Fumarylacetoacetate Hydrolase (Fah), Recombination Activating Gene (Rag)-2 and Interleukin-2 Receptor Gamma (Il2rg) genes were inactivated simultaneously, generation of similar recipient rats has been challenging. Here, using Velocigene and 1-cell-embryo-targeting technologies, we generated a rat model deficient in Fah, Rag1/2 and Il2rg genes, similar to humanized liver mice. These rats were efficiently engrafted with Fah-expressing hepatocytes from rat, mouse and human. Humanized liver rats expressed human albumin and complement proteins in serum and showed a normal liver zonation pattern. Further, approaches were developed for gene delivery through viral transduction of human hepatocytes either in vivo, or in vitro prior to engraftment, providing a novel platform to study liver disease and hepatocyte-targeted therapies.
Considering epitopes conservity in targeting SARS-CoV-2 mutations in variants: a novel immunoinformatics approach to vaccine design
Authors: Bagherzadeh Mohammad Aref , Izadi Mohammad , Baesi Kazem , Jahromi Mirza Ali Mofazzal , Pirestani Majid
Published: August 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has gained mutations at an alarming rate in the past years. Developing mutations can increase the virus's pathogenicity and virulence; reduce the efficacy of vaccines, antibodies neutralization, and even challenge adaptive immunity. So, it is essential to identify conserved epitopes (with fewer mutations) in different variants with appropriate antigenicity to target the variants by an appropriate vaccine design. Yet as, 3369 SARS-CoV-2 genomes were collected from global initiative on sharing avian flu data. Then, mutations in the immunodominant regions (IDRs), immune epitope database (IEDB) epitopes, and also predicted epitopes were calculated. In the following, epitopes conservity score against the total number of events (mutations) and the number of mutated sites in each epitope was weighted by Shannon entropy and then calculated by the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). Based on the TOPSIS conservity score and antigenicity score, the epitopes were plotted. The result demonstrates that almost all epitopes and IDRs with various lengths have gained different numbers of mutations in dissimilar sites. Herein, our two-step calculation for conservity recommends only 8 IDRs, 14 IEDB epitopes, and 10 predicted epitopes among all epitopes. The selected ones have higher conservity and higher immunogenicity. This method is an open-source multi-criteria decision-making platform, which provides a scientific approach to selecting epitopes with appropriate conservity and immunogenicity; against ever-changing viruses.
Organic amendments and conservation tillage improve cotton productivity and soil health indices under arid climate
Authors: Ahmad Saeed , Hussain Ijaz , Ghaffar Abdul , Rahman Muhammad Habib ur , Saleem Muhammad Zain , Yonas Muhammad Waqas , Hussnain Hammad , Ikram Rao Muhammad , Arslan Muhammad
Published: August 2022

Long-term different tillage system field trials can provide vital knowledge about sustainable changes in soil health indices and crop productivity. This study examined cotton productivity and soil health indices under different tillage systems and organic materials. The present study was carried out at MNS University of Agriculture, Multan to explore the effect of different tillage systems: conventional tillage (T1), conservation tillage (T2), and organic materials: control (recommended dose of synthetic fertilizers; 160:90:60 kg ha−1NPK), poultry manure (10 t ha−1PM), compost (10 t ha−1CM), farmyard manure (20 t ha−1FYM), and biochar (7 t ha−1BC) on cotton productivity and soil health indices. Two years field trials showed that different tillage systems and organic materials significantly improved the growth, morphological, and yield attributes of cotton and soil health indices. The cotton showed highest seed cotton yield (3692–3736 kg ha−1), and soil organic matter (0.809–0.815%), soil available nitrogen (74.3–74.6 mg kg−1), phosphorus (7.29–7.43 mg kg−1), and potassium (213–216 mg kg−1) under T2in comparison to T1system during both years of field experiment, respectively. Similarly, PM (10 t ha−1) showed highest seed cotton yield (3888–3933 kg ha−1), and soil organic matter (0.794–0.797%), nitrogen (74.7–75.0 mg kg−1), phosphorus (7.39–7.55 mg kg−1), and potassium (221–223 mg kg−1) when these are compared to FYM (20 t ha−1), CM (10 t ha−1), and BC (7 t ha−1) during both years of field experiment, respectively. These findings indicate that conservation tillage system with application of 10 t ha−1PM are the best practices for the sustainable cotton production and to ensure improvement in the soil health indices under arid climatic conditions.
Time to antibiotics is unrelated to outcome in pediatric patients with fever in neutropenia presenting without severe disease during chemotherapy for cancer
Authors: Koenig Christa , Kuehni Claudia E. , Bodmer Nicole , Agyeman Philipp K. A. , Ansari Marc , Roessler Jochen , von der Weid Nicolas X. , Ammann Roland A.
Published: August 2022

Fever in neutropenia (FN) remains an unavoidable, potentially lethal complication of chemotherapy. Timely administration of empirical broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics has become standard of care. But the impact of time to antibiotics (TTA), the lag period between recognition of fever or arrival at the hospital to start of antibiotics, remains unclear. Here we aimed to analyze the association between TTA and safety relevant events (SRE) in data from a prospective multicenter study. We analyzed the association between time from recognition of fever to start of antibiotics (TTA) and SRE (death, admission to intensive care unit, severe sepsis and bacteremia) with three-level mixed logistic regression. We adjusted for possible triage bias using a propensity score and stratified the analysis by severity of disease at presentation with FN. We analyzed 266 FN episodes, including 53 (20%) with SRE, reported in 140 of 269 patients recruited from April 2016 to August 2018. TTA (median, 120 min; interquartile range, 49–180 min) was not associated with SRE, with a trend for less SREs in episodes with longer TTA. Analyses applying the propensity score suggested a relevant triage bias. Only in patients with severe disease at presentation there was a trend for an association of longer TTA with more SRE. In conclusion, TTA was unrelated to poor clinical outcome in pediatric patients with FN presenting without severe disease. We saw strong evidence for triage bias which could only be partially adjusted.
DenseUNets with feedback non-local attention for the segmentation of specular microscopy images of the corneal endothelium with guttae
Authors: Vigueras-Guillén Juan P. , van Rooij Jeroen , van Dooren Bart T. H. , Lemij Hans G. , Islamaj Esma , van Vliet Lucas J. , Vermeer Koenraad A.
Published: August 2022

Corneal guttae, which are the abnormal growth of extracellular matrix in the corneal endothelium, are observed in specular images as black droplets that occlude the endothelial cells. To estimate the corneal parameters (endothelial cell density [ECD], coefficient of variation [CV], and hexagonality [HEX]), we propose a new deep learning method that includes a novel attention mechanism (named fNLA), which helps to infer the cell edges in the occluded areas. The approach first derives the cell edges, then infers the well-detected cells, and finally employs a postprocessing method to fix mistakes. This results in a binary segmentation from which the corneal parameters are estimated. We analyzed 1203 images (500 contained guttae) obtained with a Topcon SP-1P microscope. To generate the ground truth, we performed manual segmentation in all images. Several networks were evaluated (UNet, ResUNeXt, DenseUNets, UNet++, etc.) and we found that DenseUNets with fNLA provided the lowest error: a mean absolute error of 23.16 [cells/mm$$^{2}$$2] in ECD, 1.28 [%] in CV, and 3.13 [%] in HEX. Compared with Topcon’s built-in software, our error was 3–6 times smaller. Overall, our approach handled notably well the cells affected by guttae, detecting cell edges partially occluded by small guttae and discarding large areas covered by extensive guttae.
Demonstration of an intense lithium beam for forward-directed pulsed neutron generation
Authors: Okamura Masahiro , Ikeda Shunsuke , Kanesue Takeshi , Takahashi Kazumasa , Cannavó Antonino , Ceccio Giovanni , Cassisa Anastasia
Published: August 2022

As an alternative to research nuclear reactors, a compact accelerator-driven neutron generator that uses a lithium beam driver could be a promising candidate since it produces almost no undesired radiation. However, providing an intense lithium-ion beam has been difficult, and it has been thought that the practical application of such a device would be impossible. The most critical problem of insufficient ion fluxes has been solved by applying a direct plasma injection scheme. In this scheme, a pulsed high-density plasma from a metallic lithium foil generated by laser ablation is efficiently injected and accelerated by a radio-frequency quadrupole linear accelerator (RFQ linac). We have obtained a peak beam current of 35 mA accelerated to 1.43 MeV, which is two orders of magnitude higher than a conventional injector and accelerator system can deliver.
The evolutionary drivers of primate scleral coloration
Authors: Mearing Alex S. , Burkart Judith M. , Dunn Jacob , Street Sally E. , Koops Kathelijne
Published: August 2022

The drivers of divergent scleral morphologies in primates are currently unclear, though white sclerae are often assumed to underlie human hyper-cooperative behaviours. Humans are unusual in possessing depigmented sclerae whereas many other extant primates, including the closely-related chimpanzee, possess dark scleral pigment. Here, we use phylogenetic generalized least squares (PGLS) analyses with previously generated species-level scores of proactive prosociality, social tolerance (both n = 15 primate species), and conspecific lethal aggression (n = 108 primate species) to provide the first quantitative, comparative test of three existing hypotheses. The ‘self-domestication’ and ‘cooperative eye’ explanations predict white sclerae to be associated with cooperative, rather than competitive, environments. The ‘gaze camouflage’ hypothesis predicts that dark scleral pigment functions as gaze direction camouflage in competitive social environments. Notably, the experimental evidence that non-human primates draw social information from conspecific eye movements is unclear, with the latter two hypotheses having recently been challenged. Here, we show that white sclerae in primates are associated with increased cooperative behaviours whereas dark sclerae are associated with reduced cooperative behaviours and increased conspecific lethal violence. These results are consistent with all three hypotheses of scleral evolution, suggesting that primate scleral morphologies evolve in relation to variation in social environment.
Dielectric breakdown of 2D muscovite mica
Authors: Maruvada Anirudh , Shubhakar Kalya , Raghavan Nagarajan , Pey Kin Leong , O’Shea Sean J.
Published: August 2022

Localized electrical breakdown (BD) measurements are performed on 2D muscovite mica flakes of ~ 2 to 15 nm thickness using Conduction Atomic Force Microscopy (CAFM). To obtain robust BD data by CAFM, the probed locations are spaced sufficiently far apart (> 1 µm) to avoid mutual interference and the maximum current is set to a low value (< 1 nA) to ensure severe damage does not occur to the sample. The analyses reveals that 2D muscovite mica has high electrical breakdown strength (12 MV/cm or more) and low leakage current, comparable to 2D hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) of similar thickness. However, a significant difference compared to h-BN is the very low current necessary to avoid catastrophic damage during the BD event, even for very thin (2–3 nm) flakes. Further, for mica the BD transient always appear to be very abrupt, and no progressive BD process was definitively observed. These marked differences between mica and h-BN are attributed to the poor thermal conductivity of mica.
Altered metabolic connectivity between the amygdala and default mode network is related to pain perception in patients with cancer
Authors: Lin Wen-Ying , Hsieh Jen-Chuen , Lu Ching-Chu , Ono Yumie
Published: August 2022

We investigated the neural correlates for chronic cancer pain conditions by retrospectively analyzing whole brain regions on 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose-positron emission tomography images acquired from 80 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and esophageal cancer. The patients were divided into three groups according to perceived pain severity and type of analgesic treatment, namely patients not under analgesic treatment because of no or minor pain, patients with good pain control under analgesic treatment, and patients with poor pain control despite analgesic treatment. Uncontrollable cancer pain enhanced the activity of the hippocampus, amygdala, inferior temporal gyrus, and temporal pole. Metabolic connectivity analysis further showed that amygdala co-activation with the hippocampus was reduced in the group with poor pain control and preserved in the groups with no or minor pain and good pain control. The increased although imbalanced activity of the medial temporal regions may represent poor pain control in patients with cancer. The number of patients who used anxiolytics was higher in the group with poor pain control, whereas the usage rates were comparable between the other two groups. Therefore, further studies should investigate the relationship between psychological conditions and pain in patients with cancer and analyze the resultant brain activity.

Trial registration: This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov on 9/3/20 (NCT04537845).
Neural tube defects and uterus development in human fetuses
Authors: Diniz André L. L. , Vieiralves Rodrigo R. , Sampaio Francisco J. B. , Gallo Carla M. , Favorito Luciano Alves
Published: August 2022

One of the most common malformations of the central nervous system is related to embryonic neural tube alterations. We hypothesized that anencephaly affects the development of the uterus during the human second trimester of pregnancy. The objective of this study was to study the biometric parameters of the uterus in fetuses with anencephaly and compare them with normocephalic fetuses at that important. In our study, 34 female fetuses were analyzed, 22 normal and 12 anencephalic, aged between 12 and 22 weeks post-conception (WPC). After dissection of the pelvis and individualization of the genital tract, we evaluated the length and width of the uterus using the Image J software. We compared the means statistically using the Wilcoxon-Mann–Whitney test and performed linear regression. We identify significant differences between the uterus length (mm)/weight (g) × 100 (p = 0.0046) and uterus width (mm)/weight (g) × 100 (p = 0.0013) when we compared the control with the anencephalic group. The linear regression analysis indicated that 80% significance was found in the correlations in normocephalic fetuses (12.9 to 22.6 WPC) and 40% significance in anencephalic fetuses (12.3 to 18.6 WPC). The measurements of the uterus were greater in anencephalic group but there are no difference in the uterine width and length growth curves during the period studied. Further studies are required to support the hypothesis suggesting that anencephaly may affect uterine development during the human fetal period.
HSP70 upregulation in nasal mucosa of symptomatic children with allergic rhinitis and potential risk of asthma development
Authors: Fagotti Anna , Lucentini Livia , Simoncelli Francesca , La Porta Gianandrea , Brustenga Leonardo , Bizzarri Ilaria , Trio Silvia , Isidori Chiara , Di Rosa Ines , Di Cara Giuseppe
Published: August 2022

Allergic rhinitis and asthma are the most common causes of chronic inflammation of the upper and lower airways in childhood. However, a nasal biomarker that can link to pulmonary inflammation is yet to be found. The present paper aims to investigate the possible role in inflammation of two inducible 70-kDa Heat Shock Proteins (HSP70) members, HSPA1A/B and HSPA6, in nasal mucosa cells of allergic children through their mRNA expression analysis, and their correlation to both spirometric and FeNO values. The relationship between FeNO in lower airways and ∆Cts of HSPA1A/B in nasal mucosa seems to be influenced by clinical symptoms regardless of age, sex, and sensitization patterns. Therefore, HSP70 expression, as well as FeNO levels, could have a predictive capability to identify lower airways inflammation and thus to recognize rhinitic children having a potential risk of asthma development.
Hidden costs to building foundations due to sea level rise in a changing climate
Authors: Abdelhafez Mohamed A. , Ellingwood Bruce , Mahmoud Hussam
Published: August 2022

Coastal civil infrastructure is vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Hurricane storm surge and coastal flooding can cause significant hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads on structures while saltwater intrusion (SWI) may lead to deterioration of foundations. The effects of saltwater intrusion due to Sea Level Rise (SLR) on the foundations of buildings and other civil infrastructure is poorly understood. Such damages may not be detected in a timely fashion nor be insured, leading to significant and unanticipated expenses for building owners. In this study, we evaluate the impact of SWI due to various SLR scenarios on the corrosion of reinforcement in foundations of nearly 137,000 residential buildings in low-lying areas surrounding Mobile Bay, AL. We find that the potential for costly damage is significant. Under an extreme SLR scenario, the annual expected repair costs for the foundations of the studied homes may reach as much as US$90 million by 2100.
Intact face detection in young patients with major depressive disorder revealed by the face-specific N170 component
Authors: Chen Yang , Tong Feizhou , Zhao Lun , Sun Gang
Published: August 2022

It is unclear whether the face perceptual processing, especially the perceptual computation in early stages of processing faces, impaired in young patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). In this study, the face perception was investigated by analyzing the early ERP components in response to upright and inverted faces versus objects. Across all conditions, both the P1 and the N170 components were similar in MDD patients versus in the controls, regardless of latencies or amplitudes. Faces elicited larger N170 than objects (N170 face effect) and inverted faces elicited higher and delayed N170 (N170 inversion effect); however, none of these effects were modulated by depression. These findings suggest that there is intact perceptual mechanism of processing faces in young MDD patients, relying primarily on global/configural information versus non-face objects.
Madden–Julian Oscillation-induced extreme rainfalls constrained by global warming mitigation
Authors: Liang Shijing , Wang Dashan , Ziegler Alan D. , Li Laurent Z. X. , Zeng Zhenzhong
Published: August 2022

The sixth assessment report of the IPCC indicates low-to-high confidence in trends of extreme rainfall with regional inconsistency in the tropics, where a key phenomenon causing intra-seasonal variations in weather is the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO). It remains unknown how the MJO-induced extreme rainfall and the societal exposure may change in response to global warming and climate mitigation attempts. Here, using eight CMIP6 models that capture the eastward-propagating MJO structure and amplitude, we detect a nearly 60% increase in extreme rainfall over tropical Asia and Australia by the end of the 21st century under the fossil-fueled warming scenario (SSP5-8.5); 84% of this change is associated with MJO-induced extreme rainfall. Extreme rainfall increases are modulated by the warming-induced asymmetric changes in MJO phase characteristics, occurring mostly over the lands with distinct zonal differences. The region that is most likely to be affected includes Malaysia, Indonesia, and northern Australia where 96.68 million people and 9.72 million km2of urban areas are exposed to potential danger stemming from extreme rainfall. More than 95% (99%) of the population (urban) exposure can be potentially avoided under the “middle of the road” development (SSP2-4.5) scenario, whereby CO2emissions hover around current levels before starting to fall mid-century.
Metagenomic data from cerebrospinal fluid permits tracing the origin and spread of Neisseria meningitidis CC4821 in China
Authors: Chen Hongbin , Li Mei , Tu Shangyu , Zhang Xiaoyang , Wang Xiaojuan , Zhang Yawei , Zhao Chunjiang , Guo Yinghui , Wang Hui
Published: August 2022

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is useful for difficult to cultivate pathogens. Here, we use cerebrospinal fluid mNGS to diagnose invasive meningococcal disease. The complete genome sequences of Neisseria meningitidis were assembled using N. meningitidis of ST4821-serotype C isolated from four patients. To investigate the phylogeny, 165 CC4821 N. meningitidis genomes from 1972 to 2017 were also included. The core genome accumulated variation at a rate of 4.84×10−8 substitutions/nucleotide site/year. CC4821 differentiated into four sub-lineages during evolution (A, B, C, and D). While evolving from sub-lineage A (early stage) to sub-lineage D (late stage), the ST and CC4821 serotype converged into the ST4821-serotype C clone. Most strains of sub-lineage D were isolated from invasive meningococcal disease, with increasing resistance to quinolones. Phylogeographic analysis suggests that CC4821 has spread across 14 countries. Thus, the selective pressure of quinolones may cause CC4821 to converge evolutionarily, making it more invasive and facilitating its spread.
Preattentive facilitation of target trajectories in a dragonfly visual neuron
Authors: Lancer Benjamin H. , Evans Bernard J. E. , Fabian Joseph M. , O’Carroll David C. , Wiederman Steven D.
Published: August 2022

The ability to pursue targets in visually cluttered and distraction-rich environments is critical for predators such as dragonflies. Previously, we identified Centrifugal Small-Target Motion Detector 1 (CSTMD1), a dragonfly visual neuron likely involved in such target-tracking behaviour. CSTMD1 exhibits facilitated responses to targets moving along a continuous trajectory. Moreover, CSTMD1 competitively selects a single target out of a pair. Here, we conducted in vivo, intracellular recordings from CSTMD1 to examine the interplay between facilitation and selection, in response to the presentation of paired targets. We find that neuronal responses to both individual trajectories of simultaneous, paired targets are facilitated, rather than being constrained to the single, selected target. Additionally, switches in selection elicit suppression which is likely an important attribute underlying target pursuit. However, binocular experiments reveal these results are constrained to paired targets within the same visual hemifield, while selection of a target in one visual hemifield establishes ocular dominance that prevents facilitation or response to contralaterally presented targets. These results reveal that the dragonfly brain preattentively represents more than one target trajectory, to balance between attentional flexibility and resistance against distraction.
Ecological analysis of Pavlovian fear conditioning in rats
Authors: Zambetti Peter R. , Schuessler Bryan P. , Lecamp Bryce E. , Shin Andrew , Kim Eun Joo , Kim Jeansok J.
Published: August 2022

Pavlovian fear conditioning, which offers the advantage of simplicity in both the control of conditional and unconditional stimuli (CS, US) presentation and the analysis of specific conditional and unconditional responses (CR, UR) in a controlled laboratory setting, has been the standard model in basic and translational fear research. Despite 100 years of experiments, the utility of fear conditioning has not been trans-situationally validated in real-life contexts. We thus investigated whether fear conditioning readily occurs and guides the animal’s future behavior in an ecologically-relevant environment. To do so, Long-Evans rats foraging for food in an open arena were presented with a tone CS paired with electric shock US to their dorsal neck/body that instinctively elicited escape UR to the safe nest. On subsequent test days, the tone-shock paired animals failed to exhibit fear CR to the CS. In contrast, animals that encountered a realistic agent of danger (a looming artificial owl) paired with a shock, simulating a plausible predatory strike, instantly fled to the nest when presented with a tone for the first time. These results highlight the possibility of a nonassociative, rather than standard associative, fear process providing survival function in life-threatening situations that animals are likely to encounter in nature.
Adult re-expression of IRSp53 rescues NMDA receptor function and social behavior in IRSp53-mutant mice
Authors: Noh Young Woo , Yook Chaehyun , Kang Jaeseung , Lee Soowon , Kim Yeonghyeon , Yang Esther , Kim Hyun , Kim Eunjoon
Published: August 2022

IRSp53 (or BAIAP2) is an abundant excitatory postsynaptic scaffolding/adaptor protein that is involved in actin regulation and has been implicated in autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. IRSp53 deletion in mice leads to enhanced NMDA receptor (NMDAR) function and social deficits that are responsive to NMDAR inhibition. However, it remains unclear whether IRSp53 re-expression in the adult IRSp53-mutant mouse brain after the completion of brain development could reverse these synaptic and behavioral dysfunctions. Here we employed a brain-blood barrier (BBB)-penetrant adeno-associated virus (AAV) known as PHP.eB to drive adult IRSp53 re-expression in IRSp53-mutant mice. The adult IRSp53 re-expression normalized social deficits without affecting hyperactivity or anxiety-like behavior. In addition, adult IRSp53 re-expression normalized NMDAR-mediated excitatory synaptic transmission in the medial prefrontal cortex. Our results suggest that adult IRSp53 re-expression can normalize synaptic and behavioral deficits in IRSp53-mutant mice and that BBB-penetrant adult gene re-expression has therapeutic potential.
Cloud processing and weeklong ageing affect biomass burning aerosol properties over the south-eastern Atlantic
Authors: Che Haochi , Segal-Rozenhaimer Michal , Zhang Lu , Dang Caroline , Zuidema Paquita , Dobracki Amie , Sedlacek Arthur J. , Coe Hugh , Wu Huihui , Taylor Jonathan , Zhang Xiaoye , Redemann Jens , Haywood Jim
Published: August 2022

Southern Africa produces a third of global biomass burning emissions, which have a long atmospheric lifetime and influence regional radiation balance and climate. Here, we use airmass trajectories to link different aircraft observations to investigate the evolution of biomass-burning aerosols during their westward transport from Southern Africa over the south-eastern Atlantic, where a semi-permanent stratocumulus cloud deck is located. Our results show secondary organic aerosol formation during the initial 3 days of transport, followed by decreases in organic aerosol via photolysis before reaching equilibrium. Aerosol absorption wavelength dependency decreases with ageing, due to an increase in particle size and photochemical bleaching of brown carbon. Cloud processing, including aqueous-phase reaction and scavenging, contributes to the oxidation of organic aerosols, while it strongly reduces large diameter particles and single-scattering albedo of biomass burning aerosols. Together, these processes resulted in a marine boundary layer with fewer yet more oxidized and absorbing aerosols.
The resolution-vs.-accuracy dilemma in machine learning modeling of electronic excitation spectra
Authors: Kayastha Prakriti , Chakraborty Sabyasachi , Ramakrishnan Raghunathan
Published: August 2022

We present electronic ground and excited state properties of a new chemical space dataset, and suggest a strategy for efficient machine learning modeling of electronic spectral intensities.
Destructive fibrotic teamwork: how both microenvironment stiffness and profibrotic interleukin 13 impair alveolar macrophage phenotype and function
Authors: Bomb Kartik , Pradhan Lina , Zhang Qi , Jarai Bader M. , Bhattacharjee Arnab , Burris David L. , Kloxin April M. , Fromen Catherine A.
Published: August 2022

Alternative activation (M2 phenotype) of macrophages and reduced phagocytosis is regulated synergistically by increased substrate stiffness and presence of profibrotic soluble cues.
Native and fermented waxy cassava starch as a novel gluten-free and clean label ingredient for baking and expanded product development
Authors: Dufour Dominique , Rolland-Sabaté Agnès , Mina Cordoba Hansel A. , Luna Melendez Jorge Luis , Moreno Alzate Jhon Larry , Pizzaro Mónica , Guilois Dubois Sophie , Sánchez Teresa , Eiver Belalcazar John , Morante Nelson , Tran Thierry , Moreno-Santander Martín , Vélez-Hernández Gustavo , Ceballos Hernán
Published: August 2022

Amylose-free and wild-type cassava starches were fermented for up to 30 days and oven- or sun-dried.
Strain-mediated oxygen evolution reaction on magnetic two-dimensional monolayers
Authors: Pu Mingjie , Guo Yufeng , Guo Wanlin
Published: August 2022

By screening 56 magnetic 2D monolayers via first-principles calculations, 4 magnetic 2D monolayers can be activated via strain engineering as catalysts for the OER in which the overpotential of the CoO2 monolayer decreases to 0.372 V under 4.0% εxy.
Coupling of the water-splitting mechanism and doping-mixture method to design a novel Cr-perovskite for rapid and efficient solar thermochemical H2 production
Authors: Cong Jian , Ma Tianzeng , Chang Zheshao , Akhatov Jasurjon S. , Fu Mingkai , Li Xin
Published: August 2022

The water-splitting mechanism-supported material design of a novel Cr-perovskite by Zr doping and ceria mixing for promising H2 production.
Synthesis and properties of BiDy composite electrode materials in electrochemical sensors
Authors: Tao Feihu , Yu Chunhu , Huang Jianfeng , Li Feiyang , Cai Zhengyu , Fan Chuangang , Pei Lizhai
Published: August 2022

The BiDy composite electrode shows good electro-catalytic activity toward l-cysteine and great application potential in electrochemical sensors.
Synthesis and post-polymerization functionalization of a tosylated hyper-crosslinked polymer for fast and efficient removal of organic pollutants in water
Authors: Todee Bunyaporn , Chutimasakul Threeraphat , Junthod Kritanan , Docker Andrew , Saetear Phoonthawee , Kongkaew Manisa , Ratvijitvech Thanchanok , Tantirungrotechai Jonggol , Bunchuay Thanthapatra
Published: August 2022

The synthesis and post-synthetic modification of a novel tosylate-functionalized hyper-crosslinked polymer (HCP) for the purpose of water remediation are reported.
(3 + 2)-Annulation of 1,3-N,Si-tetraorganosilane reagents TsHNCH2SiBnR1R2 with arynes for efficient synthesis of 3-silaindolines
Authors: Cui Deyun , Feng Ying , Gan Yu , Yin Jiaqi , Wang Wanshu , Fan Yu , Gao Lu , Ke Bowen , Song Zhenlei
Published: August 2022

1,3-N,Si-Tetraorganosilane reagents TsHNCH2SiBnR1R2 were developed as robust synthons to prepare 3-silaindolines via a Cs2CO3-promoted (3 + 2)-annulation reaction with arynes.
Fluorosulfonyl radicals: new horizons for the synthesis of sulfonyl fluorides
Authors: He Fu-Sheng , Li Yuqing , Wu Jie
Published: August 2022

Recent advances in the generation of fluorosulfonyl radicals toward sulfonyl fluorides are highlighted.
2D TiVCTx layered nanosheets grown on nickel foam as highly efficient electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Wen Yi , Yang Junsheng , Zou Haoran , Fan Yiquan , Li Jie , Kuang Yijian , Liu Wenkang , Zhang Kaisong , Xiong Lieqiang
Published: August 2022

The TiVCTx MXene was obtained by etching and peeling methods, and the TiVCTx@NF hybrid electrode material was obtained by the deposition method. The electrochemical performance was evaluated using a variety of characterization methods.
Topologically switchable and gated transcription machinery
Authors: Zhang Pu , Fischer Amit , Ouyang Yu , Sohn Yang Sung , Nechushtai Rachel , Zhang Junji , Tian He , Fan Chunhai , Willner Itamar
Published: August 2022

Three different topological barriers to switch transcription machineries were introduced including Sr2+-ion stabilized G-quadruplex units, T-A·T triplex structures and photoisomerizable azobenzene-nucleic acid blockers.
Generation of boryl-nitroxide radicals from a boraalkene via the nitroso ene reaction
Authors: Chen Chaohuang , Daniliuc Constantin G. , Klabunde Sina , Hansen Michael Ryan , Kehr Gerald , Erker Gerhard
Published: August 2022

The NHC-stabilized boraalkene reacts with nitrosobenzene to give a [2+2] cycloaddition product plus a pair of persistent borylnitroxide radicals. These are thought to be formed by means of a bora nitroso ene reaction followed by H-atom transfer.
Soluble and stable symmetric tetrazines as anolytes in redox flow batteries
Authors: De La Garza Gloria D. , Kaur Aman Preet , Shkrob Ilya A. , Robertson Lily A. , Odom Susan A. , McNeil Anne J.
Published: August 2022

Nonaqueous redox flow batteries are a promising technology for grid-scale energy storage, however, their success relies on identifying redox-active materials that exhibit extreme potentials, high solubilities , and long cycling stabilities.
Ultrasound-augmented anti-inflammatory exosomes for targeted therapy in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Tang Yuanjiao , Wu Zihe , Guo Ruiqian , Huang Jianbo , Rong Xiao , Zhu Bihui , Wang Liyun , Ma Lang , Cheng Chong , Qiu Li
Published: August 2022

A novel kind of inherent anti-inflammatory exosome (AI-Exo) was preparedviaintegrating RAW264.7 macrophage-derived exosomes and interleukin-10 by an electroporation method, which is used for ultrasound-augmented therapy.
Roll profile preset and control based on electronic temperature control technology
Authors: Hai Yang , Yang Tingsong , Wang Haijun , Xu Zhiqiang , Fan Meichen
Published: August 2022

Roll profile electronic temperature control technology (RPETCT) is a roll profile flexible control technology based on the principle of semiconductor thermoelectricity. It can form a specific heat flow in the roll with the help of a multi-stage electronic temperature control device, so as to realize the preset of the original roll profile of the work roll before rolling. In this paper, the finite element model of RPETCT is established, and the experimental platform of RPETCT is built for verification. Based on this, the single-sheet control ability, multi-sheets joint control ability and high-order roll profile generation ability are studied. The results show that increasing the current can improve the regulation ability of quadratic and quartic convexity under the temperature control mode of hot and cold ends. Under the two temperature control modes, the position of the quartic convexity will not change with the current. In the multi-sheets joint control mode, the bulging capacity in the middle of the roll will decrease with the increase of the distance between the sheets. In addition, this paper explores the generation ability of electronic temperature control roll profile under multi-sheets joint control and the roll profile generation rate under different working conditions, and preset the cubic and quartic roll profile curves with good fitting degree.
HOBIT. Un concept innovant pour la transformation des pratiques pédagogiques en physique
Authors: Bousquet Bruno , Canioni Lionel , Guillet Jean-Paul , Fleck Stéphanie , Normand Erwan , Hachet Martin
Published: August 2022

La transformation des pratiques pédagogiques est devenue une nécessité pour faciliter l’accès au savoir d’étudiants qui ont du mal à comprendre les concepts abstraits ainsi que les modèles physiques et les outils mathématiques sous-jacents.

Dans ce contexte, nous avons conçu, développé et évalué le dispositif HOBIT, destiné à soutenir l’apprentissage des connaissances fondamentales et des compétences techniques dans le domaine de l’optique, grâce au couplage d’une simulation numérique et d’une manipulation d’objets physiques dans un environnement hybride de réalité augmentée tangible.

Nous présentons ici notre démarche de conception et la manière dont HOBIT, dont le concept pourrait être étendu à d’autres disciplines de la physique, a d’ores et déjà modifié nos pratiques pédagogiques.
Evaluation der Versorgungsituation von Patient*innen mit chronischen Lymphödemen während der COVID-19-Pandemie
Authors: Liebl Max , Schuester Leon , Kornappel Simone , Reißhauer Anett
Published: August 2022

Hintergrund Die COVID-19-Pandemie stellt eine große
Herausforderung für chronisch Erkrankte sowie deren Versorgung dar. Insbesondere die
multiprofessionelle Versorgung von Patient*innen mit Lymphödemen sowie die Vorbeugung von
Komplikationen und Exazerbationen erscheinen deutlich beeinträchtigt. Ziel dieser Studie war
es, die Auswirkungen der COVID-19-Pandemie auf die Lebenszufriedenheit von
Lymphödempatient*innen darzustellen sowie eine Patient*innenperspektive zu bieten.

Methoden Es wurden 100 Patient*innen der Hochschulambulanz (HSA)
für Physikalische Medizin der Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin zur Inanspruchnahme von
Gesundheitsleistungen, zur Therapie und zu ihrer persönlichen Situation während der Pandemie
befragt. Zur Evaluation der Lebenszufriedenheit wurde die SWLS (Satisfaction with Life Scale)
verwendet.

Ergebnisse Die SWLS sank von 24,5±6,7 SD präpandemisch auf
21,4±7,4 SD während der Pandemie (p<0,0001; r=-0,58). Es zeigte sich eine Tendenz zu
weniger Arztbesuchen bei vermehrtem Auftreten von Komplikationen. Lymphödem-typische
nichtärztliche Gesundheitsleistungen konnten deutlich weniger abgerufen werden.
Telemedizinische Angebote wurden gut angenommen.

Schlussfolgerung Die subjektive Lebensqualität von
Lymphödempatient*innen nahm signifikant und effektstark ab. Dies unterstreicht die besondere
Vulnerabilität dieser Gruppe für die Probleme der Gesundheitsversorgung während einer
Pandemie.
Hemmkörperhämophilie: aktuelle
Aspekte
Authors: Schmalzing Marc
Published: August 2022

Die erworbene Hämophilie A stellt die häufigste
Hemmkörperhämophilie dar. Sie kann idiopathisch, in Zusammenhang
mit anderen Erkrankungen oder post partum auftreten. In einem Großteil
der Fälle treten ausgeprägte Blutungszeichen auf, die
lebensbedrohlich verlaufen können. Wichtige Differentialdiagnosen werden
genannt. Die Diagnose wird ausgehend von der verlängerten aPTT durch
Plasmamischversuche und den Bethesda-Test gestellt. Die Therapie erfolgt
einerseits neben lokalen Maßnahmen zur Blutungskontrolle durch
Gerinnungsfaktorpräparate sowie Tranexamsäure zur Blutstillung
sowie andererseits durch Immunsuppression mit Glukokortikoiden, Rituximab
und/oder Cyclophosphamid zur Elimination des inhibitorischen
Autoantikörpers. Alternative Immunsuppressive Therapieoptionen
für refraktäre Fälle werden aufgezeigt. Die Prognose
scheint vor allem davon abhängig zu sein wie stark Faktor VIII initial
reduziert ist.