bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pupil drift rate indexes groove ratings
Authors: Spiech Connor , Sioros George , Endestad Tor , Danielsen Anne , Laeng Bruno
Published: July 2022

Groove, understood as an enjoyable compulsion to move to musical rhythms, typically varies along an inverted U-curve with increasing rhythmic complexity (e.g., syncopation, pickups). Predictive coding accounts posit that moderate complexity drives us to move to reduce sensory prediction errors and model the temporal structure. While musicologists generally distinguish the effects of pickups (anacruses) and syncopations, their difference remains unexplored in groove. We used pupillometry as an index to noradrenergic arousal while subjects listened to and rated drumbeats varying in rhythmic complexity. We replicated the inverted U-shaped relationship between rhythmic complexity and groove and showed this is modulated by musical ability, based on a psychoacoustic beat perception test. The pupil drift rates suggest that groovier rhythms hold attention longer than ones rated less groovy. Moreover, we found complementary effects of syncopations and pickups on groove ratings and pupil size, respectively, discovering a distinct predictive process related to pickups. We suggest that the brain deploys attention to pickups to sharpen subsequent strong beats, augmenting the predictive scaffolding’s focus on beats that reduce syncopations’ prediction errors. This interpretation is in accordance with groove envisioned as an embodied resolution of precision-weighted prediction error.
Cross-cultural differences in early expectations about third party resource distribution
Authors: Meristo Marek , Zeidler Henriette
Published: July 2022

Research using non-verbal looking-time methods suggests that pre-verbal infants are able to detect inequality in third party resource allocations. However, nothing is known about the emergence of this capacity outside a very narrow Western context. We compared 12- to 20-month-old infants (N = 54) from one Western and two non-Western societies. Swedish infants confirmed the pattern from previous Western samples by looking longer at the unequal distribution, suggesting that they expected the resources to be distributed equally. Samburu infants looked longer at the equal distribution, suggesting an expectation of unequal distribution. The Kikuyu infants looked equally at both distributions, and did not show any specific exactions. These results suggest that expectations of equal distributions in third party allocations are affected by experience of cultural variations of distributive norms and social interaction early in development.
A pair of primers facing at the double-strand break site enables to detect NHEJ-mediated indel mutations at a 1-bp resolution
Authors: Ijaz Faryal , Nakazato Ryota , Setou Mitsutoshi , Ikegami Koji
Published: July 2022

The introduction of small insertion/deletion (indel) mutations in the coding region of genes by the site-specific nucleases such as Cas9 allows researchers to obtain frameshift null mutants. Technically simple and costly reasonable genotyping methods are awaited to efficiently screen the frameshift null mutant candidates. Here, we developed a simple genotyping method called DST-PCR (Double-strand break Site-Targeted PCR) using “face-to-face” primers where the 3’ ends of forward and reverse primers face each other at the position between 3-bp and 4-bp upstream of the PAM sequence, which is generally the Cas9-mediated double-strand break site. Generated amplicons are directly subjected to TBE-High-Resolution PAGE, which contains a high concentration of bis-acrylamide, for mutant clones detection with 1-bp resolution. We present actual cases of screening of CRISPR/Cas9-engineered knockout (KO) cells for six genes, where we screen indels to obtain potential KO cell clones utilizing our approach. This method allowed us to detect 1-bp to 2-bp insertion and 1-bp to 4-bp deletion in one or both alleles of mutant cell clones. In addition, this technique also allowed the identification of heterozygous and homozygous biallelic functional KO candidates. Thus, DST-PCR is a simple and fast method to screen KO candidates generated by the CRISPR/Cas9 system before the final selection of clones with sequencing.
Dental anomaly detection using intraoral photos via deep learning
Authors: Ragodos Ronilo , Wang Tong , Padilla Carmencita , Hecht Jacqueline T. , Poletta Fernando A. , Orioli Iêda M. , Buxó Carmen J. , Butali Azeez , Valencia-Ramirez Consuelo , Restrepo Muñeton Claudia , Wehby George L. , Weinberg Seth M. , Marazita Mary L. , Moreno Uribe Lina M. , Howe Brian J.
Published: July 2022

Children with orofacial clefting (OFC) present with a wide range of dental anomalies. Identifying these anomalies is vital to understand their etiology and to discern the complex phenotypic spectrum of OFC. Such anomalies are currently identified using intra-oral exams by dentists, a costly and time-consuming process. We claim that automating the process of anomaly detection using deep neural networks (DNNs) could increase efficiency and provide reliable anomaly detection while potentially increasing the speed of research discovery. This study characterizes the use of` DNNs to identify dental anomalies by training a DNN model using intraoral photographs from the largest international cohort to date of children with nonsyndromic OFC and controls (OFC1). In this project, the intraoral images were submitted to a Convolutional Neural Network model to perform multi-label multi-class classification of 10 dental anomalies. The network predicts whether an individual exhibits any of the 10 anomalies and can do so significantly faster than a human rater can. For all but three anomalies, F1 scores suggest that our model performs competitively at anomaly detection when compared to a dentist with 8 years of clinical experience. In addition, we use saliency maps to provide a post-hoc interpretation for our model’s predictions. This enables dentists to examine and verify our model’s predictions.
Stimulation-related modifications of evolving functional brain networks in unresponsive wakefulness
Authors: Helmstaedter Christoph , Rings Thorsten , Buscher Lara , Janssen Benedikt , Alaeddin Sara , Krause Vanessa , Knecht Stefan , Lehnertz Klaus
Published: July 2022

Recent advances in neurophysiological brain network analysis have demonstrated novel potential for diagnosis and prognosis of disorders of consciousness. While most progress has been achieved on the population-sample level, time-economic and easy-to-apply personalized solutions are missing. This prospective controlled study combined EEG recordings, basal stimulation, and daily behavioral assessment as applied routinely during complex early rehabilitation treatment. We investigated global characteristics of EEG-derived evolving functional brain networks during the repeated (3–6 weeks apart) evaluation of brain dynamics at rest as well as during and after multisensory stimulation in ten patients who were diagnosed with an unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS). The age-corrected average clustering coefficient C* allowed to discriminate between individual patients at first (three patients) and second assessment (all patients). Clinically, only two patients changed from UWS to minimally conscious state. Of note, most patients presented with significant changes of C* due to stimulations, along with treatment, and with an increasing temporal distance to injury. These changes tended towards the levels of nine healthy controls. Our approach allowed to monitor both, short-term effects of individual therapy sessions and possibly long-term recovery. Future studies will need to assess its full potential for disease monitoring and control of individualized treatment decisions.
Lack of Cathepsin D in the central nervous system results in microglia and astrocyte activation and the accumulation of proteinopathy-related proteins
Authors: Suzuki Chigure , Yamaguchi Junji , Sanada Takahito , Oliva Trejo Juan Alejandro , Kakuta Souichirou , Shibata Masahiro , Tanida Isei , Uchiyama Yasuo
Published: July 2022

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis is one of many neurodegenerative storage diseases characterized by excessive accumulation of lipofuscins. CLN10 disease, an early infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, is associated with a gene that encodes cathepsin D (CtsD), one of the major lysosomal proteases. Whole body CtsD-knockout mice show neurodegenerative phenotypes with the accumulation of lipofuscins in the brain and also show defects in other tissues including intestinal necrosis. To clarify the precise role of CtsD in the central nervous system (CNS), we generated a CNS-specific CtsD-knockout mouse (CtsD-CKO). CtsD-CKO mice were born normally but developed seizures and their growth stunted at around postnatal day 23 ± 1. CtsD-CKO did not exhibit apparent intestinal symptoms as those observed in whole body knockout. Histologically, autofluorescent materials were detected in several areas of the CtsD-CKO mouse’s brain, including: thalamus, cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. Expression of ubiquitin and autophagy-associated proteins was also increased, suggesting that the autophagy-lysosome system was impaired. Microglia and astrocytes were activated in the CtsD-CKO thalamus, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), an inflammation marker, was increased in the microglia. Interestingly, deposits of proteinopathy-related proteins, phosphorylated α-synuclein, and Tau protein were also increased in the thalamus of CtsD-CKO infant mice. Considering these results, we propose thatt the CtsD-CKO mouse is a useful mouse model to investigate the contribution of cathepsin D to the early phases of neurodegenerative diseases in relation to lipofuscins, proteinopathy-related proteins and activation of microglia and astrocytes.
A dynamically structured matrix population model for insect life histories observed under variable environmental conditions
Authors: Erguler Kamil , Mendel Jacob , Petrić Dušan Veljko , Petrić Mina , Kavran Mihaela , Demirok Murat Can , Gunay Filiz , Georgiades Pantelis , Alten Bulent , Lelieveld Jos
Published: July 2022

Various environmental drivers influence life processes of insect vectors that transmit human disease. Life histories observed under experimental conditions can reveal such complex links; however, designing informative experiments for insects is challenging. Furthermore, inferences obtained under controlled conditions often extrapolate poorly to field conditions. Here, we introduce a pseudo-stage-structured population dynamics model to describe insect development as a renewal process with variable rates. The model permits representing realistic life stage durations under constant and variable environmental conditions. Using the model, we demonstrate how random environmental variations result in fluctuating development rates and affect stage duration. We apply the model to infer environmental dependencies from the life history observations of two common disease vectors, the southern (Culex quinquefasciatus) and northern (Culex pipiens) house mosquito. We identify photoperiod, in addition to temperature, as pivotal in regulating larva stage duration, and find that carefully timed life history observations under semi-field conditions accurately predict insect development throughout the year. The approach we describe augments existing methods of life table design and analysis, and contributes to the development of large-scale climate- and environment-driven population dynamics models for important disease vectors.
Interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy multi-attribute group decision-making method considering risk preference of decision-makers and its application
Authors: Fu Sha , Xiao Ye-zhi , Zhou Hang-jun
Published: July 2022

An improved interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy multi-attribute group decision-making method considering the risk preference of decision-makers is proposed to solve the multi-attribute group decision-making problem with interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy numbers and the condition that the attribute weight information is completely unknown. Firstly, the decision-maker weight of each attribute is determined by combining similarity and proximity. In order to consider the influence of the decision-maker's risk preference on the decision result and avoid the asymptotic behavior of interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy matrix, the risk aversion coefficient of the decision-maker is introduced and combined with the determined decision-maker's weight aggregation to form a group decision matrix. Then, the information of group decision matrix is mined, and the interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy entropy is used to determine the attribute weight and relative weight. Based on the interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy distance measure formula and the TODIM method, the overall superiority of each scheme relative to other schemes is obtained by calculating the superiority between schemes, and the optimal scheme is determined by comparing and sequencing. Finally, the rationality and effectiveness of the proposed method are verified by an example of mechanical assembly supplier selection decision.
Deep convolutional neural network-based skeletal classification of cephalometric image compared with automated-tracing software
Authors: Kim Ho-Jin , Kim Kyoung Dong , Kim Do-Hoon
Published: July 2022

This study aimed to investigate deep convolutional neural network- (DCNN-) based artificial intelligence (AI) model using cephalometric images for the classification of sagittal skeletal relationships and compare the performance of the newly developed DCNN-based AI model with that of the automated-tracing AI software. A total of 1574 cephalometric images were included and classified based on the A-point-Nasion- (N-) point-B-point (ANB) angle (Class I being 0–4°, Class II > 4°, and Class III < 0°). The DCNN-based AI model was developed using training (1334 images) and validation (120 images) sets with a standard classification label for the individual images. A test set of 120 images was used to compare the AI models. The agreement of the DCNN-based AI model or the automated-tracing AI software with a standard classification label was measured using Cohen’s kappa coefficient (0.913 for the DCNN-based AI model; 0.775 for the automated-tracing AI software). In terms of their performances, the micro-average values of the DCNN-based AI model (sensitivity, 0.94; specificity, 0.97; precision, 0.94; accuracy, 0.96) were higher than those of the automated-tracing AI software (sensitivity, 0.85; specificity, 0.93; precision, 0.85; accuracy, 0.90). With regard to the sagittal skeletal classification using cephalometric images, the DCNN-based AI model outperformed the automated-tracing AI software.
Bound states in the continuum (BIC) protected by self-sustained potential barriers in a flat band system
Authors: Zhang Yi-Cai
Published: July 2022

In this work, we investigate the bound states in the continuum (BIC) of a one-dimensional spin-1 flat band system. It is found that, when the potential is sufficiently strong, there exists an effective attractive potential well surrounded by infinitely high self-sustained barriers. Consequently, there exist some BIC in the effective potential well. These bound states are protected by the infinitely high potential barriers, which could not decay into the continuum. Taking a long-ranged Coulomb potential and a short-ranged exponential potential as two examples, the bound state energies are obtained. For a Coulomb potential, there exists a series of critical potential strengths, near which the bound state energy can go to infinity. For a sufficiently strong exponential potential, there exist two different bound states with a same number of wave function nodes. The existence of BIC protected by the self-sustained potential barriers is quite a universal phenomenon in the flat band system under a strong potential. A necessary condition for the existence of BIC is that the maximum of potential is larger than two times band gap.
Improved geometric accuracy of whole body diffusion-weighted imaging at 1.5T and 3T using reverse polarity gradients
Authors: Sjöholm T. , Kullberg J. , Strand R. , Engström M. , Ahlström H. , Malmberg F.
Published: July 2022

Whole body diffusion-weighted imaging (WB-DWI) is increasingly used in oncological applications, but suffers from misalignments due to susceptibility-induced geometric distortion. As such, DWI and structural images acquired in the same scan session are not geometrically aligned, leading to difficulties in e.g. lesion detection and segmentation. In this work we assess the performance of the reverse polarity gradient (RPG) method for correction of WB-DWI geometric distortion. Multi-station DWI and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of healthy controls were acquired at 1.5T (n = 20) and 3T (n = 20). DWI data was distortion corrected using the RPG method based on b = 0 s/mm2 (b0) and b = 50 s/mm2 (b50) DWI acquisitions. Mutual information  (MI) between low b-value DWI and structural data increased with distortion correction (P < 0.05), while improvements in region of interest (ROI) based similarity metrics, comparing the position of incidental findings on DWI and structural data, were location dependent. Small numerical differences between non-corrected and distortion corrected apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were measured. Visually, the distortion correction improved spine alignment at station borders, but introduced registration-based artefacts mainly for the spleen and kidneys. Overall, the RPG distortion correction gave an improved geometric accuracy for WB-DWI data acquired at 1.5T and 3T. The b0- and b50-based distortion corrections had a very similar performance.
Intramuscular delivery of formulated RNA encoding six linked nanobodies is highly protective for exposures to three Botulinum neurotoxin serotypes
Authors: Mukherjee Jean , Ondeck Celinia A. , Tremblay Jacqueline M. , Archer Jacob , Debatis Michelle , Foss Alexa , Awata Junya , Erasmus Jesse H. , McNutt Patrick M. , Shoemaker Charles B.
Published: July 2022

Single domain antibodies (sdAbs), also called nanobodies, have substantial biophysical advantages over conventional antibodies and are increasingly being employed as components of immunotherapeutic agents. One particularly favorable property is the ability to link different sdAbs into heteromultimers. This feature allows production of single molecules capable of simultaneously targeting more than one antigen. In addition, cooperative binding of multiple linked sdAbs to non-overlapping epitopes on the same target can produce synergistic improvements in target affinity, variant specificity, and in vivo potencies. Here we seek to test the option of increased component sdAbs in these heteromultimers by testing different sdAb heterohexamers in which each of the six camelid sdAb components (VHHs) can neutralize one of three different Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) serotypes, A, B or E. Each heterohexamer bound all three targeted BoNT serotypes and protected mice from at least 100 MIPLD50 of each serotype. To test the potential of mRNA therapeutics encoding long sdAb heteromultimers, one heterohexamer was encoded as replicating RNA (repRNA), formulated with a cationic nanocarrier, and delivered to mice via intramuscular injection. Heterohexamer antitoxin serum expression levels were easily detected by 8 h post-treatment, peaked at 5–10 nM around two days, and persisted for more than three days. Mice treated with the formulated repRNA one day post-treatment survived challenge with 100 MIPLD50 of each toxin serotype, demonstrating the function of all six component VHHs. Use of long sdAb multimers, administered as proteins or repRNA, offer the potential for substantially improved versatility in the development of antibody-based therapeutics.
Evaluation of long-term outcomes associated with extended heavy-silicone oil use for the treatment of inferior retinal detachment
Authors: Horozoglu Fatih , Sener Hidayet , Polat Osman Ahmet , Sever Ozkan , Potoglu Busra , Celik Erkan , Turkoglu Elif Betul , Evereklioglu Cem
Published: July 2022

To evaluate macular status with optical coherence tomography (OCT) in eyes that underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and heavy-silicone oil (HSO) endotamponade for the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with inferior breaks. Twenty eyes of 20 patients who have RRD with inferior breaks included in the study. Oxane HD was used as an intraocular tamponade for all surgeries. Postoperatively, anatomic reattachment, macular status using OCT imaging, and any long-term complications were evaluated. The mean age was 60.4 ± 11.2 years (range, 37–83). The duration of HSO endotamponade was 15.3 ± 11.0 months (range, 6–48) with some postoperative complications such as HSO emulsification, intraocular pressure elevation, and epiretinal membrane (ERM) formation. Mean follow-up time was 19.5 ± 10.5 months (range, 10–59) after HSO removal or ERM surgery. Primary reattachment was achieved in 90% of eyes and the success rate was 100% with further interventions. Ellipsoid zone (EZ) was continuous in 13 of 20 eyes in which OCT imaging performed as well as the fellow eye. PPV and heavy-silicone oil injection for the treatment of eyes with RRD from inferior break(s) have a good long-term EZ continuity. ERM formation and its removal do not affect EZ.
Tetradentate copper complex supported on boehmite nanoparticles as an efficient and heterogeneous reusable nanocatalyst for the synthesis of diaryl ethers
Authors: Jabbari Arida , Moradi Parisa , Hajjami Maryam , Tahmasbi Bahman
Published: July 2022

In this work boehmite nanoparticles (BNPs) were prepared through addition of aqueous solution of NaOH to solution of Al(NO3)3·9H2O. Then, the surface of BNPs was modified by (3-chloropropyl)trimethoxysilane (CPTMS) and further tetradentate ligand (MP-bis(AMP)) was anchored on its surface. At final step, a tetradentate organometallic complex of copper was stabilized on the surface of modified BNPs (Cu(II)-MP-bis(AMP)@boehmite). These obtained nanoparticles were characterized using SEM imaging, WDX, EDS, AAS and TGA analysis, BET method, FT-IR spectroscopy, and XRD pattern. In continue, the catalytic activity of Cu(II)-MP-bis(AMP)@boehmite has been used as a much efficient, reusable and hybrid of organic–inorganic nanocatalyst in the synthesis of ether derivatives through C–O coupling reaction under palladium-free and phosphine-free conditions. Cu(II)-MP-bis(AMP)@boehmite catalyst has been recovered and reused again for several times in the synthesis of ether derivatives.
A medium-chain triglyceride containing ketogenic diet exacerbates cardiomyopathy in a CRISPR/Cas9 gene-edited rat model with Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Fujikura Yuri , Kimura Koichi , Yamanouchi Keitaro , Sugihara Hidetoshi , Hatakeyama Masaki , Zhuang Haotong , Abe Tomoki , Daimon Masao , Morita Hiroyuki , Komuro Issei , Oishi Katsutaka
Published: July 2022

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive myopathy caused by dystrophin mutations. Although respiratory management has improved the prognosis of patients with DMD, inevitable progressive cardiomyopathy is a current leading cause of premature death. Recently, we showed that a medium-chain triglyceride containing ketogenic diet (MCTKD) improves skeletal muscle function and pathology in a CRISPR/Cas9 gene-edited rat model with DMD. In this study, we sought to clarify whether MCTKD also improves the cardiomyopathy in these rats. DMD rats were fed either the MCTKD or normal diet (ND) from ages of 3 weeks to 9 months old. Compared with the ND-fed rats, MCTKD-fed rats showed significantly prolonged QRS duration, decreased left ventricular fractional shortening, an increased heart weight/body weight ratio, and progression of cardiac fibrosis. In contrast to our previous study which found that MCTKD improved skeletal myopathy, the current study showed unexpected exacerbation of the cardiomyopathy. Further studies are needed to explore the underlying mechanisms for these differences and to explore modified dietary options that improve skeletal and cardiac muscles simultaneously.
The effects of protected areas on the ecological niches of birds and mammals
Authors: Santangeli Andrea , Mammola Stefano , Lehikoinen Aleksi , Rajasärkkä Ari , Lindén Andreas , Saastamoinen Marjo
Published: July 2022

Protected areas are a cornerstone for biodiversity conservation, and typically support more natural and undisturbed habitats compared to unprotected lands. The effect of protected areas on intra-specific ecological niche has been rarely investigated. Here, we explore potential differences in ecological niche properties of birds and mammals across protected and unprotected areas, and relate such differences to species traits. We combine two decades of survey data of birds and mammals from protected and unprotected areas, and apply robust matching to obtain a set of environmentally comparable protected and unprotected sites. Next, we calculate intra-specific niche volume change and habitat shift between protected and unprotected areas, and use generalized linear mixed models to explain these responses with species traits (habitat specialization, body mass, diet, and red list status). The majority of bird and mammal species (83% and 90%, respectively) show different habitat use when occurring within and outside protected areas, with the magnitude of this shift highly varying across species. A minority of species (16% of birds and 10% of mammals) do not change their niche volume nor shift their habitat between protected and unprotected areas. Variation in niche properties is largely unrelated to species traits. Overall, the varying ecological niche responses of birds and mammals to protected areas underscore that there is no universal niche-based response, and that niche responses to land protection are species-specific.
Capacitive humidity sensing properties of freestanding bendable porous SiO2/Si thin films
Authors: Park Soobin , Seo Jinmyeong , Park Jungjoon , Hwang Inseong , Lee Han-Seung , Jung Hyunsung , Yoo Bongyoung
Published: July 2022

The fabrication of freestanding bendable films without polymer substrates is demonstrated as a capacitive humidity-sensing material. The bendable and porous SiO2/Si films are simply prepared by electrochemical-assisted stripping, metal-assisted chemical etching, followed by oxidation procedures. The capacitive humidity-sensing properties of the fabricated porous SiO2/Si film are characterized as a function of the relative humidity and frequency. The remarkable sensing performance is demonstrated in the wide RH range from 13.8 to 79.0%. The sensing behavior of the porous SiO2/Si film is studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis. Additionally, the reliability of the porous SiO2/Si sensing material is confirmed by cyclic and long-term sensing tests.
Fast cross-staining alignment of gigapixel whole slide images with application to prostate cancer and breast cancer analysis
Authors: Wang Ching-Wei , Lee Yu-Ching , Khalil Muhammad-Adil , Lin Kuan-Yu , Yu Cheng-Ping , Lien Huang-Chun
Published: July 2022

Joint analysis of multiple protein expressions and tissue morphology patterns is important for disease diagnosis, treatment planning, and drug development, requiring cross-staining alignment of multiple immunohistochemical and histopathological slides. However, cross-staining alignment of enormous gigapixel whole slide images (WSIs) at single cell precision is difficult. Apart from gigantic data dimensions of WSIs, there are large variations on the cell appearance and tissue morphology across different staining together with morphological deformations caused by slide preparation. The goal of this study is to build an image registration framework for cross-staining alignment of gigapixel WSIs of histopathological and immunohistochemical microscopic slides and assess its clinical applicability. To the authors’ best knowledge, this is the first study to perform real time fully automatic cross staining alignment of WSIs with 40× and 20× objective magnification. The proposed WSI registration framework consists of a rapid global image registration module, a real time interactive field of view (FOV) localization model and a real time propagated multi-level image registration module. In this study, the proposed method is evaluated on two kinds of cancer datasets from two hospitals using different digital scanners, including a dual staining breast cancer data set with 43 hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) WSIs and 43 immunohistochemical (IHC) CK(AE1/AE3) WSIs, and a triple staining prostate cancer data set containing 30 H&E WSIs, 30 IHC CK18 WSIs, and 30 IHC HMCK WSIs. In evaluation, the registration performance is measured by not only registration accuracy but also computational time. The results show that the proposed method achieves high accuracy of 0.833 ± 0.0674 for the triple-staining prostate cancer data set and 0.931 ± 0.0455 for the dual-staining breast cancer data set, respectively, and takes only 4.34 s per WSI registration on average. In addition, for 30.23% data, the proposed method takes less than 1 s for WSI registration. In comparison with the benchmark methods, the proposed method demonstrates superior performance in registration accuracy and computational time, which has great potentials for assisting medical doctors to identify cancerous tissues and determine the cancer stage in clinical practice.
Rapid reverse genetics systems for Nothobranchius furzeri, a suitable model organism to study vertebrate aging
Authors: Oginuma Masayuki , Nishida Moana , Ohmura-Adachi Tomomi , Abe Kota , Ogamino Shohei , Mogi Chihiro , Matsui Hideaki , Ishitani Tohru
Published: July 2022

The African turquoise killifish Nothobranchius furzeri (N. furzeri) is a useful model organism for studying aging, age-related diseases, and embryonic diapause. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene knockout and Tol2 transposon-mediated transgenesis in N. furzeri have been reported previously. However, these methods take time to generate knockout and transgenic fish. In addition, knock-in technology that inserts large DNA fragments as fluorescent reporter constructs into the target gene in N. furzeri has not yet been established. Here, we show that triple-target CRISPR-mediated single gene disruption efficiently produces whole-body biallelic knockout and enables the examination of gene function in the F0 generation. In addition, we developed a method for creating the knock-in reporter N. furzeri without crossing by optimizing the CRISPR/Cas9 system. These methods drastically reduce the duration of experiments, and we think that these advances will accelerate aging and developmental studies using N. furzeri.
Early versus delayed reconstruction for bile duct injury a multicenter retrospective analysis of a hepatopancreaticobiliary group
Authors: Conde Monroy Danny , Torres Gómez Paula , Rey Chaves Carlos Eduardo , Recamán Andrea , Pardo Manuel , Sabogal Juan Carlos
Published: July 2022

Common bile duct injury is a severe complication. It is related to increased rates of morbidity and mortality. Early recognition and on-time diagnosis plus multidisciplinary management of this disease led by a hepatobiliary surgeon show fewer complications rate and best postoperative outcomes. However, no guidelines exist about the proper time of reconstruction. This study aims to describe the experience of a specialized Hepato-Pancreatic-Biliary (HPB) group and to analyze the outcomes regarding the time of bile duct injury (BDI) repair. A multicenter retrospective review of a prospective database was conducted. All the patients older than 18 years old that underwent common bile duct reconstruction between January 2014 and December 2021 were included. Analysis and description of preoperative characteristics and postoperative outcomes were performed. A reconstruction time-based group differentiation was made and analyzed. 44 patients underwent common bile duct reconstruction between January 2014 and December 2021. 56.82% of the patients were female. The mean age was 53.27 years ± 20.7 years. The most common injury was type E2 (29.55%). Hepaticojejunostomy was performed in 81.81% (of the patients. Delayed reconstruction (> 72 h) was performed in the majority of the cases (75.00%) due to delays in the referral centers or poor condition. No statistically significant difference regarding complications in early or delayed BDI reconstruction. The mortality rate was 2.7% (n = 1). 2-year follow-up bilioenteric stenosis was observed in 7 patients. Biloma showed a statistical relationship with complex bile duct injuries (p = 0.02). Bile duct injury is a severe and complex postoperative complication that increases morbidity and mortality rates in the short and long term in patients undergoing cholecystectomy. In our study, there were no statistical differences between the timing of bile duct reconstruction and the postoperative outcomes; we identified the presence of biloma as a statistically related factor associated with complex bile duct injury; however, further prospective or studies with an increased sample size are required to prove our results.
A method for increasing electroporation competence of Gram-negative clinical isolates by polymyxin B nonapeptide
Authors: Qin Jilong , Hong Yaoqin , Pullela Karthik , Morona Renato , Henderson Ian R. , Totsika Makrina
Published: July 2022

The study of clinically relevant bacterial pathogens relies on molecular and genetic approaches. However, the generally low transformation frequency among natural isolates poses technical hurdles to widely applying common methods in molecular biology, including transformation of large constructs, chromosomal genetic manipulation, and dense mutant library construction. Here we demonstrate that culturing clinical isolates in the presence of polymyxin B nonapeptide (PMBN) improves their transformation frequency via electroporation by up to 100-fold in a dose-dependent and reversible manner. The effect was observed for PMBN-binding uropathogenicEscherichia coli(UPEC) andSalmonella entericastrains but not naturally polymyxin resistantProteus mirabilis. Using our PMBN electroporation method we show efficient delivery of large plasmid constructs into UPEC, which otherwise failed using a conventional electroporation protocol. Moreover, we show a fivefold increase in the yield of engineered mutant colonies obtained inS. entericawith the widely used lambda-Red recombineering method, when cells are cultured in the presence of PMBN. Lastly, we demonstrate that PMBN treatment can enhance the delivery of DNA-transposase complexes into UPEC and increase transposon mutant yield by eightfold when constructing Transposon Insertion Sequencing (TIS) libraries. Therefore, PMBN can be used as a powerful electropermeabilisation adjuvant to aid the delivery of DNA and DNA–protein complexes into clinically important bacteria.
Analysing the effect of gender on the human–machine interaction in level 3 automated vehicles
Authors: Li Shuo , Blythe Phil , Zhang Yanghanzi , Edwards Simon , Guo Weihong , Ji Yanjie , Goodman Paul , Hill Graeme , Namdeo Anil
Published: July 2022

The emergence of the level 3 automated vehicles (L3 AVs) can enable drivers to be completely disengaged from driving and safely perform other non-driving related tasks, but sometimes their takeover of control of the vehicle is required. The takeover of control is an important human–machine interaction in L3 AVs. However, little research has focused on investigating the effect of gender on takeover performance. In order to fill this research gap, a driving simulator study with 76 drivers (33 females and 43 males) was conducted. The participants took over control from L3 AVs, and the timing and quality of takeover were measured. The results show that although there was no significant difference in most of the measurements adopted to quantify takeover performance between female and male. Gender did affect takeover performance slightly, with women exhibited slightly better performance than men. Compared to men, women exhibited a smaller percentage of hasty takeovers and slightly faster reaction times as well as slightly more stable operation of the steering wheel. The findings highlight that it is important for both genders to recognise they can use and interact with L3 AVs well, and more hands-on experience and teaching sessions could be provided to deepen their understanding of L3 AVs. The design of the car interiors of L3 AVs should also take into account gender differences in the preferences of users for different non-driving related tasks.
Independent evolution of highly variable, fragmented mitogenomes of parasitic lice
Authors: Sweet Andrew D. , Johnson Kevin P. , Cameron Stephen L.
Published: July 2022

The mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of bilaterian animals are highly conserved structures that usually consist of a single circular chromosome. However, several species of parasitic lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) possess fragmented mitogenomes, where the mitochondrial genes are present on separate, circular chromosomes. Nevertheless, the extent, causes, and consequences of this structural variation remain poorly understood. Here, we combined new and existing data to better understand the evolution of mitogenome fragmentation in major groups of parasitic lice. We found strong evidence that fragmented mitogenomes evolved many times within parasitic lice and that the level of fragmentation is highly variable, including examples of heteroplasmic arrangements. We also found a significant association between mitochondrial fragmentation and signatures of relaxed selection. Mitochondrial fragmentation was also associated with changes to a lower AT%, possibly due to differences in mutation biases. Together, our results provide a significant advance in understanding the process of mitogenome fragmentation and provide an important perspective on mitochondrial evolution in eukaryotes.
Optimizing vortex pinning in YBa2Cu3O7-x superconducting films up to high magnetic fields
Authors: Vallès Ferran , Palau Anna , Abraimov Dmytro , Jaroszynski Jan , Constantinescu Anca-Monia , Mundet Bernat , Obradors Xavier , Larbalestier David , Puig Teresa
Published: July 2022

The magnetic flux pinning capabilities of YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO) coated conductors vary strongly across different regions of the magnetic field–temperature phase diagram and with the orientation of the magnetic field θ. Here, we determine the optimal pinning landscape for a given region of the phase diagram by investigating the critical current density Jc(H,θ,T) in the 5–77 K temperature range, from self-field to high magnetic fields of 35 T. Our systematic analysis reveals promising routes for artificially engineering YBCO coated conductors in any region of interest of the phase diagram. In solution-derived nanocomposites, we identify the relevance of coexisting high amounts of short stacking faults, Cu-O vacancy clusters, and segmentation of twin boundaries, in combination with nanoparticles, for enhanced pinning performance at high magnetic fields and low temperatures. Moreover, we demonstrate that twin boundaries preserve a high pinning energy in thick YBCO films, which is beneficial for the pinning performance at high magnetic fields and high temperatures.
Microbial communities in developmental stages of lucinid bivalves
Authors: Zauner Sarah , Vogel Margaret , Polzin Julia , Yuen Benedict , Mußmann Marc , El-Hacen El-Hacen M , Petersen Jillian M
Published: July 2022

Bivalves from the family Lucinidae host sulfur-oxidizing bacterial symbionts, which are housed inside specialized gill epithelial cells and are assumed to be acquired from the environment. However, little is known about the Lucinidae life cycle and symbiont acquisition in the wild. Some lucinid species broadcast their gametes into the surrounding water column, however, a few have been found to externally brood their offspring by the forming gelatinous egg masses. So far, symbiont transmission has only been investigated in one species that reproduces via broadcast spawning. Here, we show that the lucinid Loripes orbiculatus from the West African coast forms egg masses and these are dominated by diverse members of the Alphaproteobacteria, Clostridia, and Gammaproteobacteria. The microbial communities of the egg masses were distinct from those in the environments surrounding lucinids, indicating that larvae may shape their associated microbiomes. The gill symbiont of the adults was undetectable in the developmental stages, supporting horizontal transmission of the symbiont with environmental symbiont acquisition after hatching from the egg masses. These results demonstrate that L. orbiculatus acquires symbionts from the environment independent of the host’s reproductive strategy (brooding or broadcast spawning) and reveal previously unknown associations with microbes during lucinid early development.
Applications of Stimuli-responsive Functional Colloids
Authors: Pugsley Charlotte E. , Yow Huai N. , Biggs Simon , Cayre Olivier J.
Published: July 2022

Colloidal dispersions of particles have an exceptionally long history across a wide range of formulated product and functional material applications. Over the last 20 years or so, the use of environmentally responsive polymers as a key component of the colloidal particles, whether in the core, on the surface or both, has increased the range of particle functionalities and opened up an additional range of applications for these systems that we will review here. We will briefly introduce the different types of particles we aim to concentrate on and give examples of the range of responsive polymers used for their preparation. We then focus our attention on describing a broad range of applications for these systems ranging from chemical and biological sensors, emulsifiers, drug delivery and optical devices.
Target Molecule-responsive Hydrogels
Authors: Miyata Takashi
Published: July 2022

Stimuli-responsive hydrogels undergo changes in volume in response to environmental changes such as pH, temperature and so on. Although a variety of stimuli-responsive hydrogels have been designed for their applications as sensors, drug delivery systems and cell culture, there have not been so many studies on target-molecule-responsive hydrogels that sense a specific molecule and undergo structural changes according to its concentration because of difficulties in combining molecular recognition events with responsive changes in the structure within hydrogel networks. This chapter provides an overview of important and traditional studies on target molecule-responsive hydrogels designed using various strategies for the combination of molecular recognition and responsive changes of the network structure. Not only strategical design and applications of target molecule-responsive hydrogels but also micro- and nano-sized hydrogels such as particles, layers and microdevices are introduced. The fascinating properties of the target molecule-responsive hydrogels suggest that they have many future opportunities as smart materials for biomedical and environmental applications.
Chemoresponsive Molecularly Imprinted Polymers
Authors: Carrasco S. , Rico-Yuste A.
Published: July 2022

In this chapter we explore molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) as both selective recognition elements and responsive materials in a wide variety of fields, focussing on drug delivery systems, sensor development and separation/purification purposes. The effects of physical and chemical stimuli on the polymer conformation are thoroughly discussed. A brief overview of the current state of the art, current trends and a list of the main challenges those materials face is also presented. The impact of different pre- and post-synthetic modifications, the polymerisation conditions and the final shape and morphology on their final performance is taken into consideration. Special attention is paid to the fabrication of MIP-based composites to develop multi-responsive materials. Finally, some current and paradigmatic examples are selected to illustrate the response and recognition mechanisms of such polymers towards a wide variety of stimuli and target molecules of social significance.
S = 1/2 tetracene monoradical cation/anion: ion-based one-dimensional antiferromagnetic chains
Authors: Wang Wenqing , Li Shunjie , Wang Qianqian , Ding Xuguang , Fang Yong , Ruan Huapeng , Zhao Yue , Wang Xinping
Published: July 2022

The crystal structures of antiferromagnetic polymerized radical ions.
Solubilization and coordination of the HgCl2 molecule in water, methanol, acetone, and acetonitrile: an X-ray absorption investigation
Authors: Busato Matteo , Fazio Giuseppe , Tavani Francesco , Pollastri Simone , D’Angelo Paola
Published: July 2022

The local structure around HgCl2 in water, methanol, acetone, and acetonitrile has been studied by means of XAS.
Construction of a N,P doped 3D dendrite-free lithium metal anode by using silicon-containing lithium metal
Authors: Zhang Yuanxing , Wu Borong , Mu Daobin , Ma Chengwei , Zhang Xinyu , Wang Yuanshen , Zhao Zhiguang , Liu Tao , Liu Chengcai
Published: July 2022

A 3D stable composite anode (DLi/LiSix CA) prepared by using N-doped silicon-containing lithium metal on a polyaniline modified carbon cloth (PMCC) support was prepared, which exhibits excellent electrochemical performance in symmetrical cell and full cell batteries.
Titanium complexes with unsymmetrically substituted imidazolin-2-iminato ligands
Authors: Koneczny Marvin , Erol Arife Büsra , Mauduit Marc , Eisen Moris S. , Tamm Matthias
Published: July 2022

Unsymmetrical N-adamantyl-N′-arylimidazolin-2-imines were prepared from the corresponding free N-heterocyclic carbenes and used for the preparation of a series of mono- and bis(imidazolin-2-iminato) titanium complexes.
Cell nucleus localization and high anticancer activity of quinoline–benzopyran rhodium(iii) metal complexes as therapeutic and fluorescence imaging agents
Authors: Wang Zhen-Feng , Nai Xiao-Ling , Xu Yue , Pan Feng-Hua , Tang Fu-Shun , Qin Qi-Pin , Yang Lin , Zhang Shu-Hua
Published: July 2022

RhQ can be used to target DNA as a highly anticancer therapeutic and fluorescence imaging agent. Importantly, RhQ exhibited significantly more potency than RhS and cisplatin.
Long-term low-dose alcohol intake promotes white adipose tissue browning and reduces obesity in mice
Authors: Xuan Xiuchen , Tan Peizhu , Zhang Ximei , Huang Hui , Li Yanze , Jiang Yu , Yu Aimiao , Zhao Yuanyuan , Wang Kuo , Tang Baozhu , Qu Shuye , Jiang Yunyan , Xu Jiaran , Gao Xu , Zhou Lingyun
Published: July 2022

There are numerous pieces of evidence indicating that moderate alcohol intake has a protective effect on metabolic diseases.
Integrated analysis of phytochemical composition, pharmacokinetics, and network pharmacology to probe distinctions between the stems ofCistanche deserticolaandC. tubulosabased on antidepressant activity
Authors: Fan Li , Peng Ying , Chen Xiaonan , Ma Ping , Li Xiaobo
Published: July 2022

The stronger antidepressant activity of CTE over CDE was mainly achieved by 7 bioactive components with higher bioavailability by inhibiting neuronal apoptosis mediated by multiple pathways.
Performance of sodium-ion supercapattery using LaMnO3 and rGO in non-aqueous electrolyte
Authors: Sankar Devi Vaithiyanathan , Kannadasan Kalidoss , Sharafudeen Pamangadan C. , Elumalai Perumal
Published: July 2022

Hydrothermally-derived LaMnO3 as an electrode material for a sodium and lithium ion supercapattery.
Protected amine-functional initiators for the synthesis of α-amine homo- and heterotelechelic poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)s
Authors: Mazrad Zihnil A. I. , Lai May , Davis Thomas P. , Nicolazzo Joseph A. , Thurecht Kristofer J. , Leiske Meike N. , Kempe Kristian
Published: July 2022

Screening a series of protected amine cationic ring-opening polymerization initiators revealed the commercially availableN-(3-bromopropyl)phthalimide as the most suitable to achieve defined polymers with high degree of amine functionalization.