bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distinct and shared patterns of brain plasticity during electroconvulsive therapy and treatment as usual in depression: an observational multimodal MRI-study
Authors: Bracht Tobias , Walther Sebastian , Breit Sigrid , Mertse Nicolas , Federspiel Andrea , Meyer Agnes , Soravia Leila M. , Wiest Roland , Denier Niklaus
Published: January 2023

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a highly effective treatment for depression. Previous studies point to ECT-induced volume increase in the hippocampi and amygdalae, and to increase in cortical thickness. However, it is unclear if these neuroplastic changes are associated with treatment response. This observational study aimed to address this research question by comparing neuroplasticity between patients with depression receiving ECT and patients with depression that respond to treatment as usual (TAU-responders). Twenty ECT-patients (16 major depressive disorder (MDD), 4 depressed bipolar disorder), 20 TAU-responders (20 MDD) and 20 healthy controls (HC) were scanned twice with multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (structure: MP2RAGE; perfusion: arterial spin labeling). ECT-patients were scanned before and after an ECT-index series (ECT-group). TAU-responders were scanned during a depressive episode and following remission or treatment response. Volumes and cerebral blood flow (CBF) of the hippocampi and amygdalae, and global mean cortical thickness were compared between groups. There was a significant group × time interaction for hippocampal and amygdalar volumes, CBF in the hippocampi and global mean cortical thickness. Hippocampal and amygdalar enlargements and CBF increase in the hippocampi were observed in the ECT-group but neither in TAU-responders nor in HC. Increase in global mean cortical thickness was observed in the ECT-group and in TAU-responders but not in HC. The co-occurrence of increase in global mean cortical thickness in both TAU-responders and in ECT-patients may point to a shared mechanism of antidepressant response. This was not the case for subcortical volume and CBF increase.
The macroevolutionary impact of recent and imminent mammal extinctions on Madagascar
Authors: Michielsen Nathan M. , Goodman Steven M. , Soarimalala Voahangy , van der Geer Alexandra A. E. , Dávalos Liliana M. , Saville Grace I. , Upham Nathan , Valente Luis
Published: January 2023

Many of Madagascar’s unique species are threatened with extinction. However, the severity of recent and potential extinctions in a global evolutionary context is unquantified. Here, we compile a phylogenetic dataset for the complete non-marine mammalian biota of Madagascar and estimate natural rates of extinction, colonization, and speciation. We measure how long it would take to restore Madagascar’s mammalian biodiversity under these rates, the “evolutionary return time” (ERT). At the time of human arrival there were approximately 250 species of mammals on Madagascar, resulting from 33 colonisation events (28 by bats), but at least 30 of these species have gone extinct since then. We show that the loss of currently threatened species would have a much deeper long-term impact than all the extinctions since human arrival. A return from current to pre-human diversity would take 1.6 million years (Myr) for bats, and 2.9 Myr for non-volant mammals. However, if species currently classified as threatened go extinct, the ERT rises to 2.9 Myr for bats and 23 Myr for non-volant mammals. Our results suggest that an extinction wave with deep evolutionary impact is imminent on Madagascar unless immediate conservation actions are taken.
Age-related matrix stiffening epigenetically regulates α-Klotho expression and compromises chondrocyte integrity
Authors: Iijima Hirotaka , Gilmer Gabrielle , Wang Kai , Bean Allison C. , He Yuchen , Lin Hang , Tang Wan-Yee , Lamont Daniel , Tai Chia , Ito Akira , Jones Jeffrey J. , Evans Christopher , Ambrosio Fabrisia
Published: January 2023

Extracellular matrix stiffening is a quintessential feature of cartilage aging, a leading cause of knee osteoarthritis. Yet, the downstream molecular and cellular consequences of age-related biophysical alterations are poorly understood. Here, we show that epigenetic regulation of α-Klotho represents a novel mechanosensitive mechanism by which the aged extracellular matrix influences chondrocyte physiology. Using mass spectrometry proteomics followed by a series of genetic and pharmacological manipulations, we discovered that increased matrix stiffness drove Klotho promoter methylation, downregulated Klotho gene expression, and accelerated chondrocyte senescence in vitro. In contrast, exposing aged chondrocytes to a soft matrix restored a more youthful phenotype in vitro and enhanced cartilage integrity in vivo. Our findings demonstrate that age-related alterations in extracellular matrix biophysical properties initiate pathogenic mechanotransductive signaling that promotes Klotho promoter methylation and compromises cellular health. These findings are likely to have broad implications even beyond cartilage for the field of aging research.
Decreased but diverse activity of cortical and thalamic neurons in consciousness-impairing rodent absence seizures
Authors: McCafferty Cian , Gruenbaum Benjamin F. , Tung Renee , Li Jing-Jing , Zheng Xinyuan , Salvino Peter , Vincent Peter , Kratochvil Zachary , Ryu Jun Hwan , Khalaf Aya , Swift Kohl , Akbari Rashid , Islam Wasif , Antwi Prince , Johnson Emily A. , Vitkovskiy Petr , Sampognaro James , Freedman Isaac G. , Kundishora Adam , Depaulis Antoine , David François , Crunelli Vincenzo , Sanganahalli Basavaraju G. , Herman Peter , Hyder Fahmeed , Blumenfeld Hal
Published: January 2023

Absence seizures are brief episodes of impaired consciousness, behavioral arrest, and unresponsiveness, with yet-unknown neuronal mechanisms. Here we report that an awake female rat model recapitulates the behavioral, electroencephalographic, and cortical functional magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of human absence seizures. Neuronally, seizures feature overall decreased but rhythmic firing of neurons in cortex and thalamus. Individual cortical and thalamic neurons express one of four distinct patterns of seizure-associated activity, one of which causes a transient initial peak in overall firing at seizure onset, and another which drives sustained decreases in overall firing. 40–60 s before seizure onset there begins a decline in low frequency electroencephalographic activity, neuronal firing, and behavior, but an increase in higher frequency electroencephalography and rhythmicity of neuronal firing. Our findings demonstrate that prolonged brain state changes precede consciousness-impairing seizures, and that during seizures distinct functional groups of cortical and thalamic neurons produce an overall transient firing increase followed by a sustained firing decrease, and increased rhythmicity.
Introducing the Dendrify framework for incorporating dendrites to spiking neural networks
Authors: Pagkalos Michalis , Chavlis Spyridon , Poirazi Panayiota
Published: January 2023

Computational modeling has been indispensable for understanding how subcellular neuronal features influence circuit processing. However, the role of dendritic computations in network-level operations remains largely unexplored. This is partly because existing tools do not allow the development of realistic and efficient network models that account for dendrites. Current spiking neural networks, although efficient, are usually quite simplistic, overlooking essential dendritic properties. Conversely, circuit models with morphologically detailed neuron models are computationally costly, thus impractical for large-network simulations. To bridge the gap between these two extremes and facilitate the adoption of dendritic features in spiking neural networks, we introduce Dendrify, an open-source Python package based on Brian 2. Dendrify, through simple commands, automatically generates reduced compartmental neuron models with simplified yet biologically relevant dendritic and synaptic integrative properties. Such models strike a good balance between flexibility, performance, and biological accuracy, allowing us to explore dendritic contributions to network-level functions while paving the way for developing more powerful neuromorphic systems.
Field-induced Lifshitz transition in the magnetic Weyl semimetal candidate PrAlSi
Authors: Wu Lei , Chi Shengwei , Zuo Huakun , Xu Gang , Zhao Lingxiao , Luo Yongkang , Zhu Zengwei
Published: January 2023

Lifshitz transition (LT) refers to an abrupt change in the electronic structure and Fermi surface and is associated to a variety of emergent quantum phenomena. Amongst the LTs observed in known materials, the field-induced LT has been rare and its origin remains elusive. To understand the origin of field-induced LT, it is important to extend the material basis beyond the usual setting of heavy fermion metals. Here, we report on a field-induced LT in PrAlSi, a magnetic Weyl semimetal candidate with localized 4felectrons, through a study of magnetotransport up to 55 T. The quantum oscillation analysis reveals that across a threshold fieldB* ≈ 14.5 T the oscillation frequency (F1 = 43 T) is replaced by two new frequencies (F2 = 62 T andF3 = 103 T). Strikingly, the LT occurs well below the quantum limit, with obvious temperature-dependent oscillation frequency and field-dependent cyclotron mass. Our work not only enriches the rare examples of field-induced LTs but also paves the way for further investigation of the interplay among topology, magnetism, and electronic correlation.
Laboratory diagnosed microbial infection in English UK Biobank participants in comparison to the general population
Authors: Hilton Bridget , Wilson Daniel J. , O’Connell Anne-Marie , Ironmonger Dean , Rudkin Justine K. , Allen Naomi , Oliver Isabel , Wyllie David H.
Published: January 2023

Understanding the genetic and environmental risk factors for serious bacterial infections in ageing populations remains incomplete. Utilising the UK Biobank (UKB), a prospective cohort study of 500,000 adults aged 40–69 years at recruitment (2006–2010), can help address this. Partial implementation of such a system helped groups around the world make rapid progress understanding risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19, with insights appearing as early as May 2020. In principle, such approaches could also to be used for bacterial isolations. Here we report feasibility testing of linking an England-wide dataset of microbial reporting to UKB participants, to enable characterisation of microbial infections within the UKB Cohort. These records pertain mainly to bacterial isolations; SARS-CoV-2 isolations were not included. Microbiological infections occurring in patients in England, as recorded in the Public Health England second generation surveillance system (SGSS), were linked to UKB participants using pseudonymised identifiers. By January 2015, ascertainment of laboratory reports from UKB participants by SGSS was estimated at 98%. 4.5% of English UKB participants had a positive microbiological isolate in 2015. Half of UKB isolates came from 12 laboratories, and 70% from 21 laboratories. Incidence rate ratios for microbial isolation, which is indicative of serious infection, from the UKB cohort relative to the comparably aged general population ranged from 0.6 to 1, compatible with the previously described healthy participant bias in UKB. Data on microbial isolations can be linked to UKB participants from January 2015 onwards. This linked data would offer new opportunities for research into the role of bacterial agents on health and disease in middle to-old age.
Mental health of UK firefighters
Authors: Wolffe Taylor A. M. , Robinson Andrew , Clinton Anna , Turrell Louis , Stec Anna A.
Published: January 2023

Exposure to trauma, high-stress situations, and disrupted sleep are well known risk factors affecting firefighters’ mental health. Little is known about the association between firefighters’ exposure to fire contaminants and mental health disorders. The UK Firefighter Contamination Survey assessed firefighters’ health and capacity for occupational exposure to contaminants. Participants were invited to anonymously complete its 64 questions online. Logistic regression analyses assessed the associations between self-reported mental health disorders and proxies of contaminant exposure. Results found that firefighters who notice soot in their nose/throat for more than a day after attending fires (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.8, 1.4–2.4), and those who remain in their personal protective equipment (PPE) for over 4 h after fires (OR = 1.9, 1.2–3.1), were nearly twice as likely to report mental health disorders. Significantly increased odds ratios for all three outcomes of interest (anxiety, depression and/or any mental health disorders) were also found among firefighters who take PPE home to clean. Sleeping problems were reported by 61% of firefighters. These firefighters were 4.2 times more likely to report any mental health disorder (OR = 4.2, 3.7–4.9), 2.9 times more likely to report anxiety (OR = 2.9, 2.4–3.5) and 2.3 times more likely to report depression (OR = 2.3, 1.9–2.8) when compared to firefighters who did not report sleep issues. Effective decontamination measures within UK Fire and Rescue Services, together with firefighters’ wellness, may play a crucial role in protecting firefighters’ mental health.
Culture and awareness of occupational health risks amongst UK firefighters
Authors: Wolffe Taylor A. M. , Turrell Louis , Robinson Andrew , Dickens Kathryn , Clinton Anna , Maritan-Thomson Daniella , Stec Anna A.
Published: January 2023

Firefighters are exposed to toxic chemicals not only from the fire incidents they attend, but also from their contaminated station and/or personal protective equipment (PPE). Little is currently known about firefighters’ awareness, attitudes, and behaviours towards contaminants which was assessed in the UK firefighter contamination survey. Results revealed that lack of training on fire effluents and their health outcomes are strongly associated with increased fire smoke/contaminant exposure. Notably, untrained firefighters were at least twice as likely to: never clean personal protective equipment (PPE) (Crude Odds Ratio, OR 2.0, 1.5–2.7), infrequently send their PPE for professional cleaning (OR 2.0, 1.6–2.4), remain in the workwear (t-shirt etc.) worn while attending a fire incident (OR up to 3.6, 2.3–5.6), and indicate that cleaning at fire stations is not taken seriously (OR 2.4, 2.2–2.6). Firefighters personally viewing contamination as a “badge of honour” (BoH) were at least twice as likely to: remain in contaminated PPE after fire incidents (OR 2.3, 1.4–3.9), eat with sooty hands (OR 2.2, 1.9–2.5), notice soot in the nose/throat (OR 3.7, 2.7–5.2), and smell fire smoke on the body for more than a day after incidents (OR 2.0, 1.6–2.4). They were also more likely to indicate that cleaning at fire stations is not taken seriously (OR 2.5, 2.2–2.9) and that fire stations smell of smoke always/most of the time (OR 2.3, 2.0–2.6). Strong links were also found between belief in the BoH and never cleaning PPE (OR 1.9, 1.4–2.7), and eating while wearing contaminated PPE (OR 1.8, 1.5–2.2).
Learning the dynamics of realistic models of C. elegans nervous system with recurrent neural networks
Authors: Barbulescu Ruxandra , Mestre Gonçalo , Oliveira Arlindo L. , Silveira Luís Miguel
Published: January 2023

Given the inherent complexity of the human nervous system, insight into the dynamics of brain activity can be gained from studying smaller and simpler organisms. While some of the potential target organisms are simple enough that their behavioural and structural biology might be well-known and understood, others might still lead to computationally intractable models that require extensive resources to simulate. Since such organisms are frequently only acting as proxies to further our understanding of underlying phenomena or functionality, often one is not interested in the detailed evolution of every single neuron in the system. Instead, it is sufficient to observe the subset of neurons that capture the effect that the profound nonlinearities of the neuronal system have in response to different stimuli. In this paper, we consider the well-known nematodeCaenorhabditis elegansand seek to investigate the possibility of generating lower complexity models that capture the system’s dynamics with low error using only measured or simulated input-output information. Such models are often termed black-box models. We show how the nervous system ofC. eleganscan be modelled and simulated with data-driven models using different neural network architectures. Specifically, we target the use of state-of-the-art recurrent neural network architectures such as Long Short-Term Memory and Gated Recurrent Units and compare these architectures in terms of their properties and their accuracy (Root Mean Square Error), as well as the complexity of the resulting models. We show that Gated Recurrent Unit models with a hidden layer size of 4 are able to accurately reproduce the system response to very different stimuli. We furthermore explore the relative importance of their inputs as well as scalability to more scenarios.
Contamination of UK firefighters personal protective equipment and workplaces
Authors: Wolffe Taylor A. M. , Clinton Anna , Robinson Andrew , Turrell Louis , Stec Anna A.
Published: January 2023

Firefighters’ personal protective equipment (PPE) is a potential source of chronic exposure to toxic contaminants commonly released from fires. These contaminants have also been found in fire stations. However, little research characterises the routes via which fire contaminants travel back to fire stations. The UK Firefighter Contamination Survey provides information on firefighters’ PPE provision, decontamination, and storage practices. All serving UK firefighters were eligible to take part in the survey, which comprised 64 questions. A total of 10,649 responses were included for analysis, accounting for roughly 24% of the UK’s firefighting workforce. Results revealed that most firefighters (84%) de-robe contaminated PPE/workwear after re-entering the appliance cab. There was a significant decreasing tendency to send PPE for cleaning after every incident with increasing seniority of role, length of service, and fire attendance frequency. Around one third of firefighters cleaned PPE after every incident. A number of issues were linked to external professional cleaning services, e.g. shrinkage, fit, turn-around time, and stock of reserve/pooled PPE. PPE storage was found to be a potential source of cross contamination, with almost half of firefighters (45%) indicating clean and dirty PPE is not stored separately. More than half of firefighters (57%) stored fire gloves (an item sent for professional decontamination by only 19% of firefighters, and never cleaned by 20%) within other items of PPE such as helmets, boots and tunic/trouser pockets. The survey’s results can be used to target gaps in decontamination measures within UK Fire and Rescue Services.
Associations of green tea, coffee, and soft drink consumption with longitudinal changes in leukocyte telomere length
Authors: Sohn Inhae , Shin Chol , Baik Inkyung
Published: January 2023

Whether beverage consumption is associated with longitudinal observation of telomere length remains unclear. We evaluated the association of green tea, coffee, and soft drink consumption with 6-year changes in leukocyte telomere length (LTL). The study included 1952 participants who provided whole blood samples for LTL assays during the baseline (year 2011–2012) and follow-up (year 2017–2018) periods and reported baseline information on consumption of green tea, coffee, and soft drinks. Robust regression analysis was used to analyze the association adjusted for potential confounding variables. In the results, an inverse association between green tea consumption and LTL changes from baseline, which indicate telomere shortening, was found; regression coefficient [95% confidence interval] was − 0.097 [− 0.164, − 0.029] for participants who daily consumed at least 1 cup of green tea compared with non-consumers (p value = 0.006). This association was stronger among women (versus men) and younger participants aged 50–64 years (versus older). However, a positive association between soft drink consumption and LTL shortening was observed among women (p value < 0.05). Coffee consumption was not associated with LTL changes. These findings suggested that green tea consumption may be protective against telomere shortening reflecting biological aging whereas coffee and soft drink consumption may not.
Cellular uptake and retention studies of silica nanoparticles utilizing senescent fibroblasts
Authors: Perrigue Patrick M. , Henschke Agata , Grześkowiak Bartosz F. , Przysiecka Łucja , Jaskot Kaja , Mielcarek Angelika , Coy Emerson , Moya Sergio E.
Published: January 2023

Understanding the interplay between nanoparticles (NPs) and cells is essential to designing more efficient nanomedicines. Previous research has shown the role of the cell cycle having impact on the efficiency of cellular uptake and accumulation of NPs. However, there is a limited investigation into the biological fate of NPs in cells that are permanently withdrawn from the cell cycle. Here we utilize senescent WI-38 fibroblasts, which do not divide and provide a definitive model for tracking the biological fate of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) independent of cell cycle. We use several methods to measure the cellular uptake kinetics and intracellular retention of SiNPs, including confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), flow cytometry, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We demonstrate that SiNPs readily enter into senescent cells. Once internalized, SiNPs do not exit and accumulate in the cytoplasm for long term. Our study provides a basis for future development of NP-based tools that can detect and target senescent cells for therapy.
Optical force estimation for interactions between tool and soft tissues
Authors: Neidhardt Maximilian , Mieling Robin , Bengs Marcel , Schlaefer Alexander
Published: January 2023

Robotic assistance in minimally invasive surgery offers numerous advantages for both patient and surgeon. However, the lack of force feedback in robotic surgery is a major limitation, and accurately estimating tool-tissue interaction forces remains a challenge. Image-based force estimation offers a promising solution without the need to integrate sensors into surgical tools. In this indirect approach, interaction forces are derived from the observed deformation, with learning-based methods improving accuracy and real-time capability. However, the relationship between deformation and force is determined by the stiffness of the tissue. Consequently, both deformation and local tissue properties must be observed for an approach applicable to heterogeneous tissue. In this work, we use optical coherence tomography, which can combine the detection of tissue deformation with shear wave elastography in a single modality. We present a multi-input deep learning network for processing of local elasticity estimates and volumetric image data. Our results demonstrate that accounting for elastic properties is critical for accurate image-based force estimation across different tissue types and properties. Joint processing of local elasticity information yields the best performance throughout our phantom study. Furthermore, we test our approach on soft tissue samples that were not present during training and show that generalization to other tissue properties is possible.
Impact of simulated flight conditions on supraventricular and ventricular ectopy
Authors: Meyer Mark J. , Mordukhovich Irina , Coull Brent A. , McCracken John , Wellenius Gregory A. , Mittleman Murray A. , McNeely Eileen
Published: January 2023

Though billions of passengers and crew travel by air each year and are exposed to altitude equivalents of 7000–8000 feet, the health impact of cabin oxygenation levels has not been well studied. The hypoxic environment may produce ectopic heartbeats that may increase the risk of acute in-flight cardiac events. We enrolled forty older and at-risk participants under a block-randomized crossover design in a hypobaric chamber study to examine associations between flight oxygenation and both ventricular (VE) and supraventricular ectopy (SVE). We monitored participant VE and SVE every 5 min under both flight and control conditions to investigate the presence and rate of VE and SVE. While the presence of VE did not differ according to condition, the presence of SVE was higher during flight conditions (e.g. OR ratio = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.21, 2.59 for SVE couplets). Rates of VE and SVE were higher during flight conditions (e.g. RR ratio = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.52 for VE couplets, RR ratio = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.39, 2.22 for SVE couplets). The observed higher presence and rate of ectopy tended to increase with duration of the flight condition. Further study of susceptible passengers and crew may elucidate the specific associations between intermittent or sustained ectopic heartbeats and hypoxic pathways.
Tongue crack recognition using segmentation based deep learning
Authors: Yan Jianjun , Cai Jinxing , Xu Zi , Guo Rui , Zhou Wei , Yan Haixia , Xu Zhaoxia , Wang Yiqin
Published: January 2023

Tongue cracks refer to fissures with different depth and shapes on the tongue’s surface, which can characterize the pathological characteristics of spleen and stomach. Tongue cracks are of great significance to the objective study of tongue diagnosis. However, tongue cracks are small and complex, existing methods are difficult to extract them effectively. In order to achieve more accurate extraction and identification of tongue crack, this paper proposes to apply a deep learning network based on image segmentation (Segmentation-Based Deep-Learning, SBDL) to extract and identify tongue crack. In addition, we have studied the quantitative description of tongue crack features. Firstly, the pre-processed tongue crack samples were amplified by using adding salt and pepper noise, changing the contrast and horizontal mirroring; secondly, the annotation tool Crack-Tongue was used to label tongue crack; thirdly, the tongue crack extraction model was trained by using SBDL; fourthly, the cracks on the tongue surface were detected and located by the segmentation network, and then the output and features of the segmentation network were put into the decision network for the classification of crack tongue images; finally, the tongue crack segmentation and identification results were quantitatively evaluated. The experimental results showed that the tongue crack extraction and recognition results based on SBDL were better than Mask Region-based Convolutional Neural Network (Mask R-CNN), DeeplabV3+, U-Net, UNet++ and Semantic Segmentation with Adversarial Learning (SegAN). This method effectively solved the inaccurate tongue crack extraction caused by the tongue crack’s color being close to the surrounding tongue coating’s color. This method can achieve better tongue crack extraction and recognition results on a small tongue crack data set and provides a new idea for tongue crack recognition, which is of practical value for tongue diagnosis objectification.
NRN-EZ: an application to streamline biophysical modeling of synaptic integration using NEURON
Authors: Cobb Evan A. W. , Petroccione Maurice A. , Scimemi Annalisa
Published: January 2023

One of the fundamental goals in neuroscience is to determine how the brain processes information and ultimately controls the execution of complex behaviors. Over the past four decades, there has been a steady growth in our knowledge of the morphological and functional diversity of neurons, the building blocks of the brain. These cells clearly differ not only for their anatomy and ion channel distribution, but also for the type, strength, location, and temporal pattern of activity of the many synaptic inputs they receive. Compartmental modeling programs like NEURON have become widely used in the neuroscience community to address a broad range of research questions, including how neurons integrate synaptic inputs and propagate information through complex neural networks. One of the main strengths of NEURON is its ability to incorporate user-defined information about the realistic morphology and biophysical properties of different cell types. Although the graphical user interface of the program can be used to run initial exploratory simulations, introducing a stochastic representation of synaptic weights, locations and activation times typically requires users to develop their own codes, a task that can be overwhelming for some beginner users. Here we describe NRN-EZ, an interactive application that allows users to specify complex patterns of synaptic input activity that can be integrated as part of NEURON simulations. Through its graphical user interface, NRN-EZ aims to ease the learning curve to run computational models in NEURON, for users that do not necessarily have a computer science background.
A proper sequence of dynamic alignment in transtibial prosthesis: insight through socket reaction moments
Authors: Hashimoto Hiroshi , Kobayashi Toshiki , Gao Fan , Kataoka Masataka
Published: January 2023

Dynamic alignment in prosthetic fitting is important because it affects the user’s stability, kinematics, and kinetics such as socket reaction moments. It is performed by tuning the spatial relationship between the transtibial prosthetic socket and the foot following sequential observational gait analysis in the three anatomical planes. However, the order of planes in which the adjustment should be performed is still unclear. To investigate the appropriate sequence of dynamic alignment adjustment, ten participants with transtibial amputation were asked to walk in different alignment conditions (flexion, extension, adduction, abduction; lateral, medial, anterior, and posterior translation of the socket, and plantarflexion, dorsiflexion, inversion, and eversion of the foot) to measure socket reaction moments in the out-of-planes (e.g., the effect of sagittal alignment on the coronal moment). A significant difference was found only among socket posterior translation, socket flexion, and baseline alignment in the coronal moment (P = 0.02). The results of the current and previous studies suggest that moments in the coronal plane are affected by alignment changes in all three planes, whereas moments in the sagittal plane are affected only by sagittal alignment changes. It is suggested that the procedure of alignment adjustments should be finalized in the coronal plane.
Identification of stable reference genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from type 2 diabetes mellitus patients
Authors: Hazarika Ankita , Nongkhlaw Bajanai , Mukhopadhyay Arpita
Published: January 2023

Reference genes are obligatory for accurate normalization of mRNA transcript levels across samples and experimental conditions in Real Time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) based quantitative gene expression assays. Selection of stably expressed reference genes is therefore crucial for ensuring reproducibility of such assays. However, there is a complete dearth of data on stability of commonly used reference genes in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) from Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. We have evaluated the gene expression stability of 4 widely used reference genes (Beta-actin, ACTB; Peptidylprolyl Isomerase B, PPIB; Tyrosine 3 Monooxygenase/Tryptophan 5-Monooxygenase Activation Protein Zeta, YWHAZ; and Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase, GAPDH); in PBMCs from 39 T2DM patients and 47 normoglycemic (NGT) subjects. ACTB and YWHAZ were found to be the most stable genes in PBMCs from T2DM patients and therefore, can be recommended as suitable reference genes in similar contexts. GAPDH and PPIB expressions were not stable in PBMCs from T2DM patients. On using ACTB and YWHAZ as reference genes for measuring relative expression of GAPDH and PPIB in these subjects, relative GAPDH expression was found to be significantly lower in female T2DM patients, compared to female NGT subjects [GAPDH relative normalization unit (RNU): female T2DM (n = 19), median (Q1, Q3): 9.0 (8.1, 9.9); female NGT (n = 18): median (Q1, Q3): 10.1 (9.1, 11.0); P = 0.034]. Dysregulation of GAPDH in PBMCs from female T2DM patients could be associated with sex-specific differences in pathogenesis and outcomes of T2DM.
Conservation genomics of an endangered arboreal mammal following the 2019–2020 Australian megafire
Authors: Knipler Monica L. , Gracanin Ana , Mikac Katarina M.
Published: January 2023

The impacts of a changing climate threaten species, populations and ecosystems. Despite these significant and large-scale impacts on threatened species, many remain understudied and have little to no genetic information available. The greater glider, Petauroides volans, is an endangered species highly sensitive to the predicted changes in temperature under a changing climate and was recently severely impacted by a megafire natural disaster (85% estimated population loss). Baseline genetic data is essential for conservation management and for detecting detrimental changes in fire-effected populations. We collected genetic samples within 2 years post the 2019–2020 catastrophic Australian bushfires to examine adaptive potential, baseline genetic diversity and population structure, across their southern range in the state of New South Wales. Population genomic analyses were conducted using 8493 genome-wide SNPs for 86 greater glider individuals across 14 geographic locations. Substantial genetic structure was detected across locations, with low genetic diversity and effective population sizes observed in isolated areas. Additionally, we found signals of putative adaptation in response to temperature in greater gliders using a genotype-environment association analysis. These findings have important implications for the management of greater glider populations by identifying at-risk populations and identifying adaptive potential. We demonstrate the importance of baseline genetic information for endangered species as a practical approach to conservation. This is particularly important given the threat that changes in temperatures and megafire events, as predicted under a changing climate, poses for this species.
Allele-specific polymerase chain reaction can determine the diplotype of NUDT15 variants in patients with childhood acute lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Yu Chih-Hsiang , Chang Ya-Hsuan , Wang Der-Shiun , Jou Shiann-Tarng , Lin Chien-Yu , Lin Kai-Hsin , Lu Meng-Yao , Wu Kang-Hsi , Cheng Chao-Neng , Chang Hsiu-Hao , Chou Shu-Wei , Su Min-Yu , Ni Yu-Ling , Xu Pei-Yuan , Lin Dong-Tsamn , Lin Shu-Wha , Chen Hsuan-Yu , Yang Yung-Li
Published: January 2023

Mercaptopurine intolerance is an adverse effect of mercaptopurine administration in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). NUDT15 variants have emerged as major determinants of mercaptopurine intolerance, especially in the Asian population. Two variants, c.55_56insGAGTCG in exon 1 and c.415C > T in exon 3, were commonly detected in the same allele, named NUDT15*1/*2. Although rare, compound heterozygous mutations also occur, with the two variants on different alleles (NUDT15*3/*6), which may confer tolerance to considerably lesser mercaptopurine dosage. Sanger sequencing or pyrosequencing can determine the NUDT15 variants but not the phase. Here, we designed an allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR) with locked nucleic acid-modified primers. A cohort of 63 patients harboring heterozygous c.55_56insGAGTCG and c.415C > T NUDT15 variations was selected for haplotyping using AS-PCR. Of the 63 patients, 60 harbored the NUDT15*1/*2 variant and three harbored compound heterozygous mutations, including two NUDT15*3/*6 and one NUDT15*2/*7 variants. These findings suggest that AS-PCR can determine NUDT15 diplotype and identify patients with compound heterozygous NUDT15 variants, which may enable precise genetic diagnosis of NUDT15. Nevertheless, a larger clinical trial is required to understand the clinical significance of NUDT15*3/*6 in pediatric patients with ALL because of its low incidence rate and challenges in detecting this variant.
Versatile tuning of Kerr soliton microcombs in crystalline microresonators
Authors: Fujii Shun , Wada Koshiro , Sugano Ryo , Kumazaki Hajime , Kogure Soma , Kato Yuichiro K. , Tanabe Takasumi
Published: January 2023

Microresonator-based optical frequency combs emitted from high-quality-factor microresonators, also known as microcombs, have opened up new horizons to areas of optical frequency comb technology including frequency metrology, precision sensing, and optical communication. To extend the capability of microcombs for such applications, large and reliable tunability is of critical importance. Here, we show broad spectral tuning of Kerr soliton microcombs in a thermally controlled crystalline microresonator with pump-detuning stabilization. The fundamental elements composing frequency combs, namely the center frequency, repetition frequency, and carrier-envelope offset frequency, are spectrally tuned by up to −48.8 GHz, −5.85 MHz, and −386 MHz, respectively, leveraging thermal effects in ultrahigh-Q crystalline magnesium fluoride resonators. We further demonstrate a 3.4-fold enhancement of soliton comb power resulting from thermal expansion with a temperature change of only 28 K by employing quantitative analyses of the fiber-to-resonator coupling efficiency.
Benign catalytic oxidation of potato starch using a homogeneous binuclear manganese catalyst and hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Broekman J. O. P. , Genuino Homer C. , Heeres Hero J. , Brinksma Jelle , Wielema Thomas , Deuss Peter J.
Published: January 2023

A greener method for attaining oxidized starch with desired pasting properties via manganese catalysis and using hydrogen peroxide as oxidant.
Preparation and application of carboxylated and mechanically attrited carbon for adsorptive removal of crystal violet dye
Authors: Mahilary H. K. , Dey A. K.
Published: January 2023

Surface modification of activated carbon by carboxylation and wet milling and subsequent adsorption of the CV dye.
Enhanced photocatalytic activity of CoNi-decorated Zn-doped Cu2O synthesized by electrodeposition technique
Authors: Budi Setia , Sutrisno Mega Gladiani , Pratiwi Yussi , Yusmaniar
Published: January 2023

The Zn-doped Cu2O crystals were decorated with CoNi cocatalyst using electrodeposition technique. This approach successfully enhanced the photocatalytic activity and photostability of the photocatalyst.
Investigation of storage environments on aminopolymer stabilization within UiO-67(Zr) for CO2 capture
Authors: Yang Rachel A. , Ganza Darius R. , Smith Michael R. , Cho Stanley , Vandermel Jacqueline A. , Jiang Elizabeth , Sarazen Michele L.
Published: January 2023

Poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) and poly(propylene imine) (PPI) are supported within metal–organic framework UiO-67(Zr) pores and evaluated for CO2 capture from simulated flue gas and air.
Synthesis of isochromanone containing natural products from myxobacteria
Authors: Salimimarand Mina , Rizzacasa Mark A.
Published: January 2023

This review details the biological activity, biosynthesis and synthesis of isochromanone metabolites isolated from myxobacteria.
Hierarchical porous NiFe-P@NC as an efficient electrocatalyst for alkaline hydrogen production and seawater electrolysis at high current density
Authors: Chen Zhi , Li Qichang , Xiang Huimin , Wang Yue , Yang Pengfei , Dai Chunlong , Zhang Huadong , Xiao Weiping , Wu Zexing , Wang Lei
Published: January 2023

The TNiFe-P@NC presented excellent HER performance with an overpotential of 40 mV at 10 mA cm−2and excellent stability in KOH solution. An assembled NiFe-P@NC||NiFe-P@NC electrolyzer could drive 100/500 mA cm−2in alkaline seawater electrolyte at 1.77/1.93 V.
Sustainable and efficient production of furoic acid from furfural through amine assisted oxidation with hydrogen peroxide and its implementation for the synthesis of alkyl furoate
Authors: Al Ghatta Amir , Perry James M. , Maeng Ho , Lemus Jesus , Hallett Jason P.
Published: January 2023

Furan based building blocks have potential of introducing new commodity chemicals at low cost with low carbon impact.
Nitrogen doping to accelerate the phase transition to ordered intermetallic Pt3Co catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction in fuel cells
Authors: Xu Weicheng , Zhu Zhipeng , Wang Yucheng , Cui Peixin , Tong Lei , Zhao Kuangmin , Yuan Jiayin , Zhou Zhi-You , Liang Hai-Wei , Tian Na , Sun Shi-Gang
Published: January 2023

An efficient nitrogen doping strategy is developed to accelerate the disorder-to-order phase transition of Pt3Co catalyst, and the as-prepared ordered Pt3Co shows a PEMFC power density of 1.27 W cm−2at 0.6 V.
Recent advances and future perspectives in engineering biodegradable face masks
Authors: Athukoralalage Sandya S. A. , Bell Craig A. , Gemmell Anna C. , Rowan Alan E. , Amiralian Nasim
Published: January 2023

Development of biodegradable and functionalised face mask nonwovens to address the plastic pollution issue generated by disposable face masks.
Red emissive carbon dots as a fluorescent sensor for fast specific monitoring and imaging of polarity in living cells
Authors: Yang Zheng , Li Hui , Xu Tiantian , She Mengyao , Chen Jiao , Jia Xiaodan , Liu Ping , Liu Xiangrong , Li Jianli
Published: January 2023

This work presents red emissive CDs as a promising fluorescent sensor with excellent photostability, high fluorescence quantum yield, and negligible cytotoxicity for real-time sensing and visualizing polarity changes in mitochondria and lysosomes.
Fabrication of an exosome-loaded thermosensitive chitin-based hydrogel for dental pulp regeneration
Authors: Wang Shilei , Xing Xin , Peng Wenan , Huang Cui , Du Yumin , Yang Hongye , Zhou Jinping
Published: January 2023

An exosome-loaded thermosensitive hydroxypropyl chitin hydrogel strengthened by chitin whiskers is fabricated, which shows potential as an alternative to traditional root canal therapy in dental clinics.
Synthesis and characterization of nano crystallite plaster of Paris prepared from waste eggshells and exploration of cytotoxicity, hemolysis and antimicrobial properties
Authors: Sahadat Hossain Md. , Uddin Md. Najem , Jahan Shirin Akter , Ahmed Samina
Published: January 2023

Plaster of Paris, a well-known biomaterial, was synthesized from waste eggshells, which were chosen as an available bio-source of calcium.
A refractory metal-based photonic narrowband emitter for thermophotovoltaic energy conversion
Authors: Chen Fangqi , Liu Xiaojie , Liu Yang , Tian Yanpei , Zheng Yi
Published: January 2023

Thermophotovoltaics is a promising technology for heat recovery and has garnered tremendous attention in the past decades.
Power distribution network expansion planning to improve resilience
Authors: Saberi Reza , Falaghi Hamid , Esmaeeli Mostafa , Ramezani Maryam , Ashoornezhad Ali , Izadpanah Reza
Published: January 2023

High‐impact, low‐probability events that cause significant annual damages seriously threaten the health of distribution networks. The effects of these events have made the expansion planning for distribution systems something beyond the traditional reliability criteria, so there is an ever‐increasing need for modifications in current planning approaches and focusing on the resilience in the expansion planning of distribution networks. The new attitude dealing with resilience and distributed generation sources in distribution networks necessitates a fundamental reconsidering of traditional distribution network planning methods. Here, by modelling common natural disasters such as floods and storms, an appropriate index is introduced to evaluate the distribution network resilience in the presence of distributed generation (DG) sources, including conventional gas‐fired and photovoltaic sources. Then, by presenting an appropriate model for load and photovoltaic production, the problem of comprehensive distribution network planning, including substations, feeders, and DG sources, is mathematically formulated as a multi‐objective optimization problem to improve resilience and optimize costs. Furthermore, a non‐dominated sorting genetic algorithm is used to solve the problem of comprehensively planning a resilient distribution network. Implementation of the proposed model on the IEEE 54‐bus sample network shows that network resilience can be improved with minimum cost by optimal network planning.
A general N‐arm Archimedean spiral antenna synthesis method for broadband multiple orbital angular momentums generation
Authors: Yang Yang , Shen Fei , Zhang Zhen , Zhang Guangmin , Ye Longfang , Gong Yubin
Published: January 2023

Due to the orthogonality, multiple orbital angular momentums (OAMs) have great potential for increasing communication capacity and improving imaging resolution. In this work, a general N‐arm Archimedean spiral antenna (ASA) synthesis method is proposed for generating broadband vortex waves carrying multiple OAMs. In the proposed method, the theoretical formulas of the whole OAM modes based on the improved current band theory for N‐arm ASA and the maximum common bandwidth of each N‐adjacent OAM mode are presented. The performance of the proposed method is verified by simulated results of three‐arm ASA, as well as simulated results and measured results of four‐arm ASA. The measured results show that the four‐arm ASA generates vortex waves carrying OAM modes of l = 0, 1, 2, 3 in 0.6–3, 1.4–3.8, 2.3–4.1 and 2.6–4.5 GHz. And the maximum common bandwidth of the four generated OAM modes is 2.6–3 GHz, which satisfies the design requirement of OAM's practical application.
An improved Z‐source inverter‐based sensorless induction motor‐driven photovoltaic water pumping with Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy MPPT
Authors: Priyadarshi Neeraj , Maroti Pandav Kiran , Azam Farooque , Hussien Mohamed G.
Published: January 2023

This research work presents an improved Z‐source inverter‐based sensorless field‐oriented control (FOC) and integral sliding mode controller (ISMC) controlled induction motor‐driven photovoltaic (PV) water pumping system with takagi‐sugeno (TS) fuzzy‐based maximum power point tracking (MPPT). Compared with conventional Z‐source inverter, the employed Z‐source inverter acts as a DC‐link boost power component which provides better buck‐boost behaviour, small‐sized converter, lesser harmonics, reduced in‐rush currents, unity power factor, no input/output filters requirements, and improved efficacy as main features. Also, the TS fuzzy approach‐based MPPT provides a dynamic model of piecewise linearization of non‐linear behaviour. It also proposes a sliding mode controller (SMC) based on the utilization of DC‐link voltage which delivers motor power control as well as the speed of the induction motor drive. The proposed ISMC gives smooth regulation under varying motor variables. The practical responses under changing environmental conditions justify the effectiveness of the proposed sensorless submersible induction motor (SIM)‐based PV water pumping design.