bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of optically transparent metasurfaces based on CVD graphene for mmWave applications
Authors: Magno Giovanni , Caramia Lorenzo , Bianco Giuseppe Valerio , Bruno Giovanni , D’orazio Antonella , Grande Marco
Published: March 2023

We propose and numerically investigate a smart, optically transparent digital metasurface reflective in the mmWave range, based on CVD graphene programmable elements. For both TM and TE polarizations, we detail the optimization of the unit cells, designed to exhibit two distinct states that correspond to those of binary encoding. The whole metasurface encoding can be customized to provide different electromagnetic functions, such as wide-band beam splitting at a controlled angle and reduction of the Radar Cross Section. Optically transparent metasurfaces could be integrated and exploited in windows and transparent surfaces in future Beyond-5G and 6G ecosystems.
Molecular mapping and characterization of QTLs for grain quality traits in a RIL population of US rice under high nighttime temperature stress
Authors: Kumar Anuj , Thomas Julie , Gill Navdeep , Dwiningsih Yheni , Ruiz Charles , Famoso Adam , Pereira Andy
Published: March 2023

Elevated nighttime temperatures resulting from climate change significantly impact the rice crop worldwide. The rice (Oryza sativa L.) plant is highly sensitive to high nighttime temperature (HNT) during grain-filling (reproductive stage). HNT stress negatively affects grain quality traits and has a major impact on the value of the harvested rice crop. In addition, along with grain dimensions determining rice grain market classes, the grain appearance and quality traits determine the rice grain market value. During the last few years, there has been a major concern for rice growers and the rice industry over the prevalence of rice grains opacity and the reduction of grain dimensions affected by HNT stress. Hence, the improvement of heat-stress tolerance to maintain grain quality of the rice crop under HNT stress will bolster future rice value in the market. In this study, 185 F12-recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from two US rice cultivars, Cypress (HNT-tolerant) and LaGrue (HNT-sensitive) were screened for the grain quality traits grain length (GL), grain width (GW), and percent chalkiness (%chalk) under control and HNT stress conditions and evaluated to identify the genomic regions associated with the grain quality traits. In total, there were 15 QTLs identified; 6 QTLs represented under control condition explaining 3.33% to 8.27% of the phenotypic variation, with additive effects ranging from − 0.99 to 0.0267 on six chromosomes and 9 QTLs represented under HNT stress elucidating 6.39 to 51.53% of the phenotypic variation, with additive effects ranging from − 8.8 to 0.028 on nine chromosomes for GL, GW, and % chalk. These 15 QTLs were further characterized and scanned for natural genetic variation in a japonica diversity panel (JDP) to identify candidate genes for GL, GW, and %chalk. We found 6160 high impact single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) characterized as such depending on their type, region, functional class, position, and proximity to the gene and/or gene features, and 149 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the 51 Mbp genomic region comprising of the 15 QTLs. Out of which, 11 potential candidate genes showed high impact SNP associations. Therefore, the analysis of the mapped QTLs and their genetic dissection in the US grown Japonica rice genotypes at genomic and transcriptomic levels provide deep insights into genetic variation beneficial to rice breeders and geneticists for understanding the mechanisms related to grain quality under heat stress in rice.
The abundances of LTF and SOD2 in amniotic fluid are potential biomarkers of gestational age and preterm birth
Authors: Hsu Te-Yao , Cheng Hsin-Hsin , Lan Kuo-Chung , Hung Hsuan-Ning , Lai Yun-Ju , Tsai Chih-Chang , Fan Wen-Lang , Li Sung-Chou
Published: March 2023

Neonates who are born preterm (PT) are usually characterized by immature physiological development, and preterm birth (PTB) is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality if intensive medical care is not available to PTB neonates. Early prediction of a PTB enables medical personnel to make preparations in advance, protecting the neonate from the subsequent health risks. Therefore, many studies have worked on identifying invasive or noninvasive PT biomarkers. In this study, we collected amniocentesis-derived (at the second trimester of gestation) amniotic fluid (AF) samples. At delivery, AF samples were classified into PTB or full-term birth (FTB). We first applied protein mass spectrometry technology to globally screen AF proteins, followed by specific protein validation with ELISA. We identified four protein biomarkers of PTB, including lactotransferrin (LTF), glutathione-disulfide reductase (GSR), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2). Further analyses demonstrated that their abundances were negatively correlated with neonatal weight and gestational age. In addition, by mimicking survival rate analysis widely used in tumor biology, we found that LTF and SOD2 were prognostic factors of gestational age, with higher levels denoting shorter gestational age. Finally, using the abundances of the four protein biomarkers, we developed a prediction model of PTB with an auROC value of 0.935 (sensitivity = 0.94, specificity = 0.89, p value = 0.0001). This study demonstrated that the abundances of specific proteins in amniotic fluid were not only the prognostic factors of gestational age but also the predictive biomarkers of PTB. These four AF proteins enable identification of PTB early in the second trimester of gestation, facilitating medical intervention to be applied in advance.
The oncogenic properties of the EWSR1::CREM fusion gene are associated with polyamine metabolism
Authors: Kaprio Heidi , Siddiqui Arafat , Saustila Lotta , Heuser Vanina D. , Gardberg Maria
Published: March 2023

The EWSR1::CREM fusion gene, caused by a chromosomal translocation t(10;22)(p11;q12), has been discovered in divergent malignancies, ranging from low-grade to highly malignant cancers. The translocation gives rise to a chimeric protein, EWSR1::CREM. The molecular mechanisms behind the oncogenic properties of the EWSR1::CREM protein have not previously been systematically characterized. In this study, we performed transcriptional profiling of the melanoma cell line CHL-1, with depletion of endogenous EWSR1::CREM protein using siRNA mediated knockdown. We found that the expression of 712 genes was altered (Log2 fold-change ≥ 2). We performed pathway analysis to identify EWSR1::CREM mediated pathways and cell studies to examine functional differences brought upon by the knockdown. Altered pathways involved cell cycle and proliferation, this was further validated by the cell studies where cell migration was affected as well. Among the target genes with the greatest downregulation, we discovered ODC1—a well-established oncogenic enzyme that can be pharmacologically inhibited and is essential for polyamine synthesis. We found that the main effects seen upon EWSR1::CREM knockdown can be reproduced by directly silencing ODC1 expression. These findings provide novel insights into pathogenesis of tumors harboring a EWSR1::CREM fusion gene, hopefully facilitating the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Young generations’ hopelessness perpetuates long-term conflicts
Authors: Hasler Béatrice S. , Leshem Oded A. , Hasson Yossi , Landau Daniel H. , Krayem Yara , Blatansky Chen , Baratz Guy , Friedman Doron , Psaltis Charis , Cakal Huseyin , Cohen-Chen Smadar , Halperin Eran
Published: March 2023

Transforming long-term conflicts into peaceful intergroup relations is one of the most difficult challenges for humanity. Such meaningful social changes are often driven by young people. But do young people living in contexts of long-term conflicts believe that change is even possible? In a series of six studies (Ntotal = 119,671) over two decades and across two unrelated intractable conflicts in Israel/Palestine and Cyprus, we found that younger (compared to older) generations from both respective rival groups have less hope for peace, and consequently less conciliatory attitudes. We also show that this gradual improvement of peace-promoting emotions and attitudes with increasing age can be experimentally accelerated in young people through a virtual reality-based aging simulation. These findings provide a new perspective on the fundamental question of why long-term conflicts are so difficult to resolve and highlight the importance of instilling hope in young generations to advance peace processes.
Thermal optima of cercarial emergence in trematodes from a marine high-temperature ecosystem, the Persian Gulf
Authors: Khosravi Maral , Díaz-Morales Dakeishla M. , Thieltges David W. , Wahl Martin , Vajedsamiei Jahangir
Published: March 2023

Global warming may alter the dynamics of infectious diseases by affecting important steps in the transmission of pathogens and parasites. In trematode parasites, the emergence of cercarial stages from their hosts is temperature-dependent, being highest around a thermal optimum. If environmental temperatures exceed this optimum as a consequence of global warming, this may affect cercarial transmission. However, our knowledge of cercarial emergence patterns of species from high temperature environments is currently very limited. Here, we investigated the effect of temperature on the emergence of two common trematode species from an abundant mud snailPirenella cingulatain the Persian Gulf, the warmest sea on Earth. Infected snails were incubated in the laboratory at 6 temperatures from 10 to 40 °C for 3 days. We found an optimal temperature for cercarial emergence of 32.0 °C and 33.5 °C forAcanthotrema tridactylaand Cyathocotylidae gen. sp., respectively, which are the warmest recorded thermal optima for any aquatic trematode species. Emergence of both species dropped at 40 °C, suggesting upper thermal limits to emergence. Overall, Persian Gulf trematodes may be among the most heat-tolerant marine trematode species, indicating a potential for dispersing to regions that will continue to warm in the future.
Lymphocyte to monocyte ratio predicts survival and is epigenetically linked to miR-222-3p and miR-26b-5p in diffuse large B cell lymphoma
Authors: Metwally Ayman Mohamed , Kasem Ameera Abdel Hamed Mahmoud , Youssif Magda Ismail , Hassan Safia Mohammed , Abdel Wahab Abdel Hady A. , Refaat Lobna Ahmed
Published: March 2023

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. 10–20% of the patients present with bone marrow (BM) involvement which predicts a worse survival. This study aimed to determine the prognostic significance of serum miR-222-3p, miR-26b-5p, EBV-miR-BHRF1-2-5p, and EBV-miR-BHRF1-2-3p and correlate their levels to clinical and haematological markers in DLBCL with special emphasis on the lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR) and neutrophil-monocyte ratio. We also studied the role of BM BMI1 and PIM2 proteins in predicting BM infiltration. Serum miRNAs were studied on 40 DLBCL and 18 normal individuals using qRT-PCR. BMI1 and PIM2 proteins were studied on BM biopsies by immunohistochemistry. The results were correlated with clinical and follow-up data. All the studied miRNAs were dysregulated in DLBCL serum samples. BMI1 and PIM2 were expressed in 67% and 77.5% of BM samples, respectively. LMR was significantly associated with disease-free survival (DFS) (P = 0.022), miR-222-3P (P = 0.043), and miR-26b-5p (P = 0.043). EBV-miR-BHRF1-2-3p was significantly correlated to haemoglobin level (P = 0.027). MiR-222-3p, miR-26b-5p, and EBV-miR-BHRF1-2-5p expressions were significantly correlated to each other (P = 0.001). There was no significant correlation between the studied markers and follow-up data. LMR is a simple method for predicting survival in DLBCL. MiR-222-3p and miR-26b-5p may be implicated in an immunological mechanism affecting patients’ immunity and accordingly influence LMR. The correlation between miR-222-3p, miR-26b-5p, and EBV-miR-BHRF1-2-5p may indicate a common mechanism among the 3 miRNAs that may explain DLBCL pathogenesis.
Cooperative and conformist behavioural preferences predict the dual dimensions of political ideology
Authors: Claessens Scott , Sibley Chris G. , Chaudhuri Ananish , Atkinson Quentin D.
Published: March 2023

Decades of research suggest that our political differences are best captured by two dimensions of political ideology. The dual evolutionary framework of political ideology predicts that these dimensions should be related to variation in social preferences for cooperation and group conformity. Here, we combine data from a New Zealand survey and a suite of incentivised behavioural tasks (n = 991) to test whether cooperative and conformist preferences covary with a pair of widely used measures of the two dimensions of political ideology—Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) and Right Wing Authoritarianism (RWA)—and related policy views. As predicted, we find that cooperative behaviour is negatively related to SDO and economically conservative policy views, while conformist behaviour in the form of social information use is positively related to RWA and socially conservative policy views. However, we did not find the predicted relationships between punitive and rule following behaviours and RWA or socially conservative views, raising questions about the interpretation of punishment and rule following tasks and the nature of authoritarian conformist preferences. These findings reveal how cooperative and conformist preferences that evolved to help us navigate social challenges in our ancestral past continue to track our political differences even today.
Design of high gain base station antenna array for mm-wave cellular communication systems
Authors: Sehrai Daniyal Ali , Khan Jalal , Abdullah Mujeeb , Asif Muhammad , Alibakhshikenari Mohammad , Virdee Bal , Shah Wahab Ali , Khan Salahuddin , Ibrar Muhammad , Jan Saeedullah , Ullah Amjad , Falcone Francisco
Published: March 2023

Millimeter wave (mm-Wave) wireless communication systems require high gain antennas to overcome path loss effects and thereby enhance system coverage. This paper presents the design and analysis of an antenna array for high gain performance of future mm-wave 5G communication systems. The proposed antenna is based on planar microstrip technology and fabricated on 0.254 mm thick dielectric substrate (Rogers-5880) having a relative permittivity of 2.2 and loss tangent of 0.0009. The single radiating element used to construct the antenna array is a microstrip patch that has a configuration resembling a two-pronged fork. The single radiator has a realized gain of 7.6 dBi. To achieve the gain required by 5G base stations, a 64-element array antenna design is proposed which has a bore side gain of 21.2 dBi at 37.2 GHz. The 8 × 8, 8 × 16, and 8 × 32 antenna array designs described here were simulated and optimized using CST Microwave Studio, which is a 3D full-wave electromagnetic solver. The overall characteristics of the array in terms of reflection-coefficient and radiation patterns makes the proposed design suitable for mm-Wave 5G and other communication systems.
Characterization of human oxidoreductases involved in aldehyde odorant metabolism
Authors: Boichot Valentin , Menetrier Franck , Saliou Jean-Michel , Lirussi Frederic , Canon Francis , Folia Mireille , Heydel Jean-Marie , Hummel Thomas , Menzel Susanne , Steinke Maria , Hackenberg Stephan , Schwartz Mathieu , Neiers Fabrice
Published: March 2023

Oxidoreductases are major enzymes of xenobiotic metabolism. Consequently, they are essential in the chemoprotection of the human body. Many xenobiotic metabolism enzymes have been shown to be involved in chemosensory tissue protection. Among them, some were additionally shown to be involved in chemosensory perception, acting in signal termination as well as in the generation of metabolites that change the activation pattern of chemosensory receptors. Oxidoreductases, especially aldehyde dehydrogenases and aldo–keto reductases, are the first barrier against aldehyde compounds, which include numerous odorants. Using a mass spectrometry approach, we characterized the most highly expressed members of these families in the human nasal mucus sampled in the olfactory vicinity. Their expression was also demonstrated using immunohistochemistry in human epitheliums sampled in the olfactory vicinity. Recombinant enzymes corresponding to three highly expressed human oxidoreductases (ALDH1A1, ALDH3A1, AKR1B10) were used to demonstrate the high enzymatic activity of these enzymes toward aldehyde odorants. The structure‒function relationship set based on the enzymatic parameters characterization of a series of aldehyde odorant compounds was supported by the X-ray structure resolution of human ALDH3A1 in complex with octanal.
Revealing the diversity of internal body temperature and panting response for feedlot cattle under environmental thermal stress
Authors: Islam M. A. , Lomax S. , Doughty A. K. , Islam M. R. , Thomson P. C. , Clark C. E. F.
Published: March 2023

Core body temperature (CBT) regulation is crucial for mammalian wellbeing and survival. Cattle pant to dissipate excess heat to regulate CBT when ambient conditions exceed thermoneutral zones. However, to date, neither the variability in cattle heat response, the lagged response of CBT to thermal indices, nor the diurnal patterns of thermal indices, CBT and panting have been reported in the literature. We decomposed thermal indices, CBT and panting time-series data for 99 feedlot heifers across three discrete heat events into diurnal, trend and residual components. Both raw and decomposed data were analysed to explore the lagged CBT and panting responses and the association between series. We show ambient thermal conditions impact CBT with a 1-h lag despite a lag of between 1.5 to 3 h from raw data. Average individual panting scores were used to identify heat-susceptible and heat-tolerant cattle. Heat-susceptible cattle showed greater CBT (P < 0.01) between 8:00 and 23:00 and greater panting duration (P < 0.05) between 10:00 and 18:00 than heat-tolerant cattle under the same thermal conditions and these variations followed a similar pattern despite differences in cattle breed. This new information enables targeted amelioration and selection of individuals against heat susceptibility.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of substituted acetamide derivatives as potential butyrylcholinestrase inhibitors
Authors: Yu Dehong , Yang Can , Liu Yi , Lu Tao , Li Lizi , Chen Gang , Liu Zerong , Li Yanfang
Published: March 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of age-related dementia. Inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) emerge as an effective therapeutic target for AD. A series of new substituted acetamide derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit BChE. The bioassay results revealed that several compounds displayed attractive inhibition against BChE). Among them, compound 8c exhibited the highest BChE inhibition with IC50 values of 3.94 μM. Lineweaver Burk plot indicated that 8c acted as a mixed-type BChE inhibitor. In addition, docking studies confirmed the results obtained through in vitro experiments, and showed that 8c bound to the catalytic anionic site (CAS) and peripheral anionic site (PAS) of BChE active site. Meanwhile, its ADME parameters were approximated using in silico method. Molecular dynamics simulation studies on the complex of 8c-BChE were performed, RMSD, RMSF, Rg, SASA, and the number of hydrogen bonds were calculated as well. These results implied that 8c could serve as appropriate lead molecule for the development of BChE inhibitor.
The acceleration effect of pump as turbine system during starting period
Authors: Zhang Yu-Liang , Li Jin-Fu , Zhu Zu-Chao
Published: March 2023

In order to reveal the influence of starting acceleration on starting process of a pump as turbine system, this paper carries out a numerical calculation of the three-dimensional viscous unsteady flow of pump as turbine circulating piping system under three starting acceleration conditions, and obtains the external and internal flow characteristics of each overflow component during the starting process, and also analyzes the energy loss of each component in the piping system in depth with the help of entropy production method and Q criterion method. The results show that during system start-up, the flow rate and outlet static pressure curves of the pump as turbine are hysteresis relative to the rotational speed, the head curve is similar to a linear rise during slow and medium speed start-up, while it shows a parabolic rise during rapid start-up, the entropy production and vorticity in the impeller domain of the pump as turbine are mainly distributed between the blades, and the distribution decreases during start-up. In addition, the pump similarity law does not apply to the performance prediction during the transient start of the pump as turbine.
Experimental study on strength and failure characteristics of sandstone rock mass with complex cataclastic structure using 3D printing models
Authors: Dong Shan , Lu Zhichun , Hu Xi
Published: March 2023

A cataclastic rock mass is a poor type of engineering geological rock mass. The determination of the shear failure characteristics and shear strengths of cataclastic rock masses can provide key basis for the design and construction of infrastructure. Physical model samples of a sandstone cataclastic rock mass were first produced by a combination of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology and manual pouring. Shear tests were conducted with respect to the shear stresses parallel to the trace line plane and perpendicular to the trace line plane of the cataclastic rock mass model. Based on an extensive analysis of the shear failure characteristic, shear stress evolution characteristic curve and shear strength. When the shear stress was parallel to the trace line plane, and when the rock block that was cut and confined by the trace line exhibited a significant tip, the end stress concentration effect of the cataclastic rock mass was more significant during the shear process with the anisotropy of the rock block increased. In addition, the shapes of the rock blocks that were confined and cut by the joints were the main influencing factors of the strength of the cataclastic rock mass. When the shear stress was perpendicular to the trace line plane, the structure of the rock wall was the main influencing factor of the deformation and failure process of the shear failure plane and the shear strength. The physical and mechanical properties of the shear failure plane of the cataclastic rock mass were found to be closely related to the joint–rock wall system characteristics of the cataclastic rock mass. Therefore, when determining the shear strength of cataclastic rock mass, the shape and combination form of the rock block, shear direction, and structural failure characteristics of the rock wall should be comprehensively considered during the shear process.
Metagenomic next-generation sequencing versus traditional laboratory methods for the diagnosis of central nervous system opportunistic infections in HIV-infected Chinese adults
Authors: Deng Liping , Li Qian , Hu Wenjia , Chen Xiaoping , Chen Tielong , Song Shihui , Mo Pingzheng , Zou Shi , Zhang Yongxi , Gao Shicheng , Chen Liangjun , Zhuang Ke , Yang Rongrong , Xiong Yong
Published: March 2023

To evaluate clinical value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) who had CNS disorders. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 48 PLWHA presenting with CNS disorders were sequenced using mNGS and compared with clinical conventional diagnostic methods. In total, 36/48 ss(75%) patients were diagnosed with pathogen(s) infection by mNGS, and the positive detection proportion by mNGS was higher than that by clinical conventional diagnostic methods (75% vs 52.1%, X2 = 5.441, P = 0.020). Thirteen out of 48 patients (27.1%) were detected with 3–7 pathogens by mNGS. Moreover, 77 pathogen strains were detected, of which 94.8% (73/77) by mNGS and 37.0% (30/77) by clinical conventional methods (X2 = 54.206, P < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of pathogens detection by mNGS were 63.9% (23/36) and 66.7% (8/12), respectively, which were superior to that by clinical conventional methods (23/36 vs 9/25, X2 = 4.601, P = 0.032; 8/12 vs 5/23, X2 = 5.029, P = 0.009). The application of mNGS was superior for its ability to detect a variety of unknown pathogens and multiple pathogens infection, and relatively higher sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis of CNS disorders in PLWHA.
Sedentary lifestyle with increased risk of obesity in urban adult academic professionals: an epidemiological study in West Bengal, India
Authors: Ghosh Sunandini , Paul Manabi , Mondal Kousik Kumar , Bhattacharjee Sandip , Bhattacharjee Pritha
Published: March 2023

Ectopic fat deposition is more strongly associated with obesity-related health problems including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular diseases (CVD), hypothyroidism, arthritis, etc. Our study aimed at identifying the cumulative role of several risk factors in developing obesity and the role of ectopic fat (visceral fat) in predicting cardiovascular disease risk in varied age groups among urban adult academic professionals in West Bengal. 650 adults (Male = 456; Female = 194) associated with the academic job (age 20–65 years) in urban West Bengal were randomly selected for anthropometric, blood biochemical, and questionnaire-based analyses. Body Mass Index and Visceral Fat% exhibited comparable association with all the other anthropometric parameters (e.g. Whole body Subcutaneous fat%: male-Linear Regression Comparison: F = 11.68; P < 0.001; female-F = 6.11; P < 0.01). Therefore, VF% acts as a risk factor alongside BMI in instances where BMI fails alone. The presence of T2DM, hypertension, and hypothyroidism in the case groups confirmed their obesity-associated longitudinal pattern of inheritance. Unhealthy diet pattern indicates improper liver function, vitamin D deficiency, and increased erythrocytic inflammation. An overall sedentary lifestyle with parental history of obesity was found to be significant in the longitudinal transmission of the disease.
Variability of fluorescence intensity distribution measured by flow cytometry is influenced by cell size and cell cycle progression
Authors: Fedr Radek , Kahounová Zuzana , Remšík Ján , Reiterová Michaela , Kalina Tomáš , Souček Karel
Published: March 2023

The distribution of fluorescence signals measured with flow cytometry can be influenced by several factors, including qualitative and quantitative properties of the used fluorochromes, optical properties of the detection system, as well as the variability within the analyzed cell population itself. Most of the single cell samples prepared from in vitrocultures or clinical specimens contain a variable cell cycle component. Cell cycle, together with changes in the cell size, are two of the factors that alter the functional properties of analyzed cells and thus affect the interpretation of obtained results. Here, we describe the association between cell cycle status and cell size, and the variability in the distribution of fluorescence intensity as determined with flow cytometry, at population scale. We show that variability in the distribution of background and specific fluorescence signals is related to the cell cycle state of the selected population, with the 10% low fluorescence signal fraction enriched mainly in cells in their G0/G1 cell cycle phase, and the 10% high fraction containing cells mostly in the G2/M phase. Therefore we advise using caution and additional experimental validation when comparing populations defined by fractions at both ends of fluorescence signal distribution to avoid biases caused by the effect of cell cycle and cell size.
Survivability of the lichen Xanthoria parietina in simulated Martian environmental conditions
Authors: Lorenz Christian , Bianchi Elisabetta , Poggiali Giovanni , Alemanno Giulia , Benesperi Renato , Brucato John Robert , Garland Stephen , Helbert Jörn , Loppi Stefano , Lorek Andreas , Maturilli Alessandro , Papini Alessio , de Vera Jean-Pierre , Baqué Mickaël
Published: March 2023

Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th. Fr. is a widely spread foliose lichen showing high tolerance against UV-radiation thanks to parietin, a secondary lichen substance. We exposed samples of X. parietina under simulated Martian conditions for 30 days to explore its survivability. The lichen’s vitality was monitored via chlorophyll a fluorescence that gives an indication for active light reaction of photosynthesis, performing in situ and after-treatment analyses. Raman spectroscopy and TEM were used to evaluate carotenoid preservation and possible variations in the photobiont’s ultrastructure respectively. Significant differences in the photo-efficiency between UV irradiated samples and dark-kept samples were observed. Fluorescence values correlated with temperature and humidity day-night cycles. The photo-efficiency recovery showed that UV irradiation caused significant effects on the photosynthetic light reaction. Raman spectroscopy showed that the carotenoid signal from UV exposed samples decreased significantly after the exposure. TEM observations confirmed that UV exposed samples were the most affected by the treatment, showing chloroplastidial disorganization in photobionts’ cells. Overall, X. parietina was able to survive the simulated Mars conditions, and for this reason it may be considered as a candidate for space long-term space exposure and evaluations of the parietin photodegradability.
Temporal visitation patterns of points of interest in cities on a planetary scale: a network science and machine learning approach
Authors: Betancourt Francisco , Riascos Alejandro P. , Mateos José L.
Published: March 2023

We aim to study the temporal patterns of activity in points of interest of cities around the world. In order to do so, we use the data provided by the online location-based social network Foursquare, where users make check-ins that indicate points of interest in the city. The data set comprises more than 90 million check-ins in 632 cities of 87 countries in 5 continents. We analyzed more than 11 million points of interest including all sorts of places: airports, restaurants, parks, hospitals, and many others. With this information, we obtained spatial and temporal patterns of activities for each city. We quantify similarities and differences of these patterns for all the cities involved and construct a network connecting pairs of cities. The links of this network indicate the similarity of temporal visitation patterns of points of interest between cities and is quantified with the Kullback-Leibler divergence between two distributions. Then, we obtained the community structure of this network and the geographic distribution of these communities worldwide. For comparison, we also use a Machine Learning algorithm—unsupervised agglomerative clustering—to obtain clusters or communities of cities with similar patterns. The main result is that both approaches give the same classification of five communities belonging to five different continents worldwide. This suggests that temporal patterns of activity can be universal, with some geographical, historical, and cultural variations, on a planetary scale.
Steroid hormone levels and bone mineral density in women over 65 years of age
Authors: Nunes Elsa , Gallardo Eugenia , Morgado-Nunes Sara , Fonseca-Moutinho José
Published: March 2023

Previous studies using immunoassays for steroid measurements have focused on the association between steroid hormone levels and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women, obtaining contradictory results. This study aimed to assess this association using a highly sensitive bioanalytical method. A total of 68 postmenopausal women, aged 65–89 years, were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Measurements of the BMD of the hip and lumbar spine were performed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and serum hormone levels were quantified by gas chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Associations between estradiol (E2), testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione and T score levels of the hip and lumbar spine were evaluated, after adjustment for confounding variables. The analysis revealed a statistically significant association between testosterone and the T score of the hip (p = 0.035), but not that of the lumbar spine. No statistically significant associations were found between E2, DHEA, androstenedione and the T scores of the hip and the lumbar spine. Using a highly sensitive hormone assay method, our study identified a significant association between testosterone and BMD of the hip in women over 65 years of age, suggesting that lower testosterone increases the risk of osteoporosis.
Exploring differences in symptomatic adverse events assessment between nurses and physicians in the clinical trial setting
Authors: Liu Lei , Liu Zhanlun , Ma Cuicui , Cheng Meng , Xie Yanli , Zhang Lina , Wang Jianxin
Published: March 2023

A cross-sectional study was performed at Hebei Medical University Fourth Affiliated Hospital from April to July 2020 to explore the difference and consistency between nurses and physicians in terms of symptomatic adverse event (AE) assessment. The Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) was utilized by nurses and physicians to assess patients’ symptomatic AEs. Patients self-reported their AEs utilizing the Patient-Reported Outcomes Version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE). Four nurses and three physicians were enrolled to assess patients’ symptomatic AEs. Given the same AEs, nurses tended to detect more AEs than physicians, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.001). The toxicity grade reported by nurses and physicians showed no difference for all AEs, except for fatigue (χ2 = 5.083, P = 0.024). The agreement between nurses and patients was highest compared to the agreement between nurses versus physicians and physicians versus patients. The differences in symptomatic AE assessment can lead to different symptom management. Thus, it is important to establish a collaborative approach between nurses and physicians to ensure continuity in care delivery.
Non-destructive high-throughput measurement of elastic-viscous properties of maize using a novel ultra-micro sensor array and numerical validation
Authors: Nakashima Taiken , Tomobe Haruka , Morigaki Takumi , Yang Mengfan , Yamaguchi Hiroto , Kato Yoichiro , Guo Wei , Sharma Vikas , Kimura Harusato , Morikawa Hitoshi
Published: March 2023

Maize is the world's most produced cereal crop, and the selection of maize cultivars with a high stem elastic modulus is an effective method to prevent cereal crop lodging. We developed an ultra-compact sensor array inspired by earthquake engineering and proposed a method for the high-throughput evaluation of the elastic modulus of maize cultivars. A natural vibration analysis based on the obtained Young’s modulus using finite element analysis (FEA) was performed and compared with the experimental results, which showed that the estimated Young’s modulus is representative of the individual Young’s modulus. FEA also showed the hotspot where the stalk was most deformed when the corn was vibrated by wind. The six tested cultivars were divided into two phenotypic groups based on the position and number of hotspots. In this study, we proposed a non-destructive high-throughput phenotyping technique for estimating the modulus of elasticity of maize stalks and successfully visualized which parts of the stalks should be improved for specific cultivars to prevent lodging.
Vision-related quality of life after surgery for vitreoretinal disorders in a Mexican population: an observational study
Authors: Márquez-Vergara Ilse Sarahí , Ríos-Nequis Geovanni Jassiel , Pita-Ortíz Ingrid Yazmín , Pérez-Cano Héctor Javier , Somilleda-Ventura Selma Alin
Published: March 2023

Visual-related quality of life in retinal diseases has not been explored in the Mexican population, so the study aims to identify it in patients undergoing surgery due to advanced diabetic retinopathy, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, and other causes of vitrectomy; the Visual Function Quality-25 questionnaire was applied to 76 patients, pre-and postoperative. It was divided into 10 domains and interpreted according to the National Eye Institute scores, where the highest value was the best visual function. Student's t-test for related samples and Wilcoxon’s t-test were used to compare each domain between measurements, and Pearson’s R test to correlate the total score of age and quality of life; a p value < 0.05 was considered significant. Diabetic retinopathy patients showed an improvement 1 and 3 months after surgery in all domains; in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, there was an improvement observed up to 3 months, while a decrease in ocular pain was observed in other causes of vitrectomy. Differences found in all the quality-of-life scores were not statistical, but clinically significant. The study shows that visual-related quality of life domains improves after vitrectomy; the inclusion of this analysis might be considered relevant within the parameters of surgical success of the most prevalent vitreoretinal diseases.
Supervised deep learning-based paradigm to screen the enhanced oil recovery scenarios
Authors: Kumar Pandey Rakesh , Gandomkar Asghar , Vaferi Behzad , Kumar Anil , Torabi Farshid
Published: March 2023

High oil prices and concern about limited oil reserves lead to increase interest in enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Selecting the most efficient development plan is of high interest to optimize economic cost. Hence, the main objective of this study is to construct a novel deep-learning classifier to select the best EOR method based on the reservoir’s rock and fluid properties (depth, porosity, permeability, gravity, viscosity), and temperature. Our deep learning-based classifier consists of a one-dimensional (1D) convolutional neural network, long short-term memory (LSTM), and densely connected neural network layers. The genetic algorithm has been applied to tune the hyperparameters of this hybrid classifier. The proposed classifier is developed and tested using 735 EOR projects on sandstone, unconsolidated sandstone, carbonate, and conglomerate reservoirs in more than 17 countries. Both the numerical and graphical investigations approve that the structure-tuned deep learning classifier is a reliable tool to screen the EOR scenarios and select the best one. The designed model correctly classifies training, validation, and testing examples with an accuracy of 96.82%, 84.31%, and 82.61%, respectively. It means that only 30 out of 735 available EOR projects are incorrectly identified by the proposed deep learning classifier. The model also demonstrates a small categorical cross-entropy of 0.1548 for the classification of the involved enhanced oil recovery techniques. Such a powerful classifier is required to select the most suitable EOR candidate for a given oil reservoir with limited field information.
North Atlantic Oscillation impact on the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation shaped by the mean state
Authors: Kim Hyo-Jeong , An Soon-Il , Park Jae-Heung , Sung Mi-Kyung , Kim Daehyun , Choi Yeonju , Kim Jin-Soo
Published: March 2023

Accurate representation of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) in global climate models is crucial for reliable future climate predictions and projections. In this study, we used 42 coupled atmosphere–ocean global climate models to analyze low-frequency variability of the AMOC driven by the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Our results showed that the influence of the simulated NAO on the AMOC differs significantly between the models. We showed that the large intermodel diversity originates from the diverse oceanic mean state, especially over the subpolar North Atlantic (SPNA), where deep water formation of the AMOC occurs. For some models, the climatological sea ice extent covers a wide area of the SPNA and restrains efficient air–sea interactions, making the AMOC less sensitive to the NAO. In the models without the sea-ice-covered SPNA, the upper-ocean mean stratification critically affects the relationship between the NAO and AMOC by regulating the AMOC sensitivity to surface buoyancy forcing. Our results pinpoint the oceanic mean state as an aspect of climate model simulations that must be improved for an accurate understanding of the AMOC.
The precipitation distribution set by eddy fluxes: the case of boreal winter
Authors: Yoo Changhyun , Lee Sukyoung
Published: March 2023

The latitudinal precipitation distribution shows a secondary peak in midlatitudes and a minimum in the subtropics. This minimum is widely attributed to the descending branch of the Eulerian Hadley cell. This study however shows that the precipitation distribution aligns more closely with the transformed Eulerian mean (TEM) vertical motion. In Northern Hemisphere winter, maximum TEM descent (ascent) and precipitation minimum (maximum) are collocated at ~20°N (~40°N). The subtropical descent is mostly driven by the meridional flux of zonal momentum by large-scale eddies, while the midlatitude ascent is driven by the meridional flux of heat by the eddies. When the poleward eddy momentum flux is sufficiently strong, however, the secondary precipitation peak shifts to 60°N corresponding to the location of the TEM ascent driven by the eddy momentum flux. Moisture supply for the precipitation is aided by evaporation which is enhanced where the TEM descending branch brings down dry air from the upper troposphere/lower stratosphere. This picture is reminiscent of dry air intrusions in synoptic meteorology, suggesting that the descending branch may embody a zonal mean expression of dry air intrusions. Moist air rises following the TEM ascending branch, suggesting that the ascending branch may be interpreted as a zonal mean expression of warm conveyor belts. This study thus offers a large-scale dynamics perspective of the synoptic description of precipitation systems. The findings here also suggest that future changes in the eddy momentum flux, which is poorly understood, could play a pivotal role in determining the future precipitation distribution.
IKKα promotes lung adenocarcinoma growth through ERK signaling activation via DARPP-32-mediated inhibition of PP1 activity
Authors: Alam Sk. Kayum , Wang Li , Zhu Zhu , Hoeppner Luke H.
Published: March 2023

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 80–85% cases of lung cancer cases. Diagnosis at advanced stages is common, after which therapy-refractory disease progression frequently occurs. Therefore, a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that control NSCLC progression is necessary to develop new therapies. Overexpression of IκB kinase α (IKKα) in NSCLC correlates with poor patient survival. IKKα is an NF-κB-activating kinase that is important in cell survival and differentiation, but its regulation of oncogenic signaling is not well understood. We recently demonstrated that IKKα promotes NSCLC cell migration by physically interacting with dopamine- and cyclic AMP-regulated phosphoprotein, Mr 32000 (DARPP-32), and its truncated splice variant, t-DARPP. Here, we show that IKKα phosphorylates DARPP-32 at threonine 34, resulting in DARPP-32-mediated inhibition of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1), subsequent inhibition of PP1-mediated dephosphorylation of ERK, and activation of ERK signaling to promote lung oncogenesis. Correspondingly, IKKα ablation in human lung adenocarcinoma cells reduced their anchorage-independent growth in soft agar. Mice challenged with IKKα-ablated HCC827 cells exhibited less lung tumor growth than mice orthotopically administered control HCC827 cells. Our findings suggest that IKKα drives NSCLC growth through the activation of ERK signaling via DARPP-32-mediated inhibition of PP1 activity.
Ultrafast valley-selective coherent optical manipulation with excitons in WSe2 and MoS2 monolayers
Authors: Slobodeniuk Artur O. , Koutenský Petr , Bartoš Miroslav , Trojánek František , Malý Petr , Novotný Tomáš , Kozák Martin
Published: March 2023

Increasing the speed limits of conventional electronics requires innovative approaches to manipulate other quantum properties of electrons besides their charge. An alternative approach utilizes the valley degree of freedom in low-dimensional semiconductors. Here we demonstrate that the valley degeneracy of exciton energies in transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers may be lifted by coherent optical interactions on timescales corresponding to few tens of femtoseconds. The optical Stark and Bloch-Siegert effects generated by strong nonresonant circularly-polarized light induce valley-selective blue shifts of exciton quantum levels by more than 30 meV. We show these phenomena by studying the two most intensive exciton resonances in transiton metal dichalcogenide monolayers and compare the results to a theoretical model, which properly includes the Coulomb interaction and exciton dispersion. These results open the door for ultrafast valleytronics working at multiterahertz frequencies.
Digital cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia on depression and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lee Suonaa , Oh Jae Won , Park Kyung Mee , Lee San , Lee Eun
Published: March 2023

Despite research into the development of digital cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (dCBT-I), research into the outcomes of dCBT-I on insomnia and the associated clinical conditions of depression and anxiety have been limited. The PubMed, PsycINFO (Ovid), Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on adult patients with insomnia also having reported measures of depressive or anxiety symptoms. In total, 2504 articles were identified after duplicate removal, and 22 RCTs were included in the final meta-analysis. At the post-treatment assessment, the dCBT-I group had a small to moderate effect in alleviating depressive (standardized mean difference (SMD) = −0.42; 95% CI: −0.56, −0.28; p < 0.001; k = 21) and anxiety symptoms (SMD = −0.29; 95% CI: −0.40, −0.19; p < 0.001; k = 18), but had a large effect on sleep outcome measures (SMD = −0.76; 95% CI: −0.95, −0.57; p < 0.001; k = 22). When considering treatment adherence, the treatment effects of those in the high adherent groups identified a more robust outcome, showing greater effect sizes than those in the low adherent groups for depression, anxiety, and sleep outcomes. Furthermore, additional subgroup analysis on studies that have used the fully automated dCBT-I treatment without the support of human therapists reported significant treatment effects for depression, anxiety, and sleep outcomes. The results demonstrated that digital intervention for insomnia yielded significant effects on alleviating depressive and anxiety symptoms as well as insomnia symptoms. Specifically, the study demonstrated significant effects on the above symptoms when considering treatment adherence and implementing fully automated dCBT-I.