bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cross-regulome profiling of RNA polymerases highlights the regulatory role of polymerase III on mRNA transcription by maintaining local chromatin architecture
Authors: Jiang Yongpeng , Huang Jie , Tian Kai , Yi Xiao , Zheng Haonan , Zhu Yi , Guo Tiannan , Ji Xiong
Published: November 2022

Background

Mammalian cells have three types of RNA polymerases (Pols), Pol I, II, and III. However, the extent to which these polymerases are cross-regulated and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Results

We employ genome-wide profiling after acute depletion of Pol I, Pol II, or Pol III to assess cross-regulatory effects between these Pols. We find that these enzymes mainly affect the transcription of their own target genes, while certain genes are transcribed by the other polymerases. Importantly, the most active type of crosstalk is exemplified by the fact that Pol III depletion affects Pol II transcription. Pol II genes with transcription changes upon Pol III depletion are enriched in diverse cellular functions, and Pol III binding sites are found near their promoters. However, these Pol III binding sites do not correspond to transfer RNAs. Moreover, we demonstrate that Pol III regulates Pol II transcription and chromatin binding of the facilitates chromatin transcription (FACT) complex to alter local chromatin structures, which in turn affects the Pol II transcription rate.

Conclusions

Our results support a model suggesting that RNA polymerases show cross-regulatory effects: Pol III affects local chromatin structures and the FACT-Pol II axis to regulate the Pol II transcription rate at certain gene loci. This study provides a new perspective for understanding the dysregulation of Pol III in various tissues affected by developmental diseases.
Phytochemical analysis and anticholinesterase activity of aril of Myristica fragrans Houtt
Authors: Rastegari Arezoo , Manayi Azadeh , Rezakazemi Mahdi , Eftekhari Mahdieh , Khanavi Mahnaz , Akbarzadeh Tahmineh , Saeedi Mina
Published: November 2022

In this study, the ethyl acetate fraction of Myristica fragrans Houtt. was investigated for its in vitro anticholinesterase activity as well as neuroprotectivity against H2O2-induced cell death in PC12 neuronal cells and the ability to chelate bio-metals (Zn2+, Fe2+, and Cu2+). The fraction was inactive toward acetylcholinesterase (AChE); however, it inhibited the butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) with IC50 value of 68.16 µg/mL, compared with donepezil as the reference drug (IC50 = 1.97 µg/mL) via Ellman’s method. It also showed good percentage of neuroprotection (86.28% at 100 µg/mL) against H2O2-induced neurotoxicity and moderate metal chelating ability toward Zn2+, Fe2+, and Cu2+. The phytochemical study led to isolation and identification of malabaricone A (1), malabaricone C (2), 4-(4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2,3-dimethylbutyl)benzene-1,2-diol (3), nectandrin B (4), macelignan (5), and 4-(4-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-1-methoxy-2,3-dimethylbutyl)-2-methoxyphenol (6) which were assayed for their cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitory activity. Compounds 1 and 3 were not previously reported for M. fragrans. Among isolated compounds, compound 2 showed the best activity toward both AChE and BChE with IC50 values of 25.02 and 22.36 μM, respectively, compared with donepezil (0.07 and 4.73 μM, respectively).
An examination of mediation by DNA methylation on birthweight differences induced by assisted reproductive technologies
Authors: Carlsen Ellen Ø. , Lee Yunsung , Magnus Per , Jugessur Astanand , Page Christian M. , Nustad Haakon E. , Håberg Siri E. , Lie Rolv T. , Magnus Maria C.
Published: November 2022

Background

Children born after assisted reproductive technologies (ART) differ in birthweight from those naturally conceived. It has been hypothesized that this might be explained by epigenetic mechanisms. We examined whether cord blood DNA methylation mediated the birthweight difference between 890 newborns conceived by ART (764 by fresh embryo transfer and 126 frozen thawed embryo transfer) and 983 naturally conceived newborns from the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). DNA methylation was measured by the Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC array. We conducted mediation analyses to assess whether differentially methylated CpGs mediated the differences in birthweight observed between: (1) fresh embryo transfer and natural conception and (2) frozen and fresh embryo transfer.

Results

We observed a difference in birthweight between fresh embryo transfer and naturally conceived offspring of − 120 g. 44% (95% confidence interval [CI] 26% to 81%) of this difference in birthweight between fresh embryo transfer and naturally conceived offspring was explained by differences in methylation levels at four CpGs nearLOXL1,CDH20, andDRC1. DNA methylation differences at two CpGs nearPTGS1andRASGRP4jointly mediated 22% (95% CI 8.1% to 50.3%) of the birthweight differences between fresh and frozen embryo transfer.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that DNA methylation is an important mechanism in explaining birthweight differences according to the mode of conception. Further research should examine how gene regulation at these loci influences fetal growth.
Gene body methylation in cancer: molecular mechanisms and clinical applications
Authors: Wang Qi , Xiong Fei , Wu Guanhua , Liu Wenzheng , Chen Junsheng , Wang Bing , Chen Yongjun
Published: November 2022

DNA methylation is an important epigenetic mechanism that regulates gene expression. To date, most DNA methylation studies have focussed on CpG islands in the gene promoter region, and the mechanism of methylation and the regulation of gene expression after methylation have been clearly elucidated. However, genome-wide methylation studies have shown that DNA methylation is widespread not only in promoters but also in gene bodies. Gene body methylation is widely involved in the expression regulation of many genes and is closely related to the occurrence and progression of malignant tumours. This review focusses on the formation of gene body methylation patterns, its regulation of transcription, and its relationship with tumours, providing clues to explore the mechanism of gene body methylation in regulating gene transcription and its significance and application in the field of oncology.
On the shape-preserving properties of λ-Bernstein operators
Authors: Su Lian-Ta , Mutlu Gökhan , Çekim Bayram
Published: November 2022

We investigate the shape-preserving properties of λ-Bernstein operators $B_{n,\lambda } ( f;x ) $

B

n
,
λ

(
f
;
x
)
that were recently introduced Bernstein-type operators defined by a new Beziér basis with shape parameter $\lambda \in [ -1,1 ] $
λ
∈
[
−
1
,
1
]
. For this purpose, we express $B_{n,\lambda } ( f;x ) $

B

n
,
λ

(
f
;
x
)
as a sum of a classical Bernstein operator and a sum of first order divided differences of f. Using this new representation, we prove that $B_{n,\lambda } ( f;x ) $

B

n
,
λ

(
f
;
x
)
preserves monotonic functions for all $\lambda \in [ -1,1 ] $
λ
∈
[
−
1
,
1
]
. However, we show by a counter example that $B_{n,\lambda } ( f;x ) $

B

n
,
λ

(
f
;
x
)
does not preserve convex functions for some $\lambda \in [ -1,1 ] $
λ
∈
[
−
1
,
1
]
. We present a weaker result for the case $\lambda \in [ 0,1 ] $
λ
∈
[
0
,
1
]
for a special class of functions. Finally, we analyze the monotonicity of λ-Bernstein operators with n and show that $B_{n,\lambda } ( f;x ) $

B

n
,
λ

(
f
;
x
)
is not monotonic with n for some λ if $1/2 <\lambda \leq 1$
1
/
2
<
λ
≤
1
.
The integration of large-scale public data and network analysis uncovers molecular characteristics of psoriasis
Authors: Federico Antonio , Pavel Alisa , Möbus Lena , McKean David , del Giudice Giusy , Fortino Vittorio , Niehues Hanna , Rastrick Joe , Eyerich Kilian , Eyerich Stefanie , van den Bogaard Ellen , Smith Catherine , Weidinger Stephan , de Rinaldis Emanuele , Greco Dario
Published: November 2022

In recent years, a growing interest in the characterization of the molecular basis of psoriasis has been observed. However, despite the availability of a large amount of molecular data, many pathogenic mechanisms of psoriasis are still poorly understood. In this study, we performed an integrated analysis of 23 public transcriptomic datasets encompassing both lesional and uninvolved skin samples from psoriasis patients. We defined comprehensive gene co-expression network models of psoriatic lesions and uninvolved skin. Moreover, we curated and exploited a wide range of functional information from multiple public sources in order to systematically annotate the inferred networks. The integrated analysis of transcriptomics data and co-expression networks highlighted genes that are frequently dysregulated and show aberrant patterns of connectivity in the psoriatic lesion compared with the unaffected skin. Our approach allowed us to also identify plausible, previously unknown, actors in the expression of the psoriasis phenotype. Finally, we characterized communities of co-expressed genes associated with relevant molecular functions and expression signatures of specific immune cell types associated with the psoriasis lesion. Overall, integrating experimental driven results with curated functional information from public repositories represents an efficient approach to empower knowledge generation about psoriasis and may be applicable to other complex diseases.
Dating app usage and motivations for dating app usage are associated with increased disordered eating
Authors: Blake K. , Portingale J. , Giles S. , Griffiths S. , Krug I.
Published: November 2022

The centrality of physical appearance in dating app environments may constitute an appearance-related pressure that increases the likelihood of body dissatisfaction (BD) and disordered eating (DE), thus exacerbating the relationship between DE-predictive traits and DE itself. Although dating app use has been linked to BD and DE, prior research has also neglected the role of individuals’ dating app use motivations and relevant traits in eating pathology. To address these gaps, the current study investigated whether dating app usage moderated the effects of appearance-based rejection sensitivity, fear of negative evaluation, emotion dysregulation, and perceived social rank on DE. We also examined the unique effects of individuals’ dating app use motivations on DE. Participants (N = 690) completed baseline measures of demographic and trait variables including dating app usage. DE was positively associated with female gender, higher body mass index, a history of eating disorder (ED) diagnosis, appearance-based rejection sensitivity, and emotion dysregulation. There was a small, positive association between dating app usage and DE, indicating that dating app users were more likely to report DE symptoms, appearance-based rejection sensitivity, and emotion dysregulation. No investigated predictor was moderated by dating app usage, but four of the six measured motivations for using dating apps (love, self-worth, ease of communication, and thrill of excitement motivations) were associated with DE among the dating app user sample (casual sex and trendiness motivations were not). Given that DE behaviours can lead to EDs, the present findings suggest that lifetime dating app usage may increase socio-cultural appearance pressures that confer risk for DE.
Facebook use intensity and depressive symptoms: a moderated mediation model of problematic Facebook use, age, neuroticism, and extraversion
Authors: Gugushvili Nino , Täht Karin , Ruiter Robert A. C. , Verduyn Philippe
Published: November 2022

Background

Research on the relationship between Facebook use intensity and depressive symptoms has resulted in mixed findings. In contrast, problematic Facebook use has been found to be a robust predictor of depressive symptoms. This suggests that when intense Facebook use results in a problematic usage pattern, it may indirectly predict depressive symptoms. However, this mediation pathway has never been examined. Moreover, it remains unclear whether the possible indirect relationship between Facebook use intensity and depressive symptoms through problematic Facebook use is moderated by demographic (age), and personality (neuroticism and extraversion) characteristics.

Methods

To address these gaps, we conducted an online cross-sectional study (n = 210, 55% female, age range: 18–70 years old, Mage = 30.26, SD = 12.25). We measured Facebook use intensity (Facebook Intensity Scale), problematic Facebook use (Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale), depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Revised), and neuroticism and extraversion (Ten Item Personality Inventory).

Results

A mediation analysis revealed that problematic Facebook use fully mediates the relationship between Facebook use intensity and depressive symptoms. Moreover, a moderated mediation analysis demonstrated that this indirect relationship is especially strong among young users and users scoring high on neuroticism.

Conclusions

These findings expand our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the relationship between Facebook use intensity and depressive symptoms and describe user characteristics that act as vulnerability factors in this relationship.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Transdermal delivery of allopurinol-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier in the treatment of gout
Authors: Ali Zakir , Din Fakhar ud , Zahid Fatima , Sohail Saba , Imran Basalat , Khan Salman , Malik Maimoona , Zeb Alam , Khan Gul Majid
Published: November 2022

Background

Allopurinol (ALP), a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, is a first line drug for the treatment of gout and hyperuricemia. Being the member of BCS class II drugs, ALP has solubility problem, which affects its bioavailability. Also, ALP has shorter half-life and showed GI related problems. In present study, ALP was encapsulated in nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) to ensure enhanced bioavailability, improved efficacy and safety in vivo.

Methodology

ALP-loaded NLCs were fabricated by micro-emulsion technique. The prepared NLCs were optimized via design expert in term of particle size, zeta potential and entrapment efficiency. FTIR, PXRD and TEM analysis were carried out to check chemical interaction, polymorphic form and surface morphology of the optimized formulation. ALP-loaded NLCs were then loaded into HPMC based poloxamer-407 gel and were characterized. In vitro and ex vivo analysis were carried out via dialysis membrane method and franz diffusion cell, respectively. Uric acid was used for induction of gout and the anti-gout activity of ALP-loaded NLCs gel was performed and compared with ALP suspension.

Results

The optimized formulation had particles in nano-range (238.13 nm) with suitable zeta potential (-31.5 mV), poly-dispersity index (0.115) and entrapment of 87.24%. FTIR results confirmed absence of chemical interaction among formulation ingredients. XRD indicated amorphous nature of ALP-loaded NLCs, whereas TEM analysis confirmed spherical morphology of nanoparticles. The optimized formulation was successfully loaded in to gel and characterized accordingly. The in vitro release and drug release kinetics models showed sustained release of the drug from ALP-loaded NLCs gel. Furthermore, about 28 fold enhanced permeation was observed from ALP-loaded NLCs gel as compared to conventional gel. Skin irritation study disclosed safety of ALP-loaded NLCs gel for transdermal application. Furthermore, ALP-loaded NLCs gel showed significantly enhanced anti-gout activity in Sprague–Dawley rats after transdermal administration as compared to oral ALP suspension.

Conclusion

ALP-loaded NLCs gel after transdermal administration sustained the drug release, avoid gastrointestinal side effects and enhance the anti-gout performance of ALP. It can be concluded, that NLCs have the potential to deliver drugs via transdermal route as indicated in case of allopurinol.
Predictability of crowding resolution in clear aligner treatment
Authors: Fiori Adriana , Minervini Giuseppe , Nucci Ludovica , d’Apuzzo Fabrizia , Perillo Letizia , Grassia Vincenzo
Published: November 2022

Background

To assess the predictability of crowding resolution and the efficacy of different strategies to gain space during clear aligners treatment.

Methods

A total of 10 clinicians were randomly recruited using the Doctor Locator by Align Technology (California). For each clinician, four consecutive patients treated with aligners and manual stripping were selected for a total of 40 subjects. Thus, 80 arches were collected and uploaded on the Orthoanalyzer software for arch measurements. The data were gained on the starting arch form (T0), on the virtual arch developed with digital planning (vT1), and on the arch form achieved at the end of the aligner sequences (T1). The following parameters were scored: Little's Irregularity Index, transversal arch diameters, (intercuspid, interpremolar, and intermolar width), incisor position/arch length, and enamel interproximal reduction (IPR).

Results

For all the measurements, statistically significant differences were found at different stages. The predictability of crowding resolution was very high, ranging from 87% in the upper arch and 81% in the lower one. Among the different strategies to gain space, variations in sagittal incisor position were predictable, with a value of 70% both in the upper and lower arch. Conversely, changes in arch diameters were less reliable varying between 49 and 67% in the lower arch and 59–83% in the upper one. Moreover, IPR was the least accurate procedure, wavering at 49% in the upper arch and 42% in the lower arch.

Conclusions

The predictability of crowding resolution during treatment with aligners was high. However, the virtual arch forms obtained at the end of digital planning (vT1) did not correspond with the arch forms at the end of the aligner sequences (T1). The IPR was the least predictable strategy to gain space, being, perhaps, an operator-dependent procedure.
Oral Histories in the Black Pacific
Authors: Carcelén-Estrada Antonia
Published: November 2022

This article examines women’s erasure from the Spanish colonial imagination in South America. While Black women are completely absent in the official colonial narratives about the various frontier expeditions to Esmeraldas featured in documents housed at the Archivo General de Indias in Seville, Spain, they are certainly present in testimonial records in court archives in the American colonies, and often appear demanding their freedom. Meanwhile, in the Black Pacific, a territory always conceived as free despite the lack of written records, the African diaspora prospered with a river economy that still depends today on the health of rivers, mangroves, and the ocean. In the Chocó, women carried ancestral knowledge in chants, by planting, through cooking, praying, or fishing, sustaining the memory of a territory that conceived itself as outside master-slave relations. Yet Black women’s role in shaping national history is hard to trace. Oral history projects in Bojayá and Esmeraldas are trying to change that by bridging the digital archive, by using memory and orality as shields of truth, and by using traditional methods such as song and prayer to access the knowledge for resistance and re-existence that is needed today in the defense of the Chocó against deadly extractivist development. The encoding of women’s legacies in the Black Pacific serves as an example of how Blackness and freedom continue to be political concepts in this important diaspora that is developing decolonial methodologies that do not neatly fit in the confines of the Afropolitan, especially when it comes to class and migration.
The microtubule end-binding proteins EB1 and Patronin modulate the spatiotemporal dynamics of myosin and pattern pulsed apical constriction
Authors: Guru Anwesha , Saravanan Surat , Sharma Deepanshu , Narasimha Maithreyi
Published: November 2022

Apical constriction powers amnioserosa contraction during Drosophila dorsal closure. The nucleation, movement and dispersal of apicomedial actomyosin complexes generates pulsed apical constrictions during early closure. Persistent apicomedial and circumapical actomyosin complexes drive unpulsed constrictions that follow. Here, we show that the microtubule end-binding proteins EB1 and Patronin pattern constriction dynamics and contraction kinetics by coordinating the balance of actomyosin forces in the apical plane. We find that microtubule growth from moving Patronin platforms governs the spatiotemporal dynamics of apicomedial myosin through the regulation of RhoGTPase signaling by transient EB1-RhoGEF2 interactions. We uncover the dynamic reorganization of a subset of short non-centrosomally nucleated apical microtubules that surround the coalescing apicomedial myosin complex, trail behind it as it moves and disperse as the complex dissolves. We demonstrate that apical microtubule reorganization is sensitive to Patronin levels. Microtubule depolymerization compromised apical myosin enrichment and altered constriction dynamics. Together, our findings uncover the importance of reorganization of an intact apical microtubule meshwork, by moving Patronin platforms and growing microtubule ends, in enabling the spatiotemporal modulation of actomyosin contractility and, through it, apical constriction.
Earnings Inequality and the Minimum Wage: Evidence from Brazil
Authors: Engbom Niklas , Moser Christian
Published: November 2022

Increases in the minimum wage can substantially reduce earnings inequality. To demonstrate this, we combine administrative and survey data with an equilibrium model of the Brazilian labor market. We find that a 128 percent increase in the real minimum wage in Brazil between 1996 and 2018 had far-reaching spillover effects on wages higher up in the distribution. The increased minimum wage accounts for 45 percent of a large fall in earnings inequality over this period. At the same time, the effects of the minimum wage on employment and output are muted by reallocation of workers toward more productive firms.. (JEL D31, E23, E24, J31, J38, O15)
Dynamic Amnesty Programs
Authors: Kapon Sam
Published: November 2022

A regulator faces a stream of agents engaged in crimes with stochastic returns. The regulator designs an amnesty program, committing to a time path of punishments for criminals who report their crimes. In an optimal program, time variation in the returns from crime can generate time variation in the generosity of amnesty. I construct an optimal time path and show that it exhibits amnesty cycles. Amnesty becomes increasingly generous over time until it hits a bound, after which the cycle resets. Agents engaged in high return crime report at the end of each cycle, while agents engaged in low return crime report always. (JEL D82, D86, K42)
Diffusion kurtosis imaging as a biomarker of breast cancer
Authors: Honda Maya , Le Bihan Denis , Kataoka Masako , Iima Mami
Published: November 2022

Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) is a diffusion-weighted imaging method that describes non-Gaussian signal behavior using a relatively simple mathematical model. A parameter, kurtosis K, describes the deviation of the diffusion signal decay from a Gaussian pattern. The deviation reflects the complexity of the tissue microstructure affecting water diffusion. Several studies have investigated the diagnostic performance of DKI in distinguishing malignant from benign breast lesions. DKI has been reported to correlate with subtypes and with several molecular and other factors related to the treatment and prognosis of breast cancer. Some technical considerations remain to be resolved for the clinical application of DKI in the breast.

Advances in knowledge:

DKI, which increases the sensitivity to complex tissue microstructure compared to standard DWI, has been applied in the breast, allowing to increase clinical performance in distinguishing malignant from benign lesions and in predicting prognosis or treatment response in breast cancer.
Zeno of Sidon vindicatus: A Mereological Analysis of the Bisection of the Circle
Authors: Maffezioli Paolo
Published: November 2022

I provide a mereological analysis of Zeno of Sidon’s objection that in Euclid’s Elements we need to supplement the principle that there are no common segments of straight lines and circumferences. The objection is based on the claim that such a principle is presupposed in the proof that the diameter cuts the circle in half. Against Zeno, Posidonius attempts to prove the bisection of the circle without resorting to Zeno’s principle. I show that Posidonius’ proof is flawed as it fails to account for the case in which one of the two circumferences cut by the diameter is a proper part of the other. When such a case is considered, then either the bisection of the circle is false or it presupposes Zeno’s principle, as claimed by Zeno.
Fluence rate directly derived from photon pathlengths: a tool for Monte Carlo simulations in biomedical optics
Authors: Sassaroli Angelo , Tommasi Federico , Cavalieri Stefano , Martelli Fabrizio
Published: November 2022

In biomedical optics, the mean fluence rate of photons, assessed in a sub-volume of a propagating medium, is classically obtained in Monte Carlo simulations by taking into account the power deposited by the absorbed photons in the sub-volume. In the present contribution, we propose and analytically demonstrate an alternative method based on the assessment of the mean pathlength traveled by all the photons inside the sub-volume. Few practical examples of its applications are given. This method has the advantage of improving, in many cases, the statistics and the convergence of the Monte Carlo simulations. Further, it also works when the absorption coefficient is nil and for a non-constant spatial distribution of the absorption coefficient inside the sub-volume. The proposed approach is a re-visitation of a well-known method applied in radiation and nuclear physics in the context of radiative transfer, where it can be derived in a more natural manner.
Remarkable robustness of self-imaging distance for a misaligned paraxial Gaussian input and variation in the nonparaxial regime
Authors: Deb Subimal , Panigrahi Prasanta K.
Published: November 2022

The variation of focusing distance in a parabolic graded-index slab with the width of a one-dimensional Gaussian input fed at its waist, both axially and misaligned, into the waveguide is studied in paraxial and beyond-paraxial regimes. We obtain analytical expressions, scalable in terms of material parameters, for input coupling coefficients for such a Gaussian input. The focusing distance shows remarkable stability for an axially fed input for beam width exceeding the fundamental mode width of the waveguide. There is a smooth variation for the other regime of beam width. In the paraxial domain, we identify a unique beam width of ∼0.76 times the fundamental mode width for which the self-imaging distance is nearly independent of misalignment. The stability, a well-known sharp shift of the focusing point for an axially fed beam of width around that of the fundamental mode, and remarkable stability of self-imaging distance with misalignment at the unique beam width should be useful for efficiency enhancement of device interconnects, sensing, and lensing applications.
Femtosecond laser written ultra-weak Fabry-Perot array for distributed absolute temperature profile sensing with high spatial resolution
Authors: Geng Youfu , Zhu Xiaojian , Lu Jing , Yi Duo , Tong Zhifeng , Wang Lina , Duan Tingting , Li Xuejin , Hong Xueming , Wang Jiaqi
Published: November 2022

In this paper, high spatial-resolution distributed temperature sensing has been realized based on a femtosecond laser written ultra-weak Fabry-Perot Array (FPA). 50 identical Fabry-Perot cavities are fabricated in a 10 mm long optical fiber by femtosecond laser point-by-point written technology, and the corresponding spatial resolution is as high as 200 µm. Besides, by employing the total phase demodulation method, the optical path lengths (OPLs) in the ultra-weak FPA are successively demodulated based on the Rayleigh backscattering signal recorded by an optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR), and therefore the absolute temperature values instead of the relative ones can be obtained. When compared with the conventional single mode fiber-based OFDR, the proposed ultra-weak FPA presents both higher spatial resolution and lower temperature sensing uncertainty (0.25 °C) benefiting from the periodically enhanced Rayleigh backscattering. Furthermore, the experiments also confirm that the ultra-weak FPA can be applied for absolute temperature field profile sensing with large temperature gradient, which is particularly suitable for high-resolution temperature measurement of miniature devices.
Large quality factor enhancement based on cascaded uniform lithium niobate bichromatic photonic crystal cavities
Authors: Ge Rui , Yan Xiongshuo , Liang Zhaokang , Li Hao , Wu Jiangwei , Liu Xiangmin , Chen Yuping , Chen Xianfeng
Published: November 2022

In this Letter, by cascading several bichromatic photonic crystals we demonstrate that the quality factor can be much larger compared with that in an isolated cavity without increasing the total size of a device. We take a lithium niobate photonic crystal as an example to illustrate that the simulated quality factor of the cascaded cavity can reach 105 with a 70° slant angle, which is an order of magnitude larger than that in an isolated cavity. The device can be fabricated easily by current etching techniques for lithium niobate. We have fabricated the proposed device experimentally including holes with ∼70° slant angle. This work is expected to provide guidance to the design of photonic crystal cavities with high quality factor.
Combined polysilicon and silicon gratings for dual-wavelength-band waveguide grating couplers
Authors: Zhou Xuetong , Tsang Hon Ki
Published: November 2022

We proposed a novel, to the best of our knowledge, design for a dual-wavelength-band waveguide grating coupler. The proposed structure works in both the C band and O band. The proposed device is optimized from an initial design of two independent gratings formed on the silicon and polysilicon overlay layers, respectively. We designed the up layer (polysilicon) for the C band and the down layer (silicon) for the O band as the initial optimization seed. After numerical optimization of this structure using a genetic algorithm, the grating coupler has a coupling efficiency of −3.86 dB at the C band and −4.46 dB at the O band. We validate the approach in a commercial foundry using 193-nm photolithography in a multi-project wafer, and the experimental result has coupling efficiencies of −4.37 dB in the C band and −5.8 dB in the O band.
Machine learning techniques for positioning and characterization of particles in digital holography using the whole phase curvature
Authors: Hasegawa Shin-ya , Miaki Takao
Published: November 2022

We propose a machine learning-based regression method with the whole phase curvature of a reconstructed wave along the optical axis as input data to obtain not only the precise axial position but also the radius and refractive index of particles. Experimental results using well-characterized particles showed that an axial position of a particle could be detected, with the mean signed deviation (MSD) and root mean squared error (RMSE) being 0.02% and 85% of the particle’s diameter, respectively. A radius of 29.3 ± 0.36 µm and a refractive index of 1.589 ± 0.002 agreed well with the manufacturer’s specifications. In comparison to our previous nonlinear optimization method, the method was validated for characterizing the distribution of particle characteristics and can be used with a factor of 10,000 faster calculations.
Experimental validation of computerised models of clustering of platelet glycoprotein receptors that signal via tandem SH2 domain proteins
Authors: Maqsood Zahra , Clark Joanne C. , Martin Eleyna M. , Cheung Yam Fung Hilaire , Morán Luis A. , Watson Sean E. T. , Pike Jeremy A. , Di Ying , Poulter Natalie S. , Slater Alexandre , Lange Bodo M. H. , Nieswandt Bernhard , Eble Johannes A. , Tomlinson Mike G. , Owen Dylan M. , Stegner David , Bridge Lloyd J. , Wierling Christoph , Watson Steve P.
Published: November 2022

The clustering of platelet glycoprotein receptors with cytosolic YxxL and YxxM motifs, including GPVI, CLEC-2 and PEAR1, triggers activation via phosphorylation of the conserved tyrosine residues and recruitment of the tandem SH2 (Src homology 2) domain effector proteins, Syk and PI 3-kinase. We have modelled the clustering of these receptors with monovalent, divalent and tetravalent soluble ligands and with transmembrane ligands based on the law of mass action using ordinary differential equations and agent-based modelling. The models were experimentally evaluated in platelets and transfected cell lines using monovalent and multivalent ligands, including novel nanobody-based divalent and tetravalent ligands, by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. Ligand valency, receptor number, receptor dimerisation, receptor phosphorylation and a cytosolic tandem SH2 domain protein act in synergy to drive receptor clustering. Threshold concentrations of a CLEC-2-blocking antibody and Syk inhibitor act in synergy to block platelet aggregation. This offers a strategy for countering the effect of avidity of multivalent ligands and in limiting off-target effects.
A widespread inversion polymorphism conserved among Saccharomyces species is caused by recurrent homogenization of a sporulation gene family
Authors: Salzberg Letal I. , Martos Alexandre A. R. , Lombardi Lisa , Jermiin Lars S. , Blanco Alfonso , Byrne Kevin P. , Wolfe Kenneth H.
Published: November 2022

Saccharomyces genomes are highly collinear and show relatively little structural variation, both within and between species of this yeast genus. We investigated the only common inversion polymorphism known in S. cerevisiae, which affects a 24-kb ‘flip/flop’ region containing 15 genes near the centromere of chromosome XIV. The region exists in two orientations, called reference (REF) and inverted (INV). Meiotic recombination in this region is suppressed in crosses between REF and INV orientation strains such as the BY x RM cross. We find that the inversion polymorphism is at least 17 million years old because it is conserved across the genus Saccharomyces. However, the REF and INV isomers are not ancient alleles but are continually being re-created by re-inversion of the region within each species. Inversion occurs due to continual homogenization of two almost identical 4-kb sequences that form an inverted repeat (IR) at the ends of the flip/flop region. The IR consists of two pairs of genes that are specifically and strongly expressed during the late stages of sporulation. We show that one of these gene pairs, YNL018C/YNL034W, codes for a protein that is essential for spore formation. YNL018C and YNL034W are the founder members of a gene family, Centroid, whose members in other Saccharomycetaceae species evolve fast, duplicate frequently, and are preferentially located close to centromeres. We tested the hypothesis that Centroid genes are a meiotic drive system, but found no support for this idea.
Association between use of ß2-adrenergic receptor agonists and incidence of Parkinson’s disease: Retrospective cohort analysis
Authors: Nadeem Hasan , Zhou Bo , Goldman Dana , Romley John
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Previous observational studies assessing β2-agonist/-antagonist use on PD risk have yielded conflicting results. We evaluated the relationship between β2-agonist use and the incidence of Parkinson’s disease in patients with chronic lung disease.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort analysis on a 20% random sample abstracted from a traditional (fee-for-service) Medicare program in the United States. Inclusion criteria were individuals over 65 years old diagnosed with asthma, COPD, and/or bronchiectasis who were enrolled in a prescription drug (standalone Part D) plan over 2007–2010 and alive through 2014. The main outcome measure was a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease over the period 2011–2014, in relation to the number of 30-day-equivalent drug claims over 2007–2010. Logistic regression analysis was performed on a sample including 236,201 Medicare beneficiaries.

Results

The sample was 68% female, 80% white, and on average 77 years old as of 2010. Compared to non-users, β2-agonist users were more likely to be younger (76.3y versus 78.0y), smokers (40.4% versus 31.1%) and asthmatic (62.4% versus 28.3%). The odds ratio for a β2-agonist claim on PD development was 0.986 (95% CI 0.977–0.995) after adjusting for demographics, smoking history, respiratory exacerbations, comorbidities, and other drug use. Risk reductions were larger for males than females (0.974 versus 0.994, P = 0.032), and for individuals with COPD compared to those with asthma (0.968 versus 0.998, P = 0.049). Reverse causality was addressed with a Cox analysis that allowed β2-agonist use to vary from medication initiation to disease onset. By the end of the follow-up period, β2-agonist use was shown to be associated with a true protective effect against PD onset.

Discussion

β2-agonist use is associated with decreased risk of PD incidence. Further investigation, possibly including clinical trials, is warranted to strengthen the evidence base supporting clinical decision-makers looking to repurpose pharmaceuticals to prevent neurodegenerative disease onset.
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in strategy at the Rosa26 locus in cattle fetal fibroblasts
Authors: Xie Yuxuan , Wang Ming , Gu Liang , Wang Yang
Published: November 2022

The genetic modification of cattle has many agricultural and biomedical applications. However, random integration often leads to the unstable or differentially expression of the exogenous genes, which limit the application and development of transgenic technologies. Finding a safe locus suitable for site-specific insertion and efficient expression of exogenous genes is a good way to overcome these hurdles. In this study, we efficiently integrated three targeted vector into the cattle Rosa26 (cRosa26) by CRISPR/Cas9 technology in which EGFP was driven by CAG, EF1a, PGK and cRosa26 endogenous promoter respectively. The CRISPR/Cas9 knock-in system allows highly efficient gene insertion of different expression units at the cRosa26 locus. We also find that in the four cell lines, EGFP was stable expressed at different times, and the CAG promoter has the highest activity to activate the expression of EGFP, when compared with the cRosa26, EF1a and PGK promoter. Our results proved that cRosa26 was a locus that could integrate different expression units efficiently, and supported the friendly expression of different expression units. Our findings described here will be useful for a variety of studies using cattle.
Contextual factors predicting compliance behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic: A machine learning analysis on survey data from 16 countries
Authors: Hajdu Nandor , Schmidt Kathleen , Acs Gergely , Röer Jan P. , Mirisola Alberto , Giammusso Isabella , Arriaga Patrícia , Ribeiro Rafael , Dubrov Dmitrii , Grigoryev Dmitry , Arinze Nwadiogo C. , Voracek Martin , Stieger Stefan , Adamkovic Matus , Elsherif Mahmoud , Kern Bettina M. J. , Barzykowski Krystian , Ilczuk Ewa , Martončik Marcel , Ropovik Ivan , Ruiz-Fernandez Susana , Baník Gabriel , Ulloa José Luis , Aczel Balazs , Szaszi Barnabas
Published: November 2022

Voluntary isolation is one of the most effective methods for individuals to help prevent the transmission of diseases such as COVID-19. Understanding why people leave their homes when advised not to do so and identifying what contextual factors predict this non-compliant behavior is essential for policymakers and public health officials. To provide insight on these factors, we collected data from 42,169 individuals across 16 countries. Participants responded to items inquiring about their socio-cultural environment, such as the adherence of fellow citizens, as well as their mental states, such as their level of loneliness and boredom. We trained random forest models to predict whether someone had left their home during a one week period during which they were asked to voluntarily isolate themselves. The analyses indicated that overall, an increase in the feeling of being caged leads to an increased probability of leaving home. In addition, an increased feeling of responsibility and an increased fear of getting infected decreased the probability of leaving home. The models predicted compliance behavior with between 54% and 91% accuracy within each country’s sample. In addition, we modeled factors leading to risky behavior in the pandemic context. We observed an increased probability of visiting risky places as both the anticipated number of people and the importance of the activity increased. Conversely, the probability of visiting risky places increased as the perceived putative effectiveness of social distancing decreased. The variance explained in our models predicting risk ranged from < .01 to .54 by country. Together, our findings can inform behavioral interventions to increase adherence to lockdown recommendations in pandemic conditions.
Thymic involution caused by repeated cocaine administration includes apoptotic cell loss followed by ectopic adipogenesis
Authors: Unuma Kana , Kaga Homare , Funakoshi Takeshi , Nomura Moeka , Aki Toshihiko , Uemura Koichi
Published: November 2022

Cocaine abuse has a negative impact on the immune system. To investigate the adverse effects of binge cocaine administration on lymphoid organs such as thymus and spleen, we examined the effects of repeated intravenous (i.v.) administration of cocaine on rats. Sprague Dawley rats (male, 8 weeks old) received 20 mg/kg body weight of cocaine hydrochloride per day for 7 or 14 days. In addition to a significant loss in the weight of the spleen, consistent with our previous intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection model of binge cocaine abuse (50 mg/kg cocaine for 7 days), we also found a significant loss of weight as well as apparent shrinkage of the thymus in the cocaine group. Transcriptome analysis of the thymus revealed increased expressions of genes involved in apoptosis, such as Ifi27 and Traf2, as well as decreased expressions of several genes related to lipid metabolism, such as Cd36, Adipoq, Scd1, and Fabp4, in the thymus of the cocaine group (7 days), suggesting an apoptotic loss of thymic cells as well as alterations in lipid metabolism. Paradoxically, cocaine activates PPARγ, a key transcriptional factor activating lipid metabolism, although ectopic adipogenesis was scarcely observed in the thymus. Further analysis of rats administered 20 mg/kg cocaine for 14 days revealed ectopic adipogenesis, which was accompanied with the activation of PPARγ as well as increased expression of Adipoq and Fabp4, in the thymus. Taken together, these results indicate that repeated cocaine administration induces thymic involution, which is initiated by the loss of thymic cells through apoptosis and subsequent ectopic adipocyte development.
How does the dental benefits act encourage Australian families to seek and utilise oral health services?
Authors: Bastani Peivand , Izadi Reyhane , Manchery Nithin , Ha Diep , Calache Hanny , George Ajesh , Do Loc
Published: November 2022

Background

This study aimed to analyse the content of the Dental Benefits Act 2008 as a foundation for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) to determine how the Act encourages Australian families to seek and utilise oral health services.

Methods

This was a qualitative narrative document analysis conducted in 2022. Data was collected by searching formal websites for retrieving documents that reported the Australian Dental Benefits Act. The eligibility of the retrieved documents was assessed based on authenticity, credibility, representativeness, and meaningfulness of the data. A seven-steps procedure was applied for framework analysis.

Results

The content of the Dental Benefits Act 2008 provides directions on the three categories of operational, collective, and constitutional rules. Operational rules at the level of oral health providers and the population, as the service end users, can be demonstrated as rules in use in a mutual interaction with the collective and constitutional rules. The consequence of governing the rules at the community level can easily define how the oral health services are provided and utilised. The response is sent to the government level for better regulation of oral health service delivery and utilisation. Then, with interaction and advocacy with the diverse range of stakeholders and interdisciplinary partnerships, with community groups, non-government sectors and councils, the rules can be transformed, adopted, monitored, and enforced. Another mechanism of response has occurred at the providers’ and users’ level and to the operational rules to community groups and stakeholders via advertising and promoting the utilisation and provision of oral health services.

Conclusion

This study integrates the perspective of politicians with those of policy makers to reconsider the role and significance of the rules based on the triple collaborations among oral health users and oral service providers, the community, and the stakeholders as well as the government. A comprehensive attention is still needed in future revisions of the Dental Benefits Act 2008 according to the contextual factors, socioeconomic and geographical attributes of the population for better implementation of de facto rules and more effective outcomes of the interventions. It is recommended that further research be undertaken utilising a mix-method approach for a holistic view prior to further revisions of the Act or proposal of probable upcoming schemes.
Dynamic analysis of lathe bed of woodworking CNC machining center based on the modeling of joint surface
Authors: Sun Yin-Kun , Hua Jun , Li Yan-Na , Chen Guang-Wei , Liu Ming-Hui
Published: November 2022

Based on the finite element theory, a joint-plane modeling method is employed to connect the corresponding nodes at the joint surface of the woodworking computer numerical control (CNC) machining center bed with a 2-node 12-degree-of-freedom unit. A spatial element model is established, which can show the state of the nodes between joint surfaces when they are stretched, compressed, or twisted; and it can help build a woodworking CNC machining center on a finite element model of bed with the characteristics of the joint surface. The simulated analysis is performed on the model and is compared with the result of simulated analysis on the bed model that ignores the characteristics of the joint surface and modal experiment. The comparison verifies the effectiveness of the modeling method based on the characteristics of the joint surface. The weak link of the machine bed structure is analyzed and optimized. The natural frequency of the bed is improved by2.55% ~ 11.3%. The displacement is reduced by a maximum of 19.4%, and dynamic performance of the bed is improved.
Multi-objective optimization of water distribution networks based on non-dominated sequencing genetic algorithm
Authors: Tao Yi , Yan Dongfei , Yang Huijia , Ma Lingna , Kou Chen
Published: November 2022

Due to the conflict between reducing cost and improving water supply performance, how to select the appropriate pipe diameter is a current challenge. In this paper, the problem is transformed into a multi-objective optimization problem, and the evolutionary genetic optimization algorithm is used to solve the problem to determine the optimal selection of pipe diameter in the pipe network. To solve this problem, the evolutionary genetic algorithm was coupled with EPANET hydraulic simulation software in Python environment. The results show that NSGA-II and NSGA-III perform better in two typical case tests. Moreover, the increase of the objective functions will lead to an increase in the amount of data in the optimal solution set, and will affect the optimal value of each objective function. That shows that the balance between the economy and reliability of water supply can be successfully found by coupling the hydraulic model and the multi-objective optimization algorithm, which can provide an auxiliary decision for enterprises.