bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lie to my face: An electromyography approach to the study of deceptive behavior
Authors: Shuster Anastasia , Inzelberg Lilah , Ossmy Ori , Izakson Liz , Hanein Yael , Levy Dino J.
Published: October 2021

Background

Deception is present in all walks of life, from social interactions to matters of homeland security. Nevertheless, reliable indicators of deceptive behavior in real‐life scenarios remain elusive.

Methods

By integrating electrophysiological and communicative approaches, we demonstrate a new and objective detection approach to identify participant‐specific indicators of deceptive behavior in an interactive scenario of a two‐person deception task. We recorded participants' facial muscle activity using novel dry screen‐printed electrode arrays and applied machine‐learning algorithms to identify lies based on brief facial responses.

Results

With an average accuracy of 73%, we identified two groups of participants: Those who revealed their lies by activating their cheek muscles and those who activated their eyebrows. We found that the participants lied more often with time, with some switching their telltale muscle groups. Moreover, while the automated classifier, reported here, outperformed untrained human detectors, their performance was correlated, suggesting reliance on shared features.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of using wearable electrode arrays in detecting human lies in a social setting and set the stage for future research on individual differences in deception expression.
Ce0.9Pr0.1O2‐δ‐Pr0.6Ca0.4MnO3‐δ dual‐phase membranes: oxygen permeability and stability
Authors: Wang Shu , Wang Xiaopeng , Huang Yanhang , Zeng Lingyong , He Yiyi , Boubeche Mebrouka , Luo Huixia
Published: October 2021

Previously unreported Ce0.9Pr0.1O2‐δ‐Pr0.6Ca0.4MnO3‐δ (CPO‐PCMO) dual‐phase membrane is designed and successfully fabricated. The crystal structure, surface morphology, stability, and oxygen permeability is systematically investigated. The XRD results reveal that CPO‐PCMO dual‐phase membranes are made up of cubic fluorite phase and orthorhombic perovskite phase, which exhibit excellent stability at elevated temperature under air atmospheres as well as various low oxygen conditions such as Ar or CO2 atmospheres. In addition, no obvious holes, cracks, and impurities are observed. The obtained CPO‐PCMO membrane with 0.8 mm thickness exhibits comparable oxygen permeability with a flux of 0.23 mL min−1cm−2 under air/He gradient at 1000 °C and stably works over 300 min without obvious deterioration under air/CO2 gradient, suggesting it has good CO2 stability.
Machine Learning in Chemical Engineering: A Perspective
Authors: Schweidtmann Artur M. , Esche Erik , Fischer Asja , Kloft Marius , Repke Jens‐Uwe , Sager Sebastian , Mitsos Alexander
Published: October 2021

The transformation of the chemical industry to renewable energy and feedstock supply requires new paradigms for the design of flexible plants, (bio‐)catalysts, and functional materials. Recent breakthroughs in machine learning (ML) provide unique opportunities, but only joint interdisciplinary research between the ML and chemical engineering (CE) communities will unfold the full potential. We identify six challenges that will open new methods for CE and formulate new types of problems for ML: (1) optimal decision making, (2) introducing and enforcing physics in ML, (3) information and knowledge representation, (4) heterogeneity of data, (5) safety and trust in ML applications, and (6) creativity. Under the umbrella of these challenges, we discuss perspectives for future interdisciplinary research that will enable the transformation of CE.
A Configurationally Tunable Perylene Bisimide Derivative‐based Fluorescent Film Sensor for the Reliable Detection of Volatile Basic Nitrogen towards Fish Freshness Evaluation
Authors: Jiang Qingwei , Wang Zhaolong , Wang Gang , Liu Ke , Xu Wenjun , Shang Congdi , Gou Xinyu , Liu Taihong , Fang Yu
Published: October 2021

Comprehensive Summary

Rapid and real‐time monitoring of food quality plays critical roles in the food industry and for the general public health. Herein, we specially synthesized a new perylene bisimide (PBI) derivative (PCB‐EpE) composed of two PBI units and a rigid o‐carborane linker, which was further employed in constructing a conceptual fluorescent film sensor for evaluating fish freshness. Photophysical studies indicate that PCB‐EpE displays an open “Z‐type” molecular configuration in chloroform and a closed “Δ‐type” configuration in methyl cyclohexane. Comparatively, “Z‐type” molecular configuration possesses higher fluorescence quantum yield and is more sensitive toward volatile basic nitrogen (VBN). It is noteworthy that the film sensor responds in less than 1 s even in ambient humidity condition. High correlation between the content of total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N) in evaluating fish freshness with different storage time and the fluorescence response is achieved. Detection limit of the film sensor toward trimethylamine as an example is lower than 2.6 mg/m3. Comprehensive sensing investigations demonstrate the rapid detection, strong anti‐interference capability and excellent reusability of the film sensor toward testing VBN. To our knowledge, this is the first report to accurately predict TVB‐N value for the evaluation of fish freshness using a fluorescent film sensor, showing great potential for real‐life applications.
Lack of a Clinically Meaningful Drug Interaction Between the HIV‐1 Antiretroviral Agents Islatravir, Dolutegravir, and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate
Authors: Rudd Deanne Jackson , Zhang Saijuan , Fillgrove Kerry L. , Fox‐Bosetti Sabrina , Matthews Randolph P. , Friedman Evan , Armas Danielle , Stoch S. Aubrey , Iwamoto Marian
Published: October 2021

Islatravir, an investigational nucleoside reverse transcriptase translocation inhibitor, is in clinical development for the treatment and prevention of HIV‐1 infection. Because islatravir may be coadministered with other antiretroviral agents, assessment of potential drug‐drug interactions are warranted. This phase 1, open‐label, fixed‐sequence, 2‐period trial in adults without HIV (N = 12) assessed the safety and pharmacokinetic interactions of islatravir administered with dolutegravir and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). In period 1, participants received a single oral dose of islatravir (20 mg). In period 2, participants received oral doses of dolutegravir (50 mg) and TDF (300 mg) once daily on days 1 through 11, with a single oral dose of islatravir (20 mg) coadministered on day 8. There were no clinically significant changes in islatravir, dolutegravir, or TDF pharmacokinetics following coadministration. Islatravir was generally well tolerated when administered alone or in combination with dolutegravir and TDF. Coadministration of islatravir, dolutegravir, and TDF is supported, with no clinically meaningful effect on pharmacokinetics, safety, or tolerability in participants without HIV.
One‐Pot Underwater Plasma Synthesis and Characterization of Fe‐ and Ni‐Doped Boehmite
Authors: Khlyustova Anna , Sirotkin Nikolay , Titov Valery , Agafonov Alexander
Published: October 2021

This paper presents the one‐pot method for the synthesis and doping of boehmite by a reagent‐free method using the underwater plasma. Metal wires (Al, Fe, Ni) are used as sources of AlOOH and doping elements. The basic characterization tools have been used to determine the phase composition, particle size, morphology, and surface properties (X‐ray diffractions (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), specific surface area). Varying the plasma parameters makes it possible to obtain either doped boehmite or systems of binary oxyhydroxides. The obtained materials are mesoporous, which are capable of removing the Cr(VI). The adsorption of chromium ions is studied as a function of concentration and reaction time. Fe‐doped boehmite and Al‐Fe oxyhydroxide system show high sorption activity concerning chromium ions (60–100 mg g−1). In contrast, materials based on Al‐Ni have shown low efficiency as sorbents.
Local embeddedness, and corporate social performance: The mediating role of social innovation orientation
Authors: Adomako Samuel , Tran Mai Dong
Published: October 2021

Despite the growing research on corporate social performance (CSP), research is lacking regarding the impact of local embeddedness. This article investigates the impact of local embeddedness on CSP through the mediating mechanism of social innovation orientation. In addition, we examined the moderating role of competitive corporate social responsibility (CSR) implementation pressure. Results from 254 firms based in Ghana show that local embeddedness positively relates to social innovation orientation and this relationship is moderated by competitive CSR implementation pressure. Moreover, we found that the impact of local embeddedness on CSP is mediated by social innovation orientation. These findings extend the CSR literature by exploring the mechanism through which local embeddedness influences CSP.
Stakeholder engagement, military ties, and firm performance
Authors: Suriyapongprapai Thanakorn , Chatjuthamard Pattanaporn , Leemakdej Arnat , Treepongkaruna Sirimon
Published: October 2021

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and stakeholder engagement have become increasingly important in the global economy. Socially responsible firms take their engagement with stakeholders seriously. Yet, the military, a very important stakeholder in Thailand is rarely investigated. Motivated by this and the importance of CSR and stakeholder engagement, we explore whether and which channels of military ties influence firm performance in the Thai stock market. To alleviate potential endogeneity and omitted variables concerns, we adopt two stages of least square instrumental‐variable analysis. Consistent with resource dependency theory, we find military ties increase firm performance and the influence of military ties is much stronger during the military‐led government. In general market conditions, this relation is in fact driven by the indirect ties through the training of the National Defence College of Thailand (NDCT). However, during military‐led government, the ties through NDCT worsen firm performance while direct military ties increase firm performance.
Interfacial Kinetics Regulation of MoS2/Cu2Se Nanosheets toward Superior High‐Rate and Ultralong‐Lifespan Sodium‐Ion Half/Full Batteries
Authors: Wang Bo , Xue Jiang‐Yan , Li Fei‐Long , Geng Hongbo , Lang Jian‐Ping
Published: October 2021

Sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) have aroused great attention because of the low cost and environmental benignity of sodium resources. However, practical applications of SIBs are plagued by the sluggish kinetics of sodium ions with large size in the host structure, which results in poor rate performance and rapid capacity decline. Herein, a self‐templated approach was developed to synthesize MoS2/Cu2Se nanosheets with improved interfacial electron‐ and ion‐transfer kinetics. The MoS2/Cu2Se nanosheets provided superior sodium storage performance, delivering 139 mAh g−1 at a high current density of 100 A g−1 and 222 mAh g−1 after 14000 cycles (at 20 A g−1). The outstanding electrochemical performance was attributed to the synergetic engineering of interface and structure, which could enhance the electrochemical kinetics and gave excellent mechanical properties to deal with the volume expansion phenomenon. Combined with a high‐voltage cathode, the full battery demonstrated a high energy density of 152 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 420 W kg−1, which opens a new avenue for the development of high‐performance SIBs.
Galactic swarm‐improved whale optimization algorithm‐based resource management in Internet of things
Authors: Karthick Subramani , Gomathi Nandagopal
Published: October 2021

Internet of things (IoT) is the reliable alternative among the networking technologies for achieving high performance with improved potentialities of flexible adoptions, data exchanges, resource allocations, and system controls. The existing IoT suffers from the limitations of resource allocation ranging between complicated service provisioning environments and networking service quality mismatching. IoT environment needs to handle the resource allocation issue for attaining satisfactory degree of quality of experience (QoE) that maps multiple resources to gateways. This problem of mapping multiple resources to gateways belongs to the class of NP‐complete problem and can be ideally solved through intelligent metaheuristic algorithms. In this paper, galactic swarm‐improved whale optimization algorithm‐based resource management (GSIWOA‐RM) scheme is proposed for efficient mapping of multiple resources to gateways in IoT. It specifically utilizes galactic swarm optimization algorithm (GSOA) for establishing global control with inherited multiple adaptive cycles of exploitation and exploration during resource allocation. It further prevents the limitations of early convergence in the exploitation phase by utilizing the evolution‐based whale optimization algorithm (WOA) that aids in better balance between exploitation and exploration. The simulation results of the proposed GSIWOA‐RM scheme confirm a better throughput of 28.32% with minimized delay and energy consumptions of 19.24% and 21.82%, when compared to the baseline resource management schemes.
The impact of environmental federalism: An analysis of watershedeco‐compensationpolicy design in China
Authors: Teets Jessica C. , Gao Michael , Wysocki Mika , Ye Weiru
Published: October 2021

Scholars and policymakers debate whether centralized environmental governance improves protection. In China, in response to its environmental crisis, the government designed a centralized payment for ecosystems services (PES) policy to alter the costs and benefits for local stakeholders to protect the environment. This study analyses the impact of the 2014 centralization of environmental governance, focusing on the oldest eco‐compensation for watershed services (EWS) model in Zhejiang province. We find that the centralization of EWS led to increased ecosystem protection due to administrative and fiscal incentives; however, the policy faces challenges such as over‐centralization of EWS program development, transboundary negotiation processes, and inadequate monitoring systems that ultimately hinder effective implementation and future innovation. Based on our analysis, we recommend developing a hybrid model with enhanced monitoring by citizens and increasing local autonomy to tailor eco‐system payment programs to local needs. These reforms would improve the design of PES to achieve its promise to incentivize environmental protection.
Readmission after index hospital discharge among patients with COVID‐19: Protocol for a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: AlSayegh Abdulwahab , Gassan Adnan A , Bajpai Ram C. , Muller Sara , Welsh Victoria , Kwok Chun Shing , Mallen Christian D.
Published: October 2021

Background and Aims

Hospital readmissions among COVID‐19 patients have increased the load on the healthcare systems and added more pressure to hospital capacity. This affects the ability to accommodate newly diagnosed COVID‐19 patients and other non‐COVID‐19 patients who require hospitalization. Therefore, this systematic review aims to understand the rates of and risk factors for hospital readmissions and all‐cause mortality among COVID‐19 patients who were hospitalized after being discharged following index hospitalization.

Methods

Our systematic review protocol is registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (CRD42021232324) and prepared in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis Protocols (PRISMA‐P) 2015 statement. We will search MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), MedRxiv, Web of Science (Science Citation Index), ProQuest Coronavirus research database, Cochrane Covid‐19 study register, and WHO COVID‐19: Global literature on coronavirus disease will be identified from December 31, 2019, to May 31, 2021. Two investigators will independently screen titles and abstracts and select studies reporting hospital readmissions among COVID‐19 patients. Further, data extraction and risk of bias assessment will be carried out separately by these independent reviewers. We will extract data on demographics, readmissions, all‐cause mortality, emergency department visits, comorbidities, and factors associated with hospitalization among COVID‐19 patients. Random‐effect meta‐analysis will be performed if homogeneous groups of studies are found. The combined evidence will be further stratified according to important background characteristics if the data allow.

Discussion

This systematic review will summarize the available epidemiological evidence regarding rates of hospital readmissions, comorbidities, and related factors among COVID‐19 patients who were readmitted after index hospitalization. A better understanding of the relationship between patient profiles and the rate of hospitalization will be helpful in the development of guidelines for patient management.
Guide to veterinary care of small rodents
Authors: Keeble Emma
Published: October 2021

Background: Rodents comprise the largest order of mammals, with novel species still being discovered worldwide. This article concentrates on the Myomorph suborder (mouse‐like rodents) containing the families Muridae (true mice: rats and mice) and Cricetidae (burrowing rodents: gerbils and hamsters). Most information available for these species originates from their use in laboratory research as animal models for disease, or associated with disease transfer, acting as reservoir hosts for many infectious diseases. This field of veterinary medicine is rapidly evolving, with more publications on pet rodent medicine available to veterinary practitioners and a greater client expectation for the diagnosis and treatment of their pet rodents in veterinary practice.

Aim of the article: This article reviews the basic biology and husbandry of the commonly seen small rodent species in veterinary practice (rats, mice, hamsters and gerbils), and discusses how to take a thorough history and perform a clinical examination, including handling techniques. It also covers common clinical techniques, diagnostic procedures, hospitalisation requirements and small rodent emergency and critical care, and provides an overview of common clinical problems, including diagnosis and treatment of these conditions. This article is a useful guide for all veterinarians, whether treating small rodents rarely or as a regular occurrence in veterinary practice.
Nutritional status and skeletal muscle status in patients with head and neck cancer: Impact on outcomes
Authors: Findlay Merran , White Kathryn , Brown Chris , Bauer Judith D.
Published: October 2021

Background

Computed tomography (CT)‐defined skeletal muscle depletion and malnutrition are demonstrated as poor prognostic factors in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC), however to date, have only been explored in isolation. We aimed to describe body composition profile and examine the impact of nutritional status as well as independently and concurrently occurring body composition features on overall survival, treatment completion, unplanned admissions and length of stay (LOS) in patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) of curative intent for HNC.

Methods

This work is a retrospective, observational study of patients who had completed treatment of curative intent for HNC. Scored Patient‐Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG‐SGA) was used to determine nutritional status. Tissue‐density data were derived at the third lumbar vertebra (L3) with sarcopenia and myosteatosis defined by published, sex‐specific threshold values stratified by body mass index for skeletal muscle index (cm2/m2) and skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMR, Hounsfield Unit).

Results

Pre‐treatment data (n = 277: 78% male, mean (SD) age 60 (13) years) revealed the prevalence of malnutrition (24.9%), sarcopenia (52.3%), myosteatosis (82.3%), and concurrently occurring sarcopenia and myosteatosis (39.7%). Malnutrition was independently associated with reduced OS for patients with moderate [hazard ratio (HR) 2.57; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.45–4.55, P = 0.001] and severe (HR 3.19; 95% CI 1.44–7.07, P = 0.004) malnutrition on multivariable analysis but not sarcopenia (HR 1.09; 95% CI 0.70–1.71), P = 0.700 or myosteatosis (HR 1.28; 95% CI 0.57–2.84), P = 0.500). Malnutrition was associated with treatment discontinuation (P < 0.001), not completing RT as planned (P < 0.001), unplanned hospital admission (P = 0.021), and greater LOS (P < 0.001). Skeletal muscle status features were associated with unplanned hospital admissions for those with no features (32%), with sarcopenia only (50%), myosteatosis only (25%), and concurrent sarcopenia and myosteatosis (50%), P < 0.001. Similarly, a clinically relevant greater median (Q1, Q3) LOS was observed for those with sarcopenia only [5 (3, 32)], myosteatosis only [10 (5, 30)], concurrent sarcopenia, and myosteatosis [14 (4, 33)] days vs. those with no features [3 (2, 11)] days, P = 0.2.

Conclusions

Malnutrition was a more powerful prognostic indicator than CT‐defined skeletal muscle depletion and was independently associated with reduced OS in patients undergoing RT or CRT of curative intent for HNC. CT‐defined skeletal muscle depletion studies should recognize the multifaceted nature of human body composition and also measure nutritional status using validated methods in order to move towards developing a typology of high risk criteria for this complex patient group.
Choosing an engineering major: A conceptual model of student pathways into engineering
Authors: Main Joyce B. , Griffith Amanda L. , Xu Xinrui , Dukes Alexandra M.
Published: October 2021

Background

Increasing interest and participation in engineering is vital if the United States is to create the larger technological and scientific labor force it needs to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Students' pathways into the different engineering majors provide important information for this effort.

Purpose

This study addresses which factors across life stages (pre‐high school, high school, and early college) are associated with engineering major choice. The quantitative analysis identifies which demographic characteristics and academic achievement variables are correlated with engineering major choice, whereas the qualitative analysis examines when and why students choose a specific engineering major.

Methods

Informed by the life course perspective, this convergent mixed methods research study applies Logit regression and thematic analysis. Data sets include more than 20,000 observations of student‐level academic records (2001–2015) as well as interviews conducted with 20 students at a large, research‐intensive university in the Midwest.

Results

Quantitative results indicate that student demographic factors and measures of academic achievement—including passing scores on advanced placement tests, scholastic aptitude test scores, and high school and college first‐year grade point averages—are associated with engineering major choice. Qualitative findings show that across the life stages, the source of social influence in engineering major choice varies; while family and teachers play larger roles before and during high school, peers and university personnel play larger roles in early college.

Conclusion

The conceptual model comprehensively synthesizes the key factors associated with engineering major choice, highlighting the importance of demographic factors, academic achievement, social networks, and access to role models from pre‐high school, high school, and early college.
Assessing the impact of magnetic resonance treatment simulation (MRSIM) on target volume delineation and dose to organs at risk for oropharyngeal radiotherapy
Authors: Richardson Haylea , Kumar Mahesh , Tieu Minh Thi , Parker Joel , Dowling Jason A. , Arm Jameen , Best Leah , Greer Peter B. , Clapham Matthew , Oldmeadow Christopher , O’Connor Laura , Wratten Chris
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Assessing the use of a radiation therapy (RT) planning MRI performed in the treatment position (pMRI) on target volume delineation and effect on organ at risk dose for oropharyngeal cancer patients planned with diagnostic MRI (dMRI) and CT scan.

Methods

Diagnostic MRI scans were acquired for 26 patients in a neutral patient position using a 3T scanner (dMRI). Subsequent pMRI scans were acquired on the same scanner with a flat couch top and the patient in their immobilisation mask. Each series was rigidly registered to the patients planning CT scan and volumes were first completed with the CT/dMRI. The pMRI was then made available for volume modification. For the group with revised volumes, two IMRT plans were developed to demonstrate the impact of the modification. Image and registration quality was also evaluated.

Results

The pMRI registration led to the modification of target volumes for 19 of 26 participants. The pMRI target volumes were larger in absolute volume resulting in reduced capacity for organ sparing. Predominantly, modifications occurred for the primary gross tumour volume (GTVp) with a mean Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) of 0.7 and the resulting high risk planning target volume, a mean DSC of 0.89. Both MRIs scored similarly for image quality, with the pMRI demonstrating improved registration quality and efficiency.

Conclusions

A pMRI provides improvement in registration efficiency, quality and a higher degree of oncologist confidence in target delineation. These results have led to a practice change within our department, where a pMRI is acquired for all eligible oropharyngeal cancer patients.
Effects of short environmental enrichment on early‐life adversity induced cognitive alternations in adolescent rats
Authors: Joushi Sara , Esmaeilpour Khadijeh , Masoumi‐Ardakani Yaser , Esmaeili‐Mahani Saeed , Sheibani Vahid
Published: October 2021

Early‐life experiences, including parental care, affect cognitive performance later in life. Being exposed to early‐life maternal separation (MS) increases susceptibility to stress‐related psychopathology. Previous studies suggest that MS could induce learning and memory impairments. Since enriched environment (EE) provides more opportunities for exploration and social interaction, in the present study we evaluated the effects of a short EE paradigm with a duration of 13 days on cognitive abilities of maternally separated rats (MS; 180 min/day, postnatal day (PND) 1–21) during adolescence in four experimental groups: Control, Control+EE, MS, and MS+EE. Plasma corticosterone (CORT) and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were also measured in experimental animals. We also studied the induction of long‐term potentiation (LTP) in the slices of hippocampal CA1 area. The behavioral and electrophysiological assessments were started at PND 35. MS caused higher basal CORT levels in plasma and impaired spatial learning, memory, and social interaction. LTP induction was also impaired in MS rats and plasma BDNF levels were reduced in these animals. MS also induced more anxiety‐like behavior. Short EE reduced plasma CORT levels had the potential to improve locomotor activity and anxiety‐like behavior in MS+EE rats and reversed MS‐induced impairments of spatial learning, memory, and social behavior. LTP induction and plasma BDNF levels were also enhanced in MS+EE rats. We concluded that short EE might be considered as a therapeutic strategy for promoting cognition.
Machine Learning for Prediction of Drug Targets in Microbe Associated Cardiovascular Diseases by Incorporating Host‐pathogen Interaction Network Parameters
Authors: Singh Nirupma , Bhatnagar Sonika
Published: October 2021

Host‐pathogen interactions play a crucial role in invasion, infection, and induction of immune response in humans. In this work, four machine learning algorithms, namely Logistic regression, K‐nearest neighbor, Support Vector Machine, and Random Forest were implemented for the classification of drug targets. The algorithms were trained using 3400 hosts and 3800 pathogen drug and non‐drug target proteins as learning instances. For each protein, 68 pathogen and 73 host features were computed that included sequence, structure, biological and host‐pathogen network centrality characteristics. The Random Forest classifier model achieved the best accuracy after 10‐fold cross‐validation. 99 % accuracy was achieved with a ROC‐AUC score of 0.99±0.01 for both pathogen and host training sets. The Eigenvector Centrality of host‐pathogen interactions and host‐host interactions was the top feature in performing classification of pathogen and host targets respectively. Other features important for classification were the presence of catalytic and binding sites, low instability/aliphatic index, and cellular location. The Random Forest classifier was then used for prediction of drug targets involved in Microbe Associated Cardiovascular Diseases. 331 host and 743 pathogen proteins were predicted as drug targets by the random forest model and can be validated experimentally for therapeutic intervention in Microbe Associated Cardiovascular Diseases.
SoxE group transcription factor Sox8 promotes astrocytic differentiation of neural stem/precursor cells downstream of Nfia
Authors: Takouda Jun , Katada Sayako , Imamura Takuya , Sanosaka Tsukasa , Nakashima Kinichi
Published: October 2021

The brain consists of three major cell types: neurons and two glial cell types (astrocytes and oligodendrocytes). Although they are generated from common multipotent neural stem/precursor cells (NS/PCs), embryonic NS/PCs cannot generate all of the cell types at the beginning of brain development. NS/PCs first undergo extensive self‐renewal to expand their pools, and then acquire the potential to produce neurons, followed by glial cells. Astrocytes are the most frequently found cell type in the central nervous system (CNS), and play important roles in brain development and functions. Although it has been shown that nuclear factor IA (Nfia) is a pivotal transcription factor for conferring gliogenic potential on neurogenic NS/PCs by sequestering DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) from astrocyte‐specific genes, direct targets of Nfia that participate in astrocytic differentiation have yet to be completely identified. Here we show that SRY‐box transcription factor 8 (Sox8) is a direct target gene of Nfia at the initiation of the gliogenic phase. We found that expression of Sox8 augmented leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF)‐induced astrocytic differentiation, while Sox8 knockdown inhibited Nfia‐enhanced astrocytic differentiation of NS/PCs. In contrast to Nfia, Sox8 did not induce DNA demethylation of an astrocyte‐specific marker gene, glial fibrillary acidic protein (Gfap), but instead associated with LIF downstream transcription factor STAT3 through transcriptional coactivator p300, explaining how Sox8 expression further facilitated LIF‐induced Gfap expression. Taken together, these results suggest that Sox8 is a crucial Nfia downstream transcription factor for the astrocytic differentiation of NS/PCs in the developing brain.
Enzymatic and Acidic Hydrolysis of Cull Potatoes for Production of Fermentable Sugars
Authors: Bansal Riya , Katyal Priya , Jain Deepali
Published: October 2021

Cull potato is an under‐utilized biomass being produced in different states of India. Using cull potatoes as a substrate for bioethanol production can overcome the post‐harvest losses as well as making the process economical. In the present study, comparative hydrolysis of cull potatoes is carried out using enzymes and hydrochloric acid to study the effect of variables on saccharification efficiency. For enzymatic hydrolysis, samples are liquefied using crude enzyme from Bacillus sp. and then saccharification of liquefied samples is optimized using central composite rotatable design (CCRD) in Response surface methodology (RSM) w.r.t pH (4–7), temperature (25–40 °C) and incubation period (15–60 min) at 5% substrate concentration with glucoamylase of Aspergillus niger. Acidic hydrolysis is performed at different acid concentration, i.e., 1–5 (v/v) at variable time intervals (15–60 min) with 1–5% substrate concentration at 90 °C. Highest saccharification efficiency is observed with acidic hydrolysis 85.2% at substrate concentration of (4%) and at acid concentration (4% v/v) after 45 min of incubation, while with enzymatic hydrolysis it is very close to acidic hydrolysis, i.e., 83.2% at 25 °C temperature and at pH 4 after 30 min of incubation.
Strong-coupling results for $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 2 superconformal quivers and holography
Authors: Billò M. , Frau M. , Galvagno F. , Lerda A. , Pini A.
Published: October 2021

Abstract

We consider $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 superconformal quiver gauge theories in four dimensions and evaluate the chiral/anti-chiral correlators of single-trace operators. We show that it is convenient to form particular twisted and untwisted combinations of these operators suggested by the dual holographic description of the theory. The various twisted sectors are orthogonal and the correlators in each sector have always the same structure, as we show at the lowest orders in perturbation theory with Feynman diagrams. Using localization we then map the computation to a matrix model. In this way we are able to obtain formal expressions for the twisted correlators in the planar limit that are valid for all values of the ‘t Hooft coupling λ, and find that they are proportional to 1/λ at strong coupling. We successfully test the correctness of our extrapolation against a direct numerical evaluation of the matrix model and argue that the 1/λ behavior qualitatively agrees with the holographic description.
Inflation and supersymmetry breaking in Higgs-R2 supergravity
Authors: Aoki Shuntaro , Lee Hyun Min , Menkara Adriana G.
Published: October 2021

Abstract

We propose a new construction of the supergravity inflation as an UV completion of the Higgs-R2 inflation. In the dual description of R2-supergravity, we show that there appear dual chiral superfields containing the scalaron or sigma field in the Starobinsky inflation, which unitarizes the supersymmetric Higgs inflation with a large non-minimal coupling up to the Planck scale. We find that a successful slow-roll inflation is achievable in the Higgs-sigma field space, but under the condition that higher curvature terms are introduced to cure the tachyonic mass problems for spectator singlet scalar fields. We also discuss supersymmetry breaking and its transmission to the visible sector as a result of the couplings of the dual chiral superfields and the non-minimal gravity coupling of the Higgs fields.
Molecular Genetics Diversity of Primary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis among Polish Pediatric Patients
Authors: Bąbol-Pokora Katarzyna , Wołowiec Magdalena , Popko Katarzyna , Jaworowska Aleksandra , Bryceson Yenan T. , Tesi Bianca , Henter Jan-Inge , Młynarski Wojciech , Badowska Wanda , Balwierz Walentyna , Drabko Katarzyna , Kałwak Krzysztof , Maciejka-Kembłowska Lucyna , Pieczonka Anna , Sobol-Milejska Grażyna , Kołtan Sylwia , Malinowska Iwona ,   for the Polish Pediatric Hematology, Oncology Society
Published: October 2021

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a clinical syndrome of life-threatening inflammation caused by an excessive, prolonged and ineffective immune response. An increasing number of HLH cases is recognized in Poland, but the genetic causes of familial HLH (FHL) have not been reported. We investigated the molecular genetics and associated outcomes of pediatric patients who met HLH criteria. We studied 54 patients with HLH, 36 of whom received genetic studies. Twenty-five patients were subjected to direct sequencing of the PRF1, UNC13D, STX11, XIAP and SH2D1A genes. Additionally, 11 patients were subjected to targeted next-generation sequencing. In our study group, 17 patients (31%) were diagnosed with primary HLH, with bi-allelic FHL variants identified in 13 (36%) patients whereas hemizygous changes were identified in 4 patients with X-linked lymphoproliferative diseases. In addition, one patient was diagnosed with X-linked immunodeficiency with magnesium defect, Epstein–Barr virus infection and neoplasia due to a hemizygous MAGT1 variant; another newborn was diagnosed with auto-inflammatory syndrome caused by MVK variants. The majority (65%) of FHL patients carried UNC13D pathogenic variants, whereas PRF1 variants occurred in two patients. Novel variants in UNC13D, PRF1 and XIAP were detected. Epstein–Barr virus was the most common trigger noted in 23 (65%) of the patients with secondary HLH. In three patients with secondary HLH, heterozygous variants of FHL genes were found. Overall survival for the entire study group was 74% with a median of 3.6 years of follow-up. Our results highlight the diversity of molecular causes of primary HLH in Poland.
From internal models toward metacognitive AI
Authors: Kawato Mitsuo , Cortese Aurelio
Published: October 2021

In several papers published in Biological Cybernetics in the 1980s and 1990s, Kawato and colleagues proposed computational models explaining how internal models are acquired in the cerebellum. These models were later supported by neurophysiological experiments using monkeys and neuroimaging experiments involving humans. These early studies influenced neuroscience from basic, sensory-motor control to higher cognitive functions. One of the most perplexing enigmas related to internal models is to understand the neural mechanisms that enable animals to learn large-dimensional problems with so few trials. Consciousness and metacognition—the ability to monitor one’s own thoughts, may be part of the solution to this enigma. Based on literature reviews of the past 20 years, here we propose a computational neuroscience model of metacognition. The model comprises a modular hierarchical reinforcement-learning architecture of parallel and layered, generative-inverse model pairs. In the prefrontal cortex, a distributed executive network called the “cognitive reality monitoring network” (CRMN) orchestrates conscious involvement of generative-inverse model pairs in perception and action. Based on mismatches between computations by generative and inverse models, as well as reward prediction errors, CRMN computes a “responsibility signal” that gates selection and learning of pairs in perception, action, and reinforcement learning. A high responsibility signal is given to the pairs that best capture the external world, that are competent in movements (small mismatch), and that are capable of reinforcement learning (small reward-prediction error). CRMN selects pairs with higher responsibility signals as objects of metacognition, and consciousness is determined by the entropy of responsibility signals across all pairs. This model could lead to new-generation AI, which exhibits metacognition, consciousness, dimension reduction, selection of modules and corresponding representations, and learning from small samples. It may also lead to the development of a new scientific paradigm that enables the causal study of consciousness by combining CRMN and decoded neurofeedback.
Elevated Allochthony in Stream Food Webs as a Result of Longitudinal Cumulative Effects of Forest Management
Authors: Erdozain Maitane , Kidd Karen A. , Emilson Erik J. S. , Capell Scott S. , Kreutzweiser David P. , Gray Michelle A.
Published: October 2021

The river continuum concept (RCC) predicts a downstream shift in the reliance of aquatic consumers from terrestrial to aquatic carbon sources, but this concept has rarely been assessed with longitudinal studies. Similarly, there are no studies addressing how forestry related disturbances to the structure of headwater food webs manifest (accumulate/dissipate) downstream and/or whether forest management alters natural longitudinal trends predicted by the RCC. Using stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen, we investigated how: 1) autochthony in macroinvertebrates and fish change from small streams to larger downstream sites within a basin with minimal forest management (New Brunswick, Canada); 2) longitudinal trends in autochthony and food web length compare among three basins with different forest management intensity [intensive (harvest and replanting), extensive (harvest only), minimal] to detect potential cumulative/dissipative effects; and 3) forest management intensity and other catchment variables are influencing food web dynamics. We showed that, as predicted, the reliance of some macroinvertebrate taxa (especially collector feeders) on algae increased from small streams to downstream waters in the minimally managed basin, but that autochthony in the smallest shaded stream was higher than expected based on the RCC (as high as 90% for some taxa). However, this longitudinal increase in autochthony was not observed within the extensively managed basin and was weaker within the intensively managed one, suggesting that forest management can alter food web dynamics along the river continuum. The dampening of downstream autochthony indicates that the increased allochthony observed in small streams in response to forest harvesting cumulates downstream through the river continuum.
Temperature-induced response in algal cell surface properties and behaviour: an experimental approach
Authors: Novosel N. , Mišić Radić T. , Zemla J. , Lekka M. , Čačković A. , Kasum D. , Legović T. , Žutinić P. , Gligora Udovič M. , Ivošević DeNardis N.
Published: October 2021

Microalgae are considered an accurate indicator of ecosystem perturbations induced by global climate change. The present work aims to investigate the alteration of temperature on surface properties and behaviour of three algal species using the complementary surface methods (electrochemical and atomic force microscopy). The results showed that the temperature-induced response of algae is species-specific due to the structural features of the cell envelope. Wall-less algae experience the largest nanomechanical and chemical change, while algae with silicified walls show the pronounced chemical change in the degree of hydrophobicity. Alterations of surface properties suggest a molecular modification of the algal barrier and cytoskeletal rearrangements due to a change in cell size, while algal morphology reveals no change. The physiological activity of cells showed a different organisation of released extracellular substances in the form of fine fibrillar structures, aggregated particles, and dense networks. Both types of algal responses, physiological activity, and molecular modification of the cell barrier determine the cell adhesion and motility. This study highlights the role of surface properties in cell-substrate and cell–cell interactions, which is important for the understanding of algal behaviour at natural interfaces and the mechanism of algal biofilm and aggregate formation in aquatic systems under the stress.

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A community effort to assess and improve computerized interpretation of 12-lead resting electrocardiogram
Authors: Ding Zijian , Wang Guijin , Yang Huazhong , Zhang Ping , Fu Dapeng , Yang Zhen , Wang Xinkang , Wang Xia , Xia Zhourui , Zhang Chiming , Cai Wenjie , Yuan Binhang , Jia Dongya , Chen Bo , Huang Chengbin , Zhang Jing , Li Yi , Yang Shan , He Runnan
Published: October 2021

Computerized interpretation of electrocardiogram plays an important role in daily cardiovascular healthcare. However, inaccurate interpretations lead to misdiagnoses and delay proper treatments. In this work, we built a high-quality Chinese 12-lead resting electrocardiogram dataset with 15,357 records, and called for a community effort to improve the performances of CIE through the China ECG AI Contest 2019. This dataset covers most types of ECG interpretations, including the normal type, 8 common abnormal types, and the other type which includes both uncommon abnormal and noise signals. Based on the Contest, we systematically assessed and analyzed a set of top-performing methods, most of which are deep neural networks, with both their commonalities and characteristics. This study establishes the benchmarks for computerized interpretation of 12-lead resting electrocardiogram and provides insights for the development of new methods.
Beyond practitioner and researcher: 15 roles adopted by actors in transdisciplinary and transformative research processes
Authors: Hilger Annaliesa , Rose Michael , Keil Andreas
Published: October 2021

To tackle complex sustainability problems, science and practice must join forces and interact in the processes of knowledge co-production. This central claim of sustainability science requires all actors to do more than simply participate in a workshop or carry out traditional research. It is essential to provide clarity to actors about the roles to adopt in these processes, especially in terms of planning collaborations—with whom, when, and how. Therefore, in this paper we identify, describe, and discuss 15 roles for actors involved in such processes. We undertook a systematic literature review to identify papers with precise descriptions of transdisciplinary (td) and transformative (tf) research processes. We focused on the common occurrence of activities undertaken by actors by applying 72 activity codes a total of 549 times. Subclusters of activities were identified by means of a hierarchical cluster analysis and these were condensed into 15 roles. The roles can be categorised in four activity realms: field, academia, boundary management, and knowledge co-production. The roles of the Data Supplier, the Field Expert, and the Application Expert are adopted by actors who originate from the field, whereas the roles of the Scientific Analyst and the Knowledge Collector are primarily adopted by researchers. Furthermore, we identified 10 roles within the activity realms of the knowledge co-production process and boundary management. The high number and diversity of roles, especially in the realm of boundary management, reveals the importance of a comprehensive approach to coordination, communication, and process design.
Responses to corporate governance code: evidence from a longitudinal study
Authors: Aluchna Maria , Kuszewski Tomasz
Published: October 2021

Drawing upon neo-institutional theory as the perspective for research on corporate governance, we present the results of empirical studies on compliance with best practice codes. We view the declarations of conformity as the organizational response to institutional pressure and address questions on (1) how companies respond to recommendations on board best practice and (2) how these reactions evolve over time. The study employs the mixed method approach and is based on a time-series sample of conformity declarations published by 126 companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange during the period 2006–2019. Descriptive statistics indicate an increase in the number of complying companies, an improvement in compliance quality and the growing length of conformity declarations. In the content analysis we identify two main reaction strategies (acceptance and rejection) with seven selected responses. We discuss the contribution to the existing literature on reactions to new practices in corporate governance.