bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Settling of highly porous and impermeable particles in linear stratification: implications for marine aggregates
Authors: Ahmerkamp S. , Liu B. , Kindler K. , Maerz J. , Stocker R. , Kuypers M.M.M. , Khalili A.
Published: November 2021

The settling velocity of porous particles in linear stratification is affected by the diffusive exchange between interstitial and ambient water. The extent to which buoyancy and interstitial mass adaptation alters the settling velocity depends on the ratio of the diffusive and viscous time scales. We conducted schlieren experiments and lattice Boltzmann simulations for highly porous (95 %) but impermeable spheres settling in linear stratification. For a parameter range that resembles marine porous particles, ‘marine aggregates’, i.e. low Reynolds numbers ($0.05\leq \textit {Re}\leq 10$), intermediate Froude numbers ($0.1\leq \textit {Fr}\leq 100$) and Schmidt number of salt ($\textit {Sc}=700$), we observe delayed mass adaptation of the interstitial fluid due to lower-density fluid being dragged by a particle that forms a density boundary layer around the particle. The boundary layer buffers the diffusive exchange of stratifying agent with the ambient fluid, leading to an enhanced density contrast of the interstitial pore fluid. Stratification-related drag enhancement by means of additional buoyancy of dragging lighter fluid and buoyancy-induced vorticity resembles earlier findings for solid spheres. However, the exchange between density boundary layer and pore fluid substantially increases stratification drag for small$\textit {Fr}$. To estimate the effect of stratification on marine aggregates settling in the ocean, we derived scaling laws and show that small particles ($\leq$0.5 mm) experience enhanced drag which increases retention times by 10 % while larger porous particle (>0.5 mm) settling is dominated by delayed mass adaptation that diminishes settling velocity by 10 % up to almost 100 %. The derived relationships facilitate the integration of stratification-dependent settling velocities into biogeochemical models.
Nutrient intake and gender differences among Saudi children
Authors: Kutbi Hebah A.
Published: November 2021

Dietary surveillance is necessary to determine community needs for nutrition interventions. Yet, the nutrient intake of Saudi children has not been previously investigated. The objective of the present study is to evaluate dietary data of Saudi children and investigate gender differences in nutrient intake. In this cross-sectional study, dietary data of 424 Saudi children (6–12 years of age) were collected using telephone-administered single 24-h dietary recall. Three 24-h dietary recalls were collected from a subsample of 168 children (39⋅6 %) and compared with the Dietary Recommended Intakes (DRIs). Nutrient intakes and proportions of children meeting the DRI requirements were similar and did not vary by children's gender. Over two-thirds of the children had an adequate usual intake of vitamin B12, and over half had adequate intakes (AIs) of vitamin C and phosphorus. On the other hand, our data indicated that low proportions of children consumed adequate usual intakes of magnesium and vitamin E. Over half of the children in our sample met the AI for sodium and vitamin D. Only small proportions of children met the AI for calcium, potassium and fibre. Cholesterol and saturated fat intake exceeded the limits of 300 mg and 10 % of total energy intake by 13⋅7 % (n 23) and 80⋅4 % (n 135) of the sample, respectively. Suboptimal intake of several micronutrients was observed among children, suggesting an urgent need to identify barriers to high-quality diet and to develop evidence-based interventions to promote optimal dietary efficacy for children in Saudi Arabia.
Neighbourhood-level social capital, marginalisation, and the incidence of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder in Toronto, Canada: a retrospective population-based cohort study
Authors: Rotenberg Martin , Tuck Andrew , Anderson Kelly K. , McKenzie Kwame
Published: November 2021

Background

Studies have shown mixed results regarding social capital and the risk of developing a psychotic disorder, and this has yet to be studied in North America. We sought to examine the relationship between neighbourhood-level marginalisation, social capital, and the incidence of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder in Toronto, Canada.

Methods

We used a retrospective population-based cohort to identify incident cases of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder over a 10 year period and accounted for neighbourhood-level marginalisation and a proxy indicator of neighbourhood social capital. Mixed Poisson regression models were used to estimate adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRRs).

Results

In the cohort (n= 649 020) we identified 4841 incident cases of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. A 27% variation in incidence was observed between neighbourhoods. All marginalisation dimensions, other than ethnic concentration, were associated with incidence. Compared to areas with low social capital, areas with intermediate social capital in the second [aIRR = 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.33] and third (aIRR = 1.23, 95% CI 1.08–1.40) quintiles had elevated incidence rates after accounting for marginalisation. There was a higher risk associated with the intermediate levels of social capital (aIRR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.00–1.39) when analysed in only the females in the cohort, but the CI includes the possibility of a null effect.

Conclusions

The risk of developing schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder in Toronto varies by neighbourhood and is associated with socioenvironmental exposures. Social capital was not linearly associated with risk, and risk differs by sex and social capital quintile. Future research should examine these relationships with different forms of social capital and examine how known individual-level risk factors impact these findings.
Dis/connection: Violence, Religion, and Geographic Imaginings in Aceh and Colonial Indonesia, 1890s–1920s
Authors: Kloos David
Published: November 2021

This article draws attention to the case of Aceh to analyse the mechanisms through which ideologically driven geographic imaginings obscured the role of place and class in colonial and anti-colonial violence in Indonesia. Its main perspective is the region's West Coast. In the course of the long and brutal Dutch-Acehnese war (1873–1942), the West Coast of Sumatra was transformed from a dynamic centre of trade, commerce, and religious renewal into a colonial frontier. Violent resistance persisted in this area as the Dutch involved themselves in and exacerbated local contestations for authority and resources. Colonial discourse worked to conceal these complexities, foregrounding an image of the West Coast as a remote, backwards, and inherently dangerous place, prone to a violent Muslim millenarianism.
Novel adaptive backstepping control for uncertain manipulator robots using state and output feedback
Authors: Brahmi Brahim , Saad Maarouf , El-Bayeh Claude , Rahman Mohammad Habibur , Brahmi Abdelkrim
Published: November 2021

In this paper, a new adaptive control strategy, based on the Modified Function Approximation Technique, is proposed for a manipulator robot with unknown dynamics. This novel strategy benefits from the backstepping control approach and the use of state and output feedback. Unlike the conventional Function Approximation Technique approach, the use of basis functions to approximate the dynamic parameters is completely eliminated in the proposed scheme. Another improvement is eliminating the need to measure velocity by means of integrating a high-order sliding mode observer. Furthermore, utilizing the Lyapunov function theory, it is demonstrated that all controller signals are uniformly ultimately bounded in the closed-loop form. Lastly, simulation and comparative studies are carried out to validate the effectiveness of the proposed control approach.
-NONUNIFORM MULTIRESOLUTION ANALYSIS
Authors: PITCHAI MURUGAN S. , YOUVARAJ G. P.
Published: November 2021

Gabardo and Nashed [‘Nonuniform multiresolution analyses and spectral pairs’, J. Funct. Anal.158(1) (1998), 209–241] have introduced the concept of nonuniform multiresolution analysis (NUMRA), based on the theory of spectral pairs, in which the associated translated set
$\Lambda =\{0,{r}/{N}\}+2\mathbb Z$
is not necessarily a discrete subgroup of
$\mathbb{R}$
, and the translation factor is
$2\textrm{N}$
. Here r is an odd integer with
$1\leq r\leq 2N-1$
such that r and N are relatively prime. The nonuniform wavelets associated with NUMRA can be used in signal processing, sampling theory, speech recognition and various other areas, where instead of integer shifts nonuniform shifts are needed. In order to further generalize this useful NUMRA, we consider the set
$\widetilde {\Lambda }=\{0,{r_1}/{N},{r_2}/{N},\ldots ,{r_q}/{N}\}+s\mathbb Z$
, where s is an even integer,
$q\in \mathbb {N}$
,
$r_i$
is an integer such that
$1\leq r_i\leq sN-1,\,(r_i,N)=1$
for all i and
$N\geq 2$
. In this paper, we prove that the concept of NUMRA with the translation set
$\widetilde {\Lambda }$
is possible only if
$\widetilde {\Lambda }$
is of the form
$\{0,{r}/{N}\}+s\mathbb Z$
. Next we introduce
$\Lambda _s$
-nonuniform multiresolution analysis (
$\Lambda _s$
-NUMRA) for which the translation set is
$\Lambda _s=\{0,{r}/{N}\}+s\mathbb Z$
and the dilation factor is
$sN$
, where s is an even integer. Also, we characterize the scaling functions associated with
$\Lambda _s$
-NUMRA and we give necessary and sufficient conditions for wavelet filters associated with
$\Lambda _s$
-NUMRA.
An Empirical Wind‐Wave Model for Hurricane‐Forced Wind Waves in the Caribbean Sea
Authors: Bethel Brandon J. , Dong Changming , Wang Jin
Published: November 2021

Under excitation by hurricanes, previously quiescent wave fields and their properties can rapidly evolve as they absorb energy from the turbulent atmosphere. Significant wave height (Hs) is one of the primary variables scrutinized during extreme events. Thus, using Hurricane Dorian (2019) a case study, an empirical wind‐wave model for forecasting hurricane‐induced wind seas is proposed for the Caribbean Sea (CS). Results are compared with the current South China Sea (SCS) state‐of‐the‐art using 10 other hurricanes that passed through the CS from 2011–2019. Results illustrate that the proposed CS model can achieve similar correlation coefficients between observed and simulated Hs as the SCS model, but crucially, the CS model produces approximately half the root mean square error generated by the SCS model. Mean average percentage errors were also significantly lower using the CS model for Hs predictions compared to the SCS model. These results illustrate a comprehensive improvement in regional Hs predictions under hurricane conditions. However, due to the single predictor of wind speed for either model, they both fail under swell conditions and modulation of the wave field by surface currents, leaving room for future improvement by the inclusion of additional variables.
Effects of Mountains on Aerosols Determined by AERONET/DRAGON/J‐ALPS Measurements and Regional Model Simulations
Authors: Nakata Makiko , Kajino Mizuo , Sato Yousuke
Published: November 2021

The NASA/AErosol RObotic NETwork field campaign Distributed Regional Aerosol Gridded Observation Networks/Joint work to the AerosoL Properties and Process Simulations was conducted from March 2020 to May 2021 in Nagano, Japan. Twelve sun photometers were installed around Nagano prefecture. The effects of topography on aerosols were studied using observations and simulations. In this study, a regional chemical transport model (SCALE‐Chem) was employed. Three numerical experiments were conducted: E1 (control experiment), E2 (E1 without topography), and E3 (E1 with removal of all anthropogenic emissions over Nagano prefecture). In E2, the terrain effect was not considered; the difference between E1 and E2 indicated the influence of mountains. The differences between E1 and E3 evaluate the local emission effect. In some cases, the mountainous terrain seemed to have suppressed aerosol inflow (i.e., reduced aerosol concentration), while in other cases, the mountains contributed to aerosol retention on days when aerosols tended to accumulate in mountain basins due to local emissions. Thus, while mountains prevent the inflow of aerosols from outside, they also contribute to increased aerosol concentration in the basin. Naturally, more significant effects are produced by meteorological conditions and the presence or absence of transboundary pollution from the outside. From observations and model simulations, we found that the aerosol concentration was not high around the J‐ALPS site because of the mountain effect that prevents advection from the outside, even when transboundary pollution was observed in Japan in March 2020.
Ocean Terrain and the Engineering Challenges for Offshore Wind Farms
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: November 2021

Deep coastal seabeds, glacial erratics, and other geophysical hurdles stand in the way of offshore wind farm proliferation. Researchers, engineers, and organizations are adapting and inventing ways to harness the breeze.
A New Four‐Parameter D‐Region Ionospheric Model: Inferences From Lightning‐Emitted VLF Signals
Authors: McCormick J. C. , Cohen M. B.
Published: November 2021

We present a new four‐parameter model of the D‐region (60–90 km) ionospheric electron density, useful in very low frequency (VLF, 3–30 kHz) remote sensing. VLF waves have a long history of use to indirectly infer D‐region conditions, as they reflect efficiently and thus are sensitive to small changes in the electron density. Most historical efforts use VLF observations along with a forward model of the D‐region and VLF propagation. The ionospheric assumptions in the forward model are altered until the output matches the observation. The most common D‐region model, known as the Wait‐Spies ionosphere, takes the electron density as exponentially increasing with altitude and specifies a height and steepness. This model was designed to capture the VLF propagation variations evident at a single frequency. The real D‐region is likely more complex. The limited number of D‐region rocket passes that have previously been compiled tend to show the existence of a “ledge” somewhere between 70 and 90 km. Broadband VLF signals emitted from lightning allows a more sophisticated parametrization. Using carefully averaged amplitudes and phases of VLF sferics, we formulate a more general four‐parameter D‐region model that includes a ledge discontinuity. Using lightning‐emitted VLF observations along with a theoretical model, we find that this model better describes the ionosphere during the daytime. During the ambient nighttime and during a solar flare the two‐parameter ionosphere may be sufficient, at least for the purposes of calculating broadband VLF propagation, since the ledge either weakens or moves outside the altitude range of VLF sensitivity.
Effects of yoga in men with prostate cancer on quality of life and immune response: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kaushik Dharam , Shah Pankil K. , Mukherjee Neelam , Ji Niannian , Dursun Furkan , Kumar Addanki P. , Thompson Ian M. , Mansour Ahmed M. , Jha Richapriya , Yang Xiaoyu , Wang Hanzhang , Darby Nydia , Ricardo Rivero J. , Svatek Robert S. , Liss Michael A.
Published: November 2021

Background

Diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer is associated with anxiety, fear, and depression in up to one-third of men. Yoga improves health-related quality of life (QoL) in patients with several types of cancer, but evidence of its efficacy in enhancing QoL is lacking in prostate cancer.

Methods

In this randomized controlled study, 29 men newly diagnosed with localized prostate cancer were randomized to yoga for 6 weeks (n = 14) or standard-of-care (n = 15) before radical prostatectomy. The primary outcome was self-reported QoL, assessed by the Expanded Prostate Index Composite (EPIC), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate (FACT-P), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT–F), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) at baseline, preoperatively, and 6 weeks postoperatively. Secondary outcomes were changes in immune cell status and cytokine levels with yoga.

Results

The greatest benefit of yoga on QoL was seen in EPIC-sexual (mean difference, 8.5 points), FACIT-F (6.3 points), FACT-Functional wellbeing (8.6 points), FACT-physical wellbeing (5.5 points), and FACT-Social wellbeing (14.6 points). The yoga group showed increased numbers of circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, more production of interferon-gamma by natural killer cells, and increased Fc receptor III expression in natural killer cells. The yoga group also showed decreased numbers of regulatory T-cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, indicating antitumor activity, and reduction in inflammatory cytokine levels (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor [0.55 (0.05–1.05), p = 0.03], monocyte chemoattractant protein [0.22 (0.01–0.43), p = 0.04], and FMS-like tyrosine kinase-3 ligand [0.91 (−0.01, 1.82), p = 0.053].

Conclusions

Perioperative yoga exercise improved QoL, promoted an immune response, and attenuated inflammation in men with prostate cancer. Yoga is feasible in this setting and has benefits that require further investigation.

Trial registration

clinicaltrials.org (NCT02620033).
Capacitive interdigitated system of high osteoinductive/conductive performance for personalized acting-sensing implants
Authors: de Sousa Bárbara M. , Correia Clara R. , Ferreira Jorge A. F. , Mano João F. , Furlani Edward P. , Soares dos Santos Marco P. , Vieira Sandra I.
Published: November 2021

Replacement orthopedic surgeries are among the most common surgeries worldwide, but clinically used passive implants cannot prevent failure rates and inherent revision arthroplasties. Optimized non-instrumented implants, resorting to preclinically tested bioactive coatings, improve initial osseointegration but lack long-term personalized actuation on the bone–implant interface. Novel bioelectronic devices comprising biophysical stimulators and sensing systems are thus emerging, aiming for long-term control of peri-implant bone growth through biointerface monitoring. These acting-sensing dual systems require high frequency (HF) operations able to stimulate osteoinduction/osteoconduction, including matrix maturation and mineralization. A sensing-compatible capacitive stimulator of thin interdigitated electrodes and delivering an electrical 60 kHz HF stimulation, 30 min/day, is here shown to promote osteoconduction in pre-osteoblasts and osteoinduction in human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs). HF stimulation through this capacitive interdigitated system had significant effects on osteoblasts’ collagen-I synthesis, matrix, and mineral deposition. A proteomic analysis of microvesicles released from electrically-stimulated osteoblasts revealed regulation of osteodifferentiation and mineralization-related proteins (e.g. Tgfb3, Ttyh3, Itih1, Aldh1a1). Proteomics data are available via ProteomeXchange with the identifier PXD028551. Further, under HF stimulation, hASCs exhibited higher osteogenic commitment and enhanced hydroxyapatite deposition. These promising osteoinductive/conductive capacitive stimulators will integrate novel bioelectronic implants able to monitor the bone–implant interface and deliver personalized stimulation to peri-implant tissues.
A COVID-19 peptide vaccine for the induction of SARS-CoV-2 T cell immunity
Authors: Heitmann Jonas S. , Bilich Tatjana , Tandler Claudia , Nelde Annika , Maringer Yacine , Marconato Maddalena , Reusch Julia , Jäger Simon , Denk Monika , Richter Marion , Anton Leonard , Weber Lisa Marie , Roerden Malte , Bauer Jens , Rieth Jonas , Wacker Marcel , Hörber Sebastian , Peter Andreas , Meisner Christoph , Fischer Imma , Löffler Markus W. , Karbach Julia , Jäger Elke , Klein Reinhild , Rammensee Hans-Georg , Salih Helmut R. , Walz Juliane S.
Published: November 2021

T cell immunity is central for the control of viral infections. CoVac-1 is a peptide-based vaccine candidate, composed of SARS-CoV-2 T cell epitopes derived from various viral proteins1,2, combined with the Toll-like receptor 1/2 agonist XS15 emulsified in Montanide ISA51 VG, aiming to induce profound SARS-CoV-2 T cell immunity to combat COVID-19. Here we conducted a phase I open-label trial, recruiting 36 participants aged 18–80 years, who received a single subcutaneous CoVac-1 vaccination. The primary end point was safety analysed until day 56. Immunogenicity in terms of CoVac-1-induced T cell response was analysed as the main secondary end point until day 28 and in the follow-up until month 3. No serious adverse events and no grade 4 adverse events were observed. Expected local granuloma formation was observed in all study participants, whereas systemic reactogenicity was absent or mild. SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses targeting multiple vaccine peptides were induced in all study participants, mediated by multifunctional T helper 1 CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. CoVac-1-induced IFNγ T cell responses persisted in the follow-up analyses and surpassed those detected after SARS-CoV-2 infection as well as after vaccination with approved vaccines. Furthermore, vaccine-induced T cell responses were unaffected by current SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. Together, CoVac-1 showed a favourable safety profile and induced broad, potent and variant of concern-independent T cell responses, supporting the presently ongoing evaluation in a phase II trial for patients with B cell or antibody deficiency.
A new automated tool to quantify nucleoid distribution within mitochondrial networks
Authors: Ilamathi Hema Saranya , Ouellet Mathieu , Sabouny Rasha , Desrochers-Goyette Justine , Lines Matthew A. , Pfeffer Gerald , Shutt Timothy E. , Germain Marc
Published: November 2021

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) maintenance is essential to sustain a functionally healthy population of mitochondria within cells. Proper mtDNA replication and distribution within mitochondrial networks are essential to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis. However, the fundamental basis of mtDNA segregation and distribution within mitochondrial networks is still unclear. To address these questions, we developed an algorithm, Mitomate tracker to unravel the global distribution of nucleoids within mitochondria. Using this tool, we decipher the semi-regular spacing of nucleoids across mitochondrial networks. Furthermore, we show that mitochondrial fission actively regulates mtDNA distribution by controlling the distribution of nucleoids within mitochondrial networks. Specifically, we found that primary cells bearing disease-associated mutations in the fission proteins DRP1 and MYH14 show altered nucleoid distribution, and acute enrichment of enlarged nucleoids near the nucleus. Further analysis suggests that the altered nucleoid distribution observed in the fission mutants is the result of both changes in network structure and nucleoid density. Thus, our study provides novel insights into the role of mitochondria fission in nucleoid distribution and the understanding of diseases caused by fission defects.
Evidence of the use of soft footwear in the Gravettian cave of Cussac (Dordogne, France)
Authors: Ledoux Lysianna , Berillon Gilles , Fourment Nathalie , Muth Xavier , Jaubert Jacques
Published: November 2021

Humans appear to have regularly worn footwear since at least the Early Upper Palaeolithic. However, due to the perishable nature of footwear, the archaeological record of its presence during the Pleistocene is poor. While footwear would have played an essential role in protecting the foot, it could also have been used as ornamentation and/or as a social marker. Footprints may provide the most relevant insight regarding the origin and function of footwear. Here we report the discovery of footprints in Cussac Cave (southwest France) at 28–31 ka cal BP and the results of a multi-focal approach, including experimentation, that demonstrate that Gravettian people most likely wore footwear while moving through the cave. These singular footprints would constitute one of the oldest cases of indirect evidence for this unusual practice in decorated Palaeolithic caves and reinforce the exceptional nature of Cussac already attested by the presence of monumental engravings and funerary deposits.
The microbial composition of the initial insult can predict the prognosis of experimental sepsis
Authors: Tallósy Szabolcs Péter , Poles Marietta Zita , Rutai Attila , Fejes Roland , Juhász László , Burián Katalin , Sóki József , Szabó Andrea , Boros Mihály , Kaszaki József
Published: November 2021

We hypothesized that the composition of sepsis-inducing bacterial flora influences the course of fecal peritonitis in rodents. Saline or fecal suspensions with a standardized dose range of bacterial colony-forming units (CFUs) were injected intraperitoneally into Sprague–Dawley rats. The qualitative composition of the initial inoculum and the ascites was analyzed separately by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Invasive monitoring was conducted in separate anesthetized groups (n = 12–13/group) after 12, 24, 48 and 72 h to determine rat-specific organ failure assessment (ROFA) scores. Death and ROFA scores peaked at 24 h. At this time, 20% mortality occurred in animals receiving a monomicrobial E. coli suspension, and ROFA scores were significantly higher in the monomicrobial subgroup than in the polymicrobial one (median 6.5; 5.0–7.0 and 5.0; 4.75–5.0, respectively). ROFA scores dropped after 48 h, accompanied by a steady decrease in ascites CFUs and a shift towards intra-abdominal monomicrobial E. coli cultures. Furthermore, we found a relationship between ascites CFUs and the evolving change in ROFA scores throughout the study. Hence, quantitatively identical bacterial loads with mono- or polymicrobial dominance lead to a different degree of sepsis severity and divergent outcomes. Initial and intraperitoneal microbiological testing should be used to improve translational research success.
Effects of prenatal oral l-arginine on birth outcomes: a meta-analysis
Authors: Goto Eita
Published: November 2021

Adverse birth outcomes are associated with elevated mortality and morbidity rates throughout life. This meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials examined whether prenatal oral l-arginine has effects on birth outcomes. A total of 45 overall good quality studies were extracted from 10 finally eligible articles. In comparison to controls, providing oral l-arginine to women with a history of poor pregnancy outcomes significantly reduced risks of intrauterine growth retardation neonates, pre-term birth and respiratory distress syndrome (n = 7, 3 and 3, respectively) and significantly increased birthweight and gestational age (n = 8 and 5, respectively) l-Arginine significantly increased Apgar score in women at high risk of pre-eclampsia or with pre-eclampsia or gestational or mild chronic hypertension in comparison to controls (n = 4). l-Arginine showed no significant effect on any other outcome examined (n = 2). The quality of evidence was at least medium or high. Consequently, oral l-arginine may be at least moderately recommended for women with a history of poor pregnancy outcomes and at high risk of pre-eclampsia or with pre-eclampsia or gestational or mild chronic hypertension. However, further studies are required to provide stronger conclusions, partly due to small study effects.
Ultrasound estimated subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue thicknesses and risk of pre-eclampsia
Authors: Pétursdóttir Maack Heidrun , Sundström Poromaa Inger , Lindström Linda , Mulic-Lutvica Ajlana , Junus Katja , Wikström Anna-Karin
Published: November 2021

Early identification of high-risk pregnancies enables identification of those who would benefit from aspirin prophylaxis and increased surveillance for pre-eclampsia. A high body mass index (BMI) is a well-known predictor for pre-eclampsia. However, if abdominal adipose tissue distribution is associated with pre-eclampsia is limited investigated. Subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) thickness and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) thickness were measured by ultrasound on 3777 women at around 18 gestational weeks. SAT thickness was measured from the skin to linea alba and VAT from linea alba to the anterior aortic wall. The risk of developing pre-eclampsia (de novo hypertension at ≥ 20 gestational weeks in combination with proteinuria) was evaluated by logistic regression and expressed as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The risk of pre-eclampsia increased by 79% for every cm in SAT thickness (OR 1.79; 95% CI 1.48–2.17) and by 23% for every cm VAT thickness (OR 1.23; 95% CI 1.11–1.35). After adjustment for maternal age, parity, BMI, smoking and country of birth, the association between SAT thickness and pre-eclampsia remained (AOR 1.35; 95% CI 1.02–1.79). Greater SAT thickness measured with second trimester ultrasound is associated with increased risk of developing pre-eclampsia. The measurement may improve prediction models for pre-eclampsia.
Feasibility study of portable multi-energy computed tomography with photon-counting detector for preclinical and clinical applications
Authors: Lee Chang-Lae , Hong Key Jo , Kim Namwoo , Han Kwanhee , Kim Dongkyu , Jung Hoe-Su , Lee Sangmin , Park Junyoung , Lee Kyoung-Yong , Lee Jee Eun , Choi Yuna , Cho Minkook
Published: November 2021

In this study, preclinical experiments were performed with an in-house developed prototypal photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD CT) system. The performance of the system was compared with the conventional energy-integrating detector (EID)-based CT, concerning the basic image quality biomarkers and the respective capacities for material separation. The pre- and the post-contrast axial images of a canine brain captured by the PCD CT and EID CT systems were found to be visually similar. Multi-energy images were acquired using the PCD CT system, and machine learning-based material decomposition was performed to segment the white and gray matters for the first time in soft tissue segmentation. Furthermore, to accommodate clinical applications that require high resolution acquisitions, a small, native, high-resolution (HR) detector was implemented on the PCD CT system, and its performance was evaluated based on animal experiments. The HR acquisition mode improved the spatial resolution and delineation of the fine structures in the canine’s nasal turbinates compared to the standard mode. Clinical applications that rely on high-spatial resolution expectedly will also benefit from this resolution-enhancing function. The results demonstrate the potential impact on the brain tissue segmentation, improved detection of the liver tumors, and capacity to reconstruct high-resolution images both preclinically and clinically.
A reusable mesoporous adsorbent for efficient treatment of hazardous triphenylmethane dye wastewater: RSM-CCD optimization and rapid microwave-assisted regeneration
Authors: Arabkhani Payam , Javadian Hamedreza , Asfaram Arash , Hosseini Seyed Nabiollah
Published: November 2021

In this research, mesoporous calcium aluminate nanostructures (meso-CaAl2O4) were synthesized using a citric acid-assisted sol–gel auto-combustion process as the potential adsorbent to eliminate toxic triphenylmethane dye malachite green (MG) from synthetic/real effluent. The surface morphology of meso-CaAl2O4 was highly porous with nanometric size and non-homogeneous surface. The specific surface area, total pore volume, and BJH pore diameter of meso-CaAl2O4 were 148.5 m2 g−1, 1.39 cm3 g−1, and 19 nm, respectively. The meso-CaAl2O4 also showed a very high heat resistance, due to losing only 7.95% of its weight up to 800 °C, which is mainly related to the moisture loss. The optimal adsorption conditions were obtained based on response surface methods (RSM)-central composite design (CCD) techniques. The Langmuir isotherm model was used for fitting the adsorption measurements, which presented 587.5 mg g–1 as the maximum adsorption capacity of the dye. The data obtained from the adsorption kinetics model were found to correspond to the pseudo-second-order model. Also, the thermodynamic parameters including enthalpy change (ΔH°), entropy change (ΔS°), and Gibbs free energy change (ΔG°) indicated that MG dye adsorption by the meso-CaAl2O4 was feasible, endothermic, and occurred spontaneously. Furthermore, the meso-CaAl2O4 was regenerated by microwave irradiation under 900 W at 6 min, and the MG dye removal efficiency was remained over 90% after the five cycles of microwave regeneration.
Loss of zinc-finger protein 212 leads to Purkinje cell death and locomotive abnormalities with phospholipase D3 downregulation
Authors: Khang Rin , Jo Areum , Kang Hojin , Kim Hanna , Kwag Eunsang , Lee Ji-Yeong , Koo Okjae , Park Jinsu , Kim Hark Kyun , Jo Dong-Gyu , Hwang Inwoo , Ahn Jee-Yin , Lee Yunjong , Choi Jeong-Yun , Lee Yun-Song , Shin Joo-Ho
Published: November 2021

Although Krüppel-associated box domain-containing zinc-finger proteins (K-ZNFs) may be associated with sophisticated gene regulation in higher organisms, the physiological functions of most K-ZNFs remain unknown. The Zfp212 protein was highly conserved in mammals and abundant in the brain; it was mainly expressed in the cerebellum (Cb). Zfp212 (mouse homolog of human ZNF212) knockout (Zfp212-KO) mice showed a reduction in survival rate compared to wild-type mice after 20 months of age. GABAergic Purkinje cell degeneration in the Cb and aberrant locomotion were observed in adult Zfp212-KO mice. To identify genes related to the ataxia-like phenotype of Zfp212-KO mice, 39 ataxia-associated genes in the Cb were monitored. Substantial alterations in the expression of ataxin 10, protein phosphatase 2 regulatory subunit beta, protein kinase C gamma, and phospholipase D3 (Pld3) were observed. Among them, Pld3 alone was tightly regulated by Flag-tagged ZNF212 overexpression or Zfp212 knockdown in the HT22 cell line. The Cyclic Amplification and Selection of Targets assay identified the TATTTC sequence as a recognition motif of ZNF212, and these motifs occurred in both human and mouse PLD3 gene promoters. Adeno-associated virus-mediated introduction of human ZNF212 into the Cb of 3-week-old Zfp212-KO mice prevented Purkinje cell death and motor behavioral deficits. We confirmed the reduction of Zfp212 and Pld3 in the Cb of an alcohol-induced cerebellar degeneration mouse model, suggesting that the ZNF212–PLD3 relationship is important for Purkinje cell survival.
Improved YOLOv4-tiny network for real-time electronic component detection
Authors: Guo Ce , Lv Xiao-ling , Zhang Yan , Zhang Ming-lu
Published: November 2021

In the electronics industry environment, rapid recognition of objects to be grasped from digital images is essential for visual guidance of intelligent robots. However, electronic components have a small size, are difficult to distinguish, and are in motion on a conveyor belt, making target detection more difficult. For this reason, the YOLOv4-tiny method is used to detect electronic components and is improved. Then, different network structures are built for the adaptive integration of middle- and high-level features to address the phenomenon in which the original algorithm integrates all feature information indiscriminately. The method is deployed on an electronic component dataset for validation. Experimental results show that the accuracy of the original algorithm is improved from 93.74 to 98.6%. Compared with other current mainstream algorithms, such as Faster RCNN, SSD, RefineDet, EfficientDet, and YOLOv4, the method can maintain high detection accuracy at the fastest speed. The method can provide a technical reference for the development of manufacturing robots in the electronics industry.
A performance predictor of beamforming versus time-reversal based far-field wireless power transfer from linear array
Authors: Park Hong Soo , Hong Sun K.
Published: November 2021

For far-field wireless power transfer (WPT) in a complex propagation environment, a time-reversal (TR) based WPT that can overcome the drawbacks of conventional beamforming (BF) by taking advantage of multipath has been recently proposed. However, due to the WPT performance of BF and TR depending on the complexity of the propagation environment, the performance prediction between BF versus TR would be required. We present a detailed and generalized analysis of the recently proposed performance metric referred to as the peak received power ratio (PRPR) for linear array-based WPT. Here, the effectiveness of PRPR is verified via measurement for free space and indoor scenarios. The results demonstrate that PRPR is directly related to the complexity of the propagation environment and the corresponding power transmission capability of BF and TR. That is, the higher the complexity, the greater the value of PRPR and TR outperforms BF with higher peak power given the same average transmit power and vice versa. The mode decision between BF and TR based on PRPR potentially promises efficient far-field WPT even in a dynamic propagation environment.
Finding suitable candidates for vacuum bell therapy in pectus excavatum patients
Authors: Yi Eunjue , Lee Kwanghyoung , Jung Younggi , Chung Jae Ho , Kim Han Sung , Lee Sungho , Ahn Hyonggin
Published: November 2021

Vacuum bell therapy has been acceptable substitute for pectus excavatum patients who want to improve their appearance but avoid surgical correction. The aim of this study was to assess the pre-treatment characteristics of patients with pectus excavatum and to establish characteristics that can potentially help identify ideal candidates for vacuum bell therapy. Expected improvements in thoracic indices were evaluated using pre-treatment chest computed tomography, which was performed before and after applying a vacuum bell device. Treatment results after 1-year of application were evaluated using changes in the Haller index before and after treatment. The patients were categorized into two groups according the post- treatment changes in Haller index calculated using chest radiographs: those with changes in Haller index less than 0.5 (Group 1) and those with greater than or equal to 0.5 (Group 2). Pre-treatment Haller index was significantly lower in Group 1 than in Group 2 (3.1 ± 0.46 vs. 4.2 ± 1.14, respectively, p < 0.001). The expected improvement in Haller index in Group 2 was significantly higher than that in Group 1 (3.3 ± 0.60 vs. 2.8 ± 0.54, respectively, p = 0.001). The cut-off value of the expected improvement in Haller index was 0.46 with a sensitivity of 75.8% and a specificity of 83.3%. Patients who demonstrated pliability with a vacuum bell were identified as suitable candidates.
Nanoplasmonic immunosensor for the detection of SCG2, a candidate serum biomarker for the early diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorder
Authors: Lim So-Hee , Sung Yun-Ju , Jo Narae , Lee Na-Yoon , Kim Kyoung-Shim , Lee Da Yong , Kim Nam-Soon , Lee Jeehun , Byun Ju-Young , Shin Yong-Beom , Lee Jae-Ran
Published: November 2021

The neural circuits of the infant brain are rapidly established near 6 months of age, but neurodevelopmental disorders can be diagnosed only at the age of 2–3 years using existing diagnostic methods. Early diagnosis is very important to alleviate life-long disability in patients through appropriate early intervention, and it is imperative to develop new diagnostic methods for early detection of neurodevelopmental disorders. We examined the serum level of secretogranin II (SCG2) in pediatric patients to evaluate its potential role as a biomarker for neurodevelopmental disorders. A plasmonic immunosensor performing an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on a gold nanodot array was developed to detect SCG2 in small volumes of serum. This nanoplasmonic immunosensor combined with tyramide signal amplification was highly sensitive to detect SCG2 in only 5 μL serum samples. The analysis using the nanoplasmonic immunosensor revealed higher serum SCG2 levels in pediatric patients with developmental delay than in the control group. Overexpression or knockdown of SCG2 in hippocampal neurons significantly attenuated dendritic arborization and synaptic formation. These results suggest that dysregulated SCG2 expression impairs neural development. In conclusion, we developed a highly sensitive nanoplasmonic immunosensor to detect serum SCG2, a candidate biomarker for the early diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders.
A nationwide web-based survey of oncologic surgeons to clarify the current status of preoperative assessment for elderly cancer surgery patients in Japan
Authors: Inoue Daisuke , Yamamoto Makoto , Arima Hisatomi , Tamura Kazuo , Yoshida Yoshio
Published: November 2021

Elderly cancer patients requiring surgical treatment are increasing, and the deterioration of quality of life and shortening of healthy life expectancy due to postoperative complications represent major problems. This study investigated the current status of medical treatment, including perioperative evaluations, for elderly cancer patients requiring surgical treatment at cancer treatment facilities nationwide. A total of 436 cancer care facilities around Japan were invited to participate in this web-based survey regarding management of cancer patients ≥ 65 years old who had undergone surgical treatment in 2018. A total of 919 department heads from 245 facilities agreed to participate. Although most respondents answered that performance status, preoperative examinations, and comorbidities were important when deciding on a treatment plan, age, Geriatric Assessment (GA), and guidelines were "not important" for > 10% of all respondents. GA was familiar to 195 department heads (21%), and awareness of GA was significantly lower among respondents from medical education institutions than the other types of hospitals (18.5% vs 26.3%; P = 0.006). This large survey revealed that the use of GA is not widespread, and its awareness in medical education institutions remains low. We believe that accumulating evidence of geriatric oncology surgery is an urgent issue in Japan.
5G-Enabled intelligent construction of a chest pain center with up-conversion lateral flow immunoassay
Authors: Huang Lei , Tian Shulin , Zhao Wenhao , Liu Ke , Ma Xing , Guo Jinhong , Yin Ming
Published: November 2021

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has become a worldwide health problem because of its rapid onset and high mortality.
An NAD+-type earth-abundant metal complex enabling photo-driven alcohol oxidation
Authors: Ohtsu Hideki , Takaoka Mikio , Tezuka Yosuke , Tsuge Kiyoshi , Tanaka Koji
Published: November 2021

A unique photo-oxidation of various alcohols induced by an unprecedented NAD+-type zinc(ii) complex has been successful.
Iron catalyzed tandem ring opening/1,6-conjugate addition of cyclopropanols with p-quinone methides: new access to γ,γ-diaryl ketones
Authors: Shirsath Sachin R. , Chandgude Sagar M. , Muthukrishnan M.
Published: November 2021

An efficient and straightforward synthesis of γ,γ-diaryl ketones was developed via the iron catalyzed tandem ring opening/1,6-conjugate addition of cyclopropanols to p-quinone methides.
Dicationic oligotelluroxane or mononuclear telluronium cation? Elucidation of the true catalytic species and activation mechanism of the benzylic carbon-halogen bond
Authors: Takagi Koji , Sakakibara Nao , Kikkawa Shoko , Tsuzuki Seiji
Published: November 2021

The application of diaryltelluronium cations as a chalcogen bonding organocatalyst is described.
A six-coordinate high-spin FeIVO species of cucurbit[5]uril: a highly potent catalyst for C–H hydroxylation of methane, if synthesised
Authors: Kumar Ravi , Sundararajan Mahesh , Rajaraman Gopalan
Published: November 2021

In silico design predicts an S = 2 high-spin FeIVO species with a cucurbit[5]uril ligand with unprecedented reactivity.
Crystallization kinetics of amorphous red phosphorus to black phosphorus by chemical vapor transport
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Ma Shufang , Hao Xiaodong , Liu Qingming , Hou Yanyan , Kong Qingbo , Chen Zhaoru , Ma Hanyu , Xi Ting , Xu Yang , Cao Ben , Shang Lin , Han Bin , Xu Bingshe
Published: November 2021

The aRP–P4-HP–BP three-stage phase transition revealed the crystallization kinetics and nucleation mechanism of the high-quality BP crystal synthesized by the CVT reaction in the aRP–Sn–I system.
NEXAFS and MS-AES spectroscopy of the C 1s and Cl 2p excitation and ionization of chlorobenzene: Production of dicationic species
Authors: Coutinho Lúcia H. , de A. Ribeiro Fabio , Tenorio Bruno N. C. , Coriani Sonia , dos Santos Antonio C. F. , Nicolas Christophe , Milosavljevic Aleksandar R. , Bozek John D. , Wolff Wania
Published: November 2021

Dications formation following excitation and ionization of chlorobenzene.
Structural transformation and electrochemical properties of a nanosized flower-like R-MnO2cathode in a sodium battery
Authors: Qiu Kai , Zhang Chao , Yan Mingxia , Zhao Shouwang , Fan Hongwei , An Shengli , Qiu Xinping , Jia Guixiao
Published: November 2021

The difference of Fermi energy level makes the potential plateau of R-MnO2 turn into NaMnO2 lower than that of Na0.33MnO2 to NaMnO2. This explains our experimental result from the 1st–2nd voltage capacity profile of R-MnO2 in EC/PC electrolyte.
Effect of misfit strain on the thermal expansion coefficient of graphene/MoS2 van der Waals heterostructures
Authors: Zhang Run-Sen , Jiang Jin-Wu
Published: November 2021

Because of their advanced properties inherited from their constituent atomic layers, van der Waals heterostructures such as graphene/MoS2 are promising candidates for many optical and electronic applications.
Aerobic oxidation of alcohols enabled by nitrogen-doped copper nanoparticle catalysts
Authors: Tobita Fumiya , Yasukawa Tomohiro , Yamashita Yasuhiro , Kobayashi Shū
Published: November 2021

Heterogeneous nitrogen-doped carbon-incarcerated copper nanoparticle catalysts have been developed.
Experimental and quantum chemical study on the transformation behavior of bisphenol S by radical-driven persulfate oxidation
Authors: Wei Junyan , Yin Linning , Qu Ruijuan , Pan Xiaoxue , Wang Zunyao
Published: November 2021

The discrepancy between the proportion of hydroxyl and sulfate radicals involved in the PS/N-SWCNTs and PS–heat systems led to different distributions and abundance of products.
In situsynthesis of pyridinium-based ionic porous organic polymers with hydroxide anions and pyridinyl radicals for halogen-free catalytic fixation of atmospheric CO2
Authors: Liu Ke , Xu Zixuan , Huang He , Zhang Yadong , Liu Yan , Qiu Zhiheng , Tong Minman , Long Zhouyang , Chen Guojian
Published: November 2021

Pyridinium-based ionic porous organic polymers with hydroxide anions and pyridinyl radicals werein situconstructed for halogen-free catalytic CO2fixation.
Impact of nanomaterials on the intestinal mucosal barrier and its application in treating intestinal diseases
Authors: Hao Wenshuai , Cha Ruitao , Wang Mingzheng , Zhang Pai , Jiang Xingyu
Published: November 2021

The intestinal mucosal barrier could maintain intestinal homeostasis and resist diseases. We review the effect of nanomaterials on the intestinal mucosal barrier and the potential application of nanomaterials in the intestines.
Effect of the Zn/Ce ratio in Cu/ZnO–CeO2 catalysts on CO2 hydrogenation for methanol synthesis
Authors: Chang Shuai , Na Wei , Zhang Jiaqi , Lin Lina , Gao Wengui
Published: November 2021

The addition of appropriate amounts of CeO2 to the Cu/ZnO–CeO2 catalyst can reduce the size of the Cu particles, increase the dispersion of Cu, reduce the reduction temperature and increase the concentration of basic sites and oxygen vacancies on the catalyst.
CoTe2–NiTe2 heterojunction directly grown on CoNi alloy foam for efficient oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Qi Yu , Yang Zhi , Peng Shuai , Dong Youcong , Wang Mingkui , Bao Xiao-Qing , Li Hong , Xiong Dehua
Published: November 2021

One-step fabrication of a self-supported CoTe2–NiTe2 heterojunction electrocatalyst directly grown on CoNi foam for efficient and durable oxygen evolution reactions.