bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reputation for Competence: Social Learning Mechanisms Create an Incentive to Help Others
Authors: Schauer Douglas
Published: February 2022

Research on social learning has identified mechanisms that learners use to decide from whom to learn. Several of these mechanisms indicate that learners prefer to learn from more competent people over less competent people. This requires learners to measure the competence of other people. We use this article to analyze the incentives that this measure of competence creates. Learners measure the competence of models, people they would consider learning from, and share these judgments with other learners. This gives each model a reputation for competence within a community. Each model has a biological incentive to increase the magnitude of that reputation; at the very least, increasing the magnitude should make the model more attractive to potential mates. In this article, we present logic that indicates that one way for the model to increase the magnitude of that reputation is for the model to help people who think the model is competent. This reveals a novel evolutionary incentive for humans to help other humans.
Sex differences in COVID-19 mortality in the Netherlands
Authors: Niessen Annabel , Teirlinck Anne C. , McDonald Scott A. , van der Hoek Wim , van Gageldonk-Lafeber Rianne ,   RIVM COVID-19 epidemiology, surveillance group, Knol Mirjam J.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Since the first reports of COVID-19 cases, sex-discrepancies have been reported in COVID-19 mortality. We provide a detailed description of these sex differences in relation to age and comorbidities among notified cases as well as in relation to age and sex-specific mortality in the general Dutch population.

Methods

Data on COVID-19 cases and mortality until May 31st 2020 was extracted from the national surveillance database with exclusion of healthcare workers. Association between sex and case fatality was analyzed with multivariable logistic regression. Subsequently, male–female ratio in standardized mortality ratios and population mortality rates relative to all-cause and infectious disease-specific mortality were computed stratified by age.

Results

Male–female odds ratio for case fatality was 1.33 [95% CI 1.26–1.41] and among hospitalized cases 1.27 [95% CI 1.16–1.40]. This remained significant after adjustment for age and comorbidities. The male–female ratio of the standardized mortality ratio was 1.70 [95%CI 1.62–1.78]. The population mortality rate for COVID-19 was 35.1 per 100.000, with a male–female rate ratio of 1.25 (95% CI 1.18–1.31) which was higher than in all-cause population mortality and infectious disease mortality.

Conclusion

Our study confirms male sex is a predisposing factor for severe outcomes of COVID-19, independent of age and comorbidities. In addition to general male–female-differences, COVID-19 specific mechanisms likely contribute to this mortality discrepancy.
Validation of an instrument for perceived factors affecting fruit and vegetable intake based on Pender's health promotion model
Authors: Khatti-Dizabadi Freshteh , Yazdani-Charati Jamshid , Amani Reza , Mostafavi Firoozeh
Published: February 2022

Increasing fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake has a protective role against chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. The present study aimed to validate an instrument for measuring the perception of effective factors on consumption behaviour of F&V based on Pender's health promotion model (HPM).This cross-sectional validation survey has consisted of five steps: literature review in order to plan and develop an instrument, face validity assessment, content validity assessment, reliability assessment and construct validity assessment with the cooperation of experts in health education, nutritionists and the target group (government employees). In the present study, reliability and validity of constructs were determined through Cronbach's alpha and exploratory factor analysis, respectively, in SPSS 22. The mean impact score was acceptable for 96·42 % of items in face validity. The mean scores of content validity ratio (CVR), content validity index (CVI) and reliability were 0·92, 0·97 and 0·96, respectively. According to the principal component analysis with varimax rotation, 104 items were identified in 15 factors contributing to 61·17 % of the model cumulative variance. Given the favourable scores of the research instrument in face validity, content validity and reliability as well as its ability to predict the extracted factors from the model, it can be used as a suitable instrument in future studies.
The Cauchy problem for an inviscid Oldroyd-B model in three dimensions: global well posedness and optimal decay rates
Authors: Liu Sili , Wang Wenjun , Wen Huanyao
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we consider the Cauchy problem for an inviscid compressible Oldroyd-B model in three dimensions. The global well posedness of strong solutions and the associated time-decay estimates in Sobolev spaces are established near an equilibrium state. The vanishing of viscosity is the main challenge compared with [47] where the viscosity coefficients are included and the decay rates for the highest-order derivatives of the solutions seem not optimal. One of the main objectives of this paper is to develop some new dissipative estimates such that the smallness of the initial data and decay rates are independent of the viscosity. Moreover, we prove that the decay rates for the highest-order derivatives of the solutions are optimal, which is of independent interest. Our proof relies on Fourier theory and delicate energy method.
THE LOGICAL LINK BETWEEN VOLUNTARY AND NON-VOLUNTARY EUTHANASIA
Authors: Keown John
Published: February 2022

The logical “slippery slope” argument is of key relevance to the ongoing debate about “assisted dying”. The argument runs that if the principle of respect for autonomy and the principle of beneficence justify voluntary euthanasia, then the principle of beneficence justifies non-voluntary euthanasia. Several prominent scholars of medical law and medical ethics have either rejected or at least not accepted the argument, including Gerald Dworkin and Raymond Frey; Margaret Battin; Hallvard Lillehammer; Stephen Smith; Robert Young; Emily Jackson; and Steven Daskal. This paper analyses their reasoning and finds it wanting. It concludes that the logical argument stands unrebutted and merits much greater attention.
Skills and competencies that a new ENT specialty trainee year 3 should possess: a live Delphi study
Authors: Rocke J , Heward E , Stapleton E ,   ENT NORTH Collaborative
Published: February 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to develop a novel live Delphi method to obtain a consensus on the skills and competencies that a new ENT registrar (specialty trainee level 3) should possess. Developing a clear outcome set for core surgical trainees is important so that this phase of training can be directed at specific aims.

Method

Attendees at the North of England meeting participated in this Delphi exercise. Participants comprised a range of ENT professionals from medical student to consultant surgeons. The main outcome measure of consensus was defined prior to the study as the median response value: strongly agree or more for positive consensus and strongly disagree or less for negative consensus.

Results

This study identified multiple areas that reached consensus relating to elective and operative skills and demonstrated agreement in areas relating to ENT specific and allied specialty experience.

Conclusion

This study has highlighted a novel method for shaping surgical curricula.
Implications of taxonomic bias for human–carnivore conflict mitigation
Authors: Hoffmann Claire F. , Montgomery Robert A.
Published: February 2022

Carnivore population declines are a time-sensitive global challenge in which mitigating decreasing populations requires alignment of applied practice and research priorities. However, large carnivore conservation is hindered by gaps among research, conservation practice and policy formation. One potential driver of this research–implementation gap is research bias towards charismatic species. Using depredation of livestock by large carnivores in sub-Saharan Africa as a case study, we examined whether taxonomic bias could be detected and explored the potential effects of such a bias on the research–implementation gap. Via a literature review, we compared the central large carnivore species in research to the species identified as the primary livestock depredator. We detected a substantial misalignment between these factors for two species. Spotted hyaenasCrocuta crocutawere the most common depredator of livestock (58.5% of studies), but were described as a central species among only 20.7% of the studies. In comparison, African lionsPanthera leowere the most common central species (45% of studies) but were the primary depredator in just 24.4% of studies. Such patterns suggest that taxonomic bias is prevalent within this research. Although spotted hyaenas may depredate livestock most often, their low charisma in comparison to sympatric species such as the African lion and leopardPanthera pardusmay be limiting research-informed conservation efforts for them. Efforts to mitigate human-carnivore conflict designed for one species may not be applicable to another co-occurring species, and thus, taxonomic bias could undermine the efficacy of interventions built to reduce livestock depredation by carnivores.
Groundhog Day: research without old data and old references
Authors: Hong Barry A. , Pollio David E. , Downs Dana L. , Coyne Daniel W. , North Carol S.
Published: February 2022

Background

The use of older data and references is becoming increasingly disfavored for publication. A myopic focus on newer research risks losing sight of important research questions already addressed by now-invisible older studies. This creates a ‘Groundhog Day’ effect as illustrated by the 1993 movie of this name in which the protagonist has to relive the same day (Groundhog Day) over and over and over within a world with no memory of it. This article examines the consequences of the recent preference for newer data and references in current publication practices and is intended to stimulate new consideration of the utility of selected older data and references for the advancement of scientific knowledge.

Methods

Examples from the literature are used to exemplify the value of older data and older references. To illustrate the recency of references published in original medical research articles in a selected sample of recent academic medical journals, original research articles were examined in recent issues in selected psychiatry, medicine, and surgery journals.

Results

The literature examined reflected this article's initial assertion that journals are emphasizing the publication of research with newer data and more recent references.

Conclusions

The current valuation of newer data above older data fails to appreciate the fact that new data eventually become old, and that old data were once new. The bias demonstrated in arbitrary policies pertaining to older data and older references can be addressed by instituting comparable treatment of older and newer data and references.
Just say no? Public attitudes about supportive and punitive policies to combat the opioid epidemic
Authors: Sylvester Steven M. , Haeder Simon F. , Callaghan Timothy
Published: February 2022

Using an original demographically representative survey, we estimate the determinants of public support for a set of supportive and punitive policies to combat the opioid epidemic among a sample of 2,131 Americans. Our findings indicate that individuals who attribute blame for the epidemic to the personal choices of individuals, conservatives and those high in racial resentment are consistently more likely to support punitive policies to combat the opioid epidemic and less likely to favour policies to support individuals with substance use disorders. Individuals who have a personal connection to someone struggling with opioid use disorder favour policies to support such individuals but have nuanced attitudes towards punitive policies. Importantly, we find overwhelming support for all supportive policies except supervised injection sites, while roughly 50% of our sample supported the set of punitive policy choices. Our research represents a significant step forward toward understanding public opinion about the opioid epidemic and policies to combat it.
CONCEPTUALIZING L2 VOCABULARY KNOWLEDGE
Authors: González-Fernández Beatriz
Published: February 2022

The multidimensional conceptualization of vocabulary knowledge has been extraordinarily influential in lexical research. Yet, the few studies that have empirically explored the structure of word knowledge conflict regarding its multidimensionality. The present study examines the nature of L2 vocabulary knowledge by exploring how the hypothesized word-knowledge dimensions fit together across different L2 learner groups. A total of 314 EFL learners from two dissimilar L1 backgrounds (Chinesen= 170; Spanishn= 144) were assessed using eight vocabulary measures testing recognition and recall knowledge of form-meaning, collocations, multiple meanings, and derivatives. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) revealed that vocabulary knowledge behaves as a unidimensional construct for each learner group individually. Simultaneous multigroup CFA confirmed that this unidimensional model holds invariant across the two groups regardless of their distinct L1s. These findings provide empirical evidence for the unidimensionality of vocabulary knowledge in a second language, indicating the need to refine the conceptualization of the construct.
Design without representation
Authors: Kotsopoulos Sotirios D.
Published: February 2022

Shapes are perceived unanalyzed, without rigid representation of their parts. They do not comply with standard symbolic knowledge representation criteria; they are treated and judged by appearance. Resolving the relationship of parts to parts and parts to wholes has a constructive role in perception and design. This paper presents a computational account of part–whole figuration in design. To this end, shape rules are used to show how a shape is seen, and shape decompositions having structures of topologies and Boolean algebras reveal alternative structures for parts. Four examples of shape computation are presented. Topologies demonstrate the relationships of wholes, parts, and subparts, in the computations enabling the comparison and relativization of structures, and lattice diagrams are used to present their order. Retrospectively, the topologies help to recall the generative history and establish computational continuity. When the parts are modified to recognize emergent squares locally, other emergent shapes are highlighted globally as the topology is re-adjusted. Two types of emergence are identified: local and global. Seeing the local parts modifies how we analyze the global whole, and thus, a local observation yields a global order.
Effectiveness of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (CoronaVac) on intensive care unit survival
Authors: Sevinc Sultan Acar , Metin Seyhan , Basi Nermin Balta , Ling Jonathan , Cinar Ayse Surhan , Oba Sibel
Published: February 2022

This study compared the course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in vaccinated and unvaccinated patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) and evaluated the effect of vaccination with CoronaVac on admission to ICU. Patients admitted to ICU due to COVID-19 between 1 April 2021 and 15 May 2021 were enrolled to the study. Clinical, laboratory, radiological parameters, hospital and ICU mortality were compared between vaccinated patients and eligible but unvaccinated patients. Patients over 65 years old were the target population of the study due to the national vaccination schedule. Data from 90 patients were evaluated. Of these, 36 (40.0%) were vaccinated. All patients had the CoronaVac vaccine. Lactate dehydrogenase and ferritin levels were higher in an unvaccinated group than vaccinated group (P = 0.021 and 0.008, respectively). SpO2 from the first arterial blood gas at ICU was 83.71 ± 19.50% in vaccinated, 92.36 ± 6.59% in unvaccinated patients (P = 0.003). Length of ICU and hospital stay were not different (P = 0.204, 0.092, respectively). ICU and hospital mortality were similar between groups (P = 0.11 and 0.70, respectively). CoronaVac vaccine had no effect on survival from COVID-19. CoronaVac's protective effect, especially on new genetic variants, should be investigated further.
On the integration of deterministic opinions into mortality smoothing and forecasting
Authors: Djeundje Viani Biatat
Published: February 2022

Modelling and forecasting mortality is a topic of crucial importance to actuaries and demographers. However, forecasts from the majority of mortality projection models are continuations of past trends seen in the data. As such, these models are unable to account for external opinions or expert judgement. In this work, we present a method for the incorporation of deterministic opinions into the smoothing and forecasting of mortality rates using constraints. Not only does our approach yield a smooth transition from the past into the future, but also, the shapes of the resulting forecasts are governed by a combination of the opinion inputs and the speed of improvements observed in the data. In addition, our approach offers the possibility to compute the amount of uncertainty around the projected mortality trends conditional on the opinion inputs, and this allows us to highlight some of the pitfalls of deterministic projection methods.
Design, developments, and applications of 5G antennas: a review
Authors: Pant Mohit , Malviya Leeladhar
Published: February 2022

As the demand for high data rates is increasing day by day, fifth-generation (5G) becomes the leading-edge technology in wireless communications. The main objectives of the 5G communication system are to enhance the data rates (up to 20 Gbps) and capacity, ultra-low latency (1 ms), high reliability, great flexibility, and enhance device to device communication. The mentioned objectives lead to the hunting of the millimeter-wave frequency range which lies from 30 to 300 GHz for 5G wireless communications. To design such high capacity, low latency, and flexible systems, antenna design is one of the crucial parts. In this paper, a survey is presented on various antenna designs with their fabrication on different types of substrates such as Rogers RT/duroid 5880, Rogers RO4003C, Taconic TLY-5, etc., at different 5G frequency bands. The different configurations of antennas that covered antenna arrays, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas, phased antennas, and beamforming antennas are discussed in detail with their applications. The design of MIMO antennas in the 5G frequency band occupied less space so mutual coupling reduction techniques are required for maintaining the required gain, efficiency, and isolation. This paper is also focused on the mutual coupling reduction techniques and diversity in MIMO antennas.
Assessing Ecological Quality Based on Remote Sensing Images in Wugong Mountain
Authors: Gao Y. G. , Li Y. H. , Xu H. Q.
Published: February 2022

This study takes multitemporal Landsat images as data source to explore the changes of Fractional Vegetation Cover (FVC) and ecological quality (EQ) of the Wugong Mountain (WGM). The regression model obtained from MODIS NDVI data was used to correct the temporal difference of Landsat normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data in 2019, and the Remote Sensing based Ecological Index (RSEI) was calculated to assess the change of FVC and EQ in WGM. Results showed that, in the past 25 yr, the mean value of FVC has increased from 0.795 in 1994 to 0.890 in 2019, which consequently improved EQ from 0.746 to 0.773 respectively. The relationship among topographic factors, FVC and EQ was analyzed by using elevation, slope, and aspect. The effect of topographic factor on FVC and EQ in WGM was in the order of slope, aspect, and elevation. The value of FVC and RSEI increased first and then decreased with increment of elevation and slope. In detail, the favorable terrain of FVC and EQ was the area with an elevation of 500–1,400 m and a slope of 8°–35°. The value of FVC and RSEI in semi‐sunny and sunny slopes were higher than that of shady slopes. The unfavorable terrain of FVC and EQ was the area of the meadow with an elevation greater than 1,700 m. This work highlights the importance of FVC and EQ which can provide scientific decision‐making for the sustainability of WGM, and coordinate development of ecological environment protection and economic construction.
The Biotic‐Abiotic Control of Si Burial in Marine Carbonate Systems of the Pre‐Eocene Si Cycle
Authors: Jurkowska Agata
Published: February 2022

The silicon (Si) cycle in the modern ocean might still be representative of some of the processes that occurred in the Si‐depleted post‐Eocene oceans resulting after the expansion of diatoms. However, silicon‐rich pre‐Eocene seas, where sponges and radiolarians were major Si users before the emergence of diatoms, were radically different from modern ocean scenarios. The spatial and temporal evolution of Si cycling in Earth history is recorded in geological deposits and could be reconstructed by petrographic and mineralogical analyses. The thick successions of carbonate siliceous rocks deposited in marine environments during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic indicate the significant role of Si outflow from the Si cycle via burial in sediments. The aim of this study is to fill an important gap in knowledge concerning the functioning of the main silicon sink in the oceans: burial in sediments. Si outflow from the marine biogeochemical Si cycle occurs via early diagenetic silica crystallization within seabed mud. The mechanisms leading to Si binding in silica minerals are a complex process controlled by abiotic global events, biological activity of silicifiers and geochemical conditions mediated by microbes. This study concentrates on reconstructions of the mechanisms of Si outflow from the Si cycle by silica polymorph crystallization below the seabed surface and was realized through mineralogical and microtextural analyses of the main components of Upper Cretaceous carbonate–siliceous rocks.
Mature Diffuse Tectonic Block Boundary Revealed by the 2020 Southwestern Puerto Rico Seismic Sequence
Authors: ten Brink U. S. , Vanacore E. A. , Fielding E. J. , Chaytor J. D. , López‐Venegas A. M. , Baldwin W. E. , Foster D. S. , Andrews B. D.
Published: February 2022

Distributed faulting typically tends to coalesce into one or a few faults with repeated deformation. The progression of clustered medium‐sized (≥Mw4.5) earthquakes during the 2020 seismic sequence in southwestern Puerto Rico (SWPR), modeling shoreline subsidence from InSAR, and sub‐seafloor mapping by high‐resolution seismic reflection profiles, suggest that the 2020 SWPR seismic sequence was distributed across several short intersecting strike‐slip and normal faults beneath the insular shelf and upper slope of Guayanilla submarine canyon. Multibeam bathymetry map of the seafloor shows significant erosion and retreat of the shelf edge in the area of seismic activity as well as slope‐parallel lineaments and submarine canyon meanders that typically develop over geological time. TheT‐axis of the moderate earthquakes further matches the extension direction previously measured on post early Pliocene (∼>3 Ma) faults. We conclude that although similar deformation has likely taken place in this area during recent geologic time, it does not appear to have coalesced during this time. The deformation may represent the southernmost part of a diffuse boundary, the Western Puerto Rico Deformation Boundary, which accommodates differential movement between the Puerto Rico and Hispaniola arc blocks. This differential movement is possibly driven by the differential seismic coupling along the Puerto Rico—Hispaniola subduction zone. We propose that the compositional heterogeneity across the island arc retards the process of focusing the deformation into a single fault. Given the evidence presented here, we should not expect a single large event in this area but similar diffuse sequences in the future.
Caffeine blocks SREBP2-induced hepatic PCSK9 expression to enhance LDLR-mediated cholesterol clearance
Authors: Lebeau Paul F. , Byun Jae Hyun , Platko Khrystyna , Saliba Paul , Sguazzin Matthew , MacDonald Melissa E. , Paré Guillaume , Steinberg Gregory R. , Janssen Luke J. , Igdoura Suleiman A. , Tarnopolsky Mark A. , Wayne Chen S. R. , Seidah Nabil G. , Magolan Jakob , Austin Richard C.
Published: February 2022

Evidence suggests that caffeine (CF) reduces cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. However, the mechanism by which this occurs has not yet been uncovered. Here, we investigated the effect of CF on the expression of two bona fide regulators of circulating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) levels; the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). Following the observation that CF reduced circulating PCSK9 levels and increased hepatic LDLR expression, additional CF-derived analogs with increased potency for PCSK9 inhibition compared to CF itself were developed. The PCSK9-lowering effect of CF was subsequently confirmed in a cohort of healthy volunteers. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that CF increases hepatic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ levels to block transcriptional activation of the sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2) responsible for the regulation of PCSK9, thereby increasing the expression of the LDLR and clearance of LDLc. Our findings highlight ER Ca2+ as a master regulator of cholesterol metabolism and identify a mechanism by which CF may protect against CVD.
Human transcription factor protein interaction networks
Authors: Göös Helka , Kinnunen Matias , Salokas Kari , Tan Zenglai , Liu Xiaonan , Yadav Leena , Zhang Qin , Wei Gong-Hong , Varjosalo Markku
Published: February 2022

Transcription factors (TFs) interact with several other proteins in the process of transcriptional regulation. Here, we identify 6703 and 1536 protein–protein interactions for 109 different human TFs through proximity-dependent biotinylation (BioID) and affinity purification mass spectrometry (AP-MS), respectively. The BioID analysis identifies more high-confidence interactions, highlighting the transient and dynamic nature of many of the TF interactions. By performing clustering and correlation analyses, we identify subgroups of TFs associated with specific biological functions, such as RNA splicing or chromatin remodeling. We also observe 202 TF-TF interactions, of which 118 are interactions with nuclear factor 1 (NFI) family members, indicating uncharacterized cross-talk between NFI signaling and other TF signaling pathways. Moreover, TF interactions with basal transcription machinery are mainly observed through TFIID and SAGA complexes. This study provides a rich resource of human TF interactions and also act as a starting point for future studies aimed at understanding TF-mediated transcription.
Versioning biological cells for trustworthy cell engineering
Authors: Tellechea-Luzardo Jonathan , Hobbs Leanne , Velázquez Elena , Pelechova Lenka , Woods Simon , de Lorenzo Víctor , Krasnogor Natalio
Published: February 2022

“Full-stack” biotechnology platforms for cell line (re)programming are on the horizon, thanks mostly to (a) advances in gene synthesis and editing techniques as well as (b) the growing integration of life science research with informatics, the internet of things and automation. These emerging platforms will accelerate the production and consumption of biological products. Hence, traceability, transparency, and—ultimately—trustworthiness is required from cradle to grave for engineered cell lines and their engineering processes. Here we report a cloud-based version control system for biotechnology that (a) keeps track and organizes the digital data produced during cell engineering and (b) molecularly links that data to the associated living samples. Barcoding protocols, based on standard genetic engineering methods, to molecularly link to the cloud-based version control system six species, including gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria as well as eukaryote cells, are shown. We argue that version control for cell engineering marks a significant step toward more open, reproducible, easier to trace and share, and more trustworthy engineering biology.
Thermal migration towards constructing W-W dual-sites for boosted alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Chen Zhigang , Xu Yafeng , Ding Ding , Song Ge , Gan Xingxing , Li Hao , Wei Wei , Chen Jian , Li Zhiyun , Gong Zhongmiao , Dong Xiaoming , Zhu Chengfeng , Yang Nana , Ma Jingyuan , Gao Rui , Luo Dan , Cong Shan , Wang Lu , Zhao Zhigang , Cui Yi
Published: February 2022

Tungsten carbides, featured by their Pt-like electronic structure, have long been advocated as potential replacements for the benchmark Pt-group catalysts in hydrogen evolution reaction. However, tungsten-carbide catalysts usually exhibit poor alkaline HER performance because of the sluggish hydrogen desorption behavior and possible corrosion problem of tungsten atoms by the produced hydroxyl intermediates. Herein, we report the synthesis of tungsten atomic clusters anchored on P-doped carbon materials via a thermal-migration strategy using tungsten single atoms as the parent material, which is evidenced to have the most favorable Pt-like electronic structure by in-situ variable-temperature near ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. Accordingly, tungsten atomic clusters show markedly enhanced alkaline HER activity with an ultralow overpotential of 53 mV at 10 mA/cm2 and a Tafel slope as low as 38 mV/dec. These findings may provide a feasible route towards the rational design of atomic-cluster catalysts with high alkaline hydrogen evolution activity.
A SIMPLI (Single-cell Identification from MultiPLexed Images) approach for spatially-resolved tissue phenotyping at single-cell resolution
Authors: Bortolomeazzi Michele , Montorsi Lucia , Temelkovski Damjan , Keddar Mohamed Reda , Acha-Sagredo Amelia , Pitcher Michael J. , Basso Gianluca , Laghi Luigi , Rodriguez-Justo Manuel , Spencer Jo , Ciccarelli Francesca D.
Published: February 2022

Multiplexed imaging technologies enable the study of biological tissues at single-cell resolution while preserving spatial information. Currently, high-dimension imaging data analysis is technology-specific and requires multiple tools, restricting analytical scalability and result reproducibility. Here we present SIMPLI (Single-cell Identification from MultiPLexed Images), a flexible and technology-agnostic software that unifies all steps of multiplexed imaging data analysis. After raw image processing, SIMPLI performs a spatially resolved, single-cell analysis of the tissue slide as well as cell-independent quantifications of marker expression to investigate features undetectable at the cell level. SIMPLI is highly customisable and can run on desktop computers as well as high-performance computing environments, enabling workflow parallelisation for large datasets. SIMPLI produces multiple tabular and graphical outputs at each step of the analysis. Its containerised implementation and minimum configuration requirements make SIMPLI a portable and reproducible solution for multiplexed imaging data analysis. Software is available at “SIMPLI [https://github.com/ciccalab/SIMPLI]”.
Characterization of persistent post-traumatic headache and management strategies in adolescents and young adults following mild traumatic brain injury
Authors: Kothari Simple Futarmal , Eggertsen Peter Preben , Frederiksen Oana Veronica , Thastum Mille Moeller , Svendsen Susanne Wulff , Tuborgh Astrid , Næss-Schmidt Erhard Trillingsgaard , Rask Charlotte Ulrikka , Schröder Andreas , Kasch Helge , Nielsen Jørgen Feldbæk
Published: February 2022

Characteristics of persistent post-traumatic headache (PTH) in young individuals are poorly known leading to diagnostic problems and diverse management. We aimed to describe headache phenotypes and self-reported management strategies in young individuals with PTH following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). A comprehensive structured questionnaire was used to evaluate headache phenotypes/characteristics and management strategies to relieve headache in 107, 15–30-year-old individuals with PTH. Around 4 months post-injury, migraine-like headache in combination with tension-type like headache (40%) was the most commonly encountered headache phenotype followed by migraine-like headache (36%). Around 50% reported aura-like symptoms before/during the headache attack. Medication-overuse headache was diagnosed in 10%. Stress, sleep disturbances, and bright lights were the most common trigger factors. More than 80% reported that their headache was worsened by work-related activity and alleviated by rest/lying down. Simple analgesics were commonly used (88%) whereas prophylactic drugs were rarely used (5%). Bedrest and physiotherapy were also commonly used as management strategies by 56% and 34% of the participants, respectively. In conclusion, most young individuals with PTH after mTBI presented with combined migraine-like and tension-type-like headache followed by migraine-like headache, only. Preventive headache medication was rarely used, while simple analgesics and bedrest were commonly used for short-term headache relief.
Risk factors for territorial spreading of SARS-CoV-2 in North-eastern Italy
Authors: Bidoli Ettore , Toffolutti Federica , Del Zotto Stefania , Serraino Diego
Published: February 2022

The impact of specific risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection spread was investigated among the 215 municipalities in north-eastern Italy. SARS-CoV-2 incidence was gathered fortnightly since April 1, 2020 (21 consecutive periods) to depict three indicators of virus spreading from hierarchical Bayesian maps. Eight explanatory features of the municipalities were obtained from official databases (urbanicity, population density, active population on total, hosting schools or nursing homes, proportion of commuting workers or students, and percent of > 75 years population on total). Multivariate Odds Ratios (ORs), and corresponding 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs), quantified the associations between municipality features and virus spreading. The municipalities hosting nursing homes showed an excess of positive tested cases (OR = 2.61, ever versus never, 95% CI 1.37;4.98), and displayed repeated significant excesses: OR = 5.43, 3–4 times versus 0 (95% CI 1.98;14.87) and OR = 6.10, > 5 times versus 0 (95% CI 1.60;23.30). Municipalities with an active population > 50% were linked to a unique statistical excess of cases (OR = 3.06, 1 time versus 0, 95% CI 1.43;6.57) and were inversely related to repeated statistically significant excesses (OR = 0.25, > 5 times versus 0; 95% CI 0.06;0.98). We highlighted specific municipality features that give clues about SARS-CoV-2 prevention.
Compromised reactive but intact proactive inhibitory motor control in Tourette disorder
Authors: Indrajeet Indrajeet , Atkinson-Clement Cyril , Worbe Yulia , Pouget Pierre , Ray Supriya
Published: February 2022

Tourette disorder (TD) is characterized by tics, which are sudden repetitive involuntary movements or vocalizations. Deficits in inhibitory control in TD patients remain inconclusive from the traditional method of estimating the ability to stop an impending action, which requires careful interpretation of a metric derived from race model. One possible explanation for these inconsistencies is that race model’s assumptions of independent and stochastic rise of GO and STOP process to a fixed threshold are often violated, making the classical metric to assess inhibitory control less robust. Here, we used a pair of metrics derived from a recent alternative model to address why stopping performance in TD is unaffected despite atypical neural circuitry. These new metrics distinguish between proactive and reactive inhibitory control and estimate them separately. When these metrics in adult TD group were contrasted with healthy controls (HC), we identified robust deficits in reactive control, but not in proactive control in TD. The TD group exhibited difficulty in slowing down the speed of movement preparation, which they rectified by their intact ability to postpone the movement.
Antiproliferative effects of AAV-delivered CRISPR/Cas9-based degradation of the HPV18-E6 gene in HeLa cells
Authors: Noroozi Zahra , Shamsara Mehdi , Valipour Elahe , Esfandyari Sahar , Ehghaghi Alireza , Monfaredan Amir , Azizi Zahra , Motevaseli Elahe , Modarressi Mohammad Hossein
Published: February 2022

Human papillomavirus infections are associated with most cervical cancers, which are the fourth most common cancer in women. HPV-E6 protein binds to protein p53 and inhibits its function, leading to the switching of normal cells toward cancer cells. Here, we disrupted the HPV-E6 gene and investigated its effects on the proliferation and apoptosis of HeLa cells. The HPV18-E6 gene was targeted with two designed sgRNAs cloned into an AAV-CRISPR-based plasmid. The AAV-E6-CRISPR/Cas9 virions were prepared and titrated in HEK293t cells. The cleavage created in the HPV-E6 gene was detected using the T7E1 assay. Cell cycle profiling, MTT assay, and annexin V/PI staining were performed. Also, the p53 protein level was measured by Western blotting. Our data showed that disruption of the HPV-E6 gene led to increased cell apoptosis and decreased cell proliferation. A significant accumulation of infected cells in sub-G1 phase was observed in the cell profiling assay. Also, HPV-E6 gene disruption resulted in a significant increase in the level of P53 protein. Our findings indicated that AAV-mediated delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 can effectively target the HPV-E6 gene in HeLa cells, and its antiproliferative effects may provide therapeutic benefits of local administration of this gene-editing system for HPV-related cervical cancers.
Multiscale characterization of seawater pipe erosion of B10 copper–nickel alloy welded joints
Authors: Zhang Dalei , Liu Ran , Liu Yingshuang , Xing Shaohua , Yang Liuyang , Wei Enze , Dou Xiaohui
Published: February 2022

In seawater pipeline, the welding joint is a non-uniform structure composed of welding seam, base metal and heat affected zone. It has inhomogeneity in chemical composition, organizational structure, residual stress, etc. As local defects and high turbulence accelerate corrosion, the welding joint is often the weakest link in pipeline corrosion. Herein, the electrochemical corrosion behavior of B10 alloy welded joint in flowing seawater is studied from macroscopic and submicroscopic viewpoints using AC impedance, linear polarization, array electrode and morphological characterization. The results reveal that the corrosion rate of weld metal (WM), base metal (BM) and heat-affected zone (HAZ) decreased with the increase of time. Combined with SEM and EDS analysis, it can be seen that the increase in time led to the decomposition and accumulation of corrosion products, which gradually enhanced the corrosion resistance of welded joints. At the submicroscopic scale, WM acts as a cathode to mitigate corrosion during the later stages of high flow rate.
Benchmark of quantum-inspired heuristic solvers for quadratic unconstrained binary optimization
Authors: Oshiyama Hiroki , Ohzeki Masayuki
Published: February 2022

Recently, inspired by quantum annealing, many solvers specialized for unconstrained binary quadratic programming problems have been developed. For further improvement and application of these solvers, it is important to clarify the differences in their performance for various types of problems. In this study, the performance of four quadratic unconstrained binary optimization problem solvers, namely D-Wave Hybrid Solver Service (HSS), Toshiba Simulated Bifurcation Machine (SBM), Fujitsu Digital Annealer (DA), and simulated annealing on a personal computer, was benchmarked. The problems used for benchmarking were instances of real problems in MQLib, instances of the SAT-UNSAT phase transition point of random not-all-equal 3-SAT (NAE 3-SAT), and the Ising spin glass Sherrington-Kirkpatrick (SK) model. Concerning MQLib instances, the HSS performance ranked first; for NAE 3-SAT, DA performance ranked first; and regarding the SK model, SBM performance ranked first. These results may help understand the strengths and weaknesses of these solvers.
Fused feature signatures to probe tumour radiogenomics relationships
Authors: Xia Tian , Kumar Ashnil , Fulham Michael , Feng Dagan , Wang Yue , Kim Eun Young , Jung Younhyun , Kim Jinman
Published: February 2022

Radiogenomics relationships (RRs) aims to identify statistically significant correlations between medical image features and molecular characteristics from analysing tissue samples. Previous radiogenomics studies mainly relied on a single category of image feature extraction techniques (ETs); these are (i) handcrafted ETs that encompass visual imaging characteristics, curated from knowledge of human experts and, (ii) deep ETs that quantify abstract-level imaging characteristics from large data. Prior studies therefore failed to leverage the complementary information that are accessible from fusing the ETs. In this study, we propose a fused feature signature (FFSig): a selection of image features from handcrafted and deep ETs (e.g., transfer learning and fine-tuning of deep learning models). We evaluated the FFSig’s ability to better represent RRs compared to individual ET approaches with two public datasets: the first dataset was used to build the FFSigusing 89 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) comprising of gene expression data and CT images of the thorax and the upper abdomen for each patient; the second NSCLC dataset comprising of 117 patients with CT images and RNA-Seq data and was used as the validation set. Our results show that our FFSigencoded complementary imaging characteristics of tumours and identified more RRs with a broader range of genes that are related to important biological functions such as tumourigenesis. We suggest that the FFSighas the potential to identify important RRs that may assist cancer diagnosis and treatment in the future.
Aloin isoforms (A and B) selectively inhibits proteolytic and deubiquitinating activity of papain like protease (PLpro) of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro
Authors: Lewis Devin S. M. , Ho Joanna , Wills Savannah , Kawall Anasha , Sharma Avini , Chavada Krishna , Ebert Maximilian C. C. J. C. , Evoli Stefania , Singh Ajay , Rayalam Srujana , Mody Vicky , Taval Shashidharamurthy
Published: February 2022

The most common host entry point of human adapted coronaviruses (CoV) including SARS-CoV-2 is through the initial colonization in the nostril and mouth region which is responsible for spread of the infection. Most recent studies suggest that the commercially available oral and nasal rinse products are effective in inhibiting the viral replication. However, the anti-viral mechanism of the active ingredients present in the oral rinses have not been studied. In the present study, we have assessed in vitro enzymatic inhibitory activity of active ingredients in the oral mouth rinse products: aloin A and B, chlorhexidine, eucalyptol, hexetidine, menthol, triclosan, methyl salicylate, sodium fluoride and povidone, against two important proteases of SARS-CoV-2 PLpro and 3CLpro. Our results indicate only aloin A and B effectively inhibited proteolytic activity of PLpro with an IC50 of 13.16 and 16.08 μM. Interestingly, neither of the aloin isoforms inhibited 3CLpro enzymatic activity. Computational structural modelling of aloin A and B interaction with PLpro revealed that, both aloin isoforms form hydrogen bond with Tyr268 of PLpro, which is critical for their proteolytic activity. Furthermore, 100 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies predicted that both aloin isoforms have strong interaction with Glu167, which is required for PLpro deubiquitination activity. Our results from the in vitro deubiquitinase inhibition assay show that aloin A and B isomers exhibit deubiquitination inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 15.68 and 17.51 µM, respectively. In conclusion, the isoforms of aloin inhibit both proteolytic and the deubiquitinating activity of SARS-CoV-2 PLpro, suggesting potential in inhibiting the replication of SARS-CoV-2 virus.
A deep learning approach for medical waste classification
Authors: Zhou Haiying , Yu Xiangyu , Alhaskawi Ahmad , Dong Yanzhao , Wang Zewei , Jin Qianjun , Hu Xianliang , Liu Zongyu , Kota Vishnu Goutham , Abdulla Mohamed Hasan Abdulla Hasan , Ezzi Sohaib Hasan Abdullah , Qi Binjie , Li Juan , Wang Bixian , Fang Jianyong , Lu Hui
Published: February 2022

As the demand for health grows, the increase in medical waste generation is gradually outstripping the load. In this paper, we propose a deep learning approach for identification and classification of medical waste. Deep learning is currently the most popular technique in image classification, but its need for large amounts of data limits its usage. In this scenario, we propose a deep learning-based classification method, in which ResNeXt is a suitable deep neural network for practical implementation, followed by transfer learning methods to improve classification results. We pay special attention to the problem of medical waste classification, which needs to be solved urgently in the current environmental protection context. We applied the technique to 3480 images and succeeded in correctly identifying 8 kinds of medical waste with an accuracy of 97.2%; the average F1-score of five-fold cross-validation was 97.2%. This study provided a deep learning-based method for automatic detection and classification of 8 kinds of medical waste with high accuracy and average precision. We believe that the power of artificial intelligence could be harnessed in products that would facilitate medical waste classification and could become widely available throughout China.
PE and PET oligomers’ interplay with membrane bilayers
Authors: Järvenpää Joni , Perkkiö Milla , Laitinen Riikka , Lahtela-Kakkonen Maija
Published: February 2022

The prevalence of microplastic pollution in nature and foodstuffs is fairly well identified. However, studies of micro- or nanoplastics’ cell membrane permeation and health effects in humans are lacking. Our study focuses on examining the interactions of polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with bilayer membranes. We have performed molecular dynamics simulations to study how plastic oligomers behave in bilayers. In addition, we have studied membrane permeation of PE and Bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET), a type of PET monomer, with Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeability Assay (PAMPA). As a result, in simulations the molecules exhibited different movements and preferred locations in membrane. PAMPA studies suggested similar preferences in membrane, especially for PE plastic. Our results suggest that passive diffusion could be an important transport mechanism into cells for some small plastic oligomers. Both molecular dynamics simulations and PAMPA have potential for micro- and nanoplastics research.