bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lagrangian coherent structures in flow past a backward-facing step
Authors: Huang Chenyang , Borthwick Alistair G.L. , Lin Zhiliang
Published: August 2022

This paper investigates flow past a backward-facing step (BFS) in a duct at Reynolds number

$Re = 5080$

based on step height, mean inflow velocity and fluid kinematic viscosity. The flow configuration matches a combustion experiment conducted by Pitz and Daily in 1983. High-resolution velocity fields are obtained in OpenFOAM by direct numerical simulation, and the flow field analysed by Lagrangian approaches. Trajectories of fluid particles in areas of interest are obtained by high-order numerical integration, and used to compute finite-time Lyapunov exponents (FTLEs) and polar rotation angles. Lagrangian coherent structures (LCSs) are extracted using geodesic theory, including hyperbolic LCSs and elliptic LCSs. We use complementary qualitative and quantitative LCS analyses to uncover the underlying flow structures. Notably, we find that a flow pathway in which fluid particles rarely diverge from adjacent particles is opened and closed by FTLE ridges determined by the periodic shedding of vortices from the BFS. Two dominant vortices with significant Lagrangian coherence, generated respectively by the separated boundary layer and shear layer, are self-sustaining and of comparable strength. Hyperbolic repelling LCSs act as transport barriers between the pathway and cores of the coherent vortices, thus playing a major part in the fluid entrainment process. Interactions between these different geometric regions partitioned by LCSs lead to intrinsic complexity in the BFS flow.
Ethnomusicological Theory
Authors: Rice Timothy
Published: August 2022

“Ethnomusicological theory,” despite its name and despite the fact that it in some ways permeates our field, has yet to take firm root in our disciplinary imagination. Indeed, the phrase appears to be used rarely, in comparison to references to an unmodified “theory” in or for ethnomusicology. Minimally, ethnomusicology today engages with three types of theory: social theory, music theory, and discipline-specific ethnomusicological theory. Unmodified references to theory have tended to obfuscate the nature of ethnomusicological theory and have left ethnomusicologists a bit unsure, and perhaps even insecure, about the relevance and place of theory, however understood, in their work.
Writing A Dance: Epistemology for Dance Research
Authors: Bakka Egil , Karoblis Gediminas
Published: August 2022

Over several years the authors of this article have had intensive discussions to find common ground in the topic they both specialize in: dance. Egil Bakka is a Norwegian ethnochoreologist, specializing in Nordic traditional dance/folk dance; Gediminas Karoblis is a Lithuanian philosopher, specializing in phenomenology and ballroom dancing. Our starting point was a philosophical question about the notion of dance knowledge and a shared worry about the empirical basis for many academic works on dance that other colleagues have also pointed to (Hoerburger 1959; Lange 1983; Adshead-Lansdale 1994; Grau 1998; Farnell 1999; Fügedi 2003). Bakka then brought up the widespread reservation against the use of film/video for the documentation and analysis of dance. We continued with a wish to clarify to ourselves the epistemological basis for research in dance, and somewhere along the way we started writing this article. We experienced that a dialogue in which methodological issues in dance research were confronted with philosophical scrutiny brought about a number of interesting perspectives. We hope that our exercise may be of interest to a broader audience. The aim is to explore how our different disciplinary points of departure—philosophy and ethnochoreology—can be brought to interact in creating a deeper understanding of our topic, rather than comparing the disciplines or discussing their differences.
Association of patient characteristics with clinical outcomes in a cohort of hospitalised patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in a Greek referral centre for COVID-19
Authors: Rapti I. , Asimakopoulos A. , Liontos A. , Kosmidou M. , Christaki E. , Biros D. , Milionis O. , Tsourlos S. , Ntotsikas E. , Ntzani E. , Evangelou E. , Gartzonika K. , Georgiou I. , Tzoulaki I. , Tsilidis K. , Milionis H.
Published: August 2022

Patient-important outcomes related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continue to drive the pandemic response across the globe. Various prognostic factors for COVID-19 severity have emerged and their replication across different clinical settings providing health services is ongoing. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and their association with outcomes in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in the University Hospital of Ioannina. We assessed a cohort of 681 consecutively hospitalised patients with COVID-19 from January 2020 to December 2021. Demographic data, underlying comorbidities, clinical presentation, biochemical markers, radiologic findings, COVID-19 treatment and outcome data were collected at the first day of hospitalisation and up to 90 days. Multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to investigate the associations between clinical characteristics (hazard ratios (HRs) per standard deviation (s.d.)) with intubation and/or mortality status. The participants' mean age was 62.8 (s.d., 16.9) years and 57% were males. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (45%), cardiovascular disease (19%) and diabetes mellitus (21%). Patients usually presented with fever (81%), cough (50%) and dyspnoea (27%), while lymphopenia and increased inflammatory markers were the most common laboratory abnormalities. Overall, 55 patients (8%) were intubated, and 86 patients (13%) died. There were statistically significant positive associations between intubation or death with age (HR: 2.59; 95% CI 1.52–4.40), lactate dehydrogenase (HR: 1.44; 95% CI 1.04–1.98), pO2/FiO2ratio < 100 mmHg (HR: 3.52; 95% CI 1.14–10.84), and inverse association with absolute lymphocyte count (HR: 0.54; 95% CI 0.33–0.87). These data might help to identify points for improvement in the management of COVID-19 patients.
A Spectral Boundary‐Integral Method for Faults and Fractures in a Poroelastic Solid: Simulations of a Rate‐and‐State Fault With Dilatancy, Compaction, and Fluid Injection
Authors: Heimisson Elías Rafn , Liu Shengduo , Lapusta Nadia , Rudnicki John
Published: August 2022

Fluid‐fault interactions result in many two‐way coupled processes across a range of length scales, from the micron scale of the shear zone to the kilometer scale of the slip patch. The scale separation and complex coupling render fluid‐fault interactions challenging to simulate, yet they are key for our understanding of experimental data and induced seismicity. Here we present spectral boundary‐integral solutions for in‐plane interface sliding and opening in a poroelastic solid. We solve for fault slip in the presence of rate‐and‐state frictional properties, inelastic dilatancy, injection, and the coupling of a shear zone and a diffusive poroelastic bulk. The shear localization zone is treated as having a finite width and non‐constant pore pressure, albeit with a simplified mathematical representation. The dimension of the 2D plane strain problem is reduced to a 1D problem resulting in increased computational efficiency and incorporation of small‐scale shear‐zone physics into the boundary conditions. We apply the method to data from a fault injection experiment that has been previously studied with modeling. We explore the influence of bulk poroelastic response, bulk diffusivity in addition to inelastic dilatancy on fault slip during injection. Dilatancy not only alters drastically the stability of fault slip but also the nature of pore pressure evolution on the fault, causing significant deviation from the standard square‐root‐of‐time diffusion. More surprisingly, varying the bulk's poroelastic response (by using different values of the undrained Poisson's ratio) and bulk hydraulic diffusivity can be as critical in determining rupture stability as the inelastic dilatancy.
Enhancement strategy for effective vascular regeneration following myocardial infarction through a dual stem cell approach
Authors: Kim Hyeok , Park Soon-Jung , Park Jae-Hyun , Lee Sunghun , Park Bong-Woo , Lee Soon Min , Hwang Ji-Won , Kim Jin-Ju , Kang Byeongmin , Sim Woo-Sup , Kim Hyo-Jin , Jeon Seung Hwan , Kim Dong-Bin , Jang Jinah , Cho Dong-Woo , Moon Sung-Hwan , Park Hun-Jun , Ban Kiwon
Published: August 2022

Since an impaired coronary blood supply following myocardial infarction (MI) negatively affects heart function, therapeutic neovascularization is considered one of the major therapeutic strategies for cell-based cardiac repair. Here, to more effectively achieve therapeutic neovascularization in ischemic hearts, we developed a dual stem cell approach for effective vascular regeneration by utilizing two distinct types of stem cells, CD31+-endothelial cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-ECs) and engineered human mesenchymal stem cells that continuously secrete stromal derived factor-1α (SDF-eMSCs), to simultaneously promote natal vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, two core mechanisms of neovascularization. To induce more comprehensive vascular regeneration, we intramyocardially injected hiPSC-ECs to produce de novo vessels, possibly via vasculogenesis, and a 3D cardiac patch encapsulating SDF-eMSCs (SDF-eMSC-PA) to enhance angiogenesis through prolonged secretion of paracrine factors, including SDF-1α, was implanted into the epicardium of ischemic hearts. We verified that hiPSC-ECs directly contribute to de novo vessel formation in ischemic hearts, resulting in enhanced cardiac function. In addition, the concomitant implantation of SDF1α-eMSC-PAs substantially improved the survival, retention, and vasculogenic potential of hiPSC-ECs, ultimately achieving more comprehensive neovascularization in the MI hearts. Of note, the newly formed vessels through the dual stem cell approach were significantly larger and more functional than those formed by hiPSC-ECs alone. In conclusion, these results provide compelling evidence that our strategy for effective vascular regeneration can be an effective means to treat ischemic heart disease.
Genome-wide meta-analyses reveal novel loci for verbal short-term memory and learning
Authors: Lahti Jari , Tuominen Samuli , Yang Qiong , Pergola Giulio , Ahmad Shahzad , Amin Najaf , Armstrong Nicola J. , Beiser Alexa , Bey Katharina , Bis Joshua C. , Boerwinkle Eric , Bressler Jan , Campbell Archie , Campbell Harry , Chen Qiang , Corley Janie , Cox Simon R. , Davies Gail , De Jager Philip L. , Derks Eske M. , Faul Jessica D. , Fitzpatrick Annette L. , Fohner Alison E. , Ford Ian , Fornage Myriam , Gerring Zachary , Grabe Hans J. , Grodstein Francine , Gudnason Vilmundur , Simonsick Eleanor , Holliday Elizabeth G. , Joshi Peter K. , Kajantie Eero , Kaprio Jaakko , Karell Pauliina , Kleineidam Luca , Knol Maria J. , Kochan Nicole A. , Kwok John B. , Leber Markus , Lam Max , Lee Teresa , Li Shuo , Loukola Anu , Luck Tobias , Marioni Riccardo E. , Mather Karen A. , Medland Sarah , Mirza Saira S. , Nalls Mike A. , Nho Kwangsik , O’Donnell Adrienne , Oldmeadow Christopher , Painter Jodie , Pattie Alison , Reppermund Simone , Risacher Shannon L. , Rose Richard J. , Sadashivaiah Vijay , Scholz Markus , Satizabal Claudia L. , Schofield Peter W. , Schraut Katharina E. , Scott Rodney J. , Simino Jeannette , Smith Albert V. , Smith Jennifer A. , Stott David J. , Surakka Ida , Teumer Alexander , Thalamuthu Anbupalam , Trompet Stella , Turner Stephen T. , van der Lee Sven J. , Villringer Arno , Völker Uwe , Wilson Robert S. , Wittfeld Katharina , Vuoksimaa Eero , Xia Rui , Yaffe Kristine , Yu Lei , Zare Habil , Zhao Wei , Ames David , Attia John , Bennett David A. , Brodaty Henry , Chasman Daniel I. , Goldman Aaron L. , Hayward Caroline , Ikram M. Arfan , Jukema J. Wouter , Kardia Sharon L. R. , Lencz Todd , Loeffler Markus , Mattay Venkata S. , Palotie Aarno , Psaty Bruce M. , Ramirez Alfredo , Ridker Paul M. , Riedel-Heller Steffi G. , Sachdev Perminder S. , Saykin Andrew J. , Scherer Martin , Schofield Peter R. , Sidney Stephen , Starr John M. , Trollor Julian , Ulrich William , Wagner Michael , Weir David R. , Wilson James F. , Wright Margaret J. , Weinberger Daniel R. , Debette Stephanie , Eriksson Johan G. , Mosley Thomas H. , Launer Lenore J. , van Duijn Cornelia M. , Deary Ian J. , Seshadri Sudha , Räikkönen Katri
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Understanding the genomic basis of memory processes may help in combating neurodegenerative disorders. Hence, we examined the associations of common genetic variants with verbal short-term memory and verbal learning in adults without dementia or stroke (N = 53,637). We identified novel loci in the intronic region of CDH18, and at 13q21 and 3p21.1, as well as an expected signal in the APOE/APOC1/TOMM40 region. These results replicated in an independent sample. Functional and bioinformatic analyses supported many of these loci and further implicated POC1. We showed that polygenic score for verbal learning associated with brain activation in right parieto-occipital region during working memory task. Finally, we showed genetic correlations of these memory traits with several neurocognitive and health outcomes. Our findings suggest a role of several genomic loci in verbal memory processes.
Neural circuit for social authentication in song learning
Authors: Katic Jelena , Morohashi Yuichi , Yazaki-Sugiyama Yoko
Published: August 2022

Social interactions are essential when learning to communicate. In human speech and bird song, infants must acquire accurate vocalization patterns and learn to associate them with live tutors and not mimetic sources. However, the neural mechanism of social reality during vocal learning remains unknown. Here, we characterize a neural circuit for social authentication in support of accurate song learning in the zebra finch. We recorded neural activity in the attention/arousal state control center, the locus coeruleus (LC), of juvenile birds during song learning from a live adult tutor. LC activity increased with real, not artificial, social information during learning that enhanced the precision and robustness of the learned song. During live social song learning, LC activity regulated long-term song-selective neural responsiveness in an auditory memory region, the caudomedial nidopallium (NCM). In accord, optogenetic inhibition of LC presynaptic signaling in the NCM reduced NCM neuronal responsiveness to live tutor singing and impaired song learning. These results demonstrate that the LC-NCM neural circuit integrates sensory evidence of real social interactions, distinct from song acoustic features, to authenticate song learning. The findings suggest a general mechanism for validating social information in brain development.
Primary cilia and SHH signaling impairments in human and mouse models of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Schmidt Sebastian , Luecken Malte D. , Trümbach Dietrich , Hembach Sina , Niedermeier Kristina M. , Wenck Nicole , Pflügler Klaus , Stautner Constantin , Böttcher Anika , Lickert Heiko , Ramirez-Suastegui Ciro , Ahmad Ruhel , Ziller Michael J. , Fitzgerald Julia C. , Ruf Viktoria , van de Berg Wilma D. J. , Jonker Allert J. , Gasser Thomas , Winner Beate , Winkler Jürgen , Vogt Weisenhorn Daniela M. , Giesert Florian , Theis Fabian J. , Wurst Wolfgang
Published: August 2022

Parkinson’s disease (PD) as a progressive neurodegenerative disorder arises from multiple genetic and environmental factors. However, underlying pathological mechanisms remain poorly understood. Using multiplexed single-cell transcriptomics, we analyze human neural precursor cells (hNPCs) from sporadic PD (sPD) patients. Alterations in gene expression appear in pathways related to primary cilia (PC). Accordingly, in these hiPSC-derived hNPCs and neurons, we observe a shortening of PC. Additionally, we detect a shortening of PC inPINK1-deficient human cellular and mouse models of familial PD. Furthermore, in sPD models, the shortening of PC is accompanied by increased Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signal transduction. Inhibition of this pathway rescues the alterations in PC morphology and mitochondrial dysfunction. Thus, increased SHH activity due to ciliary dysfunction may be required for the development of pathoetiological phenotypes observed in sPD like mitochondrial dysfunction. Inhibiting overactive SHH signaling may be a potential neuroprotective therapy for sPD.
Hydrogen-bonded organic framework biomimetic entrapment allowing non-native biocatalytic activity in enzyme
Authors: Chen Guosheng , Tong Linjing , Huang Siming , Huang Shuyao , Zhu Fang , Ouyang Gangfeng
Published: August 2022

Nature programs the structural folding of an enzyme that allows its on-demand biofunctionality; however, it is still a long-standing challenge to manually modulate an enzyme’s conformation. Here, we design an exogenous hydrogen-bonded organic framework to modulate the conformation of cytochrome c, and hence allow non-native bioactivity for the enzyme. The rigid hydrogen-bonded organic framework, with net-arranged carboxylate inner cage, is in situ installed onto the native cytochrome c. The resultant hydrogen-bonded nano-biointerface changes the conformation to a previously not achieved catalase-like species within the reported cytochrome c-porous organic framework systems. In addition, the preserved hydrogen-bonded organic framework can stabilize the encapsulated enzyme and its channel-like pores also guarantee the free entrance of catalytic substrates. This work describes a conceptual nanotechnology for manoeuvring the flexible conformations of an enzyme, and also highlights the advantages of artificial hydrogen-bonded scaffolds to modulate enzyme activity.
Synthesis of cis-thiiranes as diastereoselective access to epoxide congeners via 4π-electrocyclization of thiocarbonyl ylides
Authors: Song Su-min , Jin Jaeseong , Choi Jun-Ho , Chung Won-jin
Published: August 2022

Organochalcogen heterocycles are ubiquitously present and widely utilized in various fields. Among them, oxirane has been extensively studied, and all of the stereoisomeric forms are readily available. In contrast, synthetic studies on thiirane were rarely reported, and thus the useful sulfur-congener of oxirane has been difficult to access in a stereodefined form. In this research, a general stereoselective synthesis of cis-thiiranes is accomplished by taking advantage of stereospecific electrocyclization of trans-thiocarbonyl ylides, which are generated in situ from readily available E,E-aldazine N-oxides upon treatment with Lawesson’s reagent. This newly developed practical method provides a variety of cis−1,2-diarylthiiranes as essentially single diastereomers in high yields under mild reaction conditions. The intermediacy of trans-thiocarbonyl yilde is confirmed by mechanistic experiments, and the excellent stereocontrol is rationalized by DFT calculation.
Modeling PRPF31 retinitis pigmentosa using retinal pigment epithelium and organoids combined with gene augmentation rescue
Authors: Rodrigues Amélie , Slembrouck-Brec Amélie , Nanteau Céline , Terray Angélique , Tymoshenko Yelyzaveta , Zagar Yvrick , Reichman Sacha , Xi Zhouhuan , Sahel José-Alain , Fouquet Stéphane , Orieux Gael , Nandrot Emeline F. , Byrne Leah C. , Audo Isabelle , Roger Jérôme E. , Goureau Olivier
Published: August 2022

Mutations in the ubiquitously expressedpre-mRNA processing factor(PRPF)31gene, one of the most common causes of dominant form of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), lead to a retina-specific phenotype. It is uncertain which retinal cell types are affected and animal models do not clearly present the RP phenotype observed inPRPF31patients. Retinal organoids and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide potential opportunities for studying humanPRPF31-related RP. We demonstrate here that RPE cells carryingPRPF31mutations present important morphological and functional changes and thatPRPF31-mutated retinal organoids recapitulate the human RP phenotype, with a rod photoreceptor cell death followed by a loss of cones. The low level ofPRPF31expression may explain the defective phenotypes ofPRPF31-mutated RPE and photoreceptor cells, which were not observed in cells derived from asymptomatic patients or after correction of the pathogenic mutation by CRISPR/Cas9. Transcriptome profiles revealed differentially expressed and mis-spliced genes belonging to pathways in line with the observed defective phenotypes. The rescue of RPE and photoreceptor defective phenotypes byPRPF31gene augmentation provide the proof of concept for future therapeutic strategies.
Effects of estradiol on the virulence traits of Porphyromonas gingivalis
Authors: Demirel Kartheyaene Jayaprakash , Guimaraes Alessandra Neves , Demirel Isak
Published: August 2022

Porphyromonas gingivalis has been strongly associated to active periodontitis sites. A number of studies have tried to elucidate the association between female steroid sex hormones and gingival health. However, until now, there is limited knowledge on estradiol effects on the virulence traits of P. gingivalis. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of estradiol exposure on the virulence characteristics of P. gingivalis strain W50. We found that a pre- and postmenopausal concentration of estradiol increased the growth and biofilm formation of P. gingivalis W50. We also found that estradiol increased the release of lysine and arginine gingipains from W50. We then showed that IL-1β, CXCL10 and TGF-β1 release from gingival epithelial cells was significantly lowered by W50 pre-exposed to estradiol compared to W50 alone. Real time-qPCR showed that the gene expression of IL-18, IL-6, IL-8, TGF-β1 and NLRP3 in gingival epithelial cells was significantly lowered by W50 pre-exposed to estradiol compared to W50 alone. We also found that estradiol in a dose-dependent manner increased P. gingivalis colonization and invasion of gingival epithelial cells. Taken together, our findings show that estradiol has the ability to alter the virulence traits of P. gingivalis.
Understanding complex genetic architecture of rice grain weight through QTL-meta analysis and candidate gene identification
Authors: Anilkumar C. , Sah Rameswar Prasad , Muhammed Azharudheen T. P. , Behera Sasmita , Singh Namita , Prakash Nitish Ranjan , Sunitha N. C. , Devanna B. N. , Marndi B. C. , Patra B. C. , Nair Sunil Kumar
Published: August 2022

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) for rice grain weight identified using bi-parental populations in various environments were found inconsistent and have a modest role in marker assisted breeding and map-based cloning programs. Thus, the identification of a consistent consensus QTL region across populations is critical to deploy in marker aided breeding programs. Using the QTL meta-analysis technique, we collated rice grain weight QTL information from numerous studies done across populations and in diverse environments to find constitutive QTL for grain weight. Using information from 114 original QTL in meta-analysis, we discovered three significant Meta-QTL (MQTL) for grain weight on chromosome 3. According to gene ontology, these three MQTL have 179 genes, 25 of which have roles in developmental functions. Amino acid sequence BLAST of these genes indicated their orthologue conservation among core cereals with similar functions. MQTL3.1 includes the OsAPX1, PDIL, SAUR, and OsASN1 genes, which are involved in grain development and have been discovered to play a key role in asparagine biosynthesis and metabolism, which is crucial for source-sink regulation. Five potential candidate genes were identified and their expression analysis indicated a significant role in early grain development. The gene sequence information retrieved from the 3 K rice genome project revealed the deletion of six bases coding for serine and alanine in the last exon of OsASN1 led to an interruption in the synthesis of α-helix of the protein, which negatively affected the asparagine biosynthesis pathway in the low grain weight genotypes. Further, the MQTL3.1 was validated using linked marker RM7197 on a set of genotypes with extreme phenotypes. MQTL that have been identified and validated in our study have significant scope in MAS breeding and map-based cloning programs for improving rice grain weight.
High-throughput barcoding method for the genetic surveillance of insecticide resistance and species identification in Anopheles gambiae complex malaria vectors
Authors: Campos Monica , Phelan Jody , Spadar Anton , Collins Emma , Gonçalves Adéritow , Pelloquin Bethanie , Vaselli Natasha Marcella , Meiwald Anne , Clark Emma , Stica Caleb , Orsborne James , Sylla Moussa , Edi Constant , Camara Denka , Mohammed Abdul Rahim , Afrane Yaw Asare , Kristan Mojca , Walker Thomas , Gomez Lara Ferrero , Messenger Louisa A. , Clark Taane G. , Campino Susana
Published: August 2022

Surveillance of malaria vector species and the monitoring of insecticide resistance are essential to inform malaria control strategies and support the reduction of infections and disease. Genetic barcoding of mosquitoes is a useful tool to assist the high-throughput surveillance of insecticide resistance, discriminate between sibling species and to detect the presence of Plasmodium infections. In this study, we combined multiplex PCR, custom designed dual indexing, and Illumina next generation sequencing for high throughput single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-profiling of four species from the Anopheles (An.) gambiae complex (An. gambiae sensu stricto, An. coluzzii, An. arabiensis and An. melas). By amplifying and sequencing only 14 genetic fragments (500 bp each), we were able to simultaneously detect Plasmodium infection; insecticide resistance-conferring SNPs in ace1, gste2, vgsc and rdl genes; the partial sequences of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) and intergenic spacers (IGS), Short INterspersed Elements (SINE), as well as mitochondrial genes (cox1 and nd4) for species identification and genetic diversity. Using this amplicon sequencing approach with the four selected An. gambiae complex species, we identified a total of 15 non-synonymous mutations in the insecticide target genes, including previously described mutations associated with resistance and two new mutations (F1525L in vgsc and D148E in gste2). Overall, we present a reliable and cost-effective high-throughput panel for surveillance of An. gambiae complex mosquitoes in malaria endemic regions.
Pandemic policy assessment by artificial intelligence
Authors: Song Sirui , Liu Xue , Li Yong , Yu Yang
Published: August 2022

Mobility-control policy is a controversial nonpharmacological approach to pandemic control due to its restriction on people’s liberty and economic impacts. Due to the computational complexity of mobility control, it is challenging to assess or compare alternative policies. Here, we develop a pandemic policy assessment system that employs artificial intelligence (AI) to evaluate and analyze mobility-control policies. The system includes three components: (1) a general simulation framework that models different policies to comparable network-flow control problems; (2) a reinforcement-learning (RL) oracle to explore the upper-bound execution results of policies; and (3) comprehensive protocols for converting the RL results to policy-assessment measures, including execution complexity, effectiveness, cost and benefit, and risk. We applied the system to real-world metropolitan data and evaluated three popular policies: city lockdown, community quarantine, and route management. For each policy, we generated mobility-pandemic trade-off frontiers. The results manifest that the smartest policies, such as route management, have high execution complexity but limited additional gain from mobility retention. In contrast, a moderate-level intelligent policy such as community quarantine has acceptable execution complexity but can effectively suppress infections and largely mitigate mobility interventions. The frontiers also show one or two turning points, reflecting the safe threshold of mobility retention when considering policy-execution errors. In addition, we simulated different policy environments and found inspirations for the current policy debates on the zero-COVID policy, vaccination policy, and relaxing restrictions.
Heterogeneous rarity patterns drive price dynamics in NFT collections
Authors: Mekacher Amin , Bracci Alberto , Nadini Matthieu , Martino Mauro , Alessandretti Laura , Aiello Luca Maria , Baronchelli Andrea
Published: August 2022

We quantify Non Fungible Token (NFT) rarity and investigate how it impacts market behaviour by analysing a dataset of 3.7M transactions collected between January 2018 and June 2022, involving 1.4M NFTs distributed across 410 collections. First, we consider the rarity of an NFT based on the set of human-readable attributes it possesses and show that most collections present heterogeneous rarity patterns, with few rare NFTs and a large number of more common ones. Then, we analyze market performance and show that, on average, rarer NFTs: (i) sell for higher prices, (ii) are traded less frequently, (iii) guarantee higher returns on investment, and (iv) are less risky, i.e., less prone to yield negative returns. We anticipate that these findings will be of interest to researchers as well as NFT creators, collectors, and traders.
CMOS based capacitive sensor matrix for characterizing and tracking of biological cells
Authors: Abdelbaset Reda , El-Sehrawy Yehia , Morsy Omar E. , Ghallab Yehya H. , Ismail Yehea
Published: August 2022

The characterization and tracking of biological cells using biosensors are necessary for many scientific fields, specifically cell culture monitoring. Capacitive sensors offer a great solution due to their ability to extract many features such as the biological cells' position, shape, and capacitance. Through this study, a CMOS-based biochip that consists of a matrix of capacitive sensors (CSM), utilizing a ring oscillator-based pixel readout circuit (PRC), is designed and simulated to track and characterize a single biological cell based on its aforementioned different features. The proposed biochip is simulated to characterize a single Hepatocellular carcinoma cell (HCC) and a single normal liver cell (NLC). COMSOL Multiphysics was used to extract the capacitance values of the HCC and NLC and test the CSM's performance at different distances from the analyte. The PRC's ability to detect the extracted capacitance values of the HCC and NLC is evaluated using Virtuoso Analog Design Environment. A novel algorithm is developed to animate and predict the location and shape of the tested biological cell depending on CSM's capacitance readings simultaneously using MATLAB R2022a script. The results of both models, the measured capacitance from CSM and the correlated frequency from the readout circuit, show the biochip's ability to characterize and distinguish between HCC and NLC.
A new mixture copula model for spatially correlated multiple variables with an environmental application
Authors: Abraj Mohomed , Wang You-Gan , Thompson M. Helen
Published: August 2022

In environmental monitoring, multiple spatial variables are often sampled at a geographical location that can depend on each other in complex ways, such as non-linear and non-Gaussian spatial dependence. We propose a new mixture copula model that can capture those complex relationships of spatially correlated multiple variables and predict univariate variables while considering the multivariate spatial relationship. The proposed method is demonstrated using an environmental application and compared with three existing methods. Firstly, improvement in the prediction of individual variables by utilising multivariate spatial copula compares to the existing univariate pair copula method. Secondly, performance in prediction by utilising mixture copula in the multivariate spatial copula framework compares with an existing multivariate spatial copula model that uses a non-linear principal component analysis. Lastly, improvement in the prediction of individual variables by utilising the non-linear non-Gaussian multivariate spatial copula model compares to the linear Gaussian multivariate cokriging model. The results show that the proposed spatial mixture copula model outperforms the existing methods in the cross-validation of actual and predicted values at the sampled locations.
Concentration-dependent effects of effusol and juncusol from Juncus compressus on seedling development of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Bakacsy László , Sípos Lilla , Barta Anita , Stefkó Dóra , Vasas Andrea , Szepesi Ágnes
Published: August 2022

Juncus species are valuable sources of phenanthrene compounds that have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Effusol and juncusol are the most investigated compounds reported to have antimicrobial and anticancer effects; however, to date, their effects on higher plants have not been investigated. In this study, we examined the effects of effusol and juncusol on the growth and other biochemical parameters of the dicot model plant Arabidopsis thaliana in a concentration-dependent manner with a focus on polyamine metabolism. Phenanthrene induced toxic effects on plant growth and development, while effusol and juncusol induced higher biomass and maintained antioxidant defence mechanisms associated with reduced polyamine degradation. Taken together, our results suggest that these compounds could be good candidates for new biopesticide or biostimulant plant growth regulators in the future.
Allopatric molting of Devonian trilobites
Authors: Zong Ruiwen , Gong Yiming
Published: August 2022

Trilobite exuviae record the development of individual trilobites and their molting process and can also contain information on their behavior. The silt- to fine-grained tuffites of the middle part of the Middle Member of the Upper Devonian Hongguleleng Formation in western Junggar contains abundant phacopidae trilobite, specificallyOmegopssp. A, almost all of which are exuviae. Based on the preservation pattern, burial environment, and set of organisms co-occurring withOmegopssp. A, we speculate that the environment represented by the middle part of the Middle Member of the Hongguleleng Formation served only as the molting site ofOmegopssp. A, and that their primary habitat was elsewhere.Omegopssp. A would have thus travelled to deep-water to molt. The reasons for allopatric molting may have included avoiding predators and interference from competing organisms during molting. This implies that the migratory behavior of some modern arthropods may have existed since at least the Devonian. This behavior suggests that Late Devonian phacopidae trilobites may have migrated to deeper water expanded their ecological domain as a survival strategy in response to unfavorable ecological environment.
Differences in motor imagery strategy change behavioral outcome
Authors: Fukumoto Yuki , Todo Marina , Bunno Yoshibumi , Yoneda Hirohisa , Tani Makiko , Suzuki Toshiaki
Published: August 2022

Kinesthetic motor imagery (KMI) involves imagining the feeling and experience of movements. We examined the effects of KMI, number visualizing, and KMI with number visualizing on the excitability of spinal motor neurons and a behavioral outcome measure in a pinch force task. Healthy participants (13 men and 8 women; mean age: 24.8 ± 5.5 years) were recruited. We compared the F-waves of the left thenar muscles after stimulating the left median nerve at the wrist during each motor imagery condition after a practice session. The KMI condition consisted of imagining muscle contraction, the number visualizing condition consisted of imagining the pinch force increasing numerically, and the KMI with number visualizing consisted of alternating between the KMI and imagining the pinch force increasing numerically. Before and after motor imagery, the time required to adjust to the target pinch force was compared. The time required to adjust the pinch force was shorter in the KMI with number visualizing condition than in the KMI and number visualizing conditions. There was no difference in the F/M amplitude ratio between each MI strategy condition, indicating the excitability of spinal motor neurons. Numerical information helped to improve the ability of participants to perform KMI.
Improving taste sensitivity in healthy adults using taste recall training: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Otsubo Yuta , Miyagi Midori , Sekiya Hideki , Kano Osamu , Ebihara Satoru
Published: August 2022

Although many patients suffer from taste disorder, methods to improve taste sensitivity are limited. To develop a taste recall training method to improve the perception of taste, 42 healthy individuals were randomly assigned to either the training or the control group. Using the filter paper disc method, participants in the training group were asked to match the four tastes (sweetness, saltiness, sourness, and bitterness) between those of taste recognition thresholds and those of a one-step higher concentration until they get them right. Then, they were asked to match the four tastes between those of one-step lower and one-step higher in concentration from their taste recognition thresholds until they get them right. Finally, they were asked to match the four tastes between those of one-step lower concentration and those of their taste recognition thresholds until they get them right. This training was repeated until perfectly matched. The taste recall training program led to a lowered taste recognition threshold in healthy adults for each taste quality, suggesting the improvement of taste sensitivity. This lowered threshold for each taste was observed with each additional training session. We conclude that this taste recall training method might be a therapeutic approach for treating taste disorder.
Free-living and particle-attached bacterial community composition, assembly processes and determinants across spatiotemporal scales in a macrotidal temperate estuary
Authors: Urvoy Marion , Gourmelon Michèle , Serghine Joëlle , Rabiller Emilie , L’Helguen Stéphane , Labry Claire
Published: August 2022

Bacteria play an important role in biogeochemical cycles as they transform and remineralize organic matter. Particles are notable hotspots of activity, hosting particle-attached (PA) communities that can differ largely from their free-living (FL) counterparts. However, long-standing questions remain concerning bacterial community assembly processes and driving factors. This study investigated the FL and PA community compositions and determinants within the Aulne estuary and the Bay of Brest coastal waters (France). Our results revealed that the FL and PA community compositions greatly varied with salinity and season, explaining a larger part of the variance than the sampling fraction. Both the FL and PA communities were driven by deterministic assembly processes and impacted by similar factors. The FL-PA dissimilarity varied across space and time. It decreased in the estuarine stations compared to the freshwater and marine ends, and in summer. Interestingly, a significant proportion of the FL and PA communities' β-diversity and dissimilarity was explained by cohesion, measuring the degree of taxa co-occurrence. This suggested the importance of co-occurrence patterns in shaping the FL and PA community compositions. Our results shed light on the factors influencing estuarine bacterial communities and provide a first step toward understanding their biogeochemical impacts.
Healthy worker survival effect at a high-altitude mine: prospective cohort observation
Authors: Vinnikov Denis , Krasotski Viktor
Published: August 2022

Very little is known about the factors of healthy worker survival effect at high-altitude mines. We conducted this cohort observation of the new hires for a high-altitude gold mine in Kyrgyzstan with the aim to ascertain predictors of survival at work. All new hires in 2009 through 2012 for a high-altitude gold mine (3600–4500 m above sea level) were followed up to January 2022. We tested the association of demographic, physiological predictors and diagnoses at the pre-employment screening with non-survival at work in Cox proportional hazards yielding hazard ratios (HR) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI). The cumulative observation time was 5190 person-years. Blood pressure at pre-employment, lung function, the diagnoses of essential hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or any other analyzed physiological variables were not associated with non-survival at work. However, smoking (HR 1.55; 95% CI 1.10; 2.17) increased the likelihood of non-survival at work, independent of any diagnosis or lowland residence (HR 1.95; 95% CI 1.31; 2.90). Adjusted for covariates and all diagnoses, having chronic rheumatic fever (HR 10.95; 95% CI 2.92; 33.92), hemorrhoids (HR 1.32; 95% CI 1.01; 3.75), adhesive otitis (HR 1.74; 95% CI 1.05; 2.89) or obesity (HR 1.71; 95% CI 1.01; 2.88) were associated with non-survival at work with time. This prospective observation of new hires for a high-altitude mining operation demonstrated that selected diagnoses, smoking and lowland residence elevated the risk of early exit in prospective workers.
Receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) mediates phagocytosis in nonprofessional phagocytes
Authors: Yang Yan , Liu Guoyu , Li Feng , Carey Lucas B. , Sun Changjin , Ling Kaiping , Tachikawa Hiroyuki , Fujita Morihisa , Gao Xiao-Dong , Nakanishi Hideki
Published: August 2022

In mammals, both professional phagocytes and nonprofessional phagocytes (NPPs) can perform phagocytosis. However, limited targets are phagocytosed by NPPs, and thus, the mechanism remains unclear. We find that spores of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae are internalized efficiently by NPPs. Analyses of this phenomenon reveals that RNA fragments derived from cytosolic RNA species are attached to the spore wall, and these fragments serve as ligands to induce spore internalization. Furthermore, we show that a multiligand receptor, RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation end-products), mediates phagocytosis in NPPs. RAGE-mediated phagocytosis is not uniquely induced by spores but is an intrinsic mechanism by which NPPs internalize macromolecules containing RAGE ligands. In fact, artificial particles labeled with polynucleotides, HMGB1, or histone (but not bovine serum albumin) are internalized in NPPs. Our findings provide insight into the molecular basis of phagocytosis by NPPs, a process by which a variety of macromolecules are targeted for internalization.
Practical considerations for quantitative and reproducible measurements with stimulated Raman scattering microscopy
Authors: Tsikritsis Dimitrios , Legge Elizabeth J. , Belsey Natalie A.
Published: August 2022

This tutorial review presents the most important practical considerations for sample preparation, instrument set-up, image acquisition and data analysis to obtain reproducible SRS measurements.
Correction: Rapid and sensitive leukemia-derived exosome quantification via nicking endonuclease-assisted target recycling
Authors: Zhou Mengyang , Li Chao , Wang Baolong , Huang Lin
Published: August 2022

Correction for ‘Rapid and sensitive leukemia-derived exosome quantification via nicking endonuclease-assisted target recycling’ by Mengyang Zhou et al., Anal. Methods, 2021, 13, 4001–4007, https://doi.org/10.1039/D1AY00854D.
Soluplus®-based dissolving microarray patches loaded with colchicine: towards a minimally invasive treatment and management of gout
Authors: Anjani Qonita Kurnia , Sabri Akmal Hidayat Bin , Moreno-Castellanos Natalia , Utomo Emilia , Cárcamo-Martínez Álvaro , Domínguez-Robles Juan , Wardoyo Luki Ahmadi Hari , Donnelly Ryan F.
Published: August 2022

Colchicine-Soluplus® was loaded into dissolving microarray patches for a new minimally-invasive alternative strategy for management of acute gout.
Choline chloride enhances the electrochemical stability of zinc plating/stripping
Authors: Xiao Chengxiang , Yao Rui , Zhu Haojie , Qian Long , Yang Cheng
Published: August 2022

Choline chloride is employed as a high-performance bifunctional additive to enhance the stability of zinc plating/stripping.
Sequence-dependent thymine dimerization and lifetimes of the photoexcited state of oligonucleotides
Authors: Takakado Akira , Iwata Koichi
Published: August 2022

DNA sequence-dependent thymine dimerization was evaluated using steady-state and transient absorption measurements, which may indicate UV-induced DNA self-repair.
Water-induced stacking of α-Fe2O3 hexagonal nanoplates along the [001] direction and their facet-dependent catalytic performances
Authors: Ren Xiaobo , Wang Huixiang , Wang Liancheng , Lv Baoliang
Published: August 2022

A new strategy was developed to control the exposed facets of α-Fe2O3 through oriented attachment along the [001] direction by utilizing the polar {001} facets of α-Fe2O3, and the facet-dependent catalytic performance was explored.
Controllable growth of centimetre-sized UTe2 single crystals by the chemical vapor transport method
Authors: Yao Siyan , Li Tianzhi , Yue Chenyang , Xu Xiaojun , Zhang Binbin , Zhang Chaofan
Published: August 2022

UTe2 single crystals were grown using the chemical vapor transport method, possessing standard lattice parameters and good single crystallinity, and the effects of various growth parameters on the crystal morphology were explored.
Modulating the intersystem crossing mechanism of anthracene carboxyimide-based photosensitizers via structural adjustments and application as a potent photodynamic therapeutic reagent
Authors: Liang Hui , Tang Liting , He Jiaxing , Li Jianqing , Chen Zeduan , Cai Shuqing , Pang Junhong , Mahmood Zafar , Chen Wencheng , Li Ming-De , Zhao Zujin , Huo Yanping , Ji Shaomin
Published: August 2022

ISC mechanism and triplet state properties of anthracene carboxyimide (ACI) were successfully tuned. High triplet yield (ΦΔ = 99%) and long-lived triplet state (τT = 122 μs) was accessed in ACI dyad and application as PDT reagent was explored.
Construction of a Bi2MoO6/CoOx/Au system with a dual-channel charge transfer path for enhanced tetracycline degradation
Authors: Han Tongyu , Chen Yigang , Shi Haifeng
Published: August 2022

The introduction of two cocatalysts CoOx and Au constructs dual carrier transfer channels, which improves the photogenerated electron–hole pairs separation efficiency and photocatalytic performance.
Phase control of quasi-2D perovskite thin films by adding MAPbI3 in the precursor solution
Authors: Wang Meng , You Jiayu , Xu Cunyun , Dong Jun , Luo Chuanyao , Song Qunliang , Zhang Sam
Published: August 2022

With proper 3D MAPbI3 addition, the content and distribution of different phases is regulated. A a relative balance between the photovoltaic performance and stability of quasi-2D perovskite cells is achieved.
Remarkable proton conducting behavior driven by synergistic effects in acid–base conjugated MOFs impregnated with sulphuric acid molecules
Authors: Feng Lu , Bian Shuyang , Zhang Kun , Zhou Hong
Published: August 2022

The Coulomb force between protons and negative charges usually leads to low proton diffusion and poor proton conductivity.
Isovalent anion-induced electrochemical activity of doped Co3V2O8 for oxygen evolution reaction application
Authors: Gyanprakash D. Maurya , Sharma Gyan Prakash , Gupta Prashant Kumar
Published: August 2022

The addition of vanadium and sulfur to S-Co3V2O8 increases the activity and turnover frequency (TOF).
Identifying the roles of imine and alkyne linkages in determining the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution over thiadiazole-based covalent organic frameworks
Authors: Hao Lei , Huang Kaihui , Wang Ningxin , Shen Rongchen , Chen Shuling , Bi Weiling , Li Neng , Zhang Peng , Li Youji , Li Xin
Published: August 2022

The imine-linked thiadiazole-based COF exhibits much better photocatalytic H2 evolution than the alkyne-linked COF, due to more efficient separation, faster transport and higher reducing ability of photogenerated electrons in imine-linked COF.