bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A trans-kingdom T6SS effector induces the fragmentation of the mitochondrial network and activates innate immune receptor NLRX1 to promote infection
Authors: Sá-Pessoa Joana , López-Montesino Sara , Przybyszewska Kornelia , Rodríguez-Escudero Isabel , Marshall Helina , Ova Adelia , Schroeder Gunnar N. , Barabas Peter , Molina María , Curtis Tim , Cid Víctor J. , Bengoechea José A.
Published: February 2023

Bacteria can inhibit the growth of other bacteria by injecting effectors using a type VI secretion system (T6SS). T6SS effectors can also be injected into eukaryotic cells to facilitate bacterial survival, often by targeting the cytoskeleton. Here, we show that the trans-kingdom antimicrobial T6SS effector VgrG4 from Klebsiella pneumoniae triggers the fragmentation of the mitochondrial network. VgrG4 colocalizes with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein mitofusin 2. VgrG4 induces the transfer of Ca2+ from the ER to the mitochondria, activating Drp1 (a regulator of mitochondrial fission) thus leading to mitochondrial network fragmentation. Ca2+ elevation also induces the activation of the innate immunity receptor NLRX1 to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). NLRX1-induced ROS limits NF-κB activation by modulating the degradation of the NF-κB inhibitor IκBα. The degradation of IκBα is triggered by the ubiquitin ligase SCFβ-TrCP, which requires the modification of the cullin-1 subunit by NEDD8. VgrG4 abrogates the NEDDylation of cullin-1 by inactivation of Ubc12, the NEDD8-conjugating enzyme. Our work provides an example of T6SS manipulation of eukaryotic cells via alteration of the mitochondria.
Two-year clinical progression in focal and diffuse subtypes of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Johansson Martin E. , van Lier Nina M. , Kessels Roy P. C. , Bloem Bastiaan R. , Helmich Rick C.
Published: February 2023

Heterogeneity in Parkinson’s disease (PD) presents a barrier to understanding disease mechanisms and developing new treatments. This challenge may be partially overcome by stratifying patients into clinically meaningful subtypes. A recent subtyping scheme classifies de novo PD patients into three subtypes: mild-motor predominant, intermediate, or diffuse-malignant, based on motor impairment, cognitive function, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) symptoms, and autonomic symptoms. We aimed to validate this approach in a large longitudinal cohort of early-to-moderate PD (n = 499) by assessing the influence of subtyping on clinical characteristics at baseline and on two-year progression. Compared to mild-motor predominant patients (42%), diffuse-malignant patients (12%) showed involvement of more clinical domains, more diffuse hypokinetic-rigid motor symptoms (decreased lateralization and hand/foot focality), and faster two-year progression. These findings extend the classification of diffuse-malignant and mild-motor predominant subtypes to early-to-moderate PD and suggest that different pathophysiological mechanisms (focal versus diffuse cerebral propagation) may underlie distinct subtype classifications.
Ionized carbon as a tracer of the assembly of interstellar clouds
Authors: Schneider Nicola , Bonne Lars , Bontemps Sylvain , Kabanovic Slawa , Simon Robert , Ossenkopf-Okada Volker , Buchbender Christof , Stutzki Jürgen , Mertens Marc , Ricken Oliver , Csengeri Timea , Tielens Alexander G.G.M.
Published: February 2023

Molecular hydrogen clouds are a key component of the interstellar medium because they are the birthplaces for stars. They are embedded in atomic gas that pervades the interstellar space. However, the details of how molecular clouds assemble from and interact with the atomic gas are still largely unknown. As a result of new observations of the 158 μm line of ionized carbon [CII] in the Cygnus region within the FEEDBACK program on SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy), we present compelling evidence that [CII] unveils dynamic interactions between cloud ensembles. This process is neither a head-on collision of fully molecular clouds nor a gentle merging of only atomic clouds. Moreover, we demonstrate that the dense molecular clouds associated with the DR21 and W75N star-forming regions and a cloud at higher velocity are embedded in atomic gas, and all components interact over a large range of velocities (roughly 20 km s−1). The atomic gas has a density of around 100 cm−3 and a temperature of roughly 100 K. We conclude that the [CII] 158 μm line is an excellent tracer to witness the processes involved in cloud interactions and anticipate further detections of this phenomenon in other regions.
TACCO unifies annotation transfer and decomposition of cell identities for single-cell and spatial omics
Authors: Mages Simon , Moriel Noa , Avraham-Davidi Inbal , Murray Evan , Watter Jan , Chen Fei , Rozenblatt-Rosen Orit , Klughammer Johanna , Regev Aviv , Nitzan Mor
Published: February 2023

Transferring annotations of single-cell-, spatial- and multi-omics data is often challenging owing both to technical limitations, such as low spatial resolution or high dropout fraction, and to biological variations, such as continuous spectra of cell states. Based on the concept that these data are often best described as continuous mixtures of cells or molecules, we present a computational framework for the transfer of annotations to cells and their combinations (TACCO), which consists of an optimal transport model extended with different wrappers to annotate a wide variety of data. We apply TACCO to identify cell types and states, decipher spatiomolecular tissue structure at the cell and molecular level and resolve differentiation trajectories using synthetic and biological datasets. While matching or exceeding the accuracy of specialized tools for the individual tasks, TACCO reduces the computational requirements by up to an order of magnitude and scales to larger datasets (for example, considering the runtime of annotation transfer for 1 M simulated dropout observations).
Prediction of prime editing insertion efficiencies using sequence features and DNA repair determinants
Authors: Koeppel Jonas , Weller Juliane , Peets Elin Madli , Pallaseni Ananth , Kuzmin Ivan , Raudvere Uku , Peterson Hedi , Liberante Fabio Giuseppe , Parts Leopold
Published: February 2023

Most short sequences can be precisely written into a selected genomic target using prime editing; however, it remains unclear what factors govern insertion. We design a library of 3,604 sequences of various lengths and measure the frequency of their insertion into four genomic sites in three human cell lines, using different prime editor systems in varying DNA repair contexts. We find that length, nucleotide composition and secondary structure of the insertion sequence all affect insertion rates. We also discover that the 3′ flap nucleases TREX1 and TREX2 suppress the insertion of longer sequences. Combining the sequence and repair features into a machine learning model, we can predict relative frequency of insertions into a site with R = 0.70. Finally, we demonstrate how our accurate prediction and user-friendly software help choose codon variants of common fusion tags that insert at high efficiency, and provide a catalog of empirically determined insertion rates for over a hundred useful sequences.
Tropifexor for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: an adaptive, randomized, placebo-controlled phase 2a/b trial
Authors: Sanyal Arun J. , Lopez Patricia , Lawitz Eric J. , Lucas Kathryn J. , Loeffler Juergen , Kim Won , Goh George B. B. , Huang Jee-Fu , Serra Carla , Andreone Pietro , Chen Yi-Cheng , Hsia Stanley H. , Ratziu Vlad , Aizenberg Diego , Tobita Hiroshi , Sheikh Aasim M. , Vierling John M. , Kim Yoon Jun , Hyogo Hideyuki , Tai Dean , Goodman Zachary , Schaefer Felicity , Carbarns Ian R. I. , Lamle Sophie , Martic Miljen , Naoumov Nikolai V. , Brass Clifford A.
Published: February 2023

The multimodal activities of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonists make this class an attractive option to treat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. The safety and efficacy of tropifexor, an FXR agonist, in a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, three-part adaptive design, phase 2 study, in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis were therefore assessed. In Parts A + B, 198 patients were randomized to receive tropifexor (10–90 μg) or placebo for 12 weeks. In Part C, 152 patients were randomized to receive tropifexor 140 µg, tropifexor 200 µg or placebo (1:1:1) for 48 weeks. The primary endpoints were safety and tolerability to end-of-study, and dose response on alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and hepatic fat fraction (HFF) at week 12. Pruritus was the most common adverse event in all groups, with a higher frequency in the 140- and 200-µg tropifexor groups. Decreases from baseline in ALT and HFF were greater with tropifexor versus placebo at week 12, with a relative decrease in least squares mean from baseline observed with all tropifexor doses for ALT (tropifexor 10–90-μg dose groups ranged from −10.7 to −16.5 U l−1 versus placebo (−7.8 U l−1) and tropifexor 140- and 200-μg groups were −18.0 U l−1 and −23.0 U l−1, respectively, versus placebo (−8.3 U l−1)) and % HFF (tropifexor 10–90-μg dose groups ranged from −7.48% to −15.04% versus placebo (−6.19%) and tropifexor 140- and 200-μg groups were −19.07% and −39.41%, respectively, versus placebo (−10.77%)). Decreases in ALT and HFF were sustained up to week 48; however, similar trends in AST with tropifexor at week 12 were not observed. As with other FXR agonists, dose-related pruritus was frequently observed. Clinicaltrials.gov registration: NCT02855164
Establishment of a rabbit liver metastasis model by percutaneous puncture of the spleen and implantation of the VX2 tumor strain under CT guidance
Authors: Li Bing , Feng Guiling , Feng Lin , Feng Xu , Zhang Qing , Zhang Chuan , Yang Hanfeng , Du Yong
Published: February 2023

This study aimed to compare the feasibility, success rate, and safety of establishing a rabbit VX2 liver metastasis model by percutaneous splenic implantation under CT guidance and open splenic implantation of the VX2 tumor strain. Fifty-two New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into group A (the percutaneous puncture group) (n = 26) and group B (the laparotomy group) (n = 26). In group A, 26 New Zealand white rabbits were implanted with tumor strains by percutaneous splenic puncture under CT guidance. In group B, 26 New Zealand white rabbits were implanted with tumor strains in the spleen by laparotomy. After 2–3 weeks of implantation, both group A and group B underwent MRI to confirm tumor growth in the spleen and metastasis to the liver. Two experimental rabbits randomly selected from groups A and B were killed for pathological examination. The success rate, complication rate, and operation time in groups A and B were compared and analyzed. A total of 23 rabbits in group A were successfully induced, and the success rate was 88.5% (23/26). The average time of operation was 14.42 ± 3.26 min. A total of 22 rabbits in group B were successfully induced, and the success rate was 84.6% (22/26). The average time of operation in group B was 23.69 ± 5.27 min. There was no significant difference in the success rate of induction between the two groups (P > 0.05). The MRI manifestations of liver metastases were multiple nodular and punctate abnormal signal shadows in the liver. Hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining showed a large number of tumor cells in the tumor area. CT-guided percutaneous splenic implantation of the VX2 tumor strain to establish a rabbit liver metastasis model is a minimally invasive and feasible inducing method. The success rate of this technique is not lower than that of open splenic implantation, with low incidence of complications, and short operation time.
Spontaneous action matching in dog puppies, kittens and wolf pups
Authors: Fugazza Claudia , Temesi Andrea , Coronas Roberta , Uccheddu Stefania , Gácsi Márta , Pogány Ákos
Published: February 2023

We investigated the spontaneous tendency of dog puppies, kittens and wolf pups to match their behaviour to actions demonstrated by a human, in the absence of food reward. Based on dogs’ inherent sociality and domestication history, we predicted that the tendency to match human actions is more pronounced in this species than in the other two. To test this, we exposed N = 42 dog puppies, N = 39 kittens and N = 8 wolf pups to ostensive human demonstrations of an object-related action. We found that dog puppies paid more attention to the demonstration than kittens and wolf pups. Dog puppies and wolf pups matched the demonstrated actions in more trials than kittens. Dog puppies also tended to reproduce the human demonstration that differed from the action they typically preformed in the absence of demonstration. These results support that dog puppies show a tendency to attend to humans and conform their behaviour to human demonstrations in the absence of extrinsic food rewards. This spontaneous tendency is also relevant for practical applications, by providing the basis to devise puppy-training methods that rely less on food rewards, and instead exploit puppies’ natural predisposition for social learning.
Morpho-physiological and biochemical response of wheat to various treatments of silicon nano-particles under drought stress conditions
Authors: Raza Muhammad Aown Sammar , Zulfiqar Bilal , Iqbal Rashid , Muzamil Muhammad Noor , Aslam Muhammad Usman , Muhammad Faqeer , Amin Jawad , Aslam Hafiz Muhammad Usman , Ibrahim Muhammad Arif , Uzair Muhammad , Habib-ur-Rahman Muhammad
Published: February 2023

Silicon nanoparticles (Si-NPs) have shown their potential for use in farming under water-deficient conditions. Thus, the experiment was accomplished to explore the impacts of seed priming of Si-NPs on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth and yield under different drought levels. The plants were grown in pots under natural ecological environmental conditions and were harvested on 25th of April, 2020. The results revealed that seed priming of Si-NPs (0, 300, 600, and 900 mg/L) suggestively improved, the spike length, grains per spike, 1000 grains weight, plant height, grain yield, and biological yield by 12–42%, 14–54%, 5–49%, 5–41%, 17–62%, and 21–64%, respectively, relative to the control. The Si-NPs improved the leaf gas trade ascribes and chlorophyll a and b concentrations, though decreased the oxidative pressure in leaves which was demonstrated by the diminished electrolyte leakage and upgrade in superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities in leaf under Si-NPs remedies over the control. The outcomes proposed that Si-NPs could improve the yield of wheat under a dry spell. In this manner, the utilization of Si-NPs by seed priming technique is a practical methodology for controlling the drought stress in wheat. These findings will provide the basis for future research and helpful to improve the food security under drought and heat related challenges.
Microvasculature evaluation of anisometropic amblyopia children by Angio-OCT
Authors: Ye Haiyun , Wang Siying , Zhang Yidan , Fang Wangyi , Ye Han , Chen Luya , Qiao Tong
Published: February 2023

To compare and assess the choroidal and retinal microstructural vascularity in amblyopic eyes with the fellow eyes in anisometropic amblyopic children using angiography optical coherence tomography (Angio-OCT). Twenty-seven children (54 eyes; 5.59 ± 1.08 years old; 59.3% girls) were enrolled in this study. Choroidal thickness (CT) was measured with the use of the enhanced depth imaging mode in Angio-OCT. Parafoveal/peripapillary vascular density indices and the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) size were analyzed by MATLAB code programming on Angio-OCT images. The mean FAZ size of the amblyopic eyes were larger both in superficial and deep capillary plexus layer (SCPL/DCPL). Compared with the contralateral eyes (BCVA were normal), all the vascular density indices of SCPL and DCPL in the parafoveal and peripapillary zones were lower in the amblyopic eyes, however, the difference was insignificant (p > 0.05). No significant decrease was observed in four quadrants analyses of the amblyopic eyes (p > 0.05). Except for the measurement at 2000 µm and 1500 µm from the fovea in temple, CT in amblyopic eyes were significantly thicken than the fellow eyes (p < 0.05). Compared with the fellow eyes, the CT of certain areas were thicker in the amblyopic eyes. Though the FAZ size of the amblyopic eyes was larger in SCPL/DCPL layers, the retinal vascular density indices in SCPL/DCPL were lower in amblyopia eyes without statistical difference. Angio-OCT may be an effective way to evaluate the status of the choroidal and retinal vascular system in amblyopic children.
Electric impedance tomography and protective mechanical ventilation in elective robotic-assisted laparoscopy surgery with steep Trendelenburg position: a randomized controlled study
Authors: Buonanno Pasquale , Marra Annachiara , Iacovazzo Carmine , Merola Raffaele , De Siena Andrea Uriel , Servillo Giuseppe , Vargas Maria
Published: February 2023

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) reconstructs functional lung images and evaluates the variations of impedance during the breathing cycle. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of protective mechanical ventilation on ventilation distributions recorded by the EIT during elective robotic-assisted laparoscopy surgery with steep Trendelenburg position. This prospective, randomized single center study included patients with healthy lungs undergoing elective robot-assisted laparoscopic urological surgery in general anesthesia. Patients were randomly assigned to either protective lung ventilation or conventional ventilation. In the protective ventilation group, tidal volume (TV) was set at 6 ml/Kg predicted body weight (PBW), with PEEP 6 cmH2O, and recruitment maneuvers (RM) as needed. In the conventional ventilation group, TV was set at 9 ml/Kg PBW, with PEEP 2 cmH2O and RM only as needed. Ventilation distribution was assessed using an EIT device. This study included 40 patients in the functional image analysis. Significant differences were found in ventilation distribution in the region of interest (p < 0.05). Driving pressure was significantly lower in protective ventilation group (p < 0.05). Peak and plateau pressures were not different between the groups while statical significance was found in tidal volume and respiratory rate. EIT may be a valuable tool for monitoring lung function during general anesthesia. During elective robotic-assisted laparoscopy surgery with steep Trendelenburg position, protective mechanical ventilation may have a more homogenous distribution of intraoperative and postoperative ventilation. Larger sample size and long-term evaluation are needed in future studies to assess the benefit of EIT monitoring in operation room.

Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04194177 registered at 11th December 2019.
A comparison between asymptomatic and symptomatic ureteral stones
Authors: Noh Tae Il , Pyun Jong Hyun , Shim Ji Sung , Kang Seok Ho , Cheon Jun , Kang Sung Gu
Published: February 2023

To investigate the characteristics and impact of asymptomatic (silent) ureteral stones on renal function and compare them with those of symptomatic stones. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 677 patients who underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy or laparoscopic ureterolithotomy for ureteral stones between 2016 and 2020. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of recognizable symptoms. We investigated the characteristics and impact of silent stones on post-treatment renal function recovery and compared them with those of symptomatic stones. Among the 677 patients, 43 (6.4%) had asymptomatic ureteral stones, and 634 (93.6%) had symptomatic ureteral stones. Compared to symptomatic stones, asymptomatic stones were larger (11.4 mm vs. 9.6 mm, p = 0.003), more commonly present in the upper ureter (62.7% vs. 48.0%, p = 0.04), and more commonly associated with high-grade hydronephrosis (32.8% vs. 12.3%, p < 0.001); however, no difference in metabolite composition was observed between the two group of stone. In the asymptomatic stone group, the mean preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 77.37 ± 23.54 mL/min/1.73 m2, and the mean postoperative eGFR indicated no significant improvement at 1 day, 7 days, 3 months, and 12 months (76.66 ± 21.45, 77.89 ± 20.87, 77.29 ± 22.22, and 76.71 ± 24.21 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively; p = 0.567, p = 0.613, p = 0.924, and p = 0.202, respectively). In the symptomatic stone group, the mean preoperative eGFR was 78.17 ± 28.25 mL/min/1.73 m2; the mean postoperative eGFRs at 1 day, 7 days, 3 months, and 12 months were 81.24 ± 26.38, 86.16 ± 25.61, 89.11 ± 25.43, and 89.50 ± 26.01 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively and demonstrated significant improvement (p = 0.002, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). Silent stones irreversibly impaired renal function, even after proper management. Therefore, active treatment strategies are required for all patients who are hesitant to receive treatment for silent stones because of their asymptomatic status to prevent permanent renal impairment.
Effects of image-sharpening algorithm on surgical field visibility during 3D heads-up surgery for vitreoretinal diseases
Authors: Nakajima Kosuke , Inoue Makoto , Mizuno Masaharu , Koto Takashi , Ishida Tomoka , Ozawa Hitomi , Oshika Tetsuro
Published: February 2023

We conducted clinical and experimental studies to investigate the effects of image-sharpening algorithms and color adjustments, which enabled real-time processing of live surgical images with a delay of 0.004 s. The images were processed with image-sharpening intensities of 0%, 12.5%, 25%, and 50% during cataract surgery, vitrectomy, peeling of epiretinal membrane, and peeling of internal limiting membrane (ILM) with the Ngenuity 3D visualization system. In addition, the images obtained with a yellow filter during the ILM peeling were processed with color adjustments. Five vitreoretinal surgeons scored the clarity of the images on a 10-point scale. The images of a 1951 United States Air Force grating target placed in no fluid (control), saline, and 0.1% and 1% milk solution were evaluated. The results showed that the mean visibility score increased significantly from 5.0 ± 0.6 at 0% to 6.4 ± 0.6 at 12.5%, 7.3 ± 0.7 at 25%, and 7.5 ± 0.9 at 50% (P < 0.001). The visibility scores during ILM peeling improved significantly with color adjustments (P = 0.005). In the experimental study, the contrast of the grating targets blurred by the 0.1% and 1% milk solution increased significantly by the image-sharpening procedure. We conclude that the image-sharpening algorithms and color adjustments improved the intraoperative visibility of 3D heads-up surgery.
q-rung orthopair fuzzy 2-tuple linguistic clustering algorithm and its applications to clustering analysis
Authors: Abbas Fatima , Ali Jawad , Mashwani Wali Khan , Syam Muhammad I.
Published: February 2023

q-ROPFLS, including numeric and linguistic data, has a wide range of applications in handling uncertain information. This article aims to investigate q-ROPFL correlation coefficient based on the proposed information energy and covariance formulas. Moreover, considering that different q-ROPFL elements may have varying criteria weights, the weighted correlation coefficient is further explored. Some desirable characteristics of the presented correlation coefficients are also discussed and proven. In addition, some theoretical development is provided, including the concept of composition matrix, correlation matrix, and equivalent correlation matrix via the proposed correlation coefficients. Then, a clustering algorithm is expanded where data is expressed in q-ROPFL form with unknown weight information and is explained through an illustrative example. Besides, detailed parameter analysis and comparative study are performed with the existing approaches to reveal the effectiveness of the framed algorithm.
Ideal cardiovascular health and all-cause or cardiovascular mortality in a longitudinal study of the Thai National Health Examination Survey IV and V
Authors: Aekplakorn Wichai , Neelapaichit Nareemarn , Chariyalertsak Suwat , Kessomboon Pattapong , Assanangkornchai Sawitri , Taneepanichskul Surasak , Sangwatanaroj Somkiat , Laohavinij Wasin , Nonthaluck Jiraluck
Published: February 2023

The relationship of ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) and health outcomes has been rarely assessed in middle-income countries. We determined the ideal CVH metrics and association with all-cause and cardiovascular (CVD) mortality in the Thai population. We used baseline data from two rounds of the National Health Examination survey (15,219 participants in 2009 and 14,499 in 2014), and assessed all-cause and CVD deaths until 2020. The prevalence of 5–7 ideal CVH metrics in 2009 was 10.4% versus 9.5% in 2014. During a median follow-up of 7.1 years, the all-cause and CVD mortality rates were 19.4 and 4.6 per 1000 person-years for 0–1 ideal CVH metrics, and 13.0 and 2.1, 9.6 and 1.5, 6.0 and 1.0, and 2.9 and 0.4 per 1000 person-years for 2, 3, 4, and 5–7 ideal CVH metrics, respectively. Participants with 2, 3, 4, or 5–7 ideal metrics had a significantly lower risk of mortality than those with 0–1 ideal CVH metrics (adjusted hazard ratios: 0.75, 0.70, 0.60, and 0.47 for all-cause, and 0.54, 0.52, 0.50, and 0.31 for CVD, respectively). Individuals with a higher number of the modified ideal CVH metrics have a lower risk of all-cause and CVD mortality.
Lipid nanoparticles (LNP) induce activation and maturation of antigen presenting cells in young and aged individuals
Authors: Connors Jennifer , Joyner David , Mege Nathan J. , Cusimano Gina M. , Bell Matthew R. , Marcy Jennifer , Taramangalam Bhavani , Kim Kenneth M. , Lin Paulo J. C. , Tam Ying K. , Weissman Drew , Kutzler Michele A. , Alameh Mohamad-Gabriel , Haddad Elias K.
Published: February 2023

Herein, we studied the impact of empty LNP (eLNP), component of mRNA-based vaccine, on anti-viral pathways and immune function of cells from young and aged individuals. eLNP induced maturation of monocyte derived dendritic cells (MDDCs). We further show that eLNP upregulated CD40 and induced cytokine production in multiple DC subsets and monocytes. This coincided with phosphorylation of TANK binding kinase 1 (pTBK1) and interferon response factor 7 (pIRF7). In response to eLNP, healthy older adults (>65 yrs) have decreased CD40 expression, and IFN-γ output compared to young adults (<65 yrs). Additionally, cells from older adults have a dysregulated anti-viral signaling response to eLNP stimulation, measured by the defect in type I IFN production, and phagocytosis. Overall, our data show function of eLNP in eliciting DC maturation and innate immune signaling pathways that is impaired in older adults resulting in lower immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-based vaccines.
Animal welfare is a stronger determinant of public support for meat taxation than climate change mitigation in Germany
Authors: Perino Grischa , Schwickert Henrike
Published: February 2023

A tax on meat could help address the climate impact and animal welfare issues associated with the production of meat. Through a referendum choice experiment with more than 2,800 German citizens, we elicited support for a tax on meat by varying the following tax attributes: level and differentiation thereof, justification and salience of behavioural effects. Only at the lowest tax level tested do all tax variants receive support from most voters. Support is generally stronger if the tax is justified by animal welfare rather than climate change mitigation. Differentiated taxes that link the tax rate to the harmfulness of the product do not receive higher support than a uniform tax; this indifference is not driven by a failure to anticipate the differential impacts on consumption. While the introduction of meat taxation remains politically challenging, our results underscore the need for policymakers to clearly communicate underlying reasons for the tax and its intended behavioural effect.
Single-cell infrared vibrational analysis by optical trapping mid-infrared photothermal microscopy
Authors: Kato Ryo , Yano Taka-aki , Tanaka Takuo
Published: February 2023

Single-cell analysis by means of vibrational spectroscopy combined with optical trapping is a reliable platform for unveiling cell-to-cell heterogeneities in vast populations.
Synthesis of tetrahydrocarbazoles through a radical cation [4+2] cycloaddition reaction of 2-vinylindoles
Authors: Brambilla Elisa , Moretti Elisa , Magni Mirko , Abbiati Giorgio , Pirovano Valentina
Published: February 2023

A redox umpolung strategy for the synthesis of complex tetrahydrocarbazoles is reported.
Differences in protein distribution, conformation, and dynamics in hard and soft coronas: dependence on protein and particle electrostatics
Authors: Lee Hwankyu
Published: February 2023

Simulations capture different distributions, conformations, and dynamics of proteins in hard and soft coronas, and suggest the mechanism of corona-formation.
Analysis of the oxygen evolution activity of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) using machine learning guidance
Authors: Wei Chenyang , Shi Dingyi , Zhou Fengyi , Yang Zhaohui , Zhang Zhenchuan , Xue Zhimin , Mu Tiancheng
Published: February 2023

Machine learning (ML) can help to design layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with excellent properties as catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER).
Enhancing diversity in language based models for single-step retrosynthesis
Authors: Toniato Alessandra , Vaucher Alain C. , Schwaller Philippe , Laino Teodoro
Published: February 2023

Current Al solutions to chemical retrosynthesis focus on predicting the reported ground truth, not taking into account the ability to generate alternatives. Our work is the first Al approach tackling and analysing retrosynthetic diversity directly.
Precision syntheses of molecular necklaces based on coordination interactions
Authors: Jiang Yefei , Zeng Zhi-yong , Jin Tongxia , Peng Zhiyong , Xu Lin
Published: February 2023

Precision syntheses and potential applications of molecular necklaces based on coordination interactions.
Engineering the surface of titanium to improve its bioactivity and antibacterial activity through a multi-functional coating approach
Authors: Jariya S. A. Iynoon , Manivannan N. , Ali B. Mohamad , Narayanan T. S. N. Sankara , Ravichandran K.
Published: February 2023

The present study reports the development of multi-functional coatings on titanium for orthopaedic implant applications.
The promoting effect of boron oxide on the FeOx/Si3N4 catalyst for oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene
Authors: Sheng Jian , Li Wen-Cui , Zhou Bai-Chuan , Gao Xin-Qian , Qiu Bin , Lu Wen-Duo , Zhang Rui-Ping , Lu An-Hui
Published: February 2023

Stronger interaction created by B2O3 modification mitigates the oxygen reactivity of FeOx, promoting styrene selectivity in the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene.
Structurally well-defined conjugatedmeso-aminoporphyrin oligomers analogous to polyanilines
Authors: Yamashita Ken-ichi , Takeuchi Shouichi , Sugiura Ken-ichi
Published: February 2023

Synthesis and reversible redox switching of novel linear π-conjugatedmeso-aminoporphyrin oligomers analogous to polyanilines are reported. The oligomers exhibit characteristic near-infrared (NIR) absorption/emission properties.
Biphasic liquid metal mixtures in stretchable and flexible applications
Authors: Ochirkhuyag Nyamjargal , Isano Yuji , Inoue Kota , Ota Hiroki
Published: February 2023

Biphasic liquid metal mixtures comprise liquid metal with either other metal alloys or elastomers.
Highly selective CO2 photoreduction to CO on MOF-derived TiO2
Authors: Garvin Matthew , Thompson Warren A. , Tan Jeannie Z. Y. , Kampouri Stavroula , Ireland Christopher P. , Smit Berend , Brookfield Adam , Collison David , Negahdar Leila , Beale Andrew M. , Maroto-Valer M. Mercedes , McIntosh Ruaraidh D. , Garcia Susana
Published: February 2023

Metal–Organic Framework (MOF)-derived TiO2, synthesised through the calcination of MIL-125-NH2, is investigated for its potential as a CO2 photoreduction catalyst.
Insight into the role of nitrogen in N-doped ordered mesoporous carbons for the spontaneous non-covalent attachment and electrografting of redox-active materials
Authors: Shamsvand Nasim , Varmaghani Fahimeh , Karimi Babak , Hassanaki Hamzeh
Published: February 2023

A comparison of N-doped and N-free OMCs is studied for electrografting via diazonium salts and spontaneous attachment. The redox active-based N-doped OMC electrode functions as voltammetric pH electrode in both buffered and unbuffered solutions.
Ratiometric oxygen sensors of cyclometalated iridium(iii) with enhanced quantum yields and variable dynamic ranges
Authors: Sutton Gregory D. , Jiang Chenggang , Liu Gardenia , Teets Thomas S.
Published: February 2023

New ratiometric oxygen sensors based on cyclometalated iridium tethered to organic fluorophores have improved photoluminescence quantum yields and tunable dynamic ranges.
Searches for bridged bicyclic molecules in space—norbornadiene and its cyano derivatives
Authors: Martin-Drumel Marie-Aline , Spaniol Jean-Thibaut , Hölzel Helen , Agúndez Marcelino , Cernicharo Jose , Moth-Poulsen Kasper , Jacovella Ugo
Published: February 2023

Laboratory rotational spectra of norbornadiene and its cyano derivatives were recorded using chirped-pulse millimetre-wave spectroscopy. These molecules were then searched for in the starless core TMC-1 using the QUIJOTE line survey.
Sustainable organocatalytic cyanosilylation of ketones by PPM-level loading of triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate
Authors: Israr Muhammad , Bae Han Yong
Published: February 2023

We report herein solvent-free cyanosilylation of ketones catalyzed by 50 ppm of tritylium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate ([Ph3C]+[B(C6F5)4]−) as an extremely active organocatalyst.
A humidity-resistant and room temperature carbon soot@ZIF-67 composite sensor for acetone vapour detection
Authors: Malepe Lesego , Ndinteh Tantoh Derek , Ndungu Patrick , Mamo Messai Adenew
Published: February 2023

Zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (ZIF-67), carbon nanoparticles (CNPs), and the CNPs@ZIF-67 composite were prepared and used to fabricate sensors for the detection of acetone vapour.
Selective construction of polycyclic cyclohepta[b]indoles and cyclopenta[b]indoles via cycloaddition reaction of 3-(indol-3-yl)maleimides and (indol-2-yl)methanols
Authors: Sun Jing , Yan Chen , Sun Qiu , Han Ying , Yan Chao-Guo
Published: February 2023

The polycyclic cyclohepta[b]indoles were efficiently obtained via a formal [4+3] cycloaddition and an unprecedented rearrangement of the maleimide motif from the C3/C2-position of the indole ring.
Genetic variants and haplotypes in fibulin-5 (FBLN5) are associated with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma but not with pseudoexfoliation syndrome
Authors: Kapuganti Ramani Shyam , Bharati Barsha , Mohanty Pranjya Paramita , Alone Debasmita Pankaj
Published: February 2023

Pseudoexfoliation (PEX) is a multifactorial age-related disease involving deposition of extracellular proteinaceous aggregates on anterior ocular tissues. The present study aims to identify functional variants in fibulin-5 (FBLN5) as risk factors for the development of PEX. Thirteen tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in FBLN5 were genotyped using TaqMan SNP genotyping technology to identify association between SNPs of FBLN5 and PEX in an Indian cohort comprising 200 control and 273 PEX patients (169 PEXS and 104 PEXG). Functional analysis of risk variants was done through luciferase reporter assays and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) using human lens epithelial cells. Genetic association and risk haplotype analysis showed a significant association of rs17732466:G>A (NC_000014.9:g.91913280G>A) and rs72705342:C>T (NC_000014.9:g.91890855C>T) within FBLN5 as risk factors with the advanced severe stage of the disease, pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG). Reporter assays showed allele-specific regulatory effect of rs72705342:C>T on gene expression, wherein, construct containing the risk allele showed a significant decrease in the reporter activity compared with the one with protective allele. EMSA further validated higher binding affinity of the risk variant to nuclear protein. In silico analysis predicted binding sites for two transcription factors, GR-α and TFII-I with risk allele at rs72705342:C>T, which were lost in the presence of protective allele. The EMSA showed probable binding of both these proteins to rs72705342. In conclusion, the present study identified the novel association of two genetic variants in FBLN5 with PEXG but not with PEXS, distinguishing between the early and the later forms of PEX. Further, rs72705342:C>T was found to be a functional variant.
Normative Ranges for, and Interrater Reliability of, Rotational Vestibular and Balance Tests in U.S. Military Service Members and Veterans
Authors: Talian Daniel S. , Eitel Megan M. , Zion Danielle J. , Kuchinsky Stefanie E. , French Louis M. , Brickell Tracey A. , Lippa Sara M. , Lange Rael T. , Brungart Douglas S.
Published: February 2023

Purpose:

The objectives of this study were to (a) describe normative ranges—expressed as reference intervals (RIs)—for vestibular and balance function tests in a cohort of Service Members and Veterans (SMVs) and (b) to describe the interrater reliability of these tests.

Method:

As part of the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC)/Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence 15-year Longitudinal Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Study, participants completed the following: vestibulo-ocular reflex suppression, visual-vestibular enhancement, subjective visual vertical, subjective visual horizontal, sinusoidal harmonic acceleration, the computerized rotational head impulse test (crHIT), and the sensory organization test. RIs were calculated using nonparametric methods and interrater reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients between three audiologists who independently reviewed and cleaned the data.

Results:

Reference populations for each outcome measure comprised 40 to 72 individuals, 19 to 61 years of age, who served either as noninjured controls (NIC) or injured controls (IC) in the 15-year study; none had a history of TBI or blast exposure. A subset of 15 SMVs from the NIC, IC, and TBI groups were included in the interrater reliability calculations. RIs are reported for 27 outcome measures from the seven rotational vestibular and balance tests. Interrater reliability was considered excellent for all tests except the crHIT, which was found to have good interrater reliability.

Conclusion:

This study provides clinicians and scientists with important information regarding normative ranges and interrater reliability for rotational vestibular and balance tests in SMVs.
Comorbidity and Severity in Childhood Apraxia of Speech: A Retrospective Chart Review
Authors: Chenausky Karen V. , Baas Becky , Stoeckel Ruth , Brown Taylor , Green Jordan R. , Runke Cassandra , Schimmenti Lisa , Clark Heather
Published: February 2023

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to investigate comorbidity prevalence and patterns in childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) and their relationship to severity.

Method:

In this retroactive cross-sectional study, medical records for 375 children with CAS (
M
age
= 4;9 [years;months],
SD
= 2;9) were examined for comorbid conditions. The total number of comorbid conditions and the number of communication-related comorbidities were regressed on CAS severity as rated by speech-language pathologists during diagnosis. The relationship between CAS severity and the presence of four common comorbid conditions was also examined using ordinal or multinomial regressions.

Results:

Overall, 83 children were classified with mild CAS; 35, with moderate CAS; and 257, with severe CAS. Only one child had no comorbidities. The average number of comorbid conditions was 8.4 (
SD
= 3.4), and the average number of communication-related comorbidities was 5.6 (
SD
= 2.2). Over 95% of children had comorbid expressive language impairment. Children with comorbid intellectual disability (78.1%), receptive language impairment (72.5%), and nonspeech apraxia (37.3%; including limb, nonspeech oromotor, and oculomotor apraxia) were significantly more likely to have severe CAS than children without these comorbidities. However, children with comorbid autism spectrum disorder (33.6%) were no more likely to have severe CAS than children without autism.

Conclusions:

Comorbidity appears to be the rule, rather than the exception, for children with CAS. Comorbid intellectual disability, receptive language impairment, and nonspeech apraxia confer additional risk for more severe forms of CAS. Findings are limited by being from a convenience sample of participants but inform future models of comorbidity.

Supplemental Material:

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.22096622
Highly accurate millimeter wave channel estimation in massive MIMO system
Authors: Zhang Beibei , Xu Peng , Qiao Bo , Wei Ziping , Li Bin , Zhao Chenglin
Published: February 2023

Accurate channel state information (CSI) is extremely crucial to realize high‐accurate hybrid precoding, in millimeter wave communication systems. In order to improve the CSI estimation performance, several traditional channel estimators have been developed by exploiting the sparse or low‐rank property, whilst they bring huge channel training overhead and computational complexity. In this work, based on jointly sparse and low‐rank property of massive multiple input multiple output (MIMO) channel, one non‐convex mmWave channel estimation problem is formulated and a novel scheme to acquire one accurate CSI estimation result with greatly reduced training overhead is proposed. Specifically, the non‐convex problem is reformulated as two simple sub‐problems, by exploiting the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) technique. Based on the low‐rank characteristic, one fast gradient descent matrix completion algorithm is developed to accurately solve the first sub‐problem. On this basis, the compressed sensing (CS) technique to acquire the accurate CSI estimation matrix is further utilized. Numerical simulation validates that the method could achieve the much higher channel estimation accuracy, yet only incurs the lower overhead compared with the traditional scheme.
Drift‐free localisation using prior cross‐source map for indoor low‐light environments
Authors: Tao Junyi , Dai Weichen , Kong Da , Wan Jiayan , He Bin , Zhang Yu
Published: February 2023

In this study, a localisation system without cumulative errors is proposed. First, depth odometry is achieved only by using the depth information from the depth camera. Then the point cloud cross‐source map registration is realised by 3D particle filtering to obtain the pose of the point cloud relative to the map. Furthermore, we fuse the odometry results with the point cloud to map registration results, so the system can operate effectively even if the map is incomplete. The effectiveness of the system for long‐term localisation, localisation in the incomplete map, and localisation in low light through multiple experiments on the self‐recorded dataset is demonstrated. Compared with other methods, the results are better than theirs and achieve high indoor localisation accuracy.
Transmission line protection using local information in the presence of inverter‐interfaced renewable energy sources
Authors: Yaseen Nashaat K. , Seyedi Heresh , Abapour Mehdi
Published: February 2023

Although inverter‐interfaced renewable energy sources (IIRESs) have great economic and environmental benefits, their fault current characteristics differ from those of synchronous generators. IIRESs also comply with modern grid code (GC) requirements for injecting reactive current to compensate for voltage drop during fault conditions. Moreover, the limits of renewable energy‐side fault current contribution and the phase angle difference between the local and infeed fault current from conventional sources lead to incorrect reactance estimation by the traditional distance relay at the IIRES substation and negatively affect relay dependability. As a result, the IIRES‐side distance protection is prone to incorrect operation. Furthermore, an improved relaying scheme is proposed to alleviate the adverse effects of IIRES on the reactance calculation. This research aims to improve the performance of the ground distance protection scheme in the case of a single‐phase to ground fault in zone one. The proposed method, with more than 99% accuracy, is solely dependent on the local information and, therefore, no communication link is required to implement the algorithm. Moreover, the algorithm is compatible with the existing pilot protection methods used in the industry. The simulation studies are modeled in the Digsilent Power Factory environment.
Black hole and galaxy co-evolution in radio-loud active galactic nuclei atz∼ 0.3–4
Authors: Poitevineau R. , Castignani G. , Combes F.
Published: February 2023

The relation between the mass of the supermassive black hole (SMBH) in the center of galaxies and their bulge mass or central velocity dispersion is well known. This suggests a coevolution between the SMBHs and their galaxy hosts. Our aim is to study this relation, specifically, for radio loud galaxies, and as a function of redshiftz. We selected a sample of 42 radio galaxies and active galactic nuclei (AGN) with broad emission lines and spectroscopic redshifts betweenz = 0.3 − 4 by cross-matching the low radio frequency sources from Very Large Array (VLA) FIRST with spectroscopically confirmed galaxies from wide-field surveys, including Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) DR14 ugriz and Dark Energy Survey (DES) DR2 grzY in the optical, Wield Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE), and the Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA) spectroscopic survey. We characterized the stellar mass (M⋆), star formation, and black hole properties (mass of the central SMBH, Eddington ratioη, and jet power,Qjet). The relation between SMBH mass,M⋆,η, andzis placed into context by comparing them with scaling relations (MBH–M⋆,MBH/M⋆–z,MBH–Qjet, andQjet–η) from the literature. On the basis of a multiwavelength spectral energy distribution modeling, our radio sources are broadly consistent with being on the star-forming main sequence. They have sub-Eddington accretion rates,η ≃ 1% on average, as typically found in type I AGN, while higher accretion rates favor more powerful jets to be launched by the central engine. We find overmassive SMBHs in (17 ± 5)% of our radio sources, similarly to previous studies on nearby early-type galaxies. Altogether, an evolutionary scenario in which radio-mode AGN feedback regulates the accretion onto the SMBHs and the stellar mass assembly of the radio sources is discussed, which may explain the observed phenomenology. This pilot study represents a benchmark for future studies using wide-field surveys such as those withEuclidand theVera RubinObservatory.