bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Response Priority Framework for an Urban Coastal Catchment Using Global Weather Forecasts‐Based Improved Flood Risk Estimates
Authors: Ghosh Mousumi , Shastri Hiteshri , Ghosh Subimal , Karmakar Subhankar
Published: August 2023

A novel flood risk forecasting‐based response priority framework is proposed in this study, which will facilitate efficient decision‐making ahead of an extreme precipitation event. This study is demonstrated over a highly flood‐prone and geomorphologically diverse coastal catchment in Mumbai city, the financial capital of India, and is subjected to high spatio‐temporal variability of precipitation. A regional precipitation forecast model is developed, where a quantile regression (QR)‐based statistical approach is applied to the global weather forecasts for improvement in finer resolution extreme precipitation estimates. A QR is performed between the observed synoptic‐scale predictors obtained from ERA‐Interim Reanalysis data set and the observed subdaily precipitation within the study area. Subsequently, a set of reliably well‐simulated forecasted predictors obtained from the ensemble members of the Global Ensemble Forecast System are used in the established relationship to obtain extreme precipitation forecasts for higher quantile levels. The forecasted precipitation data serves as an essential input to a comprehensive hydrodynamic flood modeling framework. The flood inundation maps corresponding to different quantiles of forecasted precipitation are quantified to identify the flood hotspots. The set of flood inundations maps developed for different quantiles are utilized to demarcate the areas based on critical response time, that is, the time required by each cell within the study area to be inundated to a certain threshold depth, and the response priority levels for each cell are determined. This information is combined with socioeconomic vulnerability (SEV), a critical component of flood risk, to derive conjugated SEV‐based response priority maps.
Influences of Uncertainties in the STT Flux on Modeled Tropospheric Methane
Authors: Wang Zhiting
Published: August 2023

Methane (CH4) is the second most important greenhouse gas. At the global scale, inverse modeling is usually applied to infer CH4 fluxes on the surface. In the inverse model, the chemistry transport model (CTM) is used to link CH4 fluxes to its concentration in the atmosphere. Any uncertainties in the transport and chemical processes modeled by the CTM can lead to biases in the inferred fluxes. Therefore, diagnosing transport processes in the CTM is important for improving the accuracy of inferred fluxes. It is well‐known that the inverse model‐calculated total columns of CH4 contain latitude‐dependent biases when compared to observations. Previous studies revealed that these biases mostly occur in the troposphere. However, we demonstrate in the present study that the model biases in the troposphere can originate in the stratosphere, especially in the lowermost stratosphere, and propagate downward to the troposphere. The propagated biases in the simulations of the atmospheric model TM5‐CAMS are estimated to be about 25 ppb in the mid‐troposphere above the northern high‐latitudes and about 2 ppb over the tropics. At the surface the propagated biases are estimated to be about 20 and 7 ppb in the above two regions, respectively. In addition, the propagated biases display an important zonal asymmetry in the troposphere, especially over the Tibetan‐Plateau, Southeast Asia and tropical South America. It is recommended that some correction functions should be considered in inverse modeling that use surface observations only.
Can Sharing Improve Caring? A Call to Prioritize Shared Decision Making in Pediatric Pain Management
Authors: MacKenzie Nicole E. , Tutelman Perri R. , Chambers Christine T. , Parker Jennifer A. , Boland Laura , Lipstein Ellen A. , Jordan Isabel , Jordan Zachary , Finley G. Allen , Toupin April Karine , Witteman Holly O. , Birnie Kathryn A.
Published: August 2023

Objective:

Families and children are not consistently included in pediatric pain management decisions. Shared decision making (SDM) is a collaborative process where health care professionals (HCPs) and families exchange information about treatment options along with families’ preferences to make an optimal health decision. SDM is recommended and beneficial for children, parents, and HCPs alike; however, the process of SDM has not been routinely integrated into pediatric pain management, despite families’ desire to be involved in these decisions. In this commentary, we discuss the implications of the dearth of literature about SDM in pediatric pain on clinical practice and highlight the potential benefits of engaging in SDM to improve pain management.

Method:

This commentary will describe clinical approaches and considerations to implementing SDM in pediatric pain management, such as consideration of families’ preferences for SDM, the quality of the evidence, and decisional complexity.

Results:

This commentary will propose recommendations to further advance the understanding and utility of SDM in pediatric pain, such as identifying opportunities to engage in SDM as well as factors that support its implementation.

Conclusions:

SDM provides a rich and structured opportunity to engage children and families in their care, while also creating opportunities for HCPs to engage in evidence-based practice. As such, SDM should be recognized as a key priority when engaging in best practices for pediatric pain management.

Implications for Impact Statement

Shared decision making (SDM) facilitates the engagement of children and families in pain management decisions. SDM is not yet common practice in pediatric pain; however, it holds promise to improve pain outcomes for children by increasing application of evidence-based practices as well as satisfaction with care.
CircMIB2 therapy can effectively treat pathogenic infection by encoding a novel protein
Authors: Zheng Weiwei , Wang Linchao , Geng Shang , Yang Liyuan , Lv Xing , Xin Shiying , Xu Tianjun
Published: August 2023

The mRNA therapy is widely used in the treatment of diseases due to its efficient characteristics, and the COVID-19 vaccine is the application of mRNA therapy. However, due to the instability of mRNA, mRNA vaccines often need lots of modifications to ensure its stability. Recent research shows that circRNA with stable RNA structure can encode protein, which provides a new direction for mRNA therapy. Here, we discovered a novel circRNA (circMIB2) derived from E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase MIB2 (MIB2) gene in lower vertebrate fish, which can translate into a 134 amino acid protein (MIB2-134aa) through m6A modification, and is involved in innate immunity. MIB2-134aa is completely consistent with the amino acid sequence of the two domains of host gene MIB2 protein; host gene MIB2 can target TRAF6 through the two domains and inhibit the innate immune response by promoting the ubiquitination degradation of the K11-link of TRAF6, MIB2-134aa also targets TRAF6 through these same domains. Interestingly, MIB2-134aa greatly reduced the degradation of TRAF6 by its host gene MIB2. More importantly, we found that circRNA therapy of circMIB2 can significantly inhibit the colonization of Vibrio anguillarum in zebrafish, and it provides a new direction for the treatment of pathogenic diseases of fish.
A combination of a cell penetrating peptide and a protein translation inhibitor kills metastatic breast cancer cells
Authors: Rowland Linda , Marjault Henri-Baptiste , Karmi Ola , Grant DeAna , Webb Lauren J. , Friedler Assaf , Nechushtai Rachel , Elber Ron , Mittler Ron
Published: August 2023

Cell Penetrating Peptides (CPPs) are promising anticancer and antimicrobial drugs. We recently reported that a peptide derived from the human mitochondrial/ER membrane-anchored NEET protein, Nutrient Autophagy Factor 1 (NAF-1; NAF-144-67), selectively permeates and kills human metastatic epithelial breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231), but not control epithelial cells. As cancer cells alter their phenotype during growth and metastasis, we tested whether NAF-144–67would also be efficient in killing other human epithelial breast cancer cells that may have a different phenotype. Here we report that NAF-144–67is efficient in killing BT-549, Hs 578T, MDA-MB-436, and MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cells, but that MDA-MB-157 cells are resistant to it. Upon closer examination, we found that MDA-MB-157 cells display a high content of intracellular vesicles and cellular protrusions, compared to MDA-MB-231 cells, that could protect them from NAF-144–67. Inhibiting the formation of intracellular vesicles and dynamics of cellular protrusions of MDA-MB-157 cells, using a protein translation inhibitor (the antibiotic Cycloheximide), rendered these cells highly susceptible to NAF-144–67, suggesting that under certain conditions, the killing effect of CPPs could be augmented when they are applied in combination with an antibiotic or chemotherapy agent. These findings could prove important for the treatment of metastatic cancers with CPPs and/or treatment combinations that include CPPs.
Autocrine TGF-β-positive feedback in profibrotic AT2-lineage cells plays a crucial role in non-inflammatory lung fibrogenesis
Authors: Enomoto Yasunori , Katsura Hiroaki , Fujimura Takashi , Ogata Akira , Baba Saori , Yamaoka Akira , Kihara Miho , Abe Takaya , Nishimura Osamu , Kadota Mitsutaka , Hazama Daisuke , Tanaka Yugo , Maniwa Yoshimasa , Nagano Tatsuya , Morimoto Mitsuru
Published: August 2023

The molecular etiology of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has been extensively investigated to identify new therapeutic targets. Although anti-inflammatory treatments are not effective for patients with IPF, damaged alveolar epithelial cells play a critical role in lung fibrogenesis. Here, we establish an organoid-based lung fibrosis model using mouse and human lung tissues to assess the direct communication between damaged alveolar type II (AT2)-lineage cells and lung fibroblasts by excluding immune cells. Using this in vitro model and mouse genetics, we demonstrate that bleomycin causes DNA damage and activates p53 signaling in AT2-lineage cells, leading to AT2-to-AT1 transition-like state with a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Among SASP-related factors, TGF-β plays an exclusive role in promoting lung fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation. Moreover, the autocrine TGF-β-positive feedback loop in AT2-lineage cells is a critical cellular system in non-inflammatory lung fibrogenesis. These findings provide insights into the mechanism of IPF and potential therapeutic targets.
Portosystemic shunt placement reveals blood signatures for the development of hepatic encephalopathy through mass spectrometry
Authors: Dantas Machado Ana Carolina , Ramos Stephany Flores , Gauglitz Julia M. , Fassler Anne-Marie , Petras Daniel , Aksenov Alexander A. , Kim Un Bi , Lazarowicz Michael , Barnard Giustini Abbey , Aryafar Hamed , Vodkin Irine , Warren Curtis , Dorrestein Pieter C. , Zarrinpar Ali , Zarrinpar Amir
Published: August 2023

Elective transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement can worsen cognitive dysfunction in hepatic encephalopathy (HE) patients due to toxins, including possible microbial metabolites, entering the systemic circulation. We conducted untargeted metabolomics on a prospective cohort of 22 patients with cirrhosis undergoing elective TIPS placement and followed them up to one year post TIPS for HE development. Here we suggest that pre-existing intrahepatic shunting predicts HE severity post-TIPS. Bile acid levels decrease in the peripheral vein post-TIPS, and the abundances of three specific conjugated di- and tri-hydroxylated bile acids are inversely correlated with HE grade. Bilirubins and glycerophosphocholines undergo chemical modifications pre- to post-TIPS and based on HE grade. Our results suggest that TIPS-induced metabolome changes can impact HE development, and that pre-existing intrahepatic shunting could be used to predict HE severity post-TIPS.
Purinergic signaling mediates neuroglial interactions to modulate sighs
Authors: Severs Liza J. , Bush Nicholas E. , Quina Lely A. , Hidalgo-Andrade Skyler , Burgraff Nicholas J. , Dashevskiy Tatiana , Shih Andy Y. , Baertsch Nathan A. , Ramirez Jan-Marino
Published: August 2023

Sighs prevent the collapse of alveoli in the lungs, initiate arousal under hypoxic conditions, and are an expression of sadness and relief. Sighs are periodically superimposed on normal breaths, known as eupnea. Implicated in the generation of these rhythmic behaviors is the preBötzinger complex (preBötC). Our experimental evidence suggests that purinergic signaling is necessary to generate spontaneous and hypoxia-induced sighs in a mouse model. Our results demonstrate that driving calcium increases in astrocytes through pharmacological methods robustly increases sigh, but not eupnea, frequency. Calcium imaging of preBötC slices corroborates this finding with an increase in astrocytic calcium upon application of sigh modulators, increasing intracellular calcium through g-protein signaling. Moreover, photo-activation of preBötC astrocytes is sufficient to elicit sigh activity, and this response is blocked with purinergic antagonists. We conclude that sighs are modulated through neuron-glia coupling in the preBötC network, where the distinct modulatory responses of neurons and glia allow for both rhythms to be independently regulated.
Uncovering spin-orbit coupling-independent hidden spin polarization of energy bands in antiferromagnets
Authors: Yuan Lin-Ding , Zhang Xiuwen , Acosta Carlos Mera , Zunger Alex
Published: August 2023

Many textbook physical effects in crystals are enabled by some specific symmetries. In contrast to such ‘apparent effects’, ‘hidden effect X’ refers to the general condition where the nominal global system symmetry would disallow the effect X, whereas the symmetry of local sectors within the crystal would enable effect X. Known examples include the hidden Rashba and/or hidden Dresselhaus spin polarization that require spin-orbit coupling, but unlike their apparent counterparts are demonstrated to exist in non-magnetic systems even in inversion-symmetric crystals. Here, we discuss hidden spin polarization effect in collinear antiferromagnets without the requirement for spin-orbit coupling (SOC). Symmetry analysis suggests that antiferromagnets hosting such effect can be classified into six types depending on the global vs local symmetry. We identify which of the possible collinear antiferromagnetic compounds will harbor such hidden polarization and validate these symmetry enabling predictions with first-principles density functional calculations for several representative compounds. This will boost the theoretical and experimental efforts in finding new spin-polarized materials.
Protein engineering and iterative multimodule optimization for vitamin B6 production in Escherichia coli
Authors: Liu Linxia , Li Jinlong , Gai Yuanming , Tian Zhizhong , Wang Yanyan , Wang Tenghe , Liu Pi , Yuan Qianqian , Ma Hongwu , Lee Sang Yup , Zhang Dawei
Published: August 2023

Vitamin B6 is an essential nutrient with extensive applications in the medicine, food, animal feed, and cosmetics industries. Pyridoxine (PN), the most common commercial form of vitamin B6, is currently chemically synthesized using expensive and toxic chemicals. However, the low catalytic efficiencies of natural enzymes and the tight regulation of the metabolic pathway have hindered PN production by the microbial fermentation process. Here, we report an engineered Escherichia coli strain for PN production. Parallel pathway engineering is performed to decouple PN production and cell growth. Further, protein engineering is rationally designed including the inefficient enzymes PdxA, PdxJ, and the initial enzymes Epd and Dxs. By the iterative multimodule optimization strategy, the final strain produces 1.4 g/L of PN with productivity of 29.16 mg/L/h by fed-batch fermentation. The strategies reported here will be useful for developing microbial strains for the production of vitamins and other bioproducts having inherently low metabolic fluxes.
Birds multiplex spectral and temporal visual information via retinal On- and Off-channels
Authors: Seifert Marvin , Roberts Paul A. , Kafetzis George , Osorio Daniel , Baden Tom
Published: August 2023

In vertebrate vision, early retinal circuits divide incoming visual information into functionally opposite elementary signals: On and Off, transient and sustained, chromatic and achromatic. Together these signals can yield an efficient representation of the scene for transmission to the brain via the optic nerve. However, this long-standing interpretation of retinal function is based on mammals, and it is unclear whether this functional arrangement is common to all vertebrates. Here we show that male poultry chicks use a fundamentally different strategy to communicate information from the eye to the brain. Rather than using functionally opposite pairs of retinal output channels, chicks encode the polarity, timing, and spectral composition of visual stimuli in a highly correlated manner: fast achromatic information is encoded by Off-circuits, and slow chromatic information overwhelmingly by On-circuits. Moreover, most retinal output channels combine On- and Off-circuits to simultaneously encode, or multiplex, both achromatic and chromatic information. Our results from birds conform to evidence from fish, amphibians, and reptiles which retain the full ancestral complement of four spectral types of cone photoreceptors.
Toughening colloidal gels using rough building blocks
Authors: Müller Florence J. , Isa Lucio , Vermant Jan
Published: August 2023

Colloidal gels, commonly used as mesoporous intermediates or functional materials, suffer from brittleness, often showing small yield strains on the order of 1% or less for gelled colloidal suspensions. The short-range adhesive forces in most such gels are central forces—combined with the smooth morphology of particles, the resistance to yielding and shear-induced restructuring is limited. In this study, we propose an innovative approach to improve colloidal gels by introducing surface roughness to the particles to change the yield strain, giving rise to non-central interactions. To elucidate the effects of particle roughness on gel properties, we prepared thermoreversible gels made from rough or smooth silica particles using a reliable click-like-chemistry-based surface grafting technique. Rheological and optical characterization revealed that rough particle gels exhibit enhanced toughness and self-healing properties. These remarkable properties can be utilized in various applications, such as xerogel fabrication and high-fidelity extrusion 3D-printing, as we demonstrate in this study.
Stimuli-responsive rotaxane-branched dendronized polymers with tunable thermal and rheological properties
Authors: Zhu Yu , Jiang Hanqiu , Wu Weiwei , Xu Xiao-Qin , Wang Xu-Qing , Li Wei-Jian , Xu Wei-Tao , Liu GengXin , Ke Yubin , Wang Wei , Yang Hai-Bo
Published: August 2023

Aiming at the creation of polymers with attractive dynamic properties, herein, rotaxane-branched dendronized polymers (DPs) with rotaxane-branched dendrons attached onto the polymer chains are proposed. Starting from macromonomers with both rotaxane-branched dendrons and polymerization site, targeted rotaxane-branched DPs are successfully synthesized through ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). Interestingly, due to the existence of multiple switchable [2]rotaxane branches within the attached dendrons, anion-induced reversible thickness modulation of the resultant rotaxane-branched DPs is achieved, which further lead to tunable thermal and rheological properties, making them attractive platform for the construction of smart polymeric materials.
The impact of minor Cr additions in low alloy steel on corrosion behavior in simulated well environment
Authors: Gupta Kapil K. , Haratian Saber , Mishin Oleg V. , Ambat Rajan
Published: August 2023

Low alloy steel samples with different Cr content (0‒3 wt%) have been exposed to simulated well environment. It is revealed that the 3%Cr sample initially has the highest corrosion resistance. However, due to faster formation of a FexCayCO3 protective scale in the 0%Cr sample, this sample demonstrates the highest corrosion resistance after 2 days of exposure. While the FexCayCO3 scale is also formed in the 1%Cr sample, the scale is weakly adhered and porous, which does not enable good corrosion resistance. Although the scale formation is delayed in a sample with 3 wt%Cr, once it is formed, the presence of Cr-rich phase in this scale provides greater long-term corrosion protection. Localized corrosion attack is observed in the samples with 0% Cr and 1%Cr, whereas the 3%Cr sample shows no sign of localized attack due to initial pre-passivation and the ability to rebuild the protective scale.
Profiling of repetitive RNA sequences in the blood plasma of patients with cancer
Authors: Reggiardo Roman E. , Maroli Sreelakshmi Velandi , Peddu Vikas , Davidson Andrew E. , Hill Alexander , LaMontagne Erin , Aaraj Yassmin Al , Jain Miten , Chan Stephen Y. , Kim Daniel H.
Published: August 2023

Liquid biopsies provide a means for the profiling of cell-free RNAs secreted by cells throughout the body. Although well-annotated coding and non-coding transcripts in blood are readily detectable and can serve as biomarkers of disease, the overall diagnostic utility of the cell-free transcriptome remains unclear. Here we show that RNAs derived from transposable elements and other repeat elements are enriched in the cell-free transcriptome of patients with cancer, and that they serve as signatures for the accurate classification of the disease. We used repeat-element-aware liquid-biopsy technology and single-molecule nanopore sequencing to profile the cell-free transcriptome in plasma from patients with cancer and to examine millions of genomic features comprising all annotated genes and repeat elements throughout the genome. By aggregating individual repeat elements to the subfamily level, we found that samples with pancreatic cancer are enriched with specific Alu subfamilies, whereas other cancers have their own characteristic cell-free RNA profile. Our findings show that repetitive RNA sequences are abundant in blood and can be used as disease-specific diagnostic biomarkers.
Putting conservation gardening into practice
Authors: Munschek Marius , Witt Reinhard , Kaltofen Katrin , Segar Josiane , Wirth Christian , Weigelt Alexandra , Engelmann Rolf A. , Staude Ingmar R.
Published: August 2023

Conservation gardening (CG) represents a socio-ecological approach to address the decline of native plant species and transform the gardening industry into an innovative conservation tool. However, essential information regarding amenable plants, their ecological requirements for gardening, and commercial availability remains limited and not readily available. In this study, we present a workflow using Germany as a case study to bridge this knowledge gap. We synthesized the Red Lists of all 16 federal states in Germany, and text-mined a comprehensive platform for garden plants, as well as multiple German producers of native plants. To provide accessible information, we developed a user-friendly app (https://conservation-gardening.shinyapps.io/app-en/) that offers region-specific lists of CG plants, along with practical guidance for planting and purchasing. Our findings reveal that a median of 845 plant species are red-listed across federal states (ranging from 515 to 1123), with 41% of these species amenable to gardening (ranging from 29 to 53%), resulting in a total of 988 CG species. Notably, 66% of these species (650) are already available for purchase. Additionally, we observed that many CG plants exhibit drought tolerance and require less fertilizer on average, with implications for long-term urban planning and climate adaptation. Collaborating with gardening experts, we present a selection of purchasable CG balcony plants for each federal state, highlighting the feasibility of CG even for individuals without gardens. With a multitude of declining plants amenable to gardening and the vital role of gardens as refuges and green corridors, CG holds substantial potential to catalyze transformative change in bending the curve of biodiversity loss.
The influence of permeability and heterogeneity on chemical flooding efficiency and remaining oil distribution—based on NMR displacement imaging
Authors: Zhang Yang , Gai Changcheng , Song Binghui , Jiang Jiguo , Wang Zhiqiang
Published: August 2023

To investigate the impact of permeability and heterogeneity on oil displacement efficiency and remaining oil distribution of chemical flooding, three groups of high and ultrahigh permeability core samples from an ultrahigh water-cut oilfield in western China were selected as the research objects in this study. High-pressure mercury injection, scanning electron microscopy, wettability test, and other methods were used to characterize the reservoir properties of core samples. Six groups of experiments were performed using the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) displacement imaging technology to simulate the oilfield development process considering the economic benefits. The displacement stage with the best oil displacement effect in the process of waterflooding, chemical flooding and then waterflooding was defined, and the control effect of permeability and heterogeneity on the improvement of oil displacement efficiency by polymer-surfactant binary flooding was discussed. The distribution position of remaining oil in different displacement stages was quantitatively and visually displayed, and its control factors were revealed. The research shows that during the simulation process of first waterflooding followed by chemical flooding and then waterflooding in the oilfield, the T2 spectrum signal amplitude increases the most in the two stages, one is from saturated oil flooding to 50% water cut and the other one is from 95% water cut to the end of 1 PV polymer flooding. The oil displacement efficiency increases the most, and the oil is primarily discharged from pore throats larger than 90 ms (or with pore throat radius of 8.37 μm). Compared with heterogeneity, permeability plays a more obvious controlling role in improving the oil displacement efficiency of polymer-surfactant binary flooding. The influence of fingering phenomenon on the distribution of remaining oil is most obvious in the second waterflooding, and the distribution of remaining oil with polymer slug is more obviously affected by the fingering phenomenon than that with polymer-surfactant slug. The study results provide theoretical guidance for tapping the remaining oil potential of old oilfields with high to ultrahigh permeabilities.
Ethics and biomedical engineering for well-being: a cocreation study of remote services for monitoring and support
Authors: Maccaro A. , Pagliara S. M. , Zarro M. , Piaggio D. , Abdulsalami F. , Su W. , Haleem M. S. , Pecchia L.
Published: August 2023

The well-being of students and staff directly affects their output and efficiency. This study presents the results of two focus groups conducted in 2022 within a two-phase project led by the Applied Biomedical and Signal Processing Intelligent e-Health Lab, School of Engineering at the University of Warwick, and British Telecom within “The Connected Campus: University of Warwick case study” program. The first phase, by involving staff and students at the University of Warwick, aimed at collecting preliminary information for the subsequent second phase, about the feasibility of the use of Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things for well-being support on Campus. The main findings of this first phase are interesting technological suggestions from real users. The users helped in the design of the scenarios and in the selection of the key enabling technologies which they considered as the most relevant, useful and acceptable to support and improve well-being on Campus. These results will inform future services to design and implement technologies for monitoring and supporting well-being, such as hybrid, minimal and even intrusive (implantable) solutions. The user-driven co-design of such services, leveraging the use of wearable devices and Artificial Intelligence deployment will increase their acceptability by the users.
Topography of the frontal branch of the facial nerve and its clinical implication for temporal direct browplasty
Authors: Shin Kang-Jae , Lee Shin-Hyo , Gil Young-Chun , Shin Hyun Jin
Published: August 2023

Due to anatomic proximity to the surgical site, iatrogenic trauma to the frontal branch of the facial nerve (FbFN) with resultant brow paralysis is a recognized major complication of temporal direct browplasty. This study was aimed to elucidate the course of the FbFN in the area superolateral to the brow in order to facilitate safer temporal direct browplasty by preventing facial nerve injury. Forty-five hemifaces from 32 embalmed Korean cadavers were dissected. A horizontal line connecting the tragion to lateral canthus was established. Then, an oblique line passing through the lateral canthus and 45° to the horizontal line was used as reference line. The mean distance from the lateral canthus to the points where the FbFN cross the reference line was measured. The angle between the FbFN and reference line at the crossing points were also recorded. After crossing the zygomatic arch, FbFN continues in an anteriorly inclining curve across the temporal region, passing near the lateral end of the brow as it heads toward frontalis muscles. During the course, the FbFN laying in the innominate fascial layer was divided into 3 branches. The anterior and posterior branch of FbFN crossed the reference line superiorly and laterally at 3 and 4 cm from the lateral canthus, respectively. In conclusion, the oculofacial surgeon must bring the dissection plane of the forehead tissue more superficially around the 3 cm superolaterally to the lateral canthus in the direction of 45° from the horizontal line in order to avoid nerve injury.
Effect of different NPK fertilization timing sequences management on soil-petiole system nutrient uptake and fertilizer utilization efficiency of drip irrigation cotton
Authors: Dong Zhiqiang , Liu Yang , Li Minghua , Ci Baoxia , Lu Xi , Feng Xiaokang , Wen Shuai , Ma Fuyu
Published: August 2023

In order to elucidate the effects of different nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilization timing sequences management on nutrient absorption and utilization in drip irrigation cotton, field experiments were conducted from 2020 to 2021. There are six timing sequences management methods for NPK fertilization (S1–S6: 1/3Time N–1/3Time PK–1/3Time W, 1/3Time PK–1/3Time N–1/3Time W, 1/2Time NPK–1/2Time W, 1/4Time W–1/4Time N–1/4Time PK–1/4Time W, 1/3Time W–1/3Time NPK–1/3Time W), among which S6 is the current management method for field fertilization timing sequences, and S7 is the non N. The results showed that during the main growth stage, S5 accumulated more nitrate nitrogen (NO3–-N) and ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) content in soil between 20 and 40 cm, and accumulated more available phosphorus content in soil between 5–15 cm and 15–25 cm, S5 reducing N leaching and increasing P mobility. It is recommended to change the timing sequences management method of NPK fertilization for drip irrigation cotton to 1/4Time W–1/4Time PK–1/4Time N–1/4Time W, which is beneficial for plant nutrient absorption and utilization while reducing environmental pollution.
Fracability evaluation of the middle–upper Permian marine shale reservoir in well HD1, western Hubei area
Authors: Jiang Shengling , Zhou Qinghua , Li Yanju , Yang Rili
Published: August 2023

Taking the HD1 well as the research target, through intensive core sampling, experimental test analysis, comprehensive logging interpretation and other methods, the fracability of shale reservoirs was discussed in this paper. The results show that the Gufeng–Dalong Formation in the HD1 well has a high organic carbon content, and the organic-rich shale developed in the lower part of the Gufeng and Dalong Formations with thicknesses of 30 m and 15 m, respectively. For the low-porosity and ultralow-permeability shale reservoir type, the natural fractures are undeveloped in the lower part of the Dalong Formation, with a lower linear density, while they are well developed in the Xiayao and Longtan Formations and the lower part of the Gufeng Formation, and the interlayer bedding fractures are relatively developed. The Gufeng–Dalong Formation shale also has a high mineral brittleness index (average of 44.5%), high static Young’s modulus (20–70 GPa), low static Poisson’s ratio (0.10–0.31), and high horizontal pressure difference coefficient of two phases (0.17–0.56). It is concluded that the shale reservoir is favorable for fracture development in the lower part of the Dalong Formation, with depths of 1249–1289.5 m, and the lower part of the Xiayao, Longtan and Gufeng Formations, with depths of 1300–1335.3 m. Overall, the fracable shale section with high brittleness and rock strength is beneficial to fracturing. However, the existence of a large number of shale bedding fractures increases the complexity of the fractures, and at the same time, it has a certain negative impact on fracture generation. Double wing fractures are easily formed because of the high two-phase horizontal pressure difference. Therefore, the leakage caused by shale bedding fractures and the influence on the fracture height and extension length should be considered comprehensively in fracturing design.
Microplastic contamination of lettuces grown in urban vegetable gardens in Lisbon (Portugal)
Authors: Canha Nuno , Jafarova Mehriban , Grifoni Lisa , Gamelas Carla A. , Alves Luís C. , Almeida Susana Marta , Loppi Stefano
Published: August 2023

Urban vegetable gardens are very often a feature of cities that want to offer their citizens a more sustainable lifestyle by producing their own food products. However, cities can have significant pollution levels (or pollution hotspots) due to specific sources of pollution, such as traffic. Among the various pollutants, microplastics (MPs) are emerging as a consensual concern due to the awareness of the environmental contamination, their bioaccumulation potential and human intake, and, consequently unknown human health impacts. The present study compared the content of MPs in lettuce plants cultivated in Lisbon urban gardens with those cultivated in a rural area, as well as samples bought in supermarkets. Microplastics were detected in all washed leaves, with mean levels ranging from 6.3 ± 6.2 to 29.4 ± 18.2 MPs/g. Lettuce grown in urban gardens from areas with high traffic density showed higher MPs levels. Weak positive Spearman’s rank correlations were found between MPs content and concentrations of Cu and S (determined by Particle Induced X-Ray Emission, PIXE), suggesting a possible role of traffic contribution to MPs levels, as both elements are considered traffic-source tracers. These results contribute to shed light on the MP contamination of vegetables grown in such urban environments, that may represent a potential MP exposure route through the dietary intake, corresponding to a 70% increase in annual MP intake compared to lettuces bought in supermarkets.
Resistive switching and battery-like characteristics in highly transparent Ta2O5/ITO thin-films
Authors: Khone Darshika , Kumar Sandeep , Balal Mohammad , Barman Sudipta Roy , Kumar Sunil , Rana Abhimanyu Singh
Published: August 2023

Highly transparent resistive-switching (RS) devices were fabricated by growing amorphous tantalum pentoxide (a-Ta2O5) and indium tin oxide (a-ITO) thin films on barium-borosilicate glass (7059) substrates, using electron beam evaporation. These layers exhibited the transmittance greater than ~ 85% in the full visible region and showed RS behavior and battery-like IV characteristics. The overall characteristics of RS can be tuned using the top electrode and the thickness of a-Ta2O5. Thinner films showed a conventional RS behavior, while thicker films with metal electrodes showed a battery-like characteristic, which could be explained by additional redox reactions and non-Faradaic capacitive effects. Devices having battery-like IV characteristics showed higher enhanced, retention and low-operation current.
Characterization and anti-inflammatory effect of selenium-enriched probiotic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens C-1, a potential postbiotics
Authors: Liu Jin , Shi Lu , Ma Xinxin , Jiang Sijin , Hou Xinyao , Li Pu , Cheng Yue , Lv Jia , Li Shaoru , Ma Tianyou , Han Bei
Published: August 2023

A patented strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens C-1 in our laboratory could produce functional sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) under optimized fermentation conditions. With the strong stress resistance and abundant secondary metabolites, C-1 showed potential to be developed as selenium-enriched postbiotics. C-1 has the ability to synthesize SeNPs when incubated with 100 μg/ml Na2SeO3 for 30 h at 30 °C aerobically with 10% seeds-culture. The transformation rate from Na2SeO3 into SeNPs reached to 55.51%. After selenium enrichment, there were no significant morphology changes in C-1 cells but obvious SeNPs accumulated inside of cells, observed by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope, verified by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. SeNPs had antioxidant activity in radical scavenge of superoxide (O2−), Hydroxyl radical (OH−) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazine (DPPH), where scavenging ability of OH− is the highest. Selenium-enriched C-1 had obvious anti-inflammatory effect in protecting integrity of Caco-2 cell membrane destroyed by S. typhimurium; it could preventing inflammatory damage in Caco-2 stressed by 200 μM H2O2 for 4 h, with significantly reduced expression of IL-8 (1.687 vs. 3.487, P = 0.01), IL-1β (1.031 vs. 5.000, P < 0.001), TNF-α (2.677 vs. 9.331, P < 0.001), increased Claudin-1 (0.971 vs. 0.611, P < 0.001) and Occludin (0.750 vs. 0.307, P < 0.001). Transcriptome data analysis showed that there were 381 differential genes in the vegetative growth stage and 1674 differential genes in the sporulation stage of C-1 with and without selenium-enrichment. A total of 22 ABC transporter protein-related genes at vegetative stage and 70 ABC transporter protein-related genes at sporulation stage were founded. Genes encoding MsrA, thiol, glutathione and thioredoxin reduction were significantly up-regulated; genes related to ATP synthase such as atpA and atpD genes showed down-regulated during vegetative stage; the flagellar-related genes (flgG, fliM, fliL, and fliJ) showed down-regulated during sporulation stage. The motility, chemotaxis and colonization ability were weakened along with synthesized SeNPs accumulated intracellular at sporulation stage. B. amyloliquefaciens C-1 could convert extracellular selenite into intracellular SeNPs through the oxidation–reduction pathway, with strong selenium-enriched metabolism. The SeNPs and selenium-enriched cells had potential to be developed as nano-selenium biomaterials and selenium-enriched postbiotics.
Differences in COVID-19 cyclicity and predictability among U.S. counties and states reflect the effectiveness of protective measures
Authors: Bozzuto Claudio , Ives Anthony R.
Published: August 2023

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many quantitative approaches were employed to predict the course of disease spread. However, forecasting faces the challenge of inherently unpredictable spread dynamics, setting a limit to the accuracy of all models. Here, we analyze COVID-19 data from the USA to explain variation among jurisdictions in disease spread predictability (that is, the extent to which predictions are possible), using a combination of statistical and simulation models. We show that for half the counties and states the spread rate of COVID-19, r(t), was predictable at most 9 weeks and 8 weeks ahead, respectively, corresponding to at most 40% and 35% of an average cycle length of 23 weeks and 26 weeks. High predictability was associated with high cyclicity of r(t) and negatively associated with R0 values from the pandemic’s onset. Our statistical evidence suggests the following explanation: jurisdictions with a severe initial outbreak, and where individuals and authorities took strong and sustained protective measures against COVID-19, successfully curbed subsequent waves of disease spread, but at the same time unintentionally decreased its predictability. Decreased predictability of disease spread should be viewed as a by-product of positive and sustained steps that people take to protect themselves and others.
Human milk oligosaccharides modulate the intestinal microbiome of healthy adults
Authors: Jacobs Jonathan P. , Lee Martin L. , Rechtman David J. , Sun Adam K. , Autran Chloe , Niklas Victoria
Published: August 2023

Human milk contains over 200 distinct oligosaccharides, which are critical to shaping the developing neonatal gut microbiome. To investigate whether a complex mixture of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) would similarly modulate the adult gut microbiome, HMO-Concentrate derived from pooled donor breast milk was administered orally to 32 healthy adults for 7 days followed by 21 days of monitoring. Fecal samples were collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing, shotgun metagenomics, and metabolomics analyses. HMO-Concentrate induced dose-dependent Bifidobacterium expansion, reduced microbial diversity, and altered microbial gene content. Following HMO cessation, a microbial succession occurred with diverse taxonomic changes—including Bacteroides expansion—that persisted through day 28. This was associated with altered microbial gene content, shifts in serum metabolite levels, and increased circulating TGFβ and IL-10. Incubation of cultured adult microbiota with HMO-Concentrate induced dose-dependent compositional shifts that were not recapitulated by individual HMOs or defined mixtures of the 10 most abundant HMOs in HMO-Concentrate at their measured concentrations. These findings support that pooled donor HMOs can exert direct effects on adult gut microbiota and that complex mixtures including low abundance HMOs present in donor milk may be required for maximum effect.

Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05516225
Beyond tsunami fragility functions: experimental assessment for building damage estimation
Authors: Vescovo Ruben , Adriano Bruno , Mas Erick , Koshimura Shunichi
Published: August 2023

Tsunami fragility functions (TFF) are statistical models that relate a tsunami intensity measure to a given building damage state, expressed as cumulative probability. Advances in computational and data retrieval speeds, coupled with novel deep learning applications to disaster science, have shifted research focus away from statistical estimators. TFFs offer a “disaster signature” with comparative value, though these models are seldom applied to generate damage estimates. With applicability in mind, we challenge this notion and investigate a portion of TFF literature, selecting three TFFs and two application methodologies to generate a building damage estimation baseline. Further, we propose a simple machine learning method, trained on physical parameters inspired by, but expanded beyond, TFF intensity measures. We test these three methods on the 2011 Ishinomaki dataset after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in both binary and multi-class cases. We explore: (1) the quality of building damage estimation using TFF application methods; (2) whether TFF can generalize to out-of-domain building damage datasets; (3) a novel machine learning approach to perform the same task. Our findings suggest that: both TFF methods and our model have the potential to achieve good binary results; TFF methods struggle with multiple classes and out-of-domain tasks, while our proposed method appears to generalize better.
Actual anterior–posterior corneal radius ratio in eyes with prior myopic laser vision correction according to axial length
Authors: Yoon Seung Hee , Song Jae Ryong , Lee Seung Hyen , Eom Youngsub , Hyon Joon Young , Jeon Hyun Sun
Published: August 2023

We retrospectively evaluate the actual anterior–posterior (AP) corneal radius ratio in eyes with previous laser correction for myopia (M-LVC) according to axial length (AL) using biometry data exported from swept-source optical coherence tomography between January 2018 and October 2021 in a tertiary hospital (1018 eyes with a history of M-LVC and 19,841 control eyes). The AP ratio was significantly higher in the LVC group than in the control group. Further, it was significantly positively correlated with AL in the LVC group. We also investigated the impact of the AP ratio, AL and keratometry (K) on the absolute prediction error (APE) in 39 eyes that underwent cataract surgery after M-LVC. In linear regression analyses, there were significant correlations between APE and AL/TK, while APE and AP ratio had no correlation. The APE was significantly lower in the Barrett True-K with total keratometry (Barrett True-TK) than in the Haigis-L formula on eyes with AL above 26 mm and K between 38 and 40 D. In conclusion, in eyes with previous M-LVC, AP ratio increases with AL. The Barrett True-K or Barrett True-TK formulas are recommended rather than Haigis-L formula in M-LVC eyes with AL above 26 mm and K between 38 and 40D.
Nb2CTx MXene reinforcement stimulated microstructure and mechanical properties of magnesium
Authors: Olalekan Ogunlakin Nasirudeen , Hassan S. Fida , Al-Ahmed Amir , Mahar Nasurullah , Nouari Saheb
Published: August 2023

In this study, Nb2CTx MXene reinforced commercially pure magnesium composite was processed using traditional blend-press-sinter technique. The added one volume percentage of Nb2CTx MXene was fairly dispersed around the magnesium particles despite having sporadic clustering. Nb2CTx MXene reinforcement was stable and developed defect free strong interfacial bonding with the magnesium matrix. The small amount of chemically compatible and thermally stable Nb2CTx MXene reinforcement was successful in enhancing the bulk hardness and compressive yield strength, compressive strength, ductility and fracture toughness of the commercially pure magnesium.
Three-dimensional vertical structural electrochemical random access memory for high-density integrated synapse device
Authors: Kim Hyejin , Seo Jongseon , Cho Seojin , Jeon Seonuk , Woo Jiyong , Lee Daeseok
Published: August 2023

Three-terminal (3T) structured electrochemical random access memory (ECRAM) has been proposed as a synaptic device based on improved synaptic characteristics. However, the proposed 3T ECRAM has a larger area requirement than 2T synaptic devices; thereby limiting integration density. To overcome this limitation, this study presents the development of a high-density vertical structure for the 3T ECRAM. In addition, complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible materials and 8-inch wafer-based CMOS fabrication processes were utilized to verify the feasibility of mass production. The achievements of this work demonstrate the potential for high-density integration and mass production of 3T ECRAM devices.