bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diachronic profile of startup companies through social media
Authors: Peixoto Ana Rita , de Almeida Ana , António Nuno , Batista Fernando , Ribeiro Ricardo
Published: March 2023

Social media platforms have become powerful tools for startups, helping them find customers and raise funding. In this study, we applied a social media intelligence-based methodology to analyze startups’ content and to understand how their communication strategies may differ during their scaling process. To understand if a startup’s social media content reflects its current business maturation position, we first defined an adequate life cycle model for startups based on funding rounds and product maturity. Using Twitter as the source of information and selecting a sample of known Portuguese IT startups at different phases of their life cycle, we analyzed their Twitter data. After preprocessing the data, using latent Dirichlet allocation, topic modeling techniques enabled the categorization of the data according to the topics arising in the published contents of the startups, making it possible to discover that contents can be grouped into five specific topics: “Fintech and ML,” “IT,” “Business Operations,” “Product/Service R&D,” and “Bank and Funding.” By comparing those profiles against the startup’s life cycle, we were able to understand how contents change over time. This provided a diachronic profile for each company, showing that while certain topics remain prevalent in the startup’s scaling, others depend on a particular phase of the startup’s cycle. Our analysis revealed that startups’ social media content differs along their life cycle, highlighting the importance of understanding how startups use social media at different stages of their development.
Neuroimaging Investigations of Obesity: a Review of the Treatment of Sex from 2010
Authors: Kilpatrick Lisa A. , An Hyeon Min , Pawar Shrey , Sood Riya , Gupta Arpana
Published: March 2023

Purpose of Review

To summarize the results of adult obesity neuroimaging studies (structural, resting-state, task-based, diffusion tensor imaging) published from 2010, with a focus on the treatment of sex as an important biological variable in the analysis, and identify gaps in sex difference research.

Recent Findings

Neuroimaging studies have shown obesity-related changes in brain structure, function, and connectivity. However, relevant factors such as sex are often not considered.

We conducted a systematic review and keyword co-occurrence analysis. Literature searches identified 6281 articles, of which 199 met inclusion criteria. Among these, only 26 (13%) considered sex as an important variable in the analysis, directly comparing the sexes (n = 10; 5%) or providing single-sex/disaggregated data (n = 16, 8%); the remaining studies controlled for sex (n = 120, 60%) or did not consider sex in the analysis (n = 53, 27%). Synthesizing sex-based results, obesity-related parameters (e.g., body mass index, waist circumference, obese status) may be generally associated with more robust morphological alterations in men and more robust structural connectivity alterations in women. Additionally, women with obesity generally expressed increased reactivity in affect-related regions, while men with obesity generally expressed increased reactivity in motor-related regions; this was especially true under a fed state. The keyword co-occurrence analysis indicated that sex difference research was especially lacking in intervention studies. Thus, although sex differences in the brain associated with obesity are known to exist, a large proportion of the literature informing the research and treatment strategies of today has not specifically examined sex effects, which is needed to optimize treatment.
The Fat Kidney
Authors: Verde Ludovica , Lucà Stefania , Cernea Simona , Sulu Cem , Yumuk Volkan Demirhan , Jenssen Trond Geir , Savastano Silvia , Sarno Gerardo , Colao Annamaria , Barrea Luigi , Muscogiuri Giovanna
Published: March 2023

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review is to summarize the current evidence on the role of obesity in the development and progression of chronic kidney disease and the current evidence on nutritional, pharmacological, and surgical strategies for the management of individuals with obesity and chronic kidney disease.

Recent Findings

Obesity can hurt the kidney via direct pathways, through the production of pro-inflammatory adipocytokines, and indirectly due to systemic complications of obesity, including type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension. In particular, obesity can damage the kidney through alterations in renal hemodynamics resulting in glomerular hyperfiltration, proteinuria and, finally, impairment in glomerular filtratation rate. Several strategies are available for weight loss and maintenance, such as the modification of lifestyle (diet and physical activity), anti-obesity drugs, and surgery therapy, but there are no clinical practice guidelines to manage subjects with obesity and chronic kidney disease.

Obesity is an independent risk factor for the progression of chronic kidney disease. In subjects with obesity, weight loss can slow down the progression of renal failure with a significant reduction in proteinuria and improvement in glomerular filtratation rate. Specifically, in the management of subjects with obesity and chronic renal disease, it has been shown that bariatric surgery can prevent the decline in renal function, while further clinical studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety on the kidney of weight reducing agents and the very low-calorie ketogenic diet.
The role of miR-139-5p in radioiodine-resistant thyroid cancer
Authors: Pecce V. , Sponziello M. , Verrienti A. , Grani G. , Abballe L. , Bini S. , Annunziata S. , Perotti G. , Salvatori M. , Zagaria L. , Maggisano V. , Russo D. , Filetti S. , Durante C.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Radioiodine I-131 (RAI) is the therapy of choice for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Between 5% and 15% of DTC patients become RAI refractory, due to the loss of expression/function of iodide metabolism components, especially the Na/I symporter (NIS). We searched for a miRNA profile associated with RAI-refractory DTC to identify novel biomarkers that could be potential targets for redifferentiation therapy.

Methods

We analyzed the expression of 754 miRNAs in 26 DTC tissues: 12 responsive (R) and 14 non-responsive (NR) to RAI therapy. We identified 15 dysregulated miRNAs: 14 were upregulated, while only one (miR-139-5p) was downregulated in NR vs. R tumors. We investigated the role of miR-139-5p in iodine uptake metabolism. We overexpressed miR-139-5p in two primary and five immortalized thyroid cancer cell lines, and we analyzed the transcript and protein levels of NIS and its activation through iodine uptake assay and subcellular protein localization.

Results

The finding of higher intracellular iodine levels and increased cell membrane protein localization in miR-139-5p overexpressing cells supports the role of this miRNA in the regulation of NIS function.

Conclusions

Our study provides evidence of miR-139-5p involvement in iodine uptake metabolism and suggests its possible role as a therapeutic target in restoring iodine uptake in RAI-refractory DTC.
A selected literature review of the effect of Covid-19 on preferences
Authors: Umer Hamza
Published: March 2023

This article surveys the rapidly growing literature that examined the influence of Covid-19 on preferences. Based on 33 studies, the article examines how the pandemic impacted altruism, cooperation, trust, inequity aversion, risk-taking, and patience/time discounting. Even though the survey suggests the effect of the pandemic on preferences is heterogeneous, some noticeable patterns can be observed in the literature. First, in the case of incentivized preference elicitation, there is weak evidence that the pandemic positively influenced altruism and had no significant impact on time preferences or patience. Second, many studies that used balanced panel data and incentivized preference elicitation mechanisms do not find a significant effect of the pandemic on preferences. Last, studies that used unincentivized methods to elicit preferences show relatively higher variability in results when compared to the studies that used incentivized methods for preference elicitation. The organized synthesis and several noticeable patterns can help future research focusing on preference stability during Covid-19 and other unfavorable events.
On smooth plane models for modular curves of Shimura type
Authors: Anni Samuele , Assaf Eran , Lorenzo García Elisa
Published: March 2023

In this paper we prove that there are finitely many modular curves that admit a smooth plane model. Moreover, if the degree of the model is greater than or equal to 19, no such curve exists. For modular curves of Shimura type we show that none can admit a smooth plane model of degree 5, 6 or 7. Further, if a modular curve of Shimura type admits a smooth plane model of degree 8 we show that it must be a twist of one of four curves.
Quaternary fluvial carbonate deposits of the Almonda River Valley, Central Portugal
Authors: Fernandes João Paulo , Arenas Concha , Ortiz José Eugenio
Published: March 2023

This paper discusses the formation and preservation of a fluvial tufa system influenced by Atlantic climate based on stratigraphical, chronological (amino-acid racemization, AAR), sedimentological and stable-isotope analyses. On the southwestern Iberian Peninsula, the tufas and associated deposits of the Almonda River valley occur as isolated terraced bodies and reach 25 m thick. AAR dated most deposits to within the warm Marine Isotope Stage 5 (MIS-5). Two Holocene ages were reset within MIS-5 based on diverse criteria. Widely varied carbonate and minor allochthonous coarse detrital facies occur arranged in four simple vertical associations. The deposit geometry and facies association distribution correspond to a low- to moderate-sloped fluvial valley consisting of several short knickpoints and extensive flat areas between them. The latter are occupied by slow-flowing water facies (carbonate sand, lime mud, phytoclast and oncoid rudstones, and up-growing stem boundstones). Facies that formed in moderate- to high-slope substrates were stromatolite, moss and down-growing stem boundstones. The homogeneous Miocene bedrock lithology and gentle structural deformation propitiated this depositional architecture. Calcite δ13C and δ18O values suggest that the aquifer water provided the outflowing Almonda water with (1) 18O-enriched water, compared with present precipitation and groundwater δ18O values, and (2) 13C-depleted CO2 from bituminous rocks and vegetation cover in the catchment. The proximity to the Atlantic coast favoured the Mesozoic-rock aquifer recharge with 18O-enriched water precipitation, assuring water availability during the formation of the studied tufas. No evidence of frequent intense erosion phases might indicate stable precipitation regimes, which would have allowed the preservation of loose fine-grained and palustrine deposits.
Dynamic Transition Analysis for Activator-Substrate System
Authors: Li Junyan , Wu Ruili
Published: March 2023

The main objective of this article is to study the dynamic transition associated with the activator-substrate system. Two criteria are derived to describe the transition from real eigenvalues or complex eigenvalues and the types of transition. Notably, we get two parameters $$b_{1}$$

b
1

and $$b_{2}$$

b
2

, which can determine the the types of transitions for the two criteria respectively. The analysis is carried out using dynamic transition theory developed recently by Ma and Wang (Phase transition dynamics, Springer, New York, 2013, Bifurcation Theory and Applications, World Scientific, Singapore, 2005, Stability and Bifurcation of Nonlinear Evolutions Equations, Science Press, Beijing, China, 2007).
How to Improve Smart Contracts in the European Union Data Act
Authors: Casolari Federico , Taddeo Mariarosaria , Turillazzi Aina , Floridi Luciano
Published: March 2023

The article analyses the role of smart contracts in the architecture of the European Union’s Data Act proposal. It identifies five difficulties: lack of flexibility in terms of both content and operation; dependence on oracles which could lead to errors; vulnerability to bugs and changes in architecture; immutability and privacy; and problems of enforcement. It then offers some recommendations about how to address them to improve the Data Act.
The British Navy and the State in the Eighteenth Century
Authors: Wilkinson Clive
Published: March 2023

The Navy in the eighteenth century, though successful, was costly. Its funding and maintenance made those responsible for it politically vulnerable.
The Legend of the Grail
Authors: Bryant Nigel
Published: March 2023

A single, consistent and accessible narrative of the Grail story, constructed from the principal motifs and narrative strands of all the original Grail romances.
Handel's Operas, 1726-1741
Authors: Dean Winton
Published: March 2023

Detailed overview of Handel's final 22 operas - including major masterpieces such as Orlando, Ariodante and Alcina and the brilliant lighter works Partenope, Serse and Imeneo - by the world's leading authority.
Lectures on Musical Life
Authors: Bennett William Sterndale
Published: March 2023

Lectures by leading Victorian conductor and composer reveal much about musical life at the time.
North-East England, 1569-1625
Authors: Newton Diana
Published: March 2023

This study of England's north-eastern parts examines counties Durham and Northumberland as well as Newcastle-upon-Tyne, with its central theme the extent to which the county gentry and urban elites possessed a sense of regional identity. It concentrates on these elites' social, political, religious and cultural connections which extended beyond the purely administrative jurisdictions of the county or town. By concentrating on a series of seismic changes in the area - the demise of its great regional magnates, the rapid upsurge of the coal industry and the union of the crowns - it offers a distinctive chronological coverage, from the latter half of the sixteenth century through to the early seventeenth century. Old stereotypes of the north-eastern landed elites as isolated and backward are overturned while their response to state formation reveals their political sophistication. Traditional views of the religious conservatism of the north-eastern parts are reassessed to demonstrate its multi-faceted complexion. And contrasting cultural patterns are analysed, through ballad literature, the cult of St Cuthbert and increasing exposure to metropolitan 'civility' to reveal a series of sub-regions within the north-eastern reaches of the kingdom.
Perceval
Authors: Troyes Chretien de
Published: March 2023

The original version of one of the greatest and most potent of medieval legends.
Television in Spain
Authors: Smith Paul Julian
Published: March 2023

A new guide to Spain's most popular and dynamic medium, which celebrates its fiftieth anniversary in 2006.
William Morris's Utopia of Strangers
Authors: Waithe Marcus
Published: March 2023

William Morris's conception of hospitality as a form of political tolerance is surveyed within the context of Victorian medievalism.
Alternative learning curves for cost estimating
Authors: Acorn A. G.
Published: March 2023

It has long been accepted within the aircraft industry and others, that the number of man-hours needed to produce successive units or batches of units decreases. This effect is called ‘learning’; and a plot of the man-hours required per unit set against the production number is called a ‘learning curve’. Similarly a plot of unit cost (at constant economic conditions) against production number is also called a learning curve, since cost is related to the number of man-hours required.

When the production costs of future aircraft are estimated, learning has to be simulated. This is generally done using curves chosen from a standard family of ‘learning curves’ generated by a simple parametric equation; a curve is chosen on the basis that it is the best-fit by the standard equation to the out-turn data from previous similar projects.
Association between serum iron, blood lead, cadmium, mercury, selenium, manganese and low cognitive performance in old adults from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES): a cross-sectional study
Authors: Lu Kui , Liu Tian , Wu Xiaoyan , Zhong Jianqiang , Ou Zhenri , Wu Wenjun
Published: March 2023

Cognitive decline is a public health problem for the world’s ageing population. This study was to evaluate the relationships between serum Fe, blood Pb, Cd, Hg, Se and Mn and cognitive decline in elderly Americans. Data of this cross-sectional study were extracted from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES 2011–2014). Cognitive performance was measured by the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD), Animal Fluency and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) tests. Weighted univariable and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the associations between six trace elements and low cognitive performance. Subgroup analyses based on diabetes and hypertension history were further assessed the associations. A total of 2002 adults over 60 years old were included. After adjusting covariates, elevated serum Fe levels were associated with the decreased risk of low cognitive performance, especially in the elderly without diabetes history and with hypertension history. High blood Cd levels were associated with the high odds of low cognitive performance in old adults with diabetes and hypertension history. Elevated blood Mn levels were connected with low cognitive performance in old hypertensive people. High blood Pb levels were related to the high odds of low cognitive performance, especially in the elderly without diabetes and hypertension history. High blood Se levels were linked to the decreased risk of low cognitive performance in all the elderly. Appropriate Fe, Se supplementation and Fe-, Se-rich foods intake, while reducing exposure to Pb, Cd and Mn may be beneficial for cognitive function in the elderly.
Ice Cores Record Long-Ago Seasons in Antarctica
Authors: Hasler Caroline
Published: March 2023

Researchers used ice core data to reconstruct seasonal temperatures throughout the Holocene. The results link especially hot summers with patterns in Earth’s orbit.
Cavity Mode Wave Frequency Variation Associated With Inward Motion of the Magnetopause During Interplanetary Shock Compression
Authors: Zhang Dianjun , Liu Wenlong , Zhang Zhao , Li Xinlin , Sarris Theodore E. , Goldstein Jerry , Dmitry Rezvov
Published: March 2023

A cavity mode wave, referring to a trapped or radially standing fast mode wave between different magnetospheric boundaries, has been developed in theory and reported in observation studies. In this study, we present an interplanetary shock (IPS)‐induced cavity mode wave event observed outside the plasmasphere on 31 August 2017 with multispacecraft measurements. The phase delay of 90° between the azimuthal electric field and compressional magnetic field indicates that the fast‐mode wave triggered by the IPS is a standing wave, presumably radially trapped in the cavity between the magnetopause and plasmapause. Taking advantage of the location of Van Allen Probe B spacecraft right outside the plasmapause and the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute ground‐based high‐latitude array mapped in the noon sector, it is suggested that the observed compressional wave associates to cavity mode with its inner boundary at the plasmapause and its outer boundary at the magnetopause. The peak frequency of the wavelet spectrum of the compressional magnetic field increases from 10.5 to 12.5 mHz, which is consistent with the theoretically calculated cavity eigenfrequencies before and after the IPS. We also provide the first evidence that the peak frequency of the cavity mode increases due to the inward motion of the magnetopause during IPS compression.
Tailoring high-energy storage NaNbO3-based materials from antiferroelectric to relaxor states
Authors: Zhang Mao-Hua , Ding Hui , Egert Sonja , Zhao Changhao , Villa Lorenzo , Fulanović Lovro , Groszewicz Pedro B. , Buntkowsky Gerd , Kleebe Hans-Joachim , Albe Karsten , Klein Andreas , Koruza Jurij
Published: March 2023

Reversible field-induced phase transitions define antiferroelectric perovskite oxides and lay the foundation for high-energy storage density materials, required for future green technologies. However, promising new antiferroelectrics are hampered by transition´s irreversibility and low electrical resistivity. Here, we demonstrate an approach to overcome these problems by adjusting the local structure and defect chemistry, delivering NaNbO3-based antiferroelectrics with well-defined double polarization loops. The attending reversible phase transition and structural changes at different length scales are probed by in situ high-energy X-ray diffraction, total scattering, transmission electron microcopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. We show that the energy-storage density of the antiferroelectric compositions can be increased by an order of magnitude, while increasing the chemical disorder transforms the material to a relaxor state with a high energy efficiency of 90%. The results provide guidelines for efficient design of (anti-)ferroelectrics and open the way for the development of new material systems for a sustainable future.
Non-Abelian effects in dissipative photonic topological lattices
Authors: Parto Midya , Leefmans Christian , Williams James , Nori Franco , Marandi Alireza
Published: March 2023

Topology is central to phenomena that arise in a variety of fields, ranging from quantum field theory to quantum information science to condensed matter physics. Recently, the study of topology has been extended to open systems, leading to a plethora of intriguing effects such as topological lasing, exceptional surfaces, as well as non-Hermitian bulk-boundary correspondence. Here, we show that Bloch eigenstates associated with lattices with dissipatively coupled elements exhibit geometric properties that cannot be described via scalar Berry phases, in sharp contrast to conservative Hamiltonians with non-degenerate energy levels. This unusual behavior can be attributed to the significant population exchanges among the corresponding dissipation bands of such lattices. Using a one-dimensional example, we show both theoretically and experimentally that such population exchanges can manifest themselves via matrix-valued operators in the corresponding Bloch dynamics. In two-dimensional lattices, such matrix-valued operators can form non-commuting pairs and lead to non-Abelian dynamics, as confirmed by our numerical simulations. Our results point to new ways in which the combined effect of topology and engineered dissipation can lead to non-Abelian topological phenomena.
Enhanced nonlinear optomechanics in a coupled-mode photonic crystal device
Authors: Burgwal Roel , Verhagen Ewold
Published: March 2023

The nonlinear component of the optomechanical interaction between light and mechanical vibration promises many exciting classical and quantum mechanical applications, but is generally weak. Here we demonstrate enhancement of nonlinear optomechanical measurement of mechanical motion by using pairs of coupled optical and mechanical modes in a photonic crystal device. In the same device we show linear optomechanical measurement with a strongly reduced input power and reveal how both enhancements are related. Our design exploits anisotropic mechanical elasticity to create strong coupling between mechanical modes while not changing optical properties. Additional thermo-optic tuning of the optical modes is performed with an auxiliary laser and a thermally-optimised device design. We envision broad use of this enhancement scheme in multimode phonon lasing, two-phonon heralding and eventually nonlinear quantum optomechanics.
Observation of Chiral-selective room-temperature phosphorescence enhancement via chirality-dependent energy transfer
Authors: Chen Biao , Huang Wenhuan , Zhang Guoqing
Published: March 2023

Pure organic room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP), particularly from guest-host doped systems, has seen exponential growth in the last several years due to their high modulation flexibility, and yet challenges remain with respect to mechanistic elucidations and advantageous applications. Here we show that by constructing guest-host doped RTP systems from chiral components, namely, chiral amino compound-modified phthalimide hosts and naphthalimide guests, a chiral-selective RTP enhancement phenomenon can be observed. For example, R-enantiomeric guests in R-enantiomeric hosts produce strong red RTP afterglow while no appreciable RTP could be observed in the S-R guest-host counterpart. An unprecedented RTP intensity difference > 102 folds with the ability to distinguish an enantiomeric excess of 98% could be achieved. Temperature-dependent measurements suggest that a chirality-dependent energy transfer process may be involved in the observed phenomenon, which can be harnessed to extend the RTP application to the chiral recognition of amino compounds, such as amino alcohols.
Integrative omics identifies conserved and pathogen-specific responses of sepsis-causing bacteria
Authors: Mu Andre , Klare William P. , Baines Sarah L. , Ignatius Pang C. N. , Guérillot Romain , Harbison-Price Nichaela , Keller Nadia , Wilksch Jonathan , Nhu Nguyen Thi Khanh , Phan Minh-Duy , Keller Bernhard , Nijagal Brunda , Tull Dedreia , Dayalan Saravanan , Chua Hwa Huat Charlie , Skoneczny Dominik , Koval Jason , Hachani Abderrahman , Shah Anup D. , Neha Nitika , Jadhav Snehal , Partridge Sally R. , Cork Amanda J. , Peters Kate , Bertolla Olivia , Brouwer Stephan , Hancock Steven J. , Álvarez-Fraga Laura , De Oliveira David M. P. , Forde Brian , Dale Ashleigh , Mujchariyakul Warasinee , Walsh Calum J. , Monk Ian , Fitzgerald Anna , Lum Mabel , Correa-Ospina Carolina , Roy Chowdhury Piklu , Parton Robert G. , De Voss James , Beckett James , Monty Francois , McKinnon Jessica , Song Xiaomin , Stephen John R. , Everest Marie , Bellgard Matt I. , Tinning Matthew , Leeming Michael , Hocking Dianna , Jebeli Leila , Wang Nancy , Ben Zakour Nouri , Yasar Serhat A. , Vecchiarelli Stefano , Russell Tonia , Zaw Thiri , Chen Tyrone , Teng Don , Kassir Zena , Lithgow Trevor , Jenney Adam , Cole Jason N. , Nizet Victor , Sorrell Tania C. , Peleg Anton Y. , Paterson David L. , Beatson Scott A. , Wu Jemma , Molloy Mark P. , Syme Anna E. , Goode Robert J. A. , Hunter Adam A. , Bowland Grahame , West Nicholas P. , Wilkins Marc R. , Djordjevic Steven P. , Davies Mark R. , Seemann Torsten , Howden Benjamin P. , Pascovici Dana , Tyagi Sonika , Schittenhelm Ralf B. , De Souza David P. , McConville Malcolm J. , Iredell Jonathan R. , Cordwell Stuart J. , Strugnell Richard A. , Stinear Timothy P. , Schembri Mark A. , Walker Mark J.
Published: March 2023

Even in the setting of optimal resuscitation in high-income countries severe sepsis and septic shock have a mortality of 20–40%, with antibiotic resistance dramatically increasing this mortality risk. To develop a reference dataset enabling the identification of common bacterial targets for therapeutic intervention, we applied a standardized genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic technological framework to multiple clinical isolates of four sepsis-causing pathogens: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae species complex, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. Exposure to human serum generated a sepsis molecular signature containing global increases in fatty acid and lipid biosynthesis and metabolism, consistent with cell envelope remodelling and nutrient adaptation for osmoprotection. In addition, acquisition of cholesterol was identified across the bacterial species. This detailed reference dataset has been established as an open resource to support discovery and translational research.
Strong synergy between gold nanoparticles and cobalt porphyrin induces highly efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Sheng Huixiang , Wang Jin , Huang Juhui , Li Zhuoyao , Ren Guozhang , Zhang Linrong , Yu Liuyingzi , Zhao Mengshuai , Li Xuehui , Li Gongqiang , Wang Ning , Shen Chen , Lu Gang
Published: March 2023

The reaction efficiency of reactants near plasmonic nanostructures can be enhanced significantly because of plasmonic effects. Herein, we propose that the catalytic activity of molecular catalysts near plasmonic nanostructures may also be enhanced dramatically. Based on this proposal, we develop a highly efficient and stable photocatalytic system for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) by compositing a molecular catalyst of cobalt porphyrin together with plasmonic gold nanoparticles, around which plasmonic effects of localized electromagnetic field, local heating, and enhanced hot carrier excitation exist. After optimization, the HER rate and turn-over frequency (TOF) reach 3.21 mol g−1 h−1 and 4650 h−1, respectively. In addition, the catalytic system remains stable after 45-hour catalytic cycles, and the system is catalytically stable after being illuminated for two weeks. The enhanced reaction efficiency is attributed to the excitation of localized surface plasmon resonance, particularly plasmon-generated hot carriers. These findings may pave a new and convenient way for developing plasmon-based photocatalysts with high efficiency and stability.
Evaluating explainability for graph neural networks
Authors: Agarwal Chirag , Queen Owen , Lakkaraju Himabindu , Zitnik Marinka
Published: March 2023

As explanations are increasingly used to understand the behavior of graph neural networks (GNNs), evaluating the quality and reliability of GNN explanations is crucial. However, assessing the quality of GNN explanations is challenging as existing graph datasets have no or unreliable ground-truth explanations. Here, we introduce a synthetic graph data generator,ShapeGGen, which can generate a variety of benchmark datasets (e.g., varying graph sizes, degree distributions, homophilic vs. heterophilic graphs) accompanied by ground-truth explanations. The flexibility to generate diverse synthetic datasets and corresponding ground-truth explanations allowsShapeGGento mimic the data in various real-world areas. We includeShapeGGenand several real-world graph datasets in a graph explainability library, GraphXAI. In addition to synthetic and real-world graph datasets with ground-truth explanations, GraphXAI provides data loaders, data processing functions, visualizers, GNN model implementations, and evaluation metrics to benchmark GNN explainability methods.
High-resolution livestock seasonal distribution data on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in 2020
Authors: Zhan Ning , Liu Weihang , Ye Tao , Li Hongda , Chen Shuo , Ma Heng
Published: March 2023

Incorporating seasonality into livestock spatial distribution is of great significance for studying the complex system interaction between climate, vegetation, water, and herder activities, associated with livestock. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) has the world’s most elevated pastoral area and is a hot spot for global environmental change. This study provides the spatial distribution of cattle, sheep, and livestock grazing on the warm-season and cold-season pastures at a 15 arc-second spatial resolution on the QTP. Warm/cold-season pastures were delineated by identifying the key elements that affect the seasonal distribution of grazing and combining the random forest classification model, and the average area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the model is 0.98. Spatial disaggregation weights were derived using the prediction from a random forest model that linked county-level census livestock numbers to topography, climate, vegetation, and socioeconomic predictors. The coefficients of determination of external cross-scale validations between dasymetric mapping results and township census data range from 0.52 to 0.70. The data could provide important information for further modeling of human-environment interaction under climate change for this region.
Using disproportionality analysis to explore the association between periostitis and triazole antifungals in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System Database
Authors: Li Hailong , Zhang Miao , Jiao Xuefeng , Zhu Yu , Liu Yan , Zeng Linan , Wang Huiqing , Zhang Lei , Zhang Wei , Zhang Lingli
Published: March 2023

Though triazole antifungals are the first choice for preventing and treating invasive fungal infections, periostitis caused by voriconazole has been described in emerging case reports; however, no studies exist on this association in real-world clinical settings. Our study aimed to identify the association between periostitis and triazole antifungals by analyzing data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). We extracted and analyzed reports on the association between periostitis and triazole antifungals in FAERS from the first quarter of 2004 to the second quarter of 2022 using OpenVigil 2.1. Disproportionality analysis was performed to evaluate the association between periostitis and triazole antifungals, and chi-squared (χ2), relative reporting ratio (RRR), reporting odds ratio (ROR), proportional reporting ratio (PRR), and Bayesian confidence propagation neural networks (BCPNN) of information components (IC) were reported. In total, 143 patients experienced periostitis while using voriconazole. Disproportionality analysis identified an association between periostitis and voriconazole (χ2 = 82,689.0, RRR = 583.6, 95%CI [472.4, 721.1], PRR = 1808.9, 95%CI [1356.0, 2412.9], ROR = 1831.7, 95%CI [1371.6, 2446.3], IC = 9.2, 95%CI [8.6, 9.8]). However, no safety signals were observed between periostitis and other triazole antifungals. When stratified by sex and age, disproportionality analysis identified positive signals between periostitis and voriconazole. The possible association between periostitis and voriconazole should attract sufficient attention in clinical practice. Alternative treatment with other triazole antifungals can be considered, and causality needs to be verified in further prospective studies.
Interspecific hybridization for transfer of hull-less seed trait from Cucurbita pepo to C. moschata
Authors: Kaur Barinder , Garcha Karmvir Singh , Sandhu Jagdeep Singh , Sharma Madhu , Dhatt Ajmer Singh
Published: March 2023

Hull-less seed trait is preferred by nut and oil industries worldwide for snacking and oil extraction as it evades the expensive decorticating (dehulling) process. This seed trait is available in C. pepo only, which has small seed cavity, sensitive to various biotic and abiotic stresses, and restricted to temperate regions for cultivation. Contrarily, the related species C. moschata has wider adaptability, disease tolerance and high seed yield. Therefore, attempt was made to transfer this trait into C. moschata through conventional pollination and ovule culture using four parents of hull-less C. pepo and six of hulled C. moschata. Through conventional approach, few viable F1 seeds (12–23) were obtained by using C. pepo as female parent, but in three crosses (HLP36 × HM1343, HLP36 × HM1022 and HLP44 × HM1022) only, whereas, its use as male parent was not successful. This incompatibility issue of reciprocals was resolved through ovule culture of C. moschata genotypes HM1343 and HM6711 after 17 to 19 days of pollination with C. pepo genotypes HLP53 and HLP72, respectively. The hybridity of interspecific crosses was confirmed through SSR markers (alleles inherited from both the parents), morphological characters and micromorphological leaf traits (differed from both the parents). The successful transfer through interspecific hybridization was further established with the presence of hull-less seed in fruits of F2 populations. Outcome of this study would pave the way for enhancing the productivity and multi-season cultivation of snack-seeded pumpkin even in subtropical and tropical regions.
The use of benzodiazepines and the mental health of women in prison: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Miranda Seixas Einloft Fernanda , Kopittke Luciane , Thais Guterres Dias Míriam , Luana Veriato Schultz Águida , Maria Dotta Renata , Maria Tannhauser Barros Helena
Published: March 2023

In this article we assessed the prevalence of benzodiazepine (BZD) use in women before and during imprisonment, as well as its related factors and association with symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder in a quantitative, cross-sectional, analytical study of regional scope. Two female prisons in the Brazilian Prison System were included. Seventy-four women participated by completing questionnaires about their sociodemographic data, BZD use and use of other substances. These questionnaires included the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist–Civilian Version (PCL-C). Of the 46 women who reported no BZDs use before arrest, 29 (63%) began using BZDs during imprisonment (p < 0.001). Positive scores for PTSD, anxiety, and depression, as well as associations between BZD use during imprisonment and anxiety (p = 0.028), depression (p = 0.001) and comorbid anxiety and depression (p = 0.003) were found when a bivariate Poisson regression was performed. When a multivariate Poisson regression was performed for tobacco use, the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scales, BZD use was associated with depression (p = p = 0.008), with tobacco use (p = 0.012), but not with anxiety (p = 0.325). Imprisonment increases the psychological suffering of women, consequently increasing BZD use. Nonpharmacological measures need to be considered in the health care of incarcerated women.
In-field assessment of change-of-direction ability with a single wearable sensor
Authors: Apte Salil , Karami Hojjat , Vallat Célestin , Gremeaux Vincent , Aminian Kamiar
Published: March 2023

The Agility T-test is a standardized method to measure the change-of-direction (COD) ability of athletes in the field. It is traditionally scored based on the total completion time, which does not provide information on the different CODs. Augmenting the T-test with wearable sensors provides the opportunity to explore new metrics. Towards this, data of 23 professional soccer players were recorded with a trunk-worn GNSS-IMU (Global Navigation Satellite System-Inertial Measurement Unit) device. A method for detecting the four CODs based on the wavelet-denoised antero-posterior acceleration signal was developed and validated using video data (60 Hz). Following this, completion time was estimated using GNSS ground speed and validated with the photocell data. The proposed method yields an error (mean ± standard deviation) of 0 ± 66 ms for the COD detection, − 0.16 ± 0.22 s for completion time, and a relative error for each COD duration and each sequential movement durations of less than 3.5 ± 16% and 7 ± 7%, respectively. The presented algorithm can highlight the asymmetric performance between the phases and CODs in the right and left direction. By providing a more comprehensive analysis in the field, this work can enable coaches to develop more personalized training and rehabilitation programs.
Synthesis and characterization of Gd3+-loaded hyaluronic acid-polydopamine nanoparticles as a dual contrast agent for CT and MRI scans
Authors: Shariati Alireza , Ebrahimi Tahereh , Babadinia Parva , Shariati Fatemeh Sadat , Ahangari Cohan Reza
Published: March 2023

Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography (CT) suffer from low contrast sensitivity and potential toxicity of contrast agents. To overcome these limitations, we developed and tested a new class of dual contrast agents based on polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA-NPs) that are functionalized and targeted with hyaluronic acid (HA). These nanoparticles (NPs) are chelated with Gd3+ to provide suitable contrast. The targeted NPs were characterized through ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared Fourier transform (FTIR), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The cytotoxicity was investigated on HEK293 cells using an MTT assay. The contrast property of synthesized Gd3+/PDA/HA was compared with Barium sulfate and Dotarem, as commercial contrast agents (CAs) for CT and MRI, respectively. The results illustrated that synthesized PDA-NPs have a spherical morphology and an average diameter of 72 nm. A distinct absorption peak around 280 nm in the UV–vis spectrum reported the self-polymerization of PDA-NPs. The HA coating on PDA-NPs was revealed through a shift in the FTIR peak of C=O from 1618 cm−1 to 1635 cm−1. The Gd3+ adsorption on PDA/HA-NPs was confirmed using an adsorption isotherm assay. The developed CA showed low in vitro toxicity (up to 158.98 µM), and created a similar contrast in MRI and CT when compared to the commercial agents. The r1 value for PDA/HA/Gd3+ (6.5 (mg/ml)−1 s−1) was more than Dotarem (5.6 (mg/ml)−1 s−1) and the results of the hemolysis test showed that at concentrations of 2, 4, 6, and 10 mg/ml, the hemolysis rate of red blood cells is very low. Additionally, the results demonstrated that PDA/HA/Gd3+ could better target the CD44+-expressing cancer cells than PDA/Gd3+. Thus, it can be concluded that lower doses of developed CA are needed to achieve similar contrast of Dotarem, and the developed CA has no safety concerns in terms of hemolysis. The stability of PDA/HA/Gd3+ has also been evaluated by ICP-OES, zeta potential, and DLS during 3 days, and the results suggested that Gd-HA NPs were stable.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on levels of deep-ocean acoustic noise
Authors: Robinson Stephen , Harris Peter , Cheong Sei-Him , Wang Lian , Livina Valerie , Haralabus Georgios , Zampolli Mario , Nielsen Peter
Published: March 2023

The extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic led to measures to mitigate the spread of the disease, with lockdowns and mobility restrictions at national and international levels. These measures led to sudden and sometimes dramatic reductions in human activity, including significant reductions in ship traffic in the maritime sector. We report on a reduction of deep-ocean acoustic noise in three ocean basins in 2020, based on data acquired by hydroacoustic stations in the International Monitoring System of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. The noise levels measured in 2020 are compared with predicted levels obtained from modelling data from previous years using Gaussian Process regression. Comparison of the predictions with measured data for 2020 shows reductions of between 1 and 3 dB in the frequency range from 10 to 100 Hz for all but one of the stations.
Antioxidant and hypoglycemic potential of phytogenic cerium oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Khan Maarij , Sohail  , Raja Naveed Iqbal , Asad Muhammad Javaid , Mashwani Zia-ur-Rehman
Published: March 2023

Plants provide humans with more than just food and shelter; they are also a major source of medications. The purpose of this research was to investigate the antioxidant and hypoglycemic potential of green synthesized CeONPs usingMentha royleanaleaves extract. The morphological and physicochemical features of CeONPs were evaluated by UV–Visible spectrophotometry, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-rays and Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry, Dynamic light scattering, Atomic Force Microscopy, Zeta Potential. The average size range of synthesized CeONPs diameter between 46 and 56 nm, crystalline in shape, with Polydispersity index value of 0.2 and subatomic particles mean diameter was 4.5–9.1 nm. The antioxidant capability of CeONPs was assessed using DPPH, ABTS+, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical scavenging, and reducing power tests. The hypoglycemic potential of CeONPs was investigated using alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase, glucose absorption by yeast cells, and antisucrase. The effective concentrations were 500 and 1000 µg/ml found good in suppressing radical species. To explore the hypoglycemic potential of CeONPs, alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase, glucose absorption by yeast cell, and antisucrase assays were performed. Glucose absorb by yeast cells assay was tested for three distinct glucose concentrations: 5 mmol/L, 10 mmol/L, and 25 mmol/L. Green synthesize CeONPs showed a dose-dependent response, higher concentrations of CeONPs imposed a stronger inhibitory impact on the catalytic site of enzymes. This study suggest that CeONPs could possibly binds to the charge carrying species and act as competitive inhibitor which slow down the enzyme substrate reaction and prevents enzymatic degradation. The study’s findings were outstanding, which bodes well for future medicinal applications of CeONPs.
Nonreciprocal forces enable cold-to-hot heat transfer between nanoparticles
Authors: Loos Sarah A. M. , Arabha Saeed , Rajabpour Ali , Hassanali Ali , Roldán Édgar
Published: March 2023

We study the heat transfer between two nanoparticles held at different temperatures that interact through nonreciprocal forces, by combining molecular dynamics simulations with stochastic thermodynamics. Our simulations reveal that it is possible to construct nano refrigerators that generate a net heat transfer from a cold to a hot reservoir at the expense of power exerted by the nonreciprocal forces. Applying concepts from stochastic thermodynamics to a minimal underdamped Langevin model, we derive exact analytical expressions predictions for the fluctuations of work, heat, and efficiency, which reproduce thermodynamic quantities extracted from the molecular dynamics simulations. The theory only involves a single unknown parameter, namely an effective friction coefficient, which we estimate fitting the results of the molecular dynamics simulation to our theoretical predictions. Using this framework, we also establish design principles which identify the minimal amount of entropy production that is needed to achieve a certain amount of uncertainty in the power fluctuations of our nano refrigerator. Taken together, our results shed light on how the direction and fluctuations of heat flows in natural and artificial nano machines can be accurately quantified and controlled by using nonreciprocal forces.
Assessing compatibility and viral fitness between poultry-adapted H9N2 and wild bird-derived neuraminidases
Authors: Wasberg Anishia , Faria Inês R. , Bergholm Julia , Petric Philipp P. , Mostafa Ahmed , Pleschka Stephan , Schwemmle Martin , Lundkvist Åke , Ellström Patrik , Naguib Mahmoud M.
Published: March 2023

Exchange of viral segments between one or more influenza virus subtypes can contribute to a shift in virulence and adaptation to new hosts. Among several influenza subtypes, H9N2 is widely circulating in poultry populations worldwide and has the ability to infect humans. Here, we studied the reassortant compatibility between chicken H9N2 with N1–N9 gene segments of wild bird origin, either with an intact or truncated stalk. Naturally occurring amino acid deletions in the NA stalk of the influenza virus can lead to increased virulence in both mallard ducks and chickens. Our findings show extended genetic compatibility between chicken H9Nx gene segments and the wild-bird NA with and without 20 amino acid stalk deletion. Replication kinetics in avian, mammalian and human cell lines revealed that parental chH9N2 and rH9N6 viruses with intact NA-stalk replicated significantly better in avian DF1 cells compared to human A549 cells. After introducing a stalk deletion, an enhanced preference for replication in mammalian and human cell lines could be observed for rH9N2Δ(H6), rH9N6Δ and rH9N9Δ compared to the parental chH9N2 virus. This highlights the potential emergence of novel viruses with variable phenotypic traits, warranting the continuous monitoring of H9N2 and co-circulating subtypes in avian hosts.