bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strong Rayleigh–Darcy convection regime in three-dimensional porous media
Authors: De Paoli Marco , Pirozzoli Sergio , Zonta Francesco , Soldati Alfredo
Published: June 2022

We perform large-scale numerical simulations to study Rayleigh–Darcy convection in three-dimensional fluid-saturated porous media up to Rayleigh–Darcy number

$Ra=8\times 10^4$

. At these large values of

$Ra$

, the flow is dominated by large columnar structures – called megaplumes – which span the entire height of the domain. Near the boundaries, the flow is hierarchically organized, with fine-scale structures interacting and nesting to form larger-scale structures called supercells. We observe that the correlation between the flow structure in the core of the domain and at the boundaries decreases only slightly for increasing

$Ra$

, and remains rather high even at the largest

$Ra$

considered here. This confirms that supercells are the boundary footprint of megaplumes dominating the core of the domain. In agreement with available literature predictions, we show that the thickness of the thermal boundary layer scales very well with the Nusselt number as

$\delta \sim 1/ Nu$

. Measurements of the mean wavenumber – inverse of the mean length scale – in the core of the flow support the scaling

$\bar {k} \sim Ra^{0.49}$

, in very good agreement with theoretical and numerical predictions. Interestingly, the behaviour of the mean wavenumber near the boundaries scales as

$\bar {k} \sim Ra^{0.81}$

, which is distinguishably different from the presumed linear behaviour. We hypothesize that a linear behaviour can only be observed in the ultimate regime, which we argue to set in only at

$Ra$

in excess of

$5\times 10^5$

, whereas a sublinear behaviour is recovered at more modest

$Ra$

. The present results are expected to help the development of long desired reliable models to predict the large- and fine-scale structure of Rayleigh–Darcy convection in the high-

$Ra$

regime typically encountered in geophysical processes, such as for instance in geological carbon dioxide sequestration.
Preconception of folic acid supplementation knowledge among Ethiopian women reproductive age group in areas with high burden of neural tube defects: a community based cross-sectional study
Authors: Begashaw Beyene , Tariku Zerihun , Berhane Anteneh
Published: June 2022

Periconceptional folic acid supplementation is effective in the prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs). The aim of the present study was to determine the level of knowledge about the benefits of preconceptional folic acid supplementation in a sample of women of childbearing age and its associated factors. A cross-sectional community-based study design was carried out on a total of 441 women of childbearing age. Questionnaires included knowledge of preconception of folic acid supplements and socio-demographic characteristics. The χ2 was used to compare categorical data. Multivariate logistic regression was used to isolate the predictive variables and examined individually by calculating the adjusted odds ratio. Statistical significance is declared as P < 0·05. We found that 35·1 % (n 155) knew preconceptional folic acid supplementation could prevent NTDs, and 3·8 % (n 17) knew the right time to take preconceptional folic acid supplementation and only 1·7 % (n 7) who had a history of NTDs. Attended secondary education (OR 2·7; 95 % CI 1·1, 6·0, P = 0·017), governmental employee (OR 3·5; 95 % CI 2·3, 17·8, P < 0·001), current pregnancy status (OR 3·0; 95 % CI 2·1, 4·2, P = 0·043), history of visiting the antenatal care service during pregnancy (OR 2·9; 95 % CI 1·07, 7·8, P = 0·03), history of taking folic acid supplement (OR 4·5; 95 % CI 2·9, 7·1, P < 0·001) were associated. More than half of the participant women did not know about preconception of folic acid supplements that reduce the risk of NTDs. Identification of the level of knowledge on preconception of folic acid may allow for targeted educational or other interventions to further encourage folic acid use.
Remembering the Iron Curtain: Diverse Memory Events after 1989
Authors: Harlov-Csortán Melinda
Published: June 2022

This article focuses on one section of the former Iron Curtain between Hungary and Austria that incorporates diverse memory events after the political change in 1989. The article concentrates on the Hungarian region during the last nearly three decades and investigates the actors and the memories of the former historic period, which show a uniquely diverse set of realizations. Among others, two private museums about the Iron Curtain (established and managed by two former border guards) and a memorial park (commemorating only one day, established and managed by a civil organization) in comparison to the official narrative presented in the last room of the permanent exhibition at the Hungarian National Museum in the capital are subjects of this investigation. Besides the actual memory places and the actors (those who initiated, maintain, and visit these memory spots), their relationship and role in the formation of the regional identity are also analyzed. As theoretical background, the connection between heritage, museum, and memory; the notion of post-Soviet nostalgia; authenticity; and the importance of time are activated for the analysis and to disentangle the complexity of the chosen case study.
Malinowski and malacology: global value systems and the issue of duplicates
Authors: Margócsy Dániel
Published: June 2022

This article situates the collecting practices of museums of natural history in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in dialogue with similar practices amongst societies in the Pacific by focusing on how European curators, dealers in natural history and Pacific Islanders shared a common fascination withSpondylusshells. In particular, this article examines the processes for turningSpondylusshells into unique or duplicate specimens.Spondylusshells were crucial for regulating gift and commercial exchanges in the societies of both regions. Famously, the anthropologist Bronisław Malinowski claimed that these shells were an essential element of the gift-basedkulaexchange, which helped him distinguish Western capitalist society from less developed societies without commercial trade. YetSpondylusshells were also collected and exchanged as gifts amongst British and European naturalists in this period, performing the same roles as in Melanesia. In addition, such gift exchanges could only come into being thanks to the actions of commercially motivated dealers, located both in the Pacific and in Europe, who were the suppliers of these shells both to Melanesian participants in thekulaand to Western natural historians and collectors. These observations call into question earlier arguments that equate modernity with the rise of commercial capitalism. It is instead claimed that commercial and gift exchanges were intricately connected and reliant on each other throughout the period, whether in the worlds of Western museums or in Pacific archipelagos. The act of turningSpondylusshells into unique or duplicate specimens was the key tool for regulating these exchanges.
Anatomical variations of the recurrent laryngeal nerve according to the inferior thyroid artery and their clinical impact in patients undergoing thyroidectomy
Authors: Gkrinia E , Nana P , Spanos K , Fiska A , Hajiioannou J , Skoulakis C , Zibis A H
Published: June 2022

Background

Recurrent laryngeal nerve identification is the ‘gold standard’ in thyroidectomy, to determine nerve function security and prevent severe complications. This study assessed the topographical relationship between the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the inferior thyroid artery in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy, and determined its clinical impact.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed of patients undergoing total thyroidectomy in a single tertiary centre over a six-month period.

Results

Sixty-four patients were included. Among the 128 recurrent laryngeal nerve dissections, the nerve was identified traversing the inferior thyroid artery anteriorly in 27.3 per cent, with equal distribution between the two sides. No significant sex association was reported. One patient had transient vocal fold palsy, and hypocalcaemia was observed in 21.9 per cent, yet there was no statistical association with the topographical variation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Conclusion

Almost one-third of patients had an anatomical variation in which the recurrent laryngeal nerve ran superiorly to the inferior thyroid artery. Recurrent laryngeal nerve variation had no clinical impact on local complications or hypocalcaemia.
Metabolic rate thermal plasticity in the marine annelid Ophryotrocha labronica across two successive generations
Authors: Massamba–N'Siala Gloria , Carignan Marie Hélène , Calosi Piero , Noisette Fanny
Published: June 2022

Marine ectotherms have evolved a range of physiological strategies to cope with temperature changes that persist across generations. For example, metabolic rates are expected to increase following an acute exposure to temperature, with potential detrimental impacts for fitness. However, they may be downregulated in the following generation if offspring experience the thermal conditions of their parents, with a resulting decrease in maintenance costs and fitness maximization. Yet, trans-generational studies on metabolic rates are few in marine ectotherms, thus limiting our ability to accurately predict longer-term implications of ocean warming on organisms' performance, metabolic rates being the fundamental pacemaker for all biological processes. This is particularly true for small-size organisms, for which the determination of individual metabolic rates has been historically challenging, and for many groups of marine invertebrates, such as annelids, which are under-represented in physiological investigations. Here, we exposed the subtidal annelid Ophryotrocha labronica (body length: ~4 mm) to a thermal gradient (21, 24, 26, 29°C) and measured, for the first time in this species, the temperature dependence of metabolic rates across two generations. We found that metabolic rates were positively related to temperature, but this relationship did not differ between generations. Our study provides additional evidence for the diversity of temperature-associated physiological responses of marine ectotherms and offers a number of methodological recommendations for unveiling the mechanisms underpinning the observed trans-generational responses of metabolic rates in marine annelid species.
Engaging women brings conservation benefits to snow leopard landscapes
Authors: Alexander Justine Shanti , Bijoor Ajay , Gurmet Kalzang , Murali Ranjini , Mishra Charudutt , Suryawanshi Kulbhushansingh R
Published: June 2022

Protection of biodiversity requires inclusive and gender-responsive programming. Evidence of success in engaging women in large carnivore conservation remains scarce, however, although women play an important role in caring for livestock at risk of predation and could contribute to large-carnivore conservation. We aimed to assess the performance of an income-generation and skills-building programme for women in Spiti Valley (India) that sought to engage women in local conservation action. Annual programme monitoring together with a one-time survey of attitudes, perceptions and social norms in eight communities exposed to the conservation programme and seven ‘control’ communities revealed: a keen interest and increasing levels of women’s participation over 7 years of programme operation; participant reports of multiple programme benefits including additional personal income, social networking and travel opportunities; and more positive attitudes towards snow leopards among programme participants than among non-participants in the control communities. Women from programme communities recorded in their diaries 33 self-directed conservation actions including improving livestock protection and preventing wildlife poaching. These results show a way forward to purposively engage women in conservation programming towards achieving sustainable and equitable outcomes in efforts to promote carnivore–human coexistence.
Exploring infant feeding practices and associated factors among HIV-positive mothers attending early infant diagnosis clinic in Northern Uganda
Authors: Mutawulira Ivan , Nakachwa Jane , Muharabu Laymond , Wilson Walekhwa Abel , Kayina Vincent
Published: June 2022

This study assessed the infant feeding practices and their determinants among human immune deficiency virus (HIV)-positive mothers with infants (0–12 months).

A cross-sectional study design adopting qualitative and quantitative data collection procedures was used. This study was carried out from Awach Health Center IV in Gulu city, Uganda. We enrolled 108 adult participants who were HIV-positive mothers with an infant from October to December 2021. Semi-structured questionnaire and focused group discussion (FGD) guide were used in data collection. Data were collected, edited, coded and entered into Epi info. The data were analysed using SPSS version 22. Qualitative data were analysed using Atlas.ti software.

Of the 108 mothers, 83/108 (77%) practised exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) while 25/108 (23%) practised mixed feeding. Qualitative results also showed that EBF was the preferred choice. Majority of the respondents 104/108 (96.3%) believed HIV can be transmitted to their babies. Factors associated with infant feeding practices at multivariant level analysis at 5% significance were age of the child (OR 0.706, 95% CI 0.210–0.988), income level (OR 1.296, 95% CI 1.150–10.631).

Majority of mothers had good knowledge about the prevention of mother-to-child transmission. Mothers should deliver from hospitals, more sensitisations for these mothers to appreciate the benefits of EBF.
Breastfeeding does not protect against the development of carditis in children with acute rheumatic fever
Authors: Gurbuz Funda , Canbulat Sahiner Nejla , Unal Emin , Gurbuz Ahmet Seyfeddin , Baysal Tamer
Published: June 2022

Introduction:

Acute rheumatic fever is an autoimmune disease that develops due to streptococcal infection. The positive effect of breastfeeding on the development of the child’s immune system is well documented. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of breast milk intake period on the development of carditis.

Materials and methods:

Patients (n: 182) who were diagnosed with acute rheumatic fever between 2010 and 2019 were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into groups according to carditis development. The demographic, socio-economic, and breastfeeding data were compared between groups.

Results:

The mean age of the patients was 10.5 ± 3.4, and 43.4 % (n: 79) of them were female. Independent predictors of the development of carditis in the first acute rheumatic fever episode were the number of children at home (OR: 1.773, CI 95%: 1.105, 2.845; p: 0.018) and breast milk intake less than 6 months (OR: 0.404, CI 95%: 0.174, 0.934; p: 0.034). Independent predictors of the development of carditis in any of the acute rheumatic fever episodes were the number of children at home (OR: 1.858, CI 95%: 1.100, 3.137; p: 0.021) and female gender (OR: 3.504, CI 95%: 1.227, 10.008; p: 0.019). The only independently predictor of the development of chorea during acute rheumatic fever was female gender (OR: 3.801, CI 95%: 1.463, 9.874; p: 0.006).

Conclusion:

Although the occurrence of carditis is less common during the first acute rheumatic fever attack in patients with breast milk intake less than six months, this advantage is lost in recurrent attacks. This study showed that breast milk does not have a negative effect on acute rheumatic fever carditis.
“Triangular QRS-ST-T waveform ECG pattern” during SARS-CoV-2 infection in a paediatric case with multiple comorbidities
Authors: Bulut Muhammet , Ekici Filiz , Ülgen Tekerek Nazan
Published: June 2022

Triangular QRS-ST-T waveform electrocardiography pattern, so-called “shark fin sign,” is a rare and highly mortal electrocardiography finding, which usually occurs in adult patients with coronary occlusion. Here, we reported the first paediatric case occurring in a striking “triangular waveform electrocardiography pattern” due to myocarditis during COVID-19 infection.
Automated hate speech detection and span extraction in underground hacking and extremist forums
Authors: Zhou Linda , Caines Andrew , Pete Ildiko , Hutchings Alice
Published: June 2022

Hate speech is any kind of communication that attacks a person or a group based on their characteristics, such as gender, religion and race. Due to the availability of online platforms where people can express their (hateful) opinions, the amount of hate speech is steadily increasing that often leads to offline hate crimes. This paper focuses on understanding and detecting hate speech in underground hacking and extremist forums where cybercriminals and extremists, respectively, communicate with each other, and some of them are associated with criminal activity. Moreover, due to the lengthy posts, it would be beneficial to identify the specific span of text containing hateful content in order to assist site moderators with the removal of hate speech. This paper describes a hate speech dataset composed of posts extracted from HackForums, an online hacking forum, and Stormfront and Incels.co, two extremist forums. We combined our dataset with a Twitter hate speech dataset to train a multi-platform classifier. Our evaluation shows that a classifier trained on multiple sources of data does not always improve the performance compared to a mono-platform classifier. Finally, this is the first work on extracting hate speech spans from longer texts. The paper fine-tunes BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers) and adopts two approaches – span prediction and sequence labelling. Both approaches successfully extract hateful spans and achieve an F1-score of at least 69%.
The role of child diets in the association between pre-pregnancy diets and childhood behavioural problems: a mediation analysis
Authors: Gete Dereje G , Waller Michael , Mishra Gita D
Published: June 2022

Objective:

To quantify the mediating role of childhood diets in the relationship between maternal diets prior to pregnancy and childhood behavioural disorders.

Design:

The Healthy Eating Index score was constructed using a semi-quantitative and validated 101-item FFQ. We assessed childhood behavioural disorders using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Three dietary patterns were identified using principal component analysis to explore childhood dietary patterns (high fats and sugar; prudent diets; and diary). A causal inference framework for mediation analysis was used to quantify the mediating role of childhood diets in the association between pre-pregnancy diets and the risk of offspring behavioural problems.

Setting:

This is a national representative population-based survey which covers all Australian citizens and permanent residents in Australia.

Participants:

We included 1448 mother–child pairs from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health and its sub-study mothers and their children’s health.

Results:

We found a 20 % of the total effect of the poor adherence to pre-pregnancy diet quality on the risk of offspring behavioural problems was mediated through childhood high consumptions of fats and sugar. No clear mediating effect through prudent and diary childhood diets was observed.

Conclusion:

This study suggests that childhood high fats and sugar consumption may contribute to the total effects of the pre-pregnancy diets on the risk of childhood behavioural problems.
The Global Nature of Early‐Afternoon and Late‐Night Convection Through the Eyes of the A‐Train
Authors: Pilewskie J. A. , L’Ecuyer T. S.
Published: June 2022

Characterizing macrophysical properties of deep convective systems on a global scale is a precursor to understanding their influence on Earth's Energy Budget and Water Cycle. This study documents the properties of global convective objects (COs) in the early afternoon (1:30 p.m. local time; LT) and overnight (1:30 a.m. LT) measurements from the A‐Train satellite constellation. CloudSat measurements are used to identify convective cores and establish their intensity, while other A‐Train data sets define cloud structure, storm spatial extent, rainfall yield, and radiative effects of each CO. Global distributions of storm characteristics are consistent with previous studies in which the most intense convection is located over tropical land, particularly over the Amazon and Congo Basin, while the largest COs occur over the Maritime Continent. Despite their limited twice‐daily sampling, A‐Train measurements capture that early afternoon convection over tropical land is both more intense and produces heavier rainfall than nighttime land‐based convection, while the day‐night differences are minimal over the tropical ocean. High‐resolution estimates of updraft cores reveal that CO size increases as the number of distinct cores in a CO increases owing to an increase in nonconvective rain and anvil cloud area. Convective objects generally cool the environment, which is strongest over the Northern Hemisphere midlatitudes, but cooling weakens as the nonconvective cloud fraction increases such that 30% of COs actually exert a net warming effect. These results suggest that A‐Train measurements may capture bulk connections between deep convective cloud features, precipitation, and radiative effects despite a lack of complete diurnal sampling.
Cost-effectiveness of digital therapeutics for essential hypertension
Authors: Nomura Akihiro , Tanigawa Tomoyuki , Kario Kazuomi , Igarashi Ataru
Published: June 2022

Hypertension increases the risk of cardiovascular and other diseases. Lifestyle modification is a significant component of nonpharmacological treatments for hypertension. We previously reported the clinical efficacy of digital therapeutics (DTx) in the HERB-DH1 trial. However, there is still a lack of cost-effectiveness assessments evaluating the impact of prescription DTx. This study aimed to analyze the cost-effectiveness of using prescription DTx in treating hypertension. We developed a monthly cycle Markov model and conducted Monte Carlo simulations using the HERB-DH1 trial data to investigate quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and the cost of DTx for hypertension plus guideline-based lifestyle modification consultation treatment as usual (TAU), comparing DTx + TAU and TAU-only groups with a lifetime horizon. The model inputs were obtained from the HERB-DH1 trial, published or publicly available data, and expert assumptions. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) per QALY was used as the benchmark for cost-effectiveness. We performed probabilistic sensitivity analyses (PSAs) using the Monte Carlo simulation with two million sets. The DTx + TAU strategy produced 18.778 QALYs and was associated with ¥3,924,075 ($34,122) expected costs, compared with 18.686 QALYs and ¥3,813,358 ($33,160) generated by the TAU-only strategy over a lifetime horizon, resulting in an ICER of ¥1,199,880 ($10,434)/QALY gained for DTx + TAU. The monthly cost and attrition rate of DTx for hypertension have a significant impact on ICERs. In the PSA, the probability of the DTx arm being a cost-effective option was 87.8% at a threshold value of ¥5 million ($43,478)/QALY gained. In conclusion, the DTx + TAU strategy was more cost-effective than the TAU-only strategy.
Multimodal deep learning for Alzheimer’s disease dementia assessment
Authors: Qiu Shangran , Miller Matthew I. , Joshi Prajakta S. , Lee Joyce C. , Xue Chonghua , Ni Yunruo , Wang Yuwei , De Anda-Duran Ileana , Hwang Phillip H. , Cramer Justin A. , Dwyer Brigid C. , Hao Honglin , Kaku Michelle C. , Kedar Sachin , Lee Peter H. , Mian Asim Z. , Murman Daniel L. , O’Shea Sarah , Paul Aaron B. , Saint-Hilaire Marie-Helene , Alton Sartor E. , Saxena Aneeta R. , Shih Ludy C. , Small Juan E. , Smith Maximilian J. , Swaminathan Arun , Takahashi Courtney E. , Taraschenko Olga , You Hui , Yuan Jing , Zhou Yan , Zhu Shuhan , Alosco Michael L. , Mez Jesse , Stein Thor D. , Poston Kathleen L. , Au Rhoda , Kolachalama Vijaya B.
Published: June 2022

Worldwide, there are nearly 10 million new cases of dementia annually, of which Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common. New measures are needed to improve the diagnosis of individuals with cognitive impairment due to various etiologies. Here, we report a deep learning framework that accomplishes multiple diagnostic steps in successive fashion to identify persons with normal cognition (NC), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), AD, and non-AD dementias (nADD). We demonstrate a range of models capable of accepting flexible combinations of routinely collected clinical information, including demographics, medical history, neuropsychological testing, neuroimaging, and functional assessments. We then show that these frameworks compare favorably with the diagnostic accuracy of practicing neurologists and neuroradiologists. Lastly, we apply interpretability methods in computer vision to show that disease-specific patterns detected by our models track distinct patterns of degenerative changes throughout the brain and correspond closely with the presence of neuropathological lesions on autopsy. Our work demonstrates methodologies for validating computational predictions with established standards of medical diagnosis.
Revealing the human mucinome
Authors: Malaker Stacy A. , Riley Nicholas M. , Shon D. Judy , Pedram Kayvon , Krishnan Venkatesh , Dorigo Oliver , Bertozzi Carolyn R.
Published: June 2022

Mucin domains are densely O-glycosylated modular protein domains found in various extracellular and transmembrane proteins. Mucin-domain glycoproteins play important roles in many human diseases, such as cancer and cystic fibrosis, but the scope of the mucinome remains poorly defined. Recently, we characterized a bacterial O-glycoprotease, StcE, and demonstrated that an inactive point mutant retains binding selectivity for mucin-domain glycoproteins. In this work, we leverage inactive StcE to selectively enrich and identify mucin-domain glycoproteins from complex samples like cell lysate and crude ovarian cancer patient ascites fluid. Our enrichment strategy is further aided by an algorithm to assign confidence to mucin-domain glycoprotein identifications. This mucinomics platform facilitates detection of hundreds of glycopeptides from mucin domains and highly overlapping populations of mucin-domain glycoproteins from ovarian cancer patients. Ultimately, we demonstrate our mucinomics approach can reveal key molecular signatures of cancer from in vitro and ex vivo sources.
Augmented ultrasonography with implanted CMOS electronic motes
Authors: Zhang Yihan , Muthuraman Prashant , Andino-Pavlovsky Victoria , Uguz Ilke , Elloian Jeffrey , Shepard Kenneth L.
Published: June 2022

Modern clinical practice benefits significantly from imaging technologies and much effort is directed toward making this imaging more informative through the addition of contrast agents or reporters. Here, we report the design of a battery-less integrated circuit mote acting as an electronic reporter during medical ultrasound imaging. When implanted within the field-of-view of a brightness-mode (B-mode) ultrasound imager, this mote transmits information from its location through backscattered acoustic energy which is captured within the ultrasound image itself. We prototype and characterize the operation of such motes in vitro and in vivo. Performing with a static power consumption of less than 57 pW, the motes operate at duty cycles for receiving acoustic energy as low as 50 ppm. Motes within the same field-of-view during imaging have demonstrated signal-to-noise ratios of more than 19.1 dB at depths of up to 40 mm in lossy phantom. Physiological information acquired through such motes, which is beyond what is measurable with endogenous ultrasound backscatter and which is biogeographically located within an image, has the potential to provide an augmented ultrasonography.
Current-induced self-switching of perpendicular magnetization in CoPt single layer
Authors: Liu Liang , Zhou Chenghang , Zhao Tieyang , Yao Bingqing , Zhou Jing , Shu Xinyu , Chen Shaohai , Shi Shu , Xi Shibo , Lan Da , Lin Weinan , Xie Qidong , Ren Lizhu , Luo Zhaoyang , Sun Chao , Yang Ping , Guo Er-Jia , Dong Zhili , Manchon Aurelien , Chen Jingsheng
Published: June 2022

All-electric switching of perpendicular magnetization is a prerequisite for the integration of fast, high-density, and low-power magnetic memories and magnetic logic devices into electric circuits. To date, the field-free spin-orbit torque (SOT) switching of perpendicular magnetization has been observed in SOT bilayer and trilayer systems through various asymmetric designs, which mainly aim to break the mirror symmetry. Here, we report that the perpendicular magnetization of CoxPt100-x single layers within a special composition range (20 < x < 56) can be deterministically switched by electrical current in the absence of external magnetic field. Specifically, the Co30Pt70 shows the largest out-of-plane effective field efficiency and best switching performance. We demonstrate that this unique property arises from the cooperation of two structural mechanisms: the low crystal symmetry property at the Co platelet/Pt interfaces and the composition gradient along the thickness direction. Compared with that in bilayers or trilayers, the field-free switching in CoxPt100-x single layer greatly simplifies the SOT structure and avoids additional asymmetric designs.
Satellite repeat transcripts modulate heterochromatin condensates and safeguard chromosome stability in mouse embryonic stem cells
Authors: Novo Clara Lopes , Wong Emily V. , Hockings Colin , Poudel Chetan , Sheekey Eleanor , Wiese Meike , Okkenhaug Hanneke , Boulton Simon J. , Basu Srinjan , Walker Simon , Kaminski Schierle Gabriele S. , Narlikar Geeta J. , Rugg-Gunn Peter J.
Published: June 2022

Heterochromatin maintains genome integrity and function, and is organised into distinct nuclear domains. Some of these domains are proposed to form by phase separation through the accumulation of HP1ɑ. Mouse heterochromatin contains noncoding major satellite repeats (MSR), which are highly transcribed in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Here, we report that MSR transcripts can drive the formation of HP1ɑ droplets in vitro, and modulate heterochromatin into dynamic condensates in ESCs, contributing to the formation of large nuclear domains that are characteristic of pluripotent cells. Depleting MSR transcripts causes heterochromatin to transition into a more compact and static state. Unexpectedly, changing heterochromatin’s biophysical properties has severe consequences for ESCs, including chromosome instability and mitotic defects. These findings uncover an essential role for MSR transcripts in modulating the organisation and properties of heterochromatin to preserve genome stability. They also provide insights into the processes that could regulate phase separation and the functional consequences of disrupting the properties of heterochromatin condensates.
Inhibition of negative feedback for persistent epithelial cell–cell junction contraction by p21-activated kinase 3
Authors: Uechi Hiroyuki , Fukushima Kazuki , Shirasawa Ryota , Sekine Sayaka , Kuranaga Erina
Published: June 2022

Actin-mediated mechanical forces are central drivers of cellular dynamics. They generate protrusive and contractile dynamics, the latter of which are induced in concert with myosin II bundled at the site of contraction. These dynamics emerge concomitantly in tissues and even each cell; thus, the tight regulation of such bidirectional forces is important for proper cellular deformation. Here, we show that contractile dynamics can eventually disturb cell–cell junction contraction in the absence of p21-activated kinase 3 (Pak3). Upon Pak3 depletion, contractility induces the formation of abnormal actin protrusions at the shortening junctions, which causes decrease in E-cadherin levels at the adherens junctions and mislocalization of myosin II at the junctions before they enough shorten, compromising completion of junction shortening. Overexpressing E-cadherin restores myosin II distribution closely placed at the junctions and junction contraction. Our results suggest that contractility both induces and perturbs junction contraction and that the attenuation of such perturbations by Pak3 facilitates persistent junction shortening.
Wearable battery-free theranostic dental patch for wireless intraoral sensing and drug delivery
Authors: Shi Zhenghan , Lu Yanli , Shen Shuying , Xu Yi , Shu Chang , Wu Yue , Lv Jingjiang , Li Xin , Yan Zupeng , An Zijian , Dai Chaobo , Su Lingkai , Zhang Fenni , Liu Qingjun
Published: June 2022

Dental caries caused by oral microbiome dysbiosis with the elevation of acidogenic bacteria is the most prevalent non-communicable disease worldwide. Early prevention and timely fluoride treatment are crucial for caries lesion management. Herein, to address the challenges of in situ sensing and topical drug delivery within the oral cavity, a miniaturized, battery-free, and wearable dental patch system was developed for microenvironment monitoring and controlled fluoride treatment. With the integration of near-field communication, the dental patch realizes wireless energy harvesting and data transmission with mobile terminals like smartphones when attached conformally to the tooth surface. The acidic microenvironment caused by bacterial metabolism are electrochemically detected, while fluorides can be delivered locally from the electric-responsive drug delivery electrode for on-demand treatment. As flexible electronics armed to the teeth, this intraoral theranostic wearable system provides an inspiring platform for point-of-care monitoring and treatment of dental caries and oral diseases.
Hyaluronic acid–GPRC5C signalling promotes dormancy in haematopoietic stem cells
Authors: Zhang Yu Wei , Mess Julian , Aizarani Nadim , Mishra Pankaj , Johnson Carys , Romero-Mulero Mari Carmen , Rettkowski Jasmin , Schönberger Katharina , Obier Nadine , Jäcklein Karin , Woessner Nadine M. , Lalioti Maria-Eleni , Velasco-Hernandez Talia , Sikora Katarzyna , Wäsch Ralph , Lehnertz Bernhard , Sauvageau Guy , Manke Thomas , Menendez Pablo , Walter Sebastian Gottfried , Minguet Susana , Laurenti Elisa , Günther Stefan , Grün Dominic , Cabezas-Wallscheid Nina
Published: June 2022

Bone marrow haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are vital for lifelong maintenance of healthy haematopoiesis. In inbred mice housed in gnotobiotic facilities, the top of the haematopoietic hierarchy is occupied by dormant HSCs, which reversibly exit quiescence during stress. Whether HSC dormancy exists in humans remains debatable. Here, using single-cell RNA sequencing, we show a continuous landscape of highly purified human bone marrow HSCs displaying varying degrees of dormancy. We identify the orphan receptor GPRC5C, which enriches for dormant human HSCs. GPRC5C is also essential for HSC function, as demonstrated by genetic loss- and gain-of-function analyses. Through structural modelling and biochemical assays, we show that hyaluronic acid, a bone marrow extracellular matrix component, preserves dormancy through GPRC5C. We identify the hyaluronic acid–GPRC5C signalling axis controlling the state of dormancy in mouse and human HSCs.
Scanning near-field optical spectroscopy and carrier transport based analysis in mesoscopic regions for two-dimensional semiconductors
Authors: Sakurai Anri , Iwamoto Kohei , Miwa Yoshihiko , Hori Hirokazu , Ishikawa Akira , Uchiyama Kazuharu , Kobayashi Kiyoshi , Kishino Katsumi , Sakai Masaru
Published: June 2022

The measurements of photoexcited transport in mesoscopic regimes reveal the states and properties of mesoscopic systems. In this study, we focused on direct measurements of electromagnetic energy transports in the mesoscopic regions and constructed a scanning tunnelling microscope-assisted multi-probe scanning near-field optical microscope spectroscopy system. After producing an emission energy map through a single-probe measurement, two-probe measurement enables us to observe and analyse carrier transport characteristics. It suggests that exciton generation and transport in the mesoscopic region of semiconductors with quantum structure changes, such as the bias of dopant, affect the excited carrier emission recombination process. The measured probability density of the carrier transported with quantum effects can be used for applications in natural intelligence research by combining it with the analysis using tournament structures. Our developed measurement and analysis methods are expected to clarify the details of carrier's behaviour in the mesoscopic region in various materials and lead to applications for novel optoelectronic devices.
Establishment of well-differentiated camelid airway cultures to study Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus
Authors: Gultom Mitra , Kratzel Annika , Portmann Jasmine , Stalder Hanspeter , Chanfon Bätzner Astrid , Gantenbein Hans , Gurtner Corinne , Ebert Nadine , Gad Hans Henrik , Hartmann Rune , Posthaus Horst , Zanolari Patrik , Pfaender Stephanie , Thiel Volker , Dijkman Ronald
Published: June 2022

In 2012, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) emerged in Saudi Arabia and was mostly associated with severe respiratory illness in humans. Dromedary camels are the zoonotic reservoir for MERS-CoV. To investigate the biology of MERS-CoV in camelids, we developed a well-differentiated airway epithelial cell (AEC) culture model for Llama glama and Camelus bactrianus. Histological characterization revealed progressive epithelial cellular differentiation with well-resemblance to autologous ex vivo tissues. We demonstrate that MERS-CoV displays a divergent cell tropism and replication kinetics profile in both AEC models. Furthermore, we observed that in the camelid AEC models MERS-CoV replication can be inhibited by both type I and III interferons (IFNs). In conclusion, we successfully established camelid AEC cultures that recapitulate the in vivo airway epithelium and reflect MERS-CoV infection in vivo. In combination with human AEC cultures, this system allows detailed characterization of the molecular basis of MERS-CoV cross-species transmission in respiratory epithelium.
Fixation instability, astigmatism, and lack of stereopsis as factors impeding recovery of binocular balance in amblyopia following binocular therapy
Authors: Bankó Éva M. , Barboni Mirella Telles Salgueiro , Markó Katalin , Körtvélyes Judit , Németh János , Nagy Zoltán Zs. , Vidnyánszky Zoltán
Published: June 2022

Dichoptic therapy is a promising method for improving vision in pediatric and adult patients with amblyopia. However, a systematic understanding about changes in specific visual functions and substantial variation of effect among patients is lacking. Utilizing a novel stereoscopic augmented-reality based training program, 24 pediatric and 18 adult patients were trained for 20 h along a three-month time course with a one-month post-training follow-up for pediatric patients. Changes in stereopsis, distance and near visual acuity, and contrast sensitivity for amblyopic and fellow eyes were measured, and interocular differences were analyzed. To reveal what contributes to successful dichoptic therapy, ANCOVA models were used to analyze progress, considering clinical baseline parameters as covariates that are potential requirements for amblyopic recovery. Significant and lasting improvements have been achieved in stereoacuity, interocular near visual acuity, and interocular contrast sensitivity. Importantly, astigmatism, fixation instability, and lack of stereopsis were major limiting factors for visual acuity, stereoacuity, and contrast sensitivity recovery, respectively. The results demonstrate the feasibility of treatment-efficacy prediction in certain aspects of dichoptic amblyopia therapy. Furthermore, our findings may aid in developing personalized therapeutic protocols, capable of considering individual clinical status, to help clinicians in tailoring therapy to patient profiles for better outcome.
The computational age‐at‐death estimation from 3D surface models of the adult pubic symphysis using data mining methods
Authors: Kotěrová Anežka , Štepanovský Michal , Buk Zdeněk , Brůžek Jaroslav , Techataweewan Nawaporn , Velemínská Jana
Published: June 2022

Age-at-death estimation of adult skeletal remains is a key part of biological profile estimation, yet it remains problematic for several reasons. One of them may be the subjective nature of the evaluation of age-related changes, or the fact that the human eye is unable to detect all the relevant surface changes. We have several aims: (1) to validate already existing computer models for age estimation; (2) to propose our own expert system based on computational approaches to eliminate the factor of subjectivity and to use the full potential of surface changes on an articulation area; and (3) to determine what age range the pubic symphysis is useful for age estimation. A sample of 483 3D representations of the pubic symphyseal surfaces from theossa coxaeof adult individuals coming from four European (two from Portugal, one from Switzerland and Greece) and one Asian (Thailand) identified skeletal collections was used. A validation of published algorithms showed very high error in our dataset—the Mean Absolute Error (MAE) ranged from 16.2 and 25.1 years. Two completely new approaches were proposed in this paper: SASS (Simple Automated Symphyseal Surface-based) and AANNESS (Advanced Automated Neural Network-grounded Extended Symphyseal Surface-based), whose MAE values are 11.7 and 10.6 years, respectively. Lastly, it was demonstrated that our models could estimate the age-at-death using the pubic symphysis over the entire adult age range. The proposed models offer objective age estimates with low estimation error (compared to traditional visual methods) and are able to estimate age using the pubic symphysis across the entire adult age range.
Key role of mitochondrial mutation Leu107Ser (COX1) in deltamethrin resistance in salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis)
Authors: Tschesche Claudia , Bekaert Michaël , Bassett David I. , Boyd Sally , Bron James E. , Sturm Armin
Published: June 2022

The pyrethroid deltamethrin (DTM) is used to treat Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) against salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) infestations. However, DTM resistance has evolved in L. salmonis and is currently common in the North Atlantic. This study aimed to re-assess the association between DTM resistance and mitochondrial (mtDNA) mutations demonstrated in previous reports. Among 218 L. salmonis collected in Scotland in 2018–2019, 89.4% showed DTM resistance in bioassays, while 93.6% expressed at least one of four mtDNA single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously shown to be resistance associated. Genotyping at further 14 SNP loci allowed to define three resistance-associated mtDNA haplotypes, named 2, 3 and 4, occurring in 72.0%, 14.2% and 7.3% of samples, respectively. L. salmonis strains IoA-02 (haplotype 2) and IoA-10 (haplotype 3) both showed high levels (~ 100-fold) of DTM resistance, which was inherited maternally in crossing experiments. MtDNA haplotypes 2 and 3 differed in genotype for 17 of 18 studied SNPs, but shared one mutation that causes an amino acid change (Leu107Ser) in the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1) and was present in all DTM resistant while lacking in all susceptible parasites. We conclude that Leu107Ser (COX1) is a main genetic determinant of DTM resistance in L. salmonis.
Decision-making psychological state and characteristic of proxies of thrombolytic patients: a pilot study
Authors: Yuanli Guo , Yanjin Liu , Lina Guo , Xiaofang Dong , Caixia Yang , Min Wang , Huanhuan Gao , Peihua Lv , Keke Ma
Published: June 2022

Intravenous thrombolysis is the preferred treatment modality for acute ischemic stroke. In China, written informed consent from patients or proxies must be obtained before intravenous thrombolysis is performed, which always leads to in-hospital delay of thrombolysis. To explore the relationship between characteristics of thrombolysis decision-making and psychological states of proxies of AIS patients. This was a pilot study. 231 proxies of AIS patients were recruited, including 147 males and 84 females. STAI, WFPTS, CAOT, CPS, C-DCS and time-consuming of decision-making were collected by trained nurses during the period from signing informed consent to thrombolysis finished. The general information was collected within 24 h after admission. Pearson correlation analysis and the Ridge regression analysis were used to explore the correlation and causality between psychological indicators (STAI, WFPTS, CAOT, CPS) and decision-making characteristics (C-DCS, Time consuming). Structural equation modeling was used to explore the direct and indirect effect of psychological factors on decision-making characteristics. The mean of anxiety, trust in physicians, and decision conflict were 49.20 ± 9.50, 37.83 ± 6.63 and 30.60 ± 14.77, respectively. The CAOT was associated with C-DCS through the mediation of STAI and WFPTS (p < 0.001). The CAOT was associated with time-consuming through the mediation of STAI, WFPTS and CPS (p < 0.05). The CAOT, STAI and WFPTS were associated with C-DCS (p < 0.05), and STAI, WFPTS and CPS were associated with time-consuming (p < 0.01). The proxy of patients with acute ischemic stroke had severe decision conflict in thrombolysis decision-making. The psychological state was associated with decision conflict and the time-consuming. Medical staff should explore methods to release the anxiety and increase the trust in physicians to reduce the decision-making conflict and time-consuming, which could promote the smooth progress of the informed consent.
Predictive blood biomarkers of sheep pregnancy and litter size
Authors: Goldansaz Seyed Ali , Markus Susan , Plastow Graham , Wishart David S.
Published: June 2022

Early detection of sheep pregnancy and the prediction of how many lambs a pregnant ewe delivers affects sheep farmers in a number of ways, most notably with regard to feed management, lambing rate, and sheep/lamb health. The standard practice for direct detection of sheep pregnancy and litter size (PLS) is ultrasonography. However, this approach has a number of limitations. Indirect measurement of PLS using blood biomarkers could offer a simpler, faster and earlier route to PLS detection. Therefore, we undertook a large-scale metabolomics study to identify and validate predictive serum biomarkers of sheep PLS. We conducted a longitudinal experiment that analyzed 131 serum samples over five timepoints (from seven days pre-conception to 70 days post-conception) from six commercial flocks in Alberta and Ontario, Canada. Using LC–MS/MS and NMR, we identified and quantified 107 metabolites in each sample. We also identified three panels of serum metabolite biomarkers that can predict ewe PLS as early as 50 days after breeding. These biomarkers were then validated in separate flocks consisting of 243 animals yielding areas-under-the-receiver-operating-characteristic-curve (AU-ROC) of 0.81–0.93. The identified biomarkers could lead to the development of a simple, low-cost blood test to measure PLS at an early stage of pregnancy, which could help optimize reproductive management on sheep farms.