bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glutamatergic supramammillary nucleus neurons respond to threatening stressors and promote active coping
Authors: Escobedo Abraham , Holloway Salli-Ann , Votoupal Megan , Cone Aaron L , Skelton Hannah , Legaria Alex A , Ndiokho Imeh , Floyd Tasheia , Kravitz Alexxai V , Bruchas Michael R , Norris Aaron J
Published: October 2023

Threat-response neural circuits are conserved across species and play roles in normal behavior and psychiatric diseases. Maladaptive changes in these neural circuits contribute to stress, mood, and anxiety disorders. Active coping in response to stressors is a psychosocial factor associated with resilience against stress-induced mood and anxiety disorders. The neural circuitry underlying active coping is poorly understood, but the functioning of these circuits could be key for overcoming anxiety and related disorders. The supramammillary nucleus (SuM) has been suggested to be engaged by threat. SuM has many projections and a poorly understood diversity of neural populations. In studies using mice, we identified a unique population of glutamatergic SuM neurons (SuMVGLUT2+::POA) based on projection to the preoptic area of the hypothalamus (POA) and found SuMVGLUT2+::POA neurons have extensive arborizations. SuMVGLUT2+::POA neurons project to brain areas that mediate features of the stress and threat responses including the paraventricular nucleus thalamus (PVT), periaqueductal gray (PAG), and habenula (Hb). Thus, SuMVGLUT2+::POA neurons are positioned as a hub, connecting to areas implicated in regulating stress responses. Here we report SuMVGLUT2+::POA neurons are recruited by diverse threatening stressors, and recruitment correlated with active coping behaviors. We found that selective photoactivation of the SuMVGLUT2+::POA population drove aversion but not anxiety like behaviors. Activation of SuMVGLUT2+::POA neurons in the absence of acute stressors evoked active coping like behaviors and drove instrumental behavior. Also, activation of SuMVGLUT2+::POA neurons was sufficient to convert passive coping strategies to active behaviors during acute stress. In contrast, we found activation of GABAergic (VGAT+) SuM neurons (SuMVGAT+) neurons did not alter drive aversion or active coping, but termination of photostimulation was followed by increased mobility in the forced swim test. These findings establish a new node in stress response circuitry that has projections to many brain areas and evokes flexible active coping behaviors.
The complete mitochondrial genome and gene rearrangements in a gall wasp species, Dryocosmus liui (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Cynipidae)
Authors: Su Cheng-Yuan , Zhu Dao-Hong , Abe Yoshihisa , Ide Tatsuya , Liu Zhiwei
Published: October 2023

Mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) have been widely used in comparative and evolutionary genomics, molecular evolution, phylogenetics, and population genetics, but very limited information is available for the family Cynipidae. In this report, we describe the mitogenome of Dryocosmus liui Pang, Su et Zhu, providing the first complete mitogenomic data for a cynipid gall wasp species. The mitogenome of D. liui is 16,819 bp in length, and contains the typical set of 37 genes. Two control regions were detected, with the second being a perfect inverted repeat of the major portion of the first. Gene rearrangements were found in transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, protein-coding genes (PCGs) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, compared with the putative ancestral mitogenome. Similar to two other Cynipidae species with mitogenome data available, D. liui has a novel tRNA gene cluster trnL1–trnI–trnL2–trnW–trnM–trnQ between nad1 and nad2. Phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of PCGs and rRNA genes with D. liui included obtained topologies identical to previous studies supporting the a relationship of (Cynipoidea , (Platygastroidea, Proctotrupoidea)) within the monophyletic Proctotrupomorpha and (Cynipidae, Figitidae), Ibaliidae) within the Cynipoidea.
Current knowledge of the Southern Hemisphere marine microbiome in eukaryotic hosts and the Strait of Magellan surface microbiome project
Authors: Ochoa-Sánchez Manuel , Acuña Gomez Eliana Paola , Ramírez-Fenández Lia , Eguiarte Luis E. , Souza Valeria
Published: October 2023

Host-microbe interactions are ubiquitous and play important roles in host biology, ecology, and evolution. Yet, host-microbe research has focused on inland species, whereas marine hosts and their associated microbes remain largely unexplored, especially in developing countries in the Southern Hemisphere. Here, we review the current knowledge of marine host microbiomes in the Southern Hemisphere. Our results revealed important biases in marine host species sampling for studies conducted in the Southern Hemisphere, where sponges and marine mammals have received the greatest attention. Sponge-associated microbes vary greatly across geographic regions and species. Nevertheless, besides taxonomic heterogeneity, sponge microbiomes have functional consistency, whereas geography and aging are important drivers of marine mammal microbiomes. Seabird and macroalgal microbiomes in the Southern Hemisphere were also common. Most seabird microbiome has focused on feces, whereas macroalgal microbiome has focused on the epibiotic community. Important drivers of seabird fecal microbiome are aging, sex, and species-specific factors. In contrast, host-derived deterministic factors drive the macroalgal epibiotic microbiome, in a process known as “microbial gardening”. In turn, marine invertebrates (especially crustaceans) and fish microbiomes have received less attention in the Southern Hemisphere. In general, the predominant approach to study host marine microbiomes has been the sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Interestingly, there are some marine holobiont studies (i.e., studies that simultaneously analyze host (e.g., genomics, transcriptomics) and microbiome (e.g., 16S rRNA gene, metagenome) traits), but only in some marine invertebrates and macroalgae from Africa and Australia. Finally, we introduce an ongoing project on the surface microbiome of key species in the Strait of Magellan. This is an international project that will provide novel microbiome information of several species in the Strait of Magellan. In the short-term, the project will improve our knowledge about microbial diversity in the region, while long-term potential benefits include the use of these data to assess host-microbial responses to the Anthropocene derived climate change.
Characterization of macroalgal-associated microbial communities from shallow to mesophotic depths at Manawai, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Hawai‘i
Authors: M. Kuba Gabrielle , Spalding Heather L. , Hill-Spanik Kristina M. , M. Williams Taylor , O. Paiano Monica , R. Sherwood Alison , Hauk Brian B. , Kosaki Randall K. , Fullerton Heather
Published: October 2023

The Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Hawai‘i, is one of the most isolated and protected archipelagos in the world, making it a natural laboratory to examine macroalgal-microbial diversity because of limited direct anthropogenic impacts. We collected the most abundant macroalgae from nine sites ranging from shallow subtidal (1.5 m) to mesophotic (75 m) depths around Manawai (Pearl and Hermes Atoll). We characterized the macroalgal bacterial communities via high-throughput amplicon sequencing and compared the influence of host phylum, species, site, and depth on these relationships at a single atoll. Ochrophyta species had the lowest bacterial diversity compared to Chlorophyta and Rhodophyta. Site and/or depth may influence the microbial community structure associated with Microdictyon setchellianum, indicating a possible disconnect of these microbial communities among habitats. Chondria tumulosa, a cryptogenic species with invasive traits, differed in associated microbiota compared to the native Laurencia galtsoffii, an alga from the same family collected at the same site and depth. While there was overlap of bacterial communities across sites for some algal species, the majority had minimal macroalgal-microbial community connectivity across Manawai. This mesophotic system, therefore, did not appear to be refugia for shallow water coral reefs at microscopic scales. Additional studies are required to identify other significant influences on microbial community variation.
Research trends in the control of hate speech on social media for the 2016–2022 time frame
Authors: Sánchez-Sánchez Ana M. , Ruiz-Muñoz David , Sánchez-Sánchez Francisca J.
Published: October 2023

The growth in the number of social media users has resulted in a corresponding rise in the spread of hate speech on these platforms, leading to a growing, but little studied, problem. The bibliometric study aimed to examine the research trend and identify the most productive authors, the most active institutions, the leading countries and the most employed virtual hate speech control mechanisms by analyzing 576 relevant publications from the Scopus database published between 2016-2022. The findings showed an increase in publication and India as a leading country/region in research on virtual hate speech control mechanisms. Deep learning and natural language processing systems were identified as the most commonly used control mechanisms. Based on the results, it is recommended that future researchers focus on multidisciplinary collaboration and valid mechanisms for different languages. This paper provides a general overview of the current state of research in this field and serves as a guide for authors and institutions in their research and collaboration strategies.
Effect of Sulphur Levels on Growth and Yield of Indian Mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.]
Authors: Prajapati Heeralal , Azad Anand Rao , Kher Deepak
Published: October 2023

In the 2022 rabi season, a field experiment was conducted at the Agriculture Research Farm of Sage University, Bhopal (M.P.). The study employed a randomized block design with three replications and a factorial setup, examining the impact of varying Sulphur levels on crop growth and yield. Specifically, six treatments were implemented, encompassing four Sulphur dosage levels: 15, 30, 45, and 60 kg S/ha. The chosen crop variety for this experiment was Rani, aimed at determining the most suitable Sulphur dosage and variety combination for maximizing agricultural production.

The experiment commenced on December 8, 2023, in soil characterized as black soil with a pH of 6.5, organic carbon content of 0.32%, electrical conductivity (EC) measuring 0.33 ds/m, and nutrient levels of 180.4 kg/ha of available nitrogen, 18.4 kg/ha of available phosphorus, 290 kg/ha of available potassium, 7.3 ppm of available Sulphur, and 0.59 ppm of available Zinc.

Results from the study revealed that among the various Sulphur treatments, the application of 60 kg S/ha had a significant impact on various plant characteristics, including plant height, number of branches per plant, leaf area index, number of siliqua per plant, length of siliqua, number of seeds per siliqua, and dry matter accumulation per plant. Notably, this Sulphur dosage level outperformed the 15, 30, and 45 kg S/ha treatments and was superior to the rest of the Sulphur levels.

However, it's important to note that Sulphur dosage did not significantly affect certain parameters such as Harvest index, 1000-grain weight (g), nitrogen content, and protein content. Nevertheless, the application of Sulphur at a rate of 60 kg/ha led to significant increases in seed yield, stover yield, and Sulphur content in both the seed and stover, demonstrating its positive impact on overall crop production.
Reliability Enhancement on Distribution System Using Modified Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization Technique
Authors: Mauryan K.S. Chandragupta , Sakthi R. Purrnimaa Shiva , Babu K. Rajesh
Published: October 2023

This research paper introduces an innovative approach for optimizing the placement of fault indicators (FIs) within electric distribution systems. The primary focus is on addressing how the presence of existing protection and control devices affects the time it takes to restore service to customers in the event of a fault. Unlike conventional FI placement methods, this extended approach considers the uncertainties associated with automatic switching and introduces a novel technical objective function known as the Customers' Average Restoration Time Index (CARTI). To tackle the complex task of multi-objective optimization, a solution approach has been devised, with the goal of simultaneously minimizing both economic and technical objectives. This methodology harnesses a Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO) algorithm and incorporates a Modified Particle Swarm Optimization technique to select the most suitable solution from the set of Pareto optimal solutions generated. The proposed method's effectiveness is demonstrated through its application in two scenarios: firstly, in the context of bus number four within the Roy Billinton test system (RBTS4), and secondly, in a practical real-life distribution network. The study assesses technical objectives, specifically the System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) and CARTI, providing insights into the method's practical utility and its capacity to enhance FI placement for improved distribution system performance.
CsPbBr3@Glass Nanocomposite with Green‐Emitting External Quantum Efficiency of 75% for Backlit Display
Authors: Chen Shuxin , Lin Jidong , Huang Jie , Pang Tao , Ye Qingying , Zheng Yuanhui , Li Xiaoyan , Yu Yunlong , Zhuang Bin , Chen Daqin
Published: October 2023

Robust amorphous glass protected CsPbBr3 (CsPbBr3@glass) perovskite quantum dots (PeQDs) with ultra‐pure green emission and superior long‐term stability are highly desirable for developing wide‐color‐gamut liquid crystal displays. However, most of the reported CsPbBr3@glass nanocomposites are subject to low external quantum efficiency (EQE). This work demonstrates that ZrO2 additive has an “accumulation” effect on the borosilicate glass network structure to promote in situ nucleation/growth of PeQDs inside glass rather than self‐crystallization. This effect is beneficial in reducing surface defects, improving the quality of PeQDs, and thus boosting radiative recombination of excitons. As a consequence, the as‐prepared CsPbBr3@glass shows a record EQE of up to 75% and can pass the accelerated aging tests at 85 °C/85% RH for 1000 h and blue light irradiation over 2000 h. Finally, a prototype display using CsPbBr3@glass‐based straight‐down backlit unit is designed and gains more favorable responses in blind selection tests for its high brightness of 2647 cd m−2 and high color purity of 88%. The findings will pave the way for realizing the commercial application of CsPbBr3@glass nanocomposite in PeQDs‐converted backlit display.
Electric Eel‐Inspired Soft Electrocytes for Solid‐State Power Systems
Authors: Han Won Bae , Kim Dong‐Je , Kim Yong Min , Ko Gwan‐Jin , Shin Jeong‐Woong , Jang Tae‐Min , Han Sungkeun , Kang Heeseok , Lim Jun Hyeon , Eom Chan‐Hwi , Lee Joong Hoon , Yang Seung Min , Rajaram Kaveti , Bandodkar Amay J. , Moon Hong Chul , Hwang Suk‐Won
Published: October 2023

As the demand for power systems, including portable ones, is growing at an ever‐faster pace, many studies are approaching to discover innovative materials for current battery technology or replace the existing ones with new systems through mimicking living things or nature. Here, a soft, solid‐state power storage system featuring electric eel‐inspired artificial electric organs capable of converting the chemical potential of an ionic gradient into electricity is introduced. These organs are constructed through the assembly of low and high ion‐concentrated zwitterionic gel films with cation‐ and anion‐selective intermembranes, which generate a rechargeable open‐circuit voltage of ≈135 mV. Combined use of a chemically synthesized room‐temperature ionic liquid and a high‐boiling point organic solvent as ion‐conducting electrolyte allows electric organs to withstand extreme temperatures ranging from −20 and 100 °C, while the thin and stretchable constituent layers facilitate mechanical flexibility without compromising electrical performance. Scalable integration of electric organs in series and parallel configurations achieves high levels of voltage and current outputs, and employment of origami folding geometry enables on‐demand discharge upon self‐registered folding, paving the way for portable, high‐voltage energy sources in the fields of wearable electronics and soft robotics.
Manganese‐Based Nanoparticle Vaccine for Combating Fatal Bacterial Pneumonia
Authors: OuYang Xuan , Xu Xican , Qin Qingqing , Dai Chenxi , Wang Hongyu , Liu Shuang , Hu Lingfei , Xiong Xiaolu , Liu Huiyu , Zhou Dongsheng
Published: October 2023

Bacterial pneumonia is the leading cause of death worldwide among all infectious diseases. However, currently available vaccines against fatal bacterial lung infections, e.g., pneumonic plague, are accompanied by limitations, including insufficient antigen‐adjuvant co‐delivery and inadequate immune stimulation. Therefore, there is an urgent requirement to develop next‐generation vaccines to improve the interaction between antigen and adjuvant, as well as enhance the effects of immune stimulation. This study develops a novel amino‐decorated mesoporous manganese silicate nanoparticle (AMMSN) loaded with rF1‐V10 (rF1‐V10@AMMSN) to prevent pneumonic plague. These results suggest that subcutaneous immunization with rF1‐V10@AMMSN in a prime‐boost strategy induces robust production of rF1‐V10‐specific IgG antibodies with a geometric mean titer of 315,844 at day 42 post‐primary immunization, which confers complete protection to mice against 50 × LD50 of Yersinia pestis (Y. pestis) challenge via the aerosolized intratracheal route. Mechanistically, rF1‐V10@AMMSN can be taken up by dendritic cells (DCs) and promote DCs maturation through activation of the cyclic GMP–AMP synthase (cGAS)‐stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway and production of type I interferon. This process results in enhanced antigen presentation and promotes rF1‐V10‐mediated protection against Y. pestis infection. This manganese‐based nanoparticle vaccine represents a valuable strategy for combating fatal bacterial pneumonia.
Neural Networks Push the Limits of Luminescence Lifetime Nanosensing
Authors: Ming Liyan , Zabala‐Gutierrez Irene , Rodríguez‐Sevilla Paloma , Retama Jorge Rubio , Jaque Daniel , Marin Riccardo , Ximendes Erving
Published: October 2023

Luminescence lifetime‐based sensing is ideally suited to monitor biological systems due to its minimal invasiveness and remote working principle. Yet, its applicability is limited in conditions of low signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) induced by, e.g., short exposure times and presence of opaque tissues. Herein this limitation is overcome by applying a U‐shaped convolutional neural network (U‐NET) to improve luminescence lifetime estimation under conditions of extremely low SNR. Specifically, the prowess of the U‐NET is showcased in the context of luminescence lifetime thermometry, achieving more precise thermal readouts using Ag2S nanothermometers. Compared to traditional analysis methods of decay curve fitting and integration, the U‐NET can extract average lifetimes more precisely and consistently regardless of the SNR value. The improvement achieved in the sensing performance using the U‐NET is demonstrated with two experiments characterized by extreme measurement conditions: thermal monitoring of free‐falling droplets, and monitoring of thermal transients in suspended droplets through an opaque medium. These results broaden the applicability of luminescence lifetime‐based sensing in fields including in vivo experimentation and microfluidics, while, hopefully, spurring further research on the implementation of machine learning (ML) in luminescence sensing.
Additive Manufacturing of Elastomeric Composite Lattices with Thermally Grown Micro‐Architectures for Versatile Applications
Authors: Tang Zhen‐Hua , Xue Shan‐Shan , Li Yuan‐Qing , Huang Pei , Fu Ya‐Qin , Fu Shao‐Yun
Published: October 2023

Microengineering of materials plays an important role in achieving multifunctionality and enhancing performance. However, it is still a major challenge to construct secondary micro‐architectures in composite lattices to date. Herein, a novel microengineering strategy of combining additive manufacturing and thermo‐growth processes is proposed to develop elastomeric composite lattices with micro‐architectures throughout the filaments for versatile applications. The new printing inks are composed of elastomeric matrices, closed‐cell microspheres and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). After printing, microspheres “grow” to form secondary micro‐architectures inside by applying thermal treatment. Such thermo‐growth offers a good opportunity to manufacture objects with exceptional and complex micro‐architectures, and few synthetic materials can “grow” like this. Further investigation shows that the obtained microstructured elastomeric composite lattice has an excellent impact energy dissipation capacity by reducing the impact force by 57% owing to the hierarchical energy dissipation mechanisms, and exhibits a distinctively linear electrical response to impact which endows it a self‐sensing capability. In addition, it also shows a good thermal‐insulation performance endowed by mm‐scale pores and µm‐scale hollow spheres, which is comparable to existing composite foams. This study represents an innovative and effective approach for the development of micro‐engineered composite lattices with excellent multifunctional properties for versatile applications.
Moisture‐Insensitive Force Sensor Yarns and Fabrics to Monitor Biological Motion
Authors: Uno Mayumi Otoba , Omori Mariko , Morita Shigeru , Kojitani Tomohiko , Yoshimura Kansei , Tsurumi Takuto , Ito Kenichi
Published: October 2023

Textile sensors are crucial unobtrusive devices attached to arbitrarily curved surfaces owing to their high flexibility and ease of processing in large areas with complex contours. However, issues regarding the reliability and stability of the output of textile sensors and their practical implementation persist. This study proposes sensor yarns comprising carbon‐coated multifibers covering metallic core yarns to detect pressure and strain. Two electrically independent metallic core fibers are twisted in close proximity in a core‐sheath structure with a sheath yarn of carbon‐coated fibers. When an external force is applied, the covering yarns deform elastically, causing a change in resistance. The proposed sensor yarns can be used to develop customized textile sensors, as they can be woven or knitted at the target positions owing to their flexibility. Fabrics and knits with embedded sensor yarns can detect external forces and biological motions, e.g., respiratory monitoring and finger movements. The proposed sensors can be made sensitive or insensitive to moisture depending on the choice of the covering yarn. Thus, the proposed yarns and textile sensors have potential applications in wearable devices and biological sensors that require high conformability to the human body and curved surfaces.
No yield benefit from starter fertilizer in soybean no‐till planted into rolled‐crimped cereal rye
Authors: Allen Jake , Pelzer Christopher J. , Brockmueller Ben , Silva Erin M. , Ryan Matthew R.
Published: October 2023

No‐till planting organic soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] into rolled‐crimped cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) can improve soil health while decreasing labor and fuel costs, but yield declines from tillage‐based production hinder wider adoption. In addition to soil moisture depletion, nitrogen (N) tie‐up in cereal rye biomass and cool soil temperatures under mulches may contribute to yield differences by decreasing N availability early in the production system before the onset of biological N fixation. A field experiment was conducted to determine if starter fertilizers could increase early‐season soybean growth and subsequent yields. Over five site‐years in New York and Wisconsin on organically managed land, soybeans were no‐till planted into rolled‐crimped cereal rye and four treatments were applied in a randomized complete block design: feather meal, poultry litter, and sodium nitrate starter fertilizer treatments supplied at 28 kg N·ha−1 and a zero fertilizer control. Early‐season growth, weed biomass, soybean biomass, soybean density, and soybean yield were compared among treatments. The relationships between soybean yield and these other variables were also explored. Some differences among treatments were observed in early‐season growth, but the results were inconsistent and only found in two site‐years. Soybean yield did not differ between the control (2664 kg·ha−1) and any treatment (feather meal: 2760 kg·ha−1, poultry litter: 2812 kg·ha−1, and sodium nitrate: 2769 kg·ha−1), though greater cereal rye biomass and soybean density were associated with higher yield. The results suggest that soybeans in organic cover crop‐based no‐till production do not consistently respond to starter fertilizer.
Impact of dual electronic and conventional cigarette use on diagnosis and surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis: A multicenter study
Authors: Pingree Graham , DeShazo Jonathan , Schuman Theodore
Published: October 2023

Key points

Dual EC/CC users had a significantly greater risk of CRS or FESS when compared to solo users.

Dual EC/CC users did not have a significantly greater risk of polyposis when compared to solo users.

This effect likely relates to bacterial, immune cell, genetic, and mucociliary alterations.
Entwicklung eines robusten CO2‐reduzierten Betons für das EDGE East Side Berlin
Authors: Krauss Hans‐W. , Dittmar Sebastian , Mazanec Oliver , Schauerte Matthias , Spenner Leopold
Published: October 2023

Der vorliegende Beitrag zeigt, mit welchen Methoden und Materialien die erfolgreiche Entwicklung einer maßgeschneiderten baustellentauglichen CO2‐reduzierten Betonrezeptur unter Einsatz lokal verfügbarer Betonausgangsstoffe für das Hochhaus EDGE East Side Berlin gelungen ist. Dabei wird insbesondere auf die Maßnahmen zur Sicherstellung der erforderlichen Frischbetoneigenschaften und Robustheit eingegangen, da diese von entscheidender Bedeutung für den erfolgreichen Betoneinbau im Pumpverfahren unter sommerlichen Bedingungen waren. Maßgeblich zum Erfolg beigetragen haben besondere Qualitätssicherungsmaßnahmen im Vorfeld und während der Baumaßnahme. Dazu gehören Maßnahmen zur Sicherstellung der Pumpfähigkeit (im Labor und im Großmaßstab) sowie eine besondere Methode zur Qualitätssicherung auf Basis von Sensor‐ und KI‐Software‐gestützter Überwachung der Ausbreitmaßentwicklung vom Werk bis zur Baustelle. Abschließend werden die Faktoren, die maßgeblich zum Erfolg bei Entwicklung und Einsatz des sehr anspruchsvollen Betons geführt haben, zusammengefasst und Hinweise für den Umgang mit solchen Betonen in der Praxis gegeben.
Precision oncology: Artificial intelligence, circulating cell‐free DNA, and the minimally invasive detection of pancreatic cancer—A pilot study
Authors: Bahado‐Singh Ray O. , Turkoglu Onur , Aydas Buket , Vishweswaraiah Sangeetha
Published: October 2023

Background

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is among the most lethal cancers. The lack of effective tools for early detection results in late tumor detection and, consequently, high mortality rate. Precision oncology aims to develop targeted individual treatments based on advanced computational approaches of omics data. Biomarkers, such as global alteration of cytosine (CpG) methylation, can be pivotal for these objectives. In this study, we performed DNA methylation profiling of pancreatic cancer patients using circulating cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) and artificial intelligence (AI) including Deep Learning (DL) for minimally invasive detection to elucidate the epigenetic pathogenesis of PC.

Methods

The Illumina Infinium HD Assay was used for genome‐wide DNA methylation profiling of cfDNA in treatment‐naïve patients. Six AI algorithms were used to determine PC detection accuracy based on cytosine (CpG) methylation markers. Additional strategies for minimizing overfitting were employed. The molecular pathogenesis was interrogated using enrichment analysis.

Results

In total, we identified 4556 significantly differentially methylated CpGs (q‐value < 0.05; Bonferroni correction) in PC versus controls. Highly accurate PC detection was achieved with all 6 AI platforms (Area under the receiver operator characteristics curve [0.90–1.00]). For example, DL achieved AUC (95% CI): 1.00 (0.95–1.00), with a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. A separate modeling approach based on logistic regression‐based yielded an AUC (95% CI) 1.0 (1.0–1.0) with a sensitivity and specificity of 100% for PC detection. The top four biological pathways that were epigenetically altered in PC and are known to be linked with cancer are discussed.

Conclusion

Using a minimally invasive approach, AI, and epigenetic analysis of circulating cfDNA, high predictive accuracy for PC was achieved. From a clinical perspective, our findings suggest that that early detection leading to improved overall survival may be achievable in the future.
Hydrazine Sulfonic Acid, NH3NH(SO3), the Bigger Sibling of Sulfamic Acid
Authors: Rennebaum Tobias , van Gerven David , Sebastian Sean S. , Wickleder Mathias S.
Published: October 2023

The reaction of hydrazine hydrate, N2H4 ⋅ H2O, and SO3 leads to hydrazine sulfonic acid (Pca21, a=849.59(4) pm, b=482.18(2) pm, c=832.17(4) pm). Structure elucidation reveals the zwitter‐anionic nature of the compound according to NH3NH(SO3). With the barium salt Ba[NH2NH(SO3)]2(H2O), a first salt of hydrazine sulfonic acid has been prepared (P
, a=489.75(5) pm, b=737.52(7) pm, c=1317.4(1) pm, α=88.238(4)°, β=84.761(4)°, γ=79.701(4)°). The compounds were characterized by vibrational spectroscopy, DFT calculations and thermal analyses.
Tuning the Optical Properties Through Hydrogen Bond‐assisted H‐aggregate Formation: The ODIN Case
Authors: Bertocchi Francesco , Marchetti Danilo , Doria Sandra , di Donato Mariangela , Sissa Cristina , Gemmi Mauro , Dalcanale Enrico , Pinalli Roberta , Lapini Andrea
Published: October 2023

The current work focuses on the investigation of two functionalized naphthyridine derivatives, namely ODIN‐EtPh and ODIN‐But, to gain insights into the hydrogen bond‐assisted H‐aggregate formation and its impact on the optical properties of ODIN molecules. By employing a combination of X‐ray and electron crystallography, absorption and emission spectroscopy, time resolved fluorescence and ultrafast pump‐probe spectroscopy (visible and infrared) we unravel the correlation between the structure and light‐matter response, with a particular emphasis on the influence of the polarity of the surrounding environment. Our experimental results and simulations confirm that in polar and good hydrogen‐bond acceptor solvents (DMSO), the formation of dimers for ODIN derivatives is strongly inhibited. The presence of a phenyl group linked to the ureidic unit favors the folding of ODIN derivatives (forming an intramolecular hydrogen bond) leading to the stabilization of a charge‐transfer excited state which almost completely quenches its fluorescence emission. In solvents with a poor aptitude for forming hydrogen bonds, the formation of dimers is favored and gives rise to H aggregates, with a consequent considerable reduction in the fluorescence emission. The urea‐bound phenyl group furtherly stabilizes the dimers in chloroform.
Almost monotonicity formula for H‐minimal Legendrian surfaces in the Heisenberg group
Authors: Rivière Tristan
Published: October 2023

We prove an almost monotonicity formula for H‐minimal Legendrian Surfaces (also called contact stationary Legendrian immersions or Hamiltonian stationary immersions) in the Heisenberg Group . From this formula we deduce a Bernstein‐Liouville type theorem for H‐minimal Legendrian Surfaces. We also present some possible range of applications of this formula.
Enhanced Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction Reactivity of S‐ and N‐Doped Fe‐Embedded Graphene
Authors: Hadsadee Sarinya , Roongcharoen Thantip , Takahashi Kaito , Jungsuttiwong Siriporn , Namuangruk Supawadee
Published: October 2023

In this work, we studied the reaction mechanisms for CO2 reduction reaction (CRR) on the iron‐doped graphene and its coordinating sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) variants, FeNnS4‐n (n=1–4), using density functional theory calculations. Our results revealed that the electronic property and catalytic reactivity of the surfaces can be tuned by varying the N and S atoms ratio. The CRR activities of the mixed surfaces, FeN3S1, FeN2S2, and FeN1S3, were better than FeN4 and FeS4, where the absolute value of the limiting potential of the mixed surface decreased by 0.3 V. Considering the stability, we suggest FeN3S surface to be favorable for CRR. For the bare surfaces, we found a positive linear correlation between the magnetic moment and the charge of Fe metal. For these surfaces, the reduction of CO (*CO+(H++e−)→*CHO) was important in deciding the limiting potential. We found that the adsorption energy of CO displayed a volcano relationship with the magnetic moment of the Fe atom. The study showed that the change of local coordinating structure around the Fe atom could modify the electronic and magnetic properties of the active Fe center and improve the CRR activity performance.
Capturing red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) on camera: A cost‐effective approach for monitoring relative abundance and habitat preference
Authors: Shannon Graeme , Valle Simon , Shuttleworth Craig M.
Published: October 2023

Effective methods for monitoring animal populations are crucial for species conservation and habitat management. Motion‐activated cameras provide an affordable method for passively surveying animal presence across the landscape but have mainly been used for studying large‐bodied mammals. This paper explores the relative abundance and habitat preferences of red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in coniferous forests using cameras and live trapping. The study was conducted in two forests (Newborough and Pentraeth) on Anglesey, North Wales, with a total of 50 sampling locations across four habitat categories. Detailed woodland structure and composition data were gathered around each sampling location. We found a strong positive correlation between the number of individual red squirrels live trapped over 10 days with the number of camera images of squirrels recorded during a previous 5‐day period. The time interval between camera deployment and the first recorded image of a red squirrel showed a significant negative correlation with the number of individuals live trapped. Red squirrel relative abundance was negatively related to forest canopy openness, while the presence of Scots pine and increased tree species diversity were positively associated with the relative abundance of squirrels. There was also a strong site difference with lower relative abundance at Newborough compared with Pentraeth, which likely reflects the heavy thinning of mature forest at Newborough reducing tree crown connectivity. The results show that remotely activated cameras are an effective method for monitoring red squirrel populations across varying animal densities. The cameras also provided crucial information on red squirrel habitat preferences that can aid in woodland management and conservation efforts. Cameras have great potential to collect data on the population status of other small mammals, but it is essential that these methods are validated on a species‐by‐species basis.
Function and role of bus bar protection relay in distribution substation
Authors: Matsuda Yuki , Inui Takayuki
Published: October 2023

Bus bar of substations are important equipment where multiple facilities are centrally connected, and the impact of a fault is significant. Therefore, bus bar protection relays have unique functions to correctly detect the point of fault, which allows high speed fault elimination and minimization of outage area. This paper describes functions and roles of bus bar protection relays applied in distribution substation of Kansai Transmission and Distribution. After describing the concept of installation of bus bar protection relays, recent trends in device development tailored to the bus bar configurations of substations and the unique functions of bus bar protection relays are introduced. The retrofit methods that are being increasingly applied as a renewal solution for bus bar protection relays are then described, as well as prospects for bus bar protection functions in the future IEC 61850 full‐digital substations.
NaOH alkali‐sunset yellow FCF dye photosensitizer‐ascorbic acid reductant‐Cetrimonium bromide surfactant based photogalvanic cells: Solar power, storage and spectral study
Authors: Koli Pooran , Dheerata  , Meena Anita , Kumar Rajendra , Jonwal Meenakshi , Charan Anamika , Saren Jyoti
Published: October 2023

The photogalvanic cell, which works on the photogalvanic effect, has the potential for both solar energy conversation and storage. The dye sensitizer is the main material required for fabrication of these cells as it is a light absorbing agent and also an electroactive‐species at both the electrodes. The dye aggregation and dye toxicity are some of the main hurdles in the fabrication of the good and safe photogalvanic cells. The dye materials so far exploited in the photogalvanics have disadvantages like low‐water solubility and/or toxicity. The Sunset Yellow FCF dye is a food dye having very high solubility in the water (19 g/100 mL). This dye material has not attracted the attention of the photogalvanicists. So, in the present study, the use of very safe and highly water‐soluble Sunset Yellow FCF dye has been planned to fabricate safe and efficient photo galvanic cells. In present study, the observed optimum cell performance is as potential 806 mV, current 5400 μA, power 552.0 μW, and conversion efficiency 11.19%. The spectral study shows that the Sunset Yellow FCF dye material is responsible for absorption of the light by the electrolyte. This dye material shows very high photo‐stability as substantiated from the fact that the height of absorption band at wavelength maxima of electrolyte under pre‐illuminated and post‐illuminated conditions is comparable. Further, the power storage capacity is sufficiently robust as the cell is capable of supplying power at its ~80% capacity after very long time of 24 h.
Adsorption of mercury (II) ions on kaolinite from aqueous solutions: Isothermal, kinetic, and thermodynamic studies
Authors: Altunkaynak Yalçın , Canpolat Mutlu , Yavuz Ömer
Published: October 2023

Due to industrial activity, heavy metal contamination is present in water, air, and soil around the world. Due to this circumstance, serious environmental issues arise. Natural kaolin (NK) clay underwent batch processing to remove Hg2+. Scanner electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS), x‐ray diffraction (XRD), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) were used to analyze the morphological and chemical characteristics of kaolin. Investigations were done into how adsorption is impacted by contact duration, adsorbent dosage, temperature, and solution pH. Kaolin's BET surface area was found to be 8.085 m2/g, while its pore volume was found to be 0.0537 cm3/g. The best working conditions were found to be pH 6.81 and an equilibrium period of 90 min. It was discovered that the Langmuir isotherm model was the most suitable one. At 298, 308, and 318 K, respectively, the adsorption capacities of NK were calculated to be 10.964, 10.515, and 10.101 mg/g. The pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model agreed with this. It was revealed that NK had a maximum desorption efficiency of 91.36%. Through this process, the potential of NK as an eco‐friendly adsorbent for heavy metal removal was shown.
Evolution characteristics of mid‐channel bars with a typical high/low bank structure in the Middle Yangtze River
Authors: Zhou Meirong , Xia Junqiang , Liu Yuchen , Deng Shanshan , Mao Yu
Published: October 2023

Adjustments in mid‐channel bars (MCBs) often influence the stability of channel regime and the safety of river navigation in anabranching reaches. This study aims to investigate the evolution characteristics of the low and high parts of MCBs (L‐MCBs and H‐MCBs) in the Middle Yangtze River (MYR) and reveal the main factors influencing the deformation of these two components. Results show that the total exposed area of L‐MCBs decreased from 305 to 288 km2 in 2003–2019, whereas the H‐MCBs remained relatively stable. Taking the Nanyang bar with a typical high/low bank structure as an example, the deformation of the L‐MCB mainly occurred in the head zone, while the deformation of the H‐MCB was characterised by bank retreat in the tail zone and floodplain deposition on the top of the H‐MCB. In terms of influencing factors, the impacts of the altered flow–sediment conditions and the MCB's properties (soil composition and morphology characteristics) on the Nanyang bar deformation were investigated. On the one hand, the reduction in sediment concentration was the most direct factor causing the shrinkage of L‐MCBs, and the decrease in flood occurrence frequency made the deformation of H‐MCB less significant. On the other hand, the soil composition of the L‐MCB primarily consisted of fine sand with weak erosion resistance, while the large content of cohesive sediment made the H‐MCB difficult to be eroded by overbank flows; moreover, the riverbank of the H‐MCB in the bar‐tail zone was much steeper than that in the bar‐head zone, causing the deformation of the high part to mainly occur in the tail zone. Furthermore, the deformation of the high part was simulated using a bank erosion model at section scale, and the calculated safety factors of riverbank at a typical cross‐section show that the riverbank of the H‐MCB was the most unstable during the receding period.
Towards Precision Ecotoxicology: Leveraging Evolutionary Conservation of Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Product Targets to Understand Adverse Outcomes Across Species and Life Stages
Authors: Brooks Bryan W. , van den Berg Sanne , Dreier David A. , LaLone Carlie A. , Owen Stewart F. , Raimondo Sandy , Zhang Xiaowei
Published: October 2023

Translation of environmental science to the practice aims to protect biodiversity and ecosystem services, and our future ability to do so relies on the development of a precision ecotoxicology approach wherein we leverage the genetics and informatics of species to better understand and manage the risks of global pollution. A little over a decade ago, a workshop focusing on the risks of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in the environment identified a priority research question, “What can be learned about the evolutionary conservation of PPCP targets across species and life stages in the context of potential adverse outcomes and effects?” We review the activities in this area over the past decade, consider prospects of more recent developments, and identify future research needs to develop next-generation approaches for PPCPs and other global chemicals and waste challenges. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:526–536. © 2023 SETAC. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
Social competence with peers and theory of mind among Chinese preschool children
Authors: Hou Xiao‐Hui , Liu Yao , Qin Xia‐Xia , Wang Ling‐Yu
Published: October 2023

The current study investigated the link between social competence with peers (SCWP) and theory of mind (ToM) skills among Chinese preschool children. Using a sample of 363 Chinese children aged 3–5 (Mage = 4.54 years, SD = 0.84, 183 boys), this cross‐sectional study demonstrates that children's SCWP, as reported by teachers, was significantly related to their ToM. Notably, this link was found to be significant even after controlling for children's age, sex, sibling presence or absence, parental education level, family possessions, family size and language skills. The current research provides empirical evidence for the association between SCWP and social understanding. Furthermore, beyond links with scores on the false‐belief tests used in most past studies, the current result showed a clear independent link between teachers' ratings of social competence and the total score on a reliable developmentally sequenced ToM scale.
Mediation of the agricultural water rebound effect through climate conditions and types of crop mix
Authors: Chai Ying , Li Lin , Ma Zilong , Zhang Haoran , Pan Su , Zhou Jieqi
Published: October 2023

The water rebound effect is recognized as an impediment to irrigation efficiency enhancement for saving water. This study foregrounds climate conditions and crop mix as two important contexts influencing the relationship between irrigation efficiency and water use (the water rebound effect). Considering China as our study area for conducting an empirical analysis of this relationship, we used the data envelopment analysis (DEA)–Malmquist method and econometric models to examine their impact on the water rebound effect. The results of the analysis revealed that the water rebound effect in China is 69.1%, with humid conditions being the main factor moderating an increase in it. Whereas cash crop cultivation is associated with water conservation under drought conditions, this is not the case under humid conditions. These findings suggest that given the prioritization of food security, policies to reduce cash crops should be introduced, thereby mediating the water rebound effect.
Exploring the impact of virtual SPIKES training on genetic counselors' confidence to deliver difficult news
Authors: Finley Alexandra K. , Andoni Laila , May Caitlyn A. , Stark Louisa A. , Dent Karin M.
Published: October 2023

Delivering difficult news is a common occurrence in genetic counseling. This is evidenced by widespread instruction among genetic counseling programs. There is a disconnect in the confidence level of being able to deliver difficult news (DDN) following educational training across healthcare disciplines. Other healthcare professions have addressed this issue with simulation‐based training based on the SPIKES protocol, a stepwise process for delivering difficult news. To our knowledge, there is limited research that investigates the impact of simulation‐based training in delivering difficult news for genetic counselors. Our aim was to develop simulation‐based training in how to deliver difficult news for genetic counselors and analyze the extent to which it increased their confidence to deliver difficult news. Board‐certified genetic counselors from all specialties were recruited to participate in a 2‐h training session which included the opportunity to practice delivering difficult news. We collected self‐reported confidence scores in each of the SPIKES steps from 16 genetic counselors pre‐ and post‐intervention. Participants answered open‐ended evaluations about the program's strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in delivering difficult news content. Almost all participants (N = 15) stated that they had gained confidence in delivering difficult news following training completion. Confidence significantly improved in four of seven SPIKES steps. Participants found strengths of the training program to be in their ability to practice with a simulated patient, to reference concrete examples, and to follow the program easily. The results of this study suggest that post‐graduate training in how to deliver difficult news using the SPIKES protocol may strengthen genetic counselors' confidence in performing this important skill.