bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the imbibition/drainage of two immiscible fluids in capillaries with arbitrary axisymmetric cross-sections: a generalized model
Authors: Salama Amgad
Published: August 2022

In this work, we investigate the problem of imbibition/drainage of a fluid in capillaries of arbitrary axisymmetric cross-sections filled initially with another immiscible one. The model predicts the location of the meniscus and its speed along the tube length with time. The two immiscible fluids may assume any density and viscosity contrasts. In addition, the axisymmetric profile of the tube maintains a relatively small angle of tangency to warrant that the axial velocity distribution assumes, approximately, a parabolic profile. The driving forces that may be encountered in this system include the capillary force, pressure force, gravitational force and an opposing viscous force. The orientation of the capillary force can be in the direction of the flow (e.g. during imbibition) or opposite to the flow (e.g. during drainage). Likewise, the gravitational force can be in the direction of the flow or opposite to it. In this work we account for all these possibilities. A differential equation is developed that defines the location of the meniscus with time. A fourth-order-accurate Runge–Kutta scheme has been developed to provide solutions for the different scenarios associated with this system. It is shown that the developed model reduces to those appropriate for straight tubes, which builds confidence in the modelling approach. The effects of changing the tangent along the profile of the tube, which influences the calculation of the radius of curvature of the meniscus, is also considered. Unlike the cases of straight capillary tubes, in tubes with arbitrary symmetric profiles, the friction force depends on the variations of the tube profile. Examples of converging/diverging capillary tubes that follow straight and power law profiles are investigated. In addition, the case of sinusoidal profiles has also been considered.
Musical Multiplicity: Emerging Thoughts
Authors: Slobin Mark
Published: August 2022

In 2000, I wrote an article for this journal in response to an ICTM colloquium held at Visby in 1999 about issues of musical “multiculturalism” (Slobin 2000). The idea was to test out our terminology in the light of social and musical changes. By 2006, things had changed when I co-hosted another ICTM colloquium, at Wesleyan University, on “emerging musical identities” from the transatlantic perspective, in Europe and North America. The present article scans some of the thoughts from that conference, then moves out to their implications by using the event as a mental trampoline. To carry through the metaphor, one crashes back onto the elastic surface before making another try at getting airborne, but at least one gets a good view in the process. In the following, I cite participants' remarks and relevant writings of 2006 by other authors to keep a precise “ethnographic present.”
Teletubbies in Paradise: Tourism, Indonesianisation and Modernisation in Balinese Music
Authors: Harnish David
Published: August 2022

Among all cultures, perhaps none were more promoted as artistic and natural paradise than Bali. Fusing the mysticism of the East with the physical splendor of the South Seas, this former “isle of bare breasts” received layers of romantic accolades over the last eighty years, not only from the tourist industry but also from such respected figures as Margaret Mead, Gregory Bateson, Walter Spies, Miguel Covarrubias, and Colin McPhee. These scholars spoke of Bali as a “special paradise”, how all Balinese are musicians and dancers, and how they are in perfect harmony with their environment and so graceful that every movement is like a dance (see DeZoete and Spies 1973 [1938] and McPhee 1970 [1938]). Such statements typified the romantic orientalism of the time. Mead (1970 [1940]: 340) later reflected upon Bali's allure:

Many Americans in the 1920s sought for an escape as single individuals from a society which denied them self-expression. Many in the 1930s sought for a formula by which we could build our society into a form which would make possible … both simple happiness and complexity of spiritual expression. Of such a dream, Bali was a fitting symbol.
Female Celebrations in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan: The Power of Cosmology in Musical Rites
Authors: Sultanova Razia
Published: August 2022

Uzbekistan is a Central Asian country with a population of 27 million. It is bordered by Afghanistan to the south, Turkmenistan to the west, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan to the north, and Tajikistan to the east. There is also a large Uzbek population living in the north of Afghanistan (figure 1).
Post-Yugoslavian Ethnomusicologies in Dialogue
Authors: Ceribašić Naila , Hofman Ana , Rasmussen Ljerka Vidić
Published: August 2022

From the 1950s through 1990s, ethnomusicology in Yugoslavia represented the sum of several distinct research traditions that, by and large, overlapped with the borders of six constituent republics: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia. Although the overarching national framework quickly disintegrated with the onset of the Yugoslav wars of succession in the early 1990s, localized research within particular borders was largely unaffected. The triumph of militant nationalism, the sweeping social changes, and the attendant musical transformations across the region raised issues of researchers’ accountability. Faced with unimaginable violence in the name of national identity and cultural difference, what should, or can, an ethnomusicologist do?
Measuring and understanding death anxiety in caregivers of patients with primary brain tumor
Authors: Willis Kelcie , Ravyts Scott G. , Lanoye Autumn , Reid Morgan P. , Aslanzadeh Farah J. , Braun Sarah Ellen , Svikis Dace , Rodin Gary , Loughan Ashlee R.
Published: August 2022

Objective

Caregivers of patients with primary brain tumor (PBT) describe feeling preoccupied with the inevitability of their loved one's death. However, there are currently no validated instruments to assess death anxiety in caregivers. This study sought to examine (1) the psychometric properties of the Death and Dying Distress Scale (DADDS), adapted for caregivers (DADDS-CG), and (2) the prevalence and correlates of death anxiety in caregivers of patients with PBT.

Methods

Caregivers (N = 67) of patients with PBT completed the DADDS-CG, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Fear of Cancer Recurrence (FCR-7), and God Locus of Health Control (GLHC). Caregivers’ sociodemographic information and patients’ medical characteristics were also collected. Preliminary examination of the psychometric properties of the DADDS-CG was conducted using exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha, and correlations. The prevalence and risk factors of death anxiety were assessed using frequencies, pair-wise comparisons, and correlations.

Results

Factor analysis of the DADDS-CG revealed a two-factor structure consistent with the original DADDS. The DADDS-CG demonstrated excellent internal consistency, convergent validity with the PHQ-9, GAD-7, and FCR-7, and discriminant validity with the GLHC. Over two-thirds of caregivers reported moderate-to-severe symptoms of death anxiety. Death anxiety was highest in women and caregivers of patients with high-grade PBT.

Significance of results

The DADDS-CG demonstrates sound psychometric properties in caregivers of patients with PBT, who report high levels of death anxiety. Further research is needed to support the measure's value in clinical care and research — both in this population and other caregivers — in order to address this unmet, psychosocial need.
Nach 34 Jahren Beschwerden und Abklärungen sollte man noch an ein neurogenes Thoracic-Outlet-Syndrom denken
Authors: Weiss Katja , Grünert Jörg , Knechtle Beat
Published: August 2022

Zusammenfassung. Wir berichten über einen 52-jährigen Patienten, der während Jahren wegen Kopfschmerzen, Schmerzen im Bereich des Nackens und der Arme sowie Schwitzen in Behandlung war. Trotz verschiedener Therapieansätze gab es keine Besserung der Symptome. Die weiteren Abklärungen zeigten ein beidseitiges neurogenes Thoracic-Outlet-Syndrom (TOS) bei Status nach multiplen beidseitigen Rippenfrakturen nach Fenstersturz im Alter von 18 Jahren. Nach der Operation des beidseitigen neurogenen TOS waren die Kopfschmerzen im Verlauf fast vollständig verschwunden und das Schwitzen blieb aus. Die Operation hat zwar eine Besserung gebracht, die Indikation für eine solche Operation muss jedoch bei solchen eher unspezifischen Symptomen auch beim Vorliegen einer Kompressions-Situation in der Bildgebung immer mit grosser Zurückhaltung gestellt werden.
CME: Rationale Labordiagnostik im Kontext von COVID-19
Authors: Horn Michael P. , Nagler Michael
Published: August 2022

Zusammenfassung. Beim Management von COVID-19 stehen der praktischen Ärztin und dem praktischen Arzt eine Vielzahl von Labortests zur Verfügung. Die Auswahl ist schwierig, gerade weil ein Teil dieser Labortests in der Laienpresse kontrovers diskutiert wird. Im vorliegen-den Artikel diskutieren wir die wichtigen klinischen Fragen und den Beitrag von Labor-tests zur Beantwortung dieser Fragen. Wir beschreiben die häufigsten Testprinzipien und diskutieren deren diagnostischen Wert. Damit bieten wir den praktisch tätigen Ärztinnen und Ärzten eine einfache Übersicht für die klinische Praxis.
Im Dschungel des Mutterschutzes – ein Leitfaden für schwangere Ärztinnen und deren Arbeitgebende
Authors: Schumacher Celine , Dressel Holger
Published: August 2022

Zusammenfassung. Der Frauenanteil in der Ärzteschaft ist hoch und zeigt eine steigende Tendenz. Im Fall einer Schwangerschaft stehen der Arbeitnehmerin rechtlich verankerte Arbeitsanpassungen zu, mit dem Ziel, sowohl die Frau als auch das ungeborene Kind vor potenziellen Gefährdungen zu schützen. Die Praxis und die Literatur zeigen, dass im klinischen Alltag die Kenntnis und schliesslich die Umsetzung der bestehenden Gesetzgebung auch 20 Jahre nach Einführung der Mutterschutzverordnung noch ausbaufähig sind und sich bei vielen Schwangeren die Fragen und Unsicherheiten bezüglich arbeitsrechtlicher Situation wiederholen. Es ist zum Beispiel wichtig zu wissen, dass bei Vorkommen von gefährlichen und beschwerlichen Aufgaben im Betrieb eine Risikobeurteilung durch eine kompetente Fachperson durchgeführt werden muss und dass es besondere Regelungen bezüglich den erlaubten Arbeitszeiten und des Kündigungsschutzes gibt.
Polymedikation und Neuroleptika in Schweizer Pflegeheimen in den Jahren 2019 und 2020
Authors: Giger Max , Anliker Markus , Bartelt Guido
Published: August 2022

Zusammenfassung. Es werden Daten von 92404 klinischen Assessments aus 619 Schweizer Pflegeheimen präsentiert. Diese wurden in den Jahren 2019 und 2020 bei über 65-Jährigen erhoben. Zwei Drittel der Untersuchten wiesen gravierende Einschränkungen der Kognition auf, ein Viertel bedeutende Verhaltensauffälligkeiten sowie etwas mehr als die Hälfte Anzeichen einer emotionalen Instabilität oder Depression. 46% der Untersuchten wurden mit neun und mehr verschiedenen Arzneimitteln behandelt, 37% erhielten ein Neuroleptikum. Dieses wurde bei 85% während mehr als 90 Tagen verabreicht. Es besteht eine positive Korrelation zwischen Anzahl eingenommener Arzneimittel, Alter, Einschränkung der Kognition und Sturzanfälligkeit. Da Neuroleptika zu 30% mit unklarer Indikation verabreicht werden und die Sturzanfälligkeit unter Neuroleptika um 40% erhöht ist, sollte deren Einsatz im Rahmen strukturierter interprofessioneller Prozesse reduziert werden.
CME: Gibt es schlanke Patientinnen und Patienten mit Typ-2-Diabetes? CME-Fragen
Authors: Danioth Simona , Wiesli Peter
Published: August 2022

Zusammenfassung. Die meisten Personen mit Diabetes mellitus Typ 2 sind adipös oder übergewichtig. Bei Schlanken mit vermeintlich einem Diabetes mellitus Typ 2 muss an die Möglichkeit eines anderen Diabetestyps gedacht werden. Neben dem Typ-1-Diabetes im Erwachsenenalter sowie genetischen Diabetesformen (MODY, mitochondrialer Diabetes) kann es sich auch um einen Diabetes aufgrund einer Krankheit des exokrinen Pankreas handeln, dessen Häufigkeit unterschätzt wird.
Pitch Angle Distribution of MeV Electrons in the Magnetosphere of Jupiter
Authors: Nénon Q. , Miller L. P. , Kollmann P. , Liuzzo L. , Pinto M. , Witasse O.
Published: August 2022

The magnetosphere of Jupiter harbors the most extreme fluxes of MeV electrons in the solar system and therefore provides a testbed of choice to understand the origin, transport, acceleration, and loss of energetic electrons in planetary magnetospheres. Along this objective, the Pitch Angle Distribution (PAD) of energetic electrons may reveal signatures of the dominant physical processes. Here, we analyze for the first time the PAD of MeV electrons observed by the Galileo‐Energetic Particle Detector (EPD) experiment in orbit around Jupiter from 1995 to 2003. We find that the MeV electron PADs observed by the integral channels of EPD appear relatively isotropic with a flux anisotropy lower than a factor of 3. Due to the relatively large angular apertures of the EPD telescopes, the actual anisotropy may be larger than the observed one. The fine anisotropy observed by Galileo‐EPD reveals persistent pancake distributions at the M‐shell of M = 9. Outward of this distance, at M = 15 and M = 20–60, MeV electron distributions have pancake, isotropic, and scattered beam field‐aligned distributions. The scattered beam distributions can either be evidence of outward adiabatic transport or may suggest that high‐latitude auroral acceleration can transiently supply as much trapped MeV electrons to the middle magnetosphere as the inward adiabatic transport of electrons from an outer equatorial reservoir.
DDX39B drives colorectal cancer progression by promoting the stability and nuclear translocation of PKM2
Authors: Zhao Gang , Yuan Hang , Li Qin , Zhang Jie , Guo Yafei , Feng Tianyu , Gu Rui , Ou Deqiong , Li Siqi , Li Kai , Lin Ping
Published: August 2022

Metastasis is a major cause of colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality, but its molecular mechanisms are still not fully understood. Here, we show that upregulated DDX39B correlates with liver metastases and aggressive phenotypes in CRC. DDX39B is an independent prognostic factor associated with poor clinical outcome in CRC patients. We demonstrate that Sp1 potently activates DDX39B transcription by directly binding to the GC box of the DDX39B promoter in CRC cells. DDX39B overexpression augments the proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRC cells, while the opposite results are obtained in DDX39B-deficient CRC cells. Mechanistically, DDX39B interacts directly with and stabilizes PKM2 by competitively suppressing STUB1-mediated PKM2 ubiquitination and degradation. Importantly, DDX39B recruits importin α5 to accelerate the nuclear translocation of PKM2 independent of ERK1/2-mediated phosphorylation of PKM2, leading to the transactivation of oncogenes and glycolysis-related genes. Consequently, DDX39B enhances glucose uptake and lactate production to activate Warburg effect in CRC. We identify that Arg319 of DDX39B is required for PKM2 binding as well as PKM2 nuclear accumulation and for DDX39B to promote CRC growth and metastasis. In addition, blocking PKM2 nuclear translocation or treatment with glycolytic inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose efficiently abolishes DDX39B-triggered malignant development in CRC. Taken together, our findings uncover a key role for DDX39B in modulating glycolytic reprogramming and aggressive progression, and implicate DDX39B as a potential therapeutic target in CRC.
Intrinsic cell rheology drives junction maturation
Authors: Sri-Ranjan K. , Sanchez-Alonso J. L. , Swiatlowska P. , Rothery S. , Novak P. , Gerlach S. , Koeninger D. , Hoffmann B. , Merkel R. , Stevens M. M. , Sun S. X. , Gorelik J. , Braga Vania M. M.
Published: August 2022

A fundamental property of higher eukaryotes that underpins their evolutionary success is stable cell-cell cohesion. Yet, how intrinsic cell rheology and stiffness contributes to junction stabilization and maturation is poorly understood. We demonstrate that localized modulation of cell rheology governs the transition of a slack, undulated cell-cell contact (weak adhesion) to a mature, straight junction (optimal adhesion). Cell pairs confined on different geometries have heterogeneous elasticity maps and control their own intrinsic rheology co-ordinately. More compliant cell pairs grown on circles have slack contacts, while stiffer triangular cell pairs favour straight junctions with flanking contractile thin bundles. Counter-intuitively, straighter cell-cell contacts have reduced receptor density and less dynamic junctional actin, suggesting an unusual adaptive mechano-response to stabilize cell-cell adhesion. Our modelling informs that slack junctions arise from failure of circular cell pairs to increase their own intrinsic stiffness and resist the pressures from the neighbouring cell. The inability to form a straight junction can be reversed by increasing mechanical stress artificially on stiffer substrates. Our data inform on the minimal intrinsic rheology to generate a mature junction and provide a springboard towards understanding elements governing tissue-level mechanics.
Flexible unimodal strain sensors for human motion detection and differentiation
Authors: Jin Lu , Li Zhenhong , Liu Zekun , Richardson Bethany , Zheng Yan , Xu Lulu , Chen Zhongda , Zhai Heng , Kim Hongdoo , Song Qingwen , Yue Pengfei , Xie Sheng Quan , Kim Kap Jin , Li Yi
Published: August 2022

Multiple strain sensors are required to identify individual forces/stresses on human joints and recognize how they work together in order to determine the motion’s direction and trajectory. However, current sensors cannot detect and differentiate the individual forces/stresses and their contributions to the motion from the sensors’ electrical signals. To address this critical issue, we propose a concept of unimodal tension, bend, shear, and twist strain sensors with piezoelectric poly L-lactic acid films. We then construct an integrated unimodal sensor (i-US) using the unimodal sensors and prove that the i-US can detect and differentiate individual strain modes, such as tensioning, bending, shearing, and twisting in complex motion. To demonstrate the potential impact of unimodal sensors, we design a sleeve and a glove with the i-US that can capture wrist motions and finger movements. Therefore, we expect unimodal strain sensors to provide a turning point in developing motion recognition and control systems.
High-temperature oxidation performance of Ni-based GH3536 superalloy fabricated by laser powder bed fusion
Authors: Min Shiling , Liu Hui , Yang Mengmeng , Zhang Huawei , Hou Juan , Zhang Kai , Liang Jingjing , Li Jinguo , Wang Hao , Wang Jianqiu , Huang Aijun
Published: August 2022

This study investigates the effect of microstructure on short-term and long-term oxidation behaviours of GH3536 superalloy fabricated by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), in which the superalloy is isothermally oxidised at 950 °C for 6 h and 500 h in air. The LPBF sample exhibits improved oxidation resistance compared with a wrought counterpart after long-term exposure. The effect of microstructure diversity between LPBF and wrought samples on oxidation behaviour is discussed. The cellular structure produced during the LPBF process acts as a rapid diffusion path to accelerate the formation of a protective film in the initial stage, leading to an enhancement in oxidation resistance for extended exposure.
Lightweight Distributed Provenance Model for Complex Real–world Environments
Authors: Wittner Rudolf , Mascia Cecilia , Gallo Matej , Frexia Francesca , Müller Heimo , Plass Markus , Geiger Jörg , Holub Petr
Published: August 2022

Provenance is information describing the lineage of an object, such as a dataset or biological material. Since these objects can be passed between organizations, each organization can document only parts of the objects life cycle. As a result, interconnection of distributed provenance parts forms distributed provenance chains. Dependant on the actual provenance content, complete provenance chains can provide traceability and contribute to reproducibility and FAIRness of research objects. In this paper, we define a lightweight provenance model based on W3C PROV that enables generation of distributed provenance chains in complex, multi-organizational environments. The application of the model is demonstrated with a use case spanning several steps of a real-world research pipeline — starting with the acquisition of a specimen, its processing and storage, histological examination, and the generation/collection of associated data (images, annotations, clinical data), ending with training an AI model for the detection of tumor in the images. The proposed model has become an open conceptual foundation of the currently developed ISO 23494 standard on provenance for biotechnology domain.
Global data on fertilizer use by crop and by country
Authors: Ludemann Cameron I. , Gruere Armelle , Heffer Patrick , Dobermann Achim
Published: August 2022

Understanding how much inorganic fertilizer (referred to as fertilizer) is applied to different crops at national, regional and global levels is an essential component of fertilizer consumption analysis and demand projection. Good information on fertilizer use by crop (FUBC) is rarely available because it is difficult to collect and time-consuming to process and validate. To fill this gap, a first global FUBC report was published in 1992 for the 1990/1991 period, based on an expert survey conducted jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN, the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) and the International Fertilizer Association (IFA). Since then, similar expert surveys have been carried out and published every two to four years in the main fertilizer-consuming countries. Since 2008 IFA has led these efforts and, to our knowledge, remains the only globally available data set on FUBC. This dataset includes data (in CSV format) from a survey carried out by IFA to represent the 2017–18 period as well as a collation of all historic FUBC data.
China economy-wide material flow account database from 1990 to 2020
Authors: Chen Chuke , Qi Jianchuan , Li Nan , Ji Tiantian , Wang Heming , Huang Yuanyi , Guo Jing , Lu Xiaohui , Han Ruru , Wei Jianlimin , Chen Wei-Qiang
Published: August 2022

Material utilisation has been playing a fundamental role in economic development, but meanwhile, it may have environmental and social consequences. Given China’s rapid economic growth, understanding China’s material utilisation patterns would inform decisions for researchers and policymakers. However, fragmented data from multiple statistical sources hinder us from comprehensively portraying China’s material utilisation dynamics. This study harmonised China-specific official statistics and constructed a China economy-wide material flow accounts database. This database covers hundreds of materials and more than 30 years (1990–2020) from thousands of data sources, which is comprehensive, long-term, up-to-date, and publicly accessed. This database would provide insights into the historical metabolic dynamics of China’s economy with elaboration on the production, consumption, and end-of-life disposal of materials. This database also allows for international analyses since it is developed based on an internationally standardised analytical framework. Furthermore, this study would benefit studies on policy impact evaluation, environmental pressure assessment, and sustainable development strategies.
Discrimination of human papillomavirus genotypes using innovative technique nested-high resolution melting
Authors: Alirezaei Melika , Mosawi Sayed Hussain , Afgar Ali , Zarean Mehdi , Movahhed Tahereh Komeili , Abbasi Vajiheh , Fotouhi-Ardakani Reza
Published: August 2022

The prompt detection of human papillomavirus and discrimination of its genotypes by combining conventional methods in new molecular laboratories is essential to achieve the global call of eliminating cervical cancer. After predicting the melting temperature of an approximately 221 bp region of the L1 gene from different HPV genotypes by bioinformatics software, an innovative technique based on the nested- high resolution melting was designed with three approaches and using conventional PCR, qPCR, and diagnostic standards. HPV-positive samples identified by microarray along with diagnostic standards were evaluated by qPCR-HRM and discordant results were subjected to sequencing and analyzed in silico using reference types. In addition to screening for human papillomavirus, nested-qPCR-HRM is one of the modified HRM techniques which can discriminate some genotypes, including 6, 16, 18, 52, 59, 68 and 89. Despite the differences in diagnostic capabilities among HRM, microarray and sequencing, a number of similarities between HRM, and sequencing were diagnostically identified as the gold standard method. However, the bioinformatics analysis and melting temperature studies of the selected region in different HPV genotypes showed that it could be predicted. With numerous HPV genotypes and significant genetic diversity among them, determining the virus genotype is important. Therefore, our goal in this design was to use the specific molecular techniques with several specific primers to increase sensitivity and specificity for discriminating a wide range of HPV genotypes. This approach led to new findings to evaluate the ability of different approaches and procedures in accordance with bioinformatics.
Human milk oligosaccharide 2'-fucosyllactose promotes melanin degradation via the autophagic AMPK–ULK1 signaling axis
Authors: Heo Hyojin , Cha Byungsun , Jang Dongmin , Park Chaewon , Park Gunwoo , Kwak Byeong-Mun , Bin Bum-Ho , Park Ji-Hwan , Lee Mi-Gi
Published: August 2022

There is still an unmet need for development of safer antimelanogenic or melanin-degrading agents for skin hyperpigmentation, induced by intrinsic or extrinsic factors including aging or ultraviolet irradiation. Owing to the relatively low cytotoxicity compared with other chemical materials, several studies have explored the role of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL), the most dominant component of human milk oligosaccharides. Here, we showed that 2'-FL reduced melanin levels in both melanocytic cells and a human skin equivalent three-dimensional in vitro model. Regarding the cellular and molecular mechanism, 2'-FL induced LC3I conversion into LC3II, an autophagy activation marker, followed by the formation of LC3II+/PMEL+ autophagosomes. Comparative transcriptome analysis provided a comprehensive understanding for the up- and downstream cellular processes and signaling pathways of the AMPK–ULK1 signaling axis triggered by 2'-FL treatment. Moreover, 2'-FL activated the phosphorylation of AMPK at Thr172 and of ULK1 at Ser555, which were readily reversed in the presence of dorsomorphin, a specific AMPK inhibitor, with consequent reduction of the 2'-FL-mediated hypopigmentation. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that 2'-FL promotes melanin degradation by inducing autophagy through the AMPK–ULK1 axis. Hence, 2'-FL may represent a new natural melanin-degrading agent for hyperpigmentation.
An FPGA-based system for generalised electron devices testing
Authors: Foster Patrick , Huang Jinqi , Serb Alex , Stathopoulos Spyros , Papavassiliou Christos , Prodromakis Themis
Published: August 2022

Electronic systems are becoming more and more ubiquitous as our world digitises. Simultaneously, even basic components are experiencing a wave of improvements with new transistors, memristors, voltage/current references, data converters, etc, being designed every year by hundreds of R &D groups world-wide. To date, the workhorse for testing all these designs has been a suite of lab instruments including oscilloscopes and signal generators, to mention the most popular. However, as components become more complex and pin numbers soar, the need for more parallel and versatile testing tools also becomes more pressing. In this work, we describe and benchmark an FPGA system developed that addresses this need. This general purpose testing system features a 64-channel source-meter unit, and $$2\times $$

2
×

banks of 32 digital pins for digital I/O. We demonstrate that this bench-top system can obtain $${170}\,\hbox {pA}$$

170

pA

current noise floor, $${40}\,\hbox {ns}$$

40

ns

pulse delivery at $$\pm {13.5}\,\hbox {V}$$

±

13.5

V

and $${12}\,\hbox {mA}$$

12

mA

maximum current drive/channel. We then showcase the instrument’s use in performing a selection of three characteristic measurement tasks: (a) current–voltage characterisation of a diode and a transistor, (b) fully parallel read-out of a memristor crossbar array and (c) an integral non-linearity test on a DAC. This work introduces a down-scaled electronics laboratory packaged in a single instrument which provides a shift towards more affordable, reliable, compact and multi-functional instrumentation for emerging electronic technologies.
Znhit1 and HIF-2α are correlated with cancer stem cell markers in breast cancer patients
Authors: Ebeid Samia A. , Abd El Moneim Nadia A. , El-Benhawy Sanaa A. , Ramadan Rabie , Ismail Samah E.
Published: August 2022

Epigenetic alterations have emerged as fundamental players in development and progression of breast cancer (BC). A hypoxic tumour microenvironment regulates the stemness phenotype in breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). The aim of this study was to investigate Znhit1 and HIF-2α gene expression in breast cancer tissues as well as their relation to CSCs markers LGR5, ALDH1A1 and β-catenin in tissue and serum of BC patients. The present study included 160 females divided into two groups, group I: 80 healthy females served as control group and group II: 80 breast cancer patients. Gene expression of tissue Znhit1 and HIF-2α was determined by qRT-PCR. Tissue and serum ALDH1A1, LGR5 and β-catenin levels were determined by ELISA. We found that gene expression of Znhit1 was significantly downregulated in BC tissues. Moreover, it was significantly negatively correlated with clinical stage and β-catenin levels in BC patients. Regarding HIF-2α, gene expression of HIF-2α was significantly upregulated in BC tissues. Moreover, it was significantly positively correlated with Her-2/neu expression and β-catenin levels in BC patients. Based upon our results, Znhit1 and HIF-2α may serve as novel therapeutic targets for BC therapy. Additionally, each of serum ALDH1A1, LGR5 and β-catenin may play a crucial role in non-invasive detection of BC with a high specificity and sensitivity.
Femtosecond laser hierarchical surface restructuring for next generation neural interfacing electrodes and microelectrode arrays
Authors: Amini Shahram , Seche Wesley , May Nicholas , Choi Hongbin , Tavousi Pouya , Shahbazmohamadi Sina
Published: August 2022

Long-term implantable neural interfacing devices are able to diagnose, monitor, and treat many cardiac, neurological, retinal and hearing disorders through nerve stimulation, as well as sensing and recording electrical signals to and from neural tissue. To improve specificity, functionality, and performance of these devices, the electrodes and microelectrode arrays—that are the basis of most emerging devices—must be further miniaturized and must possess exceptional electrochemical performance and charge exchange characteristics with neural tissue. In this report, we show for the first time that the electrochemical performance of femtosecond-laser hierarchically-restructured electrodes can be tuned to yield unprecedented performance values that significantly exceed those reported in the literature, e.g. charge storage capacity and specific capacitance were shown to have improved by two orders of magnitude and over 700-fold, respectively, compared to un-restructured electrodes. Additionally, correlation amongst laser parameters, electrochemical performance and surface parameters of the electrodes was established, and while performance metrics exhibit a relatively consistent increasing behavior with laser parameters, surface parameters tend to follow a less predictable trend negating a direct relationship between these surface parameters and performance. To answer the question of what drives such performance and tunability, and whether the widely adopted reasoning of increased surface area and roughening of the electrodes are the key contributors to the observed increase in performance, cross-sectional analysis of the electrodes using focused ion beam shows, for the first time, the existence of subsurface features that may have contributed to the observed electrochemical performance enhancements. This report is the first time that such performance enhancement and tunability are reported for femtosecond-laser hierarchically-restructured electrodes for neural interfacing applications.
Longitudinal proteomics study of serum changes after allogeneic HSCT reveals potential markers of metabolic complications related to aGvHD
Authors: Wong Sing Ying , Kato Seiko , Rodenburg Frans , Tojo Arinobu , Hayashi Nobuhiro
Published: August 2022

Even though hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) allows successful treatment for many malignant and non-malignant disorders, its curative potential remains limited by severe side effects, including infections and other transplant-related complications such as graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). This study examined changes in serum proteome via high-performance two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) during HSCT to search for diagnostic biomarkers for post-HSCT complications. Longitudinal proteomic analysis revealed proteins related to metabolic complications and hemolytic anemia. Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), a reliable marker of insulin resistance, was identified, and is possibly associated with the onset mechanism of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) and/or skin GvHD. Although the cause of insulin resistance is not fully understood, it is thought to be associated with adipocytes inflammation induced by RBP4, iron overload and hemolytic anemia after HSCT, as observed in this study. The present study has demonstrated that insulin resistance and metabolic complications could be immediate complications after transplantation and are associated with aGvHD. The biomarkers revealed in this study are promising tools to be used for improving the early diagnosis of HSCT-associated complications, especially aGvHD, possibly even before clinical manifestations.
Streptococcus suis TrpX is part of a tryptophan uptake system, and its expression is regulated by a T-box regulatory element
Authors: Dresen Muriel , Schaaf Desirée , Arenas Jesús , de Greeff Astrid , Valentin-Weigand Peter , Nerlich Andreas
Published: August 2022

Streptococcus suis, a common member of the porcine respiratory microbiota, can cause life-threatening diseases in pigs as well as humans. A previous study identified the gene trpX as conditionally essential for in vivo survival by intrathecal infection of pigs with a transposon library of S. suis strain 10. Here, we characterized trpX, encoding a putative tryptophan/tyrosine transport system substrate-binding protein, in more detail. We compared growth capacities of the isogenic trpX-deficient mutant derivative strain 10∆trpX with its parent. Growth experiments in chemically defined media (CDM) revealed that growth of 10∆trpX depended on tryptophan concentration, suggesting TrpX involvement in tryptophan uptake. We demonstrated that trpX is part of an operon structure and co-transcribed with two additional genes encoding a putative permease and ATPase, respectively. Bioinformatics analysis identified a putative tryptophan T-box riboswitch in the 5′ untranslated region of this operon. Finally, qRT-PCR and a reporter activation assay revealed trpX mRNA induction under tryptophan-limited conditions. In conclusion, our study showed that TrpX is part of a putative tryptophan ABC transporter system regulated by a T-box riboswitch probably functioning as a substrate-binding protein. Due to the tryptophan auxotrophy of S. suis, TrpX plays a crucial role for metabolic adaptation and growth during infection.
Fitting of TC model according to key parameters affecting Parkinson's state based on improved particle swarm optimization algorithm
Authors: Yuan Chunhua , Li Xiangyu
Published: August 2022

Biophysical models contain a large number of parameters, while the spiking characteristics of neurons are related to a few key parameters. For thalamic neurons, relay reliability is an important characteristic that affects Parkinson's state. This paper proposes a method to fit key parameters of the model based on the spiking characteristics of neurons, and improves the traditional particle swarm optimization algorithm. That is, a nonlinear concave function and a Logistic chaotic mapping are combined to adjust the inertia weight of particles to avoid the particle falling into a local optimum in the search process or appearing premature convergence. In this paper, three parameters that play an important role in Parkinson's state of the thalamic cell model are selected and fitted by the improved particle swarm optimization algorithm. Using the fitted parameters to reconstruct the neuron model can predict the spiking trajectories well, which verifies the effectiveness of the fitting method. By comparing the fitting results with other particle swarm optimization algorithms, it is shown that the proposed particle swarm optimization algorithm can better avoid local optima and converge to the optimal values quickly.
Identification of potential targets of the curcumin analog CCA-1.1 for glioblastoma treatment : integrated computational analysis and in vitro study
Authors: Hermawan Adam , Wulandari Febri , Hanif Naufa , Utomo Rohmad Yudi , Jenie Riris Istighfari , Ikawati Muthi , Tafrihani Ahmad Syauqy
Published: August 2022

The treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is challenging owing to its localization in the brain, the limited capacity of brain cells to repair, resistance to conventional therapy, and its aggressiveness. Curcumin has anticancer activity against aggressive cancers, such as leukemia, and GBM; however, its application is limited by its low solubility and bioavailability. Chemoprevention curcumin analog 1.1 (CCA-1.1), a curcumin analog, has better solubility and stability than those of curcumin. In this study, we explored potential targets of CCA-1.1 in GBM (PTCGs) by an integrated computational analysis and in vitro study. Predicted targets of CCA-1.1 obtained using various databases were subjected to comprehensive downstream analyses, including functional annotation, disease and drug association analyses, protein–protein interaction network analyses, analyses of genetic alterations, expression, and associations with survival and immune cell infiltration. Our integrative bioinformatics analysis revealed four candidate targets of CCA-1.1 in GBM: TP53, EGFR, AKT1, and CASP3. In addition to targeting specific proteins with regulatory effects in GBM, CCA-1.1 has the capacity to modulate the immunological milieu. Cytotoxicity of CCA-1.1 was lower than TMZ with an IC50 value of 9.8 μM compared to TMZ with an IC50 of 40 μM. mRNA sequencing revealed EGFR transcript variant 8 was upregulated, whereas EGFRvIII was downregulated in U87 cells after treatment with CCA-1.1. Furthermore, a molecular docking analysis suggested that CCA-1.1 inhibits EGFR with various mutations in GBM, which was confirmed using molecular dynamics simulation, wherein the binding between CCA-1.1 with the mutant EGFR L861Q was stable. For successful clinical translation, the effects of CCA-1.1 need to be confirmed in laboratory studies and clinical trials.
Wave-like behaviour in (0,1) binary sequences
Authors: Canessa Enrique
Published: August 2022

A comprehensive study of the properties of finite (0,1) binary systems from the mathematical viewpoint of quantum theory is presented. This is a quantum-inspired extension of the GenomeBits model to characterize observed genome sequences, where a complex wavefunction $$\psi _{n}$$

ψ
n

is considered as an analogous probability measure and it is related to an alternating (0,1) binary series having independent distributed terms. The real and imaginary spectrum of $$\psi _{n}$$

ψ
n

vs. the nucleotide base positions display characteristic features of sound waves. This approach represents a novel perspective for identifying and “observing” emergent properties of genome sequences in the form of wavefunctions via superposition states. The motivation is to develop a simple algorithm to perform wave calculations from binary sequences and to apply these wave functions to sonification.
Multi-omics data integration and modeling unravels new mechanisms for pancreatic cancer and improves prognostic prediction
Authors: Fraunhoffer Nicolas A. , Abuelafia Analía Meilerman , Bigonnet Martin , Gayet Odile , Roques Julie , Nicolle Remy , Lomberk Gwen , Urrutia Raul , Dusetti Nelson , Iovanna Juan
Published: August 2022

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), has recently been found to be a heterogeneous disease, although the extension of its diversity remains to be fully understood. Here, we harmonize transcriptomic profiles derived from both PDAC epithelial and microenvironment cells to develop a Master Regulators (MR)-Gradient model that allows important inferences on transcriptional networks, epigenomic states, and metabolomics pathways that underlies this disease heterogeneity. This gradient model was generated by applying a blind source separation based on independent components analysis and robust principal component analyses (RPCA), following regulatory network inference. The result of these analyses reveals that PDAC prognosis strongly associates with the tumor epithelial cell phenotype and the immunological component. These studies were complemented by integration of methylome and metabolome datasets generated from patient-derived xenograft (PDX), together experimental measurements of metabolites, immunofluorescence microscopy, and western blot. At the metabolic level, PDAC favorable phenotype showed a positive correlation with enzymes implicated in complex lipid biosynthesis. In contrast, the unfavorable phenotype displayed an augmented OXPHOS independent metabolism centered on the Warburg effect and glutaminolysis. Epigenetically, we find that a global hypermethylation profile associates with the worst prognosis. Lastly, we report that, two antagonistic histone code writers, SUV39H1/SUV39H2 (H3K9Me3) and KAT2B (H3K9Ac) were identified key deregulated pathways in PDAC. Our analysis suggests that the PDAC phenotype, as it relates to prognosis, is determined by a complex interaction of transcriptomic, epigenomic, and metabolic features. Furthermore, we demonstrated that PDAC prognosis could be modulated through epigenetics.
Retrospective analysis of somatic mutations and clonal hematopoiesis in astronauts
Authors: Brojakowska Agnieszka , Kour Anupreet , Thel Mark Charles , Park Eunbee , Bisserier Malik , Garikipati Venkata Naga Srikanth , Hadri Lahouaria , Mills Paul J. , Walsh Kenneth , Goukassian David A.
Published: August 2022

With planned deep space and commercial spaceflights, gaps remain to address health risks in astronauts. Multiple studies have shown associations between clonal expansion of hematopoietic cells with hematopoietic malignancies and cardiometabolic disease. This expansion of clones in the absence of overt hematopoietic disorders is termed clonal hematopoiesis (CH) of indeterminate potential (CHIP). Using deep, error-corrected, targeted DNA sequencing we assayed for somatic mutations in CH-driver genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from de-identified blood samples collected from 14 astronauts who flew Shuttle missions between 1998–2001. We identified 34 nonsynonymous mutations of relatively low variant allele fraction in 17 CH-driver genes, with the most prevalent mutations in TP53 and DNMT3A. The presence of these small clones in the blood of relatively young astronaut cohort warrants further retrospective and prospective investigation of their clinical relevance and potential application in monitoring astronaut’s health.
Facile fabrication of chitin/ZnO composite hydrogels for infected wound healing
Authors: Zhang Hongli , Zhang Xu , Cao Qi , Wu Shuangquan , Wang Xiao-Qiang , Peng Na , Zeng Danlin , Liao Jinfeng , Xu Huan
Published: August 2022

The one-pot fabrication of chitin/ZnO composite hydrogels with antibacterial activity and wound healing ability.
Synthesis and coordination behaviour of 1H-1,2,3-triazole-4,5-dithiolates
Authors: Schallenberg David , Pardemann Nils , Villinger Alexander , Seidel Wolfram W.
Published: August 2022

1,2,3-Triazole dithiol derivatives, which are straightforwardly accessible by 1,3-dipolar addition of azides with sulfide substituted alkynes, show dithiolene-type coordination behaviour.
A critical review of ginkgolic acids inGinkgo bilobaleaf extract (EGb): toxicity and technologies to remove ginkgolic acids and their promising bioactivities
Authors: Boateng Isaac Duah
Published: August 2022

Ginkgo bilobaleaf extract (EGb) is high in bioactive components (over 170), which are used in food additives, medicine, cosmetics, health products, and other sectors.
Design of an aluminium ion battery with a graphyne host: lowest volume expansion, high stability and low diffusion barriers
Authors: G Abhijitha V. , Mishra Shashi B. , Ramaprabhu S. , Nanda B. R. K.
Published: August 2022

Commercialization of aluminum ion batteries requires limited volume expansion of the host cathode materials after AlCl4 intercalation, lower activation barrier, high theoretical specific capacity, cyclic durability and thermodynamic stability.
Direct observation of narrow electronic energy band formation in 2D molecular self-assembly
Authors: Hellerstedt Jack , Castelli Marina , Tadich Anton , Grubišić-Čabo Antonija , Kumar Dhaneesh , Lowe Benjamin , Gicev Spiro , Potamianos Dionysios , Schnitzenbaumer Maximilian , Scigalla Pascal , Ghan Simiam , Kienberger Reinhard , Usman Muhammad , Schiffrin Agustin
Published: August 2022

Non-covalent intermolecular hybridization in a 2D molecular self-assembly gives rise to a narrow electronic energy band, a promising prospect for organic nanoelectronics.
Residue-based program of a β-peptoid twisted strand shape via a cyclopentane constraint
Authors: Kim Jungyeon , Kobayashi Hiroka , Yokomine Marin , Shiratori Yota , Ueda Takumi , Takeuchi Koh , Umezawa Koji , Kuroda Daisuke , Tsumoto Kouhei , Morimoto Jumpei , Sando Shinsuke
Published: August 2022

The first design strategy for a preorganized β-peptoid monomer is described. A cyclopentane constraint realized the preorganized monomer and led to a β-peptoid with a stable twisted strand shape.
Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) from poly(1,4-dihydropyridine)s synthesized by Hantzsch polymerization and their specific detection of Fe2+ ions
Authors: Meng Xue , Zhang Da , Zhao Ronghui , Zhou Zhixia , Zhang Pengfei , Zhao Jingyuan , Wang Meng , Guo Huiying , Deng Kuilin
Published: August 2022

As an important metal element widely existing in nature and the human body, the simple and specific detection of Fe2+ ions has always been of interest.
CO2adsorption performance of template free zeolite A and X synthesized from rice husk ash as silicon source
Authors: Madhu Jayaprakash , Santhanam Agilan , Natarajan Muthukumarasamy , Velauthapillai Dhayalan
Published: August 2022

In this work, zeolite NaA (RA) and NaX (RX) have been successfully synthesized using rice husk ash as source and it is a low cost synthesis process and it does not produce any environmental hazards.
Surface acoustic wave-based generation and transfer of droplets onto wettable substrates
Authors: Nampoothiri Krishnadas Narayanan , Satpathi Niladri Sekhar , Sen Ashis Kumar
Published: August 2022

Investigation of surface acoustic wave-based generation and transfer of droplets onto wettable substrates is carried out and explained in terms of polydispersity index. Transfer of biomolecules is demonstrated to highlight the technique.