bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neural network modeling of altered facial expression recognition in autism spectrum disorders based on predictive processing framework
Authors: Takahashi Yuta , Murata Shingo , Idei Hayato , Tomita Hiroaki , Yamashita Yuichi
Published: July 2021

The mechanism underlying the emergence of emotional categories from visual facial expression information during the developmental process is largely unknown. Therefore, this study proposes a system-level explanation for understanding the facial emotion recognition process and its alteration in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from the perspective of predictive processing theory. Predictive processing for facial emotion recognition was implemented as a hierarchical recurrent neural network (RNN). The RNNs were trained to predict the dynamic changes of facial expression movies for six basic emotions without explicit emotion labels as a developmental learning process, and were evaluated by the performance of recognizing unseen facial expressions for the test phase. In addition, the causal relationship between the network characteristics assumed in ASD and ASD-like cognition was investigated. After the developmental learning process, emotional clusters emerged in the natural course of self-organization in higher-level neurons, even though emotional labels were not explicitly instructed. In addition, the network successfully recognized unseen test facial sequences by adjusting higher-level activity through the process of minimizing precision-weighted prediction error. In contrast, the network simulating altered intrinsic neural excitability demonstrated reduced generalization capability and impaired emotional clustering in higher-level neurons. Consistent with previous findings from human behavioral studies, an excessive precision estimation of noisy details underlies this ASD-like cognition. These results support the idea that impaired facial emotion recognition in ASD can be explained by altered predictive processing, and provide possible insight for investigating the neurophysiological basis of affective contact.
The impact of human mobility data scales and processing on movement predictability
Authors: Smolak Kamil , Siła-Nowicka Katarzyna , Delvenne Jean-Charles , Wierzbiński Michał , Rohm Witold
Published: July 2021

Predictability of human movement is a theoretical upper bound for the accuracy of movement prediction models, which serves as a reference value showing how regular a dataset is and to what extent mobility can be predicted. Over the years, the predictability of various human mobility datasets was found to vary when estimated for differently processed datasets. Although attempts at the explanation of this variability have been made, the extent of these experiments was limited. In this study, we use high-precision movement trajectories of individuals to analyse how the way we represent the movement impacts its predictability and thus, the outcomes of analyses made on these data. We adopt a number of methods used in the last 11 years of research on human mobility and apply them to a wide range of spatio-temporal data scales, thoroughly analysing changes in predictability and produced data. We find that spatio-temporal resolution and data processing methods have a large impact on the predictability as well as geometrical and numerical properties of human mobility data, and we present their nonlinear dependencies.
Highly sensitive detection of dengue biomarker using streptavidin-conjugated quantum dots
Authors: Tran Linh , Park Sangkwon
Published: July 2021

A highly sensitive immunosensor using streptavidin-conjugated quantum dots (QDs/SA) was developed to detect dengue biomarker of non-structural protein 1 (NS1) at very low concentration, so that it can probe dengue infection even in the early stage. The QDs/SA were first bound to biotinylated NS1 antibody (Ab) and the QDs/SA-Ab conjugates were then used to detect the NS1 antigen (Ag) in the Ag concentration range of 1 pM to 120 nM. The formation of QDs/SA-Ab and QDs/SA-Ab-Ag conjugates was confirmed by the measurements of field emission scanning electron microscopy (FF-SEM), field emission transmission electron microscopy (FE-TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta-potential. Fluorescence emission spectra of QDs/SA-Ab-Ag conjugates showed that the magnitude of fluorescence quenching was linearly proportional to the NS1 Ag concentration and it nicely followed the Stern–Volmer (SV) equation in phosphate buffer solution. However, in human plasma serum solution, the fluorescence quenching behavior was negatively deviated from the SV equation presumably due to interference by the serum component biomolecules, and it was well explained by the Lehrer equation. These results suggest that the current approach is promising because it is highly sensitive, fast, simple, and convenient, and thus it has a potential of application for point-of-care.
First modern human settlement recorded in the Iberian hinterland occurred during Heinrich Stadial 2 within harsh environmental conditions
Authors: Alcaraz-Castaño M. , Alcolea-González J. J. , de Andrés-Herrero M. , Castillo-Jiménez S. , Cuartero F. , Cuenca-Bescós G. , Kehl M. , López-Sáez J. A. , Luque L. , Pérez-Díaz S. , Piqué R. , Ruiz-Alonso M. , Weniger G.-C. , Yravedra J.
Published: July 2021

As the south-westernmost region of Europe, the Iberian Peninsula stands as a key area for understanding the process of modern human dispersal into Eurasia. However, the precise timing, ecological setting and cultural context of this process remains controversial concerning its spatiotemporal distribution within the different regions of the peninsula. While traditional models assumed that the whole Iberian hinterland was avoided by modern humans due to ecological factors until the retreat of the Last Glacial Maximum, recent research has demonstrated that hunter-gatherers entered the Iberian interior at least during Solutrean times. We provide a multi-proxy geoarchaeological, chronometric and paleoecological study on human–environment interactions based on the key site of Peña Capón (Guadalajara, Spain). Results show (1) that this site hosts the oldest modern human presence recorded to date in central Iberia, associated to pre-Solutrean cultural traditions around 26,000 years ago, and (2) that this presence occurred during Heinrich Stadial 2 within harsh environmental conditions. These findings demonstrate that this area of the Iberian hinterland was recurrently occupied regardless of climate and environmental variability, thus challenging the widely accepted hypothesis that ecological risk hampered the human settlement of the Iberian interior highlands since the first arrival of modern humans to Southwest Europe.
Proteomics reveals disturbances in the immune response and energy metabolism of monocytes from patients with septic shock
Authors: de Azambuja Rodrigues Pedro Mendes , Valente Richard Hemmi , Brunoro Giselle Villa Flor , Nakaya Helder Takashi Imoto , Araújo-Pereira Mariana , Bozza Patricia Torres , Bozza Fernando Augusto , Trugilho Monique Ramos de Oliveira
Published: July 2021

Sepsis results from a dyshomeostatic response to infection, which may lead to hyper or hypoimmune states. Monocytes are central regulators of the inflammatory response, but our understanding of their role in the genesis and resolution of sepsis is still limited. Here, we report a comprehensive exploration of monocyte molecular responses in a cohort of patients with septic shock via proteomic profiling. The acute stage of septic shock was associated with an impaired inflammatory phenotype, indicated by the down-regulation of MHC class II molecules and proinflammatory cytokine pathways. Simultaneously, there was an up-regulation of glycolysis enzymes and a decrease in proteins related to the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. On the other hand, the restoration of immunocompetence was the hallmark of recovering patients, in which an upregulation of interferon signaling pathways was a notable feature. Our results provide insights into the immunopathology of sepsis and propose that, pending future studies, immunometabolism pathway components could serve as therapeutic targets in septic patients.
Beneficial insects are associated with botanically rich margins with trees on small farms
Authors: Arnold Sarah E. J. , Elisante Filemon , Mkenda Prisila A. , Tembo Yolice L. B. , Ndakidemi Patrick A. , Gurr Geoff M. , Darbyshire Iain A. , Belmain Steven R. , Stevenson Philip C.
Published: July 2021

Beneficial insect communities on farms are influenced by site- and landscape-level factors, with pollinator and natural enemy populations often associated with semi-natural habitat remnants. They provide ecosystem services essential for all agroecosystems. For smallholders, natural pest regulation may be the only affordable and available option to manage pests. We evaluated the beneficial insect community on smallholder bean farms (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and its relationship with the plant communities in field margins, including margin trees that are not associated with forest fragments. Using traps, botanical surveys and transect walks, we analysed the relationship between the floral diversity/composition of naturally regenerating field margins, and the beneficial insect abundance/diversity on smallholder farms, and the relationship with crop yield. More flower visits by potential pollinators and increased natural enemy abundance measures in fields with higher plant, and particularly tree, species richness, and these fields also saw improved crop yields. Many of the flower visitors to beans and potential natural enemy guilds also made use of non-crop plants, including pesticidal and medicinal plant species. Selective encouragement of plants delivering multiple benefits to farms can contribute to an ecological intensification approach. However, caution must be employed, as many plants in these systems are introduced species.
AC conductivity and correlation effects in nano-granular Pt/C
Authors: Hanefeld Marc , Gruszka Peter , Huth Michael
Published: July 2021

Nano-granular metals are materials that fall into the general class of granular electronic systems in which the interplay of electronic correlations, disorder and finite size effects can be studied. The charge transport in nano-granular metals is dominated by thermally-assisted, sequential and correlated tunneling over a temperature-dependent number of metallic grains. Here we study the frequency-dependent conductivity (AC conductivity) of nano-granular Platinum with Pt nano-grains embedded into amorphous carbon (C). We focus on the transport regime on the insulating side of the insulator metal transition reflected by a set of samples covering a range of tunnel-coupling strengths. In this transport regime polarization contributions to the AC conductivity are small and correlation effects in the transport of free charges are expected to be particularly pronounced. We find a universal behavior in the frequency dependence that can be traced back to the temperature-dependent zero-frequency conductivity (DC conductivity) of Pt/C within a simple lumped-circuit analysis. Our results are in contradistinction to previous work on nano-granular Pd/$$\hbox {ZrO}_2$$

ZrO
2

in the very weak coupling regime where polarization contributions to the AC conductivity dominated. We describe possible future applications of nano-granular metals in proximity impedance spectroscopy of dielectric materials.
Corneal inflammatory cell infiltration predicts disease activity in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Authors: Motte Jeremias , Grüter Thomas , Fisse Anna Lena , Bulut Yesim , Stykova Zornitsa , Greiner Tineke , Enax-Krumova Elena , Yoon Min-Suk , Gold Ralf , Tegenthoff Martin , Sturm Dietrich , Pitarokoili Kalliopi
Published: July 2021

The assessment of disease activity is fundamental in the management of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Previous studies with small patient numbers found an increase of corneal immune cell infiltrates as a potential marker of inflammation in patients with CIDP. However, its clinical relevance remained unclear. The present study aimed to determine whether the amount of corneal inflammatory cells (CIC) measured by corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) detects disease activity in CIDP. CIC were measured in 142 CCM-investigations of 97 CIDP-patients. Data on clinical disease activity, disability (INCAT-ODSS) and need for therapy escalation at the timepoint of CCM, 3 and 6 months later were analyzed depending CIC-count. Pathological spontaneous activity during electromyography was examined as another possible biomarker for disease activity in comparison to CIC-count. An increased CIC-count at baseline was found in patients with clinical disease activity and disability progression in the following 3–6 months. An increase to more than 25 CIC/mm2had a sensitivity of 0.73 and a specificity of 0.71 to detect clinical disease activity and a sensitivity of 0.77 and a specificity of 0.64 to detect disability progression (increasing INCAT-ODSS) in the following 6 months. An increase to more than 50 CIC/mm2had a sensitivity of about 0.51 and a specificity of 0.91 to detect clinical disease activity and a sensitivity of 0.53 and a specificity of 0.80 to detect disability progression. CIC count is a non-invasive biomarker for the detection of disease activity in the following 6 months in CIDP.
Simple recycling of biowaste eggshells to various calcium phosphates for specific industries
Authors: Laohavisuti Nongnuch , Boonchom Banjong , Boonmee Wimonmat , Chaiseeda Kittichai , Seesanong Somkiat
Published: July 2021

Egg consumption is very high throughout the world and with it comes enormous amount of waste eggshells. To reduce and utilize these wastes, eggshell wastes were simply transformed to low- or high-purity calcium carbonate grades by washing, crushing, and drying to use as raw materials for producing highly valuable calcium phosphate products. Low-purity calcium carbonate grade was used to prepare triple superphosphate for using in fertilizer industry, whereas high-purity calcium carbonate grade was used to produce dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, monocalcium phosphate monohydrate, and tricalcium phosphate for using in mineral feed and food additive industries. All calcium phosphate samples obtained by simple, rapid, cheap, and environmentally safe method using eggshells and phosphoric acid were identified and their structural phases and impurities were determined by XRF, XRD and FTIR techniques. Thermal behaviors of raw materials and the prepared calcium phosphates excepted tricalcium phosphate were investigated by TG/DTG techniques. The methodologies described here will be useful to manage eggshells by converting them to highly valuable products, which can solve eggshell wastes problem from industries and communities. This finding supports the viewpoint of zero waste operation to produce value-added products for obtaining sustainable development, which may be selected as an alternative way for material recycling and waste management in the future.
Benchmarking the Covid-19 pandemic across countries and states in the USA under heterogeneous testing
Authors: Asahi Kenzo , Undurraga Eduardo A. , Wagner Rodrigo
Published: July 2021

Scientists and policymakers need to compare the incidence of Covid-19 across territories or periods with various levels of testing. Benchmarking based on the increase in total cases or case fatality rates is one way of comparing the evolution of the pandemic across countries or territories and could inform policy decisions about strategies to control coronavirus transmission. However, comparing cases and fatality rates across regions is challenging due to heterogeneity in testing and health systems. We show two complementary ways of benchmarking across territories and in time. First, we used multivariate regressions to estimate the test-elasticity of Covid-19 case incidence. Cases grow less than proportionally with testing when assessing weekly changes or looking across states in the USA. They tend to be proportional or even more than proportional when comparing the month-to-month evolution of an average country in the pandemic. Our results were robust to various model specifications. Second, we decomposed the growth in cases into test growth and positive test ratio growth to intuitively visualize the components of case growth. We hope these results can help support evidence-based decisions by public officials and help the public discussion when comparing across territories and in time.
Improving prediction of COVID-19 evolution by fusing epidemiological and mobility data
Authors: García-Cremades Santi , Morales-García Juan , Hernández-Sanjaime Rocío , Martínez-España Raquel , Bueno-Crespo Andrés , Hernández-Orallo Enrique , López-Espín José J. , Cecilia José M.
Published: July 2021

We are witnessing the dramatic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic which, unfortunately, go beyond the impact on the health system. Until herd immunity is achieved with vaccines, the only available mechanisms for controlling the pandemic are quarantines, perimeter closures and social distancing with the aim of reducing mobility. Governments only apply these measures for a reduced period, since they involve the closure of economic activities such as tourism, cultural activities, or nightlife. The main criterion for establishing these measures and planning socioeconomic subsidies is the evolution of infections. However, the collapse of the health system and the unpredictability of human behavior, among others, make it difficult to predict this evolution in the short to medium term. This article evaluates different models for the early prediction of the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic to create a decision support system for policy-makers. We consider a wide branch of models including artificial neural networks such as LSTM and GRU and statistically based models such as autoregressive (AR) or ARIMA. Moreover, several consensus strategies to ensemble all models into one system are proposed to obtain better results in this uncertain environment. Finally, a multivariate model that includes mobility data provided by Google is proposed to better forecast trend changes in the 14-day CI. A real case study in Spain is evaluated, providing very accurate results for the prediction of 14-day CI in scenarios with and without trend changes, reaching 0.93 $$R^2$$

R
2

, 4.16 RMSE and 1.08 MAE.
Integrative analysis reveals the prognostic value and functions of splicing factors implicated in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Yue , Yang Fan , Shang Jiaqi , He Haitao , Yang Qing
Published: July 2021

Splicing factors (SFs) play critical roles in the pathogenesis of various cancers through regulating tumor-associated alternative splicing (AS) events. However, the clinical value and biological functions of SFs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain obscure. In this study, we identified 40 dysregulated SFs in HCC and established a prognostic model composed of four SFs (DNAJC6, ZC3H13, IGF2BP3, DDX19B). The predictive efficiency and independence of the prognostic model were confirmed to be satisfactory. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) illustrated the risk score calculated by our prognostic model was significantly associated with multiple cancer-related pathways and metabolic processes. Furthermore, we constructed the SFs-AS events regulatory network and extracted 108 protein-coding genes from the network for following functional explorations. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network delineated the potential interactions among these 108 protein-coding genes. GO and KEGG pathway analyses investigated ontology gene sets and canonical pathways enriched by these 108 protein-coding genes. Overlapping the results of GSEA and KEGG, seven pathways were identified to be potential pathways regulated by our prognostic model through triggering aberrant AS events in HCC. In conclusion, the present study established an effective prognostic model based on SFs for HCC patients. Functional explorations of SFs and SFs-associated AS events provided directions to explore biological functions and mechanisms of SFs in HCC tumorigenesis.
Classification of glioblastoma versus primary central nervous system lymphoma using convolutional neural networks
Authors: McAvoy Malia , Prieto Paola Calvachi , Kaczmarzyk Jakub R. , Fernández Iván Sánchez , McNulty Jack , Smith Timothy , Yu Kun-Hsing , Gormley William B. , Arnaout Omar
Published: July 2021

A subset of primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSL) are difficult to distinguish from glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We developed a convolutional neural network (CNN) to distinguish these tumors on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images. Preoperative brain tumor MRIs were retrospectively collected among 320 patients with either GBM (n = 160) and PCNSL (n = 160) from two academic institutions. The individual images from these MRIs consisted of a training set (n = 1894 GBM and 1245 PCNSL), a validation set (n = 339 GBM; 202 PCNSL), and a testing set (99 GBM and 108 PCNSL). Three CNNs using the EfficientNetB4 architecture were evaluated. To increase the size of the training set and minimize overfitting, random flips and changes to color were performed on the training set. Our transfer learning approach (with image augmentation and 292 epochs) yielded an AUC of 0.94 (95% CI: 0.91–0.97) for GBM and an AUC of 0.95 (95% CI: 0.92–0.98) for PCNL. In the second case (not augmented and 137 epochs), the images were augmented prior to training. The area under the curve for GBM was 0.92 (95% CI: 0.88–0.96) for GBM and an AUC of 0.94 (95% CI: 0.91–0.97) for PCNSL. For the last case (augmented, Gaussian noise and 238 epochs) the AUC for GBM was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.89–0.96) and an AUC 0.93 (95% CI = 0.89–0.96) for PCNSL. Even with a relatively small dataset, our transfer learning approach demonstrated CNNs may provide accurate diagnostic information to assist radiologists in distinguishing PCNSL and GBM.
Survival outcomes after traumatic brain injury during national academic meeting days in Japan
Authors: Hosomi Sanae , Kitamura Tetsuhisa , Sobue Tomotaka , Ogura Hiroshi , Shimazu Takeshi
Published: July 2021

Surgeons and medical staff attend academic meetings several times a year. However, there is insufficient evidence on the influence of the “meeting effect” on traumatic brain injury (TBI) treatments and outcomes. Using the Japan Trauma Data Bank, we analyzed the data of TBI patients admitted to the hospital from 2004 to 2018 during the national academic meeting days of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine, the Japanese Society of Intensive Care Medicine, the Japanese Association for the surgery of trauma, the Japan Society of Neurotraumatology and the Japan Neurosurgical Society. The data of these patients were compared with those of TBI patients admitted 1 week before and after the meetings. The primary outcome was in-hospital death. We included 7320 patients in our analyses, with 5139 and 2181 patients admitted during the non-meeting and meeting days, respectively; their in-hospital mortality rates were 15.7% and 14.5%, respectively. No significant differences in in-hospital mortality were found (adjusted odds ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.78–1.11). In addition, there were no significant differences in in-hospital mortality during the meeting and non-meeting days by the type of national meeting. In Japan, it is acceptable for medical professionals involved in TBI treatments to attend national academic meetings without impacting the outcomes of TBI patients.
A functional ultrasound brain GPS for automatic vascular-based neuronavigation
Authors: Nouhoum M. , Ferrier J. , Osmanski B.-F. , Ialy-Radio N. , Pezet S. , Tanter M. , Deffieux T.
Published: July 2021

Recent advances in ultrasound imaging triggered by transmission of ultrafast plane waves have rendered functional ultrasound (fUS) imaging a valuable neuroimaging modality capable of mapping cerebral vascular networks, but also for the indirect capture of neuronal activity with high sensitivity thanks to the neurovascular coupling. However, the expansion of fUS imaging is still limited by the difficulty to identify cerebral structures during experiments based solely on the Doppler images and the shape of the vessels. In order to tackle this challenge, this study introduces the vascular brain positioning system (BPS), a GPS of the brain. The BPS is a whole-brain neuronavigation system based on the on-the-fly automatic alignment of ultrafast ultrasensitive transcranial Power Doppler volumic images to common templates such as the Allen Mouse Brain Common Coordinates Framework. This method relies on the online registration of the complex cerebral vascular fingerprint of the studied animal to a pre-aligned reference vascular atlas, thus allowing rapid matching and identification of brain structures. We quantified the accuracy of the automatic registration using super-resolution vascular images obtained at the microscopic scale using Ultrasound Localization Microscopy and found a positioning error of 44 µm and 96 µm for intra-animal and inter-animal vascular registration, respectively. The proposed BPS approach outperforms the manual vascular landmark recognition performed by expert neuroscientists (inter-annotator errors of 215 µm and 259 µm). Using the online BPS approach coupled with the Allen Atlas, we demonstrated the capability of the system to position itself automatically over chosen anatomical structures and to obtain corresponding functional activation maps even in complex oblique planes. Finally, we show that the system can be used to acquire and estimate functional connectivity matrices automatically. The proposed functional ultrasound on-the-fly neuronavigation approach allows automatic brain navigation and could become a key asset to ensure standardized experiments and protocols for non-expert and expert researchers.
Quantitative MRI-based radiomics for noninvasively predicting molecular subtypes and survival in glioma patients
Authors: Yan Jing , Zhang Bin , Zhang Shuaitong , Cheng Jingliang , Liu Xianzhi , Wang Weiwei , Dong Yuhao , Zhang Lu , Mo Xiaokai , Chen Qiuying , Fang Jin , Wang Fei , Tian Jie , Zhang Shuixing , Zhang Zhenyu
Published: July 2021

Gliomas can be classified into five molecular groups based on the status of IDH mutation, 1p/19q codeletion, and TERT promoter mutation, whereas they need to be obtained by biopsy or surgery. Thus, we aimed to use MRI-based radiomics to noninvasively predict the molecular groups and assess their prognostic value. We retrospectively identified 357 patients with gliomas and extracted radiomic features from their preoperative MRI images. Single-layered radiomic signatures were generated using a single MR sequence using Bayesian-regularization neural networks. Image fusion models were built by combing the significant radiomic signatures. By separately predicting the molecular markers, the predictive molecular groups were obtained. Prognostic nomograms were developed based on the predictive molecular groups and clinicopathologic data to predict progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The results showed that the image fusion model incorporating radiomic signatures from contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging (cT1WI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) achieved an AUC of 0.884 and 0.669 for predicting IDH and TERT status, respectively. cT1WI-based radiomic signature alone yielded favorable performance in predicting 1p/19q status (AUC = 0.815). The predictive molecular groups were comparable to actual ones in predicting PFS (C-index: 0.709 vs. 0.722, P = 0.241) and OS (C-index: 0.703 vs. 0.751, P = 0.359). Subgroup analyses by grades showed similar findings. The prognostic nomograms based on grades and the predictive molecular groups yielded a C-index of 0.736 and 0.735 in predicting PFS and OS, respectively. Accordingly, MRI-based radiomics may be useful for noninvasively detecting molecular groups and predicting survival in gliomas regardless of grades.
Lead exposure is associated with functional and microstructural changes in the healthy human brain
Authors: Takeuchi Hikaru , Taki Yasuyuki , Nouchi Rui , Yokoyama Ryoichi , Kotozaki Yuka , Nakagawa Seishu , Sekiguchi Atsushi , Iizuka Kunio , Hanawa Sugiko , Araki Tsuyoshi , Miyauchi Carlos Makoto , Sakaki Kohei , Nozawa Takayuki , Ikeda Shigeyuki , Yokota Susum , Daniele Magistro , Sassa Yuko , Kawashima Ryuta
Published: July 2021

Lead is a toxin known to harm many organs in the body, particularly the central nervous system, across an individual’s lifespan. To date, no study has yet investigated the associations between body lead level and the microstructural properties of gray matter areas, and brain activity during attention-demanding tasks. Here, utilizing data of diffusion tensor imaging, functional magnetic resonance imaging and cognitive measures among 920 typically developing young adults, we show greater hair lead levels are weakly but significantly associated with (a) increased working memory-related activity in the right premotor and pre-supplemental motor areas, (b) lower fractional anisotropy (FA) in white matter areas near the internal capsule, (c) lower mean diffusivity (MD) in the dopaminergic system in the left hemisphere and other widespread contingent areas, and (d) greater MD in the white matter area adjacent to the right fusiform gyrus. Higher lead levels were also weakly but significantly associated with lower performance in tests of high-order cognitive functions, such as the psychometric intelligence test, greater impulsivity measures, and higher novelty seeking and extraversion. These findings reflect the weak effect of daily lead level on the excitability and microstructural properties of the brain, particularly in the dopaminergic system.
Butyrophilin-like 2 regulates site-specific adaptations of intestinal γδ intraepithelial lymphocytes
Authors: Panea Casandra , Zhang Ruoyu , VanValkenburgh Jeffrey , Ni Min , Adler Christina , Wei Yi , Ochoa Francisca , Schmahl Jennifer , Tang Yajun , Siao Chia-Jen , Poueymirou William , Espert Jennifer , Lim Wei Keat , Atwal Gurinder S. , Murphy Andrew J. , Sleeman Matthew A. , Hovhannisyan Zaruhi , Haxhinasto Sokol
Published: July 2021

Tissue-resident γδ intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) orchestrate innate and adaptive immune responses to maintain intestinal epithelial barrier integrity. Epithelia-specific butyrophilin-like (Btnl) molecules induce perinatal development of distinct Vγ TCR+ IELs, however, the mechanisms that control γδ IEL maintenance within discrete intestinal segments are unclear. Here, we show that Btnl2 suppressed homeostatic proliferation of γδ IELs preferentially in the ileum. High throughput transcriptomic characterization of site-specific Btnl2-KO γδ IELs reveals that Btnl2 regulated the antimicrobial response module of ileal γδ IELs. Btnl2 deficiency shapes the TCR specificities and TCRγ/δ repertoire diversity of ileal γδ IELs. During DSS-induced colitis, Btnl2-KO mice exhibit increased inflammation and delayed mucosal repair in the colon. Collectively, these data suggest that Btnl2 fine-tunes γδ IEL frequencies and TCR specificities in response to site-specific homeostatic and inflammatory cues. Hence, Btnl-mediated targeting of γδ IEL development and maintenance may help dissect their immunological functions in intestinal diseases with segment-specific manifestations.
Application of magnetic carbon nano-onions in dispersive solid-phase extraction combined with DLLME for extraction of pesticide residues from water and vegetable samples
Authors: Marzi Khosrowshahi Elnaz , Farajzadeh Mir Ali , Tuzen Mustafa , Afshar Mogaddam Mohammad Reza , Nemati Mahboob
Published: July 2021

A dispersive solid-phase microextraction method based on magnetic carbon nano-onions (MCNOs) was developed for the extraction and preconcentration of some pesticides from water and vegetable samples.
Black phosphorus assisted polyionic micelles with efficient PTX loading for remotely controlled release and synergistic treatment of drug-resistant tumors
Authors: Huang Xin , Li Yanfei , Li Dengyu , Zhou Xiang , Qiao Haishi , Yang Lifen , Ji Yicheng , Zhang Xuejiao , Huang Dechun , Chen Wei
Published: July 2021

An illustration of black phosphorus (BP) assisted polyionic mPEG-PDMATC micelles with efficient PTX loading for remotely controlled release and synergistic treatment of drug-resistant tumors.
Enhanced 5f-δ bonding in [U(C7H7)2]−: C K-edge XAS, magnetism, and ab initio calculations
Authors: Qiao Yusen , Ganguly Gaurab , Booth Corwin H. , Branson Jacob A. , Ditter Alexander S. , Lussier Daniel J. , Moreau Liane M. , Russo Dominic R. , Sergentu Dumitru-Claudiu , Shuh David K. , Sun Taoxiang , Autschbach Jochen , Minasian Stefan G.
Published: July 2021

5f covalency in [U(C7H7)2]− was probed with carbon K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and electronic structure theory. The results are compared with earlier studies which show that the extent of δ-orbital mixing in [U(C7H7)2]1− is larger than reported previously for U(C8H8)2.
An overview of hydroxy-based polyanionic cathode insertion materials for metal-ion batteries
Authors: Singh Shashwat , Lochab Shubham , Sharma Lalit , Pralong Valérie , Barpanda Prabeer
Published: July 2021

Hydroxy-based polyanionic cathode materials are reviewed for (post) Li-ion batteries with a special focus on the hydroxyphosphate, hydroxysulfate and jarosite classes of insertion host materials.
Double boron atom-doped graphdiynes as efficient metal-free electrocatalysts for nitrogen reduction into ammonia: a first-principles study
Authors: Fu Cheng , Li Yafei , Wei Haiyan
Published: July 2021

Double boron atom-doped graphdiynes as efficient metal-free electrocatalysts for nitrogen reduction into ammonia: a first-principles study.
Penta-BCN monolayer with high specific capacity and mobility as a compelling anode material for rechargeable batteries
Authors: Chen Lei , Yang Minrui , Kong Fan , Du Wenling , Guo Jiyuan , Shu Huabing
Published: July 2021

Penta-BCN monolayer is a novel anode material for lithium and sodium ion batteries with ultra-high specific capacities and low diffusion barriers.
Metal–organic framework derived carbon supported Cu–In nanoparticles for highly selective CO2electroreduction to CO
Authors: Ma Xia , Tian Jianjian , Wang Min , Jin Xixiong , Shen Meng , Zhang Lingxia
Published: July 2021

The designed Cu–In bimetal exhibits much higher CO2-to-CO selectivity than monometallic Cu and In.
High-temperature vanadium-free catalyst for selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3 and theoretical study of La2O3 over CeO2/TiO2
Authors: Wang Na , Ye Changfei , Xie Huidong , Wang Lei , Zheng Bin , He Yingying , Yang Chang , Zhou Jinhong , Ge Chengmin
Published: July 2021

SCR catalysts of the La2O3–CeO2/TiO2 series for de-NOx with NH3 were prepared and optimized. The Ce10La2 catalyst has a great NO conversion efficiency, good N2 selectivity, good SO2 resistance, and good anti-aging properties at high temperature.
Study of the influence of nuclear spin and dilution over the slow relaxation in a 3d4f heterobimetallic single-molecule magnet
Authors: Flores González Jessica , Lefeuvre Bertrand , Degraeve Bastien , Cador Olivier , Pointillart Fabrice
Published: July 2021

Isotopic enrichment and magnetic dilution influenced the magnetic performance of a 3d4f heterobimetallic single-molecule magnet in both zero and applied magnetic field.
POSS and imidazolium-constructed ionic porous hypercrosslinked polymers with multiple active sites for synergistic catalytic CO2 transformation
Authors: Zhang Yadong , Liu Ke , Wu Lei , Huang He , Xu Zixuan , Long Zhouyang , Tong Minman , Gu Yingqiu , Qin Zhenglong , Chen Guojian
Published: July 2021

One-pot construction of POSS and imidazolium-based ionic porous hypercrosslinked polymers with multiple active sites for synergistic catalytic CO2 conversion.
Integrated mechanistic engineering models and macroeconomic input–output approach to model physical economy for evaluating the impact of transition to a circular economy
Authors: Vunnava Venkata Sai Gargeya , Singh Shweta
Published: July 2021

A novel method to standardize and automate material flow/waste mapping in economies by integrating mechanistic engineering models and macroeconomic framework is proposed for identifying pathways to transition towards low carbon/zero waste economy.
Improving high rate cycling limitations of thick sintered battery electrodes by mitigating molecular transport limitations through modifying electrode microstructure and electrolyte conductivity
Authors: Nie Ziyang , Parai Rohan , Cai Chen , Ghosh Dipankar , Koenig Gary M.
Published: July 2021

Mitigating molecular transport limitations in thick sintered battery electrodes with electrolyte and microstructure design.
Determination of equilibrium constants of iron(iii)-1,2-dihydroxybenzene complexes and the relationship between calculated iron speciation and degradation of rhodamine B
Authors: Henríquez Adolfo , Salgado Pablo , Albornoz Milenka , Melín Victoria , Mansilla Héctor D. , Cornejo-Ponce Lorena , Contreras David
Published: July 2021

The contribution of the monocomplex [Fe(DHB)]+ to the percentage of rhodamine B degradation is statistically significant.
First-principles study on the electronic and optical properties of the orthorhombic CsPbBr3 and CsPbI3 with Cmcm space group
Authors: Zhao Xianhao , Tang Tianyu , Xie Quan , Gao Like , Lu Limin , Tang Yanlin
Published: July 2021

The optical properties indicate that the potential of cm-CsPbBr3 (cm-CsPbI3) as light-absorbing materials is close to that of pn-CsPbBr3 (pn-CsPbI3).
The osteogenic and bacterial inhibition potential of natural and synthetic compound loaded metal–ceramic composite coated titanium implant for orthopedic applications
Authors: Prabakaran Selvakani , Rajan Mariappan
Published: July 2021

Schematic illustration of the preparation, electrophoretic deposition, antibacterial and osteogenic bone regeneration abilities of the MHAP/ChN/GGe/GTN composite. Where, the green colored shape with red, yellow and blue spheres indicates the GGe.
Selective dual adsorption performance of hexagonal porous metal–organic framework rods towards CO2 gas and organic dye
Authors: Bora Hridoy Jyoti , Sen Sarma Neelotpal , Kalita Anamika
Published: July 2021

The designed porous hexagonal MOF platform confirms a dual selective adsorption of the environmental pollutants CO2 gas and water-soluble organic dye under ambient atmospheric conditions.
Carbon coated SiO nanoparticles embedded in hierarchical porous N-doped carbon nanosheets for enhanced lithium storage
Authors: Zhang Qianliang , Xi Baojuan , Xiong Shenglin , Qian Yitai
Published: July 2021

Carbon coated SiO nanoparticles embedded in N-doped carbon nanosheets were synthesized via a scalable and cost-effective route, and exhibited enhanced cyclability and rate capability as an anode for lithium-ion batteries.
Graphdiyne oxide doped SnO2electron transport layer for high performance perovskite solar cells
Authors: Yao Lili , Zhao Min , Liu Le , Chen Siqi , Wang Jin , Zhao Chengjie , Jia Zhiyu , Pang Shuping , Guo Xin , Jiu Tonggang
Published: July 2021

Graphdiyne oxide-doped SnO2is applied as a novel electron transfer layer for the preparation of high-performance perovskite devices.
3D printed MOF-based mixed matrix thin-film composite membranes
Authors: Elsaidi Sameh K. , Ostwal Mayur , Zhu Lingxiang , Sekizkardes Ali , Mohamed Mona H. , Gipple Michael , McCutcheon Jeffrey R. , Hopkinson David
Published: July 2021

An electrospray 3D printing approach for fabricating thin-film composite mixed-matrix membranes (TFC MMM) with a thickness of 2–3 μm.
Study of physical properties of a ferrimagnetic spinel Cu1.5Mn1.5O4: spin dynamics, magnetocaloric effect and critical behavior
Authors: Hadded Abir , Massoudi Jalel , Gharbi Sirine , Dhahri Essebti , Tozri A. , Berber Mohamed R.
Published: July 2021

The present work reports a detailed study of the spin dynamics, magnetocaloric effect and critical behaviour near the magnetic phase transition temperature, of a ferrimagnetic spinel Cu1.5Mn1.5O4.
Defining the conditions for the development of the emerging class of FeIII-based MRI contrast agents
Authors: Baranyai Zsolt , Carniato Fabio , Nucera Alessandro , Horváth Dávid , Tei Lorenzo , Platas-Iglesias Carlos , Botta Mauro
Published: July 2021

An integrated 1H and 17O NMR relaxometric study on model systems allowed to highlight that the Fe(III) complexes might represent the best alternative to Gd-based MRI contrast agents at the magnetic fields of current and future clinical scanners.
3D-Reactive printing of engineered alginate inks
Authors: Sardelli Lorenzo , Tunesi Marta , Briatico-Vangosa Francesco , Petrini Paola
Published: July 2021

3D-Reactive printing brings a new perspective for the 3D-printing of alginate-based inks. Printability was achieved through the tuning of the crosslinking kinetics, without changing the composition of inks or the use of additives.
Electrochemically synthesized liquid-sulfur/sulfide composite materials for high-rate magnesium battery cathodes
Authors: Shimokawa Kohei , Furuhashi Takuya , Kawaguchi Tomoya , Park Won-Young , Wada Takeshi , Matsumoto Hajime , Kato Hidemi , Ichitsubo Tetsu
Published: July 2021

Liquid S/sulfide composite cathodes can be spontaneously synthesized by electrochemically oxidizing sulfides, enabling high-rate magnesium rechargeable batteries.
Dual electrocatalytic heterostructures for efficient immobilization and conversion of polysulfides in Li–S batteries
Authors: Yang Menghua , Wang Xuewei , Wu Jinfeng , Tian Yue , Huang Xingyu , Liu Ping , Li Xianyang , Li Xinru , Liu Xiaoyan , Li Hexing
Published: July 2021

Dual Co2P–ZnS/ZnS–C electrocatalytic heterostructures were constructed for synergistic immobilization of polysulfides and promotion of the conversion kinetics.
Engineering plasmonic semiconductors for enhanced photocatalysis
Authors: Li Juan , Lou Zaizhu , Li Baojun
Published: July 2021

This perspective provides an outlook on the advancing research regarding on strategies to engineer plasmonic semiconductors for enhanced photocatalysis.
Atomically dispersed gold anchored on carbon nitride nanosheets as effective catalyst for regioselective hydrosilylation of alkynes
Authors: Feng Xueqing , Guo Jiahui , Wang Songrui , Wu Qikang , Chen Zheng
Published: July 2021

The atomically dispersed Au catalysts realize hydrosilylation of alkynes with high activity, selectivity and stability.
Multi length scale porosity as a playground for organic thermoelectric applications
Authors: Weinbach Quentin , Nielsen Christian B. , Biniek Laure
Published: July 2021

Porous conducting polymers are intriguing heat harvester candidates. This review focuses on the different strategies to vary the porosity range (from micro- to macro-pores) and their impact on thermoelectric properties.
Boosting charge and thermal transport – role of insulators in stable and efficient n-type polymer transistors
Authors: Zhang Zhuoqiong , Ho Johnny Ka Wai , Zhang Chujun , Yin Hang , Wen Zhenchuan , Cai Guilong , Zhao Ruyan , Shi Run , Lu Xinhui , Liu Jun , Hao Xiaotao , Cheng Chun , So Shu Kong
Published: July 2021

The charge and thermal properties of n-type conjugated polymer/insulator blends are investigated.
A carbon-quantum-dot-hybridized NiOx hole-transport layer enables efficient and stable planar p–i–n perovskite solar cells with high open-circuit voltage
Authors: Xia Xuefeng , Zhang Dan , Wang Xiaofeng , Xiao Zonghu , Li Fan
Published: July 2021

A novel CQD-hybridized NiOx HTL is developed to improve the efficiency and stability of planar p–i–n PSCs.
Red and green-emitting biocompatible carbon quantum dots for efficient tandem luminescent solar concentrators
Authors: Han Yi , Zhao Xiujian , Vomiero Alberto , Gong Xiao , Zhao Haiguang
Published: July 2021

The red C-dots with a quantum yield of 40% were produced by using citric acid and urea. The luminescent solar concentrator (100 cm2) based on red C-dots exhibited a power conversion efficiency of 1.9% under natural sunlight illumination (35 mW cm−2).
Language Skills of Children With and Without Mathematics Difficulty
Authors: Chow Jason C. , Majeika Caitlyn E. , Sheaffer Amanda W.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Language is an important skill required for children to succeed in school. Higher language skills are associated with school readiness in young children and general mathematics performance. However, many students with mathematics difficulty (MD) may be more likely to present difficulties with language skills than their peers. The purpose of this report was to compare the language performance of children with and without MD.

Method

We compared child vocabulary, morphology, and syntax between first- and second-grade children (
N
= 247) classified as with or without MD, controlling for child working memory.

Results

Children with MD (
n
= 119) significantly underperformed compared with their peers (
n
= 155) on all language measures. The largest difference between children with and without MD was in syntax.

Conclusions

Children with MD present poorer language skills than their peers, which aligns with previous research linking the importance of syntax with mathematics learning. More research is needed to better understand the complex links between language skills and mathematical development.
Gender Differences in Identifying Facial, Prosodic, and Semantic Emotions Show Category- and Channel-Specific Effects Mediated by Encoder's Gender
Authors: Lin Yi , Ding Hongwei , Zhang Yang
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The nature of gender differences in emotion processing has remained unclear due to the discrepancies in existing literature. This study examined the modulatory effects of emotion categories and communication channels on gender differences in verbal and nonverbal emotion perception.

Method

Eighty-eight participants (43 females and 45 males) were asked to identify three basic emotions (i.e., happiness, sadness, and anger) and neutrality encoded by female or male actors from verbal (i.e., semantic) or nonverbal (i.e., facial and prosodic) channels.

Results

While women showed an overall advantage in performance, their superiority was dependent on specific types of emotion and channel. Specifically, women outperformed men in regard to two basic emotions (happiness and sadness) in the nonverbal channels and only the anger category with verbal content. Conversely, men did better for the anger category in the nonverbal channels and for the other two emotions (happiness and sadness) in verbal content. There was an emotion- and channel-specific interaction effect between the two types of gender differences, with male subjects showing higher sensitivity to sad faces and prosody portrayed by the female encoders.

Conclusion

These findings reveal explicit emotion processing as a highly dynamic complex process with significant gender differences tied to specific emotion categories and communication channels.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.15032583
A Window Into Functional Communication: Leveraging Naturalistic Speech Samples in Primary Progressive Aphasia
Authors: Gallée Jeanne , Volkmer Anna
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Naturalistic speech samples should be routinely collected in the assessment of individuals with communication difficulties. However, even when these samples are collected, they are often underutilized. We propose that the analysis of naturalistic speech samples can greatly enhance our understanding and evaluation of the functional impact of primary progressive aphasia (PPA) on communication. First, we review the current practices of evaluating PPA. Second, we provide a framework to optimize the collection, analysis, and interpretation of speech samples to accomplish this goal. In particular, we demonstrate how speech samples can be evaluated for measures of informativeness, the presence of atypical patterns of speech, articulatory rate, and pausing, all of which are helpful metrics in characterizing disordered speech. These factors can be leveraged to identify both the strengths and difficulties an individual may face in everyday communication.

Conclusion

The collection of naturalistic speech in both clinical and naturalistic settings with typical communication partners is highly recommended to best diagnose, monitor, and inform treatment plans for individuals with PPA.