bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of common spatial patterns for early detection of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Smrdel Aleš
Published: November 2022

One of the most common diseases that affects human brain is Parkinson’s disease. Detection of Parkinson’s disease (PD) poses a serious challenge. Robust methods for feature extraction allowing separation between the electroencephalograms (EEG) of healthy subjects and PD patients are required. We used the EEG records of healthy subjects and PD patients which were subject to auditory tasks. We used the common spatial patterns (CSP) and Laplacian mask as methods to allow robust selection and extraction of features. We used the derived CSP whitening matrix to determine those channels that are the most promising in the terms of differentiating between EEGs of healthy controls and of PD patients. Using the selection of features calculated using the CSP we managed to obtain the classification accuracy of 85% when classifying EEG records belonging to groups of controls or PD patients. Using the features calculated using the Laplacian operator we obtained the classification accuracy of 90%. Diagnosing the PD in early stages using EEG is possible. The CSP proved to be a promising technique to detect informative channels and to separate between the groups. Use of the combination of features calculated using the Laplacian offers good separability between the two groups.
Clockwise rotation of perspective view improves spatial recognition of complex environments in aging
Authors: Castillo-Escamilla Joaquín , Carmona Isabel , Salvador-Viñas María del Mar , Frutos-Lorente Miguel , Ordoñez-Carrasco Jorge Luis , Cimadevilla José Manuel
Published: November 2022

Deciphering the human spatial cognition system involves the development of simple tasks to assess how our brain works with shapes and forms. Prior studies in the mental rotation field disclosed a clockwise rotation bias on how basic stimuli are perceived and processed. However, there is a lack of a substantial scientific background for complex stimuli and how factors like sex or aging could influence them. Regarding the latter point, it is well known that our spatial skills tend to decline as we grow older. Hence, the hippocampal system is especially sensitive to aging. These neural changes underlie difficulties for the elderly in landmark orientation or mental rotation tasks. Thus, our study aimed to check whether the effect of clockwise and anticlockwise rotations in the spatial recognition of complex environments could be modulated by aging. To do so, 40 young adults and 40 old adults performed the ASMRT, a virtual spatial memory recognition test. Results showed that young adults outperformed old adults in all difficulty conditions (i.e., encoding one or three boxes positions). In addition, old adults were affected more than young adults by rotation direction, showing better performance in clockwise rotations. In conclusion, our study provides evidence that aging is particularly affected by the direction of rotation. We suggest that clockwise bias could be linked with the cognitive decline associated with aging. Future studies could address this with brain imaging measures.
Influence of variable velocity slip condition and activation energy on MHD peristaltic flow of Prandtl nanofluid through a non-uniform channel
Authors: Ibrahim M. G. , Abou-zeid M. Y.
Published: November 2022

This study is carried out to analyze the problem of mixed convection magnet nanoflow of Prandtl fluid through a non-uniform channel with peristalsis. The external influences of activation energy and non-constant velocity slip are given full consideration. The mentioned fluid is expressed as a governing equations system, and then these equations are converted with non-dimensional parameter values to a system of ordinary differential equations. The converted system of equations is solved in terms of y and then graphs and sketches are offered using the generalized differential transform method. Graphs and results for volume friction as well as velocity profile, concentration, and temperature distributions are obtained. Results show development in the velocity profile of fluid distribution through high values of the non-constant velocity slip effect. The present study is alleged to deliver more opportunities to advance the applications of the drug-carrying system in hypoxic tumor areas with aid of identifying the flow mechanisms.
Optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy with simultaneously acquired Raman spectroscopy for two-dimensional microplastic identification
Authors: Böke Julia Sophie , Popp Jürgen , Krafft Christoph
Published: November 2022

In recent years, vibrational spectroscopic techniques based on Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) or Raman microspectroscopy have been suggested to fulfill the unmet need for microplastic particle detection and identification. Inter-system comparison of spectra from reference polymers enables assessing the reproducibility between instruments and advantages of emerging quantum cascade laser-based optical photothermal infrared (O-PTIR) spectroscopy. In our work, IR and Raman spectra of nine plastics, namely polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polystyrene, silicone, polylactide acid and polymethylmethacrylate were simultaneously acquired using an O-PTIR microscope in non-contact, reflection mode. Comprehensive band assignments were presented. We determined the agreement of O-PTIR with standalone attenuated total reflection FTIR and Raman spectrometers based on the hit quality index (HQI) and introduced a two-dimensional identification (2D-HQI) approach using both Raman- and IR-HQIs. Finally, microplastic particles were prepared as test samples from known materials by wet grinding, O-PTIR data were collected and subjected to the 2D-HQI identification approach. We concluded that this framework offers improved material identification of microplastic particles in environmental, nutritious and biological matrices.
Highly light-tunable memristors in solution-processed 2D materials/metal composites
Authors: Sheykhifar Zahra , Mohseni Seyed Majid
Published: November 2022

Memristors—competitive microelectronic elements which bring together the electronic sensing and memory effects—potentially are able to respond against physical and chemical effects that influence their sensing capability and memory behavior. However, this young topic is still under debate and needs further attention to be highly responding to or remaining intact against physical effects, e.g., light illumination. To contribute to this scenario, using a composite of two-dimensional graphene or MoS2doped with meso-structures of metal/metal-oxides of Ag, Cu and Fe family, we presented scalable and printable memristors. The memristive behavior shows strong dependency upon light illumination with a high record of 105ON/OFF ratio observed so far in 2-terminal systems based on two-dimensional materials or metal oxide structures. Moreover, we found that the memristors can remain stable without illumination, providing a novel approach to use these composites for developing neuromorphic computing circuits. The sensing and memristive mechanisms are explained based on the electronic properties of the materials. Our introduced materials used in the memristor devices can open new routes to achieve high sensing capability and improve memristance of the future microelectronic elements.
Introgression of tsv1 improves tungro disease resistance of a rice variety BRRI dhan71
Authors: Hore Tapas Kumer , Inabangan-asilo Mary Ann , Wulandari Ratna , Latif Mohammad Abdul , Nihad Sheikh Arafat Islam , Hernandez Jose E. , Gregorio Glenn B. , Dalisay Teresita U. , Diaz Maria Genaleen Q. , Ch. Balachiranjeevi , Swamy B. P. Mallikarjuna
Published: November 2022

Rice Tungro disease poses a threat to rice production in Asia. Marker assisted backcross breeding is the most feasible approach to address the tungro disease. We targeted to introgress tungro resistance locus tsv1 from Matatag 1 into a popular but tungro susceptible rice variety of Bangladesh, BRRI dhan71. The tsv1 locus was traced using two tightly linked markers RM336 and RM21801, and background genotyping was carried out using 7 K SNPs. A series of three back crosses followed by selfing resulted in identification of plants similar to BRRI dhan71. The background recovery varied at 91–95% with most of the lines having 95%. The disease screening of the lines showed moderate to high level of tungro resistance with a disease index score of ≤ 5. Introgression Lines (ILs) had medium slender grain type, and head rice recovery (59.2%), amylose content (20.1%), gel consistency (40.1 mm) and gelatinization temperature were within the acceptable range. AMMI and Kang’s stability analysis based on multi-location data revealed that multiple selected ILs outperformed BRRI dhan71 across the locations. IR144480-2-2-5, IR144483-1-2-4, IR144484-1-2-2 and IR144484-1-2-5 are the most promising lines. These lines will be further evaluated and nominated for varietal testing in Bangladesh.
Antiviral efficacy of cerium oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Nefedova Alexandra , Rausalu Kai , Zusinaite Eva , Vanetsev Alexander , Rosenberg Merilin , Koppel Kairi , Lilla Stevin , Visnapuu Meeri , Smits Krisjanis , Kisand Vambola , Tätte Tanel , Ivask Angela
Published: November 2022

Nanomaterials are prospective candidates for the elimination of viruses due to their multimodal mechanisms of action. Here, we tested the antiviral potential of a largely unexplored nanoparticle of cerium dioxide (CeO2). Two nano-CeO2with opposing surface charge, (+) and (−), were assessed for their capability to decrease the plaque forming units (PFU) of four enveloped and two non-enveloped viruses during 1-h exposure. Statistically significant antiviral activity towards enveloped coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus was registered already at 20 mg Ce/l. For other two enveloped viruses, transmissible gastroenteritis virus and bacteriophage φ6, antiviral activity was evidenced at 200 mg Ce/l. As expected, the sensitivity of non-enveloped viruses towards nano-CeO2was significantly lower. EMCV picornavirus showed no decrease in PFU until the highest tested concentration, 2000 mg Ce/l and MS2 bacteriophage showed slight non-monotonic response to high concentrations of nano-CeO2(−). Parallel testing of antiviral activity of Ce3+ions and SiO2nanoparticles allows to conclude that nano-CeO2activity was neither due to released Ce-ions nor nonspecific effects of nanoparticulates. Moreover, we evidenced higher antiviral efficacy of nano-CeO2compared with Ag nanoparticles. This result along with low antibacterial activity and non-existent cytotoxicity of nano-CeO2allow us to propose CeO2nanoparticles for specific antiviral applications.
Label-free third harmonic generation imaging and quantification of lipid droplets in live filamentous fungi
Authors: Pajić Tanja , Todorović Nataša V. , Živić Miroslav , Nikolić Stanko N. , Rabasović Mihailo D. , Clayton Andrew H. A. , Krmpot Aleksandar J.
Published: November 2022

We report the utilization of Third-Harmonic Generation microscopy for label-free live cell imaging of lipid droplets in the hypha of filamentous fungusPhycomyces blakesleeanus. THG microscopy images showed bright spherical features dispersed throughout the hypha cytoplasm in control conditions and a transient increase in the number of bright features after complete nitrogen starvation. Colocalization analysis of THG and lipid-counterstained images disclosed that the cytoplasmic particles were lipid droplets. Particle Size Analysis and Image Correlation Spectroscopy were used to quantify the number density and size of lipid droplets. The two analysis methods both revealed an increase from 16 × 10−3to 23 × 10−3lipid droplets/µm2after nitrogen starvation and a decrease in the average size of the droplets (range: 0.5–0.8 µm diameter). In conclusion, THG imaging, followed by PSA and ICS, can be reliably used for filamentous fungi for the in vivo quantification of lipid droplets without the need for labeling and/or fixation. In addition, it has been demonstrated that ICS is suitable for THG microscopy.
Correlation of T1- to T2-weighted signal intensity ratio with T1- and T2-relaxation time and IDH mutation status in glioma
Authors: Sanada Takahiro , Yamamoto Shota , Sakai Mio , Umehara Toru , Sato Hirotaka , Saito Masato , Mitsui Nobuyuki , Hiroshima Satoru , Anei Ryogo , Kanemura Yonehiro , Tanino Mishie , Nakanishi Katsuyuki , Kishima Haruhiko , Kinoshita Manabu
Published: November 2022

The current study aimed to test whether the ratio of T1-weighted to T2-weighted signal intensity (T1W/T2W ratio: rT1/T2) derived from conventional MRI could act as a surrogate relaxation time predictive of IDH mutation status in histologically lower-grade gliomas. Strong exponential correlations were found between rT1/T2 and each of T1- and T2-relaxation times in eight subjects (rT1/T2 = 1.63exp−0.0005T1-relax + 0.30 and rT1/T2 = 1.27exp−0.0081T2-relax + 0.48; R2 = 0.64 and 0.59, respectively). In a test cohort of 25 patients, mean rT1/T2 (mrT1/T2) was significantly higher in IDHwt tumors than in IDHmt tumors (p < 0.05) and the optimal cut-off of mrT1/T2 for discriminating IDHmt was 0.666–0.677, (AUC = 0.75, p < 0.05), which was validated in an external domestic cohort of 29 patients (AUC = 0.75, p = 0.02). However, this result was not validated in an external international cohort derived from TCIA/TCGA (AUC = 0.63, p = 0.08). The t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding analysis revealed a greater diversity in image characteristics within the TCIA/TCGA cohort than in the two domestic cohorts. The failure of external validation in the TCIA/TCGA cohort could be attributed to its wider variety of original imaging characteristics.
Mosquito host-seeking diel rhythm and chemosensory gene expression is affected by age and Plasmodium stages
Authors: Hajkazemian Melika , Hill Sharon R. , Mozūraitis Raimondas , Ranford-Cartwright Lisa , Emami S. Noushin , Ignell Rickard
Published: November 2022

Malaria parasites can affect vector-related behaviours, increasing transmission success. Using Anopheles gambiae and Plasmodium falciparum, we consider the effect of interaction between infection stage and vector age on diel locomotion in response to human odour and the expression of antennal chemosensory genes. We identified age-dependent behavioural diel compartmentalisation by uninfected females post-blood meal. Infection disrupts overall and diel activity patterns compared with age-matched controls. In this study, mosquitoes carrying transmissible sporozoites were more active, shifting activity periods which corresponded with human host availability, in response to human odour. Older, uninfected, blood-fed females displayed reduced activity during their peak host-seeking period in response to human odour. Age- and infection stage-specific changes in odour-mediated locomotion coincide with altered transcript abundance of select chemosensory genes suggesting a possible molecular mechanism regulating the behaviour. We hypothesize that vector-related behaviours of female mosquitoes are altered by infection stage and further modulated by the age post-blood meal of the vector. Findings may have important implications for malaria transmission and disease dynamics.
Using a multiomics approach to unravel a septic shock specific signature in skeletal muscle
Authors: Duceau Baptiste , Blatzer Michael , Bardon Jean , Chaze Thibault , Giai Gianetto Quentin , Castelli Florence , Fenaille François , Duarte Lucie , Lescot Thomas , Tresallet Christophe , Riou Bruno , Matondo Mariette , Langeron Olivier , Rocheteau Pierre , Chrétien Fabrice , Bouglé Adrien
Published: November 2022

Sepsis is defined as a dysregulated host response to infection leading to organs failure. Among them, sepsis induces skeletal muscle (SM) alterations that contribute to acquired-weakness in critically ill patients. Proteomics and metabolomics could unravel biological mechanisms in sepsis-related organ dysfunction. Our objective was to characterize a distinctive signature of septic shock in human SM by using an integrative multi-omics approach. Muscle biopsies were obtained as part of a multicenter non-interventional prospective study. Study population included patients in septic shock (S group, with intra-abdominal source of sepsis) and two critically ill control populations: cardiogenic shock (C group) and brain dead (BD group). The proteins and metabolites were extracted and analyzed by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-coupled to tandem Mass Spectrometry, respectively. Fifty patients were included, 19 for the S group (53% male, 64 ± 17 years, SAPS II 45 ± 14), 12 for the C group (75% male, 63 ± 4 years, SAPS II 43 ± 15), 19 for the BD group (63% male, 58 ± 10 years, SAPS II 58 ± 9). Biopsies were performed in median 3 days [interquartile range 1–4]) after intensive care unit admission. Respectively 31 patients and 40 patients were included in the proteomics and metabolomics analyses of 2264 proteins and 259 annotated metabolites. Enrichment analysis revealed that mitochondrial pathways were significantly decreased in the S group at protein level: oxidative phosphorylation (adjusted p = 0.008); branched chained amino acids degradation (adjusted p = 0.005); citrate cycle (adjusted p = 0.005); ketone body metabolism (adjusted p = 0.003) or fatty acid degradation (adjusted p = 0.008). Metabolic reprogramming was also suggested (i) by the differential abundance of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors signaling pathway (adjusted p = 0.007), and (ii) by the accumulation of fatty acids like octanedioic acid dimethyl or hydroxydecanoic. Increased polyamines and depletion of mitochondrial thioredoxin or mitochondrial peroxiredoxin indicated a high level of oxidative stress in the S group. Coordinated alterations in the proteomic and metabolomic profiles reveal a septic shock signature in SM, highlighting a global impairment of mitochondria-related metabolic pathways, the depletion of antioxidant capacities, and a metabolic shift towards lipid accumulation.

ClinicalTrial registration: NCT02789995. Date of first registration 03/06/2016.
Lipid profile and future risk of exudative age-related macular degeneration development: a nationwide cohort study from South Korea
Authors: Hwang Sungsoon , Kang Se Woong , Choi Jaehwan , Son Ki Young , Lim Dong Hui , Shin Dong Wook , Kim Kyunga , Kim Sang Jin
Published: November 2022

This nationwide population-based cohort study evaluated the association between lipid profiles and the future risk of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using authorized clinical data provided by the Korean National Health Insurance Service. A total of 6,129,616 subjects over 50 years of age who participated in the Korean National Health Screening Program in 2013 or 2014 were included. Data on risk factors, including age, sex, comorbidities, behavioral factors, and baseline lipid profiles, including total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglyceride (TG) levels were collected. Patients were followed-up patients until December 2018, and incident cases of exudative AMD were identified using registered diagnostic codes. During an average follow-up period of 4.91 years, 18,803 patients were newly diagnosed with exudative AMD. Compared to the lowest HDL cholesterol quartile group, the highest HDL cholesterol quartile group had a greater risk of future exudative AMD development with a hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of 1.13 (1.08–1.18) in the fully adjusted model. The highest TG quartile group had a lower risk of exudative AMD than the lowest TG quartile group, with a hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of 0.84 (0.81–0.88). High HDL cholesterol and low TG levels were prospectively associated with exudative AMD incidence.
Gender differences in the effect of a 0.11% breath alcohol concentration on forward and backward gait
Authors: Gimunová Marta , Bozděch Michal , Novák Jan , Vojtíšek Tomáš
Published: November 2022

Alcohol contributes to a large number of diseases and health conditions related to injuries. The aim of our study was to evaluate gender differences in forward and backward gait when sober and at a breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) of 0.11%. Fifty females and fifty males participated in our study. The gait analysis was performed twice, when sober and after drinking a given amount of vodka mixed with orange juice. Under both conditions, participants were asked to walk forward and then backward on a Zebris platform. Multivariate analysis and the Mann–Whitney U test were used to compare the differences between genders when walking forward and backward. The Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test was used to compare the differences between 0.00% BrAC and 0.11% BrAC. Spearman’s Rho was used to analyze the relationship between the AUDIT score, anthropometrical characteristics and the subjective score of drunkenness and gait parameters. The results show different strategies to improve stability during gait in women and men when intoxicated with alcohol. When intoxicated, males in forward gait increase their stability by increasing their foot rotation, while females increase their step width. A decrease in balance-related variables was observed in females when walking backward with a BrAC of 0.11%. Additionally, females tended to perform an increase in balance-related gait variables when subjectively feeling more drunk in both forward and backward gait. Different strategies to maintain stability during gait were observed in women and men. The results of our study show that alcohol intoxication has a greater impact on gait in females who tended to perform an increase in balance-related variables with an increase in their subjective score of drunkenness.
Comprehensive clinicopathological and genomic profiling of gallbladder cancer reveals actionable targets in half of patients
Authors: de Bitter Tessa J. J. , de Reuver Philip R. , de Savornin Lohman Elise A. J. , Kroeze Leonie I. , Vink-Börger Marianne E. , van Vliet Shannon , Simmer Femke , von Rhein Daniel , Jansen Erik A. M. , Verheij Joanne , van Herpen Carla M. L. , Nagtegaal Iris D. , Ligtenberg Marjolijn J. L. , van der Post Rachel S.
Published: November 2022

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a rare, highly aggressive malignancy with a 5-year survival rate of 5–10% in advanced cases, highlighting the need for more effective therapies. The aim of this study was to identify potentially actionable therapeutic targets for GBC. Specimens and clinicopathological data of 642 GBC patients, diagnosed between 2000 and 2019 were collected using the Dutch Pathology Registry (PALGA) and the Netherlands Cancer Registry. All cases were histologically reviewed and a subset was subjected to a comprehensive next generation sequencing panel. We assessed mutations and gene amplifications in a panel of 54 actionable genes, tumor-mutational burden (TMB), and microsatellite instability (MSI). Additionally, the entire cohort was screened for HER2, PD-L1, pan-TRK, and p53 expression with immunohistochemistry. Histopathological subtypes comprised biliary-type adenocarcinoma (AC, 69.6%), intestinal-type AC (20.1%) and other subtypes (10.3%). The median total TMB was 5.5 mutations/Mb (range: 0–161.1) and 17.7% of evaluable cases had a TMB of >10 mutations/Mb. MSI was observed in two cases. Apart from mutations in TP53 (64%), tumors were molecularly highly heterogeneous. Half of the tumors (50%) carried at least one molecular alteration that is targetable in other tumor types, including alterations in CDKN2A (6.0% biallelically inactivated), ERBB2 (9.3%) and PIK3CA (10%). Immunohistochemistry results correlated well with NGS results for HER2 and p53: Pearson r = 0.82 and 0.83, respectively. As half of GBC patients carry at least one potentially actionable molecular alteration, molecular testing may open the way to explore targeted therapy options for GBC patients.
The P. aeruginosa effector Tse5 forms membrane pores disrupting the membrane potential of intoxicated bacteria
Authors: González-Magaña Amaia , Altuna Jon , Queralt-Martín María , Largo Eneko , Velázquez Carmen , Montánchez Itxaso , Bernal Patricia , Alcaraz Antonio , Albesa-Jové David
Published: November 2022

The type VI secretion system (T6SS) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa injects effector proteins into neighbouring competitors and host cells, providing a fitness advantage that allows this opportunistic nosocomial pathogen to persist and prevail during the onset of infections. However, despite the high clinical relevance of P. aeruginosa, the identity and mode of action of most P. aeruginosa T6SS-dependent effectors remain to be discovered. Here, we report the molecular mechanism of Tse5-CT, the toxic auto-proteolytic product of the P. aeruginosa T6SS exported effector Tse5. Our results demonstrate that Tse5-CT is a pore-forming toxin that can transport ions across the membrane, causing membrane depolarisation and bacterial death. The membrane potential regulates a wide range of essential cellular functions; therefore, membrane depolarisation is an efficient strategy to compete with other microorganisms in polymicrobial environments.
ACE2 N-glycosylation modulates interactions with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in a site-specific manner
Authors: Isobe Ayana , Arai Yasuha , Kuroda Daisuke , Okumura Nobuaki , Ono Takao , Ushiba Shota , Nakakita Shin-ichi , Daidoji Tomo , Suzuki Yasuo , Nakaya Takaaki , Matsumoto Kazuhiko , Watanabe Yohei
Published: November 2022

SARS-CoV-2 has evolved continuously and accumulated spike mutations with each variant having a different binding for the cellular ACE2 receptor. It is not known whether the interactions between such mutated spikes and ACE2 glycans are conserved among different variant lineages. Here, we focused on three ACE2 glycosylation sites (53, 90 and 322) that are geometrically close to spike binding sites and investigated the effect of their glycosylation pattern on spike affinity. These glycosylation deletions caused distinct site-specific changes in interactions with the spike and acted cooperatively. Of note, the particular interaction profiles were conserved between the SARS-CoV-2 parental virus and the variants of concern (VOCs) Delta and Omicron. Our study provides insights for a better understanding of the importance of ACE2 glycosylation on ACE2/SARS-CoV-2 spike interaction and guidance for further optimization of soluble ACE2 for therapeutic use.
Proton transfer during DNA strand separation as a source of mutagenic guanine-cytosine tautomers
Authors: Slocombe Louie , Winokan Max , Al-Khalili Jim , Sacchi Marco
Published: November 2022

Proton transfer between the DNA bases can lead to mutagenic Guanine-Cytosine tautomers. Over the past several decades, a heated debate has emerged over the biological impact of tautomeric forms. Here, we determine that the energy required for generating tautomers radically changes during the separation of double-stranded DNA. Density Functional Theory calculations indicate that the double proton transfer in Guanine-Cytosine follows a sequential, step-like mechanism where the reaction barrier increases quasi-linearly with strand separation. These results point to increased stability of the tautomer when the DNA strands unzip as they enter the helicase, effectively trapping the tautomer population. In addition, molecular dynamics simulations indicate that the relevant strand separation time is two orders of magnitude quicker than previously thought. Our results demonstrate that the unwinding of DNA by the helicase could simultaneously slow the formation but significantly enhance the stability of tautomeric base pairs and provide a feasible pathway for spontaneous DNA mutations.
The observation of quantum fluctuations in a kagome Heisenberg antiferromagnet
Authors: Lu Fangjun , Yuan Long , Zhang Jian , Li Boqiang , Luo Yongkang , Li Yuesheng
Published: November 2022

The search for the experimental evidence of quantum spin liquid (QSL) states is critical but extremely challenging, as the quenched interaction randomness introduced by structural imperfection is usually inevitable in real materials. YCu3(OH)6.5Br2.5 (YCOB) is a spin-1/2 kagome Heisenberg antiferromagnet (KHA) with strong coupling of 〈J1〉 ~ 51 K but without conventional magnetic freezing down to 50 mK ~ 0.001〈J1〉. Here, we report a Br nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) study of the local spin susceptibility and dynamics on the single crystal of YCOB. The temperature dependence of NMR main-line shifts and broadening can be well understood within the frame of the KHA model with randomly distributed hexagons of alternate exchanges, compatible with the formation of a randomness-induced QSL state at low temperatures. The in-plane spin fluctuations as measured by the spin-lattice relaxation rates (1/T1) exhibit a weak temperature dependence down to T ~ 0.03〈J1〉. Our results demonstrate that the majority of spins remain highly fluctuating at low temperatures despite the quenched disorder in YCOB.
Supraglacial debris thickness and supply rate in High-Mountain Asia
Authors: McCarthy Michael , Miles Evan , Kneib Marin , Buri Pascal , Fugger Stefan , Pellicciotti Francesca
Published: November 2022

Supraglacial debris strongly modulates glacier melt rates and can be decisive for ice dynamics and mountain hydrology. It is ubiquitous in High-Mountain Asia, yet because its thickness and supply rate from local topography are poorly known, our ability to forecast regional glacier change and streamflow is limited. Here we combined remote sensing and numerical modelling to resolve supraglacial debris thickness by altitude for 4689 glaciers in High-Mountain Asia, and debris-supply rate to 4141 of those glaciers. Our results reveal extensively thin supraglacial debris and high spatial variability in both debris thickness and supply rate. Debris-supply rate increases with the temperature and slope of debris-supply slopes regionally, and debris thickness increases as ice flow decreases locally. Our centennial-scale estimates of debris-supply rate are typically an order of magnitude or more lower than millennial-scale estimates of headwall-erosion rate from Beryllium-10 cosmogenic nuclides, potentially reflecting episodic debris supply to the region’s glaciers.
Photodynamic treatment of multidrug-resistant bacterial infection using indium phosphide quantum dots
Authors: Lee Ilsong , Moon Jieun , Lee Hoomin , Koh Sungjun , Kim Gui-Min , Gauthé Laure , Stellacci Francesco , Huh Yun Suk , Kim Pilhan , Lee Doh C.
Published: November 2022

Photodynamic therapy using indium phosphide quantum dots represents an efficient treatment for infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria with minimal mammalian cell toxicity.
Heterospin 2p–4f and 2p–3d–4f complexes constructed by a nitronyl nitroxide ligand: syntheses, structures and magnetic properties
Authors: Sun Juan , Chen Min , Li Ying , Liu Xingran , Fu Xinyang , He Lijun , Jin Chuanming
Published: November 2022

Two novel 2p–4f cyclic dimer complexes are presented. By introducing Cu(hfac)2, one 2p–3d–4f compound involving a {[Cu–radical]+}n cation chain and [Tb(hfac)4]− anion is obtained, which exhibits slow magnetization relaxation.
Dual encryption of digital information in a tough fluorescent hydrogel
Authors: Liu Yang , Li Ming , Ju Huaqiang , Wang Zeju , Wu Yitao , Wu Zi Liang , Zhu Huangtianzhi , Huang Feihe
Published: November 2022

We report a photoresponsive hydrogel for dual information encryption including shape and pattern encryptions with adjustable mechanical properties and emissions.
A novel fault diagnosis method of power cable based on convolutional probabilistic neural network with discrete wavelet transform and symmetrized dot pattern
Authors: Sian Hong‐Wei , Kuo Cheng‐Chien , Der Lu Shiue‐ , Wang Meng‐Hui
Published: November 2022

To accurately diagnose the XLPE power cable insulation fault, this research proposed a novel hybrid algorithm combined with Convolutional Probabilistic Neural Network (CPNN) based on Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) and Symmetrized Dot Pattern (SDP) analysis. First, it built seven different power cable insulation defect models to measure partial discharge signals of power cable insulation faults. Then, a discrete wavelet transform was used for noise filtering. The time‐domain partial discharge signal was directly converted into the point coordinate feature image of visual polar coordinates by SDP analyses. Finally, the feature image was trained and recognized by CPNN. After the important feature information of the feature‐image was extracted by convolution layer and pooling layer operations, it is applied to the power cable insulation fault state diagnosis system based on the rapid learning and highly parallel computing of Probabilistic Neural Network (PNN). The experimental results proved that the method proposed in this research could accurately diagnose the power cable insulation fault type and the recognition accuracy is higher than 96%. The proposed method has a short detection time and high diagnostic accuracy. This proves that it can be applied to detect the power cable insulation fault type.
Text detection method based on HDBNet in natural scenes
Authors: Wang Li , Yao Xiang , Song Chenwei
Published: November 2022

To solve the problem of large expansion offset of text detection in natural scenes, a text detection method based on HDBNet is proposed. First, the probability map of the text region is obtained by segmenting the image. The binary map is obtained by using the differentiable binarization of the probability map. The bounding box of the text region can be obtained by looking for the connected region on the binary map. Then, aiming at the problem of large expansion offset of text detection in natural scenes, a scheme of height prediction is adopted to compensate for the expansion loss caused by the width‐to‐height ratio. Finally, experiments show that when the depth network structure is ResNet‐50, the Precision, Recall and F‐measure of the proposed HDBNet method in TD500 data set are 0.9196, 0.8058 and 0.8590, respectively. Moreover, in MLT data set, the Precision, Recall and F‐measure of the proposed HDBNet method are 0.9393, 0.7884 and 0.8573 respectively. The results of HDBNet are higher than those of the comparison methods. Therefore, compared with the comparison methods, the proposed HDBNet method can significantly improve the performance of the text detection system.
Der Weg zur Diagnose – wann Sie bei Atemwegsbefunden an eine Vaskulitis denken müssen
Authors: Walz Bastian , Nessyt Felix , Rai Abdallah El
Published: November 2022

Durch bessere diagnostische Verfahren und therapeutische Optionen rücken die Lungenbeteiligungen von Autoimmunerkrankungen in den letzten Jahren immer mehr in den Fokus. Es finden sich auch bei Vaskulitiden häufig Atemwegsbeschwerden, die in Bezug auf Morbidität und Mortalität nicht selten auch die dominierende Manifestation sind. Dabei unterscheiden sich die Lungenbefunde bei den Vaskulitiden im Detail erheblich. Bei Auswahl der Diagnostik und der anschließenden Therapie muss dies berücksichtigt und vor allem von infektiösen Komplikationen differenziert werden. Da die Symptome unspezifisch sind, bedürfen die Behandler zwingend weiterer fachärztlicher Befunde aus Labor, Bildgebung und Histologie, um eine korrekte Diagnose treffen zu können. Dieser Beitrag möchte Sie unterstützen, vom Ausgangspunkt eines Leitsymptoms oder pathologischer Bildgebung zur Möglichkeit einer ursächlichen Vaskulitis Stellung nehmen zu können.
Die interstitielle Lungenerkrankung bei systemischer Sklerose
Authors: Sarbu Adela-Cristina , Maurer Britta
Published: November 2022

Die systemische Sklerose (SSc) ist eine seltene autoimmune Multiorganerkrankung, bei der eine immunvermittelte Vaskulopathie, Inflammation und Fibrose betroffener Organe zu deren Funktionsverlust führen können. Ein häufig betroffenes Organ ist die Lunge, deren Beteiligung, insbesondere wenn nicht früh erkannt, mit einer schlechten Prognose einhergeht. Die interstitielle Lungenerkrankung (ILD) ist eine der häufigsten Organmanifestationen, die bereits früh und nicht selten initial asymptomatisch im Krankheitsverlauf auftreten kann. Daher kommt dem Screening mittels HRCT (High-Resolution Computed Tomography) und Lungenfunktionstest eine große Rolle zu. Bei der Früherkennung ist das HRCT dem Lungenfunktionstest überlegen. Nach Diagnosestellung einer ILD wird in Abhängigkeit von Schweregrad und Progressionsrisiko entweder eine Therapie begonnen oder eine abwartende Haltung gewählt. Dabei gilt es zu berücksichtigen, dass ca. 30–40 % der SSc-ILD-Patienten eine Progression erleben werden. Zum regelmäßigen Monitoring eignen sich insbesondere Lungenfunktionsparameter und eventuell auch das HRCT, sofern strahlenreduzierte Protokolle zum Einsatz kommen. Das therapeutische Armamentarium umfasst neben pharmakologischen immunmodulierenden und antifibrotischen Substanzen bei ausgewählten Patienten auch die Option der autologen Stammzelltransplantation oder der Lungentransplantation. Mit dem Wissenszuwachs in der molekularen Pathophysiologie der Erkrankung erwarten wir in der Zukunft Trends für eine personalisierte Medizin basierend auf spezifischen Bio- oder Bildgebungsmarkern und individualisierten Therapieansätzen.
An experimental study of the inception of large-scale structures in laminar flow through two parallel fins
Authors: Guellouz Mohamed Sadok
Published: November 2022

This article presents an experimental investigation aimed to determine the onset conditions for the formation of large-scale structures in flows through two parallel fins. The flow visualization results confirmed the presence of the coherent structures, determined the critical Reynolds number for their formation, and correlated it to the local flow parameters. The value of this critical Reynolds number, when based on local parameters, seems to be constant for all studied gap sizes and equal to 6.48. The study also documented the structures' axial spacing and convective speed, as a function of geometrical (gap width) and dynamical (Reynolds number) parameters. The structures' streamwise spacing, for a fixed gap width, asymptotically approaches a constant value when the Reynolds number is increased. This constant value increases linearly with the gap width. The structures' convective speed varies linearly with the Reynolds number. Distinct curves for each gap size are obtained when bulk quantities are employed. However, when normalized by the local velocity, its variation with the local Reynolds number seems to follow a single linear curve independently of the gap widths. The results showed that the coherent structures are local phenomena, best characterized by local parameters of the interfin flow region.
Mitigating jitter in droplet stream by uniform charging
Authors: She Lei , Fang Yanshen , Hu Liang , Su Rui , Fu Xin
Published: November 2022

Monodisperse droplets induced by Plateau–Rayleigh instability of liquid jet are widely applied. Due to spatial jitter, the spacing between droplets becomes uneven as the working distance increases. We found that the jitter can be ameliorated by uniformly charging the droplets. Under the electrostatic forces, the droplets align at uniform spacing over a long distance. Nevertheless, radial jitter emerges when the charging voltage is too high. The effect of charging on the jitter was modeled and validated by experiments. A recommended charging parameters configuration is given considering a trade-off between axial and radial jitter to obtain evenly distributed droplets.
High-level quantum chemistry exploration of reduction by group-13 hydrides: insights into the rational design of bio-mimic CO2 reduction
Authors: Chan Bun , Kimura Masanari
Published: November 2022

In the present study, we have used computational quantum chemistry to explore the reduction of various types of substrates by group-13 hydrides. We use the high-level L-W1X method to obtain the energies for the constituent association and hydride transfer reactions. We find that the hydride transfer reactions are highly exothermic, while the preceding association reactions are less so. Thus, improving the thermodynamics of substrate association may improve the overall process. Among the various substrates, amine and imine show the strongest binding, while CO2 shows the weakest. Between the group-13 hydrides, alanes bind most strongly with the substrates, and they also have the most exothermic hydride transfer reactions. To facilitate CO2 binding, we have examined alanes with electron-withdrawing groups, and we indeed find CF3 groups to be effective. Drawing inspiration from the RuBisCO enzyme for CO2 fixation, we have further examined the activation of CO2 with two independent AlH(CF3)2 molecules, with the results showing an even more exothermic association. This observation may form the basis for designing an effective dialane reagent for CO2 reduction. We have also assessed a range of lower-cost computational methods for the calculation of systems in the present study. We find the DSD-PBEP86 double-hybrid DFT method to be the most suitable for the study of related medium-sized systems.
Tailoring the oxygen concentration in Ge-Sb-O alloys to enable femtojoule-level phase-change memory operations
Authors: Wang Jiang-Jing , Wang Xiaozhe , Cheng Yudong , Tan Jieling , Nie Chao , Yang Zhe , Xu Ming , Miao Xiangshui , Zhang Wei , Ma En
Published: November 2022

Chalcogenide phase-change materials (PCMs), in particular, the flagship Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST), are leading candidates for advanced memory applications. Yet, GST in conventional devices suffer from high power consumption, because the RESET operation requires melting of the crystalline GST phase. Recently, we have developed a conductive-bridge scheme for low-power phase-change application utilizing a self-decomposed Ge-Sb-O (GSO) alloy. In this work, we present thorough structural and electrical characterizations of GSO thin films by tailoring the concentration of oxygen in the phase-separating GSO system. We elucidate a two-step process in the as-deposited amorphous film upon the introduction of oxygen: with increasing oxygen doping level, germanium oxides form first, followed by antimony oxides. To enable the conductive-bridge switching mode for femtojoule-level RESET energy, the oxygen content should be sufficiently low to keep the antimony-rich domains easily crystallized under external electrical stimulus. Our work serves as a useful example to exploit alloy decomposition that develops heterogeneous PCMs, minimizing the active switching volume for low-power electronics.
Struggles for Regulatory Hardening: Exploring Swedish Politics on Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Jönsson Elin
Published: November 2022

In recent years, the idea of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has undergone a shift towards hardening, illustrated by a wave of new mandatory and state-based regulation. This article aims to understand the dynamic behind this shift, by studying struggles for regulatory hardening in the Swedish Parliament. Drawing on a critical theory of contradictions, it proposes an understanding of CSR as a contradictory social formation, which structures the parliamentary struggles. Moreover, it suggests that although the hardening trend could amount to a crisis of the traditional understanding of CSR, politicians remain embedded in a neoliberal logic of regulation. The article ends with a call for research to continue to explore alternative roads towards minimizing corporate harm in the future.
Molecular and subregion mechanisms of episodic memory phenotypes in temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Busch Robyn M , Yehia Lamis , Blümcke Ingmar , Hu Bo , Prayson Richard , Hermann Bruce P , Najm Imad M , Eng Charis
Published: November 2022

Memory dysfunction is prevalent in temporal lobe epilepsy, but little is known about the underlying pathophysiological etiologies. Here, we use spatial quantitation to examine differential expression of targeted proteins and transcripts in four brain regions essential for episodic memory (dentate gyrus, CA3, CA1, neocortex) between temporal lobe epilepsy patients with and without episodic memory impairment. Brain tissues were obtained from dominant temporal lobectomies in 16 adults with pharmacoresistant temporal lobe epilepsy associated with hippocampal sclerosis. Verbal memory tests from routine pre-operative clinical care were used to classify episodic memory as impaired or intact. Digital spatial profiling of a targeted protein panel and the whole transcriptome was performed using tissue sections from the temporal neocortex and hippocampus. We performed differential expression and pathway enrichment analysis between the memory groups within each temporal lobe region. Several proteins associated with neurodegenerative disease were overexpressed in the neocortex of patients with impaired memory, corroborating our prior findings using bulk transcriptomics. Spatial transcriptomics identified numerous differentially expressed transcripts in both neocortical and hippocampal subregions between memory groups, with little overlap across subregions. The strongest molecular signal was observed in the CA3 hippocampal subregion, known to play an essential role in memory encoding. Enrichment analyses revealed BDNF as a central hub in CA3-related networks regulating phenotype-relevant processes such as cognition, memory, long-term potentiation and neuritogenesis (Padj < 0.05). Results suggest memory impairment in temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis is associated with molecular alterations within temporal lobe subregions that are independent from hippocampal cell loss, demographic variables and disease characteristics. Importantly, each temporal subregion shows a unique molecular signature associated with memory impairment. While many differentially expressed transcripts and proteins in the neocortex have been associated with neurodegenerative disorders/processes, differentially expressed transcripts in hippocampal subregions involve genes associated with neuritogenesis and long-term potentiation, processes essential for new memory formation.
Pregnancy and breast cancer in a patient with complicated Kawasaki Disease, as if one problem was not enough: a case report
Authors: Barzen Gina , Stangl Karl , Blohmer Jens-Uwe , Henrich Wolfgang , Dörner Thomas , Lembcke Alexander , Stangl Verena
Published: November 2022

Background

Due to the increasing prevalence of Kawasaki Disease (KD) in adulthood, the number of women considering pregnancy is growing. There are limited data on the course of pregnancy in KD with coronary artery involvement.

Case summary

We report on the pregnancy outcome of a 30-year-old woman with KD who was successfully resuscitated for ventricular tachycardia 3 years before. At that time, bypass surgery and later implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation were performed because of thrombotically occluded calcified giant coronary aneurysms. The pregnancy course was initially uncomplicated, however, at 31 weeks of gestation, left-sided breast cancer was diagnosed. Weighing maximum therapeutic efficacy against acceptable foetal and maternal cardiotoxic risk, our multidisciplinary team decided on neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The mother and foetus tolerated the therapy well. However, at 36 weeks of gestation, due to HELLP (haemolysis, elevated liver, low platelets) syndrome, a caesarean section had to be performed. The newborn was healthy with good APGAR (appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, respiration) scores. Three weeks after delivery, chemotherapy was restarted and at Week 4 after the caesarean section, the tumour was no more detectable.

Discussion

We discuss data on pregnancy and KD and outline that pregnancy can be considered if the clinical condition is good and left ventricular function is preserved. We also address possible therapeutic approaches and care for breast cancer in pregnancy and coexisting cardiovascular disease. The extraordinary importance of interdisciplinary cooperation between different disciplines in such complex clinical disease conditions is emphasized.