bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel flight style and light wings boost flight performance of tiny beetles
Authors: Farisenkov Sergey E. , Kolomenskiy Dmitry , Petrov Pyotr N. , Engels Thomas , Lapina Nadezhda A. , Lehmann Fritz-Olaf , Onishi Ryo , Liu Hao , Polilov Alexey A.
Published: January 2022

Flight speed is positively correlated with body size in animals1. However, miniature featherwing beetles can fly at speeds and accelerations of insects three times their size2. Here we show that this performance results from a reduced wing mass and a previously unknown type of wing-motion cycle. Our experiment combines three-dimensional reconstructions of morphology and kinematics in one of the smallest insects, the beetle Paratuposa placentis (body length 395 μm). The flapping bristled wings follow a pronounced figure-of-eight loop that consists of subperpendicular up and down strokes followed by claps at stroke reversals above and below the body. The elytra act as inertial brakes that prevent excessive body oscillation. Computational analyses suggest functional decomposition of the wingbeat cycle into two power half strokes, which produce a large upward force, and two down-dragging recovery half strokes. In contrast to heavier membranous wings, the motion of bristled wings of the same size requires little inertial power. Muscle mechanical power requirements thus remain positive throughout the wingbeat cycle, making elastic energy storage obsolete. These adaptations help to explain how extremely small insects have preserved good aerial performance during miniaturization, one of the factors of their evolutionary success.
The cGAS–STING pathway drives type I IFN immunopathology in COVID-19
Authors: Domizio Jeremy Di , Gulen Muhammet F. , Saidoune Fanny , Thacker Vivek V. , Yatim Ahmad , Sharma Kunal , Nass Théo , Guenova Emmanuella , Schaller Martin , Conrad Curdin , Goepfert Christine , de Leval Laurence , Garnier Christophe von , Berezowska Sabina , Dubois Anaëlle , Gilliet Michel , Ablasser Andrea
Published: January 2022

COVID-19, which is caused by infection with SARS-CoV-2, is characterized by lung pathology and extrapulmonary complications1,2. Type I interferons (IFNs) have an essential role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 (refs 3–5). Although rapid induction of type I IFNs limits virus propagation, a sustained increase in the levels of type I IFNs in the late phase of the infection is associated with aberrant inflammation and poor clinical outcome5–17. Here we show that the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)–stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway, which controls immunity to cytosolic DNA, is a critical driver of aberrant type I IFN responses in COVID-19 (ref. 18). Profiling COVID-19 skin manifestations, we uncover a STING-dependent type I IFN signature that is primarily mediated by macrophages adjacent to areas of endothelial cell damage. Moreover, cGAS–STING activity was detected in lung samples from patients with COVID-19 with prominent tissue destruction, and was associated with type I IFN responses. A lung-on-chip model revealed that, in addition to macrophages, infection with SARS-CoV-2 activates cGAS–STING signalling in endothelial cells through mitochondrial DNA release, which leads to cell death and type I IFN production. In mice, pharmacological inhibition of STING reduces severe lung inflammation induced by SARS-CoV-2 and improves disease outcome. Collectively, our study establishes a mechanistic basis of pathological type I IFN responses in COVID-19 and reveals a principle for the development of host-directed therapeutics.
Race and ethnic minority, local pollution, and COVID-19 deaths in Texas
Authors: Xu Annie , Loch-Temzelides Ted , Adiole Chima , Botton Nathan , Dee Sylvia G. , Masiello Caroline A. , Osborn Mitchell , Torres Mark A. , Cohan Daniel S.
Published: January 2022

The costs of COVID-19 are extensive, and, like the fallout of most health and environmental crises in the US, there is growing evidence that these costs weigh disproportionately on communities of color. We investigated whether county-level racial composition and fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) are indicators for COVID-19 incidence and death rates in the state of Texas. Using county-level data, we ran linear regressions of percent minority as well as historic 2000–2016 PM2.5 levels against COVID-19 cases and deaths per capita. We found that a county's percent minority racial composition, defined as the percentage of population that identifies as Black or Hispanic, highly correlates with COVID-19 case and death rates. Using Value-of-Statistical-Life calculations, we found that economic costs from COVID-19 deaths fall more heavily on Black and Hispanic residents in Harris County, the most populous county in Texas. We found no consistent evidence or significant correlations between historic county-average PM2.5 concentration and COVID-19 incidence or death. Our findings suggest that public health and economic aid policy should consider the racially-segregated burden of disease to better mitigate costs and support equity for the duration and aftermath of health crises.
Insect visual sensitivity to long wavelengths enhances colour contrast of insects against vegetation
Authors: Wang Lu-Yi , Stuart-Fox Devi , Walker Geoff , Roberts Nicholas W. , Franklin Amanda M.
Published: January 2022

The sensitivity of animal photoreceptors to different wavelengths of light strongly influence the perceived visual contrast of objects in the environment. Outside of the human visual wavelength range, ultraviolet sensitivity in many species provides important and behaviourally relevant visual contrast between objects. However, at the opposite end of the spectrum, the potential advantage of red sensitivity remains unclear. We investigated the potential benefit of long wavelength sensitivity by modelling the visual contrast of a wide range of jewel beetle colours against flowers and leaves of their host plants to hypothetical insect visual systems. We find that the presence of a long wavelength sensitive photoreceptor increases estimated colour contrast, particularly of beetles against leaves. Moreover, under our model parameters, a trichromatic visual system with ultraviolet (λmax = 355 nm), short (λmax = 445 nm) and long (λmax = 600 nm) wavelength photoreceptors performed as well as a tetrachromatic visual system, which had an additional medium wavelength photoreceptor (λmax = 530 nm). When we varied λmaxfor the long wavelength sensitive receptor in a tetrachromatic system, contrast values between beetles, flowers and leaves were all enhanced with increasing λmaxfrom 580 nm to at least 640 nm. These results suggest a potential advantage of red sensitivity in visual discrimination of insect colours against vegetation and highlight the potential adaptive value of long wavelength sensitivity in insects.
A transcytotic transport mechanism across the tympanic membrane
Authors: Kurabi Arwa , Pak Kwang , Chavez Eduardo , Doan Jennifer , Ryan Allen F.
Published: January 2022

Drug treatments for middle ear diseases are currently delivered systemically, or locally after opening the impermeable tympanic membrane (TM). We previously used bacteriophage display to discover novel peptides that are actively transported across the intact TM, with a variety of transport rates. Peptide structures were analyzed for evidence regarding the mechanism for this unexpected transport, which was then tested by the application of chemical inhibitors. Primary sequences indicated that trans-TM peptides share one of two amino acid motifs. Secondary structures revealed that linear configurations associate with higher transport rates than coiled structures. Tertiary analysis indicated that the shared sequence motifs are prominently displayed at the free ends of rapidly transported peptide phage. The shared motifs were evaluated for similarity to known motifs. The highest probability matches were for protein motifs involved in transmembrane transport and exosomes. Overall, structural findings suggest that the shared motifs represent binding sequences. They also implicate transcytosis, a polarized cell transport mechanism consisting of endocytosis, transcellular transport, and exocytosis. Inhibitor studies indicated that macropinocytosis, retrograde transport through Golgi and exocytosis participate in transport across the TM, consistent with transcytosis. This process can be harnessed to noninvasively deliver therapeutics to the middle ear.
A new detection model of microaneurysms based on improved FC-DenseNet
Authors: Wang Zhenhua , Li Xiaokai , Yao Mudi , Li Jing , Jiang Qing , Yan Biao
Published: January 2022

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a frequent vascular complication of diabetes mellitus and remains a leading cause of vision loss worldwide. Microaneurysm (MA) is usually the first symptom of DR that leads to blood leakage in the retina. Periodic detection of MAs will facilitate early detection of DR and reduction of vision injury. In this study, we proposed a novel model for the detection of MAs in fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA) images based on the improved FC-DenseNet, MAs-FC-DenseNet. FFA images were pre-processed by the Histogram Stretching and Gaussian Filtering algorithm to improve the quality of FFA images. Then, MA regions were detected by the improved FC-DenseNet. MAs-FC-DenseNet was compared against other FC-DenseNet models (FC-DenseNet56 and FC-DenseNet67) or the end-to-end models (DeeplabV3+ and PSPNet) to evaluate the detection performance of MAs. The result suggested that MAs-FC-DenseNet had higher values of evaluation metrics than other models, including pixel accuracy (PA), mean pixel accuracy (MPA), precision (Pre), recall (Re), F1-score (F1), and mean intersection over union (MIoU). Moreover, MA detection performance for MAs-FC-DenseNet was very close to the ground truth. Taken together, MAs-FC-DenseNet is a reliable model for rapid and accurate detection of MAs, which would be used for mass screening of DR patients.
New insights into the role of chrysanthemum calcineurin B–like interacting protein kinase CmCIPK23 in nitrate signaling in Arabidopsis roots
Authors: Liu Bowen , Fan Hongmei , Sun Cuihui , Yuan Mingyue , Geng Xi , Ding Xiao , Ma Rui , Yan Na , Sun Xia , Zheng Chengshu
Published: January 2022

Nitrate is an important source of nitrogen and also acts as a signaling molecule to trigger numerous physiological, growth, and developmental processes throughout the life of the plant. Many nitrate transporters, transcription factors, and protein kinases participate in the regulation of nitrate signaling. Here, we identified a gene encoding the chrysanthemum calcineurin B-like interacting protein kinase CmCIPK23, which participates in nitrate signaling pathways. In Arabidopsis, overexpression of CmCIPK23 significantly decreased lateral root number and length and primary root length compared to the WT when grown on modified Murashige and Skoog medium with KNO3 as the sole nitrogen source (modified MS). The expression of nitrate-responsive genes differed significantly between CmCIPK23-overexpressing Arabidopsis (CmCIPK23-OE) and the WT after nitrate treatment. Nitrate content was significantly lower in CmCIPK23-OE roots, which may have resulted from reduced nitrate uptake at high external nitrate concentrations (≥ 1 mM). Nitrate reductase activity and the expression of nitrate reductase and glutamine synthase genes were lower in CmCIPK23-OE roots. We also found that CmCIPK23 interacted with the transcription factor CmTGA1, whose Arabidopsis homolog regulates the nitrate response. We inferred that CmCIPK23 overexpression influences root development on modified MS medium, as well as root nitrate uptake and assimilation at high external nitrate supply. These findings offer new perspectives on the mechanisms by which the chrysanthemum CBL interacting protein kinase CmCIPK23 influences nitrate signaling.
Genetic and correlative light and electron microscopy evidence for the unique differentiation pathway of erythrophores in brown trout skin
Authors: Sušnik Bajec Simona , Djurdjevič Ida , Linares Andújar Carmen , Kreft Mateja Erdani
Published: January 2022

Based on their cell ultrastructure, two types of erythrophores in the spotted skin regions of brown trout (Salmo trutta) were previously described. To test the hypothesis regarding the origin of a new cell type following genome duplication, we analysed the gene and paralogue gene expression patterns of erythrophores in brown trout skin. In addition, the ultrastructure of both erythrophore types was precisely examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and correlative light microscopy and electron microscopy (CLEM). Ultrastructural differences between the sizes of erythrophore inclusions were confirmed; however, the overlapping inclusion sizes blur the distinction between erythrophore types, which we have instead defined as cell subtypes. Nevertheless, the red spots of brown trout skin with subtype 2 erythrophores, exhibited unique gene expression patterns. Many of the upregulated genes are involved in melanogenesis or xanthophore differentiation. In addition, sox10, related to progenitor cells, was also upregulated in the red spots. The expressions of paralogues derived from two genome duplication events were also analysed. Multiple paralogues were overexpressed in the red spots compared with other skin regions, suggesting that the duplicated gene copies adopted new functions and contributed to the origin of a new cell subtype that is characteristic for red spot. Possible mechanisms regarding erythrophore origin are proposed and discussed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate pigment cell types in the black and red spots of brown trout skin using the advanced CLEM approach together with gene expression profiling.
Development of polyester filters with polymer nanocomposite active layer for effective dye filtration
Authors: Pasichnyk Mariia , Gaálová Jana , Minarik Peter , Václavíková Miroslava , Melnyk Inna
Published: January 2022

Organic dyes such as methyl orange (MO) and methylene blue (MB) are widely used in different industries and have become one of the leading emerging water contaminants. The purpose of the current research is to develop new polymer nanocomposite filters for the effective elimination of the dyes, which are non-biodegradable and not efficiently removed by traditional treatment methods. New padded and covered filters were produced applying polystyrene-acrylic/ZnO nanocomposite on the polyester surface by blade coating and one-bath pad methods. Principal results determined by SEM analysis confirm that functionalised layer can create unprecedented function of filter textile material depending on the way of treatment. Due to the modification, the surface area increased from 5.9 for untreated polyester to 85.2 (padded), 44.6 (covered) m2/g. The measured pore size of produced filters is around 3.4 nm, which corresponds to the mesoporous structure. Our study reported effective filters with the rate of MB and MO removal efficiencies up to 60%. Moreover, a colourless reduced form of MB—leuco-methylene blue (LMB) could be created. The functionalised layer of the developed filters through hydrogen bonding between the –OH groups of styrene-acrylic molecules and the –N(CH3)2 groups on LMB can stabilise LMB.
Wnt/β-catenin signaling promotes neurogenesis in the diencephalospinal dopaminergic system of embryonic zebrafish
Authors: Westphal Markus , Panza Paolo , Kastenhuber Edda , Wehrle Johanna , Driever Wolfgang
Published: January 2022

Wnt/β-catenin signaling contributes to patterning, proliferation, and differentiation throughout vertebrate neural development. Wnt/β-catenin signaling is important for mammalian midbrain dopaminergic neurogenesis, while little is known about its role in ventral forebrain dopaminergic development. Here, we focus on the A11-like, Otp-dependent diencephalospinal dopaminergic system in zebrafish. We show that Wnt ligands, receptors and extracellular antagonist genes are expressed in the vicinity of developing Otp-dependent dopaminergic neurons. Using transgenic Wnt/β-catenin-reporters, we found that Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity is absent from these dopaminergic neurons, but detected Wnt/β-catenin activity in cells adjacent to the caudal DC5/6 clusters of Otp-dependent dopaminergic neurons. Pharmacological manipulations of Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity, as well as heat-shock driven overexpression of Wnt agonists and antagonists, interfere with the development of DC5/6 dopaminergic neurons, such that Wnt/β-catenin activity positively correlates with their number. Wnt/β-catenin activity promoted dopaminergic development specifically at stages when DC5/6 dopaminergic progenitors are in a proliferative state. Our data suggest that Wnt/β-catenin signaling acts in a spatially and temporally restricted manner on proliferative dopaminergic progenitors in the hypothalamus to positively regulate the size of the dopaminergic neuron groups DC5 and DC6.
Query-based-learning mortality-related decoders for the developed island economy
Authors: Yeh Chien-Hung , Wang Yining , Yeh Fu-Chun
Published: January 2022

Search volumes from Google Trends over clear-defined temporal and spatial scales were reported beneficial in predicting influenza or disease outbreak. Recent studies showed Wiener Model shares merits of interpretability, implementation, and adaptation to nonlinear fluctuation in terms of real-time decoding. Previous work reported Google Trends effectively predicts death-related trends for the continent economy, yet whether it applies to the island economy is unclear. To this end, a framework of the mortality-related model for a developed island economy Taiwan was built based on potential death causes from Google Trends, aiming to provide new insights into death-related online search behavior at a population level. Our results showed estimated trends based on the Wiener model significantly correlated to actual trends, outperformed those with multiple linear regression and seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average. Meanwhile, apart from that involved all possible features, two other sets of feature selecting strategies were proposed to optimize pre-trained models, either by weights or waveform periodicity of features, resulting in estimated death-related dynamics along with spectrums of risk factors. In general, high-weight features were beneficial to both “die” and “death”, whereas features that possessed clear periodic patterns contributed more to “death”. Of note, normalization before modeling improved decoding performances.
Storage conditions determine the characteristics of red blood cell derived extracellular vesicles
Authors: Bebesi Tímea , Kitka Diána , Gaál Anikó , Szigyártó Imola Csilla , Deák Róbert , Beke-Somfai Tamás , Koprivanacz Kitti , Juhász Tünde , Bóta Attila , Varga Zoltán , Mihály Judith
Published: January 2022

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released during the storage of red blood cell (RBC) concentrates and might play adverse or beneficial roles throughout the utilization of blood products (transfusion). Knowledge of EV release associated factors and mechanism amends blood product management. In the present work the impact of storage time and medium (blood preserving additive vs isotonic phosphate buffer) on the composition, size, and concentration of EVs was studied using attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy, microfluidic resistive pulse sensing (MRPS) and freeze-fraction combined transmission electron micrography (FF-TEM). The spectroscopic protein-to-lipid ratio based on amide and the C–H stretching band intensity ratio indicated the formation of various vesicle subpopulations depending on storage conditions. After short storage, nanoparticles with high relative protein content were detected. Spectral analysis also suggested differences in lipid and protein composition, too. The fingerprint region (from 1300 to 1000 cm−1) of the IR spectra furnishes additional information about the biomolecular composition of RBC-derived EVs (REVs) such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP), lactose, glucose, and oxidized hemoglobin. The difference between the vesicle subpopulations reveals the complexity of the REV formation mechanism. IR spectroscopy, as a quick, cost-effective, and label-free technique provides valuable novel biochemical insight and might be used complementary to traditional omics approaches on EVs.
Differential remodelling of mitochondrial subpopulations and mitochondrial dysfunction are a feature of early stage diabetes
Authors: Rajab Bodour S. , Kassab Sarah , Stonall Connor D. , Daghistani Hussam , Gibbons Stephen , Mamas Mamas , Smith David , Mironov Aleksandr , AlBalawi Zainab , Zhang Yin Hua , Baudoin Florence , Zi Min , Prehar Sukhpal , Cartwright Elizabeth J. , Kitmitto Ashraf
Published: January 2022

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a feature of type I and type II diabetes, but there is a lack of consistency between reports and links to disease development. We aimed to investigate if mitochondrial structure–function remodelling occurs in the early stages of diabetes by employing a mouse model (GENA348) of Maturity Onset Diabetes in the Young, exhibiting hyperglycemia, but not hyperinsulinemia, with mild left ventricular dysfunction. Employing 3-D electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) we determined that compared to wild-type, WT, the GENA348 subsarcolemma mitochondria (SSM) are ~ 2-fold larger, consistent with up-regulation of fusion proteins Mfn1, Mfn2 and Opa1. Further, in comparison, GENA348 mitochondria are more irregular in shape, have more tubular projections with SSM projections being longer and wider. Mitochondrial density is also increased in the GENA348 myocardium consistent with up-regulation of PGC1-α and stalled mitophagy (down-regulation of PINK1, Parkin and Miro1). GENA348 mitochondria have more irregular cristae arrangements but cristae dimensions and density are similar to WT. GENA348 Complex activity (I, II, IV, V) activity is decreased but the OCR is increased, potentially linked to a shift towards fatty acid oxidation due to impaired glycolysis. These novel data reveal that dysregulated mitochondrial morphology, dynamics and function develop in the early stages of diabetes.
Extracellular vesicles released by non-small cell lung cancer cells drive invasion and permeability in non-tumorigenic lung epithelial cells
Authors: Hasan Humna , Sohal Ikjot Singh , Soto-Vargas Zulaida , Byappanahalli Anjali M. , Humphrey Sean E. , Kubo Hana , Kitdumrongthum Sarunya , Copeland Sarah , Tian Feng , Chairoungdua Arthit , Kasinski Andrea L.
Published: January 2022

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) released from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells are known to promote cancer progression. However, it remains unclear how EVs from various NSCLC cells differ in their secretion profile and their ability to promote phenotypic changes in non-tumorigenic cells. Here, we performed a comparative analysis of EV release from non-tumorigenic cells (HBEC/BEAS-2B) and several NSCLC cell lines (A549, H460, H358, SKMES, and Calu6) and evaluated the potential impact of NSCLC EVs, including EV-encapsulated RNA (EV-RNA), in driving invasion and epithelial barrier impairment in HBEC/BEAS-2B cells. Secretion analysis revealed that cancer cells vary in their secretion level, with some cell lines having relatively low secretion rates. Differential uptake of NSCLC EVs was also observed, with uptake of A549 and SKMES EVs being the highest. Phenotypically, EVs derived from Calu6 and H358 cells significantly enhanced invasion, disrupted an epithelial barrier, and increased barrier permeability through downregulation of E-cadherin and ZO-1. EV-RNA was a key contributing factor in mediating these phenotypes. More nuanced analysis suggests a potential correlation between the aggressiveness of NSCLC subtypes and the ability of their respective EVs to induce cancerous phenotypes.
Overexpression of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor angiotensin converting enzyme 2 in cardiomyocytes of failing hearts
Authors: Vukusic Kristina , Thorsell Annika , Muslimovic Aida , Jonsson Marianne , Dellgren Göran , Lindahl Anders , Sandstedt Joakim , Hammarsten Ola
Published: January 2022

Hospitalized patients who die from Covid-19 often have pre-existing heart disease. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is dependent on the ACE2 receptor to be able to infect cells. It is possible that the strong link between cardiovascular comorbidities and a poor outcome following a SARS-CoV-2 infection is sometimes due to viral myocarditis. The aim was to examine the expression of ACE2 in normal hearts and hearts from patients with terminal heart failure. The ACE2 expression was measured by global quantitative proteomics and RT-qPCR in left ventricular (LV) tissue from explanted hearts. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine ACE2 expression in cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts and endothelial cells. In total, tissue from 14 organ donors and 11 patients with terminal heart failure were included. ACE2 expression was 2.6 times higher in 4 hearts from patients with terminal heart failure compared with 6 healthy donor hearts. The results were confirmed by immunohistochemistry where more than half of cardiomyocytes or fibroblasts showed expression of ACE2 in hearts from patients with terminal heart failure. In healthy donor hearts ACE2 was not expressed or found in few fibroblasts. A small subpopulation of endothelial cells expressed ACE2 in both groups. Upregulated ACE2 expression in cardiomyocytes may increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2 myocarditis in patients with heart failure.
Leaf plasticity across wet and dry seasons in Croton blanchetianus (Euphorbiaceae) at a tropical dry forest
Authors: Mendes Keila Rêgo , Batista-Silva Willian , Dias-Pereira Jaqueline , Pereira Marcos P. S. , Souza Eliane V. , Serrão José E. , Granja João A. A. , Pereira Eugênia C. , Gallacher David J. , Mutti Pedro R. , da Silva Duany T. C. , de Souza Júnior Rogério S. , Costa Gabriel B. , Bezerra Bergson G. , Silva Cláudio M. Santos e , Pompelli Marcelo F.
Published: January 2022

Plant species of the Brazilian Caatinga experience seasonal wet and dry extremes, requiring seasonally different leaf characteristics for optimizing water availability. We investigated if Croton blanchetianus Baill exhibits leaf morphoanatomical traits across seasons and positioning in sunlight/natural shade. Leaves of ten 1-3 m tall plants in full sunlight and ten in natural shade were assessed in May, July (wet season), October and December (dry season) 2015 for gas exchange, leaf size, lamina and midrib cross sections (14 parameters), and chloroplast structure (5 parameters). Net photosynthesis was greater during the wet season (21.6 µm−2 s−1) compared to the dry season (5.8 µm−2 s−1) and was strongly correlated with almost all measured parameters (p < 0.01). Shaded leaves in the wet season had higher specific leaf area (19.9 m2 kg−1 in full-sun and 23.1 m2 kg−1 in shade), but in the dry season they did not differ from those in full sun (7.5 m2 kg−1 and 7.2 m2 kg−1). In the wet season, the expansion of the adaxial epidermis and mesophyll lead to larger and thicker photosynthetic area of leaves. Furthermore, chloroplast thickness, length and area were also significantly larger in full sunlight (2.1 μm, 5.1 μm, 15.2 μm2; respectively) and shaded plants (2.0 μm, 5.2 μm, 14.8 μm2; respectively) during wetter months. Croton blanchetianus exhibits seasonal plasticity in leaf structure, presumably to optimize water use efficiency during seasons of water abundance and deficit. These results suggest that the species is adaptable to the increased drought stress projected by climate change scenarios.
Design and manufacturing of roller bearing polymeric cages and development of a theoretical model for predicting the roller push-out force
Authors: Zarei Alireza , Farahani Saeed , Pradeep Sai Aditya , Driscoll John , Lukasiewicz Rob , Pilla Srikanth
Published: January 2022

In the present work, polymeric cages with 18 different pocket geometries are developed to investigate the effects of geometrical parameters and material properties on the amount of roller push-out force. An experimental setup including a specialized injection molding tool is designed and fabricated and three sets of polymeric cages are manufactured using the selected materials (PA46, PA66, PPA). Force measurements are carried out five times on each pocket and three cages for each material are tested. Considering three different materials, a total of 810 force measurements are performed. A theoretical model is developed to predict the roller push-out forces in polymeric cages with different materials and pocket geometries. The model is developed by estimating the deformed region of the cage as a cantilever beam with a parabolic profile. An empirical coefficient is reposed in the model to compensate for the assumptions applied to the model. Experimental results showed that a fixed coefficient gives accurate results for all the geometries and materials, which confirms the validity of the approach adopted in this paper for modeling such problems. Considering the geometrical and material tolerances, force limits predicted by the model cover all the forces measured for a specific pocket with excellent accuracy and consistency.
Dynamic of upper body sweat distribution in young males wearing fully encapsulated chemical protective ensembles
Authors: Chen Ying , Zhang Chuankun , Lu Lin , Zheng Xiaohui , Chang Suqin
Published: January 2022

Impermeability is a feature of fully encapsulated chemical protective ensembles (FCPE), which can affect people's sweat and affect their clothing's thermal-wet comfort. This study investigated the dynamics of upper-body sweat distribution in young males wearing FCPE and explored variations in sweat rate intra-region and inter-time for 10 young and healthy male college students. The study was carried in a climatic chamber (environment temperature 35 °C, relative humidity 60%) with participants exercising on a treadmill at 4 km/h, 5%. Sweat was collected using a 35-pad set of absorbent pads that were changed every 5 min during the course of the experiment. A total of 7-pad sets were collected with an average sweat rate of 389, 631, 920, 1137, 1100, 1211, and 1105 g m−2 h−1, respectively. The medial upper back, lateral lower back, medial upper chest, medial mid-back, and lateral top back had the highest sweat rates, with average values of 1406, 1278, 1198, 1181 and 1139 g m−2 h−1, respectively. The waist (with average values of 557, 370, 596, and 332 g m−2 h−1, respectively) and bottom zones (373, 398, 661, and 849 g m−2 h−1, respectively) had the lowest sweat rates. The above data showed that the role of FCPE in promoting body perspiration. The upper body may be split into three zones of sweat rates based on the distribution result allowing for the design of more comfortable clothing. The study includes the fundamental physiological data as well as the design recommendations for advanced personal protective equipment.
Role of SiOx in rice-husk-derived anodes for Li-ion batteries
Authors: Abe Yusuke , Tomioka Masahiro , Kabir Mahmudul , Kumagai Seiji
Published: January 2022

The present study investigated the role of SiOx in a rice-husk-derived C/SiOx anode on the rate and cycling performance of a Li-ion battery. C/SiOx active materials with different SiOx contents (45, 24, and 5 mass%) were prepared from rice husk by heat treatment and immersion in NaOH solution. The C and SiOx specific capacities were 375 and 475 mAh g−1, respectively. A stable anodic operation was achieved by pre-lithiating the C/SiOx anode. Full-cells consisting of this anode and a Li(Ni0.5Co0.2Mn0.3)O2 cathode displayed high initial Coulombic efficiency (~ 85%) and high discharge specific capacity, indicating the maximum performance of the cathode (~ 150 mAh g−1). At increased current density, the higher the SiOx content, the higher the specific capacity retention, suggesting that the time response of the reversible reaction of SiOx with Li ions is faster than that of the C component. The full-cell with the highest SiOx content exhibited the largest decrease in cell specific capacity during the cycle test. The structural decay caused by the volume expansion of SiOx during Li-ion uptake and release degraded the cycling performance. Based on its high production yield and electrochemical benefits, degree of cycling performance degradation, and disadvantages of its removal, SiOx is preferably retained for Li-ion battery anode applications.
Endogenous cortisol correlates with performance under pressure on a working memory task in capuchin monkeys
Authors: Sosnowski Meghan J. , Benítez Marcela E. , Brosnan Sarah F.
Published: January 2022

Humans often experience striking performance deficits when their outcomes are determined by their own performance, colloquially referred to as “choking under pressure.” Physiological stress responses that have been linked to both choking and thriving are well-conserved in primates, but it is unknown whether other primates experience similar effects of pressure. Understanding whether this occurs and, if so, its physiological correlates, will help clarify the evolution and proximate causes of choking in humans. To address this, we trained capuchin monkeys on a computer game that had clearly denoted high- and low-pressure trials, then tested them on trials with the same signals of high pressure, but no difference in task difficulty. Monkeys significantly varied in whether they performed worse or better on high-pressure testing trials and performance improved as monkeys gained experience with performing under pressure. Baseline levels of cortisol were significantly negatively related to performance on high-pressure trials as compared to low-pressure trials. Taken together, this indicates that less experience with pressure may interact with long-term stress to produce choking behavior in early sessions of a task. Our results suggest that performance deficits (or improvements) under pressure are not solely due to human specific factors but are rooted in evolutionarily conserved biological factors.
Presence of human breast cancer xenograft changes the diurnal profile of amino acids in mice
Authors: Junior Rubens Paula , Sonehara Nathália Martins , Jardim-Perassi Bruna Victorasso , Pal Akos , Asad Yasmin , Almeida Chuffa Luiz Gustavo , Chammas Roger , Raynaud Florence I. , Zuccari Debora A. P. C.
Published: January 2022

Human xenografts are extremely useful models to study the biology of human cancers and the effects of novel potential therapies. Deregulation of metabolism, including changes in amino acids (AAs), is a common characteristic of many human neoplasms. Plasma AAs undergo daily variations, driven by circadian endogenous and exogenous factors. We compared AAs concentration in triple negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and MCF10A non-tumorigenic immortalized breast epithelial cells. We also measured plasma AAs in mice bearing xenograft MDA-MB-231 and compared their levels with non-tumor-bearing control animals over 24 h. In vitro studies revealed that most of AAs were significantly different in MDA-MB-231 cells when compared with MCF10A. Plasma concentrations of 15 AAs were higher in cancer cells, two were lower and four were observed to shift across 24 h. In the in vivo setting,analysis showed that 12 out of 20 AAs varied significantly between tumor-bearing and non-tumor bearing mice. Noticeably, these metabolites peaked in the dark phase in non-tumor bearing mice, which corresponds to the active time of these animals. Conversely, in tumor-bearing mice, the peak time occurred during the light phase. In the early period of the light phase, these AAs were significantly higher in tumor-bearing animals, yet significantly lower in the middle of the light phase when compared with controls. This pilot study highlights the importance of well controlled experiments in studies involving plasma AAs in human breast cancer xenografts, in addition to emphasizing the need for more precise examination of exometabolomic changes using multiple time points.
Label-free imaging flow cytometry for analysis and sorting of enzymatically dissociated tissues
Authors: Herbig Maik , Tessmer Karen , Nötzel Martin , Nawaz Ahsan Ahmad , Santos-Ferreira Tiago , Borsch Oliver , Gasparini Sylvia J. , Guck Jochen , Ader Marius
Published: January 2022

Biomedical research relies on identification and isolation of specific cell types using molecular biomarkers and sorting methods such as fluorescence or magnetic activated cell sorting. Labelling processes potentially alter the cells’ properties and should be avoided, especially when purifying cells for clinical applications. A promising alternative is the label-free identification of cells based on physical properties. Sorting real-time deformability cytometry (soRT-DC) is a microfluidic technique for label-free analysis and sorting of single cells. In soRT-FDC, bright-field images of cells are analyzed by a deep neural net (DNN) to obtain a sorting decision, but sorting was so far only demonstrated for blood cells which show clear morphological differences and are naturally in suspension. Most cells, however, grow in tissues, requiring dissociation before cell sorting which is associated with challenges including changes in morphology, or presence of aggregates. Here, we introduce methods to improve robustness of analysis and sorting of single cells from nervous tissue and provide DNNs which can distinguish visually similar cells. We employ the DNN for image-based sorting to enrich photoreceptor cells from dissociated retina for transplantation into the mouse eye.
Negative observational learning might play a limited role in the cultural evolution of technology
Authors: Nakawake Yo , Kobayashi Yutaka
Published: January 2022

Theoretical and empirical studies of the cultural evolution in technology have often focused on positive observational learning, i.e., copying a successful individual. However, negative observational learning, i.e., avoiding negative or bad exemplar behavior, is ubiquitous in humans and other animals. In this paper, we experimentally investigate whether observing negative examples can assist in tool making in the virtual arrowhead task, which has been widely applied to test the theory of cultural evolution in the technological domain. We set three conditions that differ in the kinds of social learning available to participants: (1) positive observational learning, (2) negative observational learning, and (3) pure asocial learning. The results of the positive observational and pure asocial learning conditions replicated previous studies; i.e., participants in the positive observational learning condition outperformed those in the asocial learning condition. In contrast, opportunities to observe negative examples did not increase the performance compared to pure asocial learning. Computer simulations in the same setting showed that the presence of negative exemplars is in theory beneficial to participants, providing additional pieces of information on the relationship between arrowhead designs and their performance scores. These findings together suggest that negative observational learning might play only a limited role in the cultural evolution of technologies possibly due to a cognitive bias in humans toward copying.
COVID-19 behavioral health and quality of life
Authors: Hansel Tonya Cross , Saltzman Leia Y. , Melton Pamela A. , Clark Tanisha L. , Bordnick Patrick S.
Published: January 2022

In addition to concern about physical health consequences of COVID-19, many researchers also note the concerning impact on behavioral health and quality of life due to disruption. The purpose of this paper is to explore pathways of COVID-19 behavioral health and quality of life. We found increased anxiety, depression, and alcohol misuse and that the pandemic exacerbated prior problems. Further community indicators also lead to poorer behavioral health and overall decreased quality of life. The nature of COVID-19 and vast reach of the virus suggests that behavioral health concerns should take a primary role in pandemic recovery.
Changes in land use enhance the sensitivity of tropical ecosystems to fire-climate extremes
Authors: Kumar Sujay , Getirana Augusto , Libonati Renata , Hain Christopher , Mahanama Sarith , Andela Niels
Published: January 2022

The Pantanal, the largest contiguous wetland in the world with a high diversity of ecosystems and habitat for several endangered species, was impacted by record-breaking wildfires in 2020. In this study, we integrate satellite and modeling data that enable exploration of natural and human contributing factors to the unprecedented 2020 fires. We demonstrate that the fires were fueled by an exceptional multi-year drought, but dry conditions solely could not explain the spatial patterns of burning. Our analysis reveals how human-caused fires exacerbated drought effects on natural ecosystem within the Pantanal, with large burned fractions primarily over natural (52%), and low cattle density areas (44%) in 2020. The post-fire ecosystem and hydrology changes also had strong ecological effects, with vegetation productivity less than − 1.5 σ over more than 30% of the natural and conservation areas. In contrast to more managed areas, there was a clear decrease in evaporation (by ~ 9%) and an increase in runoff (by ~ 5%) over the natural areas, with long-term impacts on ecosystem recovery and fire risk. This study provides the first tropical evidence outside rainforests of the synergy between climate, land management and fires, and the associated impacts on the ecosystem and hydrology over the largest contiguous wetlands in the world.
Point-of-care artificial intelligence-enabled ECG for dyskalemia: a retrospective cohort analysis for accuracy and outcome prediction
Authors: Lin Chin , Chau Tom , Lin Chin-Sheng , Shang Hung-Sheng , Fang Wen-Hui , Lee Ding-Jie , Lee Chia-Cheng , Tsai Shi-Hung , Wang Chih-Hung , Lin Shih-Hua
Published: January 2022

Dyskalemias are common electrolyte disorders associated with high cardiovascular risk. Artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted electrocardiography (ECG) has been evaluated as an early-detection approach for dyskalemia. The aims of this study were to determine the clinical accuracy of AI-assisted ECG for dyskalemia and prognostic ability on clinical outcomes such as all-cause mortality, hospitalizations, and ED revisits. This retrospective cohort study was done at two hospitals within a health system from May 2019 to December 2020. In total, 26,499 patients with 34,803 emergency department (ED) visits to an academic medical center and 6492 ED visits from 4747 patients to a community hospital who had a 12-lead ECG to estimate ECG-K+ and serum laboratory potassium measurement (Lab-K+) within 1 h were included. ECG-K+ had mean absolute errors (MAEs) of ≤0.365 mmol/L. Area under receiver operating characteristic curves for ECG-K+ to predict moderate-to-severe hypokalemia (Lab-K+ ≤3 mmol/L) and moderate-to-severe hyperkalemia (Lab-K+ ≥ 6 mmol/L) were >0.85 and >0.95, respectively. The U-shaped relationships between K+ concentration and adverse outcomes were more prominent for ECG-K+ than for Lab-K+. ECG-K+ and Lab-K+ hyperkalemia were associated with high HRs for 30-day all-cause mortality. Compared to hypokalemic Lab-K+, patients with hypokalemic ECG-K+ had significantly higher risk for adverse outcomes after full confounder adjustment. In addition, patients with normal Lab-K+ but dyskalemic ECG-K+ (pseudo-positive) also exhibited more co-morbidities and had worse outcomes. Point-of-care bloodless AI ECG-K+ not only rapidly identified potentially severe hypo- and hyperkalemia, but also may serve as a biomarker for medical complexity and an independent predictor for adverse outcomes.
Tissue-level alveolar epithelium model for recapitulating SARS-CoV-2 infection and cellular plasticity
Authors: Yang Jia-Wei , Lin Yu-Rou , Chu Ying-Ling , Chung Johnson H. Y. , Lu Huai-En , Chen Guan-Yu
Published: January 2022

Pulmonary sequelae following COVID-19 pneumonia have been emerging as a challenge; however, suitable cell sources for studying COVID-19 mechanisms and therapeutics are currently lacking. In this paper, we present a standardized primary alveolar cell culture method for establishing a human alveolar epithelium model that can recapitulate viral infection and cellular plasticity. The alveolar model is infected with a SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus, and the clinically relevant features of the viral entry into the alveolar type-I/II cells, cytokine production activation, and pulmonary surfactant destruction are reproduced. For this damaged alveolar model, we find that the inhibition of Wnt signaling via XAV939 substantially improves alveolar repair function and prevents subsequent pulmonary fibrosis. Thus, the proposed alveolar cell culture strategy exhibits potential for the identification of pathogenesis and therapeutics in basic and translational research.
Highly sensitive and selective detection of butachlor based on the resonance light scattering of doped carbon quantum dots
Authors: Lei Han , Liu Qinghao , Leng Jiapeng , Liu Hongyan , Wang Cundong , Xu Mingyue , An Wenqing , Bao Chenning , Wang Zhen
Published: January 2022

A new method for the determination of butachlor was established by the change in resonance light scattering intensity after the addition of butachlor into a doped carbon quantum dot solution.
A HPLC-MS/MS method for screening of selected antibiotic adulterants in herbal drugs
Authors: Mwankuna Christopher Johnson , Uwamaliya Grâce Ange , Mariki Eliapenda Elisante , Mabiki Faith , Malebo Hamisi M. , Mdegela Robinson , Styrishave Bjarne
Published: January 2022

The use of herbal products adulterated with conventional drugs increases the risk of developing microbial resistance and causes herb-to-drug interaction, leading to severe clinical consequences.
Highly flexible hydrogel dressing with efficient antibacterial, antioxidative, and wound healing performances
Authors: Shang Ke , Tao Longxiang , Jiang Shanyue , Yan Jinhao , Hu Shoukui , Yang Guangwei , Ma Chao , Cheng Sheng , Wang Xuefu , Yin Jun
Published: January 2022

A biodegradable wound dressing with good adhesion to various surfaces, no matter in air or under water, was constructed. But it could be facilely detached from skin with the assistant of glycerine without any external force, possessing the ability to promote wound healing.
Visible-light-driven photocatalytic N2 fixation to nitrates by 2D/2D ultrathin BiVO4 nanosheet/rGO nanocomposites
Authors: Shao Shuai , Zhang Jun , Li Likun , Qin Yuanhang , Liu Zhao-Qing , Wang Tielin
Published: January 2022

2D/2D BiVO4 nanosheet/rGO nanocomposites were found to be highly active for direct nitrate synthesis by photocatalytic nitrogen fixation.
Facile preparation of dihydro-1,4-benzothiazine derivatives via oxidative ring-expansion of 2-aminobenzothiazoles with olefins
Authors: Sun Qing , Bao Xiaoguang
Published: January 2022

Herein, 2-aminobenzothiazoles were employed to undergo oxidative ring-opening followed by [4+2] heteroannulation with olefins to construct cyanamide-containing dihydro-1,4-benzothiazine derivatives under metal-free conditions.
Nematicidal activity of naphthalimide–boron cluster conjugates
Authors: Bogucka-Kocka Anna , Kołodziej Przemysław , Makuch-Kocka Anna , Różycka Daria , Rykowski Sebastian , Nekvinda Jan , Grüner Bohumír , Olejniczak Agnieszka B.
Published: January 2022

The present work demonstrated the hitherto unknown biological activity of metallacarboranes.
Dependence of bending strength on orientations of KDP crystals
Authors: Huang Pingping , Liu Hui , Zhang Liyuan , Li Xianglin , Wang Shenglai
Published: January 2022

The bending strength of KDP crystals with different orientations was measured to study the anisotropy and size dependence of fracture strength.
Morphological and microstructural analysis of triangular defects in 4H-SiC homoepitaxial layers
Authors: Yu Jinying , Yu Yi , Bai Zhiqiang , Peng Yan , Tang Xiaoyan , Hu Xiaobo , Xie Xuejian , Xu Xiangang , Chen Xiufang
Published: January 2022

Surface morphologies of triangular defects with TD-I, TD-II and TD-III observed by optical microscopy.