bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of adaptive human–computer interaction games to evaluate attention
Authors: Kandemir Hasan , Kose Hatice
Published: May 2021

In this paper, several physical activity-based human–computer interaction (HCI) games which are developed and implemented for the improvement of attention, emotion, and sensory–motor coordination will be presented. The interface and the difficulty levels of these games are specially designed for the use of people with different age groups and disabilities. The games involve physical activities for the fulfillment of some basic HCI tasks which require hand and arm motion for control, such as fruit picking and air hockey, with adaptive difficulty levels based on varying parameters of the games and human performance. In the fruit picking game, several fruit images are moving from top to the bottom of the screen. Objective is to collect apples while avoiding the pears. The player’s hand will control the basket that collects the fruits. In the air hockey game, the player will try to score goals against computer-controlled opponent. The player’s hand will control the paddle to hit the puck to score or to defend his/her goal area. The player’s hand is recognized by Kinect RGB-D sensors in both games. Aim of the adaptive difficulty-based system is keeping the players engaged in the games. The games are tested with a group of deaf children (3.5–5 years) as a part of an ongoing project,1 to decrease the stress of the children and increase their positive emotions, attention, and sensory–motor coordination before the audiology tests. The game performances and the evaluation of the therapists show that the games have a positive impact on the children. The games are also tested with a group of adults as a control group, where a mobile EEG device is employed to detect the attention levels. For this purpose, the adults also attended a third game featuring a maze and controlled with Myo sensors.
Design, modeling, and constraint-compliant control of an autonomous morphing surface for omnidirectional object conveyance
Authors: Raptis Ioannis A. , Hansen Christopher , Sinclair Martin A.
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we conceptualize, analyze, and assemble a prototype adaptive surface system capable of morphing its geometric configuration using an array of linear actuators to impose omnidirectional movement of objects that lie on the surface. The principal focus and contribution of this paper is the derivation of feedback control protocols–for regulating the actuators’ length in order to accomplish the object conveyance task–that scale with the number of actuators and the nonlinear kinematic constraints of the morphing surface. Simulations and experimental results demonstrate the advantages of distributed manipulation over static-shaped feeders.
Process design and network shape evaluation of multi-target collaborative navigation
Authors: Liu Rui , Greve Klaus , Jiang Nan , Cui Pengyu
Published: May 2021

The spatial distribution of collaborative targets and the information collaboration process are two important factors affecting the efficiency of real-time collaborative navigation. Addressing these factors, this paper presents the following work. First, the collaborative communication process between navigation targets is designed and illustrated with an application example. Second, the feature and error condition of the spatial distribution of collaborative targets is analysed. Then, a method based on CGDOP (collaborative geometric dilution of precision) value is proposed for the evaluation of the actual spatial distribution conditions of collaborative targets. Finally, a simulated experiment is conducted to evaluate the collaborative navigation process and the collaboration effect of the collaborative navigation network in different spatial shapes. Overall, the results of this study optimised the observation and application efficiency of navigation data, and improved the stability and reliability of real-time navigation service through multi-target collaborative navigation.
An archaeological look at ‘international custom as evidence of a general practice accepted as law’ and Article 38 of the World Court’s Statute
Authors: Haggenmacher Peter
Published: May 2021

Article 38, paragraph 1(b), of the Statute of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is universally considered to be an authentic definition of custom as a principal source of international law, not least by the International Law Commission (ILC) in its recently completed work on the identification of international customary law. At the same time, though, the formula has constantly met with severe strictures concerning its very formulation. Given the text as it stands, this paradoxical dissonance cannot be satisfactorily resolved, but it can at least be tentatively explained by retracing the genesis of the clause a century ago, at the price, however, of a complete reappraisal of the whole of Article 38. Notoriously, Article 38 originated in a proposal of Baron Descamps, the president of the Advisory Committee of Jurists in charge of devising the Statute of the Permanent Court of International Justice (PCIJ). Yet the ambivalent but crucial role of the Descamps Proposal in drafting the article has not hitherto been realized. In fact, owing to the debates it aroused and to its misapprehension as a draft article instead of a merely exploratory basis of discussion, it has directly led to the shortcomings of Article 38 and especially of its clause on customary law.
Detecting the Inverted-U in fMRI Studies of Schizophrenia: A Comparison of Three Analysis Methods
Authors: Thomas Michael L. , Duffy John R. , Swerdlow Neal , Light Gregory A. , Brown Gregory G.
Published: May 2021

Objective:

Cognitive tasks are used to probe neuronal activity during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to detect signs of aberrant cognitive functioning in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (SZ). However, nonlinear (inverted-U-shaped) associations between neuronal activity and task difficulty can lead to misinterpretation of group differences between patients and healthy comparison subjects (HCs). In this paper, we evaluated a novel method for correcting these misinterpretations based on conditional performance analysis.

Method:

Participants included 25 HCs and 27 SZs who performed a working memory (WM) task (N-back) with 5 load conditions while undergoing fMRI. Neuronal activity was regressed onto: 1) task load (i.e., parametric task levels), 2) marginal task performance (i.e., performance averaged over all load conditions), or 3) conditional task performance (i.e., performance within each load condition).

Results:

In most regions of interest, conditional performance analysis uniquely revealed inverted-U-shaped neuronal activity in both SZs and HCs. After accounting for conditional performance differences between groups, we observed few difference in both the pattern and level of neuronal activity between SZs and HCs within regions that are classically associated with WM functioning (e.g., posterior dorsolateral prefrontal and parietal association cortices). However, SZs did show aberrant activity within the anterior dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

Conclusions:

Interpretations of differences in neuronal activity between groups, and of associations between neuronal activity and performance, should be considered within the context of task performance. Whether conditional performance-based differences reflect compensation, dedifferentiation, or other processes is not a question that is easily resolved by examining activation and performance data alone.
Maternal exercise during pregnancy modulates mitochondrial function and redox status in a sex-dependent way in adult offspring’s skeletal muscle
Authors: Hözer R.M. , dos Santos B.G. , August P.M. , Rodrigues K.S. , Maurmann R.M. , Flores E.B. , Matté C.
Published: May 2021

Maternal exercise has shown beneficial effects on mother and child. Literature confirm progeny’s cognition improvement, and upregulation in neurotrophins, antioxidant network, and DNA repair system. Considering that there is a lack of information demonstrating the impact of maternal exercise on offspring’s skeletal muscle, we aimed to investigate the mitochondrial and redox effects elicited by maternal swimming. Adult female Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control sedentary, free swimming, and swimming with overload (2% of the body weight). Exercised groups were submitted weekly to five swimming sessions (30 min/day), starting 1 week prior to the mating and lasting to the delivery. Gastrocnemius and soleus muscle from 60-day-old offspring were analyzed. Our results clearly showed a sex-dependent effect. Male soleus showed increased mitochondrial functionality in the overload group. Female muscle from the overload group adapted deeply. Considering the redox status, the female offspring delivered to overload exercised dams presented reduced oxidants levels and protein damage, allied to downregulated antioxidant defenses. We also observed an increase in the mitochondrial function in the gastrocnemius muscle of the female offspring born from overload exercised dams. Soleus from female delivered to the overload exercise group presented reduced mitochondrial activity, as well as reduced reactive species, protein carbonyls, and antioxidant network, when compared to the male. In conclusion, maternal exercise altered the redox status and mitochondrial function in the offspring’s skeletal muscle in a sex-dependent way. The clinical implication was not investigated; however, the sexual dimorphism in response to maternal exercise might impact exercise resilience in adulthood.
Dynamic Earthquake Triggering in Southern California in High Resolution: Intensity, Time Decay, and Regional Variability
Authors: Miyazawa Masatoshi , Brodsky Emily E. , Guo Huiyun
Published: May 2021

Earthquake triggering by seismic waves has been recognized as a phenomenon for nearly 30 years. However, our ability to study dynamic triggering has been limited by our ability to capture the triggering stresses accurately and record the resultant earthquakes. Here we use full waveforms from a dense seismic network and a modern, high‐resolution seismic catalog to measure triggering in Southern California from 2008 to 2017 based on interevent time ratios. We find that the fractional seismicity rate change, which we term triggering intensity or triggerability, as a function of peak strain change for the period of ∼20 s due to distant earthquakes is monotonically increasing and compatible with earlier measurements made with a disjoint data set from 1984 to 2008. A triggering strain of 1 microstrain is equivalent to the local productivity generated by an M1.8 earthquakes. This result implies that a prediction of seismicity rate changes can be made based on recorded ground shaking using the same formalism as currently used for aftershock prediction. For a teleseismic event, this small level of triggering occurs throughout the region and thus aggregates to a regional effect. We find that the triggering rate decays after the triggerer follows an Omori‐Utsu law, but at a much slower rate than a typical aftershock sequence. The slow decay rate suggests that an ancillary process such as creep or fluid flow must be part of dynamic triggering. The prevalence of triggering in areas of creep or fluid involvement reinforces this inference. A triggering cascade of secondary earthquakes is insufficient to explain the data.
Recipe for a Saturn‐Like Dynamo
Authors: Yan C. , Stanley S.
Published: May 2021

The Cassini Grand Finale orbits provided detailed observations of Saturn’s internal magnetic field. Unique characteristics of the observed field, such as its axisymmetry and power spectrum, provide constraints on dynamo processes deep in Saturn’s interior. Here, we use numerical dynamo simulations to explore what ingredients are necessary in a dynamo in order to produce the unique “Saturn‐like” surface magnetic field. We find that characteristics of Saturn’s magnetic field can be sensitive to properties of a stably stratified helium rain‐out layer and thermal perturbations at the top of the layer. Our best models suggest that a relatively thick stably stratified helium rain‐out layer may extend out to 70% of Saturn’s radius, likely imprinted with weak heat flux out of the equatorial region and strong heat flux out of high latitudes. These results may provide new constraints on stable stratification inside Saturn and its thermal evolution.
Seismic Velocity Heterogeneity of the Hikurangi Subduction Margin, New Zealand: Elevated Pore Pressures in a Region With Repeating Slow Slip Events
Authors: Yarce Jefferson , Sheehan Anne , Roecker Steven , Mochizuki Kimihiro
Published: May 2021

We investigated the seismic velocity structure of the Hikurangi margin in New Zealand to uncover the physical features of the subduction zone and explore the relationships between microearthquake seismicity, seismic velocity structure, and slow slip events. Using local earthquake tomography with data collected from both temporary ocean bottom seismometers and on‐land permanent seismic stations, we used the tomography code TomoFD to iteratively perform a damped least squared inversion of absolute P and S arrival times to obtain relocated hypocenters and generate 3D velocity models for Vp and Vp/Vs. The seismic tomography images show two high Vp/Vs anomalies, one offshore and adjacent to a subducted seamount and the other beneath the North Island of New Zealand. The ∼50‐km wide offshore anomaly extends ∼10 km beneath the plate interface and lies directly beneath the area that slipped at least 50 mm during the 2 week‐long 2014 slow slip event. High Vp/Vs values may be related to high pore fluid pressures from subducted sediments, and such increases in pore fluid pressures have been suggested to trigger the occurrence of slow slip events in active subduction zones. The second onshore high Vp/Vs anomaly is located in the overlying plate and subducting slab and correlates with areas suggested by other geophysical techniques to be rich in fluids. Our seismic imaging supports interpretations that subduction processes in the Hikurangi margin are highly dependent on physical features such as subducted seamounts and fluid‐rich sediments.
Dual‐Porosity Flow Diagnostics for Spontaneous Imbibition in Naturally Fractured Reservoirs
Authors: Spooner V. E. , Geiger S. , Arnold D.
Published: May 2021

We extend single‐porosity flow diagnostics to dual‐porosity systems using a novel retardation factor R to account for the effect of fracture‐matrix transfer on breakthrough times and displacement efficiency during two‐phase flow in fractured reservoirs. R is based on an analytical solution for capillary‐driven fluid exchange between the fractures and rock matrix. By linearizing R the time‐of‐flight τ⋆ is adjusted to include fracture‐matrix transfer and derive new metrics, the dynamic Lorenz coefficient to quantify the dynamic heterogeneity, and the dual‐porosity sweep efficiency Ev⋆ to estimate how efficiently the injected fluid displaces the reservoir fluid over time. We have tested different formulations of R across three case studies with increasing complexity to analyze the applicability and limitations of dual‐porosity flow diagnostics. This analysis reveals that as long as flow in the fractures is faster than fracture‐matrix transfer, dual‐porosity flow diagnostics provide useful approximations when assessing displacement efficiencies and identifying the wells that are at most and least likely to experience early breakthrough. We show that and Ev⋆ can be combined with stochastic optimization algorithms to improve the displacement efficiency in a 3D reservoir case study. Since a single dual‐porosity flow diagnostics calculation requires less than 1 min while a full‐physics simulation takes 2 h, we can now quickly screen a large parameter space to identify scenarios that need to be studied in more detail using full‐physics simulations. Hence, our new dual‐porosity flow diagnostics complement and accelerate state‐of‐the‐art uncertainty quantification and optimization workflows for fractured reservoirs.
Did the Drop in COVID-Related Emissions Affect the Climate?
Authors: Wheeling Kate
Published: May 2021

Global emissions dropped markedly in 2020, due in large part to lockdowns that slowed economic and social activity, but the climate likely won’t be noticeably affected.
Transcranial photobiomodulation prevents PTSD-like comorbidities in rats experiencing underwater trauma
Authors: Li Yong , Dong Yan , Yang Luodan , Tucker Lorelei , Yang Baocheng , Zong Xuemei , Hamblin Michael R. , Zhang Quanguang
Published: May 2021

Maladaptive fear memory processing after a traumatic event is a major contributor to the development of the comorbidities related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). An intervention to normalize this process could be a first-line treatment to prevent PTSD development. However, little progress has been made in identifying interventions that can prevent trauma survivors from developing PTSD. A treatment that could help trauma survivors cope with traumatic memories and decrease the prevalence of PTSD is thus in high demand. This study was designed to investigate the potential beneficial effects of early photobiomodulation (PBM) interventions to prevent PTSD-like comorbidities in animals. PTSD-like comorbidities in rats were induced by an underwater trauma (UWT) procedure, followed by multiple swimming sessions on later days for memory recall. Immediately after UWT and swimming, rats were restrained with or without PBM treatment (808 nm, 25 mW/cm2, 3 J/day). PTSD-like commodities, such as anxiety-like behavior, depression-like behavior, and cognitive dysfunction, were reproduced in UWT-rats. These comorbidities, however, could be prevented by early PBM interventions. By measuring the expression of immediate early genes (IEGs) as neuronal activity markers, we found that PBM treatment differentially regulatedArcandc-fosexpression in the hippocampus and amygdala, two PTSD-related brain regions. Additionally, PBM boosted ATP production and regulated protein expression in the hippocampus following stress. Our results demonstrate that PBM can modulate brain activity in response to traumatic and stressful events and that early PBM intervention can prevent the occurrence of PTSD-like comorbidities in rats.
A high-quality bonobo genome refines the analysis of hominid evolution
Authors: Mao Yafei , Catacchio Claudia R. , Hillier LaDeana W. , Porubsky David , Li Ruiyang , Sulovari Arvis , Fernandes Jason D. , Montinaro Francesco , Gordon David S. , Storer Jessica M. , Haukness Marina , Fiddes Ian T. , Murali Shwetha Canchi , Dishuck Philip C. , Hsieh PingHsun , Harvey William T. , Audano Peter A. , Mercuri Ludovica , Piccolo Ilaria , Antonacci Francesca , Munson Katherine M. , Lewis Alexandra P. , Baker Carl , Underwood Jason G. , Hoekzema Kendra , Huang Tzu-Hsueh , Sorensen Melanie , Walker Jerilyn A. , Hoffman Jinna , Thibaud-Nissen Françoise , Salama Sofie R. , Pang Andy W. C. , Lee Joyce , Hastie Alex R. , Paten Benedict , Batzer Mark A. , Diekhans Mark , Ventura Mario , Eichler Evan E.
Published: May 2021

The divergence of chimpanzee and bonobo provides one of the few examples of recent hominid speciation1,2. Here we describe a fully annotated, high-quality bonobo genome assembly, which was constructed without guidance from reference genomes by applying a multiplatform genomics approach. We generate a bonobo genome assembly in which more than 98% of genes are completely annotated and 99% of the gaps are closed, including the resolution of about half of the segmental duplications and almost all of the full-length mobile elements. We compare the bonobo genome to those of other great apes1,3–5 and identify more than 5,569 fixed structural variants that specifically distinguish the bonobo and chimpanzee lineages. We focus on genes that have been lost, changed in structure or expanded in the last few million years of bonobo evolution. We produce a high-resolution map of incomplete lineage sorting and estimate that around 5.1% of the human genome is genetically closer to chimpanzee or bonobo and that more than 36.5% of the genome shows incomplete lineage sorting if we consider a deeper phylogeny including gorilla and orangutan. We also show that 26% of the segments of incomplete lineage sorting between human and chimpanzee or human and bonobo are non-randomly distributed and that genes within these clustered segments show significant excess of amino acid replacement compared to the rest of the genome.
Prediction of blood pressure change during surgical incision under opioid analgesia using sympathetic response evoking threshold
Authors: Kamiya Satoshi , Nakamura Ryuji , Saeki Noboru , Kondo Takashi , Miyoshi Hirotsugu , Narasaki Soushi , Morio Atsushi , Kawamoto Masashi , Hirano Harutoyo , Tsuji Toshio , Tsutsumi Yasuo M.
Published: May 2021

Opioid inhibition of nociceptive stimuli varies in individuals and is difficult to titrate. We have reported the vascular stiffness value (K) as a standard monitor to quantify sympathetic response with high accuracy. On the contrary, among individuals, a considerable variation in the rate of change in K for constant pain has been observed. In this study, we proposed a new index, the minimum stimulus intensity value that evoked the response on K (MECK: Minimum Evoked Current of K), and evaluated its accuracy in predicting sympathetic response to nociceptive stimuli under constant opioid administration. Thirty patients undergoing open surgery under general anesthesia were included. After anesthetic induction, remifentanil was administered at a constant concentration of 2 ng/ml at the effect site followed by tetanus stimulation. MECK was defined as the minimal current needed to produce a change in K. MECK significantly (P < 0.001) correlated with the rate of change of systolic blood pressure during skin incision (ROCBP). Bland–Altman plot analysis using the predicted ROCBP calculated from MECK and the measured ROCBP showed that the prediction equation for ROCBP was highly accurate. This study showed the potential of MECK to predict blood pressure change during surgical incision under opioid analgesia.

Clinical trial registration Registry: University hospital medical information network; Registration number: UMIN000041816; Principal investigator's name: Satoshi Kamiya; Date of registration: July 9th, 2019.
Uncovering and classifying the role of driven nodes in control of complex networks
Authors: Shinzawa Yuma , Akutsu Tatsuya , Nacher Jose C.
Published: May 2021

The widely used Maximum Matching (MM) method identifies the minimum driver nodes set to control biological and technological systems. Nevertheless, it is assumed in the MM approach that one driver node can send control signal to multiple target nodes, which might not be appropriate in certain complex networks. A recent work introduced a constraint that one driver node can control one target node, and proposed a method to identify the minimum target nodes set under such a constraint. We refer such target nodes to driven nodes. However, the driven nodes may not be uniquely determined. Here, we develop a novel algorithm to classify driven nodes in control categories. Our computational analysis on a large number of biological networks indicates that the number of driven nodes is considerably larger than the number of driver nodes, not only in all examined complete plant metabolic networks but also in several key human pathways, which firstly demonstrate the importance of use of driven nodes in analysis of real-world networks.
Airway gas temperature within endotracheal tube can be monitored using rapid response thermometer
Authors: Nakane Shigeharu , Tsuda Kennosuke , Kinoshita Masahiro , Kato Shin , Iwata Sachiko , Lin Yung-Chieh , Mizuno Mihoko , Saitoh Shinji , Iwata Osuke
Published: May 2021

Inappropriate preparation of respiratory gases is associated with serious complications during mechanical ventilation. To develop a temperature monitoring system of respiratory gases within the endotracheal tube, four newborn piglets were studied using an ultra-rapid-response thermometer attached to the closed endotracheal tube suction system. Respiratory gas temperatures were monitored at the mouth-corner level of the endotracheal tube using three thermocouples (Tairway, inserted into the endotracheal tube via the closed suction system; Ttube_centre and Ttube_wall, embedded within the endotracheal tube 0.5 mm and 1.6 mm from the tube wall, respectively). Univariate analysis showed that inspiratory Ttube_centre and inspiratory Ttube_wall were positively correlated with inspiratory Tairway (both p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed the dependence of inspiratory Tairway on inspiratory Ttube_centre and Ttube_wall and deflation of endotracheal tube cuff (p < 0.001, p = 0.001 and p = 0.046, respectively). Inspiratory gas temperature within the endotracheal tube can be monitored using a thermometer attached to the closed endotracheal tube suction system. Our system, with further validation, might help optimise respiratory gas humidification during mechanical ventilation.
Improvement of multisource localization of magnetic particles in an animal
Authors: Lin Chin-Wei , Liao Shu-Hsien , Huang Han-Sheng , Wang Li-Min , Chen Jyh-Horng , Su Chia-Hao , Chen Kuen-Lin
Published: May 2021

In this simulation work, the linearized Bregman iterative algorithm was applied to solve the magnetic source distribution problem of a magnetic particle imaging (MPI) system for small animals. MPI system can apply an excitation magnetic field, and the induced magnetic field from the magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) can be detected by the sensors of MPI system. With a gaussian distribution source at the upper side of the mouse brain, sensors set above the mouse brain and the constant excitation magnetic field, the average deviation of the calculated source distribution from the multiplane scanning along the axis away from the mouse brain and the closest plane scanning are 2.78 × 10–3 and 2.84 × 10–3 respectively. The simulated result showed that combination of multiplane scanning hardly improves the accuracy of the source localization. In addition, a gradient scan method was developed that uses gradient magnetic field to scan the mouse brain. The position of the maximum of the lead field matrix will be controlled by the gradient field. With a set up gaussian distribution source at the bottom of the mouse brain, the average deviation of the calculated source distribution from the gradient scan method and the constant field are 4.42 × 10–2 and 5.05 × 10–2. The location error from the two method are 2.24 × 10–1 cm and 3.61 × 10–1 cm. The simulation showed that this method can improve the accuracy compared to constant field when the source is away from the sensor and having a potential for application.
Antibacterial composite coatings of MgB2 powders embedded in PVP matrix
Authors: Badica P. , Batalu N. D. , Burdusel M. , Grigoroscuta M. A. , Aldica G. , Enculescu M. , Gradisteanu Pircalabioru G. , Popa M. , Marutescu L. G. , Dumitriu B. G. , Olariu L. , Bicu A. , Purcareanu B. , Operti L. , Bonino V. , Agostino A. , Truccato M. , Chifiriuc M. C.
Published: May 2021

Three commercial powders of MgB2 were tested in vitro by MTS and LDH cytotoxicity tests on the HS27 dermal cell line. Depending on powders, the toxicity concentrations were established in the range of 8.3–33.2 µg/ml. The powder with the lowest toxicity limit was embedded into polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, for two different concentrations. The self-replenishing MgB2-PVP composite materials were coated on substrate materials (plastic foil of the reservoir and silicon tubes) composing a commercial urinary catheter. The influence of the PVP-reference and MgB2-PVP novel coatings on the bacterial growth of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Enterococcus faecium DMS 13590, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, in planktonic and biofilm state was assessed in vitro at 6, 24, and 48 h of incubation time. The MgB2-PVP coatings are efficient both against planktonic microbes and microbial biofilms. Results open promising applications for the use of MgB2 in the design of anti-infective strategies for different biomedical devices and systems.
Persistent deterioration of visuospatial performance in spaceflight
Authors: Takács Endre , Barkaszi Irén , Czigler István , Pató Lívia Gabriella , Altbäcker Anna , McIntyre Joseph , Cheron Guy , Balázs László
Published: May 2021

Although human adaptation to spaceflight has been studied for decades, little is known about its long-term effects on brain and behavior. The present study investigated visuospatial performance and associated electrophysiological responses in astronauts before, during, and after an approximately half-year long mission to the International Space Station. Here we report findings demonstrating that cognitive performance can suffer marked decrements during spaceflight. Astronauts were slower and more error-prone on orbit than on Earth, while event-related brain potentials reflected diminished attentional resources. Our study is the first to provide evidence for impaired performance during both the initial (~ 8 days) and later (~ 50 days) stages of spaceflight, without any signs of adaptation. Results indicate restricted adaptability to spaceflight conditions and calls for new research prior to deep space explorations.
CD82 is a marker to isolate β cell precursors from human iPS cells and plays a role for the maturation of β cells
Authors: Watanabe Ami , Tanaka Anna , Koga Chizuko , Matsumoto Masahito , Okazaki Yasushi , Kin Tatsuya , Miyajima Atsushi
Published: May 2021

Generation of pancreatic β cells from pluripotent stem cells is a key technology to develop cell therapy for insulin-dependent diabetes and considerable efforts have been made to produce β cells. However, due to multiple and lengthy differentiation steps, production of β cells is often unstable. It is also desirable to eliminate undifferentiated cells to avoid potential risks of tumorigenesis. To isolate β cell precursors from late stage pancreatic endocrine progenitor (EP) cells derived from iPS cells, we have identified CD82, a member of the tetraspanin family. CD82+ cells at the EP stage differentiated into endocrine cells more efficiently than CD82− EP stage cells. We also show that CD82+ cells in human islets secreted insulin more efficiently than CD82− cells. Furthermore, knockdown of CD82 expression by siRNA or inhibition of CD82 by monoclonal antibodies in NGN3+ cells suppressed the function of β cells with glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, suggesting that CD82 plays a role in maturation of EP cells to β cells.
Quantified assessment of hyperactivity in ADHD youth using IR-UWB radar
Authors: Lee Won Hyuk , Kim Johanna Inhyang , Kwon Amy M. , Cha Jong Ho , Yim Daehyeon , Lim Young-Hyo , Cho Seok-Hyun , Cho Sung Ho , Park Hyun-Kyung
Published: May 2021

Research on the quantification of hyperactivity in youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been limited and inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to test the discriminative value of impulse-radio ultra-wideband (IR-UWB) radar for monitoring hyperactive individuals with ADHD and healthy controls (HCs). A total of 10 ADHD patients and 15 HCs underwent hyperactivity assessment using IR-UWB radar during a 22-min continuous performance test. We applied functional ANOVA to compare the mean functions of activity level between the 2 groups. We found that the mean function of activity over time was significantly different and that the activity level of the ADHD group slightly increased over time with high dispersion after approximately 7 min, which means that the difference in activity level between the two groups became evident at this period. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer test times are warranted to investigate the effect of age, sex, and ADHD subtype on activity level function.
Following de novo triglyceride dynamics in ovaries of Aedes aegypti during the previtellogenic stage
Authors: Tose Lilian Valadares , Weisbrod Chad R. , Michalkova Veronika , Nouzova Marcela , Noriega Fernando G. , Fernandez-Lima Francisco
Published: May 2021

Understanding the molecular and biochemical basis of egg development is a central topic in mosquito reproductive biology. Lipids are a major source of energy and building blocks for the developing ovarian follicles. Ultra-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (UHRMS) combined with in vivo metabolic labeling of follicle lipids with deuterated water (2H2O) can provide unequivocal identification of de novo lipid species during ovarian development. In the present study, we followed de novo triglyceride (TG) dynamics during the ovarian previtellogenic (PVG) stage (2–7 days post-eclosion) of female adult Aedes aegypti. The incorporation of stable isotopes from the diet was evaluated using liquid chromatography (LC) in tandem with the high accuracy (< 0.3 ppm) and high mass resolution (over 1 M) of a 14.5 T Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer (14.5 T FT-ICR MS) equipped with hexapolar detection. LC-UHRMS provides effective lipid class separation and chemical formula identification based on the isotopic fine structure. The monitoring of stable isotope incorporation into de novo incorporated TGs suggests that ovarian lipids are consumed or recycled during the PVG stage, with variable time dynamics. These results provide further evidence of the complexity of the molecular mechanism of follicular lipid dynamics during oogenesis in mosquitoes.
Negative pressure wound therapy does not decrease postoperative wound complications in patients undergoing mastectomy and flap fixation
Authors: De Rooij L. , van Kuijk S. M. J. , van Haaren E. R. M. , Janssen A. , Vissers Y. L. J. , Beets G. L. , van Bastelaar J.
Published: May 2021

Patients and breast cancer surgeons are frequently confronted with wound complications after mastectomy. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a promising technique for preventing wound complications after skin closure in elective surgery. However, a clinical study evaluating postoperative complications following the use of NPWT, focusing solely on closed incisions in patients undergoing mastectomy, has yet to be performed. Between June 2019 and February 2020, 50 consecutive patients underwent mastectomy with NPWT during the first seven postoperative days. This group was compared to a cohort of patients taking part in a randomized controlled trial between June 2014 and July 2018. Primary outcome was the rate of postoperative wound complications, i.e. surgical site infections, wound necrosis or wound dehiscence during the first three postoperative months. Secondary outcomes were the number of patients requiring unplanned visits to the hospital and developing clinically significant seroma (CSS). In total, 161 patients were analyzed, of whom 111 patients in the control group (CON) and 50 patients in the NPWT group (NPWT). Twenty-eight percent of the patients in the NPWT group developed postoperative wound complications, compared to 18.9% in the control group (OR = 1.67 (95% CI 0.77–3.63), p = 0.199). The number of patients requiring unplanned visits or developing CSS was not statistically significant between the groups. This study suggests that Avelle negative pressure wound therapy in mastectomy wounds does not lead to fewer postoperative wound complications. Additionally, it does not lead to fewer patients requiring unplanned visits or fewer patients developing clinically significant seromas.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03942575. Date of registration: 08/05/2019.
Cholinergic stimulation with pyridostigmine modulates a heart-spleen axis after acute myocardial infarction in spontaneous hypertensive rats
Authors: Bandoni Robson Luiz , Bricher Choque Pamela Nithzi , Dellê Humberto , de Moraes Tercio Lemos , Porter Maria Helena Mattos , da Silva Bruno Durante , Neves Gizele Alves , Irigoyen Maria-Claudia , De Angelis Kátia , Pavlov Valentin A. , Ulloa Luis , Consolim-Colombo Fernanda Marciano
Published: May 2021

The mechanisms regulating immune cells recruitment into the heart during healing after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have major clinical implications. We investigated whether cholinergic stimulation with pyridostigmine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, modulates heart and spleen immune responses and cardiac remodeling after AMI in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHRs). Male adult SHRs underwent sham surgery or ligation of the left coronary artery and were randomly allocated to remain untreated or to pyridostigmine treatment (40 mg/kg once a day by gavage). Blood pressure and heart rate variability were determined, and echocardiography was performed at day six after MI. The heart and spleen were processed for immunohistochemistry cellular analyses (CD3+ and CD4+ lymphocytes, and CD68+ and CD206+ macrophages), and TNF levels were determined at day seven after MI. Pyridostigmine treatment increased the parasympathetic tone and T CD4+ lymphocytes in the myocardium, but lowered M1/M2 macrophage ratio towards an anti-inflammatory profile that was associated with decreased TNF levels in the heart and spleen. Treatment with this cholinergic agent improved heart remodeling manifested by lower ventricular diameters and better functional parameters. In summary, cholinergic stimulation by pyridostigmine enhances the parasympathetic tone and induces anti-inflammatory responses in the heart and spleen fostering cardiac recovery after AMI in SHRs.
Differential accumulation of tau pathology between reciprocal F1 hybrids of rTg4510 mice
Authors: Yanagisawa Daijiro , Hamezah Hamizah Shahirah , Pahrudin Arrozi Aslina , Tooyama Ikuo
Published: May 2021

Tau, a family of microtubule-associated proteins, forms abnormal intracellular inclusions, so-called tau pathology, in a range of neurodegenerative diseases collectively known as tauopathies. The rTg4510 mouse model is a well-characterized bitransgenic F1 hybrid mouse model of tauopathy, which was obtained by crossing a Camk2α-tTA mouse line (on a C57BL/6 J background) with a tetO-MAPT*P301L mouse line (on a FVB/NJ background). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the genetic background and sex on the accumulation of tau pathology in reciprocal F1 hybrids of rTg4510 mice, i.e., rTg4510 on the (C57BL/6 J × FVB/NJ)F1 background (rTg4510_CxF) and on the (FVB/NJ × C57BL/6 J)F1 background (rTg4510_FxC). As compared with rTg4510_CxF mice, the rTg4510_FxC mice showed marked levels of tau pathology in the forebrain. Biochemical analyses indicated that the accumulation of abnormal tau species was accelerated in rTg4510_FxC mice. There were strong effects of the genetic background on the differential accumulation of tau pathology in rTg4510 mice, while sex had no apparent effect. Interestingly, midline-1 (Mid1) was identified as a candidate gene associated with this difference and exhibited significant up/downregulation according to the genetic background. Mid1 silencing with siRNA induced pathological phosphorylation of tau in HEK293T cells that stably expressed human tau with the P301L mutation, suggesting the role of Mid1 in pathological alterations of tau. Elucidation of the underlying mechanisms will provide novel insights into the accumulation of tau pathology and is expected to be especially informative to researchers for the continued development of therapeutic interventions for tauopathies.
Transcriptional heterogeneity of stemness phenotypes in the ovarian epithelium
Authors: Carter Lauren E. , Cook David P. , McCloskey Curtis W. , Grondin Melanie A. , Landry David A. , Dang Tiffany , Collins Olga , Gamwell Lisa F. , Dempster Holly A. , Vanderhyden Barbara C.
Published: May 2021

The ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) is a monolayer of epithelial cells surrounding the ovary that ruptures during each ovulation to allow release of the oocyte. This wound is quickly repaired, but mechanisms promoting repair are poorly understood. The contribution of tissue-resident stem cells in the homeostasis of several epithelial tissues is widely accepted, but their involvement in OSE is unclear. We show that traits associated with stem cells can be increased following exposure to the cytokine TGFB1, overexpression of the transcription factor Snai1, or deletion of Brca1. We find that stemness is often linked to mesenchymal-associated gene expression and higher activation of ERK signalling, but is not consistently dependent on their activation. Expression profiles of these populations are extremely context specific, suggesting that stemness may not be associated with a single, distinct population, but rather is a heterogeneous cell state that may emerge from diverse environmental cues. These findings support that the OSE may not require distinct stem cells for long-term maintenance, and may instead achieve this through transient dedifferentiation into a stem-like state.
Overlapping roles of spliceosomal components SF3B1 and PHF5A in rice splicing regulation
Authors: Butt Haroon , Bazin Jeremie , Alshareef Sahar , Eid Ayman , Benhamed Moussa , Reddy Anireddy S. N. , Crespi Martin , Mahfouz Magdy M.
Published: May 2021

The SF3B complex, a multiprotein component of the U2 snRNP of the spliceosome, plays a crucial role in recognizing branch point sequence and facilitates spliceosome assembly and activation. Several chemicals that bind SF3B1 and PHF5A subunits of the SF3B complex inhibit splicing. We recently generated a splicing inhibitor-resistant SF3B1 mutant named SF3B1GEX1ARESISTANT 4 (SGR4) using CRISPR-mediated directed evolution, whereas splicing inhibitor-resistant mutant of PHF5A (Overexpression-PHF5A GEX1A Resistance, OGR) was generated by expressing an engineered version PHF5A-Y36C. Global analysis of splicing in wild type and these two mutants revealed the role of SF3B1 and PHF5A in splicing regulation. This analysis uncovered a set of genes whose intron retention is regulated by both proteins. Further analysis of these retained introns revealed that they are shorter, have a higher GC content, and contain shorter and weaker polypyrimidine tracts. Furthermore, splicing inhibition increased seedlings sensitivity to salt stress, consistent with emerging roles of splicing regulation in stress responses. In summary, we uncovered the functions of two members of the plant branch point recognition complex. The novel strategies described here should be broadly applicable in elucidating functions of splicing regulators, especially in studying the functions of redundant paralogs in plants.
Ruthenium-centred btp glycoclusters as inhibitors for Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation
Authors: O'Reilly Ciaran , Blasco Salvador , Parekh Bina , Collins Helen , Cooke Gordon , Gunnlaugsson Thorfinnur , Byrne Joseph P.
Published: May 2021

Ruthenium-centred glycoclusters based on carbohydrate-functionalised bis(triazolyl)pyridine ligands show Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm inhibition, with activity that is dependent on ligand structure.
Whether planar or corrugated graphitic carbon nitride combined with titanium dioxide exhibits better photocatalytic performance?
Authors: Ha Nguyen Thi Thu , Be Pham Thi , Lan Phung Thi , Mo Nguyen Thi , Cam Le Minh , Ha Nguyen Ngoc
Published: May 2021

The density functional theory method was performed to study the electronic structures of planar (pGN), corrugated (cGN) graphitic carbon nitride and their interactions with titanium dioxide cluster (TiO2)7.
Curcumin encapsulation in Pickering emulsions co-stabilized by starch nanoparticles and chitin nanofibers
Authors: Lee Yeong-Sheng , Tarté Rodrigo , Acevedo Nuria C.
Published: May 2021

This study examined the stability and release of curcumin encapsulated in Pickering emulsions co-stabilized by starch nanoparticles and chitin nanofibers under different conditions.
Complex oscillations in the Belousov–Zhabotinsky batch reaction with methylmalonic acid and manganese(ii)
Authors: Frerichs Glen A. , Yengi Desmond
Published: May 2021

Mixed mode and bursting oscillations are among the complex oscillations observed in the Belousov–Zhabotinsky reaction with methylmalonic acid and Mn(ii).
Preparation of rGO@Fe3O4 nanocomposite and its application to enhance the thermal conductivity of epoxy resin
Authors: Geng Jiaqi , Men Yuanli , Liu Chen , Ge Xiang , Yuan Caideng
Published: May 2021

A rGO@Fe3O4 nanocomposite was prepared by a solvothermal method. Then the rGO@Fe3O4/epoxy resin composite was cured in a magnetic field. This shows that rGO@Fe3O4 can enhance the heat-conductivity of epoxy resins.
Melt-quenched porous organic cage glasses
Authors: Brand Michael C. , Greenwell Francesca , Clowes Rob , Egleston Benjamin D. , Kai Aiting , Cooper Andrew I. , Bennett Thomas D. , Greenaway Rebecca L.
Published: May 2021

The melting and glass-forming behaviour of a range of organic cages was investigated, with quenching of melted liquid states providing molecular glasses, one of which exhibited improved gas uptake compared to the starting amorphous cage.
Turn-on fluorescent probe for lipid droplet specific imaging of fatty liver and atherosclerosis
Authors: Li Shufen , Zhuang Weihua , Chen Jingruo , Li Gaocan , Li Changming , Chen Li , Liao Yanbiao , Chen Mao , Wang Yunbing
Published: May 2021

A one-step synthesized aggregation induced quenching (ACQ) probe TNBD was prepared for lipid droplets (LDs) turn-on near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence Imaging of cells, fatty liver tissues and atherosclerotic plaques with great imaging performance.
The analysis of ancestry with small-scale forensic panels of genetic markers
Authors: Phillips Christopher , de la Puente Maria
Published: May 2021

In the last 10 years, forensic genetic analysis has been extended beyond identification tests that link a suspect to crime scene evidence using standard DNA profiling, to new supplementary tests that can provide information to investigators about a suspect in the absence of a database hit or eyewitness testimony. These tests now encompass the prediction of physical appearance, ancestry and age. In this review, we give a comprehensive overview of the full range of DNA-based ancestry inference tests designed to work with forensic contact traces, when the level of DNA is often very low or highly degraded. We outline recent developments in the design of ancestry-informative marker sets, forensic assays that use capillary electrophoresis or massively parallel sequencing, and the statistical analysis frameworks that examine the test profile and compares it to reference population variation. Three casework ancestry analysis examples are described which were successfully accomplished in the authors’ laboratory, where the ancestry information obtained was critical to the outcome of the DNA analyses made.