bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The explicit bonding reaction ensemble Monte Carlo method
Authors: Blanco Pablo M. , Košovan Peter
Published: September 2024

We present the explicit bonding Reaction ensemble Monte Carlo (eb-RxMC) method, designed to sample reversible bonding reactions in macromolecular systems in thermodynamic equilibrium. Our eb-RxMC method is based on the reaction ensemble method; however, its implementation differs from the latter by the representation of the reaction. In the eb-RxMC implementation, we are adding or deleting bonds between existing particles, instead of inserting or deleting particles with different chemical identities. This new implementation makes the eb-RxMC method suitable for simulating the formation of reversible linkages between macromolecules, which would not be feasible with the original implementation. To enable coupling of our eb-RxMC algorithm with molecular dynamics algorithm for the sampling of the configuration space, we biased the sampling of reactions only within a certain inclusion radius. We validated our algorithm using a set of ideally behaving systems undergoing dimerization and polycondensation reactions, for which analytical results are available. For dimerization reactions with various equilibrium constants and initial compositions, the degree of conversion measured in our simulations perfectly matched the reference values given by the analytical equations. We also showed that this agreement is not affected by the arbitrary choice of the inclusion radius or the stiffness of the harmonic bond potential. Next, we showed that our simulations can correctly match the analytical results for the distribution of the degree of polymerization and end-to-end distance of ideal chains in polycondensation reactions. Altogether, we demonstrated that our eb-RxMC simulations correctly sample both reaction and configuration spaces of these reference systems, opening the door to future simulations of more complex interacting macromolecular systems.
Unsupervised pattern identification in spatial gene expression atlas reveals mouse brain regions beyond established ontology
Authors: Cahill Robert , Wang Yu , Xian R. Patrick , Lee Alex J. , Zeng Hongkui , Yu Bin , Tasic Bosiljka , Abbasi-Asl Reza
Published: September 2024

The rapid growth of large-scale spatial gene expression data demands efficient and reliable computational tools to extract major trends of gene expression in their native spatial context. Here, we used stability-driven unsupervised learning (i.e., staNMF) to identify principal patterns (PPs) of 3D gene expression profiles and understand spatial gene distribution and anatomical localization at the whole mouse brain level. Our subsequent spatial correlation analysis systematically compared the PPs to known anatomical regions and ontology from the Allen Mouse Brain Atlas using spatial neighborhoods. We demonstrate that our stable and spatially coherent PPs, whose linear combinations accurately approximate the spatial gene data, are highly correlated with combinations of expert-annotated brain regions. These PPs yield a brain ontology based purely on spatial gene expression. Our PP identification approach outperforms principal component analysis and typical clustering algorithms on the same task. Moreover, we show that the stable PPs reveal marked regional imbalance of brainwide genetic architecture, leading to region-specific marker genes and gene coexpression networks. Our findings highlight the advantages of stability-driven machine learning for plausible biological discovery from dense spatial gene expression data, streamlining tasks that are infeasible by conventional manual approaches.
Translanguaging learning strategies (TLS)
Authors: Zhang Qi , Osborne Caitríona , Lin Xu
Published: September 2024

Using the think-aloud protocol (TAP), the study investigates the strategies used by beginner and pre-intermediate
learners of Chinese when studying Chinese characters through typing. Drawing on concepts from translanguaging, embodiment and LS
(learning strategies), a novel notion of translanguaging learning strategies (TLS) and an innovative typology of TLS were
proposed. The study found that the pre-intermediate group tended to resort to TLI (translanguaging interdependency) and IE
(imagined embodiment) more often than the beginners. TLS for typing were also compared with those for handwriting. While CFL
learners mainly relied on HE (haptic embodiment) when typing to learn, a wider range of TLS, including IE, TLI and TSI
(trans-semiotising interdependency), were drawn from during handwriting. As a pioneer in situating learning strategies in a
translanguaging framework, the study calls for further empirical research to validate the proposal of TLS and its typology.
Speaking with attitude
Authors: Oliveira João Pedro
Published: September 2024

Applying a qualitative discourse-based analysis, this paper discusses the attitudes towards the languages spoken
in Macao based on their representation in the comic literature written in Macanese Creole. The texts consist of those collected by
Leopoldo Danilo Barreiros and those written by José dos Santos Ferreira. They originated from the mid-1800s to the 1990s, just
before the creation of the special administrative region of Macao in 1999. The attitudes towards different languages vary
according to the ethnicity, gender, age and socioeconomic status of the characters. While celebrating the ethnic and linguistic
diversity of Macao, the authors of the texts performatively express nostalgia about Macanese Creole and the Macao of the olden
days with which the language is associated, as well as concern about the decreasing Portuguese influence on Macanese culture and
fear about growing Chinese influence.
Heterogeneous micro-architectonic integration of SU-8 and highly entangled polyacrylamide hydrogel to realize cut-resistant soft superhydrophobic surfaces
Authors: Cheng Junce , Liu Tingyi ‘Leo’
Published: September 2024

This paper presents a novel idea to create cut-resistant superhydrophobic (SHPo) surfaces by integrating an array of SU-8 micropillars on a highly entangled polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogel substrate. We begin by demonstrating that this highly entangled PAAm hydrogel exhibits superior resistance to cutting while being as transparent, flexible, and stretchable as other polymeric substrates like polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Currently, there are no well-known methods or chemicals to directly integrate SU-8 and PAAm with a covalent bond. To overcome this challenge, we introduce a thin layer of chemically modified PDMS between the SU-8 and PAAm so that covalent bonds can be formed between both the SU-8/PDMS interface and the PDMS/PAAm interface. After validating the reliability of the bonding in our experiments, we develop a heterogeneous integration process to fabricate the desired SHPo surface. To demonstrate the critical role of PAAm hydrogel in achieving the cut-resistant SHPo surface, we contrast this new SHPo surface with a reference version that uses a PDMS substrate instead. We conduct microscopic inspections using scanning electron microscopy and a contact angle goniometer before and after cutting the two surfaces. These evaluations show significant differences in their structural integrity and behavior in water interaction.
Negative damping of terahertz plasmons in counter-streaming double-layer two-dimensional electron gases
Authors: Yang Shengpeng , Guo Hongyang , Zhang Ping , Wang Shaomeng , Gong Yubin
Published: September 2024

The plasmon excitation in two-dimensional electron gases is a significant way of achieving micro-nanoscale terahertz (THz) devices. Here, we establish a kinetic simulation model to study the THz plasmons amplification in a semiconductor double-quantum-well system with counter-streaming electron drift velocities. By comparing the simulation results with theoretical dispersion relations, we confirm two competing mechanisms of negative damping suitable for THz amplification: Cherenkov-type two-stream instability and a new non-Cherenkov mechanism called kinetic relaxation instability. The former is caused by the interlayer coupling of two slow plasmon modes and only exists when the drift velocities are much greater than the fermi velocities. The latter is a statistical effect caused by the momentum relaxation of electron-impurity scattering and predominates at lower drift velocities. We show that an approximate kinetic dispersion relation can accurately predict the wave growth rates of the two mechanisms. The results also indicate that the saturated plasmonic waves undergo strong nonlinearities such as wave distortion, frequency downshift, wave-packet formation, and spectrum broadening. The nonlinear evolution can be interpreted as the merging of bubble structures in the electron phase-space distribution. The present results not only reveal the potential mechanisms of the plasmonic instabilities in double-layer 2DEGs, but also provide a new guideline for the design of on-chip THz amplifiers.
Recent advances in InGaAs/InP single-photon detectors
Authors: Yu Chao , Xu Qi , Zhang Jun
Published: September 2024

Single-photon detectors (SPDs) are widely used in applications requiring extremely weak light detection. In the near-infrared region, SPDs based on InGaAs/InP single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) are the primary candidates for practical applications because of their small size, low cost and ease of operation. Driven by the escalating demands for quantum communication and lidar, the performance of InGaAs/InP SPDs has been continuously enhanced. This paper provides a comprehensive review of advances in InGaAs/InP SPDs over the past 10 years, including the investigation into SPAD structures and mechanisms, as well as emerging readout techniques for both gated and free-running mode SPDs. In addition, future prospects are also summarised.
A three-dimensional trajectory measurement system for quasi-one-dimensional high-speed moving objects
Authors: Wang Lichao , Liu Junnan , Hong Jinwen , Geng Shuqiao
Published: September 2024

The three-dimensional (3D) trajectory measurement of a quasi-one-dimensional (quasi-1D) high-speed moving object often cannot achieve the optimizations of both the measurement range and the object’s resolution at the same time. In this paper, a 3D trajectory measurement system for quasi-1D high-speed moving objects is proposed. The system was composed of a single camera and a galvo mirror. The posture of the virtual camera is changed by adjusting the angle of the galvo mirror, thereby achieving the tracking and imaging of a quasi-1D high-speed moving object. For a background with complex textures, a measurement method based on the reconstructed homography matrix is proposed. The extrinsic matrix of the virtual camera is estimated based on the feature points on the background, and the equation of the object trajectory’s plane is estimated based on the feature points on the object. Then, by combining the extrinsic matrix and the equation of the plane, a new homography matrix is reconstructed, realizing the measurement of the 3D coordinates of the object. For a background with weak textures, a method based on the deflection angle of the galvo mirror is proposed for the calibration of the extrinsic matrix of the virtual camera. This method can calculate the extrinsic matrix of the virtual camera based on the distance from the camera to the center point of the galvo mirror and the deflection angle of the galvo mirror. The experimental results show that the proposed system is able to increase the field of view by 430%. For complex-texture backgrounds, the relative error of the system is 0.79%, and for weak-texture backgrounds, the relative error is 4.65%.
Analog and digital resistive switching in W/TiO2/ITO devices: the impact of crystallinity and Indium diffusion
Authors: K Bhagyalakshmi , Kuyyadi P Biju
Published: September 2024

The resistance-switching memristor with capabilities of information storage and brain-inspired computing has prime importance in recent research. In this study, the impact of crystallinity and Indium diffusion on the existence of analog and digital resistive switching in a W/TiO2/ITO device has been reported. The memristor devices are fabricated by depositing titania films by sol–gel and spin-coating techniques. The films annealed at 250 °C and 400 °C were characterized using x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The characteristic anatase phase started appearing after annealing at 400 °C, whereas the 250 °C annealed sample was in the amorphous state. The electrical characterization revealed significant differences in the switching characteristics of amorphous and crystalline samples, especially in the switching interface, compliance properties, and current conduction mechanism. The grain boundary assisted oxygen vacancy migration, and the diffusion of indium ions from the ITO bottom electrode helped the crystalline sample to show highly stable and reproducible resistive switching compared to amorphous film. The XPS studies confirmed the indium ion diffusion in the crystalline sample. The oxygen vacancy-induced barrier modulation and conductive filament formation caused characteristic switching in amorphous and crystalline samples, respectively. Schottky emission in the amorphous film and SCLC mechanism in the crystalline film confirmed the experimental results. This study provides a distinctive viewpoint and an innovative strategy for developing multifunctional resistive switching devices.
Improving bidirectional controlled remote preparation of arbitrary number of qudits in noisy environment
Authors: Jin Si , Ma Songya , Li Siyi
Published: September 2024

By elaborately selecting entangled channel, we put forward a universal scheme to achieve bidirectional remote preparation of qudit states with arbitrary numbers of particles under the control of the supervisor. Each sender needs to perform a positive-operator-value measurement and a projective measurement, while the supervisor requires to execute a projective measurement. Based on their measurement outcomes, the receivers can recover the desired states concurrently by carrying out single-qudit generalized Pauli operations which are given by general formulas. A point to highlight is that classical communication cost is greatly reduced at the supervisor’s broadcast channel by taking advantage of network coding. In addition, we analyze the influence of amplitude-damping and phase-damping noises, and utilize weak measurement and environment-assisted measurement to suppress noise.
Adsorption, photocatalysis, and sonocatalytic activities of LaFeO3/methylcellulose/multi-walled carbon nanotubes-NiCu2O4/Zn for removal of organic pollutant: preparation, main factor, and mechanism
Authors: Salova Aneta , Syed Asad , Jameel Rafid Kamal , Mahdi Morug Salih , Mansoor Aseel Salah , Radi Usama Kadem , Idan Ameer Hassan , AL-Shwaiman Hind A , Subramaniam Manjula , Wong Ling Shing , Janani Baadal Jushi
Published: September 2024

The primary objective of this study was to create and analyze a new type of LaFeO3/methylcellulose/multi-walled carbon nanotubes-NiCu2O4/Zn nanocomposite, called LFO/MC/MWCNT-NCO/Z, which has multiple functions. Structural investigation using field emission scanning electron microscopy showed that the nanoparticles (40–50 nm) were evenly distributed throughout the nanocomposite, suggesting that they were successfully incorporated without any clumping. FTIR research verified the existence of functional groups that facilitate electrostatic interactions with contaminants, hence strengthening catalytic performance and improving adsorption efficiency. The BET analysis revealed a significantly high specific surface area of 72.61 m2/g, which greatly enhances its ability to adsorb substances. The nanocomposite demonstrated high removal efficiency in adsorption (74.55%), photocatalysis (68.19%), and sonocatalysis (91.22%) procedures, highlighting its potential for effectively removing bisphenol A as organic pollutants. The synthesized LFO/MC/MWCNT-NCO/Z nanocomposite shows great potential in effectively eliminating organic contaminants from water solutions. This offers a sustainable way to address water pollution and protect human health and the environment.
Output characteristics of an actively Q-switched Tm:GdScO3 slab laser at 2 μm band
Authors: Liu Jing , Li Shanming , Fan Yuqing , Qian Chuanpeng , Yang Ke , Yu Ting , Zhao Chengchun , Shi Xiangchun , Hang Yin , Ye Xisheng
Published: September 2024

An acousto-optic Q-switched Tm:GdScO3 slab laser at different pulse repetition frequencies was successfully demonstrated for the first time. The size of a slab crystal doped with a 2 at% Tm3+ is 2 mm × 4 mm × 20 mm. With the pump power of 33 W, a maximum average output power of 3.03 W was obtained with center wavelength of 1980 nm at pulse repetition frequency of 20 kHz. The optical-to-optical conversion efficiency and slope efficiency were 9.18% and 16.66%, respectively. The maximum pulse energy was 0.60 mJ with pulse width of 160 ns at 1 kHz, corresponding to the peak power of 3.75 kW. In addition, at the pump power of 33 W, the beam quality factors M
2 for horizontal and vertical directions were 1.33 and 1.08, respectively.
Flexible load dispatching strategy for substation considering time-of-use price
Authors: Han Shu , Shi Shengdong , Li Lihong , Guo Chuan , Hu Jie
Published: September 2024

The substation is an important node in the power system. Reducing the operating costs and carbon emissions of substations is of great significance for power enterprises to reduce costs and carbon emissions. Meanwhile, with the development of new substations, more substations have added rooftop photovoltaic systems to reduce carbon emissions. How to improve the utilization rate of rooftop photovoltaic power generation has also become a key focus of substation development. This article establishes a flexible load optimization scheduling model for substations, and based on the consideration of system costs, sets up two scenarios for comparison. The research results indicate that the flexible load optimization scheduling model for substations can significantly reduce the operational carbon emissions and costs caused by electricity consumption within the substation.
Development of transmission line monitoring terminal based on optical fiber energy transmission technology
Authors: Xin Xiaohu , He Jin , Xiao Jianchao , Wang Jianhui , Li Zhanjun , Zhao Qi
Published: September 2024

The monitoring equipment on the transmission tower mostly uses solar energy and wind energy for power supply, which is unstable with low reliability. Based on optical fiber energy transmission technology, photoelectric energy conversion technology, and induced current energy extraction technology, a transmission line monitoring terminal that can take energy from the transmission line is developed in this paper. The energy transmission optical fiber and the composite insulator had to be put together and become a new composite insulator, which can transfer light energy from the high-voltage side to the tower through. It can supply power to the micrometeorology, tower tilt monitoring device, video monitoring, and other monitoring modules installed on the tower, and transfer the above monitoring information to the Internet cloud relying on the Internet of things technology. A new power supply scheme for transmission line online monitoring device is provided, which provides a new idea for the construction of a “smart transmission line”.
Multifunctional gallium doped bioactive glasses: a targeted delivery for antineoplastic agents and tissue repair against osteosarcoma
Authors: Hanaei Shirin B , Murugesan Raghavan C , Souza Lucas P , Cadiz-Miranda Juan I , Jeys Lee , Wall Ivan B , Martin Richard A
Published: September 2024

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the mostly commonly occurring primary bone cancer. Despite comprehensive treatment programs including neoadjuvant chemotherapy and tumour resection, survival rates have not improved significantly since the 1970s. Survival rates are dramatically reduced for patients who suffer a local recurrence. Furthermore, primary bone cancer patients are at increased risk of bone fractures. Consequently, there is an urgent need for alternative treatment options. In this paper we report the development of novel gallium doped bioactive glass that selectively kill bone cancer cells whilst simultaneously stimulating new bone growth. Here we show, using a combination of 3-(4.5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2.5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, LIVE/DEAD assays and image analysis, that bioactive glasses containing gallium oxide are highly toxic and reduce both the proliferation and migration of bone cancer cells (Saos-2) in a dose dependant manner. Glasses containing 5 mol% gallium oxide reduced the viability of OS cells by 99% without being cytotoxic to the non-cancerous normal human osteoblasts (NHOst) control cells. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy results confirmed the formation of an amorphous calcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite like layer on the surface of the bioactive glass particulates, after 7 d incubating in simulated body fluid, indicating the early stages of bone formation. These materials show significant potential for use in bone cancer applications as part of a multimodal treatment.
Research on carbon emission reduction based on responsibility of four participants with consideration of circular economy factors in China
Authors: Huang Ruosi , Yu Junhong , Wang Shuai
Published: September 2024

The complex relationship between carbon emissions and economic development has become a global issue. In China, the pressure to reduce carbon emissions is very great because the responsibility of four participants for economic activities has not been able to break away from the linear economic model of ‘produce-consume-discard’. In this paper, four categories of participants, namely extractors/producers, manufacturers, consumers and recyclers, are classified according to the life cycle framework, and the impact of their activities on carbon emission reduction is analysed taking into account circular economy factors. The results of the study show that during the rapid development of China’s economy from 2005 to 2021, there is a significant correlation between carbon emission reduction and the activity behaviour of the four participants with consideration of circular economy factors. In particular, the activity behaviours of the extractors/producers, manufacturers and consumers have a very strong correlation with the carbon emission reduction. Our findings indicate that China should continue to exert efforts in the existing circular economy model to achieve the double carbon goals.
Identification of required power for air transport system of the cotton-picking machine MX-2.4
Authors: Rizaev A A , Normatov M K , Mirzayev O T
Published: September 2024

This article addresses the issues in the air transport system of semi-suspended MX-1.8 and MX-2.4 cotton pickers with a vertical spindle. Given that semi-suspended machines currently pick cotton crops with 60 cm row spacing, the goal is to eliminate the shortcomings of these machines and optimize the technological parameters of this machine. The power required for fan operation is calculated, taking into account the additional aerodynamic resistance caused by the complexity of the air transport system design. The results of the calculations are presented in the form of a histogram.
The use of biofilters in the treatment of wastewater containing organic substances
Authors: Pryanichnikova V V , Asfandyarova L R , Ovsyannikova I V , Karabasova N A
Published: September 2024

The lack of sufficiently effective treatment of wastewater generated in industry and domestic life remains one of the most acute environmental problems. Domestic wastewater is characterized by a high content of organic impurities in its composition, which determines the specifics of the choice of treatment technologies. One of the most relevant and effective methods is biological purification carried out in biological filters. This article discusses the problems associated with wastewater treatment of a sanatorium compound. The analysis of the content of various components in the water supplied to the treatment was carried out, the efficiency of the treatment equipment was determined. The paper proposes and substantiates the expediency of using a modern type of synthetic ruff biofilter media to increase the cleaning efficiency of the wastewater and their compliance with regulatory requirements for discharge into a water body.
Environmental aspects of digitalization of phytosanitary examination of agricultural crops
Authors: Brit A A , Kalitina V V , Kovalev I V , Saporova Z E , Yablokova A A , Lipshin A G , Vasilenko A V
Published: September 2024

The article provided discusses the environmental aspects of digitalizing phytosanitary examination in plant cultivation. The authors highlight the negative environmental consequences resulting from the irrational use of natural resources and the increasing impact of powerful anthropogenic factors, such as the depletion of entomofauna composition, disruption of self-regulation mechanisms, and increased mass reproduction of phytophagous insects. Digitalization based on mathematical modeling is identified as a highly effective tool for phytosanitary monitoring. It involves a software module that allows dynamic changes in the number of research objects and the input of initial data about the studied objects and their parameters. The proposed method of comprehensive assessment enables a balanced consideration of parameters and criteria, encompassing both quantitative and qualitative evaluations. It facilitates the simultaneous maximization and minimization of various parameters, contributing to the mobilization of natural biota resources and the enhancement of biological diversity in agrolandscapes while considering the complexity of relationships within these landscapes. This approach is crucial for addressing the need to balance conflicting requirements or goals in the digitalization of phytosanitary expertise in agricultural crops.
Endothelial extracellular vesicles enhance vascular self-assembly in engineered human cardiac tissues
Authors: Wagner Karl T , Lu Rick X Z , Landau Shira , Shawky Sarah A , Zhao Yimu , Bodenstein David F , Jiménez Vargas Luis Felipe , Jiang Richard , Okhovatian Sargol , Wang Ying , Liu Chuan , Vosoughi Daniel , Gustafson Dakota , Fish Jason E , Cummins Carolyn L , Radisic Milica
Published: September 2024

The fabrication of complex and stable vasculature in engineered cardiac tissues represents a significant hurdle towards building physiologically relevant models of the heart. Here, we implemented a 3D model of cardiac vasculogenesis, incorporating endothelial cells (EC), stromal cells, and human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes (CM) in a fibrin hydrogel. The presence of CMs disrupted vessel formation in 3D tissues, resulting in the upregulation of endothelial activation markers and altered extracellular vesicle (EV) signaling in engineered tissues as determined by the proteomic analysis of culture supernatant. miRNA sequencing of CM- and EC-secreted EVs highlighted key EV-miRNAs that were postulated to play differing roles in cardiac vasculogenesis, including the let-7 family and miR-126-3p in EC-EVs. In the absence of CMs, the supplementation of CM-EVs to EC monolayers attenuated EC migration and proliferation and resulted in shorter and more discontinuous self-assembling vessels when applied to 3D vascular tissues. In contrast, supplementation of EC-EVs to the tissue culture media of 3D vascularized cardiac tissues mitigated some of the deleterious effects of CMs on vascular self-assembly, enhancing the average length and continuity of vessel tubes that formed in the presence of CMs. Direct transfection validated the effects of the key EC-EV miRNAs let-7b-5p and miR-126-3p in improving the maintenance of continuous vascular networks. EC-EV supplementation to biofabricated cardiac tissues and microfluidic devices resulted in tissue vascularization, illustrating the use of this approach in the engineering of enhanced, perfusable, microfluidic models of the myocardium.
Ni doped carbon-based composites derived from waste cigarette polypropylene filter rod with electromagnetic wave absorption performance
Authors: Yang Guangyuan , Che Jing , Zhao Xiaokang , Li Xinxin , Peng Sanwen , Yang Heng , Zhang Bin , Sun Jiuxiao
Published: September 2024

Polypropylene is widely used in the plastics industry, especially in the tobacco industry, served as cigarette filters to reduce tar and harm. However, it’s difficult to degrade these polypropylene plastics and suitable methods for recycling and reuse is urgent. This research proposes an efficient method for the reuse of polypropylene cigarette filters by mixing waste polypropylene filters with nickel source in different proportions, followed by a facile calcination treatment to prepare nickel-modified carbon-based composite materials with microwave absorption properties. Morphology and magnetic properties of as-prepared samples were analyzed via XRD, SEM, and VSM, exhibiting an increase in carbon content with raising nickel content. Nickel ion anchored on polypropylene fiber may facilitate better fixation of carbon chains during the polypropylene decomposition process. Among the as-prepared samples, CN2 exhibited superior microwave absorption performance, with an optimal absorption peak of −26.76 dB at 7.97 GHz when matched with a given thickness of 4.3 mm, and an effective absorption bandwidth of 3.64 GHz (8.04 GHz to 11.68 GHz) with a matching thickness of 3.5 mm, covering the X band. Therefore, the as-prepared microwave absorbers provides a feasible solution for the recycling and reuse of polypropylene filters, aligning with the tobacco industry requirements for sustainable development.
Identification of molecular subtypes of dementia by using blood-proteins interaction-aware graph propagational network
Authors: Park Sunghong , Hong Chang Hyung , Son Sang Joon , Roh Hyun Woong , Kim Doyoon , Shin Hyunjung , Woo Hyun Goo
Published: September 2024

Plasma protein biomarkers have been considered promising tools for diagnosing dementia subtypes due to their low variability, cost-effectiveness, and minimal invasiveness in diagnostic procedures. Machine learning (ML) methods have been applied to enhance accuracy of the biomarker discovery. However, previous ML-based studies often overlook interactions between proteins, which are crucial in complex disorders like dementia. While protein–protein interactions (PPIs) have been used in network models, these models often fail to fully capture the diverse properties of PPIs due to their local awareness. This drawback increases the chance of neglecting critical components and magnifying the impact of noisy interactions. In this study, we propose a novel graph-based ML model for dementia subtype diagnosis, the graph propagational network (GPN). By propagating the independent effect of plasma proteins on PPI network, the GPN extracts the globally interactive effects between proteins. Experimental results showed that the interactive effect between proteins yielded to further clarify the differences between dementia subtype groups and contributed to the performance improvement where the GPN outperformed existing methods by 10.4% on average.
Robust detection of infectious disease, autoimmunity, and cancer from the paratope networks of adaptive immune receptors
Authors: Xu Zichang , Ismanto Hendra S , Saputri Dianita S , Haruna Soichiro , Sun Guanqun , Wilamowski Jan , Teraguchi Shunsuke , Sengupta Ayan , Li Songling , Standley Daron M
Published: September 2024

Liquid biopsies based on peripheral blood offer a minimally invasive alternative to solid tissue biopsies for the detection of diseases, primarily cancers. However, such tests currently consider only the serum component of blood, overlooking a potentially rich source of biomarkers: adaptive immune receptors (AIRs) expressed on circulating B and T cells. Machine learning–based classifiers trained on AIRs have been reported to accurately identify not only cancers but also autoimmune and infectious diseases as well. However, when using the conventional “clonotype cluster” representation of AIRs, individuals within a disease or healthy cohort exhibit vastly different features, limiting the generalizability of these classifiers. This study aimed to address the challenge of classifying specific diseases from circulating B or T cells by developing a novel representation of AIRs based on similarity networks constructed from their antigen-binding regions (paratopes). Features based on this novel representation, paratope cluster occupancies (PCOs), significantly improved disease classification performance for infectious disease, autoimmune disease, and cancer. Under identical methodological conditions, classifiers trained on PCOs achieved a mean AUC of 0.893 when applied to new individuals, outperforming clonotype cluster–based classifiers (AUC 0.714) and the best-performing published classifier (AUC 0.777). Surprisingly, for cancer patients, we observed that “healthy-biased” AIRs were predicted to target known cancer-associated antigens at dramatically higher rates than healthy AIRs as a whole (Z scores >75), suggesting an overlooked reservoir of cancer-targeting immune cells that could be identified by PCOs.
Wnt signaling activation confers a syncytiotrophoblast progenitor state on trophoblast stem cells of cynomolgus monkey
Authors: Matsumoto Shoma , Tanaka Satoshi
Published: September 2024

Trophoblast stem cells, derived from the trophectoderm of the blastocyst, are used as an in vitro model to reveal the mechanisms underlying placentation in mammals. In humans, suitable culture conditions for trophoblast stem cell derivation have recently been established. The established human trophoblast stem cells differentiate efficiently toward two trophoblast subtypes: syncytiotrophoblasts and extravillous trophoblasts. However, the efficiency of differentiation is lower in macaque trophoblast stem cells than in human trophoblast stem cells. Here, we demonstrate that the activation of Wnt signaling downregulated the expression of inhibitory G protein and induced trophoblastic lineage switching to the syncytiotrophoblast progenitor state. The treatment of macaque trophoblast stem cells with a GSK-3 inhibitor, CHIR99021, upregulated syncytiotrophoblast progenitor markers and enhanced proliferation. Under the Wnt signaling–activated conditions, macaque trophoblast stem cells effectively differentiated to syncytiotrophoblasts upon dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) and forskolin treatment. RNA-seq analyses revealed the downregulation of inhibitory G protein, which may make macaque trophoblast stem cells responsive to forskolin. Interestingly, this lineage switching appeared to be reversible as the macaque trophoblast stem cells lost responsiveness to forskolin upon the removal of CHIR99021. The ability to regulate the direction of macaque trophoblast stem cell differentiation would be advantageous in elucidating the mechanisms underlying placentation in non-human primates.
Peer power: how drug user groups navigate harm reduction in Surrey, British Columbia and resist the carceral state
Authors: Ma Michael C K ,   Surrey Union of Drug Users
Published: September 2024

The article discusses the Surrey Union of Drug Users (SUDU) in British Columbia, emphasizing harm reduction, safe supply, and destigmatization for drug users. As a peer-led group, SUDU actively resists carceral state policies. The analysis explores challenges faced by peer-led groups, including formation, sustainability, and mobilization efforts. It highlights the need for supportive frameworks to enhance peer-led harm reduction initiatives and argues that such advocacy enables alternative knowledge and institutional innovations that are conducive to building a real world abolitionist future.
Transcriptomic analysis of meiotic genes during the mitosis-to-meiosis transition in Drosophila females
Authors: Vallés Ana Maria , Rubin Thomas , Macaisne Nicolas , Dal Toe Laurine , Molla-Herman Anahi , Antoniewski Christophe , Huynh Jean-René
Published: September 2024

Germline cells produce gametes, which are specialized cells essential for sexual reproduction. Germline cells first amplify through several rounds of mitosis before switching to the meiotic program, which requires specific sets of proteins for DNA recombination, chromosome pairing, and segregation. Surprisingly, we previously found that some proteins of the synaptonemal complex, a prophase I meiotic structure, are already expressed and required in the mitotic region of Drosophila females. Here, to assess if additional meiotic genes were expressed earlier than expected, we isolated mitotic and meiotic cell populations to compare their RNA content. Our transcriptomic analysis reveals that all known meiosis I genes are already expressed in the mitotic region; however, only some of them are translated. As a case study, we focused on mei-W68, the Drosophila homolog of Spo11, to assess its expression at both the mRNA and protein levels and used different mutant alleles to assay for a premeiotic function. We could not detect any functional role for Mei-W68 during homologous chromosome pairing in dividing germ cells. Our study paves the way for further functional analysis of meiotic genes expressed in the mitotic region.
A Novel Next-Generation Sequencing Assay for the Identification of BCR::ABL1 Transcript Type and Accurate and Sensitive Detection of TKI-Resistant Mutations
Authors: Yan Zhenyu , Shi Lin , Li Wei , Liu Weihua , Galderisi Chad , Spittle Cynthia , Li Jin
Published: September 2024

Background

The clinical management of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients requires the identification of the type of BCR::ABL1 transcript at diagnosis and the monitoring of its expression and potential tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) resistance mutations during treatment. Detection of resistant mutation requires transcript type-specific amplification of BCR::ABL1 from RNA.

Methods

In this study, a custom RNA-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) assay (Dup-Seq BCR::ABL1) that enables (a) the identification of BCR::ABL1 transcript type and (b) the detection of resistance mutations from common and atypical BCR::ABL1 transcript types was developed and validated. The assay design covers BCR exon 1 to ABL1 exon 10 and employs duplicate PCR amplification for error correction. The custom data analysis pipeline enables breakpoint determination and overlapped mutation calling from duplicates, which minimizes the low-level mutation artifacts.

Results

This study demonstrates that this novel assay achieves high accuracy (positive percent agreement (PPA) for fusion: 98.5%; PPA and negative percent agreement (NPA) for mutation at 97.8% and 100.0%, respectively) and sensitivity (limit of detection (LOD) for mutation detection at 3% from 10 000 copies of BCR::ABL1 input).

Conclusions

The Dup-Seq BCR::ABL1 assay not only allows for the identification of BCR::ABL1 typical and atypical transcript types and accurate and sensitive detection of TKI-resistant mutations but also simplifies molecular testing work flow for the clinical management of CML patients.
New Protocol for Evaluating Maximum Inspiratory Pressure: Concurrent Validity and Test-Retest Reliability
Authors: López-de-Uralde-Villanueva Ibai , Fabero-Garrido Raúl , Rodríguez de Rivera Elena Alonso , Santana Rafael , Gotera-Rivera Carolina , Peces-Barba Germán , del Corral Tamara
Published: September 2024

Objective

The purpose of this study was to validate a maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) test protocol based on the principles of the 1-repetition maximum (1RM) test, assess its test-retest reliability, and establish minimal detectable change (MDC) in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods

Forty-nine individuals with COPD were included in the study, of whom 44 individuals attended 2 appointments separated by 7 to 10 days for test-retest reliability. The MIP test was performed using a threshold valve device (1RM-based protocol) and the digital manometer (reference test). The 1RM-based protocol consisted of an incremental phase (inspiratory load increase [10 cm H2O] to achieve respiratory failure) and an approach phase (load halfway between the lowest failed attempt and the last valid attempt was prescribed).

Results

The concurrent validity of the 1RM-based protocol for the MIP test was good with respect to the reference test (day 1, intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.81; day 2, ICC = 0.85). The test-retest reliability was excellent (ICC = 0.92), with a standard error of measurement of 6.3 cm H2O and a MDC of 17.5 cm H2O.

Conclusion

This study validated a new 1RM-based protocol for the MIP test using an inspiratory muscle training (IMT) device in individuals with COPD, showing good concurrent validity compared with the reference test, as well as excellent test-retest reliability. The MDC reported can be interpreted and applied in the clinical setting.

Impact

There was a need for developing new, inexpensive, simple, and feasible methods for the MIP test. The validation of the 1RM-based protocol addresses this issue, allowing for the appropriate prescription of IMT, favoring its widespread use in people with COPD, and therefore improving their physical therapist care.
Boosting impacts of Acacia nilotica against hepatic toxicity induced by gentamicin: biochemical, anti-inflammatory and immunohistochemical study
Authors: Althobaiti Saed A
Published: September 2024

It seems that gentamicin's toxicity to the liver is caused by reactive oxygen species production. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Acacia nilotica extract (AN) have been demonstrated in recent studies. This research focused on how AN's extract affected gentamicin-induced liver damage in rats. Twenty-four Wister rats of male type were divided into four groups: first group received saline as a control, second group received AN (5%) for fifteen days, group three received daily intraperitoneal injections of gentamicin (100 mg/kg) for fifteen days, and group four, as mentioned in groups 2 and 3, also received gentamicin injections and AN extraction (5%) for fifteen days. In order to conduct biochemical analysis, serum was extracted. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry analyses for hepatic toxicity were all performed on the collected tissue samples. Serum levels of ALT, AST, total bilirubin, and GGT were all elevated after using gentamicin. The inflammatory cytokines)IL-1, TNF-α and IL-6(, all were increased in gentamycin-injected group. There were showing deformity of bile duct, hepatocellular necrosis and infiltration of inflammatory cells congestion of portal vein, and hepatic sinusoids besides fibrosis of portal area (white arrows), hypertrophy in gentamycin-injected group compared to AN plus gentamycin administered rats. There were upregulation in the immunoreactivity of COX-2, IFNkB and TGF-beta1 (TGF-β1) in gentamycin intoxicated rats. When gentamicin and AN were administered together, hepatic biomarkers, inflammatory cytokines, histological, and immunohistochemical markers were all ameliorated by AN administration.
Forme fruste keratoconus detection with OCT corneal topography using artificial intelligence algorithms
Authors: Mourgues Eugénie , Saunier Virgile , Smadja David , Touboul David , Saunier Valentine
Published: September 2024

Purpose:

To differentiate a normal cornea from a forme fruste keratoconus (FFKC) with the swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) topography CASIA 2 using machine learning artificial intelligence algorithms.

Setting:

Monocentric, performed in CHU Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.

Design:

Retrospective case–control.

Methods:

3 groups were included: KC group (108 eyes), FFKC (88 eyes), and normal corneas (162 eyes). The data were analyzed and processed using the Dataiku data science platform. Machine learning models (random forest [RF], logistic regression [LR]) were used to develop a multiclass classifier for automated early KC detection. The models were trained using a training database and tested using a test database. Then, algorithms were compared with the Ectasia Screening Index (ESI), which is an OCT-topography inherent screening score for ectasia.

Results:

The LR and RF detected FFKC with an area under the curve of 0.99 and 0.98, respectively. The sensitivities of LR (100%) and RF (84%) were better than the ESI (28%) for the diagnosis of FFKC. However, ESI has a maximum specificity (100%) compared with the LR (100%) and 90% for RF.

Conclusions:

This study identified discriminating topographic parameters to be considered in refractive surgery screening on SS-OCT CASIA 2. An algorithm capable of classifying normal eyes vs FFKC cases was developed, with improved performance compared with the ESI score.
A rapid-response soft end effector inspired by the hummingbird beak
Authors: Shen Jiajia , Garrad Martin , Zhang Qicheng , Wong Vico Chun Hei , Pirrera Alberto , Groh Rainer M. J.
Published: September 2024

Biology is a wellspring of inspiration in engineering design. This paper delves into the application of elastic instabilities—commonly used in biological systems to facilitate swift movement—as a power-amplification mechanism for soft robots. Specifically, inspired by the nonlinear mechanics of the hummingbird beak—and shedding further light on it—we design, build and test a novel, rapid-response, soft end effector. The hummingbird beak embodies the capacity for swift movement, achieving closure in less than

10

ms

. Previous work demonstrated that rapid movement is achieved through snap-through deformations, induced by muscular actuation of the beak’s root. Using nonlinear finite element simulations coupled with continuation algorithms, we unveil a representative portion of the equilibrium manifold of the beak-inspired structure. The exploration involves the application of a sequence of rotations as exerted by the hummingbird muscles. Specific emphasis is placed on pinpointing and tailoring the position along the manifold of the saddle-node bifurcation at which the onset of elastic instability triggers dynamic snap-through. We show the critical importance of the intermediate rotation input in the sequence, as it results in the accumulation of elastic energy that is then explosively released as kinetic energy upon snap-through. Informed by our numerical studies, we conduct experimental testing on a prototype end effector fabricated using a compliant material (thermoplastic polyurethane). The experimental results support the trends observed in the numerical simulations and demonstrate the effectiveness of the bio-inspired design. Specifically, we measure the energy transferred by the soft end effector to a pendulum, varying the input levels in the sequence of prescribed rotations. Additionally, we demonstrate a potential robotic application in scenarios demanding explosive action. From a mechanics perspective, our work sheds light on how pre-stress fields can enable swift movement in soft robotic systems with the potential to facilitate high input-to-output energy efficiency.