bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapping hailstorm damage on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using a microscale UAV hyperspectral approach
Authors: Furlanetto Jacopo , Dal Ferro Nicola , Caceffo Daniele , Morari Francesco
Published: November 2023

Hailstorms pose a direct threat to agriculture, often causing yield losses and worsening farmers’ agricultural activity. Traditional methods of hail damage estimation, conducted by insurance field inspectors, have been questioned due to their complexity, partial subjectivity, and lack of accounting for spatial variability. Therefore, remote sensing integration in the estimation process could provide a valuable aid. The focus of this study was on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and its response to damage in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral region, with a particular emphasis on the study of brown pigments as a proxy for yield damage estimation and mapping. An experiment was conducted during two cropping seasons (2020–2021 and 2021–2022) at two sites, simulating hail damage at critical flowering and milky stages using a specifically designed prototype machinery with low, medium, and high damage gradients compared to undamaged conditions in plots with a minimum of 400 m2 area. After the damage simulation, hyperspectral visible-NIR reflectance was measured with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flights, and measurements of chlorophyll and of leaf area index (LAI) were contextually taken. Final yield per treatment was recorded using a combine. An increase in absorbance in the NIR region (780–950 nm) was observed and evaluated using a spectral mixture analysis (SMA) after selecting representative damaged and undamaged vegetation spectra to map the damage. The abundance of damaged endmember pixels per treatment resulted in a good relationship with the final yield (R2 = 0.73), identifying the most damaged areas. The absorbance feature was further analysed with a newly designed multispectral index (TAI), which was tested against a selection of indices and resulted in the highest relationship with the final yield (R2 = 0.64). Both approaches were effective in highlighting the absorbance feature over different dates and development stages, defining an effective mean for hailstorm damage mapping in winter wheat.
The role of first-language heterogeneity in the acquisition of online interaction self-efficacy in CSCL
Authors: Reich-Stiebert Natalia , Voltmer Jan-Bennet , Raimann Jennifer , Stürmer Stefan
Published: November 2023

The acquisition of online interaction competencies is an important learning objective. The present study explored the relationships between the first-language heterogeneity of computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) groups and the development of students’ online interaction self-efficacy via a pretest–posttest design in the context of a nine-week CSCL course. The research participants were 1525 freshmen receiving distance education who were randomly assigned to 343 CSCL groups. Independent of their own language status, students in CSCL groups featuring first-language heterogeneity exhibited lower precourse–postcourse gains in online interaction self-efficacy than students in groups without heterogeneity. Consistent with a theoretically derived moderation model, the relationships between first-language heterogeneity and self-efficacy gains were moderated by the amount of time that the groups spent on task-related communication during the initial collaboration phase (i.e., the relationships were significant when little time was spent on it but not when a great deal of time was spent on it). In contrast, the amount of time that groups spent on communication related to getting to know each other was ineffective as a significant moderator. Follow-up analyses indicated that time spent getting to know each other in first-language heterogeneous CSCL groups seems to have had the paradoxical effect of increasing rather than decreasing perceptions of heterogeneity among group members. Apparently, this effect impaired online interaction self-efficacy gains.
Simulation of a Sensitive Mid-infrared (MIR) D-Shaped Optical Fiber Water Pollutant Sensor
Authors: Younis B. M. , Dawood Nada Yazeed M. , Abd-Elkader Ahmed El-Sayed , Furniss David , Farries Mark , Phang Sendy , Benson Trevor M. , Seddon Angela B. , Hameed Mohamed Farhat O. , Obayya S. S. A.
Published: November 2023

In this work, an efficient optical sensor is proposed for the sensitive detection of various pollutants in water. The suggested optical sensor is based on an indium fluoride (InF3) glass fabricated as a D-shaped optical fiber. The polished surface of the D-shaped fiber is coated with a gold grating to induce the surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The SPR depends on the optical properties of the polluted water analyte in physical contact with the grating. The proposed optical SPR fiber sensor operates within the mid-infrared (MIR) range (3000–4500 nm) to detect any slight change in the water refractive index (RI) due to any pollutants. The full vectorial finite element method (FVFEM) is utilized to calculate the modal properties of the reported sensor. High sensor sensitivity of 17,834 nm/RIU (refractive index units) is achieved for the detection of dissolution of nitric acid (HNO3) in water at a concentration of 14% v/v (volume/volume). Additionally, the reported sensor detects the dissolution of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in water investigated at concentrations of 15% v/v and 30% v/v, with sensitivities of 12,308 nm/RIU and 17,143 nm/RIU, respectively. Further, suspending polystyrene beads of diameter 0.1 μm in the water at a concentration of 10% v/v gives a maximum sensitivity of 5333 nm/RIU. Therefore, the proposed sensor provides a promising approach for the detection of water pollutants in the MIR wavelength regime, rather than the weaker response in the near infrared.
HFRAS: design of a high-density feature representation model for effective augmentation of satellite images
Authors: Saini Dipen , Garg Rachit , Malik Rahul , Prashar Deepak , Faheem M.
Published: November 2023

Efficiently extracting features from satellite images is crucial for classification and post-processing activities. Many feature representation models have been created for this purpose. However, most of them either increase computational complexity or decrease classification efficiency. The proposed model in this paper initially collects a set of available satellite images and represents them via a hybrid of long short-term memory (LSTM) and gated recurrent unit (GRU) features. These features are processed via an iterative genetic algorithm, identifying optimal augmentation methods for the extracted feature sets. To analyse the efficiency of this optimization process, we model an iterative fitness function that assists in incrementally improving the classification process. The fitness function uses an accuracy & precision-based feedback mechanism, which helps in tuning the hyperparameters of the proposed LSTM & GRU feature extraction process. The suggested model used 100 k images, 60% allocated for training and 20% each designated for validation and testing purposes. The proposed model can increase classification precision by 16.1% and accuracy by 17.1% compared to conventional augmentation strategies. The model also showcased incremental accuracy enhancements for an increasing number of training image sets.
Hydrogen-Mediated Photoelectrocatalysis with Nickel-Modified Poly(Heptazine Imides)
Authors: Blaskievicz Sirlon F. , Teixeira Ivo F. , Mascaro Lucia H. , Carta Mariolino , McKeown Neil B. , Zhao Yuanzhu , Marken Frank
Published: November 2023

Polymeric carbon nitrides (C3N4) are photochemically active organic semiconductors that can be produced in a wide range of structural types. Here, a poly-(heptazine imide) containing nickel single atoms (Ni-PHI) is employed for photochemical hydrogen production and is compared to the non-nickel-doped semiconductor. Film deposits are formed on a platinum disk electrode (to detect hydrogen) and a coating of the molecularly rigid polymer of intrinsic microporosity PIM-1 is applied to (i) mechanically stabilize the photo-catalyst film without impeding photocatalysis and (ii) assist in the interfacial hydrogen capture/oxygen suppression process. In the presence of hole quenchers such as methanol or ethanol, anodic photocurrents linked to hydrogen production/oxidation are observed. A comparison with an experiment on glassy carbon confirms the formation of interfacial hydrogen as a mediator. The effects of hole quencher concentration are evaluated. The system Pt/Ni-PHI/PIM-1 is employed in a single-compartment photo-fuel cell.

Graphical Abstract
On spaces with a $$\pi $$-base with elements with compact closure
Authors: Bella Angelo , Carlson Nathan , Gotchev Ivan S.
Published: November 2023

In this paper we show that if X is a $$T_1$$

T
1

-space with a $$\pi $$
π
-base whose elements have compact closure, then $$d(X)\le c(X)\cdot 2^{\psi (X)}$$

d

(
X
)

≤
c

(
X
)

·

2

ψ
(
X
)

and therefore, for such spaces we have $$d(X)^{\psi (X)} = c(X)^{\psi (X)}$$

d

(
X
)

ψ
(
X
)

=
c

(
X
)

ψ
(
X
)

. This result allows us to restate several known upper bounds of the cardinality of a Hausdorff space X by replacing in them d(X) with c(X). In addition, we show that for such spaces X Šapirovskiĭ’s inequality $$d(X)\le \pi \chi (X)^{c(X)}$$

d

(
X
)

≤
π
χ

(
X
)

c
(
X
)

, which is known to be true for regular Hausdorff spaces, is also valid. In the case when the space X is in addition sequential or radial, we show that $$|X|\le 2^{c(X)}$$

|
X
|

≤

2

c
(
X
)

. This result extends two theorems of Arhangel$$'$$

′

skiĭ to the class of Hausdorff spaces with a $$\pi $$
π
-base whose elements have compact closures. We also show that spaces with a $$\pi $$
π
-base with elements with compact closures are $$\alpha $$
α
-favorable in the Banach–Mazur game, which implies such spaces are Baire. It was shown in Bella et al. (Quaest Math 46(4):745–760, 2023) that if a Hausdorff space X has a $$\pi $$
π
-base consisting of elements with compact closure, then $$|X|\le 2^{wL(X)t(X)\psi _c(X)}$$

|
X
|

≤

2

w
L

(
X
)

t

(
X
)

ψ
c

(
X
)

. We give a variation of this result by showing $$|X|\le \pi \chi (X)^{wL(X)\textrm{ot}(X)\psi _c(X)}$$

|
X
|

≤
π
χ

(
X
)

w
L

(
X
)

ot

(
X
)

ψ
c

(
X
)

for such a space X. Note that since $$wL(X)\textrm{ot}(X)\le c(X)$$

w
L
(
X
)
ot
(
X
)
≤
c
(
X
)

, this result is at least as good as that given by Sun (Proc Am Math Soc 104:313–316, 1988). We also give a possible improvement of the bound in Bella et al. (2023) by showing that $$|X|\le 2^{wL(X)wt(X)\psi _c(X)}$$

|
X
|

≤

2

w
L

(
X
)

w
t

(
X
)

ψ
c

(
X
)

for a Hausdorff space X with a $$\pi $$
π
-base consisting of elements with compact closure. This uses the weak tightness wt(X) defined in Carlson (Topol Appl 249:103–111, 2018), which has the property $$\textrm{ot}(X)\le wt(X)\le t(X)$$

ot
(
X
)
≤
w
t
(
X
)
≤
t
(
X
)

. We also show that if X is a Hausdorff homogeneous space with a $$\pi $$
π
-base consisting of elements with compact closure (such spaces are locally compact), then $$|X|\le wL(X)^{wt(X)\pi \chi (X)}$$

|
X
|

≤
w
L

(
X
)

w
t
(
X
)
π
χ
(
X
)

. This generalizes the result in Bella and Carlson (Monatsh Math 192(1):39–48, 2020) that if X is a homogeneous compactum, then $$|X|\le 2^{wt(X)\pi \chi (X)}$$

|
X
|

≤

2

w
t
(
X
)
π
χ
(
X
)

.
Health-related quality of life in early onset scoliosis patients treated with the spring distraction system: what to expect in the first 2 years after surgery
Authors: Lemans Justin V. C. , Top Anouk , Tabeling Casper S. , Scholten E. Pauline , Stempels Hilde W. , Schlösser Tom P. C. , Castelein René M. , Kruyt Moyo C.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The Spring Distraction System (SDS) is a novel “growth-friendly” implant for the treatment of Early-Onset Scoliosis (EOS). This prospective study aims to determine the evolution of the “24-Item Early-Onset Scoliosis Questionnaire” (EOSQ-24) scores during 2-year follow-up after SDS surgery. Secondary aims include investigating the relation between EOSQ-24 scores and EOS etiology, and evaluating the impact of an unplanned return to the operating room (UPROR) on HRQoL.

Methods

All SDS patients with at least 2-year follow-up were included. Caregivers completed the EOSQ-24 pre-operatively, post-operatively, and at 6, 12, and 24 month follow-up. Mean total and -domain scores were graphed over time. Repeated-measures ANOVA analyzed the influence of etiology on EOSQ-24 scores. Multiple regression analyzed associations between UPRORs and EOSQ-24 scores.

Results

Forty-nine patients were included. Mean total EOSQ-24 scores decreased from 70 pre-operatively to 66 post-operatively, then gradually increased to 75 (24 months). Most domains exhibited changes over time, with initial declines, but eventually surpassing pre-operative levels after 2-year follow-up. Neuromuscular/Syndromic patients had lower scores, but showed similar improvements over time compared with other etiologies. Multiple regression showed lower Parental Burden domain score (− 14 points) in patients with UPRORs, although no significant reductions were found in total score, or in other domains.

Conclusion

HRQoL decreases immediately following SDS surgery but quickly recovers and exceeds pre-operative levels at 2-year follow-up in all domains. Neuromuscular/Syndromic patients have lower initial scores, but progress similarly over time. UPRORs do not influence EOSQ-24 scores, except for a negative impact on the Parental Burden domain in the short term.

Level of Evidence

III.
VogCast: A Framework for Modeling Volcanic Air Pollution and Its Application to the 2022 Eruption of Mauna Loa Volcano, Hawai'i
Authors: Moisseeva N. , Businger S. , Elias T.
Published: November 2023

Volcanic activity and the associated gas emissions into the atmosphere often result in adverse air quality conditions and present a hazard to human health and the environment. Building on a decade‐long effort to provide operational surface sulfur dioxide and sulfate aerosol forecasts for the State of Hawai'i, we present an air quality modeling framework called VogCast. VogCast is designed to simplify ensemble air quality prediction on a regional scale by linking together multiple state‐of‐the‐art models of meteorology, emissions, and dispersion. The framework is open‐source and introduces a new dynamic plume‐rise algorithm for distributing pollutants vertically. Using radar and satellite data, we demonstrate that VogCast reasonably captured the mean injection height, the location, and the general envelope of the vog plume during Mauna Loa's 2022 eruption. The results suggest that during the 12‐day eruption period model performance varied between days with trade and non‐trade wind conditions. Our findings also highlight the importance of sulfur dioxide emission rate and vent parameter inputs for improving forecast accuracy. The broad goal of this work is to better our understanding of vog dispersion and improve air quality prediction for impacted communities.
VPS35 promotes gastric cancer progression through integrin/FAK/SRC signalling-mediated IL-6/STAT3 pathway activation in a YAP-dependent manner
Authors: Zhou Qingqing , Qi Feng , Zhou Chenfei , Ji Jun , Jiang Jinling , Wang Chao , Zhao Qianfu , Jin Yangbing , Wu Junwei , Cai Qu , Tian Hua , Zhang Jun
Published: November 2023

VPS35 is a key subunit of the retromer complex responsible for recognising cytosolic retrieval signals in cargo and is involved in neurodegenerative disease and tumour progression. However, the function and molecular mechanism of VPS35 in gastric cancer (GC) remains largely unknown. Here, we demonstrated that VPS35 was significantly upregulated in GC, which was associated with poor survival. VPS35 promoted GC cell proliferation and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, VPS35 activated FAK-SRC kinases through integrin-mediated outside-in signalling, leading to the activation of YAP and subsequent IL-6 expression induction in tumour cells. What’s more, combined mass spectrometry analysis of MGC-803 cell and bioinformatic analysis, we found that phosphorylation of VPS35 was enhanced in GC cells, and phosphorylated VPS35 has enhanced interaction with ITGB3. VPS35 interacted with ITGB3 and affected the recycling of ITGB3 in GC cells. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments revealed that VPS35 promoted tumour proliferation and metastasis via the IL-6/STAT3 pathway. Interestingly, we also found that STAT3 directly bound to the VPS35 promoter and increased VPS35 transcription, thereby establishing a positive regulatory feedback loop. In addition, we demonstrated that VPS35 knockdown sensitised GC cells to 5-FU and cisplatin. These findings provide evidence that VPS35 promotes tumour proliferation and metastasis, and highlight the potential of targeting VPS35- and IL-6/STAT3-mediated tumour interactions as promising therapeutic strategies for GC.
Regulated secretion of mutant p53 negatively affects T lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Dong Xiang , Li Chunlu , Deng Chengsi , Liu Jingwei , Li Danni , Zhou Tingting , Yang Xindi , Liu Yunchan , Guo Qiqiang , Feng Yanling , Yu Yang , Wang Zhuo , Guo Wendong , Zhang Siyi , Cui Hongyan , Jiang Cui , Wang Xiwen , Song Xiaoyu , Sun Xun , Cao Liu
Published: November 2023

Several studies have demonstrated the role of the oncogenic mutant p53 in promoting tumor progression; however, there is limited information on the effects of secreted oncogenic mutant p53 on the tumor microenvironment and tumor immune escape. In this study, we found that secretion of mutant p53, determined by exosome content, is dependent on its N-terminal dileucine motif via its binding to β-adaptin, and inhibited by the CHK2-mediated-Ser 20 phosphorylation. Moreover, we observed that the mutant p53 caused downregulation and dysfunction of CD4+ T lymphocytes in vivo and downregulated the levels and activities of rate-limiting glycolytic enzymes in vitro. Furthermore, inhibition of mutant p53 secretion by knocking down AP1B1 or mutation of dileucine motif could reverse the quantity and function of CD4+ T lymphocytes and restrain the tumor growth. Our study demonstrates that the tumor-derived exosome-mediated secretion of oncogenic mutant p53 inhibits glycolysis to alter the immune microenvironment via functional suppression of CD4+ T cells, which may be the underlying mechanism for tumor immune escape. Therefore, targeting TDE-mediated p53 secretion may serve as a potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment.
Maternal depression and child development at 3 years of age: a longitudinal study in a Brazilian child development promotion program
Authors: Santos Iná S. , Blumenberg Cauane , Munhoz Tiago N. , Matijasevich Alicia , Salum Cristiane , Santos Júnior Hernane G. , dos Santos Letícia Marques , Correia Luciano L. , de Souza Marta Rovery , Lira Pedro I. C. , Bortolotto Caroline C. , Barcelos Raquel , Altafim Elisa , Chicaro Marina Fragata , Macana Esmeralda Correa , da Silva Ronaldo Souza
Published: November 2023

Background

We tested the hypothesis that children of non-depressed mothers perform better in a developmental test at 3 years than children of depressed mothers.

Method

Longitudinal analysis from a trial to assess the impact of a child development promotion program in 30 Brazilian municipalities. Mothers and children were appraised at first-year post-partum, 1 and 3 years after enrollment. Child development was assessed through the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ3) and maternal depression through the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Crude and adjusted beta coefficients were obtained by linear regression before and after multiple imputation.

Results

In total, 2098 mother/child dyads were included and 8.2% of the mothers had persistent depressive symptoms. There was a decrease in ASQ3 as the number of follow-ups with EPDS ≥ 10 increased (p for trend <0.001). In adjusted analysis, the direction of the association persisted but lost statistical significance. After multiple imputation, children from mothers with EPDS ≥ 10 in three follow-ups presented a decrease of about 14 points in ASQ3 (adjusted beta coefficient = −13.79; −22.59 to −5.00) (p for trend = 0.001).

Conclusions

Identification of women at increased risk of depression should be among the primary health care sector priorities in maternal and child health in Brazil.

Impact

In our population study, almost one in every ten women presented persistent depression symptoms across the first 3 years postpartum. In adjusted analysis there was a detrimental impact of persistent maternal depression on child development at 3 years of age. The persistent exposure to maternal depression across early childhood negatively influences children’s development. Considering its prevalence, identification of women at increased risk of depression should be among the primary health care sector priorities in maternal and child health in Brazil.
A brain model of altered self-appraisal in social anxiety disorder
Authors: Jamieson Alec J. , Harrison Ben J. , Delahoy Rebekah , Schmaal Lianne , Felmingham Kim L. , Phillips Lisa , Davey Christopher G.
Published: November 2023

The brain’s default mode network has a central role in the processing of information concerning oneself. Dysfunction in this self-referential processing represents a key component of multiple mental health conditions, particularly social anxiety disorder (SAD). This case-control study aimed to clarify alterations to network dynamics present during self-appraisal in SAD participants. A total of 38 adolescents and young adults with SAD and 72 healthy control participants underwent a self-referential processing fMRI task. The task involved two primary conditions of interest: direct self-appraisal (thinking about oneself) and reflected self-appraisal (thinking about how others might think about oneself). Dynamic causal modeling and parametric empirical Bayes were then used to explore differences in the effective connectivity of the default mode network between groups. We observed connectivity differences between SAD and healthy control participants in the reflected self-appraisal but not the direct self-appraisal condition. Specifically, SAD participants exhibited greater excitatory connectivity from the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) to medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) and greater inhibitory connectivity from the inferior parietal lobule (IPL) to MPFC. In contrast, SAD participants exhibited reduced intrinsic connectivity in the absence of task modulation. This was illustrated by reduced excitatory connectivity from the PCC to MPFC and reduced inhibitory connectivity from the IPL to MPFC. As such, participants with SAD showed changes to afferent connections to the MPFC which occurred during both reflected self-appraisal as well as intrinsically. The presence of connectivity differences in reflected and not direct self-appraisal is consistent with the characteristic fear of negative social evaluation that is experienced by people with SAD.
Mangrove removal exacerbates estuarine infilling through landscape-scale bio-morphodynamic feedbacks
Authors: Xie Danghan , Schwarz Christian , Kleinhans Maarten G. , Bryan Karin R. , Coco Giovanni , Hunt Stephen , van Maanen Barend
Published: November 2023

Changes in upstream land-use have significantly transformed downstream coastal ecosystems around the globe. Restoration of coastal ecosystems often focuses on local-scale processes, thereby overlooking landscape-scale interactions that can ultimately determine restoration outcomes. Here we use an idealized bio-morphodynamic model, based on estuaries in New Zealand, to investigate the effects of both increased sediment inputs caused by upstream deforestation following European settlement and mangrove removal on estuarine morphology. Our results show that coastal mangrove removal initiatives, guided by knowledge on local-scale bio-morphodynamic feedbacks, cannot mitigate estuarine mud-infilling and restore antecedent sandy ecosystems. Unexpectedly, removal of mangroves enhances estuary-scale sediment trapping due to altered sedimentation patterns. Only reductions in upstream sediment supply can limit estuarine muddification. Our study demonstrates that bio-morphodynamic feedbacks can have contrasting effects at local and estuary scales. Consequently, human interventions like vegetation removal can lead to counterintuitive responses in estuarine landscape behavior that impede restoration efforts, highlighting that more holistic management approaches are needed.
Holographic codes from hyperinvariant tensor networks
Authors: Steinberg Matthew , Feld Sebastian , Jahn Alexander
Published: November 2023

Holographic quantum-error correcting codes are models of bulk/boundary dualities such as the anti-de Sitter/conformal field theory (AdS/CFT) correspondence, where a higher-dimensional bulk geometry is associated with the code’s logical degrees of freedom. Previous discrete holographic codes based on tensor networks have reproduced the general code properties expected from continuum AdS/CFT, such as complementary recovery. However, the boundary states of such tensor networks typically do not exhibit the expected correlation functions of CFT boundary states. In this work, we show that a new class of exact holographic codes, extending the previously proposed hyperinvariant tensor networks into quantum codes, produce the correct boundary correlation functions. This approach yields a dictionary between logical states in the bulk and the critical renormalization group flow of boundary states. Furthermore, these codes exhibit a state-dependent breakdown of complementary recovery as expected from AdS/CFT under small quantum gravity corrections.
Resorbable barrier polymers for flexible bioelectronics
Authors: McDonald Samantha M. , Yang Quansan , Hsu Yen-Hao , Nikam Shantanu P. , Hu Ziying , Wang Zilu , Asheghali Darya , Yen Tiffany , Dobrynin Andrey V. , Rogers John A. , Becker Matthew L.
Published: November 2023

Resorbable, implantable bioelectronic devices are emerging as powerful tools to reliably monitor critical physiological parameters in real time over extended periods. While degradable magnesium-based electronics have pioneered this effort, relatively short functional lifetimes have slowed clinical translation. Barrier films that are both flexible and resorbable over predictable timelines would enable tunability in device lifetime and expand the viability of these devices. Herein, we present a library of stereocontrolled succinate-based copolyesters which leverage copolymer composition and processing method to afford tunability over thermomechanical, crystalline, and barrier properties. One copolymer composition within this library has extended the functional lifetime of transient bioelectronic prototypes over existing systems by several weeks–representing a considerable step towards translational devices.
Diatomic iron nanozyme with lipoxidase-like activity for efficient inactivation of enveloped virus
Authors: Li Beibei , Ma Ruonan , Chen Lei , Zhou Caiyu , Zhang Yu-Xiao , Wang Xiaonan , Huang Helai , Hu Qikun , Zheng Xiaobo , Yang Jiarui , Shao Mengjuan , Hao Pengfei , Wu Yanfen , Che Yizhen , Li Chang , Qin Tao , Gao Lizeng , Niu Zhiqiang , Li Yadong
Published: November 2023

Enveloped viruses encased within a lipid bilayer membrane are highly contagious and can cause many infectious diseases like influenza and COVID-19, thus calling for effective prevention and inactivation strategies. Here, we develop a diatomic iron nanozyme with lipoxidase-like (LOX-like) activity for the inactivation of enveloped virus. The diatomic iron sites can destruct the viral envelope via lipid peroxidation, thus displaying non-specific virucidal property. In contrast, natural LOX exhibits low antiviral performance, manifesting the advantage of nanozyme over the natural enzyme. Theoretical studies suggest that the Fe-O-Fe motif can match well the energy levels of Fe2 minority β-spin d orbitals and pentadiene moiety π* orbitals, and thus significantly lower the activation barrier of cis,cis-1,4-pentadiene moiety in the vesicle membrane. We showcase that the diatomic iron nanozyme can be incorporated into air purifier to disinfect airborne flu virus. The present strategy promises a future application in comprehensive biosecurity control.
The rock damage mechanism of combined rock breaking with saw blade and conical pick
Authors: Wang Zhiwen , Zeng Qingliang , Wan Lirong , Lu Zhenguo , Jiang Hongxiang , Dewangan Saurabh
Published: November 2023

The combined rock breaking method with the saw blade and conical pick is proposed to improve the rock breaking efficiency. The numerical simulation of combined rock breaking with the saw blade and conical pick is established to investigate the rock damage mechanism. And verified and modified the numerical simulation model with the rock breaking comprehensive test bench, the quantitative analysis error is less than 0.05, indicated quantitative analysis system is accuracy. The result indicated that the cutting parameters of the saw blade and conical pick affect the rock damage. And the cutting parameters of conical pick and structural parameters of rock plate have been studied to influence rock breaking volume. The research result could help optimize the cutting parameters of the saw blade and conical pick to improve the rock breaking efficiency.
Atomistic-geometry inspired structure-composition-property relations of hydrogen sII hydrates
Authors: Jafari Daghalian Sofla Sahar , Servio Phillip , Rey Alejandro D.
Published: November 2023

Gas hydrates are crystalline inclusion compounds formed by trapping gas molecules inside water cages at high pressures and low temperatures. Hydrates are promising materials for hydrogen storage, but their potential depends on understanding their mechanical properties. This work integrates density functional theory (DFT) simulations with a geometry-inspired composite material model to explore the bulk moduli of structure II hydrogen hydrates subjected to pressure loads of − 0.2 to 3 GPa, representative of the hydrogen hydrate formation conditions. Our findings reveal that structure II hydrate comprises a bi-continuous composite of small and large cages with nearly equal volume fractions. The bulk modulus increases with rising pressure but decreases with increasing composition. Notably, these results align closely with the ideal laws of mixtures, especially at low pressures and compositions, where cage interactions are minimal. This integrated DFT-laws of mixtures methodology provides a key database for fast estimation of hydrate mechanical properties without costly computations.
Development and evaluation of a clinical decision support system for early diagnosis of acute appendicitis
Authors: Shahmoradi Leila , Safdari Reza , Mirhosseini Mir Mikail , Rezayi Sorayya , Javaherzadeh Mojtaba
Published: November 2023

The most frequent reason for individuals experiencing abdominal discomfort to be referred to emergency departments of hospitals is acute appendicitis, and the most frequent emergency surgery performed is an appendectomy. The purpose of this study was to design and develop an intelligent clinical decision support system for the timely and accurate diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The number of participants which is equal to 181 was chosen as the sample size for developing and evaluating neural networks. The information was gathered from the medical files of patients who underwent appendicectomies at Shahid Modarres Hospital as well as from the findings of their appendix samples' pathological tests. The diagnostic outcomes were then ascertained by the development and comparison of a Multilayer Perceptron network (MLP) and a Support Vector Machine (SVM) system in the MATLAB environment. The SVM algorithm functioned as the central processing unit in the Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) that was built. The intelligent appendicitis diagnostic system was subsequently developed utilizing the Java programming language. Technical evaluation and system usability testing were both done as part of the software evaluation process. Comparing the output of the optimized artificial neural network of the SVM with the pathology result showed that the network's sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 91.7%, 96.2%, and 95%, respectively, in diagnosing acute appendicitis. Based on the existing standards and the opinions of general surgeons, and also comparing the results with the diagnostic accuracy of general surgeons, findings indicated the proper functioning of the network for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The use of this system in medical centers is useful for purposes such as timely diagnosis and prevention of negative appendectomy, reducing patient hospital stays and treatment costs, and improving the patient referral system.
A novel test for type-I allergy based on crosslink formation of immunoglobulin-E receptors by allergen-specific immunoglobulin-E antibodies and an allergen
Authors: Koga Yuki , Ishii Soichiro , Yokooji Tomoharu , Yamamoto Konomi , Ogino Ryohei , Taogoshi Takanori , Matsuo Hiroaki
Published: November 2023

Detection of allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies (Abs) in serum would allow for screening of the causative allergen in patients with type-I allergy. In this study, we developed a new assay method to detect allergen-specific IgE Abs, which involved crosslinking the plural FcεRIα molecules with an allergen and detection using an amplified luminescence proximity homogeneous assay (AlphaCL). First, the allergen concentration, bead concentrations, and incubation time were optimized for the detection of anti-2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE Abs in buffer. Under optimal conditions, AlphaCL was able to detect DNP-specific IgE Abs in simulated human serum at levels comparable to those in serum from type-I allergic patients. When AlphaCL was used to detect anti-DNP IgE Abs, no signal counts were obtained with the monovalent allergen 2,4-dinitrophenylated poly-γ-glutamic acid, whereas high signal counts were obtained with the multivalent allergen DNP-BSA. This confirmed that AlphaCL could specifically detect allergen-specific IgE Abs with the ability to crosslink a multivalent allergen. In summary, we have established a new assay model using AlphaCL to detect allergen-specific IgE Abs with FcεRIα crosslinking ability in human serum. This simple and practical assay model may be applied as a new diagnostic tool for patients with type-I allergy.
Ketone body β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) preserves mitochondrial bioenergetics
Authors: Llorente-Folch I. , Düssmann H. , Watters O. , Connolly N. M. C. , Prehn Jochen H. M.
Published: November 2023

The ketogenic diet is an emerging therapeutic approach for refractory epilepsy, as well as certain rare and neurodegenerative disorders. The main ketone body, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), is the primary energy substrate endogenously produced in a ketogenic diet, however, mechanisms of its therapeutic actions remain unknown. Here, we studied the effects of BHB on mitochondrial energetics, both in non-stimulated conditions and during glutamate-mediated hyperexcitation. We found that glutamate-induced hyperexcitation stimulated mitochondrial respiration in cultured cortical neurons, and that this response was greater in cultures supplemented with BHB than with glucose. BHB enabled a stronger and more sustained maximal uncoupled respiration, indicating that BHB enables neurons to respond more efficiently to increased energy demands such as induced during hyperexcitation. We found that cytosolic Ca2+ was required for BHB-mediated enhancement of mitochondrial function, and that this enhancement was independent of the mitochondrial glutamate-aspartate carrier, Aralar/AGC1. Our results suggest that BHB exerts its protective effects against hyperexcitation by enhancing mitochondrial function through a Ca2+-dependent, but Aralar/AGC1-independent stimulation of mitochondrial respiration.
Features extraction from multi-spectral remote sensing images based on multi-threshold binarization
Authors: Rusyn Bohdan , Lutsyk Oleksiy , Kosarevych Rostyslav , Maksymyuk Taras , Gazda Juraj
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we propose a solution to resolve the limitation of deep CNN models in real-time applications. The proposed approach uses multi-threshold binarization over the whole multi-spectral remote sensing image to extract the vector of discriminative features for classification. We compare the classification accuracy and the training time of the proposed approach with ResNet and Ensemble CNN models. The proposed approach shows a significant advantage in accuracy for small datasets, while keeping very close recall score to both deep CNN models for larger datasets. On the other hand, regardless of the dataset size, the proposed multi-threshold binarization provides approximately 5 times lower training and inference time than both ResNet and Ensemble CNN models.
Comparison of adaptive optical scanning holography based on new evaluation methods
Authors: Duan Jilu , Zhang Yaping , Yao Yongwei , Fu Qingyang , Zhang Bing , Tsang P. W. M. , Poon Ting-Chung
Published: November 2023

Adaptive Optical Scanning Holography (AOSH) represents a powerful technique that employs an adaptive approach to selectively omit certain lines within holograms, guided by the utilization of Normalized-Mean-Error (NME) as a predictive measure. This approach effectively diminishes scanning time and conserves the storage space required for data preservation. However, there exists alternative methods superior to NME in terms of evaluating the model’s efficacy. This paper introduces two novel methods, namely Normalized-Root-Mean-Square-Error (NRMSE) and Normalized-Mean-Square-Error (NMSE), into the AOSH system, leading to the development of NRMSE-AOSH and NMSE-AOSH. These new systems aim to further minimize duration of holographic recording. Through a comparative analysis of hologram lines between the two newly proposed AOSH systems and the original AOSH, we demonstrate that both NRMSE-AOSH and NMSE-AOSH effectively reduce the number of hologram lines while maintaining the hologram’s informational content. Among the three methods, our two new methods exhibit better performance compared with the original method.
Record of 3H and 36Cl from the Fukushima nuclear accident recovered from soil water in the unsaturated zone at Koriyama
Authors: Ohta Tomoko , Fifield L. Keith , Palcsu László , Tims Stephen G. , Pavetich Stefan , Mahara Yasunori
Published: November 2023

The opportunity to measure the concentrations of 3H and 36Cl released by the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011 directly in rain was lost in the early stage of the accident. We have, however, been able to reconstruct the deposition record of atmospheric 3H and 36Cl following the accident using a bore hole that was drilled in 2014 at Koriyama at a distance of 60 km from the accident. The contributions of 3H and 36Cl from the accident are 1.4 × 1013 and 2.0 × 1012 atoms m−2 respectively at this site. Very high concentrations of both 3H (46 Bq L−1) and 36Cl (3.36 × 1011 atoms L−1) were found in the unsaturated soil at depths between 300 and 350 cm. From these, conservative estimates for the 3H and 36Cl concentrations in the precipitation in the ~ 6 weeks following the accident were 607 Bq L−1 and 4.74 × 1010 atoms L−1, respectively. A second hole drilled in 2016 showed that 3H concentrations in the unsaturated soil and shallow groundwater had returned to close to natural levels, although the 36Cl concentrations were still significantly elevated above natural levels.
Temporal hierarchy of observed goal-directed actions
Authors: Aberbach-Goodman Shahar , Mukamel Roy
Published: November 2023

During social interactions, we continuously integrate current and previous information over varying timescales to infer other people's action intentions. Motor cognition theories argue for a hierarchical organization of goal-directed actions based on temporal scales. Accordingly, transient motor primitives are represented at lower levels of the hierarchy, a combination of primitives building motor sequences at subordinate levels, and more stable overarching action goals at superordinate levels. A neural topography of hierarchal timescales for information accumulation was previously shown in the visual and auditory domains. However, whether such a temporal hierarchy can also account for observed goal-directed action representations in motor pathways remains to be determined. Thus, the current study examined the neural architecture underlying the processing of observed goal-directed actions using inter-subject correlation (ISC) of fMRI activity. Observers (n = 24) viewed sequential hand movements presented in their intact order or piecewise scrambled at three timescales pertaining to goal-directed action evolution (Primitives: ± 1.5 s, Sub-Goals: ± 4 s, and High-Goals: ± 10 s). The results revealed differential intrinsic temporal capacities for integrating goal-directed action information across brain areas engaged in action observation. Longer timescales (> ± 10 s) were found in the posterior parietal and dorsal premotor compared to the ventral premotor (± 4 s) and anterior parietal (± 1.5 s) cortex. Moreover, our results revealed a hemispheric bias with more extended timescales in the right MT+, primary somatosensory, and early visual cortices compared to their homotopic regions in the left hemisphere. Our findings corroborate a hierarchical neural mapping of observed actions based on temporal scales of goals and provide further support for a ubiquitous time-dependent neural organization of information processing across multiple modalities.
The zebrafish paralog six2b is required for early proximal pronephros morphogenesis
Authors: Belcher Beau , Vestal Justin , Lane Samuel , Kell Margaret , Smith Luke , Camarata Troy
Published: November 2023

The transcription factor Six2 plays a crucial role in maintaining self-renewing nephron progenitor cap mesenchyme (CM) during metanephric kidney development. In mouse and human, expression at single-cell resolution has detected Six2 in cells as they leave the CM pool and differentiate. The role Six2 may play in these cells as they differentiate remains unknown. Here, we took advantage of the zebrafish pronephric kidney which forms directly from intermediate mesoderm to test six2b function during pronephric tubule development and differentiation. Expression of six2b during early zebrafish development was consistent with a role in pronephros formation. Using morpholino knock-down and CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis, we show a functional role for six2b in the development of proximal elements of the pronephros. By 48 h post-fertilization, six2b morphants and mutants showed disrupted pronephric tubule morphogenesis. We observed a lower-than-expected frequency of phenotypes in six2b stable genetic mutants suggesting compensation. Supporting this, we detected increased expression of six2a in six2b stable mutant embryos. To further confirm six2b function, F0 crispant embryos were analyzed and displayed similar phenotypes as morphants and stable mutants. Together our data suggests a conserved role for Six2 during nephrogenesis and a role in the morphogenesis of the proximal tubule.
Characteristics of lactate metabolism phenotype in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Jiacheng , Dong Keshuai , Zhang Xin , Li Chunlei , Yu Jia , Wang Weixing
Published: November 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly heterogeneous cancer, and more effective prognostic markers are needed. Lactic acid has been proved to be an important metabolite involved in cancer development, metastasis, and the tumor microenvironment, affecting the prognosis of patients. The role of lactic acid metabolism regulators (LAMRs) in HCC is still unclear. In this study, we analyzed the status of LAMRs, a gene list containing lactate from Molecular Signatures database, in HCC and consensus clustering was performed based on these LAMRs. Cluster B showed higher infiltrations of immune cells, higher TME scores, and a poorer prognosis. We further constructed a risk score based on DEGs using LASSO and COX regression analysis between two clusters, which could effectively predict the prognosis of TCGA-LIHC patients. The GSE14520 cohort confirmed the result. We also examined the correlation of risk scores with clinical characteristics, genetic mutations, drug sensitivity, immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs), and immunotherapy. In conclusion, our findings will facilitate a further understanding of the role of partial lactate metabolism related genes in HCC and suggest a new risk score to predict prognosis.
Development of a potency assay for CD34+ cell-based therapy
Authors: Aries Anne , Vignon Christine , Zanetti Céline , Goubaud Aurélien , Cormier Arthur , Diederichs Anne , Lahlil Rachid , Hénon Philippe , Garitaonandia Ibon
Published: November 2023

We have previously shown that intracardiac delivery of autologous CD34+ cells after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is safe and leads to long term improvement. We are now conducting a multicenter, randomized, controlled Phase I/IIb study in post-AMI to investigate the safety and efficacy of intramyocardial injection of expanded autologous CD34+ cells (ProtheraCytes) (NCT02669810). Here, we conducted a series of in vitro studies characterizing the growth factor secretion, exosome secretion, gene expression, cell surface markers, differentiation potential, and angiogenic potential of ProtheraCytes clinical batches to develop a potency assay. We show that ProtheraCytes secrete vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its concentration is significantly correlated with the number of CD34+ cells obtained after expansion. ProtheraCytes also secrete exosomes containing proangiogenic miRNAs (126, 130a, 378, 26a), antiapoptotic miRNAs (21 and 146a), antifibrotic miRNAs (133a, 24, 29b, 132), and miRNAs promoting myocardial regeneration (199a and 590). We also show that ProtheraCytes have in vitro angiogenic activity, express surface markers of endothelial progenitor cells, and can differentiate in vitro into endothelial cells. After the in vitro characterization of multiple ProtheraCytes clinical batches, we established that measuring the concentration of VEGF provided the most practical, reliable, and consistent potency assay.
Efficacy of pretreatment with remimazolam on prevention of propofol-induced injection pain in patients undergoing gastroscopy
Authors: Yuan Ruimei , Wen Jing , Xing Qingfei , Chao Lei , Hu Chunhai , Ren Jie , Meng Fanjun
Published: November 2023

To evaluate the efficacy of remimazolam pretreatment in preventing propofol-induced injection pain (PIP) in patients undergoing gastroscopy. One hundred and forty patients (ASA I–II, aged 18–65 years, BMI 18–28 kg/m2) who were to undergo gastroscopy were randomized into either a saline group (group S) or a remimazolam group (group R) (n = 70 for each) on a computer-generated random number basis. The patients in group S received normal saline (0.1 ml/kg) and those in group R were administered remimazolam (0.1 mg/kg) via intravenous infusion for 60 s. 30 s after the injection of normal saline or remimazolam, patients received intravenously propofol (0.5 ml/s) until loss of consciousness. A different anesthesiologist who was unaware of the pretreatment was responsible for maintaining the outcome. The primary endpoint of our study was the incidence of PIP, which was measured using a 4-point scale. Secondary endpoints include the intensity of PIP, vital signs, characteristics of surgery and recovery, and adverse events. The incidence of PIP was significantly lower in group R than in group S (13 vs 51%, p < 0.001), and a lower percentage of patients presented with moderate PIP (3 vs 20%, p < 0.001). Moreover, lower consumption of propofol, shorter recovery time, and greater patient satisfaction were observed in group R than in group S. Pretreatment with remimazolam can effectively reduce the incidence and intensity of PIP in gastroscopy and shorten the recovery time without severe adverse effects.

Clinical Trials Registration: Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (identifier: ChiCTR2200063793). Registry time: 16/09/2022. Registry name: Efficacy of Pre-Treatment with Remimazolam on Prevention of Propofol-Induced Injection Pain in Patients Undergoing Gastroscopy. The date of patient enrollment began from 2022-9-17 to 2022-10-10. The link to the registration: https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=176004.