bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reduced-order modeling and analysis of dynamic cerebral autoregulation via diffusion maps
Authors: dos Santos K R M , Katsidoniotaki M I , Miller E C , Petersen N H , Marshall R S , Kougioumtzoglou I A
Published: March 2023

Objective. A data-driven technique for parsimonious modeling and analysis of dynamic cerebral autoregulation (DCA) is developed based on the concept of diffusion maps. Specifically, first, a state-space description of DCA dynamics is considered based on arterial blood pressure, cerebral blood flow velocity, and their time derivatives. Next, an eigenvalue analysis of the Markov matrix of a random walk on a graph over the dataset domain yields a low-dimensional representation of the intrinsic dynamics. Further dimension reduction is made possible by accounting only for the two most significant eigenvalues. The value of their ratio indicates whether the underlying system is governed by active or hypoactive dynamics, indicating healthy or impaired DCA function, respectively. We assessed the reliability of the technique by considering healthy individuals and patients with unilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis or occlusion. We computed the sensitivity of the technique to detect the presumed side-to-side difference in the DCA function of the second group (assuming hypoactive dynamics on the occluded or stenotic side), using McNemar’s chi square test. The results were compared with transfer function analysis (TFA). The performance of the two methods was also compared under the assumption of missing data. Main results. Both diffusion maps and TFA suggested a physiological side-to-side difference in the DCA of ICA stenosis or occlusion patients with a sensitivity of 81% and 71%, respectively. Further, both two methods suggested the difference between the occluded or stenotic side and any two sides of the healthy group. However, the diffusion maps captured additional difference between the unoccluded side and the healthy group, that TFA did not. Furthermore, compared to TFA, diffusion maps exhibited superior performance when subject to missing data. Significance. The eigenvalues ratio derived using the diffusion maps technique can be potentially used as a reliable and robust biomarker for assessing how active the intrinsic dynamics of the autoregulation is and for indicating healthy versus impaired DCA function.
Negative capacitance gate-all-around PZT silicon nanowire with high-K/metal gate MFIS structure for low SS and high I
on/I
off
Authors: Kumar Vivek , Maurya Ravindra Kumar , Malvika  , Rawat Gopal , Mummaneni Kavicharan
Published: March 2023

In the present work, a high-k dielectric hafnium dioxide and lead zirconate titanate (PZT) have been incorporated as a ferroelectric (FE) layer in the gate stack. The Ion/Ioff ratio obtained of the order of 1013, and the subthreshold swing 49.7 mV dec−1 are the most captivating findings of the device which outshines earlier findings. There is a significant improvement in the on-state current (I
on) and off-state current (I
off). Furthermore, comparatively high value of transconductance (g
m) and transconductance generation factor (g
m/I
d), due to the incorporation of 20 nm PZT NC FE layer, insinuates that the device could be used in low power applications. These enticing findings of the proposed PZT GAA-NCFET nanowire could pave the way for low power devices.
Implementation of artificial neural network based control for power quality enhancement of proton exchange membrane fuel cell powered distributed generation system
Authors: Singh Shubham Kumar , Agarwal Anshul
Published: March 2023

In this paper, a fuel cell and battery-based distributed generation system is demonstrated. A proton exchange membrane fuel cell is the primary power generator in this decentralized system, with a lead-acid battery providing backup power. A boost converter regulates the fuel cell’s output power to ensure its optimal performance. A bidirectional buck-boost converter has been employed to integrate battery using slope compensated current control. 5-level cascaded H-Bridge inverter is used to convert available DC power into AC power while integrating DG systems with the grid and improving power quality. The artificial neural network has been trained and used to generate the estimated reference current for sinusoidal pulse width modulation techniques. The artificial neural network has been fine-tuned using the scaled conjugate gradient with the performance value 0.094056. The THD of grid current has been reduced by 12.5% and 8.14% approximately for 30 Ω resistive, 30 mH inductive load and 20 Ω resistive, 15 mH inductive load respectively. The system has been simulated in Matlab/Simulink, and the findings have been validated. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the methodology.
Synthesis, structural, photocatalytic, wettability and optical properties of TiO2 films on polymethyl methacrylate substrates
Authors: Hassaballa S , Aljabri A , Mohamed S H , Hadia N M A , Awad M A
Published: March 2023

TiO2 thin films on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) substrates were prepared on Al foils using reactive dc magnetron sputtering followed by transformation to the PMMA substrates via chemical method. The films were prepared at different temperature preparation routes of 100, 150 and 200 °C. XRD revealed the formation amorphous structure for films prepared at 150 °C and mixed anatase/rutile crystalline phases with rutile domination at higher-temperature preparation route of 150 and 200 °C. Amorphous or homogeneous and uniform nanoparticles morphologies with particle sizes depended on the temperature preparation route were obtained for the TiO2 films. The optical properties are affected strongly by the temperature preparation route. The optical band gap values increased from 3.05 eV to 3.47 eV with increasing the temperature preparation route from 100 °C to then to 200 °C, respectively. The higher refractive index and the lower extinction coefficient were obtained for the films prepared at 200 °C. The methylene blue underwent effective photodegradation and the hydrophilicity initiated upon UV illumination. The TiO2 film prepared at 200 °C has the highest decomposition efficiency for methylene blue and the lowest water contact angle.
Enhanced optical and electrical properties of narrow-bandgap cerium borate glasses and nanostructured glass-ceramics: influence of V2O5-incorporation
Authors: Ibrahim Ali M
Published: March 2023

Improvement of optical and electrical properties of borate glasses is a great demand for upgrading optoelectronic devices. Additionally, the transformation of borate glasses to nanostructured glass-ceramics endows them with outstanding beneficial properties to widen their application range. Herein, novel borate glass compositions are synthesized by the facile melt quenching method. The influences of V2O5-incorporation and nanocrystallization on the structural, optical, and electrical properties of the investigated cerium borate glasses are studied. The heat-treatment process promotes the precipitation of CeO2 and VCeO4 nanocrystals in the glass network. Linear and high dependence of the band gap of the as-prepared glasses on the V2O5 concentration is observed. A narrow band gap (about 1.6), which lies in the range of ideal bandgaps for two-junction photovoltaic cell applications, is achieved. Strong absorption in the visible and/or UV regions is attained for the studied samples, which is beneficial to shield laser emissions (up to 794 nm) and/or protect against the hazard of UV radiation. High DC conductivity (about 3 × 10−6 S m−1) is approved for the glass sample containing V2O5 content of 10 mol%. The investigated glasses and nanostructured glass-ceramics are recommended as promising candidates for UV-protection Sunglasses, laser safety, visible light irradiation photocatalyst, and next-generation semiconductors.
ZnS nanoparticles: role of Ga3+ ions substitution on the structural, morphological, optical, and dielectric properties
Authors: Kapoor Anu , Kumar Suresh , Kumar Naveen , Bhardwaj Sumit , Sharma Sanjay Kumar , Sharma Vandana , Sharma JK
Published: March 2023

Due to their dynamic features, nanoparticles of semiconductor materials have been created rapidly in the past few decades and are being investigated for potential uses in a variety of disciplines. The present study focuses on the substitution of Ga3+ ions in ZnS nanoparticles to modify their structural, morphological, compositional, optical, and dielectric properties. The Ga-doped (ZnS:Ga) nanoparticles for various Ga3+ ions concentrations (i.e., 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 10% & 12%) are synthesized using direct co-precipitation technique and utilizing precursor solutions of Zn(CH3COO)2, Na2S and Ga2(SO4)3 along with EDTA as a stabilizing agent. The structural analysis reveals that the synthesized nanoparticles exhibit a cubic crystal structure with high crystallinity and preferred (111) orientation. Fluctuations in different structural parameters have been noticed without any alteration in crystal structure after the substitution of Ga ions in ZnS matrix. The surface morphology exposes spherical-shaped ZnS:Ga nanoparticles whose compactness varies with doping concentrations. FT-IR and EDS spectra of the nanoparticles identify the presence of different functional groups and elements in the expected compositions. A blueshift in the absorption edge has been observed for all the concentrations of ZnS:Ga w.r.t. pristine ZnS indicating quantum confinement in the synthesized nanoparticles which further results in the broadening of optical bandgap in comparison to bulk value for ZnS. The room temperature dielectric measurements for ZnS:Ga nanoparticles show a high dielectric constant value up to doping level 8% beyond which it decreased. The ac conductivity values in this study varied from 10−4 Ω−1m−1 for pristine to 9.66 × 10−3 Ω−1m−1 for ZnS:Ga 12%.
Strength of the non-locality of two-qubit entangled states and its applications
Authors: Garg Anuma , Adhikari Satyabrata
Published: March 2023

Non-locality is a feature of quantum mechanics that cannot be explained by local realistic theory. It can be detected by the violation of Bell’s inequality. In this work, we have considered the evaluation of Bell’s inequality with the help of the XOR game. In the XOR game, a two-qubit entangled state is shared between the two distant players. It may generate a non-local correlation between the players which contributes to the maximum probability of winning of the game. We have aimed to determine the strength of the non-locality through XOR game. Thus, we have defined a quantity S

NL
called the strength of non-locality, purely on the basis of the maximum probability of winning of the XOR game. We have also derived the relation between the introduced quantity S

NL
and the quantity M introduced in [R Horodecki, P Horodecki, and M Horodecki, (1995) Phys. Lett. A
200, 340.], to study the non-locality of a two-qubit entangled state problem in depth. The quantity M may be defined as the sum of the two largest eigenvalues of the correlation matrix of the given entangled state and it determines whether the given entangled state under probe is non-local. Further, we have explored the non-locality of any two-qubit entangled state, whose non-locality cannot be detected by the CHSH inequality. Interestingly, we have found that the newly defined quantity S

NL
fails to detect non-locality for the entangled state, when the witness operator corresponding to CHSH operator cannot detect the entangled state. To overcome this problem, we have modified the definition of the strength of non-locality and have shown that the modified definition may detect the non-locality of such entangled states, which were earlier undetected by S

NL
. Furthermore, we have provided two applications of the strength S

NL
of the non-locality such as (i) establishment of a link between the two-qubit non-locality determined by S

NL
and the three-qubit non-locality determined by the Svetlichny operator and (ii) determination of the upper bound of the power of the controller in terms of S

NL
in controlled quantum teleportation.
Mechanical, optical, and lattice vibrational properties of gallium antimonide (GaSb) semiconductor under the influence of temperature
Authors: Al Maaitah Ibtisam F
Published: March 2023

We have determined the optical, mechanical, and lattice dynamic features of the zinc-blende GaSb compound. It has been investigated how temperature affects longitudinal and transversal sound velocities, reflectivity, phonon frequencies, micro-hardness, and transverse effective charge. Additionally, the dependences of the effective charge, ionicity, bending, stretching force constants, susceptibility, Cauchy, and Born ratios on the temperature of zinc-blende GaSb material, have been calculated. The pseudo-potential method (EPM) has been used to perform the computations in this paper. Comparative analysis with the existing experiment and other theoretical calculations reveals a respectable degree of agreement.
Auditory nerve responses to combined optogenetic and electrical stimulation in chronically deaf mice
Authors: Ajay Elise A , Trang Ella P , Thompson Alexander C , Wise Andrew K , Grayden David B , Fallon James B , Richardson Rachael T
Published: March 2023

Objective. Optogenetic stimulation of the auditory nerve offers the ability to overcome the limitations of cochlear implants through spatially precise stimulation, but cannot achieve the temporal precision nor temporal fidelity required for good hearing outcomes. Auditory midbrain recordings have indicated a combined (hybrid) stimulation approach may permit improvements in the temporal precision without sacrificing spatial precision by facilitating electrical activation thresholds. However, previous research has been conducted in undeafened or acutely deafened animal models, and the impact of chronic deafness remains unclear. Our study aims to compare the temporal precision of auditory nerve responses to optogenetic, electrical, and combined stimulation in acutely and chronically deafened animals. Methods. We directly compare the temporal fidelity (measured as percentage of elicited responses) and precision (i.e. stability of response size and timing) of electrical, optogenetic, and hybrid stimulation (varying sub-threshold or supra-threshold optogenetic power levels combined with electrical stimuli) through compound action potential and single-unit recordings of the auditory nerve in transgenic mice expressing the opsin ChR2-H134R in auditory neurons. Recordings were conducted immediately or 2–3 weeks following aminoglycoside deafening when there was evidence of auditory nerve degeneration. Main results. Results showed that responses to electrical stimulation had significantly greater temporal precision than optogenetic stimulation (p < 0.001 for measures of response size and timing). This temporal precision could be maintained with hybrid stimulation, but only when the optogenetic stimulation power used was below or near activation threshold and worsened with increasing optical power. Chronically deafened mice showed poorer facilitation of electrical activation thresholds with concurrent optogenetic stimulation than acutely deafened mice. Additionally, responses in chronically deafened mice showed poorer temporal fidelity, but improved temporal precision to optogenetic and hybrid stimulation compared to acutely deafened mice. Significance. These findings show that the improvement to temporal fidelity and temporal precision provided by a hybrid stimulation paradigm can also be achieved in chronically deafened animals, albeit at higher levels of concurrent optogenetic stimulation levels.
Hyperuniform electron distributions on the Ammann-Beenker tiling
Authors: Sakai Shiro
Published: March 2023

We study the electron charge distribution on a quasiperiodic tiling in terms of hyperuniformity. In an extended Hubbard model on the Ammann-Beenker tiling, the electron distribution changes significantly with the Fermi energy and electron-interaction strength. Unlike periodic systems, these changes are not characterized by translational-symmetry breaking. We show that the electron charge distribution is not characterized by multifractality, either. We find that the distribution is instead characterized by hyperuniformity of Class I.
Formation of 2/1 and 1/1 approximants in a quaternary Al–Pd–Au–Yb system
Authors: So Y G , Katagiri A
Published: March 2023

In this study, 2/1 and 1/1 approximants in a quaternary Al–Pd–Au–Yb system were synthesized by substituting Au into original Al–Pd–Yb quasicrystals. In the Al50Pd24Au10Yb16 and Al52Pd22Au10Yb16 alloys, 2/1 and 1/1 phases were formed, respectively, and the lattice constants were relatively small—2.314 and 1.431 nm for the 2/1 and 1/1 phases, respectively. Scanning transmission electron microscopy revealed that both approximants comprise Tsai-type atomic clusters. Inverse magnetic susceptibility for the approximants obeyed the Curie–Weiss law, indicating the presence of paramagnetism. The effective magnetic moments were estimated to be 3.20
μB
and 2.94
μB
for the 2/1 and 1/1 phases, respectively, indicating that Yb in both approximants adopts an intermediate valence state.
Dynamic sea-level changes and potential implications for storm surges in the UK: a storylines perspective
Authors: Bulgin Claire E , Mecking Jennifer V , Harvey Ben J , Jevrejeva Svetlana , McCarroll Niall F , Merchant Christopher J , Sinha Bablu
Published: March 2023

Global sea-level rise caused by a warming climate increases flood risk from storm surge events for those who live in coastal and low-lying areas. Estimates of global thermosteric sea-level rises are well constrained by model projections, but local variability in dynamic sea-level arising from seasonal and interannual changes is less well characterised. In this paper we use satellite altimetry observations coupled with CMIP6 model projections to understand drivers of change in dynamic sea-level over the UK shelf seas. We find a northward shift in the atmospheric jet stream and a weakening of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation to be the key drivers of local dynamic sea-level variability. Using a storyline approach to constrain climate system responses to changes in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations, we find that dynamic sea-level is predicted to rise between 15–39 cm by 2080–2099 along the east coast of England (ECE). Under a worst-case scenario, assuming maximum variability as seen in the CMIP6 projections, ECE dynamic sea-level rise could reach 58 cm by 2100. We illustrate the impact of this dynamic sea-level rise in addition to non-dynamic components on the risks posed by storm surge events in ECE using an idealised example. If a storm surge event of the magnitude of the one experienced in ECE on the 5th of December 2013 was to occur in 2100, an additional 1414 km2of land would potentially be affected in our worst-case idealised example, 22.4% of which can be attributed to dynamic sea-level rise.
Bioprinting of light-crosslinkable neutral-dissolved collagen to build implantable connective tissue with programmable cellular orientation
Authors: Guo Kai , Wang Heran , Li Song , Chang Peng , He Chaomiao , Sun Qian , Zheng Xiongfei
Published: March 2023

Fabricating connective tissue with printing fidelity, structural stability, biocompatibility, and cellular orientation remains a challenge for bioink. Collagen, as inherent fibers to provide strength in vivo, should be the ideal material for tissue printing. However, current collagen-bioink exhibits poor printability and mechanical properties. Here, the light-crosslinkable norbornene-collagen (NorCol) is developed to solve this dilemma. NorCol with complete collagen structure exhibits outstanding shear-thinning properties and light-crosslinking strength, realizing the construction of complicated constructs with excellent printing fidelity and structural stability. Neutral-dissolved NorCol with different concentrations is directly integrated to print pure collagen structure with composite modulus, providing top-class biocompatibility that mimics the heterogeneous microarchitecture of the extracellular matrix (ECM). This composite structure also permits extensive infiltration of host tissue and capillaries during subcutaneous transplants. By the designed tight interface of printed filaments, a geometric-guided and modulus-independent anisotropic mechanical environment is constructed, realizing cellular orientation. Furthermore, the cellular orientation is in the same direction as the printed high-concentration NorCol, which is the same case of cells and collagen fibers in vivo. This capability of NorCol breaks new ground for printing pure ECM protein-based, implantable and functional constructs, applicable in connective tissue engineering for human applications.
Conciliar ‘hermeneutics’: making sense of the debates over Vatican II
Authors: Blanchard Shaun , Bullivant Stephen
Published: March 2023

Fifty-five years on, the authentic meaning and legacy of Vatican II are deeply contested subjects. This final chapter narrates how these debates began immediately after the Council (e.g. the ‘spirit’ vs the ‘letter’; the Lefebvrist schism; papal authority and Humanae Vitae) and have now matured into four main hermeneutical paradigms: (1) the Traditionalist Paradigm, (2) the Failure Paradigm, (3) the Spirit-Event Paradigm, and (4) the Text-Continuity Paradigm. Mainstream ecclesial discussion tends to focus on paradigms (3) and (4), but the first and fourth paradigms include many significant voices as well. Additionally, the interpretations of those outside the Catholic Church—especially Protestants and Jews—form significant strands of this complex story of reception. Key moments in the reception of Vatican II are profiled. The papacy of Benedict XVI, often identified as a period of conservative reaction, can be interpreted as the last conciliar pontificate, insofar as Joseph Ratzinger attended Vatican II and even helped author key documents (including Dei Verbum). Francis, on the other hand, is in a sense the first truly postconciliar pope—he not only did not attend the Council, but was ordained after its close (1967). Finally, we consider the extent to which Vatican II succeeded or failed in its mission, and how both the event of the Council and its texts continue to shape global Catholicism—now led by the first pope born outside of Europe in centuries—in profound ways.
The Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO)-Wide Cohort
Authors: Knapp Emily A , Kress Amii M , Parker Corette B , Page Grier P , McArthur Kristen , Gachigi Kennedy K , Alshawabkeh Akram N , Aschner Judy L , Bastain Theresa M , Breton Carrie V , Bendixsen Casper G , Brennan Patricia A , Bush Nicole R , Buss Claudia , Camargo, Jr. Carlos A , Catellier Diane , Cordero José F , Croen Lisa , Dabelea Dana , Deoni Sean , D’Sa Viren , Duarte Cristiane S , Dunlop Anne L , Elliott Amy J , Farzan Shohreh F , Ferrara Assiamira , Ganiban Jody M , Gern James E , Giardino Angelo P , Towe-Goodman Nissa R , Gold Diane R , Habre Rima , Hamra Ghassan B , Hartert Tina , Herbstman Julie B , Hertz-Picciotto Irva , Hipwell Alison E , Karagas Margaret R , Karr Catherine J , Keenan Kate , Kerver Jean M , Koinis-Mitchell Daphne , Lau Bryan , Lester Barry M , Leve Leslie D , Leventhal Bennett , LeWinn Kaja Z , Lewis Johnnye , Litonjua Augusto A , Lyall Kristen , Madan Juliette C , McEvoy Cindy T , McGrath Monica , Meeker John D , Miller Rachel L , Morello-Frosch Rachel , Neiderhiser Jenae M , O’Connor Thomas G , Oken Emily , O’Shea Michael , Paneth Nigel , Porucznik Christina A , Sathyanarayana Sheela , Schantz Susan L , Spindel Eliot R , Stanford Joseph B , Stroustrup Annemarie , Teitelbaum Susan L , Trasande Leonardo , Volk Heather , Wadhwa Pathik D , Weiss Scott T , Woodruff Tracey J , Wright Rosalind J , Zhao Qi , Jacobson Lisa P , Influences on Child Health Outcomes , on behalf of program collaborators for Environmental
Published: March 2023

The Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO)-Wide Cohort Study (EWC), a collaborative research design comprising 69 cohorts in 31 consortia, was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2016 to improve children’s health in the United States. The EWC harmonizes extant data and collects new data using a standardized protocol, the ECHO-Wide Cohort Data Collection Protocol (EWCP). EWCP visits occur at least once per life stage, but the frequency and timing of the visits vary across cohorts. As of March 4, 2022, the EWC cohorts contributed data from 60,553 children and consented 29,622 children for new EWCP data and biospecimen collection. The median (interquartile range) age of EWCP-enrolled children was 7.5 years (3.7–11.1). Surveys, interviews, standardized examinations, laboratory analyses, and medical record abstraction are used to obtain information in 5 main outcome areas: pre-, peri-, and postnatal outcomes; neurodevelopment; obesity; airways; and positive health. Exposures include factors at the level of place (e.g., air pollution, neighborhood socioeconomic status), family (e.g., parental mental health), and individuals (e.g., diet, genomics).
Discontinuation of Renin–Angiotensin System Inhibitors During the Early Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Muntner Paul , Foti Kathryn , Wang Zhixin , Alanaeme Chibuike J , Choi Eunhee , Bress Adam P , Shimbo Daichi , Kronish Ian
Published: March 2023

Background

In March and April 2020, medical societies published statements recommending continued use of renin–angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors despite theoretical concerns that these medications could increase COVID-19 severity. Determining if patients discontinued RAS inhibitors during the COVID-19 pandemic could inform responses to future public health emergencies.

Methods

We analyzed claims data from US adults with health insurance in the Marketscan database. We identified patients who filled a RAS inhibitor and were persistent, defined by not having a ≥30-day gap without medication available, and high adherence, defined by having medication available on ≥80% of days, from March 2019 to February 2020. Among these patients, we estimated the proportion who discontinued their RAS inhibitor (i.e., had ≥30 consecutive days without a RAS inhibitor available to take) between March and August 2020. For comparison, we estimated the proportion of patients that discontinued a RAS inhibitor between March and August 2019 after being persistent with high adherence from March 2018 to February 2019.

Results

Among 816,380 adults who were persistent and adherent to a RAS inhibitor from March 2019 to February 2020, 10.8% discontinued this medication between March and August 2020. Among 822,873 adults who were persistent and adherent to a RAS inhibitor from March 2018 to February 2019, 11.7% discontinued this medication between March and August 2019. The multivariable-adjusted relative risk for RAS inhibitor discontinuation in 2020 vs. 2019 was 0.94 (95% CI 0.93–0.95).

Conclusions

There was no evidence of an increase in RAS inhibitor discontinuation during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Foldcomp: a library and format for compressing and indexing large protein structure sets
Authors: Kim Hyunbin , Mirdita Milot , Steinegger Martin
Published: March 2023

Highly accurate protein structure predictors have generated hundreds of millions of protein structures; these pose a challenge in terms of storage and processing. Here, we present Foldcomp, a novel lossy structure compression algorithm, and indexing system to address this challenge. By using a combination of internal and Cartesian coordinates and a bi-directional NeRF-based strategy, Foldcomp improves the compression ratio by a factor of three compared to the next best method. Its reconstruction error of 0.08 Å is comparable to the best lossy compressor. It is five times faster than the next fastest compressor and competes with the fastest decompressors. With its multi-threading implementation and a Python interface that allows for easy database downloads and efficient querying of protein structures by accession, Foldcomp is a powerful tool for managing and analysing large collections of protein structures.

Availability and implementation

Foldcomp is a free open-source software (GPLv3) and available for Linux, macOS, and Windows at https://foldcomp.foldseek.com. Foldcomp provides the AlphaFold Swiss-Prot (2.9GB), TrEMBL (1.1TB), and ESMatlas HQ (114GB) database ready-for-download.
Mythological heroes on Czech stages and politics: the case of Phaethon and Antigone
Authors: Čadková Daniela
Published: March 2023

Czech culture and society have abundant experience of repressive regimes and political oppression, as well as censorship and bans on speaking publicly and critically about the political situation. This article focuses on two dramatizations of ancient Greek myth and demonstrates their connection with politics: Phaethon by Otakar Theer (1917) is an expression of rebellion against the bondage of the Czech nation in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, while The Whore from the City of Thebes by Milan Uhde (1967), a paraphrase of Sophocles’ Antigone, is a cynical analysis of the state of civil society in totalitarian communist Czechoslovakia. These plays tried to appeal to the audiences of the time allegorically, using ‘Aesopian language’ and parables. Both reinterpretations of Greek myth are analysed in their historical and cultural context and compared with contemporary adaptations of classical Greek tragedies.
Mild autonomous cortisol secretion in adrenal incidentalomas and risk of fragility fractures: a large cross-sectional study
Authors: Zavatta Guido , Vicennati Valentina , Altieri Paola , Tucci Lorenzo , Colombin Giacomo , Coscia Kimberly , Mosconi Cristina , Balacchi Caterina , Fanelli Flaminia , Malagrinò Matteo , Magagnoli Matteo , Golfieri Rita , Pagotto Uberto , Di Dalmazi Guido
Published: March 2023

Objective

Mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) has been associated with a higher prevalence of osteoporosis, although most data rely on single-center studies with limited sample size. We aimed to assess the prevalence of fragility fractures and contributing factors in a large cohort of patients with adrenal incidentalomas.

Design and Methods

Medical records of 1023 patients with adrenal incidentalomas from 1990 to 2019 were reviewed, and 735 patients were selected. Clinically obtained electronic radiological images closest to first endocrine evaluation, such as lateral views of spine X-rays or CT thoraco-abdominal scans, were reviewed to screen for asymptomatic morphometric vertebral fractures. Clinical fragility fractures, hormonal, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) indices were also recorded.

Results

Four hundred seventy-four patients had nonfunctioning (NF) adrenal incidentalomas, 238 had MACS and 23 adrenal Cushing's syndrome (AC). Prevalence of fragility fractures was different (P = .018) between groups, respectively, 24.1% (NF), 34.0% (MACS), and 30.4% (AC), with significant difference between NF and MACS (P = .012). When analyzed separately by sex and menopausal status, this difference remained significant in postmenopausal women (P = .011), with a fracture prevalence of 22.2% (NF) and 34.6% (MACS). Fracture prevalence was similar in males. Women with MACS aged ≥65 years reported a 48.8% prevalence of fractures, as compared with 29.5% in NF (P < .01). In postmenopausal women, fragility fractures were associated with age (odds ratio [OR] 1.1, P < .001), smoking (OR 1.8, P = .048), and 1 mg-dexamethasone suppression test (DST) cortisol (OR 3.1, P = .029), while in men, only age was associated with fragility fractures.

Conclusions

A considerable fracture burden was shown in postmenopausal women with adrenal incidentalomas and MACS, with clinical implications for the evaluation and management of bone metabolism.
Initial pathology in aggressive pituitary tumours and carcinomas: 2b or not 2b?—that is the question
Authors: Trouillas Jacqueline , Burman Pia , Losa Marco , McCormack Ann , Petersenn Stephan , Popovic Vera , Theodoropoulou Marily , Dekkers Olaf M , Raverot Gerald
Published: March 2023

From a cohort of 171 patients comprising 121 aggressive pituitary tumours (APT) and 50 pituitary carcinomas (PC), the clinicopathological or five-tiered classification based on tumour invasion and proliferation evaluated by at least 2 proliferative markers over the cut-offs (Ki-67 ≥3% or ≥10%, p53 positive or expressed in %, mitotic count >2%), could be applied on 43 tumours: 20 PC and 23 APT. At the initial surgery, 29/43 tumours (67.4%) were grade 2b (invasive and proliferative) of which 44.8% developed metastases during follow-up (PC, grade 3). Out of these 29 tumours, 55.1% had a Ki-67 ≥10%, and were classified grade 2b* (invasive and highly proliferative). There was one tumour grade 1b* (non-invasive and highly proliferative) which metastazed. Out of the 43 tumours, 30.2 % were grade 2a (invasive and non-proliferative). The sensitivity and the specificity of grade 2b for the diagnosis of APT at the initial surgery, were 68% and 90% respectively. The comparison of the high percentage (67.4%) of grade 2b tumours in this selected cohort of APT/PC with the low percentage (8.8%) in a surgical cohort of unselected tumours shows that the initial pathological diagnosis of grade 2b tumour may be considered, in the clinic, as representing a diagnosis of APT. In addition, a significant subgroup of tumours, which will develop metastases supports the proposal that an aggressive grade 2b tumour is “a tumour with malignant potential” or “a malignant tumour without metastases”. So, the clinician may take into account the pathological diagnosis, at the initial surgery, to propose a strict follow-up and to consider earlier use of radiotherapy and/or of temozolomide in the presence of tumours with aggressive behaviour.
Random points are optimal for the approximation of Sobolev functions
Authors: Krieg David , Sonnleitner Mathias
Published: March 2023

We show that independent and uniformly distributed sampling points are asymptotically as good as optimal sampling points for the approximation of functions from Sobolev spaces $W_p^s(\varOmega )$ on bounded convex domains $\varOmega \subset{\mathbb{R}}^d$ in the $L_q$-norm if $q<p$. More generally, we characterize the quality of arbitrary sampling point sets $P\subset \varOmega $ via the $L_\gamma (\varOmega )$-norm of the distance function dist$ (\cdot ,P)$, where $\gamma =s(1/q-1/p)^{-1}$ if $q<p$ and $\gamma =\infty $ if $q\ge p$. This improves upon previous characterizations based on the covering radius of $P$.
Sociodemographic Variables Can Guide Prioritized Testing Strategies for Epidemic Control in Resource-Limited Contexts
Authors: Evans Michelle V , Ramiadantsoa Tanjona , Kauffman Kayla , Moody James , Nunn Charles L , Rabezara Jean Yves , Raharimalala Prisca , Randriamoria Toky M , Soarimalala Voahangy , Titcomb Georgia , Garchitorena Andres , Roche Benjamin
Published: March 2023

Background

Targeted surveillance allows public health authorities to implement testing and isolation strategies when diagnostic resources are limited, and can be implemented via the consideration of social network topologies. However, it remains unclear how to implement such surveillance and control when network data are unavailable.

Methods

We evaluated the ability of sociodemographic proxies of degree centrality to guide prioritized testing of infected individuals compared to known degree centrality. Proxies were estimated via readily available sociodemographic variables (age, gender, marital status, educational attainment, household size). We simulated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemics via a susceptible-exposed-infected-recovered individual-based model on 2 contact networks from rural Madagascar to test applicability of these findings to low-resource contexts.

Results

Targeted testing using sociodemographic proxies performed similarly to targeted testing using known degree centralities. At low testing capacity, using proxies reduced infection burden by 22%–33% while using 20% fewer tests, compared to random testing. By comparison, using known degree centrality reduced the infection burden by 31%–44% while using 26%–29% fewer tests.

Conclusions

We demonstrate that incorporating social network information into epidemic control strategies is an effective countermeasure to low testing capacity and can be implemented via sociodemographic proxies when social network data are unavailable.
Incorporating the diagnosis and management of female genital schistosomiasis in primary healthcare in Liberia: a mixed methods pilot study
Authors: Nganda Motto , Bettee Anthony K , Kollie Karsor , Nallo Gartee E , Juabeh Matthews , Wright Abednego , Thomson Rachael , Dean Laura
Published: March 2023

Background

Liberia's national neglected tropical disease (NTD) master plan 2016–2020 adopted the need for integrated approaches to tackle the threat of specific NTDs including schistosomiasis. Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) affects up to 75% of women and girls living in schistosomiasis-endemic areas. Liberia's Bong and Nimba counties are endemic for schistosomiasis. The communities affected are poor and dependent on primary healthcare services. Incorporating the diagnosis and treatment of FGS within primary healthcare is a critical step in the control and elimination of schistosomiasis in Liberia. The Calling Time for Neglected Tropical Diseases (COUNTDOWN) research programme partnership included the Liberia Ministry of Health NTD programme. Together, partners designed this study to co-develop, pilot and evaluate a primary healthcare package for clinical diagnosis and management of FGS in Liberia.

Methods

Mixed methods were applied to assess the intervention outcomes and process. Quantitative descriptive analysis of routine health facility (secondary) data was used to characterise women and girls diagnosed and treated for FGS. Qualitative rapid analysis of meeting reports and training observations, thematic framework analysis of in-depth interviews with women and girls and key-informant interviews with health system actors were used to establish the success and sustainability of intervention components.

Results

In 6 months, 258 women and girls were diagnosed and treated for FGS within routine service delivery across six primary health facilities. Diagnosis and treatment were completed by health facility staff who had been trained in the FGS intervention developed within this study. Some women diagnosed and treated had symptom relief or were optimistic about the intervention due to improved diagnostic and treatment communication by health workers. Health workers and stakeholders were satisfied with the care package and attributed intervention success to the all-inclusive approach to intervention design and development; cascaded training of all cadres of the health system; and the locally driven intervention rollout, which promoted local ownership and uptake of intervention components.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the possibility of using a clinical care package to diagnose women and girls suspected of FGS, including the provision of treatment using praziquantel when it is made available at primary healthcare facilities.
Associations between clinical pathway concordance, cost, and survival outcomes for stage II colon cancer: a population-based study
Authors: Milroy Shannon , Wong Judith , Eberg Maria , Ieraci Luciano , Forster Katharina , Holloway Claire M B , Sutherland Jason M
Published: March 2023

This study measures patient’s concordance between clinical reference pathways with survival or cost among a population-based cohort of colon cancer patients applying a continuous measure of concordance. The primary hypothesis is that a higher concordance score with the clinical pathway is significantly associated with longer survival or lower cost. The study informs whether patient’s adherence to a defined clinical pathway is beneficial to patients’ outcomes or health system. An externally determined clinical pathway for colon cancer was used to identify treatment nodes in colon cancer care. Using observational data up to 2019, the study generated a continuous measure of pathway concordance. The study measured whether incremental improvements in pathway concordance were associated with survival and treatment costs. Concordance between patients’ reference pathways and their observed trajectories of care was highly statistically associated with survivorship [hazard ratio: 0.95 (95% confidence interval, CI, 0.95–0.96)], showing that adherence to the clinical pathway was associated with a lower mortality rate. An increase in concordance was statistically significantly associated with a decrease in health system cost. When patients’ care followed the clinical pathway, survival outcomes were better and total health system costs were lower in this cohort. This finding creates a compelling case for further research into understanding the barriers to pathway concordance and developing interventions to improve outcomes and help providers implement best practice care where appropriate.
Approaches for introducing large DNA molecules into bacterial cells
Authors: Nishida Hiromi
Published: March 2023

Engineering of the bacterial genome plays a key role in systems biology and synthetic biology. Genetic engineering of the bacterial genome involves the design and synthesis of large DNA molecules. However, functional studies of the designed and synthesized large DNA molecules are lagging. Methods for the transformation of large DNA molecules of bacterial chromosome size into bacterial cells through a single operation have not yet been established. Two major methods can be used for transferring large DNA molecules of bacterial chromosome size into bacterial cells: transformation mediated by liposomes or by microinjection. In both methods, cell wall (peptidoglycan layer)-deficient cells (l-form, protoplast, or spheroplast) should be used as the bacterial host cells. We succeeded in transferring a heterologous bacterial genome into an enlarged bacterial protoplast using a micromanipulator. This method for transferring large DNA molecules into bacterial cells through a single operation will contribute to both fundamental and applied research in microbial genome science.
The-raw shell color determines cooked color and carotenoid profiles of the freshwater prawnMacrobrachium rosenbergii(De Man, 1879) (Decapoda: Caridea: Palaemonidae)
Authors: Li Qingqing , Liao Jiongdong , Lin Li
Published: March 2023

One of the most important criteria in consumer acceptance is the color of the prawn, which has long been linked with its excellent quality. The goal of this study was to compare the shell (exoskeleton) color parameters lightness (L), redness (a), yellowness (b), color difference (dE), and carotenoid content in farmed prawns in ponds between dark- blue and light-yellow varieties of the prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man, 1879), and the relationship among raw-shell color parameters, cooked shell color parameters, and carotenoid profiles of the prawn. The raw shell of dark-blue prawns recorded a substantially lower b value than light-yellow prawns (P = 0.003), whereas a value was significantly higher in the cooked shell of dark-blue individuals (P = 0.000). Dark-blue had considerably greater total carotenoids (P = 0.006) and astaxanthin (P = 0.002) content in comparison to light-yellow individuals; b of the raw shell was substantially associated with a of the cooked (r = –0.496, P = 0.001); b of raw shell had a significantly negative correlation with total carotenoids (r = –0.674, P = 0.001), astaxanthin (r = –0.689, P = 0.001), and β-carotene (r = –0.658, P = 0.002); but a of cooked shell had a significantly positive correlation with total carotenoids (r = 0.634, P = 0.003), astaxanthin (r = 0.683, P = 0.001), and β-carotene (r = 0.636, P = 0.003). Our findings provide a better understanding on how the raw-shell color influences the carotenoid profiles and cooked color in M. rosenbergii.
A novel image-based method for simultaneous counting of Lactobacillus and Saccharomyces in mixed culture fermentation
Authors: Williamson Cecelia , Kennedy Kevin , Bhattacharya Sayak , Patel Samir , Perry Jennifer , Bolton Jason , Perkins Lewis Brian , Chan Leo Li-Ying
Published: March 2023

Mixed microorganism cultures are prevalent in the food industry. A variety of microbiological mixtures have been used in these unique fermenting processes to create distinctive flavor profiles and potential health benefits. Mixed cultures are typically not well characterized, which may be due to the lack of simple measurement tools. Image-based cytometry systems have been employed to automatically count bacteria or yeast cells. In this work, we aim to develop a novel image cytometry method to distinguish and enumerate mixed cultures of yeast and bacteria in beer products. Cellometer X2 from Nexcelom was used to count of Lactobacillus plantarum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in mixed cultures using fluorescent dyes and size exclusion image analysis algorithm. Three experiments were performed for validation. (1) Yeast and bacteria monoculture titration, (2) mixed culture with various ratios, and (3) monitoring a Berliner Weisse mixed culture fermentation. All experiments were validated by comparing to manual counting of yeast and bacteria colony formation. They were highly comparable with ANOVA analysis showing p-value > 0.05. Overall, the novel image cytometry method was able to distinguish and count mixed cultures consistently and accurately, which may provide better characterization of mixed culture brewing applications and produce higher quality products.
Landscape genetics of the Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans) in the northeastern United States
Authors: Vivas-Toro Isabela , Martínez-Méndez Norberto , Sagot María , León-Avila Gloria , Ortega Jorge
Published: March 2023

Understanding how changes in landscape properties influence common species is relevant as it allows us to identify patterns that could be shared with co-distributed species that occupy the same landscapes. The northeastern United States (NE-USA: New York state and the six states of New England) is heavily urbanized and affected by continuous and prolonged anthropogenic activities, leading to intensive landscape fragmentation and loss of natural forests. Here, we used a landscape genetics approach to explore the genetic diversity and structure of the Southern Flying Squirrel, Glaucomys volans, and how resulting patterns may be related to landscape fragmentation and forest loss in the NE-USA. To study G. volans genetic variation and population structure, we amplified and genotyped 10 microsatellites loci from DNA extracted from tissue samples stored in biological collections and natural history museums. To assess the influence of landscape on gene flow and connectivity, we used two genetic distances metrics–proportion of shared alleles and codominant marker, and tested two landscape cost models approaches–least cost path and isolation by resistance. We identified three genetic clusters, with low but significant genetic differentiation between them. We did not find correlation between geographic distance and genetic variation in these populations. According to landscape models, land cover and elevation were the best predictors of genetic connectivity of G. volans, although were poorly related to genetic distances. Our results suggest that gene flow occurs between G. volans populations across the NE-USA despite the changed landscape configuration, implying potential dispersal of individuals between patches. Nonetheless, individuals from the eastern periphery of the distribution may have been temporarily isolated in the past due to historical deforestation. The current regeneration of hardwood forests represents a positive outlook for the genetic integrity of G. volans populations in the NE-USA because more possibilities for corridors and patches of habitable forests emerge. These changes would improve the connectivity of the species in the region and avoid possible local extinction events.