bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Weiterbildungsanbieter in Deutschland: Befunde aus dem DIE-Weiterbildungskataster
Authors: Schrader Josef , Martin Andreas
Published: November 2021

Der Beitrag stellt Ergebnisse eines Katasters von Weiterbildungsanbietern in Deutschland vor. Die Erarbeitung des Katasters erfolgte im Rahmen einer Studie, die sich mit den Qualifikationen, den Beschäftigungsbedingungen und den Kompetenzen des Lehrpersonals in der Weiterbildung beschäftigt. Eine Erfassung von Weiterbildungseinrichtungen stellt dafür eine notwendige Voraussetzung dar, da das Lehrpersonal nur über die beschäftigenden Organisationen erreicht werden kann. Zu Beginn wird die Bedeutung eines aktuellen und vollständigen Katasters von Weiterbildungseinrichtungen in Deutschland vor dem Hintergrund des Forschungsstandes und dessen Systematisierung herausgearbeitet. Bisherige Bemühungen zur Abgrenzung, Erfassung und Kategorisierung der Grundgesamtheit organisierter Weiterbildung werden nachgezeichnet und die sich daraus ergebenden Desiderate abgeleitet. Im Anschluss wird das methodische Vorgehen bei der Erstellung, Verifikation, Hochrechnung und Gewichtung des Katasters beschrieben. Auf der Grundlage dieser Daten werden zunächst Informationen zur Zahl der Weiterbildungsanbieter und der Beschäftigungsverhältnisse für das lehrende Personal berichtet und sodann insbesondere im Blick auf ihre regionale Verteilung differenziert analysiert. Abschließend werden Anschlüsse für die Organisations-, die Professionalisierungs- und die Systemforschung der Weiterbildung aufgezeigt.
Surface atomic-layer superconductors with Rashba/Zeeman-type spin-orbit coupling
Authors: Uchihashi Takashi
Published: November 2021

In this article, we review the recent progress in surface atomic-layer superconductors on semiconductor substrates with Rashba/Zeeman-type spin-orbit coupling (SOC). After introduction of some of the basics of Rashba/Zeeman-type SOC and its effects on superconductivity, representative surface structures with relevant features are described in terms of their crystalline and electronic properties. This is followed by recent experimental studies that have revealed anomalous superconducting phenomena, which can be attributed to the effects of Rashba/Zeeman-type SOC. Future prospects, likely to be driven by instrumentational developments, are given as a concluding remark.
Illegal settlement in the Babile Elephant Sanctuary is threatening the resident elephant population
Authors: Neil Emily , Greengrass Elizabeth
Published: November 2021

The Babile Elephant Sanctuary in Ethiopia was established in 1970 specifically to protect its elephants Loxodonta africana. They were once part of a larger population that ranged in eastern Ethiopia and northern Somalia but that was largely extirpated during the 20th century. Since its establishment, the Sanctuary has experienced severe anthropogenic pressure, inadequate government support, and civil conflict. Mapping was undertaken to analyse the rate of human immigration into the Sanctuary in 2006, 2014 and 2017, as part of an assessment of the Sanctuary's effectiveness in protecting its resident elephant population and in mitigating anthropogenic pressures. From 2006 to 2017 the number of illegal houses in the Sanctuary increased from 18,000 to > 50,000, of which > 32,000 were in the area in which elephants range. This settlement, coupled with high demand for natural resources, has resulted in significant habitat destruction and could also have exacerbated human–elephant conflict. Elephant conservation and monitoring by the Born Free Foundation were challenging because of ethnic conflict; rural and political stability is required if efforts to protect wildlife are to be successful. Unless these issues are resolved and the integrity of the Sanctuary is restored, this elephant population will be extirpated in the near future.
Channel Migration in Experimental River Networks Mapped by Particle Image Velocimetry
Authors: Chadwick A. J. , Steel E. , Williams‐Schaetzel R. A. , Passalacqua P. , Paola C.
Published: November 2021

Deltaic river networks naturally reorganize as interconnected channels move to redistribute water, sediment, and nutrients across the delta plain. Network change is documented in decades of satellite imagery and laboratory experiments, but our ability to measure and understand channel movements is limited: existing methods are difficult to employ efficiently and struggle to distinguish between gradual movements (channel migration) and abrupt shifts in river course (channel avulsions). Here, we present a method to extract channel migration from plan‐view imagery using particle image velocimetry (PIV). Although originally designed to track particles moving in a fluid, PIV can be adapted to track channels moving on the delta surface, based on input estimates of channel width, migration timescale, and maps of the wet‐dry interface. Results for a delta experiment show that PIV‐derived vector fields accurately capture channel‐bank movements, as compared to manually drawn maps and an independent image‐registration technique. Unlike other methods, PIV targets the process of channel migration, excluding changes associated with channel avulsions and overbank flow. PIV‐derived migration rates from the experiment span an order of magnitude and are reduced under lower sediment supply and during sea‐level rise, supporting recent models. Together, results indicate that PIV offers a fast and reliable way to measure channel migration in river networks, that channel migration rates under non‐cohesive conditions can displace channels a distance comparable to their width in the time needed to aggrade ∼10% of the channel depth, and that migration direction is ∼60% orthogonal to mean flow direction and ∼40% flow‐parallel overall.
Sensitization of the reinforcing value of high energy density foods is associated with increased zBMI gain in adolescents
Authors: Temple Jennifer L. , Ziegler Amanda M. , Crandall Amanda K. , Mansouri Tegan , Hatzinger Lori , Barich Rachel , Epstein Leonard H.
Published: November 2021

Background/Objectives

Characterizing behavioral phenotypes that predict increased zBMI gain during adolescence could identify novel intervention targets and prevent the development of obesity. The purpose of this study was to determine if sensitization of the relative reinforcing value (RRV) of high (HED) or low energy density (LED) foods predicts adolescent weight gain trajectories. A secondary aim was to test the hypothesis that relationships between sensitization of the RRV of food and weight change are moderated by delay discounting (DD).

Subjects/Methods

We conducted a prospective, longitudinal cohort study in 201 boys and girls with an average zBMI of 0.4, who began the study between the ages of 12 and 14 years and completed the study 2 years later. Participants completed five laboratory visits where the RRV of HED and LED, and DD were assessed at a baseline (visits 1, 2, and 4) and then RRV was measured again after participants consumed a portion of the same HED and LED food for 2 weeks (visits 3 and 5; order counterbalanced). Increases (>1) in the RRV from baseline to post-daily intake were categorized as “sensitization” and decreases (≤1) were categorized as “satiation.” Participants returned to the laboratory for follow-up visits at 6, 15, and 24 months to have height and weight taken and to complete additional assessments.

Results

Sensitization to HED food was associated with a greater zBMI change over time (β = 0.0070; p = 0.035). There was no impact of sensitization to LED food or interaction between sensitization to HED and LED food on zBMI change and no moderation of DD on the relationship between HED sensitization and zBMI change (all p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Our prior work showed that sensitization to HED food is cross-sectionally associated with greater zBMI. This study extends this work by demonstrating that sensitization to HED food prospectively predicts increased zBMI gain over time in adolescents without obesity. Future studies should determine if sensitization can be modified or reduced through behavioral intervention.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04027608.
A new strategy for the fabrication of a flexible and highly sensitive capacitive pressure sensor
Authors: Qin Ruzhan , Hu Mingjun , Li Xin , Liang Te , Tan Haoyi , Liu Jinzhang , Shan Guangcun
Published: November 2021

The development of flexible capacitive pressure sensors has wide application prospects in the fields of electronic skin and intelligent wearable electronic devices, but it is still a great challenge to fabricate capacitive sensors with high sensitivity. Few reports have considered the use of interdigital electrode structures to improve the sensitivity of capacitive pressure sensors. In this work, a new strategy for the fabrication of a high-performance capacitive flexible pressure sensor based on MXene/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) by an interdigital electrode is reported. By increasing the number of interdigital electrodes and selecting the appropriate dielectric layer, the sensitivity of the capacitive sensor can be improved. The capacitive sensor based on MXene/PVP here has a high sensitivity (~1.25 kPa−1), low detection limit (~0.6 Pa), wide sensing range (up to 294 kPa), fast response and recovery times (~30/15 ms) and mechanical stability of 10000 cycles. The presented sensor here can be used for various pressure detection applications, such as finger pressing, wrist pulse measuring, breathing, swallowing and speech recognition. This work provides a new method of using interdigital electrodes to fabricate a highly sensitive capacitive sensor with very promising application prospects in flexible sensors and wearable electronics.
Vinexin contributes to autophagic decline in brain ageing across species
Authors: Park So Jung , Frake Rebecca A. , Karabiyik Cansu , Son Sung Min , Siddiqi Farah H. , Bento Carla F. , Sterk Peter , Vicinanza Mariella , Pavel Mariana , Rubinsztein David C.
Published: November 2021

Autophagic decline is considered a hallmark of ageing. The activity of this intracytoplasmic degradation pathway decreases with age in many tissues and autophagy induction ameliorates ageing in many organisms, including mice. Autophagy is a critical protective pathway in neurons and ageing is the primary risk factor for common neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we describe that autophagosome biogenesis declines with age in mouse brains and that this correlates with increased expression of the SORBS3 gene (encoding vinexin) in older mouse and human brain tissue. We characterise vinexin as a negative regulator of autophagy. SORBS3 knockdown increases F-actin structures, which compete with YAP/TAZ for binding to their negative regulators, angiomotins, in the cytosol. This promotes YAP/TAZ translocation into the nucleus, thereby increasing YAP/TAZ transcriptional activity and autophagy. Our data therefore suggest brain autophagy decreases with age in mammals and that this is likely, in part, mediated by increasing levels of vinexin.
Magnetism-induced topological transition in EuAs3
Authors: Cheng Erjian , Xia Wei , Shi Xianbiao , Fang Hongwei , Wang Chengwei , Xi Chuanying , Xu Shaowen , Peets Darren C. , Wang Linshu , Su Hao , Pi Li , Ren Wei , Wang Xia , Yu Na , Chen Yulin , Zhao Weiwei , Liu Zhongkai , Guo Yanfeng , Li Shiyan
Published: November 2021

The nature of the interaction between magnetism and topology in magnetic topological semimetals remains mysterious, but may be expected to lead to a variety of novel physics. We systematically studied the magnetic semimetal EuAs3, demonstrating a magnetism-induced topological transition from a topological nodal-line semimetal in the paramagnetic or the spin-polarized state to a topological massive Dirac metal in the antiferromagnetic ground state at low temperature. The topological nature in the antiferromagnetic state and the spin-polarized state has been verified by electrical transport measurements. An unsaturated and extremely large magnetoresistance of ~2 × 105% at 1.8 K and 28.3 T is observed. In the paramagnetic states, the topological nodal-line structure at the Y point is proven by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. Moreover, a temperature-induced Lifshitz transition accompanied by the emergence of a new band below 3 K is revealed. These results indicate that magnetic EuAs3 provides a rich platform to explore exotic physics arising from the interaction of magnetism with topology.
Paper microfluidic implementation of loop mediated isothermal amplification for early diagnosis of hepatitis C virus
Authors: Witkowska McConnell Weronika , Davis Chris , Sabir Suleman R. , Garrett Alice , Bradley-Stewart Amanda , Jajesniak Pawel , Reboud Julien , Xu Gaolian , Yang Zhugen , Gunson Rory , Thomson Emma C. , Cooper Jonathan M.
Published: November 2021

The early diagnosis of active hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a significant barrier to the treatment of the disease and to preventing the associated significant morbidity and mortality seen, worldwide. Current testing is delayed due to the high cost, long turnaround times and high expertise needed in centralised diagnostic laboratories. Here we demonstrate a user-friendly, low-cost pan-genotypic assay, based upon reverse transcriptase loop mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP). We developed a prototype device for point-of-care use, comprising a LAMP amplification chamber and lateral flow nucleic acid detection strips, giving a visually-read, user-friendly result in <40 min. The developed assay fulfils the current guidelines recommended by World Health Organisation and is manufactured at minimal cost using simple, portable equipment. Further development of the diagnostic test will facilitate linkage between disease diagnosis and treatment, greatly improving patient care pathways and reducing loss to follow-up, so assisting in the global elimination strategy.
Reversing sintering effect of Ni particles on γ-Mo2N via strong metal support interaction
Authors: Lin Lili , Liu Jinjia , Liu Xi , Gao Zirui , Rui Ning , Yao Siyu , Zhang Feng , Wang Maolin , Liu Chang , Han Lili , Yang Feng , Zhang Sen , Wen Xiao-dong , Senanayake Sanjaya D. , Wu Yichao , Li Xiaonian , Rodriguez José A. , Ma Ding
Published: November 2021

Reversing the thermal induced sintering phenomenon and forming high temperature stable fine dispersed metallic centers with unique structural and electronic properties is one of the ever-lasting targets of heterogeneous catalysis. Here we report that the dispersion of metallic Ni particles into under-coordinated two-dimensional Ni clusters over γ-Mo2N is a thermodynamically favorable process based on the AIMD simulation. A Ni-4nm/γ-Mo2N model catalyst is synthesized and used to further study the reverse sintering effect by the combination of multiple in-situ characterization methods, including in-situ quick XANES and EXAFS, ambient pressure XPS and environmental SE/STEM etc. The under-coordinated two-dimensional layered Ni clusters on molybdenum nitride support generated from the Ni-4nm/γ-Mo2N has been demonstrated to be a thermally stable catalyst in 50 h stability test in CO2 hydrogenation, and exhibits a remarkable catalytic selectivity reverse compared with traditional Ni particles-based catalyst, leading to a chemo-specific CO2 hydrogenation to CO.
Experimental realization of a 3D random hopping model
Authors: Lippe Carsten , Klas Tanita , Bender Jana , Mischke Patrick , Niederprüm Thomas , Ott Herwig
Published: November 2021

Scientific advance is often driven by identifying conceptually simple models underlying complex phenomena. This process commonly ignores imperfections which, however, might give rise to non-trivial collective behavior. For example, already a small amount of disorder can dramatically change the transport properties of a system compared to the underlying simple model. While systems with disordered potentials were already studied in detail, experimental investigations on systems with disordered hopping are still in its infancy. To this end, we experimentally study a dipole–dipole-interacting three-dimensional Rydberg system and map it onto a simple XY model with random couplings by spectroscopic evidence. We discuss the localization–delocalization crossover emerging in the model and present experimental signatures of it. Our results demonstrate that Rydberg systems are a useful platform to study random hopping models with the ability to access the microscopic degrees of freedom. This will allow to study transport processes and localization phenomena in random hopping models with a high level of control.
Probabilistic inference of the genetic architecture underlying functional enrichment of complex traits
Authors: Patxot Marion , Banos Daniel Trejo , Kousathanas Athanasios , Orliac Etienne J. , Ojavee Sven E. , Moser Gerhard , Holloway Alexander , Sidorenko Julia , Kutalik Zoltan , Mägi Reedik , Visscher Peter M. , Rönnegård Lars , Robinson Matthew R.
Published: November 2021

We develop a Bayesian model (BayesRR-RC) that provides robust SNP-heritability estimation, an alternative to marker discovery, and accurate genomic prediction, taking 22 seconds per iteration to estimate 8.4 million SNP-effects and 78 SNP-heritability parameters in the UK Biobank. We find that only ≤10% of the genetic variation captured for height, body mass index, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes is attributable to proximal regulatory regions within 10kb upstream of genes, while 12-25% is attributed to coding regions, 32–44% to introns, and 22-28% to distal 10-500kb upstream regions. Up to 24% of all cis and coding regions of each chromosome are associated with each trait, with over 3,100 independent exonic and intronic regions and over 5,400 independent regulatory regions having ≥95% probability of contributing ≥0.001% to the genetic variance of these four traits. Our open-source software (GMRM) provides a scalable alternative to current approaches for biobank data.
VviPLATZ1 is a major factor that controls female flower morphology determination in grapevine
Authors: Iocco-Corena Pat , Chaïb Jamila , Torregrosa Laurent , Mackenzie Don , Thomas Mark R. , Smith Harley M.
Published: November 2021

Plant genetic sex determinants that mediate the transition to dioecy are predicted to be diverse, as this type of mating system independently evolved multiple times in angiosperms. Wild Vitis species are dioecious with individuals producing morphologically distinct female or male flowers; whereas, modern domesticated Vitis vinifera cultivars form hermaphrodite flowers capable of self-pollination. Here, we identify the VviPLATZ1 transcription factor as a key candidate female flower morphology factor that localizes to the Vitis SEX-DETERMINING REGION. The expression pattern of this gene correlates with the formation reflex stamens, a prominent morphological phenotype of female flowers. After generating CRISPR/Cas9 gene-edited alleles in a hermaphrodite genotype, phenotype analysis shows that individual homozygous lines produce flowers with reflex stamens. Taken together, our results demonstrate that loss of VviPLATZ1 function is a major factor that controls female flower morphology in Vitis.
Molecular insights into receptor binding energetics and neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 variants
Authors: Koehler Melanie , Ray Ankita , Moreira Rodrigo A. , Juniku Blinera , Poma Adolfo B. , Alsteens David
Published: November 2021

Despite an unprecedented global gain in knowledge since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, almost all mechanistic knowledge related to the molecular and cellular details of viral replication, pathology and virulence has been generated using early prototypic isolates of SARS-CoV-2. Here, using atomic force microscopy and molecular dynamics, we investigated how these mutations quantitatively affected the kinetic, thermodynamic and structural properties of RBD—ACE2 complex formation. We observed for several variants of concern a significant increase in the RBD—ACE2 complex stability. While the N501Y and E484Q mutations are particularly important for the greater stability, the N501Y mutation is unlikely to significantly affect antibody neutralization. This work provides unprecedented atomistic detail on the binding of SARS-CoV-2 variants and provides insight into the impact of viral mutations on infection-induced immunity.
Freezing of few nanometers water droplets
Authors: Hakimian Alireza , Mohebinia Mohammadjavad , Nazari Masoumeh , Davoodabadi Ali , Nazifi Sina , Huang Zixu , Bao Jiming , Ghasemi Hadi
Published: November 2021

Water-ice transformation of few nm nanodroplets plays a critical role in nature including climate change, microphysics of clouds, survival mechanism of animals in cold environments, and a broad spectrum of technologies. In most of these scenarios, water-ice transformation occurs in a heterogenous mode where nanodroplets are in contact with another medium. Despite computational efforts, experimental probing of this transformation at few nm scales remains unresolved. Here, we report direct probing of water-ice transformation down to 2 nm scale and the length-scale dependence of transformation temperature through two independent metrologies. The transformation temperature shows a sharp length dependence in nanodroplets smaller than 10 nm and for 2 nm droplet, this temperature falls below the homogenous bulk nucleation limit. Contrary to nucleation on curved rigid solid surfaces, ice formation on soft interfaces (omnipresent in nature) can deform the interface leading to suppression of ice nucleation. For soft interfaces, ice nucleation temperature depends on surface modulus. Considering the interfacial deformation, the findings are in good agreement with predictions of classical nucleation theory. This understanding contributes to a greater knowledge of natural phenomena and rational design of anti-icing systems for aviation, wind energy and infrastructures and even cryopreservation systems.
Identification of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers for parkinsonism using a proteomics approach
Authors: Marques Tainá M. , van Rumund Anouke , Kersten Iris , Bruinsma Ilona B. , Wessels Hans J.C.T. , Gloerich Jolein , Kaffa Charlotte , Esselink Rianne A. J. , Bloem Bastiaan R. , Kuiperij H. Bea , Verbeek Marcel M.
Published: November 2021

The aim of our study was to investigate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tryptic peptide profiles as potential diagnostic biomarkers for the discrimination of parkinsonian disorders. CSF samples were collected from individuals with parkinsonism, who had an uncertain diagnosis at the time of inclusion and who were followed for up to 12 years in a longitudinal study. We performed shotgun proteomics to identify tryptic peptides in CSF of Parkinson’s disease (PD, n = 10), multiple system atrophy patients (MSA, n = 5) and non-neurological controls (n = 10). We validated tryptic peptides with differential levels between PD and MSA using a newly developed selected reaction monitoring (SRM) assay in CSF of PD (n = 46), atypical parkinsonism patients (AP; MSA, n = 17; Progressive supranuclear palsy; n = 8) and non-neurological controls (n = 39). We identified 191 tryptic peptides that differed significantly between PD and MSA, of which 34 met our criteria for SRM development. For 14/34 peptides we confirmed differences between PD and AP. These tryptic peptides discriminated PD from AP with moderate-to-high accuracy. Random forest modelling including tryptic peptides plus either clinical assessments or other CSF parameters (neurofilament light chain, phosphorylated tau protein) and age improved the discrimination of PD vs. AP. Our results show that the discovery of tryptic peptides by untargeted and subsequent validation by targeted proteomics is a suitable strategy to identify potential CSF biomarkers for PD versus AP. Furthermore, the tryptic peptides, and corresponding proteins, that we identified as differential biomarkers may increase our current knowledge about the disease-specific pathophysiological mechanisms of parkinsonism.
Modeling a primate technological niche
Authors: Reeves Jonathan S. , Proffitt Tomos , Luncz Lydia V.
Published: November 2021

The ability to modify the environment through the transport of tools has been instrumental in shaping the evolutionary success of humans. Understanding the cause-and-effect relationships between hominin behavior and the environment ultimately requires understanding of how the archaeological record forms. Observations of living primates can shed light on these interactions by investigating how tool-use behaviors produce a material record within specific environmental contexts. However, this requires reconciling data derived from primate behavioral observations with the time-averaged nature of the Plio-Pleistocene archaeological record. Here, we use an agent-based model to investigate how repeated short-distance transport events, characteristic for primate tool use, can result in significant landscape-scale patterning of material culture over time. Our results illustrate the conditions under which accumulated short-distance transport bouts can displace stone tools over long distances. We show that this widespread redistribution of tools can also increase access to tool require resources over time. As such, these results elucidate the niche construction processes associated with this pattern of tool transport. Finally, the structure of the subsequent material record largely depends on the interaction between tool transport and environmental conditions over time. Though these results have implications for inferring hominin tool transports from hominin archaeological assemblages. Furthermore, they highlight the difficulties with connecting specific behavioral processes with the patterning in the archaeological record.
Optimising metameric spectra for integrative lighting to modulate the circadian system without affecting visual appearance
Authors: Zandi Babak , Stefani Oliver , Herzog Alexander , Schlangen Luc J. M. , Trinh Quang Vinh , Khanh Tran Quoc
Published: November 2021

Smart integrative lighting systems aim to support human health and wellbeing by capitalising on the light-induced effects on circadian rhythms, sleep, and cognitive functions, while optimising the light’s visual aspects like colour fidelity, visual comfort, visual preference, and visibility. Metameric spectral tuning could be an instrument to solve potential conflicts between the visual preferences of users with respect to illuminance and chromaticity and the circadian consequences of the light exposure, as metamers can selectively modulate melanopsin-based photoreception without affecting visual properties such as chromaticity or illuminance. This work uses a 6-, 8- and 11-channel LED luminaire with fixed illuminance of 250 lx to systematically investigate the metameric tuning range in melanopic equivalent daylight illuminance (EDI) and melanopic daylight efficacy ratio (melanopic DER) for 561 chromaticity coordinates as optimisation targets (2700 K to 7443 K ± Duv 0 to 0.048), while applying colour fidelity index Rf criteria from the TM-30-20 Annex E recommendations (i.e. Rf$$\ge$$
≥
85, Rf,h1$$\ge$$
≥
85). Our results reveal that the melanopic tuning range increases with rising CCT to a maximum tuning range in melanopic DER of 0.24 (CCT: 6702 K, Duv: 0.003), 0.29 (CCT: 7443 K, Duv: 0) and 0.30 (CCT: 6702, Duv: 0.006), depending on the luminaire’s channel number of 6, 8 or 11, respectively. This allows to vary the melanopic EDI from 212.5–227.5 lx up to 275–300 lx without changes in the photopic illuminance (250 lx) or chromaticity ($$\Delta u'v'$$

Δ

u
′

v
′

$$\le$$
≤
0.0014). The highest metameric melanopic Michelson contrast for the 6-, 8- and 11-channel luminaire is 0.16, 0.18 and 0.18, which is accomplished at a CCT of 3017 K (Duv: − 0.018), 3456 K (Duv: 0.009) and 3456 K (Duv: 0.009), respectively. By optimising ~ 490,000 multi-channel LED spectra, we identified chromaticity regions in the CIExy colour space that are of particular interest to control the melanopic efficacy with metameric spectral tuning.
Clinical strategy of repeat biopsy in patients with atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP)
Authors: Kim Hwanik , Kim Jung Kwon , Choe Gheeyoung , Hong Sung Kyu
Published: November 2021

Atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) occurs in approximately 5% of prostate biopsies. Approximately 30–40% of patients with ASAP have biopsy detectable prostate cancer (PCa) within 5 years. Current guidelines recommend a repeat biopsy within 3–6 months after the initial diagnosis. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between ASAP and subsequent diagnosis of clinically significant PCa (csPCa). The need for immediate repeat biopsy was also evaluated. We identified 212 patients with an ASAP diagnosis on their first biopsy at our institution between February 2006 and March 2018. Of these patients, 102 (48.1%) had at least one follow-up biopsy. Clinicopathologic features including rates of subsequent PCa and csPCa were assessed. Thirty-five patients subsequently underwent radical prostatectomy (RP). Their pathologic results were reviewed. csPCa was defined as the presence of Gleason score (GS) ≥ 3 + 4 in ≥ 1 biopsy core. Adverse pathology (AP) was defined as high-grade (primary Gleason pattern ≥ 4) or non-organ-confined disease (pT3/N1) after RP. Of 102 patients, 87 (85.3%), 13 (12.7%), and 2 (2.0%) had one, two, and three follow-up biopsies, respectively. Median time from the initial ASAP diagnosis to the 2nd follow-up biopsy and the last follow-up biopsy were 21.9 months (range 1–129 months) and 27.7 months (range 1–129 months), respectively. Of these patients, 46 (45.1%) were subsequently diagnosed with PCa, including 20 (19.6%) with csPCa. Only 2 (2.0%) patients had GS ≥ 8 disease. Five (4.9%) patients had number of positive cores > 3. Of 35 patients who subsequently underwent RP, seven (20%) had AP after RP and 17 (48.6%) showed GS upgrading. Of these 17 patients, the vast majority (16/17, 94.1%) had GS upgrading from 3 + 3 to 3 + 4. 45.1% of patients with an initial diagnosis of ASAP who had repeat prostate biopsy were subsequently diagnosed with PCa and 19.6% were found to have csPCa. Our findings add further evidence that after a diagnosis of ASAP, a repeat biopsy is warranted and that the repeat biopsy should not be postponed.
Seasonal and spatial patterns of eukaryotic phytoplankton communities in an urban river based on marker gene
Authors: Yang Jing , Lv Junping , Liu Qi , Nan Fangru , Li Bo , Xie Shulian , Feng Jia
Published: November 2021

The seasonal and spatial eukaryotic phytoplankton composition in the Fenhe River was investigated based on the 18S rDNA V4 region. The relationship between phytoplankton functional groups and environmental factors was explored to effectively capture the responses of these taxa to environmental gradients and their effects on ecosystem function. Our results indicated that the Chlorophyta and Bacillariophyta had higher relative abundance than other taxa, and their diversity and richness indices in spring were higher than those in other seasons. The linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analyses detected that the potential seasonal biomarkers included Desmodesmus, Cyclotella, Pseudoschroederia, Discostella, Scenedesmus, Monoraphidium, and Nannochloropsis; the spatial biomarkers included Amphora, Neochloris, Hindakia, Pseudomuriella, Coccomyxa, Chloroidium, Scherffelia, Chromochloris, and Scotinosphaera. The systemic evolution and distribution characteristics of the first 50 representative sequences showed that the dominant genus included Desmodesmus in spring, Pseudopediastrum in summer, Mychonastes in autumn, and Monoraphidium in winter. Main seasonal variation of phytoplankton functional groups was as follows: spring (J + F + C + X1) → summer (J + F + X1 + X2) → autumn (J + F + X1 + C) → winter (X1 + J + B + X2). Pearson correlation, redundancy analysis, and variance partitioning analysis showed temperature and phosphate were the determining factors causing the changes of phytoplankton functional groups and community composition in the Fenhe River.
A hydrated 2,3-diaminophenazinium chloride as a promising building block against SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Mahato Rajani Kanta , Mahanty Ayan Kumar , Kotakonda Muddukrishnaiah , Prasad Sunnapu , Bhattacharyya Subires , Biswas Bhaskar
Published: November 2021

Phenazine scaffolds are the versatile secondary metabolites of bacterial origin. It functions in the biological control of plant pathogens and contributes to the producing strains ecological fitness and pathogenicity. In the light of the excellent therapeutic properties of phenazine, we have synthesized a hydrated 2,3-diaminophenazinium chloride (DAPH+Cl−·3H2O) through direct catalytic oxidation of o-phenylenediamine with an iron(III) complex, [Fe(1,10-phenanthroline)2Cl2]NO3 in ethanol under aerobic condition. The crystal structure, molecular complexity and supramolecular aspects of DAPH+Cl− were confirmed and elucidated with different spectroscopic methods and single crystal X-ray structural analysis. Crystal engineering study on DAPH+Cl− exhibits a fascinating formation of (H2O)2…Cl−…(H2O) cluster and energy framework analysis of defines the role of chloride ions in the stabilization of DAPH+Cl−. The bactericidal efficiency of the compound has been testified against few clinical bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, K. pneumoniae using the disc diffusion method and the results of high inhibition zone suggest its excellent antibacterial properties. The phenazinium chloride exhibits a significant percentage of cell viability and a considerable inhibition property against SARS-CoV-2 at non-cytotoxic concentration compared to remdesivir. Molecular docking studies estimate a good binding propensity of DAPH+Cl− with non-structural proteins (nsp2 and nsp7-nsp-8) and the main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2. The molecular dynamics simulation studies attribute the conformationally stable structures of the DAPH+Cl− bound Mpro and nsp2, nsp7-nsp8 complexes as evident from the considerable binding energy values, − 19.2 ± 0.3, − 25.7 ± 0.1, and − 24.5 ± 0.7 kcal/mol, respectively.
Comparison of optical coherence tomography angiography metrics in primary angle-closure glaucoma and normal-tension glaucoma
Authors: Shen Ruyue , Wang Yu Meng , Cheung Carol Y. , Chan Poemen P. , Tham Clement C.
Published: November 2021

To investigate the peripapillary vascular metrics in early normal tension glaucoma (NTG) and early primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) eyes using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A). One or both eyes of each subject were imaged for a 3 × 3 mm peripapillary region by swept-source OCT-A (DRI-OCT Triton, Topcon, Japan) and assessed by an automated MATLAB program. OCT-A metrics including circumpapillary vessel density (cpVD) and fractal dimension (cpFD) were compared. Their association with visual field (VF) parameters and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness were determined. Sixty-eight eyes of 51 PACG, 68 eyes of 48 NTG, and 68 eyes of 49 control subjects were cross-sectionally analyzed. NTG eyes had significantly lower global cpVD (52.369 ± 0.781%) compared with PACG eyes (55.389 ± 0.721%, P = 0.004) that had comparable disease severity and average RNFL thickness. Multivariable analysis revealed that, for PACG and NTG eyes, decreased cpVD ([PACG] β = −4.242; CI: −8.120, −0.363 vs [NTG] β = −5.531; CI: −9.472, −1.590) and cpFD ([PACG] β = −8.894;CI: −11.925, −5.864 vs [NTG] β = −12.064; CI: −17.095, −6.932) were associated with decreased RNFL thickness (all P ≤ 0.032); with a stronger association between decrease cpFD and decreased RNFL thickness in NTG eyes (P = 0.028). Decreased cpVD was associated with decrease mean deviation (MD) in NTG eyes (β = −0.707; CI: −1.090, −0.324; P ≤ 0.001) and not associated with the visual field parameters in PACG eyes. Early NTG had lower global cpVD compared with early PACG, despite similar disease severity and average RNFL thickness.
Predicting sensitivity of recently harvested tomatoes and tomato sepals to future fungal infections
Authors: Brdar Sanja , Panić Marko , Hogeveen-van Echtelt Esther , Mensink Manon , Grbović Željana , Woltering Ernst , Chauhan Aneesh
Published: November 2021

Tomato is an important commercial product which is perishable by nature and highly susceptible to fungal incidence once it is harvested. Not all tomatoes are equally vulnerable to pathogenic fungi, and an early detection of the vulnerable ones can help in taking timely preventive actions, ranging from isolating tomato batches to adjusting storage conditions, but also in making right business decisions like dynamic pricing based on quality or better shelf life estimate. More importantly, early detection of vulnerable produce can help in taking timely actions to minimize potential post-harvest losses. This paper investigates Near-infrared (NIR) hyperspectral imaging (1000–1700 nm) and machine learning to build models to automatically predict the susceptibility of sepals of recently harvested tomatoes to future fungal infections. Hyperspectral images of newly harvested tomatoes (cultivar Brioso) from 5 different growers were acquired before the onset of any visible fungal infection. After imaging, the tomatoes were placed under controlled conditions suited for fungal germination and growth for a 4-day period, and then imaged using normal color cameras. All sepals in the color images were ranked for fungal severity using crowdsourcing, and the final severity of each sepal was fused using principal component analysis. A novel hyperspectral data processing pipeline is presented which was used to automatically segment the tomato sepals from spectral images with multiple tomatoes connected via a truss. The key modelling question addressed in this research is whether there is a correlation between the hyperspectral data captured at harvest and the fungal infection observed 4 days later. Using 10-fold and group k-fold cross-validation, XG-Boost and Random Forest based regression models were trained on the features derived from the hyperspectral data corresponding to each sepal in the training set and tested on hold out test set. The best model found a Pearson correlation of 0.837, showing that there is strong linear correlation between the NIR spectra and the future fungal severity of the sepal. The sepal specific predictions were aggregated to predict the susceptibility of individual tomatoes, and a correlation of 0.92 was found. Besides modelling, focus is also on model interpretation, particularly to understand which spectral features are most relevant to model prediction. Two approaches to model interpretation were explored, feature importance and SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations), resulting in similar conclusions that the NIR range between 1390–1420 nm contributes most to the model’s final decision.
The meta-gut: community coalescence of animal gut and environmental microbiomes
Authors: Dutton Christopher L. , Subalusky Amanda L. , Sanchez Alvaro , Estrela Sylvie , Lu Nanxi , Hamilton Stephen K. , Njoroge Laban , Rosi Emma J. , Post David M.
Published: November 2021

All animals carry specialized microbiomes, and their gut microbiota are continuously released into the environment through excretion of waste. Here we propose the meta-gut as a novel conceptual framework that addresses the ability of the gut microbiome released from an animal to function outside the host and alter biogeochemical processes mediated by microbes. We demonstrate this dynamic in the hippopotamus (hippo) and the pools they inhabit. We used natural field gradients and experimental approaches to examine fecal and pool water microbial communities and aquatic biogeochemistry across a range of hippo inputs. Sequencing using 16S RNA methods revealed community coalescence between hippo gut microbiomes and the active microbial communities in hippo pools that received high inputs of hippo feces. The shared microbiome between the hippo gut and the waters into which they excrete constitutes a meta-gut system that could influence the biogeochemistry of recipient ecosystems and provide a reservoir of gut microbiomes that could influence other hosts. We propose that meta-gut dynamics may also occur where other animal species congregate in high densities, particularly in aquatic environments.
Distinct microbiome profiles and biofilms in Leishmania donovani-driven cutaneous leishmaniasis wounds
Authors: Jayasena Kaluarachchi T. D. , Campbell Paul M. , Wickremasinghe Rajitha , Ranasinghe Shalindra , Wickremasinghe Renu , Yasawardene Surangi , De Silva Hiromel , Menike Chandrani , Jayarathne M. C. K. , Jayathilake Subodha , Dilhari Ayomi , McBain Andrew J. , Weerasekera Manjula M.
Published: November 2021

The endemic strain of Leishmania donovani in Sri Lanka causes cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) rather than more common visceral form. We have visualized biofilms and profiled the microbiome of lesions and unaffected skin in thirty-nine CL patients. Twenty-four lesions (61.5%) were biofilm-positive according to fluorescence in situ hybridization. Biopsies of biofilm-positive lesions were dominated by Pseudomonas, class Bacilli and Enterobacteriaceae and distinguished by significantly lower community evenness. Higher relative abundance of a class Bacilli OTU was detected in wound swabs versus contralateral skin. Wound swabs and biopsies had significantly distinct microbiome profiles and lower diversity compared to unaffected skin. Greater abundances of potentially pathogenic organisms were observed in wet ulcers, lesions with high parasite loads and large wounds. In summary, more than half of L. donovani associated CL wounds harboured biofilms and the wounds exhibited a distinct, less diverse, microbiome than unaffected skin.
HIV indirectly accelerates coronary artery disease by promoting the effects of risk factors: longitudinal observational study
Authors: Kolossváry Márton , Celentano David , Gerstenblith Gary , Bluemke David A. , Mandler Raul N. , Fishman Elliot K. , Bhatia Sandeepan , Chen Shaoguang , Lai Shenghan , Lai Hong
Published: November 2021

Our objective was to assess whether human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infection directly or indirectly promotes the progression of clinical characteristics of coronary artery disease (CAD). 300 African Americans with asymptomatic CAD (210 male; age: 48.0 ± 7.2 years; 226 HIV-infected) who underwent coronary CT angiography at two time points (mean follow-up: 4.0 ± 2.3 years) were randomly selected from 1429 participants of a prospective epidemiological study between May 2004 and August 2015. We calculated Agatston-scores, number of coronary plaques and segment stenosis score (SSS). Linear mixed models were used to assess the effects of HIV-infection, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk, years of cocaine use on CAD. There was no significant difference in annual progression rates between HIV-infected and—uninfected regarding Agatston-scores (10.8 ± 25.1/year vs. 7.2 ± 17.8/year, p = 0.17), the number of plaques (0.2 ± 0.3/year vs. 0.3 ± 0.5/year, p = 0.11) or SSS (0.5 ± 0.8/year vs. 0.5 ± 1.3/year, p = 0.96). Multivariately, HIV-infection was not associated with Agatston-scores (8.3, CI: [− 37.2–53.7], p = 0.72), the number of coronary plaques (− 0.1, CI: [− 0.5–0.4], p = 0.73) or SSS (− 0.1, CI: [− 1.0–0.8], p = 0.84). ASCVD risk scores and years of cocaine-use significantly increased all CAD outcomes among HIV-infected individuals, but not among HIV-uninfected. Importantly, none of the HIV-medications were associated with any of the CAD outcomes. HIV-infection is not directly associated with CAD and therefore HIV-infected are not destined to have worse CAD profiles. However, HIV-infection may indirectly promote CAD progression as risk factors may have a more prominent role in the acceleration of CAD in these patients.
A single baroreceptor unit consists of multiple sensors
Authors: Liu Jun , Song Nana , Wang Yufang , Walker Jerome , Yu Jerry
Published: November 2021

Arterial baroreceptors (BRs) play a vital role in the regulation of the cardiopulmonary system. What is known about how these sensors operate at the subcellular level is limited, however. Until recently, one afferent axon was considered to be connected to a single baroreceptor (one-sensor theory). However, in the lung, a single airway mechanosensory unit is now known to house many sensors (multiple-sensor theory). Here we tested the hypothesis that multiple-sensor theory also operates in BR units, using both morphological and electrophysiological approaches in rabbit aortic arch (in whole mount) labeled with Na+/K+-ATPase, as well as myelin basic protein antibodies, and examined microscopically. Sensory structures presented in compact clusters, similar to bunches of grapes. Sensory terminals, like those in the airways, formed leaf-like or knob-like expansions. That is, a single myelinated axon connected with multiple sensors forming a network. We also recorded single-unit activities from aortic baroreceptors in the depressor nerve in anesthetized rabbits and examined the unit response to a bolus intravenous injection of phenylephrine. Unit activity increased progressively as blood pressure (BP) increased. Five of eleven units abruptly changed their discharge pattern to a lower activity level after BP attained a plateau for a minute or two (when BP was maintained at the high level). These findings clearly show that the high discharge baroreceptor deactivates after over-excitation and unit activity falls to a low discharge sensor. In conclusion, our morphological and physiological data support the hypothesis that multiple-sensory theory can be applied to BR units.
Comparison of three kinds of self-expandable metallic stents induced granulation tissue hyperplasia in the rabbit trachea
Authors: Li Yahua , Li Mengde , Wang Xiaofeng , Wang Yuhui , Li Chang , Zhao Yanan , Li Zhaonan , Chen Jianjian , Li Jing , Ren Kewei , Li Zongming , Ren Jianzhuang , Han Xinwei , Li Qian
Published: November 2021

To compare stent-induced granulation tissue hyperplasia of bare (SEMS), polyurethane-covered (PU-SEMS) and electrospun nanofibre-covered (EN-SEMS) self-expandable metallic stents in the rabbit trachea. Twenty-seven rabbits were randomly assigned to 3 groups that received SEMS, PU-SEMS or EN-SEMS. Computed tomography and sacrifice were performed as scheduled. Haematoxylin–eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining protocols were performed for pathological analysis. The data for tracheal ventilation area ratio, qualitative histological scoring, number of epithelial layers, and thicknesses of papillary projection and submucosa were documented and statistically analysed. All stents were successfully placed under the guidance of fluoroscopy without complications. Post-stenting 3 and 7 days, computed tomography revealed that the fully expandable EN-SEMS was similar to the SEMS and PU-SEMS. The mean stented tissue score in the SEMS group was higher than those of both the PU-SEMS and EN-SEMS groups at 3 days post-stenting. The pathological findings suggested that there was no papillary projection formation 3 days after stent placement. The thickness of papillary projection in the SEMS group was significantly higher than those of the PU-SEMS and EN-SEMS groups at 7 days post-stenting. After stenting 4 weeks, the tracheal ventilation area ratio of SEMS, PU-SEMS and EN-SEMS was 0.214 ± 0.021, 0.453 ± 0.028 and 0.619 ± 0.033, respectively. There were significant between-group differences. In conclusion, the stent-induced granulation tissue formation in EN-SEMS is less severe than that of PU-SEMS and SEMS. EN-SEMS has smaller radial force, and the tracheal ventilation ratio after stent placement better than that of PU-SEMS.