bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classification of deep-sea cold seep bacteria by transformer combined with Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Liu Bo , Liu Kunxiang , Qi Xiaoqing , Zhang Weijia , Li Bei
Published: February 2023

Raman spectroscopy is a rapid analysis method of biological samples without labeling and destruction. At present, the commonly used Raman spectrum classification models include CNN, RNN, etc. The transformer has not been used for Raman spectrum identification. This paper introduces a new method of transformer combined with Raman spectroscopy to identify deep-sea cold seep microorganisms at the single-cell level. We collected the Raman spectra of eight cold seep bacteria, each of which has at least 500 spectra for the training of transformer model. We compare the transformer classification model with other deep learning classification models. The experimental results show that this method can improve the accuracy of microbial classification. Our average isolation level accuracy is more than 97%.
The microstructure, mechanical and electrochemical properties of 3D printed alloys with reusing powders
Authors: Bajt Leban Mirjam , Hren Miha , Kosec Tadeja
Published: February 2023

CoCrMo and Ti6Al4V are widely used in medical, dental and 3D printing technology, allowing the accurate fabrication of geometrically complicated structures. In order to reduce the costs of printed objects, the reuse of powder is common daily practice. When using 3D printing technology, the direct impact of elevated temperatures and the influence of the laser beam may change the properties of the powder when it is reused, thus affecting the final properties of the printed object. The main aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of reused powder on the mechanical, microstructural and electrochemical properties of 3D printed objects. 3D printed objects fabricated from virgin and reused powder of both alloys were analyzed by metallographic observation, computed tomography, XRD and electrochemical methods. The main finding of the study was that the use of reused powder (recycled 3 times) does not detrimentally affect the mechanical and corrosion integrity of 3D printed CoCr and Ti6Al4V alloys, especially for the purpose of applications in dentistry.
Design, development, in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation of polylactic acid-based multifunctional nanofibrous patches for efficient healing of diabetic wounds
Authors: Ali Isra H. , Khalil Islam A. , El-Sherbiny Ibrahim M.
Published: February 2023

Impaired healing of diabetic ulcers is one of the major complications of diabetic patients due to high susceptibility to microbial infections, impaired lymphianogenesis, edema, and consequently impairing proper healing. This could even lead to much worse complications that include severe gangrene, trauma and finally limb amputation. Therefore, this study aims to develop a multilayered durable nanofibrous wound patch loaded with three promising drugs (phenytoin, sildenafil citrate and simvastatin) each in a separate layer to target a different wound healing phase. Polylactic acid was used for the preparation of the nanofibrous matrix of the wound patch, where each drug was incorporated in a separate layer during the preparation process. Drugs release profiles were studied over 3 weeks. Results showed that both phenytoin and simvastatin were released within 14 days while sildenafil continued till 21 days. Both physicochemical and mechanical characteristics of the patches were fully assessed as well as their biodegradability, swellability, breathability and porosity. Results showed that incorporation of drugs preserved the physicochemical and mechanical properties as well as porosity of the developed nanofibers. In addition, patches were evaluated for their biocompatibility and cell adhesion capability before being tested through in-vivo diabetic wound rat model induced by alloxan for three weeks. In vivo results showed that the patches were successful in inducing proper wound healing in diabetic rat model with overcoming the above-mentioned obstacles within 3 weeks. This was confirmed through assessing wound closure as well as from histopathological studies that showed complete healing with proper cell regeneration and arrangement without forming scars.
Apparatus for attosecond transient-absorption spectroscopy in the water-window soft-X-ray region
Authors: Zinchenko Kristina S. , Ardana-Lamas Fernando , Lanfaloni Valentina Utrio , Luu Tran Trung , Pertot Yoann , Huppert Martin , Wörner Hans Jakob
Published: February 2023

We present an apparatus for attosecond transient-absorption spectroscopy (ATAS) featuring soft-X-ray (SXR) supercontinua that extend beyond 450 eV. This instrument combines an attosecond table-top high-harmonic light source with mid-infrared (mid-IR) pulses, both driven by 1.7–1.9 mJ, sub-11 fs pulses centered at 1.76 $$\upmu$$
μ
m. A remarkably low timing jitter of $$\sim$$
∼
 20 as is achieved through active stabilization of the pump and probe arms of the instrument. A temporal resolution of better than 400 as is demonstrated through ATAS measurements at the argon L$$_{2,3}$$

2
,
3

-edges. A spectral resolving power of 1490 is demonstrated through simultaneous absorption measurements at the sulfur L$$_{2,3}$$

2
,
3

- and carbon K-edges of OCS. Coupled with its high SXR photon flux, this instrument paves the way to attosecond time-resolved spectroscopy of organic molecules in the gas phase or in aqueous solutions, as well as thin films of advanced materials. Such measurements will advance the studies of complex systems to the electronic time scale.
Reirradiation for local recurrence of oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal cancers: a multi-institutional study
Authors: Yamazaki Hideya , Suzuki Gen , Aibe Norihiro , Shiomi Hiroya , Oh Ryoong-jin , Yoshida Ken , Nakamura Satoaki , Konishi Koji , Ogita Mikio
Published: February 2023

This study aimed to examine the efficacy and toxicity of reirradiation in patients with locally recurrent oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal cancers. We conducted a retrospective, multi-institutional analysis of 129 patients with previously irradiated cancer. The most frequent primary sites were the nasopharynx (43.4%), oral cavity (24.8%), and oropharynx (18.6%). With a median follow-up duration of 10.6 months, the median overall survival was 14.4 months and the 2-year overall survival rate was 40.6%. For each primary site, the 2-year overall survival rates were 32.1%, 34.6%, 30%, 60.8%, and 5.7% for the hypopharynx, oral cavity, larynx, nasopharynx, and oropharynx, respectively. Prognostic factors for overall survival were primary site (nasopharynx versus other sites) and gross tumor volume (GTV) (≤ 25 cm3 versus > 25 cm3). The 2-year local control rate was 41.2%. Twenty-four patients (18.6%) presented with grade ≥ 3 toxicities, including nine with hemorrhages that led to grade 5 toxicities in seven patients. All nine tumors that caused hemorrhage showed tumor encasement of the carotid ≥ 180 degrees and eight of nine tumors had larger GTV > 25 cm3. Reirradiation is a feasible treatment option for small local recurrence of oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal cancers, with the requirement of a strict eligibility assessment for large tumors with carotid encasement.
Heterogenous effects of the Great East Japan earthquake on prosociality of people depending on their age
Authors: Sawada Yasuyuki , Ashida Toyo , Iwasaki Keiko
Published: February 2023

This study investigates the instability of prosociality in the real world by looking at the age-specific non-linear relationship between disaster exposure and prosocial behavior. We employed unique microdata from two communities in Japan that were hit by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami disaster in 2011. Exploiting exogenous variations in disaster exposure, we find age-specific heterogeneous effects of disaster exposure on prosocial behavior captured by the behavior of sending New Year’s cards as well as attitudinal survey questions. Among the older groups, disaster damages undermine prosociality, whereas the younger groups show reinforced prosocial behaviors. These findings can be explained consistently by combining two possible determinants of prosocial behavior: pure or impure altruism and self-enforcements in repeated interactions at workplaces. Age information can help disentangle these two elements at least partially.
Bovine tumor necrosis factor-alpha Increases IL-6, IL-8, and PGE2 in bovine fibroblast-like synoviocytes by metabolic reprogramming
Authors: Manosalva Carolina , Alarcon Pablo , Quiroga John , Teuber Stefanie , Carretta Maria D. , Bustamante Hedie , Lopez-Muñoz Rodrigo , Hidalgo Maria A. , Burgos Rafael A.
Published: February 2023

Lameness is a common condition in dairy cattle caused by infectious or noninfectious agents. Joint lesions are the second most common cause of lameness and can be diagnosed in association with the presentation of digit injuries. Fibroblast-like synoviocyte (FLS) are predominant cells of synovia and play a key role in the pathophysiology of joint diseases, thus increasing the expression of proinflammatory mediators. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a potent proinflammatory cytokine involved in cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and proinflammatory cytokine expression in FLS. Previously, TNF-α was demonstrated to increase hypoxia-inducible Factor 1 (HIF-1), a transcription factor that rewires cellular metabolism and increases the expression of interleukin (IL)-6 in bovine FLS (bFLS). Despite this, the proinflammatory effects of TNF-α in bFLS on metabolic reprogramming have been poorly studied. We hypothesized that TNF-α increases glycolysis and in this way controls the expression of IL-6, IL-8, and COX-2 in bFLS. Results first, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS)-based untargeted metabolomics revealed that bTNF-α altered the metabolism of bFLS, increasing glucose, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, valine, tyrosine, and lysine and decreasing malate, fumarate, α-ketoglutarate, stearate, palmitate, laurate, aspartate, and alanine. In addition, metabolic flux analysis using D-glucose-13C6 demonstrated an increase of pyruvate and a reduction in malate and citrate levels, suggesting a decreased flux toward the tricarboxylic acid cycle after bTNF-α stimulation. However, bTNF-α increased lactate dehydrogenase subunit A (LDHA), IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β and COX-2 expression, which was dependent on glycolysis and the PI3K/Akt pathway. The use of FX11 and dichloroacetate (DCA), an inhibitor of LDHA and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK) respectively, partially reduced the expression of IL-6. Our results suggest that bTNF-α induces metabolic reprogramming that favors glycolysis in bFLS and increases IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β and COX-2/PGE2.
Fabrication of THz corrugated wakefield structure and its high power test
Authors: Kong H. , Chung M. , Doran D. S. , Ha G. , Kim S.-H. , Kim J.-H. , Liu W. , Lu X. , Power J. , Seok J.-M. , Shin S. , Shao J. , Whiteford C. , Wisniewski E.
Published: February 2023

We present overall process for developing terahertz (THz) corrugated structure and its beam-based measurement results. 0.2-THz corrugated structures were fabricated by die stamping method as the first step demonstration towards GW THz radiation source and GV/m THz wakefield accelerator. 150-$$\upmu$$
μ
m thick disks were produced from an OFHC (C10100) foil by stamping. Two types of disks were stacked alternately to form 46 mm structure with $$\sim$$
∼
170 corrugations. Custom assembly was designed to provide diffusion bonding with a high precision alignment of disks. The compliance of the fabricated structure have been verified through beam-based wakefield measurement at Argonne Wakefield Accelerator Facility. Both measured longitudinal and transverse wakefield showed good agreement with simulated wakefields. Measured peak gradients, 9.4 MV/m/nC for a long single bunch and 35.4 MV/m/nC for a four bunch trains, showed good agreement with the simulation.
A comparison of experience sampled hay fever symptom severity across rural and urban areas of the UK
Authors: Gledson Ann , Lowe Douglas , Reani Manuele , Topping David , Hall Ian , Cruickshank Sheena , Harwood Adrian , Woodcock Joshua , Jay Caroline
Published: February 2023

Hay fever affects people differently and can change over a lifetime, but data is lacking on how environmental factors may influence this. This study is the first to combine atmospheric sensor data with real-time, geo-positioned hay fever symptom reports to examine the relationship between symptom severity and air quality, weather and land use. We study 36145 symptom reports submitted over 5 years by over 700 UK residents using a mobile application. Scores were recorded for nose, eyes and breathing. Symptom reports are labelled as urban or rural using land-use data from the UK’s Office for National Statistics. Reports are compared with AURN network pollution measurements and pollen and meteorological data taken from the UK Met Office. Our analysis suggests urban areas record significantly higher symptom severity for all years except 2017. Rural areas do not record significantly higher symptom severity in any year. Additionally, symptom severity correlates with more air quality markers in urban areas than rural areas, indicating that differences in allergy symptoms may be due to variations in the levels of pollutants, pollen counts and seasonality across land-use types. The results suggest that a relationship exists between urban surroundings and hay fever symptoms.
Comparison of three full-field optical measurement techniques applied to vibration analysis
Authors: O’Donoughue Patrick , Gautier François , Meteyer Erwan , Durand-Texte Thomas , Secail-Geraud Mathieu , Foucart Félix , Robin Olivier , Berry Alain , Melon Manuel , Pézerat Charles , Pelat Adrien , Picart Pascal
Published: February 2023

Digital image correlation, deflectometry and digital holography are some of the full-field optical measurement techniques that have matured in recent years. Their use in vibroacoustic applications is gaining attention and there is a need for cataloging their performance in order to provide, to a broad community of users and potential future users, quantitative and qualitative evaluations of these three approaches. This paper presents an experimental comparison of the three optical methods in the context of vibration measurements, along with classical reference measurements provided by an accelerometer and a laser Doppler vibrometer. The study is carried out on two mechanical structures exhibiting various vibration responses when submitted to an impact.
Scour ponds from unusually large tsunamis on a beach-ridge plain in eastern Hokkaido, Japan
Authors: Sawai Yuki , Tamura Toru , Shimada Yumi , Tanigawa Koichiro
Published: February 2023

Scour ponds from unusually large tsunamis cut across the crest of a beach ridge in Kiritappu marsh, eastern Hokkaido. No fewer than ten of these ponds were imaged by photogrammetry as elongate topographic depressions as large as 5 m by 30 m. Sediments in these ponds are underlain by unconformities that were detected with ground-penetrating radar and observed directly in cores and a slice sample. Sediment deposits in the ponds contain peat and volcanic ash layers, the ages of which suggest that the scouring occurred during tsunamis generated by spatially extensive thrust ruptures along the southern Kuril trench, most recently during the early seventeenth century and its predecessor during the thirteenth–fourteenth century. Some of the ponds appear to have been formed during one tsunami and refreshed during later successors. This evidence of recurrent erosion suggests that the shoreline may retreat as part of earthquake-related cycles of coastal uplift and subsidence.
Prevalence of perioperative asymptomatic venous thromboses of the lower extremity in 30 consecutive patients undergoing transsphenoidal surgery for Cushing’s disease
Authors: Huckhagel Torge , Atlihan Gülsen , Langer Florian , Flitsch Jörg , Rotermund Roman
Published: February 2023

Cushing´s disease is a rare endocrinological disorder which is caused by an adrenocorticotropic hormone secreting pituitary adenoma. The condition is associated with an increased risk for venous thromboembolism. While there exist reports on symptomatic venous thromboses complicating Cushing’s disease, the prevalence of incidental leg vein thromboses accompanying pituitary surgery for Cushing’s disease is yet unknown. 30 consecutive patients (9 male; age 25–77 years) with histologically confirmed Cushing’s disease underwent transsphenoidal adenomectomy between October 2018 and September 2019. All patients received perioperative pharmacological thromboprophylaxis. Whole leg compression ultrasound was performed within one week after surgery (median 2 days) to exclude leg vein thromboses (primary endpoint). Preoperative laboratory values including plasma cortisol and various coagulation parameters were evaluated as secondary outcome measures. A comparison was made between patients with and without thrombotic events (p value ≤ 0.05). A total of 2 out of 30 patients (6.7%; CI 0.8–24.1%) presented with asymptomatic perioperative deep vein thromboses of the lower legs. Thrombosis patients differed not significantly from their counterparts with respect to age, sex, and comorbidities, but preoperative morning plasma cortisol was significantly higher in patients with venous thromboses (421.0 ± 49.5 μg/l vs. 188.1 ± 78.2 μg/l; p = 0.01). Moreover, von Willebrand factor activity was markedly increased in one case (409.0%) compared to the mean value obtained from 28 patients without phlebothromboses (146.9 ± 60.7%; p < 0.01). Perioperative asymptomatic leg vein thrombosis can be found with the aid of compression ultrasound in a considerable proportion of patients undergoing transsphenoidal adenomectomy for Cushing’s disease despite the administration of pharmacological thromboprophylaxis.
Optimization of quasi-hemispherical CdZnTe detectors by means of first principles simulation
Authors: Vicini Valentina , Zanettini Silvia , Sarzi Amadè Nicola , Grill Roman , Zambelli Nicola , Calestani Davide , Zappettini Andrea , Abbene Leonardo , Bettelli Manuele
Published: February 2023

In this paper we present the development of quasi-hemispherical gamma-ray detectors based on CdZnTe. Among the possible single-polarity electrode configurations, such as coplanar, pixelated, or virtual Frisch-grid geometries, quasi-hemispherical detectors are the most cost-effective alternative with comparable raw energy resolution in the high and low energy range. The optimal configuration of the sensor in terms of dimension of the crystals and electrode specifications has been first determined by simulations, and successively validated with experimental measures. Spectra from different sources have been acquired to evaluate the detectors performances. Three types of detectors with different CZT volumes have been fabricated, namely 10 × 10 × 5 mm3, 15 × 15 × 10 mm3 and 20 × 20 × 10 mm3. In the case of 10 × 10 × 5 mm3 crystals, the optimum pixel size determined by our simulation tool was confirmed by experiments: the best spectroscopic resolution of 1.3% at 662 keV has been found for a 750 μm diameter pixel detector. The best energy resolution values obtained for the 15 × 15 × 10 mm3 and 20 × 20 × 10 mm3 detectors were respectively 1.7% and 2.7% at 662 keV.
Variable fluid properties analysis for thermally laminated 3-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic non-Newtonian nanofluid over a stretching sheet
Authors: Akbar Noreen Sher , Al-Zubaidi A. , Saleem S. , Alsallami Shami A. M.
Published: February 2023

This article is mainly focused on the viscous flow of cu-water/Methanol suspended nanofluids towards a three-dimensional stretching sheet reformed by magnetohydrodynamic phenomenon. The viscous effect is considered as temperature dependent with water treated as a base fluid. Similarity conversions are employed to set forth the non-linear equations of this physical problem. An innovative model for 3D analysis for cu-water/Methanol nanofluid with an irregular viscosity is presented in the present study. Reynold’s model of viscosity is considered in the present study. Moreover, shooting technique is employed to elaborate the non-linear coupled governing equations with the relevant boundary conditions. The physical interpretation of these numerical calculations is presented through a graphical specimen of velocity, Nusselt number, temperature, and skin friction etc. The results of present model are showing quality harmony with the results of existing model. This model is being used for manipulating and designing the surfaces such as stretching/shrinking wrapping and panting devices in nanotechnology. The results also show the significant changes in flow characteristics with changing the value of stretching parameter. It is observed that with an increasing in nanoparticles volume fraction boundary layer thickness decreases. Further, it is also observed that with an increase in viscosity parameter, temperature increases because here we are considering temperature dependent viscosity.
Once a week consumption of Western diet over twelve weeks promotes sustained insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fat liver disease in C57BL/6 J mice
Authors: Demaria Thainá Magalhães , Crepaldi Leticia Diniz , Costa-Bartuli Emylle , Branco Jessica Ristow , Zancan Patricia , Sola-Penna Mauro
Published: February 2023

The Western diet (high in fat and sucrose) consumption is a highly prevalent feature in the whole world, mainly due to the increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF), which are cheaper and easier-to-eat, as compared to fresh and highly nutritive meals. Epidemiological studies have associated UPF consumption with development of obesity, non-alcoholic fat liver disease (NAFLD) and insulin resistance. For molecular studies, mice fed with Western diets have been used to characterize signaling pathways involved in these diet-induced pathologies. However, these studies fed mice continuously with the diets, which is not compatible with what occurs in real life, when consumption is occasional. Here, we fed mice once-a-week with a high fat, high sucrose (HFHS) diet and compared these animals with those fed continuously with HFHS diet or with a standard diet. Our results show that after a single day of consuming HFHS, animals presented impaired oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT) as compared to control group. Although this impairment was reversed after 24 h consuming regular diet, repetition of HFHS consumption once-a-week aggravated the picture such as after 12-weeks, oGTT impairment was not reversed after 6 days under control diet. Liver steatosis, inflammation, impaired insulin signaling pathway and endoplasmic reticulum stress are similar comparing animals that consumed HFHS once-a-week with those that continuously consumed HFHS, though weekly-fed animals did not gain as much weight. Therefore, we conclude that regimen of one day HFHS plus 6 days normal diet over 12 weeks is sufficient to induce insulin resistance and NAFLD in mice.
Implementation of a constitutive model for anisotropic rocks based on modified Lade failure criterion
Authors: Liu Xiaotian , Deng Yansheng , Zou Baoping
Published: February 2023

The strength anisotropy for inherent anisotropic rocks presents a challenge to simulate considering the influence of intermediate principal stress. Based on the modified Lade failure criterion, a new anisotropic modified Lade criterion combining an empirical equation is established and verified using published experimental datasets of anisotropic rocks. The incremental constitutive model for anisotropic rocks is derived by using finite difference theory. The dynamic link library (DLL) module of the model is obtained by using the VC++ program, and then the model is validated against various laboratory test results. It is concluded that the proposed criterion and derived model can describe the strength anisotropy of inherent anisotropic rocks well.
Improving performance of mesoporous MOF AlTp impregnated with ionic liquids for CO2 adsorption
Authors: Noorani Narmin , Mehrdad Abbas
Published: February 2023

In this work, the CO2 adsorption performance of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) impregnated with ionic liquids (ILs) was studied using quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) at the temperature of 298.15 K and pressures up to 5 bar. The hybrid composites consist of aluminum terephthalate metal–organic framework (AlTp) impregnated of 1-butyl-4-methyl pyridinium and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium–based ionic liquids (ILs) with different anions, viz. tetrafluoroborate ([BF4]−), thiocyanate ([SCN]−), chloride ([Cl]−), and bromide ([Br]−). ILs-impregnated AlTp synthesized was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), the thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. CO2 adsorption isotherms of the IL/AlTp composites and AlTp were measured to evaluate the ILs effect on the CO2 adsorption of the AlTp. Comparison of CO2 adsorption in ILs/AlTp with different anion ([Cl]−, [Br]−, [SCN]−, [BF4]−) reveals that CO2 adsorption in ILs/AlTp was increased in the order as: [BF4]− < [SCN]− < [Br]− < [Cl]−. The results show that [BMPyr][Cl]/AlTp the highest CO2 adsorption capacity, 2.6 times higher than that of AlTp at 5 bar and 298.15 K which helps to guide the logical design of new mixtures for gas separation applications. Also, adsorption/desorption test show that regeneration performance of [BMPyr][Cl]/AlTp is 96.53% after five consecutive cycles adsorption/desorption.
High-throughput isolation of cancer cells in spiral microchannel by changing the direction, magnitude and location of the maximum velocity
Authors: Omrani Vahid , Targhi Mohammad Zabetian , Rahbarizadeh Fatemeh , Nosrati Reza
Published: February 2023

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are scarce cancer cells that rarely spread from primary or metastatic tumors inside the patient's bloodstream. Determining the genetic characteristics of these paranormal cells provides significant data to guide cancer staging and treatment. Cell focusing using microfluidic chips has been implemented as an effective method for enriching CTCs. The distinct equilibrium positions of particles with different diameters across the microchannel width in the simulation showed that it was possible to isolate and concentrate breast cancer cells (BCCs) from WBCs at a moderate Reynolds number. Therefore we demonstrate high throughput isolation of BCCs using a passive, size-based, label-free microfluidic method based on hydrodynamic forces by an unconventional (combination of long loops and U-turn) spiral microfluidic device for isolating both CTCs and WBCs with high efficiency and purity (more than 90%) at a flow rate about 1.7 mL/min, which has a high throughput compared to similar ones. At this golden flow rate, up to 92% of CTCs were separated from the cell suspension. Its rapid processing time, simplicity, and potential ability to collect CTCs from large volumes of patient blood allow the practical use of this method in many applications.
Maternal smoking status before and during pregnancy and bronchial asthma at 3 years of age: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Miyake Kunio , Kushima Megumi , Shinohara Ryoji , Horiuchi Sayaka , Otawa Sanae , Akiyama Yuka , Ooka Tadao , Kojima Reiji , Yokomichi Hiroshi , Yamagata Zentaro ,   The Japan Environment and Children’s Study Group, Kamijima Michihiro , Yamazaki Shin , Ohya Yukihiro , Kishi Reiko , Yaegashi Nobuo , Hashimoto Koichi , Mori Chisato , Ito Shuichi , Yamagata Zentaro , Inadera Hidekuni , Nakayama Takeo , Iso Hiroyasu , Shima Masayuki , Kurozawa Youichi , Suganuma Narufumi , Kusuhara Koichi , Katoh Takahiko
Published: February 2023

The association between maternal pre-pregnancy smoking status and asthma risk is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between pre- and post-pregnancy maternal smoking status and bronchial asthma at 3 years of age in a large birth cohort. Data of 75,411 mother–child pairs from the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS) were analysed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Overall, 7.2% of the children had bronchial asthma. The maternal smoking status before childbirth was as follows: Never = 60.0%, Quit before recognising current pregnancy = 24.1%, Quit after finding out about current pregnancy = 12.3%, and Still smoking = 3.6%. Children of mothers who sustained smoking during pregnancy had an increased risk of bronchial asthma at 3 years of age even after adjusting for pre- and postnatal covariates (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15–1.56). Children of mothers who quit before (aOR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02–1.18) or after (aOR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01–1.23) recognising the current pregnancy had an increased risk of bronchial asthma at 3 years of age. Maternal smoking throughout pregnancy and smoking exposure pre-pregnancy or in early pregnancy increases the risk of bronchial asthma in children.
Fast simultaneous estimation of nD transport coefficients and source function in perturbation experiments
Authors: van Kampen Ricky , de Vries Jelle , Weiland Siep , de Baar Marco , van Berkel Matthijs
Published: February 2023

In the calculation of transport coefficients from experimental data precise knowledge of the source is usually assumed, while the identification of the coefficients focuses on specific geometries and one spatial variable. This paper presents a method for the simultaneous estimation of both the distributions of transport coefficients as well as the source profile. A convex solution of the inverse problem is retained which makes the calculations highly computational efficient. Moreover, this allows for the estimation of multi-dimensional transport coefficients, source terms, and in the future the analysis of the effect of regularization on experimental data and transport coefficient distributions.
Named entity recognition for Chinese based on global pointer and adversarial training
Authors: Li Hongjun , Cheng Mingzhe , Yang Zelin , Yang Liqun , Chua Yansong
Published: February 2023

Named entity recognition aims to identify entities from unstructured text and is an important subtask for natural language processing and building knowledge graphs. Most of the existing entity recognition methods use conditional random fields as label decoders or use pointer networks for entity recognition. However, when the number of tags is large, the computational cost of method based on conditional random fields is high and the problem of nested entities cannot be solved. The pointer network uses two modules to identify the first and the last of the entities separately, and a single module can only focus on the information of the first or the last of the entities, but cannot pay attention to the global information of the entities. In addition, the neural network model has the problem of local instability. To solve mentioned problems, a named entity recognition model based on global pointer and adversarial training is proposed. To obtain global entity information, global pointer is used to decode entity information, and rotary relative position information is considered in the model designing to improve the model’s perception of position; to solve the model’s local instability problem, adversarial training is used to improve the robustness and generalization of the model. The experimental results show that the F1 score of the model are improved on several public datasets of OntoNotes5, MSRA, Resume, and Weibo compared with the existing mainstream models.
Environmental changes associated with drying climate are expected to affect functional groups of pro- and microeukaryotes differently in temporary saline waters
Authors: Márton Zsuzsanna , Szabó Beáta , Vad Csaba F. , Pálffy Károly , Horváth Zsófia
Published: February 2023

Temporary ponds are among the most sensitive aquatic habitats to climate change. Their microbial communities have crucial roles in food webs and biogeochemical cycling, yet how their communities are assembled along environmental gradients is still understudied. This study aimed to reveal the environmental drivers of diversity (OTU-based richness, evenness, and phylogenetic diversity) and community composition from a network of saline temporary ponds, soda pans, in two consecutive spring seasons characterized by contrasting weather conditions. We used DNA-based molecular methods to investigate microbial community composition. We tested the effect of environmental variables on the diversity of prokaryotic (Bacteria, Cyanobacteria) and microeukaryotic functional groups (ciliates, heterotrophic flagellates and nanoflagellates, fungi, phytoplankton) within and across the years. Conductivity and the concentration of total suspended solids and phosphorus were the most important environmental variables affecting diversity patterns in all functional groups. Environmental conditions were harsher and they also had a stronger impact on community composition in the dry spring. Our results imply that these conditions, which are becoming more frequent with climate change, have a negative effect on microbial diversity in temporary saline ponds. This eventually might translate into community-level shifts across trophic groups with changing local conditions with implications for ecosystem functioning.
Study on mechanical properties and energy change of rock materials in whole splitting process based on peridynamics
Authors: Li Hewan , Liu Jian , Wang Laigui , Ren Tianjiao
Published: February 2023

Aiming to bypass the inability to directly observe the evolution process of rock internal deformation and fracture, this paper proposes that rock samples with different inclination angles can be analyzed from the standpoint of energy, using the bond-base peridynamic theory and the PMB model of brittle materials, combined with laboratory experiments. The whole process of shearing is analyzed, and the LAMMPS software is used to simulate the internal energy change of rock-like materials under shear conditions, while the damage evolution law of samples with different dip angles is studied from macro and micro perspectives. The result shows that prefabricated cracks and the inclination of cracks are important factors for specimen damage, a finding that has important theoretical value for rock mechanics research. The research results can reduce the occurrence of rock burst accidents, the difficulty of mine support, and the cost of mining engineering, as well as improve mine safety levels.
Synthesis, experimental and computational studies on the anti-corrosion performance of substituted Schiff bases of 2-methoxybenzaldehyde for mild steel in HCl medium
Authors: Ibeji Collins U. , Akintayo Damilola C. , Oluwasola Henry O. , Akintemi Eric O. , Onwukwe Onyinye G. , Eziomume Onyeka M.
Published: February 2023

Corrosion inhibition performance of two synthesized Schiff base ligands; (E)-2-((2-methoxybenzylidene)amino)phenol L1 and (E)-2-((4-methoxybenzylidene)amino)phenol L2 were carried out by weight loss measurement in 0.1 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution. Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation were applied to theoretically explain the inhibitors’ intrinsic properties and adsorption mechanism in the corrosion study. The result of the inhibition performances carried out at varying concentrations and temperatures were compared. The corrosion inhibition efficiencies of L1 and L2 at an optimal concentration of 10 × 10–4 M were 75% and 76%. Langmuir isotherm model fits the data obtained from the experiment with a correlation coefficient (R2) value closer to unity. The adsorption mechanism of inhibitor on the surface of the Fe metal occurred via chemisorption inferred from the Gibbs free energy (ΔGads). Scanning electron microscopy showed a mild degradation on the surface of the mild steel immersed in the L1, and L2 inhibited acid solution, which could be due to surface coverage. The energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed the metal surface’s elemental composition and the existence of the chlorine peak, which emanates from the HCl medium. DFT calculations revealed that the hybrid B3LYP functional performed better than the M06-2X meta-functional in estimating the energies of the synthesized Schiff bases for corrosion inhibition as seen in the lower ΔE values of 3.86 eV and 3.81 eV for L1 and L2. The MD simulation revealed that the orientation of inhibitors on the surface of the metal resulted in the coordination bond formation and that the interaction energy of L2 was −746.84 kJ/mol compared to −743.74 kJ/mol of L1. The DFT and MD results agreed with the observed trend of the experimental findings.
Additional flight delays and magnetospheric–ionospheric disturbances during solar storms
Authors: Wang Y. , Xu X. H. , Wei F. S. , Feng X. S. , Bo M. H. , Tang H. W. , Wang D. S. , Bian L. , Wang B. Y. , Zhang W. Y. , Huang Y. S. , Li Z. , Guo J. P. , Zuo P. B. , Jiang C. W. , Xu X. J. , Zhou Z. L. , Zou P.
Published: February 2023

Although the sun is really far away from us, some solar activities could still influence the performance and reliability of space-borne and ground-based technological systems on Earth. Those time-varying conditions in space caused by the sun are also called solar storm or space weather. It is known that aviation activities can be affected during solar storms, but the exact effects of space weather on aviation are still unclear. Especially how the flight delays, the top topic concerned by most people, will be affected by space weather has never been thoroughly researched. By analyzing huge amount of flight data (~ 4 × 106records), for the first time, we quantitatively investigate the flight delays during space weather events. It is found that compared to the quiet periods, the average arrival delay time and 30-min delay rate during space weather events are significantly increased by 81.34% and 21.45% respectively. The evident negative correlation between the yearly flight regularity rate and the yearly mean total sunspot number during 22 years also confirms such correlation. Further studies show that the flight delay time and delay rate will monotonically increase with the geomagnetic field fluctuations and ionospheric disturbances. These results indicate that the interferences in communication and navigation during space weather events may be the most probable reason accounting for the increased flight delays. The above analyses expand the traditional field of space weather research and could also provide us with brand new views for improving the flight delay predications.
Imaging biomarkers and clinical factors associated with the rate of progressive inner and outer retinal thinning in patients with diabetic macular edema
Authors: Borrelli Enrico , Barresi Costanza , Feo Alessandro , Lari Giorgio , Grosso Domenico , Querques Lea , Sacconi Riccardo , Bandello Francesco , Querques Giuseppe
Published: February 2023

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship of clinical characteristics to the rate of retinal thinning in eyes with diabetic macular edema (DME) treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy. We analyzed subjects with a long-term follow-up (≥ 3 years) and evidence of resolved DME after the initiation of anti-VEGF therapy (baseline visit). To measure the long-term rate of retinal thinning during treatment, a second visit (first visit with evidence of resolved DME after 3 years) was also considered. A longitudinal quantitative topographical assessment of the inner and outer retinal thicknesses was provided. Clinical characteristics were associated with the rate of longitudinal retinal thinning. We included 56 eyes (50 patients) in the analysis. A significant longitudinal thinning in the inner and outer retina was detected in all the analyzed regions (p values between 0.027 and < 0.0001). In the multivariable analysis, type of diabetes (type 2 vs. type 1) was associated with increased foveal inner retinal thinning (p = 0.019). A higher number of subfoveal neuroretinal detachment during follow-up (p = 0.006) was associated with faster rates of foveal outer retinal thinning. Type of diabetes (p < 0.0001), higher age (p = 0.033) and cystoid macular edema phenotype (p = 0.040) were associated with increased parafoveal inner retinal thinning. Gender (p = 0.003) and diabetic retinopathy stage (p = 0.013) were associated with faster rates of perifoveal inner retinal thinning, while diabetic retinopathy stage (p = 0.036) was associated with increased perifoveal outer retinal thinning. In conclusion, clinical factors, including DME phenotypes, were associated with the rates of retinal thinning in patients undergoing anti-VEGF treatment.
Biogenic copper oxide nanoparticles from Bacillus coagulans induced reactive oxygen species generation and apoptotic and anti-metastatic activities in breast cancer cells
Authors: Dolati Masoumeh , Tafvizi Farzaneh , Salehipour Masoud , Komeili Movahed Tahereh , Jafari Parvaneh
Published: February 2023

The present study examined the anticancer capabilities of Bacillus coagulans supernatant-produced copper oxide nanoparticles (BC-CuONPs) on MCF-7 and SKBR3 cancer cells. The X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential techniques were used to characterize BC-CuONPs. This study also investigated the cellular and molecular processes of NPs’ anti-proliferative and apoptotic properties on human breast cancer cells and compared them to the commercial pharmaceutical tamoxifen. The size of the spherical NP was from 5 to 47 nm with negative zeta potential. The MTT results showed the great cytotoxic effect of BC-CuONPs against breast cancer cells. The BC-CuONPs inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The up-regulation of BCL2-associated X (BAX), cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (P21), Caspase 3 (CASP3), and Caspase 9 (CASP9), the down-regulation of BCL2 apoptosis regulator (BCL2), Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation results suggested that BC-CuONPs had a significant apoptotic impact when compared to the control. Scratch tests and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor gene (VEGF) down-regulation demonstrated that BC-CuONPs had anti-metastatic activity. The cell cycle analysis and down-regulation of Cyclin D1 (CCND1) and cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) revealed that cancer cells were arrested in the sub-G1 phase. Finally, the results showed that the secondary metabolites in the supernatant of Bacillus coagulans could form CuONPs, and biogenic BC-CuONPs showed anti-metastasis and anticancer properties on breast cancer cells while having less adverse effects on normal cells. Therefore, the synthesized CuONPs using B. coagulans supernatant can be shown as a potential candidate for a new therapeutic strategy in cancer management.
Noncontrast MRI in assessing venous reflux of legs using QFlow analysis and radial basis function neural network technique
Authors: Wong Min Yi , Chen Chien-Wei , Tseng Yuan-Hsi , Zhou Shao-Kui , Lin Yu-Hui , Huang Yao-Kuang , Lin Bor-Shyh
Published: February 2023

Since venous reflux is difficult to quantify, triggered angiography non-contrast-enhanced (TRANCE)-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a novel tool for objectively evaluating venous diseases in the lower extremities without using contrast media. This study included 26 pre-intervention patients with superficial venous reflux in the lower extremities and 15 healthy volunteers. The quantitative flow (QFlow) analyzed the phase shift information from the pixels within the region of interest from MRI. The fast and simple radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) learning model is constructed by determining the parameters of the radial basis function and the weights of the neural network. The input parameters were the variables generated through QFlow, while the output variables were morbid limbs with venous reflux and normal limb classification. The stroke volume, forward flow volume, absolute stroke volume, mean flux, stroke distance, and mean velocity of greater saphenous veins from QFlow analysis could be used to discriminate the morbid limbs of pre-intervention patients and normal limbs of healthy controls. The neural network successfully classified the morbid and normal limbs with an accuracy of 90.24% in the training stage. The classification of venous reflux using the RBFNN model may assist physicians in clinical settings.
Soil moisture revamps the temperature extremes in a warming climate over India
Authors: Ganeshi Naresh G. , Mujumdar Milind , Takaya Yuhei , Goswami Mangesh M. , Singh Bhupendra Bahadur , Krishnan R , Terao Toru
Published: February 2023

Soil moisture (SM) plays a crucial role in altering climate extremes through complex land-atmosphere feedback processes. In the present study, we investigated the impact of SM perturbations on temperature extremes (ExT) over India for the historical period (1951–2010) and future climate projection (2051–2100) under 4 K warming scenario. We note that more than 70% area of the Indian landmass has experienced significant changes in characteristics of ExT due to SM perturbations. In particular, we see larger impact of SM perturbations on ExT over the north-central India (NCI), which is a hotspot of strong SM-temperature coupling. Over NCI, a 20% departure in SM significantly revamps frequency, duration and intensity of ExT by 2–5 events/year, 1-2 days/event and 0.5–2.1 °C, respectively, through modulating surface energy partitioning, evapotranspiration and SM memory. Importantly, the impact of SM perturbations on frequency and duration of ExT events becomes less prominent with intensification of global warming.
Enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis promotes neuroprotection in human pluripotent stem cell derived retinal ganglion cells
Authors: Surma Michelle , Anbarasu Kavitha , Dutta Sayanta , Olivera Perez Leonardo J. , Huang Kang-Chieh , Meyer Jason S. , Das Arupratan
Published: February 2023

Mitochondrial dysfunctions are widely afflicted in central nervous system (CNS) disorders with minimal understanding on how to improve mitochondrial homeostasis to promote neuroprotection. Here we have used human stem cell differentiated retinal ganglion cells (hRGCs) of the CNS, which are highly sensitive towards mitochondrial dysfunctions due to their unique structure and function, to identify mechanisms for improving mitochondrial quality control (MQC). We show that hRGCs are efficient in maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis through rapid degradation and biogenesis of mitochondria under acute damage. Using a glaucomatous Optineurin mutant (E50K) stem cell line, we show that at basal level mutant hRGCs possess less mitochondrial mass and suffer mitochondrial swelling due to excess ATP production load. Activation of mitochondrial biogenesis through pharmacological inhibition of the Tank binding kinase 1 (TBK1) restores energy homeostasis, mitigates mitochondrial swelling with neuroprotection against acute mitochondrial damage for glaucomatous E50K hRGCs, revealing a novel neuroprotection mechanism.