bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impacts of climate variability and land use on the blue and green water resources in a subtropical basin of China
Authors: Liu Meibing , Wang Di , Chen Xingwei , Chen Ying , Gao Lu , Deng Haijun
Published: December 2022

Water scarcity has become a global severe challenge over the past few decades. Quantifying the impact of climate variability and land use on water resource availability is crucial for integrated water resource management. Many studies have focused on blue water but ignored green water which is important in the terrestrial ecosystem, especially on different temporal scales. In this study, we selected the Shanmei Reservoir, the most import drinking water resource for a rapidly development city of Southeast China, as a case for analysis of these impacts for the entire basin. We adopted the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to investigate the spatial and temporal distributions of blue water (BW), green water flow (GWF) and green water storage (GWS) in the Shanmei Reservoir Basin (SRB). The results of the blue and green water components (BW and GW) revealed that SRB is dominated by BW, accounting for 52.6% of the total water resources, while GW accounted for 47.4%. There was an insignificant upward trend of BW and a significant upward trend of GWF, with a tendency rate of 1.125 mm a−1. Precipitation was the key factor affecting BW on annual and monthly scales. The GWF was more sensitive to temperature at both the annual and monthly scales. The GWS was significantly correlated with precipitation at the monthly scale, while insignificant correlation occurred at the annual scale. The spatial distribution of BW was largely dominated by precipitation, and land-use types led to the differentiation of GW. It indicates that the BW of paddy fields is greater than that of forests, while the GWS of forests is greater than that of orchards and rainfed croplands.
Mechanistic investigation of SARS-CoV-2 main protease to accelerate design of covalent inhibitors
Authors: Kim Hoshin , Hauner Darin , Laureanti Joseph A. , Agustin Kruel , Raugei Simone , Kumar Neeraj
Published: December 2022

Targeted covalent inhibition represents one possible strategy to block the function of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease (MPRO), an enzyme that plays a critical role in the replication of the novel SARS-CoV-2. Toward the design of covalent inhibitors, we built a covalent inhibitor dataset using deep learning models followed by high throughput virtual screening of these candidates against MPRO. Two top-ranking inhibitors were selected for mechanistic investigations—one with an activated ester warhead that has a piperazine core and the other with an acrylamide warhead. Specifically, we performed a detailed analysis of the free energetics of covalent inhibition by hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics simulations. Cleavage of a fragment of the non-structured protein (NSP) from the SARS-CoV-2 genome was also simulated for reference. Simulations show that both candidates form more stable enzyme-inhibitor (E-I) complexes than the chosen NSP. It was found that both the NSP fragment and the activated ester inhibitor react with CYS145 of MPRO in a concerted manner, whereas the acrylamide inhibitor follows a stepwise mechanism. Most importantly, the reversible reaction and the subsequent hydrolysis reaction from E-I complexes are less probable when compared to the reactions with an NSP fragment, showing promise for these candidates to be the base for efficient MPRO inhibitors.
5-HT-dependent synaptic plasticity of the prefrontal cortex in postnatal development
Authors: Higa Guilherme Shigueto Vilar , Francis-Oliveira José , Carlos-Lima Estevão , Tamais Alicia Moraes , Borges Fernando da Silva , Kihara Alexandre Hiroaki , Shieh Ianê Carvalho , Ulrich Henning , Chiavegatto Silvana , De Pasquale Roberto
Published: December 2022

Important functions of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) are established during early life, when neurons exhibit enhanced synaptic plasticity and synaptogenesis. This developmental stage drives the organization of cortical connectivity, responsible for establishing behavioral patterns. Serotonin (5-HT) emerges among the most significant factors that modulate brain activity during postnatal development. In the PFC, activated 5-HT receptors modify neuronal excitability and interact with intracellular signaling involved in synaptic modifications, thus suggesting that 5-HT might participate in early postnatal plasticity. To test this hypothesis, we employed intracellular electrophysiological recordings of PFC layer 5 neurons to study the modulatory effects of 5-HT on plasticity induced by theta-burst stimulation (TBS) in two postnatal periods of rats. Our results indicate that 5-HT is essential for TBS to result in synaptic changes during the third postnatal week, but not later. TBS coupled with 5-HT2A or 5-HT1A and 5-HT7 receptors stimulation leads to long-term depression (LTD). On the other hand, TBS and synergic activation of 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, and 5-HT7 receptors lead to long-term potentiation (LTP). Finally, we also show that 5-HT dependent synaptic plasticity of the PFC is impaired in animals that are exposed to early-life chronic stress.
Prevalence and associated risk factors of tinnitus among adult Palestinians: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Al-Lahham Saad , Nazzal Zaher , Massarweh Ahmad , Saymeh Diana , Al-abed Sojoud , Muhammad Donia , Alawni Raghda , Bouzya Noor , Alqub Malik , Ghanim Mustafa , Ellahham Nael
Published: December 2022

Tinnitus is a common complaint with potentially negative impact on quality of life. Prevalence of tinnitus ranges from 5 to 43% worldwide. This variation could be due to the heterogeneity of tinnitus assessment. This has limited the progress in understanding tinnitus. Therefore, we employed a standardized and a validated assessment method to determine the prevalence and related risk factors of tinnitus among Palestinians for the first time. This is a cross-sectional study in which we questioned a representative sample of 618 subjects in one-to-one interviews. The prevalence of any tinnitus was 30.6% among adult Palestinians. Participants from the oldest age group were almost five times more likely to have tinnitus. Moreover, participants with head and neck pain syndrome, severe hearing impairment, sleeping disorders or frequent complaints of vertigo were approximately two times more likely to have tinnitus. Our study provides novel information regarding tinnitus in Palestine and improves our understanding of tinnitus. This will improve the diagnosis and consequently will contribute in reducing the prevalence and perhaps in preventing tinnitus. As tinnitus still has no known cure, further investigations of modifiable risk factors and causes of tinnitus are crucial to prevent it in the future.
Identification of three new ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ haplotypes in four psyllid species (Hemiptera: Psylloidea)
Authors: Grimm Kylie D. Swisher , Horton David R. , Lewis Tamera M. , Garczynski Stephen F. , Jensen Andrew S. , Charlton Brian A.
Published: December 2022

Eleven haplotypes of the bacterium, ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’, have been identified worldwide, several of which infect important agricultural crops. In the United States, haplotypes A and B are associated with yield and quality losses in potato, tomato, and other crops of the Solanaceae. Both haplotypes are vectored by potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli. Recently, a third haplotype, designated F, was identified in southern Oregon potato fields. To identify the vector of this haplotype, psyllids of multiple species were collected from yellow sticky cards placed near potato fields during two growing seasons. Over 2700 specimens were tested for ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ by polymerase chain reaction. Forty-seven psyllids harbored the bacterium. The infected specimens comprised four psyllid species in two families, Aphalaridae and Triozidae (Hemiptera: Psylloidea). Nucleic acid and/or amino acid sequence analysis of the ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ 16S ribosomal RNA, 50S ribosomal proteins L10/L12, and outer membrane protein identified three new haplotypes of the bacterium, designated as Aph1, Aph2 and Aph3, including two variants of Aph2 (Aph2a and Aph2b). The impact of these new haplotypes on solanaceous or other crops is not known. The vector of ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ haplotype F was not detected in this study.
Decoding the cognitive states of attention and distraction in a real-life setting using EEG
Authors: Kaushik Pallavi , Moye Amir , Vugt Marieke van , Roy Partha Pratim
Published: December 2022

Lapses in attention can have serious consequences in situations such as driving a car, hence there is considerable interest in tracking it using neural measures. However, as most of these studies have been done in highly controlled and artificial laboratory settings, we want to explore whether it is also possible to determine attention and distraction using electroencephalogram (EEG) data collected in a natural setting using machine/deep learning. 24 participants volunteered for the study. Data were collected from pairs of participants simultaneously while they engaged in Tibetan Monastic debate, a practice that is interesting because it is a real-life situation that generates substantial variability in attention states. We found that attention was on average associated with increased left frontal alpha, increased left parietal theta, and decreased central delta compared to distraction. In an attempt to predict attention and distraction, we found that a Long Short Term Memory model classified attention and distraction with maximum accuracy of 95.86% and 95.4% corresponding to delta and theta waves respectively. This study demonstrates that EEG data collected in a real-life setting can be used to predict attention states in participants with good accuracy, opening doors for developing Brain-Computer Interfaces that track attention in real-time using data extracted in daily life settings, rendering them much more usable.
Dominant phytoplankton groups as the major source of polyunsaturated fatty acids for hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) in the Meghna estuary Bangladesh
Authors: Shaha Dinesh Chandra , Hasan Jahid , Kundu Sampa Rani , Yusoff Fatimah Md. , Salam Mohammad Abdus , Khan Murshida , Haque Farhana , Ahmed Minhaz , Rahman Mohammad Jalilur , Wahab Md. Abdul
Published: December 2022

The tropical estuarine ecosystem is fascinating for studying the dynamics of water quality and phytoplankton diversity due to its frequently changing hydrological conditions. Most importantly, phytoplankton is the main supplier of ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the coastal food web for fish as they could not synthesize PUFA. This study evaluated seasonal variations of water quality parameters in the Meghna River estuary (MRE), explored how phytoplankton diversity changes according to hydro-chemical parameters, and identified the major phytoplankton groups as the main source of PUFA for hilsa fish. Ten water quality indicators including temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN = nitrate, nitrite, ammonia) and phosphorus, dissolved silica and chlorophyll-a were evaluated. In addition, phytoplankton diversity was assessed in the water and hilsa fish gut. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to analyze the spatio-temporal changes in the water quality conditions, and the driving factors in the MRE. Four main components were extracted and explained 75.4% variability of water quality parameters. The most relevant driving factors were dissolved oxygen, salinity, temperature, and DIN (nitrate, nitrite and ammonia). These variabilities in physicochemical parameters and dissolved inorganic nutrients caused seasonal variations in two major groups of phytoplankton. Peak abundance of Chlorophyta (green algae) occurred in water in nutrient-rich environments (nitrogen and phosphorus) during the wet (36%) season, while Bacillariophyta (diatoms) were dominant during the dry (32%) season that depleted dissolved silica. Thus, the decrease of green algae and the increase of diatoms in the dry season indicated the potential link to seasonal changes of hydro-chemical parameters. The green algae (53.7%) were the dominant phytoplankton group in the hilsa gut content followed by diatoms (22.6%) and both are contributing as the major source of PUFAs for hilsa fish according to the electivity index as they contain the highest amounts of PUFAs (60 and 28% respectively).
Vector coding reveals the underlying balance control strategies used by humans during translational perturbation
Authors: Taleshi Naser , Brownjohn James M. W. , Lamb Sarah E. , Zivanovic Stana , Williams Genevieve K. R.
Published: December 2022

Postural control research has focused on standing balance experiments on platforms moving with relatively large amplitudes (0.1–0.2 m). This study investigated balance strategies while standing on a platform moving 4 mm in anterior-posterior direction with frequency scaled linearly from 0.4 to 6 Hz. Platform motion and kinematic and kinetic information for nine healthy participants were recorded using motion capture and force plate systems. Coordination between hip, knee and ankle joint torque, and centre of mass (COM) and centre of pressure (COP) motion was quantified by vector coding. Significant main effect of platform frequency for knee-ankle and COP-COM phase relationship was observed (p = 0.023, p = 0.016). At frequencies below 2.11 and 2.34 Hz, ankle strategy was recruited. With ankle strategy, in-phase COP-COM motion with COP dominancy occurred at frequencies below 2.19 and 2.23 Hz during scaling up and down, respectively. As platform frequency passed these values, COM dominated over COP which was followed by anti-phase knee-ankle torque, called a knee strategy, and anti-phase motion between the COP and COM that allowed COP to regain dominance over COM. Collectively, we reveal knee strategy as a new and relevant strategy in real-life settings, and transition between ankle and knee strategies that underpinned transition between COP-COM relative motion.
The influence of genetic structure on phenotypic diversity in the Australian mango (Mangifera indica) gene pool
Authors: Wilkinson Melanie J. , Yamashita Risa , James Maddie E. , Bally Ian S. E. , Dillon Natalie L. , Ali Asjad , Hardner Craig M. , Ortiz-Barrientos Daniel
Published: December 2022

Genomic selection is a promising breeding technique for tree crops to accelerate the development of new cultivars. However, factors such as genetic structure can create spurious associations between genotype and phenotype due to the shared history between populations with different trait values. Genetic structure can therefore reduce the accuracy of the genotype to phenotype map, a fundamental requirement of genomic selection models. Here, we employed 272 single nucleotide polymorphisms from 208 Mangifera indica accessions to explore whether the genetic structure of the Australian mango gene pool explained variation in trunk circumference, fruit blush colour and intensity. Multiple population genetic analyses indicate the presence of four genetic clusters and show that the most genetically differentiated cluster contains accessions imported from Southeast Asia (mainly those from Thailand). We find that genetic structure was strongly associated with three traits: trunk circumference, fruit blush colour and intensity in M. indica. This suggests that the history of these accessions could drive spurious associations between loci and key mango phenotypes in the Australian mango gene pool. Incorporating such genetic structure in associations between genotype and phenotype can improve the accuracy of genomic selection, which can assist the future development of new cultivars.
Disease-associated H58Y mutation affects the nuclear dynamics of human DNA topoisomerase IIβ
Authors: Morotomi-Yano Keiko , Hiromoto Yukiko , Higaki Takumi , Yano Ken-ichi
Published: December 2022

DNA topoisomerase II (TOP2) is an enzyme that resolves DNA topological problems and plays critical roles in various nuclear processes. Recently, a heterozygous H58Y substitution in the ATPase domain of human TOP2B was identified from patients with autism spectrum disorder, but its biological significance remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed the nuclear dynamics of TOP2B with H58Y (TOP2B H58Y). Although wild-type TOP2B was highly mobile in the nucleus of a living cell, the nuclear mobility of TOP2B H58Y was markedly reduced, suggesting that the impact of H58Y manifests as low protein mobility. We found that TOP2B H58Y is insensitive to ICRF-187, a TOP2 inhibitor that halts TOP2 as a closed clamp on DNA. When the ATPase activity of TOP2B was compromised, the nuclear mobility of TOP2B H58Y was restored to wild-type levels, indicating the contribution of the ATPase activity to the low nuclear mobility. Analysis of genome-edited cells harboring TOP2B H58Y showed that TOP2B H58Y retains sensitivity to the TOP2 poison etoposide, implying that TOP2B H58Y can undergo at least a part of its catalytic reactions. Collectively, TOP2 H58Y represents a unique example of the relationship between a disease-associated mutation and perturbed protein dynamics.
The effect of online social evaluation on mood and cognition in young people
Authors: Grunewald Karina , Deng Jessica , Wertz Jasmin , Schweizer Susanne
Published: December 2022

Adolescence is characterised by increased peer interactions and heightened sensitivity to evaluation by peers. Increasingly, social interactions and evaluation happen in online contexts. Yet, little is known about the impact of online social interactions and evaluation on adolescent emotional and cognitive functioning. The present study examined the impact of online social evaluative threat on young people’s mood and learning and whether this varied as a function of known offline social risk and protective factors. 255 participants completed a perceptual learning task under online social evaluative threat and a perceptually-matched control condition. Participants were aged 11–30 years, to allow for the exploration of age differences in the impact of online social evaluative threat from adolescence to early adulthood. Participants reported a greater increase in negative mood (self-reported levels of stress, anxiety, and anhedonia), following social evaluative threat compared to the control condition. Heightened social rejection sensitivity (measured using the Online and Offline Social Sensitivity Scale) and lower perceived social support (measured using the Schuster Social Support Scale) were associated with elevated negative mood across the study. Social evaluative threat adversely impacted overall accuracy on the perceptual matching task, but not learning. These findings provide preliminary evidence that online social evaluative threat impacts adolescent mood and cognitive functioning.
The biomass of bloom-forming colonial Microcystis affects its response to aeration disturbance
Authors: Wang Xiaodong , Liu Xingguo , Qin Boqiang , Tang Xiangming , Che Xuan , Ding Yanqing , Gu Zhaojun
Published: December 2022

The algal succession in Microcystis blooms of varying biomass under continuous aeration was studied in a greenhouse. There were four treatments (control, Low, Medium, and High) with initial chlorophyll a (Chl-a) of 32.5, 346.8, 1413.7, and 14,250.0 μg L−1, respectively. During the experiment, Cyanophyta biomass was the lowest in the Medium treatment (P < 0.05), while its Chlorophyta biomass was the highest (P < 0.05). Both Chlorophyta and Bacillariophyta biomass were the lowest in the High treatment (P < 0.05). Bacillariophyta biomass, particularly the diatom Nitzschia palea was the highest in the Low treatment (P < 0.05), and Nitzschia palea cells were attached to the Microcystis colonies. Thus, the algal shift in Microcystis blooms under aeration disturbance depends on its initial biomass, and it shift to green algae or/and diatom dominance in the control, Low, Medium treatments. Diatom cells, particularly N. palea, grew in an attached form on Microcystis colonies in treatment Low, in which the colonies provided media for the adherence. The mechanism of the algal shift with different biomass must be related to the nutrient level, low light and aerobic conditions under aeration disturbance as well as the aeration itself, which destroyed the Microcystis colonies’ advantage of floating on the water.
Metabolic enhancement of the one carbon metabolism (OCM) in bovine oocytes IVM increases the blastocyst rate: evidences for a OCM checkpoint
Authors: Golestanfar Arefeh , Niasari-Naslaji Amir , Jafarpour Farnoosh , Rouhollahi Shiva , Rezaei Naeimeh , Menezo Yves , Dattilo Maurizio , Nasr-Esfahani Mohammad Hossein
Published: December 2022

The one carbon metabolism (OCM) has a primary role in the process of oocyte maturation. In this study bovine oocytes were cultured for 24 h, up to MII stage, with standard medium supplemented or not with 8 metabolic enhancers of the OCM and the MII and blastocyst rate were compared. Additional analyses were performed on matured oocytes, cumulus cells, zygotes and blastocysts. The OCM supplementation increased the blastocyst rate derived from in vitro fertilization. The mitochondrial mass and DNMT3a protein expression were increased whereas DNA fragmentation decreased in matured oocytes. DNA methylation in female pronucleus of zygotes was increased. The supplementation did not directly affect the redox balance as ROS and GSH in matured oocytes and homocysteine in the spent medium were unchanged. The supplementation of the oocytes with metabolic enhancers of the OCM may increase the yield from the culture, likely due to improved DNA methylation and epigenetic programming. The lack of effects on MII rate with huge differences appearing at the blastocyst stage suggest the existence of a OCM metabolic check point that hampers oocytes progression to blastocyst post-fertilization, if they were not properly primed at the time of maturation.
Linking single nucleotide polymorphisms to signaling blueprints in abdominal aortic aneurysms
Authors: Lim Chrysania , Pratama Muhammad Yogi , Rivera Cristobal , Silvestro Michele , Tsao Philip S. , Maegdefessel Lars , Gallagher Katherine A. , Maldonado Thomas , Ramkhelawon Bhama
Published: December 2022

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is a multifactorial complex disease with life-threatening consequences. While Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in the genome of individuals with AAA, the link between SNPs with the associated pathological signals, the influence of risk factors on their distribution and their combined analysis is not fully understood. We integrated 86 AAA SNPs from GWAS and clinical cohorts from the literature to determine their phenotypical vulnerabilities and association with AAA risk factors. The SNPs were annotated using snpXplorer AnnotateMe tool to identify their chromosomal position, minor allele frequency, CADD (Combined Annotation Dependent Depletion), annotation-based pathogenicity score, variant consequence, and their associated gene. Gene enrichment analysis was performed using Gene Ontology and clustered using REVIGO. The plug-in GeneMANIA in Cytoscape was applied to identify network integration with associated genes and functions. 15 SNPs affecting 20 genes with a CADD score above ten were identified. AAA SNPs were predominantly located on chromosome 3 and 9. Stop-gained rs5516 SNP obtained high frequency in AAA and associated with proinflammatory and vascular remodeling phenotypes. SNPs presence positively correlated with hypertension, dyslipidemia and smoking history. GO showed that AAA SNPs and their associated genes could regulate lipid metabolism, extracellular matrix organization, smooth muscle cell proliferation, and oxidative stress, suggesting that part of these AAA traits could stem from genetic abnormalities. We show a library of inborn SNPs and associated genes that manifest in AAA. We uncover their pathological signaling trajectories that likely fuel AAA development.
Reliable determination of pulse-shape instability in trains of ultrashort laser pulses using frequency-resolved optical gating
Authors: Jafari Rana , Khosravi Soroush D. , Trebino Rick
Published: December 2022

We describe a reliable approach for determining the presence of pulse-shape instability in a train of ultrashort laser pulses. While frequency-resolved optical gating (FROG) has been shown to successfully perform this task by displaying a discrepancy between the measured and retrieved traces for unstable trains, it fails if its pulse-retrieval algorithm stagnates because algorithm stagnation and pulse-shape instability can be indistinguishable. So, a non-stagnating algorithm—even in the presence of instability—is required. The recently introduced Retrieved-Amplitude N-grid Algorithmic (RANA) approach has achieved extremely reliable (100%) pulse-retrieval in FROG for trains of stable pulse shapes, even in the presence of noise, and so is a promising candidate for an algorithm that can definitively distinguish stable and unstable pulse-shape trains. But it has not yet been considered for trains of pulses with pulse-shape instability. So, here, we investigate its performance for unstable trains of pulses with random pulse shapes. We consider trains of complex pulses measured by second-harmonic-generation FROG using the RANA approach and compare its performance to the well-known generalized-projections (GP) algorithm without the RANA enhancements. We show that the standard GP algorithm frequently fails to converge for such unstable pulse trains, yielding highly variable trace discrepancies. As a result, it is an unreliable indicator of instability. Using the RANA approach, on the other hand, we find zero stagnations, even for highly unstable pulse trains, and we conclude that FROG, coupled with the RANA approach, provides a highly reliable indicator of pulse-shape instability. It also provides a typical pulse length, spectral width, and time-bandwidth product, even in cases of instability.
Loss-of-rescue of Ryr1I4895T-related pathology by the genetic inhibition of the ER stress response mediator CHOP
Authors: Germani Serena , Marchetti Alessia Celeste , Guidarelli Andrea , Cantoni Orazio , Sorrentino Vincenzo , Zito Ester
Published: December 2022

RYR1 is the gene encoding the ryanodine receptor 1, a calcium release channel of the endo/sarcoplasmic reticulum. I4898T in RYR1 is one of the most common mutations that give rise to central core disease (CCD), with a variable phenotype ranging from mild to severe myopathy to lethal early-onset core-rod myopathy. Mice with the corresponding I4895T mutation in Ryr1 present mild myopathy when the mutation is heterozygous while I4895T homozygous is perinatal-lethal. Here we show that skeletal muscles of I4895T homozygous mice at birth present signs of stress of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER stress) and of the related unfolded protein response (UPR) with increased levels of the maladaptive mediators CHOP and ERO1. To gain information on the role of CHOP in the pathogenesis of RYR1I4895T-related myopathy, we generated compound Ryr1I4895T, Chop knock-out (-/-) mice. However, the genetic deletion of Chop, although it attenuates ER stress in the skeletal muscle of the newborns, does not rescue any phenotypic or functional features of Ryr1I4895T in mice: neither the perinatal-lethal phenotype nor the inability of Ryr1I4895T to respond to its agonist caffeine, but protects from ER stress-induced apoptosis. These findings suggest that genetic deletion of the ER stress response mediator CHOP is not sufficient to counteract the pathological Ryr1I4895T phenotype.
The role of pmrCAB genes in colistin-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Seleim Shaimaa Mohamed , Mostafa Marwa Salah , Ouda Nadia Hafez , Shash Rania Yahia
Published: December 2022

The progressively increasing antimicrobial-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections have enforced the use of colistin as the last option for therapy, resulting in the colistin resistance evolution. This work aimed to study the pmrCAB expression in A. baumannii isolates as well as the presence of the mcr-1 gene. Colistin MICs of 100 A. baumannii isolates were measured using the broth microdilution assay. In four colistin-susceptible and four colistin-resistant isolates, the relative expression of the pmrA, pmrB, and pmrC genes was determined using reverse transcription PCR, and then selected isolates were sequenced using the Sanger technique. Finally, the mcr-1 gene was detected using conventional PCR. The colistin resistance rate among the studied isolates was 49%. The expression levels of pmrA and pmrB were statistically significantly higher in colistin-resistant isolates than in colistin-susceptible ones, while the pmrC expression had no statistically significant change. There was a weak positive correlation between colistin MICs and the expression levels of each of the pmrA and pmrB genes. By sequencing, two colistin-resistant strains with low pmrCAB expression showed insertion mutations 3277188_3277189T in pmrB and 1185149_1185150T in pmrC. Only one isolate (1%) was positive for the presence of mcr-1. We concluded that pmrCAB increased expression and/or mutations may cause colistin resistance in A. baumannii. However, increased pmrC expression may not necessarily result in colistin resistance. In Egypt, this is the first study to reveal the existence of mcr-1 in A. baumanni. This should attract attention in clinical settings due to the ultimate tendency of spreading colistin resistance.
An iterative and interdisciplinary categorisation process towards FAIRer digital resources for sensitive life-sciences data
Authors: David Romain , Ohmann Christian , Boiten Jan-Willem , Abadía Mónica Cano , Bietrix Florence , Canham Steve , Chiusano Maria Luisa , Dastrù Walter , Laroquette Arnaud , Longo Dario , Mayrhofer Michaela Th. , Panagiotopoulou Maria , Richard Audrey S. , Goryanin Sergey , Verde Pablo Emilio
Published: December 2022

For life science infrastructures, sensitive data generate an additional layer of complexity. Cross-domain categorisation and discovery of digital resources related to sensitive data presents major interoperability challenges. To support this FAIRification process, a toolbox demonstrator aiming at support for discovery of digital objects related to sensitive data (e.g., regulations, guidelines, best practice, tools) has been developed. The toolbox is based upon a categorisation system developed and harmonised across a cluster of 6 life science research infrastructures. Three different versions were built, tested by subsequent pilot studies, finally leading to a system with 7 main categories (sensitive data type, resource type, research field, data type, stage in data sharing life cycle, geographical scope, specific topics). 109 resources attached with the tags in pilot study 3 were used as the initial content for the toolbox demonstrator, a software tool allowing searching of digital objects linked to sensitive data with filtering based upon the categorisation system. Important next steps are a broad evaluation of the usability and user-friendliness of the toolbox, extension to more resources, broader adoption by different life-science communities, and a long-term vision for maintenance and sustainability.
Algal sensitivity to nickel toxicity in response to phosphorus starvation
Authors: El-Agawany Nagwa I. , Kaamoush Mona I. A.
Published: December 2022

In all living cells, phosphorus plays an important function in the transport of metabolic energy and as a structural component of nucleotide and phospholipid molecules. Ni2+ is found in industrial water effluent and has the potential to harm aquatic ecosystems. The study was designed to assess the effect of phosphorous-limiting conditions in combination with the absence or presence of different concentrations of nickel on growth, pigment content, photosynthesis, and respiration activities of the studied alga Dunaliella tertiolecta. The EC50 for dissolved nickel was around 15 mg/L. Results obtained showed that, growth and chlorophyll content under phosphorus limiting conditions increased under low concentrations of dissolved nickel. The amount of O2-evolution with phosphorus limiting conditions was lower than those of untreated normal cultures. Lower dissolved nickel concentrations resulted in higher photosynthesis rates in the treated phosphorus-starved cultures than higher concentrations. The degree of response to metal toxicity in phosphorus-starved medium is depending mainly on the concentration of the element and the length of the culturing period and it was less than those in normal control culture containing phosphorus.
Use of Symptom Checklist 90 for exploring psychological factors among the parents of children hospitalized for burn injuries in Shanghai: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Chen Shijie , Jiang Qiuping , Zhang Yin , Zeng Changjuan
Published: December 2022

To better improve the conditions for the recovery of children with burn injuries, timely understanding of the psychological status of parents is important. A cross-sectional survey on it using convenience sampling was conducted at two hospitals. Besides basic information, the Symptom Checklist 90, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, Social Support Rate Scale, and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire were used, and the key factors were identified via multivariate linear regression analysis and path analysis. A total of 196 guardians were recruited, 180 valid and completed questionnaires were obtained, including 58 men (32.2%) and 122 women (67.8%), and their average age was 30.3 years (standard deviation = 7.6). Of these, 151 participants (83.9%) were parents. Multivariate analysis revealed that children’s age, parent gender, P score, negative coping style, and religion were the main factors that affected parents’ psychology. Moreover, path analysis showed that P score, children’s age, and negative coping style had the greatest impact on the total average score. These results suggest that during hospitalization, the following three factors should be focused on: older children, higher parental psychoticism, and increased negative coping style.
Machine-learning-based risk stratification for probability of dying in patients with basal ganglia hemorrhage
Authors: Guo Lili , Lei Nuoyangfan , Gao Mou , Qiu Wenqiao , He Yunsen , Zhao Qijun , Xu Ruxiang
Published: December 2022

To confirm whether machine learning algorithms (MLA) can achieve an effective risk stratification of dying within 7 days after basal ganglia hemorrhage (BGH). We collected patients with BGH admitted to Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital between August 2005 and August 2021. We developed standard ML-supervised models and fusion models to assess the prognostic risk of patients with BGH and compared them with the classical logistic regression model. We also use the SHAP algorithm to provide clinical interpretability. 1383 patients with BGH were included and divided into the conservative treatment group (CTG) and surgical treatment group (STG). In CTG, the Stack model has the highest sensitivity (78.5%). In STG, Weight-Stack model achieves 58.6% sensitivity and 85.1% specificity, and XGBoost achieves 61.4% sensitivity and 82.4% specificity. The SHAP algorithm shows that the predicted preferred characteristics of the CTG are consciousness, hemorrhage volume, prehospital time, break into ventricles, brain herniation, intraoperative blood loss, and hsCRP were also added to the STG. XGBoost, Stack, and Weight-Stack models combined with easily available clinical data enable risk stratification of BGH patients with high performance. These ML classifiers could assist clinicians and families to identify risk states timely when emergency admission and offer medical care and nursing information.
Observation of prior light emission before arcing development in a low-temperature plasma with multiple snapshot analysis
Authors: Kim Si-jun , Lee Young-seok , Cho Chul-hee , Choi Min-su , Seong In-ho , Lee Jang-jae , Kim Dae-woong , You Shin-jae
Published: December 2022

Arcing is a ubiquitous phenomenon and a crucial issue in high-voltage applied systems, especially low-temperature plasma (LTP) engineering. Although arcing in LTPs has attracted interest due to the severe damage it can cause, its underlying mechanism has yet to be fully understood. To elucidate the arcing mechanism, this study investigated various signals conventionally used to analyze arcing such as light emission, arcing current and voltage, and background plasma potential. As a result, we found that light emission occurs as early as 0.56 μs before arcing current initiation, which is a significant indicator of the explosive development of arcing as well as other signals. We introduce an arcing inducing probe (AIP) designed to localize arcing on the tip edge along with multiple snapshot analysis since arcing occurs randomly in space and time. Analysis reveals that the prior light emission consists of sheath and tip glows from the whole AIP sheath and the AIP tip edge, respectively. Formation mechanisms of these emissions based on multiple snapshot image analysis are discussed. This light emission before arcing current initiation provides a significant clue to understanding the arcing formation mechanism and represents a new indicator for forecasting arcing in LTPs.
Several machine learning techniques comparison for the prediction of the uniaxial compressive strength of carbonate rocks
Authors: Hassan Mohamed Yusuf , Arman Hasan
Published: December 2022

In engineering practices, it is critical and necessary to either measure or estimate the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of the rock. Measuring the UCS of rocks requires comprehensive studies in the field and in the laboratory for the rock block sampling, coring, and testing. These studies are time-consuming, expensive and go through difficult processes. Alternatively, the UCS can either be estimated by empirical relationships or predictive models with various measured mechanical and physical parameters of the rocks. Previous studies used different methods to predict UCS, including least squares regression techniques (MLR), adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), Sequential artificial neuron networks (SANN), etc. This study is intended to estimate the UCS of the carbonate rock by using a simple, measured Schmidt Hammer (SHVC) test on core sample and a unit weight (γn) of carbonate rock. Principal components regression (PCR), MLR, SANN, and ANFIS are employed to predict the UCS. We are not aware of any study compared the performances of these methods for the prediction of the UCS values. Based on the root mean square error, mean absolute error and R2, the Sequential artificial neural network has a slight advantage against the other three models.
Behavioral roles of biogenic amines in bumble bee males
Authors: Watanabe Tomohiro , Sasaki Ken
Published: December 2022

To compare the behavioral roles of biogenic amines in the males of primitive and advanced eusocial bees, we determined the levels of dopamine- and octopamine-related substances in the brain, and the behavioral effects of these monoamines by drug injection in the primitive eusocial bumble bee, Bombus ignitus. The levels of dopamine and its precursors in the brain peaked at the late pupal stage, but the dopamine peak extended to adult emergence. The tyramine and octopamine levels increased from the mid-pupal to adult stages. The locomotor and flight activities, and light preference increased with age. Injection of octopamine and its receptor antagonist had significant effects on the locomotor and flight activities, whereas dopamine injection did not, indicating that these activities can be regulated by the octopaminergic system. We also determined the dynamics of dopamine-related substances in honey bee (Apis mellifera) drones. The changes in the dopamine level in the brains of honey bee drones exhibited two peaks from the pupal to adult stages, whereas the bumble bee males had only one peak. These are consistent with the behavioral functions of dopamine in honey bee drones and ineffectiveness of dopamine injection at the adult stage in bumble bee males.
Soil qualities and change rules of Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus urophylla plantation with different slash disposals
Authors: Zhang Lin , Chen Zongfu , Wu Qinzhan , Huang Kangting , Wen Jianke , Li Hui , Zhu Lingyue , Tang Yabin , Chen Lijun , Wu Lichao
Published: December 2022

Slash disposal changes soil quality by affecting soil properties and nutrient cycling, and the appropriate disposal approaches remain controversial. This work aimed to explore the impact of different slash disposal methods on soil qualities. For this purpose, a Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus urophylla plantation that had been cultivated in 2002 and felled for the third time in 2016 was established in Hezhou City, China. Burning forest (BF, for moderate intensity fire) and no-burning forest (NF) were set in the plantation, and the native evergreen broadleaf forest near the plantation was used as the control (CK). Soils were sampled quarterly in 2017, and 27 indicators that represent soil physical, chemical, and biological properties were analyzed and compared through the analysis of the sustainability index (SI), which adopts five indices to calculate soil quality. The obtained data showed that the indicators of BF and NF, except for the total potassium content, were much lower than those of CK. The physical properties (Max-WHC, CWHC, Min-WHC, MMC, CPD, TPD) of NF were significantly better (29.07%, 30.98%, 29.61%, 52.08%, 21.89%, 19.76%) than those of BF, unlike the chemical properties of BF (SOM, TN, ACa, AFe, AMn, ACu, AZn) were significantly better than those of NF (45.61%, 81.33%, 12.78%, 23.18%, 96.13%, 144.30%, 114.04%). The enzymatic activities of NF (URE, APHO) were significantly better (43.33%, 156.58%)than those of BF, except the activities of INV (− 25.21%). Results of SI showed that the soil quality of CK was much better than that of BF, and NF the worst. But it exhibited the most unevenness of CK, followed by NF, and BF the best. The change rules of BF and NF were contrasting, and soil quality reached the same level after half a year. In summary, the soil qualities, either BF or CK, were not comparable to that of CK. BF increased the soil quality fleetly and transiently, and NF was sustainable for the eucalyptus plantation.
Self-extracted corn-stalk cellulose/epoxy resin composites
Authors: Lou Chunhua , Jiang Siyu , Yan An , Zhou Yongli , Liu Yang , Zhang Yong , Kong Xianzhi
Published: December 2022

In order to make full use of crop waste stalk, corn-stalk cellulose (CSC) was extracted by acid–base method and used as modifier of epoxy resin (E51) to prepare the self-extracted corn-stalk cellulose/epoxy resin composites (CSCEC). Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG) analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), morphology analysis by scanning electron microscope (SEM), the mechanical properties by electronic universal testing machine and impact testing machine were used for characterization and analysis. The experimental results showed that when the CSC content was 20 wt%, the impact strength of the composite was 2.50 kJ/m2, which was 127.2% higher than that of pure epoxy resin. When the CSC content was 20 wt%, the Tg of epoxy resin obtained by DMA was the lowest, 167.4 °C, which decreased by 11.3 °C compared with that of pure epoxy resin. The SEM result showed that the fracture surface of the composite became obviously rough and had of obvious folds, which was a ductile fracture. These results indicated that the addition of CSC could toughen the epoxy resin.
Methane emissions from agricultural ponds are underestimated in national greenhouse gas inventories
Authors: Malerba Martino E. , de Kluyver Tertius , Wright Nicholas , Schuster Lukas , Macreadie Peter I.
Published: December 2022

Agricultural ponds have some of the highest methane emissions per area among freshwater systems, and these anthropogenic emissions should be included in national greenhouse gas inventories. Here we deliver a continental-scale assessment of methane emissions from agricultural ponds in the United States and Australia. We source maps of agricultural ponds, compile a meta-analysis for their emissions and use published data to correct for temperature and the relative contributions of two methane fluxes (diffusion and ebullition). In the United States, 2.56 million agricultural ponds cover 420.9 kha and emit about 95.8 kt year−1 of methane. In Australia, 1.76 million agricultural ponds cover 291.2 kha and emit about 75.1 kt year−1 of methane. Despite large uncertainties, our findings suggest that small water bodies emit twice as much methane than is currently accounted for in national inventories. Managing these systems can reduce these emissions while benefiting productivity, ecosystem services, and biodiversity.
Adaptive optics-based wavefront-enhanced laser-induced fluorescence (WELIF) for improved analytical performance
Authors: Abdel-Harith Mohamed , Abdelazeem Rania M. , Hamdy Omnia , Abdel-Salam Zienab
Published: December 2022

The current study proposes a novel optical approach based on an adaptive optics (AO) system to enhance the fluorescence intensity in the laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) technique.
Ferrocene-liposome-PEG: a robust ˙OH/lipid peroxide nano-converter for inducing tumor ferroptosis
Authors: Liu Yang , Chen Jinzhu , He Zi , Luo Huiling , Liu Xinxin , Sun Yanan , Ge Dongtao , Liu Xin , Shi Wei
Published: December 2022

A robust ˙OH/LPO nano-converter with high tumor specificity and low systemic side effects enhanced the ferroptosis effect on tumors.
Cell-free and cytokine-free self-assembling peptide hydrogel-polycaprolactone composite scaffolds for segmental bone defects
Authors: Wu Tong , Wu Yilun , Cao Zhicheng , Zhao Lulu , Lv Jiayi , Li Jiayi , Xu Yue , Zhang Po , Liu Xu , Sun Yuzhi , Cheng Min , Tang Kexin , Jiang Xiao , Ling Chen , Yao Qingqiang , Zhu Yishen
Published: December 2022

An ECM-mimetic peptide hydrogel was infilled into a 3D-printed PCL scaffold, forming unique nano- and micro-morphology and endowing osteogenesis. This scaffold was employed for a segmental ulna defect repair in rabbits, with bioinformatic analysis.
Room-temperature activation of the C–H bond in the dehydrogenation of ethane over a Cu/TiO2 catalyst
Authors: Song Lei , Zhang Ronghao , Zhou Changan , Shu Guoqiang , Ma Kui , Yue Hairong
Published: December 2022

Selective activation of the C–H bond was realized in the direct dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene with photocatalysis at room temperature.
MOF-derived multicomponent Fe2P–Co2P–Ni2P hollow architectures for efficient hydrogen evolution
Authors: Wang Tingjuan , Chen Feiran , Wang Jiahao , Wang Chao , Kuai Long , Geng Baoyou
Published: December 2022

MOF-derived strategy is developed to multicomponent Fe2P–Co2P–Ni2P hollow architectures, which exhibit boosting HER performance due to the synergistic effect of composition and morphology.
Dielectric switching in correlation with the structural phase transitions in tetrapropylammonium perchlorate
Authors: Trzebiatowska Monika , Kowalska Dorota A. , Gusowski Marek A. , Jach Ewelina , Ciżman Agnieszka
Published: December 2022

Crystals of the tetrapropylammonium perchlorate [(CH3CH2CH2)4N]ClO4, undergo two reversible structural phase transitions at 284 K and 445 K, they are accompanied by the structural and dynamic effects.
Capillary-force-assisted self-assembly of gold nanoparticles into highly ordered plasmonic thin films for ultrasensitive SERS
Authors: Dong Jun , Wu Haoran , Cao Yi , Yuan Jiaxin , Han Qingyan , Gao Wei , Zhang Chengyun , Qi Jianxia , Sun Mengtao
Published: December 2022

In this study, capillary-force-assisted self-assembly of gold nanoparticles into highly ordered plasmonic thin films and their use in ultrasensitive SERS for real-life applications are investigated.
Insights into the state of ceria during ethanol steam reforming over Ir/CeO2
Authors: You Wei , Zhang Qingting , Jia Haiyuan , Ta Na , Sheng Xueru , Yang Xiaodeng , Wang Jingui , Shen Wenjie , Goldbach Andreas
Published: December 2022

The evolution of a strongly reduced CeO2−xstate triggers a shift from a preferential acetaldehyde to a methane reforming pathway.