bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rates and correlates of cannabis-associated psychotic symptoms in over 230,000 people who use cannabis
Authors: Schoeler Tabea , Ferris Jason , Winstock Adam R.
Published: September 2022

Cannabis, a widely used psychoactive substance, can trigger acute cannabis-associated psychotic symptoms (CAPS) in people who use cannabis (PWUC). To assess rates and correlates of CAPS requiring emergency medical treatment, we analyzed data from an international sample of PWUC (n = 233,475). We found that 0.47% (95%CI 0.42; 0.52) PWUC reported lifetime occurrence of CAPS, defined as the occurrence of hallucinations and/or paranoia requiring emergency medical treatment following the use of cannabis. A range of factors correlated with risk of CAPS in the last year: higher rates were observed in young individuals [risk ratio (RR) 2.66, compared to older PWUC] and those residing in Denmark (RR 3.01, compared to PWUC from other countries). Furthermore, risk was elevated in those using predominantly high-potency resin (RR 2.11, compared to PWUC using herbal cannabis), those mixing cannabis with tobacco (RR 2.15, compared to PWUC not mixing with tobacco) and those with a diagnosis of psychosis (RR 14.01), bipolar (RR 4.30), anxiety (RR 2.92) and depression (RR 2.68), compared to individuals without a mental health diagnosis. Taken together, acute self-limiting psychotic symptoms in the context of cannabis use may occur in about 1 in 200 PWUC’s lifetime. Some individuals could be particularly sensitive to the adverse psychological effects of cannabis, such as young individuals or those with pre-existing mental health vulnerabilities. In light of the movements towards legalization of recreational cannabis, more research should focus on the potential harms related to cannabis use, to educate PWUC and the public about risks related to its use.
Distinct brain structural abnormalities in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and substance use disorders: A comparative meta-analysis
Authors: Long Yajing , Pan Nanfang , Ji Shiyu , Qin Kun , Chen Ying , Zhang Xun , He Min , Suo Xueling , Yu Yifan , Wang Song , Gong Qiyong
Published: September 2022

As two common mental disorders during the period of adolescence that extend to early adulthood, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and substance use disorders (SUDs) have considerable diagnostic co-occurrence and shared neuropsychological impairments. Our study aimed to identify overlapping and distinct brain structural abnormalities associated with ADHD and SUDs among adolescents and young adults. A systematic literature search on voxel-based morphometry (VBM) studies of ADHD and SUDs was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science. Data were extracted and analyzed to identify brain abnormalities using Seed-based d-Mapping software. Data-driven functional decoding was conducted to identify the psychophysiological functioning associated with brain alterations. 13 and 14 VBM studies for ADHD (619 patients and 483 controls) and SUDs (516 patients and 413 controls), respectively, were included. Patterns of decreased gray matter volume (GMV) were found in the left precentral gyrus, bilateral superior frontal gyri, and left inferior frontal gyrus in the ADHD group compared to the control group. In contrast, individuals with SUDs, relative to controls, were characterized by increased GMV in the left putamen and insula. Comparative analysis indicated larger regional GMV in the right inferior parietal lobule and smaller volumes in the left putamen and left precentral gyrus in the ADHD group than in the SUDs group. Dissociable brain structural abnormalities in adolescents and young adults with ADHD and SUDs potentially implicate different pathogeneses and provide a reference for differential diagnosis and early detection for shared symptomology and comorbidity.
Two-drug versus three-drug induction chemotherapy in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Radhakrishnan Venkatraman , Bakhshi Sameer , Kayal Smita , Thampy Cherian , Batra Ankit , Shenoy Praveen Kumar , Kumar Hemanth , Rajaraman Swaminathan , Chaudhary Shilpi , Bisht Reema , Dubashi Biswajit , Ganesan Trivadi S.
Published: September 2022

The benefit of three-drug induction chemotherapy over a two-drug induction has not been evaluated in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We, therefore, conducted a randomized controlled trial to ascertain the benefit of a three-drug induction regimen. Patients aged 1–18 years with newly diagnosed AML were randomized to two cycles of induction chemotherapy with daunorubicin and ara-C (DA) or two cycles of ara-C, daunorubicin, and etoposide (ADE). After induction, patients in both arms received consolidation with two cycles of high-dose ara-C. The study’s primary objective was to compare the event-free survival (EFS) between the two arms. The secondary objectives included comparing the composite complete remission (cCR) rates, overall survival (OS), and toxicities. The study randomized 149 patients, 77 in the DA and 72 in the ADE arm. The median age was 8.7 years, and 92 (62%) patients were males. The median follow-up was 50.9 months. The cCR rate in the DA and ADE arm were 82% and 79% (p = 0.68) after the second induction. There were 13 (17%) induction deaths in the DA arm and 12 (17%) in the ADE arm (p = 0.97). The 5-year EFS in the DA and ADE arm was 34.4% and 34.5%, respectively (p = 0.66). The 5-year OS in the DA and ADE arms was 41.4% and 42.09%, respectively (p = 0.74). There were no significant differences in toxicities between the regimens. There was no statistically significant difference in EFS, OS, CR, or toxicity between ADE and DA regimens in pediatric AML. The trial was registered with the Clinical Trial Registry of India (Reference number: CTRI/2014/11/005202).
A positive mechanobiological feedback loop controls bistable switching of cardiac fibroblast phenotype
Authors: Niu Lele , Cheng Bo , Huang Guoyou , Nan Kai , Han Shuang , Ren Hui , Liu Na , Li Yan , Genin Guy M. , Xu Feng
Published: September 2022

Cardiac fibrosis is associated with activation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), a pathological, phenotypic transition that is widely believed to be irreversible in the late stages of disease development. Sensing of a stiffened mechanical environment through regulation of integrin-based adhesion plaques and activation of the Piezo1 mechanosensitive ion channel is known to factor into this transition. Here, using integrated in vitro and in silico models, we discovered a mutually reinforcing, mechanical positive feedback loop between integrin β1 and Piezo1 activation that forms a bistable switch. The bistable switch is initiated by perturbations in matrix elastic modulus that amplify to trigger downstream signaling involving Ca2+ and YAP that, recursively, leads fibroblasts to further stiffen their environment. By simultaneously interfering with the newly identified mechanical positive feedback loop and modulating matrix elastic modulus, we reversed markers of phenotypical transition of CF, suggesting new therapeutic targets for fibrotic disease.
Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants on a university campus
Authors: Weil Ana A. , Luiten Kyle G. , Casto Amanda M. , Bennett Julia C. , O’Hanlon Jessica , Han Peter D. , Gamboa Luis S. , McDermot Evan , Truong Melissa , Gottlieb Geoffrey S. , Acker Zack , Wolf Caitlin R. , Magedson Ariana , Chow Eric J. , Lo Natalie K. , Pothan Lincoln C. , McDonald Devon , Wright Tessa C. , McCaffrey Kathryn M. , Figgins Marlin D. , Englund Janet A. , Boeckh Michael , Lockwood Christina M. , Nickerson Deborah A. , Shendure Jay , Bedford Trevor , Hughes James P. , Starita Lea M. , Chu Helen Y.
Published: September 2022

Novel variants continue to emerge in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. University testing programs may provide timely epidemiologic and genomic surveillance data to inform public health responses. We conducted testing from September 2021 to February 2022 in a university population under vaccination and indoor mask mandates. A total of 3,048 of 24,393 individuals tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR; whole genome sequencing identified 209 Delta and 1,730 Omicron genomes of the 1,939 total sequenced. Compared to Delta, Omicron had a shorter median serial interval between genetically identical, symptomatic infections within households (2 versus 6 days, P = 0.021). Omicron also demonstrated a greater peak reproductive number (2.4 versus 1.8), and a 1.07 (95% confidence interval: 0.58, 1.57; P < 0.0001) higher mean cycle threshold value. Despite near universal vaccination and stringent mitigation measures, Omicron rapidly displaced the Delta variant to become the predominant viral strain and led to a surge in cases in a university population.
Signal processing and generation of bioactive nitric oxide in a model prototissue
Authors: Liu Songyang , Zhang Yanwen , He Xiaoxiao , Li Mei , Huang Jin , Yang Xiaohai , Wang Kemin , Mann Stephen , Liu Jianbo
Published: September 2022

The design and construction of synthetic prototissues from integrated assemblies of artificial protocells is an important challenge for synthetic biology and bioengineering. Here we spatially segregate chemically communicating populations of enzyme-decorated phospholipid-enveloped polymer/DNA coacervate protocells in hydrogel modules to construct a tubular prototissue-like vessel capable of modulating the output of bioactive nitric oxide (NO). By decorating the protocells with glucose oxidase, horseradish peroxidase or catalase and arranging different modules concentrically, a glucose/hydroxyurea dual input leads to logic-gate signal processing under reaction-diffusion conditions, which results in a distinct NO output in the internal lumen of the model prototissue. The NO output is exploited to inhibit platelet activation and blood clot formation in samples of plasma and whole blood located in the internal channel of the device, thereby demonstrating proof-of-concept use of the prototissue-like vessel for anticoagulation applications. Our results highlight opportunities for the development of spatially organized synthetic prototissue modules from assemblages of artificial protocells and provide a step towards the organization of biochemical processes in integrated micro-compartmentalized media, micro-reactor technology and soft functional materials.
Fluorescence-based monitoring of the pressure-induced aggregation microenvironment evolution for an AIEgen under multiple excitation channels
Authors: Tong Shuang , Dai Jianhong , Sun Jiangman , Liu Yuanyuan , Ma Xiaoli , Liu Zhehong , Ma Teng , Tan Jiao , Yao Zhen , Wang Shanmin , Zheng Haiyan , Wang Kai , Hong Fang , Yu Xiaohui , Gao Chunxiao , Gu Xinggui
Published: September 2022

The development of organic solid-state luminescent materials, especially those sensitive to aggregation microenvironment, is critical for their applications in devices such as pressure-sensitive elements, sensors, and photoelectric devices. However, it still faces certain challenges and a deep understanding of the corresponding internal mechanisms is required. Here, we put forward an unconventional strategy to explore the pressure-induced evolution of the aggregation microenvironment, involving changes in molecular conformation, stacking mode, and intermolecular interaction, by monitoring the emission under multiple excitation channels based on a luminogen with aggregation-induced emission characteristics of di(p-methoxylphenyl)dibenzofulvene. Under three excitation wavelengths, the distinct emission behaviors have been interestingly observed to reveal the pressure-induced structural evolution, well consistent with the results from ultraviolet-visible absorption, high-pressure angle-dispersive X-ray diffraction, and infrared studies, which have rarely been reported before. This finding provides important insights into the design of organic solid luminescent materials and greatly promotes the development of stimulus-responsive luminescent materials.
Near-infrared II plasmonic porous cubic nanoshells for in vivo noninvasive SERS visualization of sub-millimeter microtumors
Authors: Li Linhu , Jiang Renting , Shan Beibei , Lu Yaxuan , Zheng Chao , Li Ming
Published: September 2022

In vivo surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) imaging allows non-invasive visualization of tumors for intraoperative guidance and clinical diagnostics. However, the in vivo utility of SERS is greatly hampered by the strong optical scattering and autofluorescence background of biological tissues and the lack of highly active plasmonic nanostructures. Herein, we report a class of porous nanostructures comprising a cubic AuAg alloy nanoshell and numerous nanopores. Such porous nanostructures exhibit excellent near-infrared II plasmonic properties tunable in a broad spectral range by varying the pore features while maintaining a small dimension. We demonstrate their exceptional near-infrared II SERS performance varying with the porous properties. Additionally, near-infrared II SERS probes created with porous cubic AuAg nanoshells are demonstrated with remarkable capability for in vivo visualization of sub-millimeter microtumors in a living mouse model. Our near-infrared II SERS probes hold great potentials for precise demarcation of tumor margins and identification of microscopic tumors.
PIM1 promotes hepatic conversion by suppressing reprogramming-induced ferroptosis and cell cycle arrest
Authors: Yuan Yangyang , Wang Chenwei , Zhuang Xuran , Lin Shaofeng , Luo Miaomiao , Deng Wankun , Zhou Jiaqi , Liu Lihui , Mao Lina , Peng Wenbo , Chen Jian , Wang Qiangsong , Shu Yilai , Xue Yu , Huang Pengyu
Published: September 2022

Protein kinase-mediated phosphorylation plays a critical role in many biological processes. However, the identification of key regulatory kinases is still a great challenge. Here, we develop a trans-omics-based method, central kinase inference, to predict potentially key kinases by integrating quantitative transcriptomic and phosphoproteomic data. Using known kinases associated with anti-cancer drug resistance, the accuracy of our method denoted by the area under the curve is 5.2% to 29.5% higher than Kinase-Substrate Enrichment Analysis. We further use this method to analyze trans-omic data in hepatocyte maturation and hepatic reprogramming of human dermal fibroblasts, uncovering 5 kinases as regulators in the two processes. Further experiments reveal that a serine/threonine kinase, PIM1, promotes hepatic conversion and protects human dermal fibroblasts from reprogramming-induced ferroptosis and cell cycle arrest. This study not only reveals new regulatory kinases, but also provides a helpful method that might be extended to predict central kinases involved in other biological processes.
Why do older adults stand-up differently to young adults?: investigation of compensatory movement strategies in sit-to-walk
Authors: van der Kruk Eline , Strutton Paul , Koizia Louis J. , Fertleman Michael , Reilly Peter , Bull Anthony M. J.
Published: September 2022

Functional motor redundancy enables humans to move with distinct muscle activation patterns while achieving a similar outcome. Since humans select similar strategies, there seems to be an optimal control. However, older adults move differently to young adults. The question is whether this is this due to an altered reinforcement scheme, altered sensory inputs, or due to alterations in the neuromusculoskeletal systems, so that it is no longer optimal or possible to execute the same movement strategies. The aim of this study was to analyse natural compensation strategies in the vital daily-life-task, sit-to-walk, in relation to neuromuscular capacity and movement objectives in younger (27.2 ± 4.6 years, N = 27, 14♀) and elderly (75.9 ± 6.3 years, N = 23, 12♀) adults. Aspects of the neuromuscular system that are prone to age-related decline and feasible to quantify were assessed (i.e. strength, nerve conductivity, fear of falling). Kinematics and muscle activity were recorded and joint kinetics were estimated using biomechanical models. Elderly men consistently used their arms when standing up. This strategy was not associated with a lack of or a reduction in strength, but with a reduction, but no lack of, ankle joint range of motion, and with increased fear of falling. The results show that humans preferentially maintain a minimum threshold of neuromuscular reserve to cope with uncertainties which results in compensation prior to coming up against physical limitations. Smaller base of support while standing up, a compensatory strategy with possibly greater risk of falls, was associated with muscular weakness, and longer nerve conduction latencies.
Microgravity enhances the phenotype of Arabidopsis zigzag-1 and reduces the Wortmannin-induced vacuole fusion in root cells
Authors: Wang Mengying , Danz Katherine , Ly Vanessa , Rojas-Pierce Marcela
Published: September 2022

The spaceflight environment of the International Space Station poses a multitude of stresses on plant growth including reduced gravity. Plants exposed to microgravity and other conditions on the ISS display root skewing, changes in gene expression and protein abundance that may result in changes in cell wall composition, antioxidant accumulation and modification of growth anisotropy. Systematic studies that address the effects of microgravity on cellular organelles are lacking but altered numbers and sizes of vacuoles have been detected in previous flights. The prominent size of plant vacuoles makes them ideal models to study organelle dynamics in space. Here, we usedArabidopsiszigzag-1(zig-1) as a sensitized genotype to study the effect of microgravity on plant vacuole fusion. Wortmannin was used to induce vacuole fusion in seedlings and a formaldehyde-based fixation protocol was developed to visualize plant vacuole morphology after sample return, using confocal microscopy. Our results indicate that microgravity enhances thezig-1phenotype by reducing hypocotyl growth and vacuole fusion in some cells. This study demonstrates the feasibility of chemical inhibitor treatments for plant cell biology experiments in space.
In situ microscopic investigation of ion migration on the surface of chromium coated steels
Authors: Manoj Prabhakar J. , de Vooys Arnoud , Rohwerder Michael
Published: September 2022

Cathodic spreading of electrolyte on two-layers chromium coatings electrodeposited from trivalent chromium electrolyte on steel was studied on the micro- and the macroscale. The behavior is discussed in view of results obtained on electrical conductivity as measured by current-sensing atomic force microscopy. The coatings were found to hinder electron transport. Heterogeneities observed in the electrical conductivity are correlated to heterogeneities of the electrolyte spreading behavior, studied using in situ scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy. In average, the kinetics of spreading observed at microscopic scales are similar to that observed using a scanning Kelvin probe at larger scales. The scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy is demonstrated as a robust in situ technique to follow electrolyte spreading and study microscopic defects/heterogeneities on the surface.
High-resolution global maps of tidal flat ecosystems from 1984 to 2019
Authors: Murray Nicholas J. , Phinn Stuart P. , Fuller Richard A. , DeWitt Michael , Ferrari Renata , Johnston Renee , Clinton Nicholas , Lyons Mitchell B.
Published: September 2022

Assessments of the status of tidal flats, one of the most extensive coastal ecosystems, have been hampered by a lack of data on their global distribution and change. Here we present globally consistent, spatially-explicit data of the occurrence of tidal flats, defined as sand, rock or mud flats that undergo regular tidal inundation. More than 1.3 million Landsat images were processed to 54 composite metrics for twelve 3-year periods, spanning four decades (1984–1986 to 2017–2019). The composite metrics were used as predictor variables in a machine-learning classification trained with more than 10,000 globally distributed training samples. We assessed accuracy of the classification with 1,348 stratified random samples across the mapped area, which indicated overall map accuracies of 82.2% (80.0–84.3%, 95% confidence interval) and 86.1% (84.2–86.8%, 95% CI) for version 1.1 and 1.2 of the data, respectively. We expect these maps will provide a means to measure and monitor a range of processes that are affecting coastal ecosystems, including the impacts of human population growth and sea level rise.
Improved evaluation of left ventricular hypertrophy using the spatial QRS-T angle by electrocardiography
Authors: Maanja Maren , Schlegel Todd T. , Kozor Rebecca , Bacharova Ljuba , Wong Timothy C. , Schelbert Erik B. , Ugander Martin
Published: September 2022

Electrocardiographic (ECG) signs of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) lack sensitivity. The aim was to identify LVH based on an abnormal spatial peaks QRS-T angle, evaluate its diagnostic performance compared to conventional ECG criteria for LVH, and its prognostic performance. This was an observational study with four cohorts with a QRS duration < 120 ms. Based on healthy volunteers (n = 921), an abnormal spatial peaks QRS-T angle was defined as ≥ 40° for females and ≥ 55° for males. In other healthy volunteers (n = 461), the specificity of the QRS-T angle to detect LVH was 96% (females) and 98% (males). In patients with at least moderate LVH by cardiac imaging (n = 225), the QRS-T angle had a higher sensitivity than conventional ECG criteria (93–97% vs 13–56%, p < 0.001 for all). In clinical consecutive patients (n = 783), of those who did not have any LVH, 238/556 (43%) had an abnormal QRS-T angle. There was an association with hospitalization for heart failure or all-cause death in univariable and multivariable analysis. An abnormal QRS-T angle rarely occurred in healthy volunteers, was a mainstay of moderate or greater LVH, was common in clinical patients without LVH but with cardiac co-morbidities, and associated with outcomes.
A loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the detection of Cryptotermes brevis West Indian drywood termite (Blattodea: Kalotermitidae)
Authors: Andjic Vera , Maxwell Aaron , Gorton Michael , White Diane M.
Published: September 2022

Cryptotermes brevisis one of the most destructive invasive termites in the subtropics and tropics and is a common biosecurity intercept at the Australian border. Drywood termite species are cryptic and difficult to identify morphologically in situations when soldiers or imagos are unavailable. We developed a novel DNA based loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay to detectC. brevisand differentiate it from other drywood termites. Validated voucher specimens of 30 different drywood termite species were obtained from several insect collections from which DNA was extracted and amplified. The amplicons containing partial mitochondrial 16S rRNA were sequenced and a DNA database was created from whichC. brevisLAMP primers were developed, optimized, and tested. The assay was assessed against a range of target and non-target species and found to be specific, successfully amplifying the target specimens ofC. brevisin under 30 min. Amplification success was variable againstC. brevisfaecal pellets due to minute, unmeasurable or degraded DNA. This LAMP test is a new tool for the rapid detection ofC. brevisthat will enable faster and less destructive management of drywood termite infestations.
Difference in muscle synergies of the butterfly technique with and without swimmer’s shoulder
Authors: Matsuura Yuiko , Matsunaga Naoto , Akuzawa Hiroshi , Kojima Tsuyoshi , Oshikawa Tomoki , Iizuka Satoshi , Okuno Keisuke , Kaneoka Koji
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to investigate whether muscle synergy differs between swimmers with and without swimmer's shoulder in the butterfly technique. Muscle synergies, which can assess muscle coordination, were analyzed using surface electromyography. Twenty elite swimmers were included in this study (swimmer's shoulder: n = 8; control: n = 12). The motions involved in executing the butterfly technique were classified into the early pull-through, late pull-through, and recovery phases. Muscle synergy data analyzed using the nonnegative matrix factorization method were compared between the two groups.

The swimming velocities were 1.66 ± 0.09 m・s −1 and 1.69 ± 0.06 m・s −1 for the control and swimmer's shoulder groups, respectively. Four muscle synergies in both groups were identified: synergy #1, which was involved in the early pull; synergy #2, involved in the late pull; synergy #3, involved in the early recovery; and synergy #4, involved in pre- and posthand entry. Compared to the control group, the swimmer's shoulder group had a small contribution from the pectoralis major (p = 0.032) and a high contribution from the rectus femoris during the early pull phase (p = 0.036). In the late pull phase, the contribution of the lower trapezius muscle in the swimmer's shoulder group was low (p = 0.033), while the contribution of the upper trapezius muscle in the pre- and postentry phases was high (p = 0.032). In the rehabilitation of athletes with swimmer's shoulder, it is therefore important to introduce targeted muscle rehabilitation in each phase.
Deep learning-based breast cancer grading and survival analysis on whole-slide histopathology images
Authors: Wetstein Suzanne C. , de Jong Vincent M. T. , Stathonikos Nikolas , Opdam Mark , Dackus Gwen M. H. E. , Pluim Josien P. W. , van Diest Paul J. , Veta Mitko
Published: September 2022

Breast cancer tumor grade is strongly associated with patient survival. In current clinical practice, pathologists assign tumor grade after visual analysis of tissue specimens. However, different studies show significant inter-observer variation in breast cancer grading. Computer-based breast cancer grading methods have been proposed but only work on specifically selected tissue areas and/or require labor-intensive annotations to be applied to new datasets. In this study, we trained and evaluated a deep learning-based breast cancer grading model that works on whole-slide histopathology images. The model was developed using whole-slide images from 706 young (< 40 years) invasive breast cancer patients with corresponding tumor grade (low/intermediate vs. high), and its constituents nuclear grade, tubule formation and mitotic rate. The performance of the model was evaluated using Cohen’s kappa on an independent test set of 686 patients using annotations by expert pathologists as ground truth. The predicted low/intermediate (n = 327) and high (n = 359) grade groups were used to perform survival analysis. The deep learning system distinguished low/intermediate versus high tumor grade with a Cohen’s Kappa of 0.59 (80% accuracy) compared to expert pathologists. In subsequent survival analysis the two groups predicted by the system were found to have a significantly different overall survival (OS) and disease/recurrence-free survival (DRFS/RFS) (p < 0.05). Univariate Cox hazard regression analysis showed statistically significant hazard ratios (p < 0.05). After adjusting for clinicopathologic features and stratifying for molecular subtype the hazard ratios showed a trend but lost statistical significance for all endpoints. In conclusion, we developed a deep learning-based model for automated grading of breast cancer on whole-slide images. The model distinguishes between low/intermediate and high grade tumors and finds a trend in the survival of the two predicted groups.
Tuning of silicon nitride micro-cavities by controlled nanolayer deposition
Authors: Kalashnikov Dmitry A. , Alagappan Gandhi , Hu Ting , Lim Nelson , Leong Victor , Png Ching Eng , Krivitsky Leonid A.
Published: September 2022

Integration of single-photon emitters (SPEs) with resonant photonic structures is a promising approach for realizing compact and efficient single-photon sources for quantum communications, computing, and sensing. Efficient interaction between the SPE and the photonic cavity requires that the cavity's resonance matches the SPE’s emission line. Here we demonstrate a new method for tuning silicon nitride (Si3N4) microring cavities via controlled deposition of the cladding layers. Guided by numerical simulations, we deposit silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanolayers onto Si3N4 ridge structures in steps of 50 nm. We show tuning of the cavity resonance exceeding a free spectral range (FSR) of 3.5 nm without degradation of the quality-factor (Q-factor) of the cavity. We then complement this method with localized laser heating for fine-tuning of the cavity. Finally, we verify that the cladding deposition does not alter the position and spectral properties of nanoparticles placed on the cavity, which suggests that our method can be useful for integrating SPEs with photonic structures.
Dielectric screening versus geometry deformation in two-dimensional allotropes of silicon and germanium
Authors: Sindona Antonello , Vacacela Gomez Cristian , Pisarra Michele
Published: September 2022

The search for connections between electronic and structural features is a key factor in the synthesis of artificial materials for on-demand applications, with graphene and analogous elemental semimetals playing a distinguished role as building blocks of photonic and plasmonic systems. In particular, a diversity of arrangements and electronic-state dispersions is offered by currently synthesized two-dimensional allotropes of silicon and germanium, respectively known as silicene and germanene. These monolayers make the ideal playground to understand how their collective and single-particle electronic states, excited by electron or light beams, may be controlled by geometry rather than doping or gating. Here, we provide such a study using time-dependent density-functional theory, in the random-phase approximation, to identify the structural dependent properties of charge-density plasmon oscillations and optical absorption in flat to buckled silicene and germanene lattices. We further single out flat germanene as an unprecedented two-dimensional conductor, hosting Dirac cone fermions in parallel with metal-like charge carriers, which contribute to strong intraband plasmon modes and one-electron excitations in the far-infrared limit. Finally, we show how this atypical scenario can be tuned by external stress or strain.
Expression of NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasome in Peripheral blood in Chinese patients with acute and chronic brucellosis
Authors: Su Xiao , Zhao Shigang , Song Yijun
Published: September 2022

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Brucella abortus. An efficient immune response is crucial for curing brucellosis. The inflammasome plays a significant role in the immune response. It is unclear which inflammasome is active in acute and chronic brucellosis and how its levels relate to inflammatory cytokines. A total of 40 patients with acute or chronic brucellosis and 20 healthy volunteers had peripheral blood samples collected. The expression levels of AIM2, NLRP3, ASC, and Caspase-1 were determined by a real-time polymerase chain reaction from RNA and serum samples, and IL-1β, IL-18, and IFN-γ were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In the acute brucellosis group, AIM2 expression was significantly higher, while ACS expression was significantly lower than that of healthy volunteers. In patients with chronic brucellosis, AIM2 expression was significantly lower, while Caspase-1 expression was significantly higher than that of healthy volunteers. Serum IL-18 and IFN-γ levels were significantly higher in patients with acute brucellosis than in healthy controls. The IFN-γ level was also significantly higher in patients with chronic brucellosis than in healthy controls. The inflammasome responds differently in different stages of brucellosis. The inflammasome may be the site of action of immune escape in brucellosis.
Prediction of disease progression indicators in prostate cancer patients receiving HDR-brachytherapy using Raman spectroscopy and semi-supervised learning: a pilot study
Authors: Milligan Kirsty , Deng Xinchen , Ali-Adeeb Ramie , Shreeves Phillip , Punch Samantha , Costie Nathalie , Crook Juanita M. , Brolo Alexandre G. , Lum Julian J. , Andrews Jeffrey L. , Jirasek Andrew
Published: September 2022

This work combines Raman spectroscopy (RS) with supervised learning methods—group and basis restricted non-negative matrix factorisation (GBR-NMF) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA)—to aid in the prediction of clinical indicators of disease progression in a cohort of 9 patients receiving high dose rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) as the primary treatment for intermediate risk (D’Amico) prostate adenocarcinoma. The combination of Raman spectroscopy and GBR-NMF-sparseLDA modelling allowed for the prediction of the following clinical information; Gleason score, cancer of the prostate risk assessment (CAPRA) score of pre-treatment biopsies and a Ki67 score of < 3.5% or > 3.5% in post treatment biopsies. The three clinical indicators of disease progression investigated in this study were predicted using a single set of Raman spectral data acquired from each individual biopsy, obtained pre HDR-BT treatment. This work highlights the potential of RS, combined with supervised learning, as a tool for the prediction of multiple types of clinically relevant information to be acquired simultaneously using pre-treatment biopsies, therefore opening up the potential for avoiding the need for multiple immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining procedures (H&E, Ki67) and blood sample analysis (PSA) to aid in CAPRA scoring.
A novel optimized tiny YOLOv3 algorithm for the identification of objects in the lawn environment
Authors: Wang Xinyan , Lv Feng , Li Lei , Yi Zhengyang , Jiang Quan
Published: September 2022

Based on the problem of insufficient accuracy of the original tiny YOLOv3 algorithm for object detection in a lawn environment, an Optimized tiny YOLOv3 algorithm with less computation and higher accuracy is proposed. Three reasons affect the accuracy of the original tiny YOLOv3 algorithm for detecting objects in a lawn environment. First, the backbone of the original algorithm is composed of a stack of a single convolutional layer and a max-pooling layer, which results in insufficient ability to extract feature information of objects. An enhancement module is proposed to enhance the feature extraction capability of the shallow layers of the network. Second, the information of the shallow convolutional layers of the backbone is not fully used, which results in insufficient detection capability for small objects. Third, the deep part of the backbone uses a convolutional layer with an excessive number of channels, which results in a large amount of computation. A multi-resolution fusion module is proposed to enhance the information interaction capability of the deep and shallow layers of the network, and reduce the computation. To verify the accuracy of this Optimized tiny YOLOv3 algorithm, the algorithm was tested on the dataset containing trunk, spherical tree and person, and compared with the current research. The results show that the algorithm proposed in this paper improves the detection accuracy while reducing the calculation.
Validation of Amazon Halo Movement: a smartphone camera-based assessment of movement health
Authors: Fanton Michael , Harari Yaar , Giffhorn Matthew , Lynott Allie , Alshan Eli , Mendley Jonathan , Czerwiec Madeline , Macaluso Rebecca , Ideses Ianir , Oks Eduard , Jayaraman Arun
Published: September 2022

Movement health is understanding our body’s ability to perform movements during activities of daily living such as lifting, reaching, and bending. The benefits of improved movement health have long been recognized and are wide-ranging from improving athletic performance to helping ease of performing simple tasks, but only recently has this concept been put into practice by clinicians and quantitatively studied by researchers. With digital health and movement monitoring becoming more ubiquitous in society, smartphone applications represent a promising avenue for quantifying, monitoring, and improving the movement health of an individual. In this paper, we validate Halo Movement, a movement health assessment which utilizes the front-facing camera of a smartphone and applies computer vision and machine learning algorithms to quantify movement health and its sub-criteria of mobility, stability, and posture through a sequence of five exercises/activities. On a diverse cohort of 150 participants of various ages, body types, and ability levels, we find moderate to strong statistically significant correlations between the Halo Movement assessment overall score, metrics from sensor-based 3D motion capture, and scores from a sequence of 13 standardized functional movement tests. Further, the smartphone assessment is able to differentiate regular healthy individuals from professional movement athletes (e.g., dancers, cheerleaders) and from movement impaired participants, with higher resolution than that of existing functional movement screening tools and thus may be more appropriate than the existing tests for quantifying functional movement in able-bodied individuals. These results support using Halo Movement’s overall score as a valid assessment of movement health.
Cognitive science theory-driven pharmacology elucidates the neurobiological basis of perception-motor integration
Authors: Eggert Elena , Prochnow Astrid , Roessner Veit , Frings Christian , Münchau Alexander , Mückschel Moritz , Beste Christian
Published: September 2022

An efficient integration of sensory and motor processes is crucial to goal-directed behavior. Despite this high relevance, and although cognitive theories provide clear conceptual frameworks, the neurobiological basis of these processes remains insufficiently understood. In a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled pharmacological study, we examine the relevance of catecholamines for perception-motor integration processes. Using EEG data, we perform an in-depth analysis of the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms, focusing on sensorimotor integration processes during response inhibition. We show that the catecholaminergic system affects sensorimotor integration during response inhibition by modulating the stability of the representational content. Importantly, catecholamine levels do not affect the stability of all aspects of information processing during sensorimotor integration, but rather—as suggested by cognitive theory—of specific codes in the neurophysiological signal. Particularly fronto-parietal cortical regions are associated with the identified mechanisms. The study shows how cognitive science theory-driven pharmacology can shed light on the neurobiological basis of perception-motor integration and how catecholamines affect specific information codes relevant to cognitive control.
NAT10 regulates neutrophil pyroptosis in sepsis via acetylating ULK1 RNA and activating STING pathway
Authors: Zhang Hao , Chen Zhaoyuan , Zhou Ji’an , Gu Jiahui , Wu Han , Jiang Yi , Gao Shenjia , Liao Yun , Shen Ruling , Miao Changhong , Chen Wankun
Published: September 2022

Emerging evidence suggests that pyroptosis is involved in sepsis. However, the role of neutrophil pyroptosis in sepsis and the mechanisms remains elusive. We find that N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10), an acetyltransferase responsible for the N4-acetylation of Cytidine (ac4C) in mRNA, is significantly downregulated in neutrophils from septic mice. Neutrophil-specific over-expression of NAT10 improves the survival and ameliorates lung injury in septic mice by inhibiting neutrophil pyroptosis. Notably, UNC-52-like kinase 1 (ULK1) is identified as the target of NAT10 in neutrophils. The decreased expression of NAT10 resultes in the decay of ULK1 transcripts and therefore the reduced expression of ULK1. As a regulator of STING phosphorylation, the loss of ULK1 enhances the activation of STING-IRF3 signaling and subsequently the elevated pyroptosis-inducing NLRP3 inflammasome in neutrophils. While over-expression of NAT10 restrains pyroptosis in neutrophils as well as septic lethality in mice by reversing the ULK1-STING-NLRP3 axis. The decreased expression of NAT10 are also observed in sepsis patients and its correlation with clinical severity is found. Collectively, our findings disclose that NAT10 is a negative regulator of neutrophil pyroptosis and its downregulation contributes to the progress of sepsis by exacerbating pyroptosis via the ULK1-STING-NLRP3 axis, therefore revealing a potential therapeutic target for sepsis.
Three-body bound states in antiferromagnetic spin ladders
Authors: Schmiedinghoff Gary , Müller Leanna , Kumar Umesh , Uhrig Götz S. , Fauseweh Benedikt
Published: September 2022

Stable bound quantum states are ubiquitous in nature. Mostly, they result from the interaction of only pairs of particles, so called two-body interactions, even when large complex many-particle structures are formed. We show that three-particle bound states occur in a generic, experimentally accessible solid state system: antiferromagnetic spin ladders, related to high-temperature superconductors. This binding is induced by genuine three-particle interactions; without them there is no bound state. We compute the dynamic exchange structure factor required for the experimental detection of the predicted state by resonant inelastic X-ray scattering for realistic material parameters. Our work enables us to quantify these elusive interactions and unambiguously establishes their effect on the dynamics of the quantum many-particle state.
Stability of 2D and quasi-2D perovskite materials and devices
Authors: Leung Tik Lun , Ahmad Ishaq , Syed Ali Ashger , Ng Alan Man Ching , Popović Jasminka , Djurišić Aleksandra B.
Published: September 2022

Different 2D and quasi-2D perovskite materials have demonstrated significant improvements in the device stability compared to 3D perovskites due to their increased hydrophobicity and suppressed ion migration. However, fundamental investigations of these materials have been scarce and consequently detailed understanding of the processes responsible for experimental phenomena are often lacking despite huge interest in these materials. Even more importantly, there have been a limited number of structure-property studies for different material compositions, and research is generally by trial and error rather than by design. Here we discuss different stability issues in these materials and identify questions which need to be answered to design materials with further stability improvements.
Inferring entropy production rate from partially observed Langevin dynamics under coarse-graining
Authors: Ghosal Aishani , Bisker Gili
Published: September 2022

A lower bound on the total entropy production rate is inferred from the time-irreversibility in partially observed and coarsed-grained systems operating far from equilibrium.
Catlas: an automated framework for catalyst discovery demonstrated for direct syngas conversion
Authors: Wander Brook , Broderick Kirby , Ulissi Zachary W.
Published: September 2022

Catlas may be used with off-the-shelf pretrained models to explore large design spaces for catalyst discovery and has been used here to identify promising materials for the direct conversion of syngas to multi-carbon oxygenates.
β-MnO2 nanoparticles as heterogenous catalysts for aerobic oxidative transformation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds, nitriles, and amides
Authors: Kamata Keigo , Kinoshita Nanami , Koutani Maki , Aono Ryusei , Hayashi Eri , Hara Michikazu
Published: September 2022

β-MnO2 nanoparticles exhibit high catalytic performance for the aerobic oxidation of various aromatic, allylic, and heteroaromatic alcohols and one-pot tandem oxidation of alcohols to nitriles and amides in the presence of NH3.
Understanding and mitigating A-site surface enrichment in Ba-containing perovskites: a combined computational and experimental study of BaFeO3
Authors: Liu Jiapeng , Kim Jun Kyu , Wang Yuhao , Kim Hyunseung , Belotti Alessio , Koo Bonjae , Wang Zheng , Jung WooChul , Ciucci Francesco
Published: September 2022

In the perovskite oxide BaFeO3, inducing a tensile in-plane strain or introducing a larger radius cation suppresses the surface Ba enrichment. In turn, a reduced surface Ba concentration improves the surface electrocatalytic activity.
Asymmetric side-chain substitution enables a 3D network acceptor with hydrogen bond assisted crystal packing and enhanced electronic coupling for efficient organic solar cells
Authors: Luo Zhenghui , Gao Yuan , Lai Hanjian , Li Yuxiang , Wu Ziang , Chen Zhanxiang , Sun Rui , Ren Jiaqi , Zhang Cai’e , He Feng , Woo HanYoung , Min Jie , Yang Chuluo
Published: September 2022

An asymmetric acceptor BTP-PhC6-C11 shows hydrogen bond assisted and tighter crystal packing and enhanced electronic coupling as compared with symmetric Y6 and BTP-PhC6, and organic solar cells based on PM1:BTP-PhC6-C11 realized a highest PCE of 18.33%.
Mechanism insight into the photocatalytic degradation of fluoroquinolone antibiotics by the ZIF-8@Bi2MoO6 heterojunction
Authors: Dung Nguyen Trung , Thu Le Minh , Thuy Ung Thi Dieu , Thien Vu Tri , Thuy Nguyen Thi , Tien Nguyen Thi Cam , Lin Kun-Yi Andrew , Huy Nguyen Nhat
Published: September 2022

Mechanism for the photocatalytic removal of ofloxacin under visible light and persulfate activation.
Material integrity and fate of particulates released from carbon fibre composites containing nanomaterials during simultaneous fire and impact
Authors: Chapple R. , Ferry L. , Lopez-Cuesta J.-M. , Chivas-Joly C. , Erskine E. L. , Kandola B. K.
Published: September 2022

Nanomaterials – reinforced carbon fibre composites during fire and impact can release micro/nano particles in size ranges that can deposit in all regions of the respiratory tract or be swallowed, creating potential health hazards.
Photoexcited graphene oxides activate silent viruses in bacteria with dependency on their sizes
Authors: Xu Juan , Feng Yang , Han Lu , Yi Min , Jiao Yuanhong , Jin Yuhua , Zhang Silong , He Huan
Published: September 2022

Smaller graphene oxides can cut into bacteria and induce lysogenic activation via photo-generated singlet oxygen.
Biocidal substances in the Seine River: contribution from urban sources in the Paris megacity
Authors: Paijens Claudia , Tedoldi Damien , Frère Bertrand , Mailler Romain , Rocher Vincent , Moilleron Régis , Bressy Adèle
Published: September 2022

This work investigated biocide occurrence, variability and loads in the Seine River, proving the urban contribution to surface water contamination.
A novel biodegradable ureteral stent with antibacterial ability to inhibit biofilm formation
Authors: Li Kaiqi , Liu Xiliang , Di Xiangjie , Bao Yiliang , Bao Yihong , Xiong Chengdong , Chen Dongliang
Published: September 2022

A polyester-based biodegradable material with antibacterial properties that can be used as a ureteral stent.
Hydroxyapatite coatings: a critical review on electrodeposition parametric variations influencing crystal facet orientation towards enhanced electrochemical sensing
Authors: Dev Priya Ranjan , Anand Chekkottu Parambil , Michael David Samuvel , Wilson P.
Published: September 2022

The possibility of control over crystal facet orientation and microstructureviaelectrodeposition parametric variation towards enhancement of applicability of nanocomposites.
n-Type polymer electron acceptors for organic solar cells
Authors: Gu Chuantao , Su Xinze , Li Yonghai , Liu Bing , Tian Yong , Tan Weiqiang , Ma Jiping , Bao Xichang
Published: September 2022

n-Type polymer electron acceptors have attracted significant attention due to their advantages such as adjustable energy levels and bandgaps, high absorption coefficients and excellent electrical and photovoltaic properties.
N-doped graphene for electrocatalytic O2 and CO2 reduction
Authors: Ma Ruguang , Wang Kuikui , Li Chunjie , Wang Chundong , Habibi-Yangjeh Aziz , Shan Guangcun
Published: September 2022

In this review, we summarize the fundamental properties, synthetic methods and applications of N-doped graphene toward the ORR and CO2RR and emphasize the effects of the electronic structure on the electrocatalytic activity.