bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strategies to reduce visual attention changes while learning and training in extended reality environments
Authors: Bautista Luis , Maradei Fernanda , Pedraza Gabriel
Published: December 2022

Computer-Based training (CBT) is a widely used strategy in interactive learning and skills training to provide the trainee with information while in training. Extended Reality (XR) is a set of technologies used in the fourth industrial revolution for this purpose. However, an important XR limitation is the cognitive overload in trainees due to continuous changes in attention. The effects of the changes in attention on cognitive load have been studied in environments such as printed material and desktop PC’s. However, such effects are not yet fully known on XR platforms. This study’s aim was to identify strategies to reduce the changes in attention in instructional/educational materials, which use extended reality to present information to trainees. The presented information can guide the use of combined strategies to reduce the cognitive overload generated by XR display platforms. Therefore, an extensive literature review was carried out. From a set of 1946 articles, 53 studies were selected. The selected studies evaluated the cognitive load in instructional materials that used XR as a visualization platform. The results showed three strategy groups: those associated with the spatial integration of information, those associated with the use of visual features and those associated with the content segmentation. Effects of this strategies in the user performance and user cognitive load are discussed.
Towards Small Scale: Overview and Applications of Microfluidics in Biotechnology
Authors: Enders Anton , Grünberger Alexander , Bahnemann Janina
Published: December 2022

Thanks to recent and continuing technological innovations, modern microfluidic systems are increasingly offering researchers working across all fields of biotechnology exciting new possibilities (especially with respect to facilitating high throughput analysis, portability, and parallelization). The advantages offered by microfluidic devices—namely, the substantially lowered chemical and sample consumption they require, the increased energy and mass transfer they offer, and their comparatively small size—can potentially be leveraged in every sub-field of biotechnology. However, to date, most of the reported devices have been deployed in furtherance of healthcare, pharmaceutical, and/or industrial applications. In this review, we consider examples of microfluidic and miniaturized systems across biotechnology sub-fields. In this context, we point out the advantages of microfluidics for various applications and highlight the common features of devices and the potential for transferability to other application areas. This will provide incentives for increased collaboration between researchers from different disciplines in the field of biotechnology.
Modeling a COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign in the State of Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: Das Priyanka , Shukla Santosh , Bhagwat Ashwin , Purohit Saurabh , Dhir Sanjay , Sushil  , Jandu Harkabir Singh , Kukreja Meenal , Kothari Nitin , Sharma Saurabh , Das Shyamashree , Taneja Gunjan , Ghosh Raj Shankar
Published: December 2022

COVID-19 vaccination campaigns have been launched across the globe to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 disease. However, COVID-19 vaccination campaigns (Vaccination campaigns are the complete process of COVID-19 vaccination campaigns beyond just administrating vaccines.) are a complex multi-stakeholder process, and therefore, it is important to understand the key components and drivers of vaccination campaigns to help devise strategies to increase vaccination coverage for existing and future vaccination efforts. A system dynamics modeling approach was used to trace the vaccination campaign for the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The results identified the key stakeholders of the vaccination campaign and their inter-linkages, and the diverse perspectives of stakeholders of vaccination campaigns in Madhya Pradesh were collated in a structured format. Further, system dynamics models were developed to capture all aspects of the vaccination campaign in Madhya Pradesh, including the challenges and innovations. The outcomes of the study can assist academicians, practitioners, and policymakers develop vaccination programs at sub-national, national, and global levels. They will guide decision-makers to take preemptive measures to mitigate possible risks and challenges and provide improved services as part of vaccination campaigns.
The Bloch–Okounkov theorem for congruence subgroups and Taylor coefficients of quasi-Jacobi forms
Authors: van Ittersum Jan-Willem M.
Published: December 2022

There are many families of functions on partitions, such as the shifted symmetric functions, for which the corresponding q-brackets are quasimodular forms. We extend these families so that the corresponding q-brackets are quasimodular for a congruence subgroup. Moreover, we find subspaces of these families for which the q-bracket is a modular form. These results follow from the properties of Taylor coefficients of strictly meromorphic quasi-Jacobi forms around rational lattice points.
The Moderating Role of Dyadic Coping in the Link Between Parenting Stress and Couple Relationship Quality in Parents of Children with ADHD
Authors: Schirl Jessica , Ruth Elisabeth , Zemp Martina
Published: December 2022

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders in childhood and adolescence. The child’s ADHD symptoms are associated with increased stress levels for parents. Previous research has shown that parenting stress has a negative impact on parental relationship quality, but those negative effects can be mitigated through the couple’s positive dyadic coping. However, these associations have not yet been studied for parents of children with ADHD. Therefore, this cross-sectional online study was aiming at investigating whether dyadic coping moderates the link between parenting stress and couple relationship quality in parents of children with ADHD in comparison to parents of children without ADHD. Data from 446 parents of children aged 6 to 16 years (clinical group: n = 265 parents of children with ADHD; control group: n = 181 parents of children without ADHD) were analyzed separately for both groups using moderation analyses. Results showed that negative dyadic coping significantly moderated the association between parenting stress and relationship quality in parents of children with ADHD, such that the link was positive, when negative dyadic coping was low. No comparable results were found in the control group. With respect to positive dyadic coping, there were no moderation effects in either group. The findings indicate that stress in parents of children with ADHD may have a favorable effect on the couple relationship if negative dyadic coping is minimized. Therefore, reducing negative dyadic coping could have a beneficial effect on the parents’ relationship quality and ultimately on the overall family climate.
Conformal mirror descent with logarithmic divergences
Authors: Kainth Amanjit Singh , Wong Ting-Kam Leonard , Rudzicz Frank
Published: December 2022

The logarithmic divergence is an extension of the Bregman divergence motivated by optimal transport and a generalized convex duality, and satisfies many remarkable properties. Using the geometry induced by the logarithmic divergence, we introduce a generalization of continuous time mirror descent that we term the conformal mirror descent. We derive its dynamics under a generalized mirror map, and show that it is a time change of a corresponding Hessian gradient flow. We also prove convergence results in continuous time. We apply the conformal mirror descent to online estimation of a generalized exponential family, and construct a family of gradient flows on the unit simplex via the Dirichlet optimal transport problem.
A multiscale dilated convolution and mixed-order attention-based deep neural network for monocular depth prediction
Authors: Xu Huihui , Li Fei
Published: December 2022

Recovering precise depth information from different scenes has become a popular subject in the semantic segmentation and virtual reality fields. This study presents a multiscale dilated convolution and mixed-order attention-based deep neural network for monocular depth recovery. Specifically, we design a multilevel feature enhancement scheme to enhance and fuse high-resolution and low-resolution features on the basis of mixed-order attention. Moreover, a multiscale dilated convolution module that combines four different dilated convolutions is explored for deriving multiscale information and increasing the receptive field. Recent studies have shown that the design of loss terms is crucial to depth prediction. Therefore, an efficient loss function that combines the ℓ1 loss, gradient loss, and classification loss is also designed to promote rich details. Experiments on three public datasets show that the presented approach achieves better performance than state-of-the-art depth prediction methods.
Intercity mobility pattern and settlement intention: evidence from China
Authors: Wen FengHua , Jiang Yating , Jiang Ling
Published: December 2022

Floating population is an important group in the emerging urbanization process. This group promotes long-term settlement, which is a significant driving force increasing the urbanization level of countries. This study analyzed the changes in population mobility between Chinese cities and the willingness of the floating population to settle down. The analyses were based on data obtained from the China Migrants Dynamic Survey (CMDS) in 2017, and the China Seventh Census 2020. Spatial econometric models were constructed for in-depth research. The result showed that: ① the floating population migrated mainly from the central region to the surrounding cities, and their long-term settlement intention presented a spatial pattern of "high in the east, low in the west, and local concentration." ②the long-term settlement intention significantly negatively affected the urban floating population. City economic level, public service capacity, and environmental quality significantly positively or negatively influence the number of the floating population. For promoting more floating population to become urban residents, management of the group should be strengthened, construction level of the urban economy, society, and ecology improved, and the willingness of the group to settle for an extended time encouraged.
The CTSA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Task Force’s recommendations for the CTSA program consortium
Authors: Carter-Edwards Lori , Hightower Maia , Schick Vanessa , Nguyen Tung , Hidalgo Bertha , Cacari Stone Lisa , Laird Rebecca , Ossip Deborah , Rubio Mercedes , ElShourbagy Ferreira Sanae , Carrasquillo Olveen
Published: December 2022

The Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program recognizes that advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) requires moving beyond statements of commitment to transformative actions. In 2021, the CTSA Program created a Task Force (TF) to initiate work in support of structural and transformational initiatives that advance DEIA for the consortium and its individual hubs. We describe the process of forming the expertise-driven (DEIA) TF and our activities to date. We 1) developed and adopted the DEIA Learning Systems Framework to guide our approach; 2) defined a set of recommendations across four focus areas (Institutional; Programmatic; Community-Centered; and Social, Cultural, Environmental); and 3) designed and disseminated a survey to capture the CTSA Program’s baseline demographic, community, infrastructural, and leadership diversity. The CTSA Consortium also elevated the TF to a standing Committee to extend our understanding, development, and implementation of DEIA approaches to translational and clinical science. These initial steps provide a foundation for collectively fostering environment that support DEIA across the research continuum.
A randomized implementation trial to increase adoption of evidence-informed consent practices
Authors: Solomon Erin D. , Mozersky Jessica , Goodman Melody , Parsons Meredith V. , Baldwin Kari A. , Friedrich Annie B. , Harris Jenine K. , DuBois James M.
Published: December 2022

Introduction:

Several evidence-informed consent practices (ECPs) have been shown to improve informed consent in clinical trials but are not routinely used. These include optimizing consent formatting, using plain language, using validated instruments to assess understanding, and involving legally authorized representatives when appropriate. We hypothesized that participants receiving an implementation science toolkit and a social media push would have increased adoption of ECPs and other outcomes.

Methods:

We conducted a 1-year trial with clinical research professionals in the USA (n = 1284) who have trials open to older adults or focus on Alzheimer’s disease. We randomized participants to receive information on ECPs via receiving a toolkit with a social media push (intervention) or receiving an online learning module (active control). Participants completed a baseline survey and a follow-up survey after 1 year. A subset of participants was interviewed (n = 43).

Results:

Participants who engaged more with the toolkit were more likely to have tried to implement an ECP during the trial than participants less engaged with the toolkit or the active control group. However, there were no significant differences in the adoption of ECPs, intention to adopt, or positive attitudes. Participants reported the toolkit and social media push were satisfactory, and participating increased their awareness of ECPs. However, they reported lacking the time needed to engage with the toolkit more fully.

Conclusions:

Using an implementation science approach to increase the use of ECPs was only modestly successful. Data suggest that having institutional review boards recommend or require ECPs may be an effective way to increase their use.
Oblique-mode breakdown of the vertical buoyancy layer
Authors: Maryada K.R. , Armfield S.W. , Dhopade P. , Norris S.E.
Published: December 2022

The O-type transition caused by a pair of small-amplitude oblique waves in a vertical buoyancy layer of a fluid with Prandtl number

$0.71$

at a Reynolds number of

$200$

is investigated using linear stability analysis and three-dimensional direct numerical simulation. The small-amplitude oblique waves experience linear growth and undergo nonlinear interactions to generate streamwise vortices/streaks, two-dimensional streamwise waves and harmonic oblique waves. The streamwise vortices/streaks and two-dimensional streamwise waves have twice the spanwise or streamwise wavenumber of the original perturbation, respectively. Unlike the O-type transition in isothermal flat-plate incompressible and compressible boundary layers where streaks dominate the transition, in the vertical buoyancy layer, either streaks or two-dimensional streamwise waves can dominate the flow field during the early stages of oblique transition. The growth rates of streaks and two-dimensional waves are dependent on the wavenumber of the initial oblique waves. Streaks dominate the flow for high streamwise wavenumbers, while two-dimensional streamwise waves dominate the flow for low streamwise wavenumbers. Analysis of the turbulent kinetic energy production and the Reynolds stresses reveals that the early stages of the transition differ depending on the wavenumber of the oblique waves. An increase in the initial amplitude of the oblique waves causes a faster transition from laminar flow; however, the growth rates of the streaks and two-dimensional streamwise waves are independent of the initial amplitude. Even though different modes are dominant during the early stages of the O-type transition, the onset of chaotic flow is caused by the breakdown of streak modes.
Bridging the Grade Gap: Reducing Assessment Bias in a Multi-Grader Class
Authors: Kates Sean , Paulsen Tine , Yntiso Sidak , Tucker Joshua A.
Published: December 2022

Many large survey courses rely on multiple professors or teaching assistants to judge student responses to open-ended questions. Even following best practices, students with similar levels of conceptual understanding can receive widely varying assessments from different graders. We detail how this can occur and argue that it is an example of differential item functioning (or interpersonal incomparability), where graders interpret the same possible grading range differently. Using both actual assessment data from a large survey course in Comparative Politics and simulation methods, we show that the bias can be corrected by a small number of “bridging” observations across graders. We conclude by offering best practices for fair assessment in large survey courses.
Ultra-processed foods in public health nutrition: the unanswered questions
Authors: Gibney Michael J.
Published: December 2022

There is a growing interest in the study of the degree of food processing and both health and nutritional outcomes. To that end, several definitions of the degree of processing have been proposed. However, when each of these is used on a common database of nutritional, clinical and anthropometric variables, the observed effect of high intakes of highly processed food, varies considerably.. Moreover, assigning a given food  by nutritional experts, to its appropriate level of processing, has been shown to be variable. Thus, the subjective definitions of the degree of food processing and the coding of foods according to these classifications is prone to error  is  prone to error. Another issue that need resolution is the relative importance of the degree of food processing and the formulation of a processed food. Although correlational studies linking processed food and obesity abound, there is a need for more investigative studies.
Immunohistochemical localisation of aquaporin 2 and vasopressin type 2 receptor in the human endolymphatic sac
Authors: Pan X , Huang C , Peng A , Zhang Z
Published: December 2022

Objective

This study aimed to determine the distribution and subcellular localisation of aquaporin 2 and vasopressin type 2 receptor in the human endolymphatic sac.

Methods

Ten samples of human endolymphatic sac were collected during acoustic neurinoma removal using the translabyrinthine approach. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were performed using aquaporin 2 and vasopressin type 2 receptor monoclonal antibodies.

Results

Confocal microscopy demonstrated that vasopressin type 2 receptor labelling was expressed in both the apical and basolateral plasma membranes, and in the cytoplasm of the endolymphatic sac epithelium, whereas aquaporin 2 was strongly expressed at the basolateral site of the endolymphatic sac epithelium, in both the intraosseous and extraosseous parts of the endolymphatic sac.

Conclusion

Both aquaporin 2 and vasopressin type 2 receptor were detected in the epithelial cells of the human endolymphatic sac, suggesting that this channel may be involved in inner-ear fluid homeostasis. However, strong basolateral expression of aquaporin 2 in endolymphatic sac epithelium suggested that the function of aquaporin 2 may differ between the endolymphatic sac and kidney.
An outbreak of hepatitis A virus infection in a secondary school in England with no undetected asymptomatic transmission among students
Authors: Wensley A. , Smout E. , Ngui S.-L. , Balogun K. , Blomquist P. , Edelstein M. , Greenwood R. , Coles S. , Ingold K. , Sargeant L. , Gent M. , Padfield S. , Hughes G. J.
Published: December 2022

In June 2019 the Health Protection Team in Yorkshire and Humber, England, was notified of cases of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection in staff at a secondary school. Investigation revealed that an earlier case worked as a food handler in the school kitchen. Indirect transmission through food from the canteen was considered the most likely route of transmission. Cases were described according to setting of exposure. Oral fluid was obtained from students for serological testing. Environmental investigations were undertaken at settings where food handling was considered a potential transmission risk. Thirty-three confirmed cases were linked to the outbreak. All of those tested (n = 31) shared the same sequence with a HAV IB genotype. The first three cases were a household cluster and included the index case for the school. A further 19 cases (16 students, 3 staff) were associated with the school and consistent with indirect exposure to the food handler. One late onset case could not be ruled out as a secondary case within the school and resulted in vaccination of the school population. Five cases were linked to a bakery where a case from the initial household cluster worked as a food server. No concerns about hygiene standards were noted at either the school or the bakery. Oral fluid samples taken at the time of vaccination from asymptomatic students (n = 219, 11–16 years-old) showed no evidence of recent or current infection. This outbreak included household and foodborne transmission but limited (and possibly zero) person-to-person transmission among secondary school students. Where adequate hygiene exists, secondary transmission within older students may not occur.
Toward Understanding of Long‐Term Nitrogen Transport and Retention Dynamics Across German Catchments
Authors: Nguyen Tam V. , Sarrazin Fanny J. , Ebeling Pia , Musolff Andreas , Fleckenstein Jan H. , Kumar Rohini
Published: December 2022

Long‐term nitrogen (N) transport and retention dynamics across catchments are not well understood. Using a process‐based model for 89 German catchments, results across study catchments reveal that most N surplus (during 1950–2014) was removed by denitrification (mean ± standard deviation: 58 ± 15%) while the remaining fraction was mostly stored in the soil (14% ± 11%). The mean groundwater transit times in these catchments varied from 3.2 to 20.3 years. These results indicate that past N inputs could continue to affect surface and groundwater quality in the coming years. We identified four catchment groups with distinct archetypal N transport and retention dynamics, which are linked to the catchments' climate, topographic, and geological conditions. Overall, our results shed light on long‐term N dynamics in German catchments and how they are linked to catchment characteristics, emphasizing the role of long‐term N accumulation and transport for water quality management and evaluation programs.
Management of patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Brunner Andrew M. , Leitch Heather A. , van de Loosdrecht Arjan A. , Bonadies Nicolas
Published: December 2022

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of hematopoietic stem cell disorders characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis with abnormal blood cell development (dysplasia) leading to cytopenias and an increased risk for progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Patients with MDS can generally be classified as lower- (LR-MDS) or higher-risk (HR-MDS). As treatment goals for patients with LR-MDS and those with HR-MDS differ significantly, appropriate diagnosis, classification, and follow-up are critical for correct disease management. In this review, we focus on the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment options, as well as the prediction of the disease course and monitoring of treatment response in patients with LR-MDS. We discuss how next-generation sequencing, increasing knowledge on mechanisms of MDS pathogenesis, and novel therapies may change the current treatment landscape in LR-MDS and why structured assessments of responses, toxicities, and patient-reported outcomes should be incorporated into routine clinical practice.
Primary exposure to SARS-CoV-2 variants elicits convergent epitope specificities, immunoglobulin V gene usage and public B cell clones
Authors: Lima Noemia S. , Musayev Maryam , Johnston Timothy S. , Wagner Danielle A. , Henry Amy R. , Wang Lingshu , Yang Eun Sung , Zhang Yi , Birungi Kevina , Black Walker P. , O’Dell Sijy , Schmidt Stephen D. , Moon Damee , Lorang Cynthia G. , Zhao Bingchun , Chen Man , Boswell Kristin L. , Roberts-Torres Jesmine , Davis Rachel L. , Peyton Lowrey , Narpala Sandeep R. , O’Connell Sarah , Serebryannyy Leonid , Wang Jennifer , Schrager Alexander , Talana Chloe Adrienna , Shimberg Geoffrey , Leung Kwanyee , Shi Wei , Khashab Rawan , Biber Asaf , Zilberman Tal , Rhein Joshua , Vetter Sara , Ahmed Afeefa , Novik Laura , Widge Alicia , Gordon Ingelise , Guech Mercy , Teng I-Ting , Phung Emily , Ruckwardt Tracy J. , Pegu Amarendra , Misasi John , Doria-Rose Nicole A. , Gaudinski Martin , Koup Richard A. , Kwong Peter D. , McDermott Adrian B. , Amit Sharon , Schacker Timothy W. , Levy Itzchak , Mascola John R. , Sullivan Nancy J. , Schramm Chaim A. , Douek Daniel C.
Published: December 2022

An important consequence of infection with a SARS-CoV-2 variant is protective humoral immunity against other variants. However, the basis for such cross-protection at the molecular level is incompletely understood. Here, we characterized the repertoire and epitope specificity of antibodies elicited by infection with the Beta, Gamma and WA1 ancestral variants and assessed their cross-reactivity to these and the more recent Delta and Omicron variants. We developed a method to obtain immunoglobulin sequences with concurrent rapid production and functional assessment of monoclonal antibodies from hundreds of single B cells sorted by flow cytometry. Infection with any variant elicited similar cross-binding antibody responses exhibiting a conserved hierarchy of epitope immunodominance. Furthermore, convergent V gene usage and similar public B cell clones were elicited regardless of infecting variant. These convergent responses despite antigenic variation may account for the continued efficacy of vaccines based on a single ancestral variant.
Structure of the Acidobacteria homodimeric reaction center bound with cytochrome c
Authors: Dong Shishang , Huang Guoqiang , Wang Changhui , Wang Jiajia , Sui Sen-Fang , Qin Xiaochun
Published: December 2022

Photosynthesis converts light energy to chemical energy to fuel life on earth. Light energy is harvested by antenna pigments and transferred to reaction centers (RCs) to drive the electron transfer (ET) reactions. Here, we present cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of two forms of the RC from the microaerophilic Chloracidobacterium thermophilum (CabRC): one containing 10 subunits, including two different cytochromes; and the other possessing two additional subunits, PscB and PscZ. The larger form contained 2 Zn-bacteriochlorophylls, 16 bacteriochlorophylls, 10 chlorophylls, 2 lycopenes, 2 hemes, 3 Fe4S4 clusters, 12 lipids, 2 Ca2+ ions and 6 water molecules, revealing a type I RC with an ET chain involving two hemes and a hybrid antenna containing bacteriochlorophylls and chlorophylls. Our results provide a structural basis for understanding the excitation energy and ET within the CabRC and offer evolutionary insights into the origin and adaptation of photosynthetic RCs.
Biosynthesis of mushroom-derived type II ganoderic acids by engineered yeast
Authors: Yuan Wei , Jiang Chenjian , Wang Qin , Fang Yubo , Wang Jin , Wang Meng , Xiao Han
Published: December 2022

Type II ganoderic acids (GAs) produced by the traditional medicinal mushroom Ganoderma are a group of triterpenoids with superior biological activities. However, challenges in the genetic manipulation of the native producer, low level of accumulation in the farmed mushroom, the vulnerabilities of the farming-based supply chain, and the elusive biosynthetic pathway have hindered the efficient production of type II GAs. Here, we assemble the genome of type II GAs accumulating G. lucidum accession, screen cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) identified from G. lucidum in baker’s yeast, identify key missing CYPs involved in type II GAs biosynthesis, and investigate the catalytic reaction sequence of a promiscuous CYP. Then, we engineer baker’s yeast for bioproduciton of GA-Y (3) and GA-Jb (4) and achieve their production at higher level than those from the farmed mushroom. Our findings facilitate the further deconvolution of the complex GA biosynthetic network and the development of microbial cell factories for producing GAs at commercial scale.
St18 specifies globus pallidus projection neuron identity in MGE lineage
Authors: Nunnelly Luke F. , Campbell Melissa , Lee Dylan I. , Dummer Patrick , Gu Guoqiang , Menon Vilas , Au Edmund
Published: December 2022

The medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) produces both locally-projecting interneurons, which migrate long distances to structures such as the cortex as well as projection neurons that occupy subcortical nuclei. Little is known about what regulates the migratory behavior and axonal projections of these two broad classes of neurons. We find that St18 regulates the migration and morphology of MGE neurons in vitro. Further, genetic loss-of-function of St18 in mice reveals a reduction in projection neurons of the globus pallidus pars externa. St18 functions by influencing cell fate in MGE lineages as we observe a large expansion of nascent cortical interneurons at the expense of putative GPe neurons in St18 null embryos. Downstream of St18, we identified Cbx7, a component of Polycomb repressor complex 1, and find that it is essential for projection neuron-like migration but not morphology. Thus, we identify St18 as a key regulator of projection neuron vs. interneuron identity.
Face pareidolia in male schizophrenia
Authors: Romagnano Valentina , Sokolov Alexander N. , Steinwand Patrick , Fallgatter Andreas J. , Pavlova Marina A.
Published: December 2022

Faces are valuable signals for efficient social interaction. Yet, social cognition including the sensitivity to a coarse face scheme may be deviant in schizophrenia (SZ). Tuning to faces in non-face images such as shadows, grilled toasts, or ink blots is termed face pareidolia. This phenomenon is poorly investigated in SZ. Here face tuning was assessed in 44 male participants with SZ and person-by-person matched controls by using recently created Face-n-Thing images (photographs of non-face objects to a varying degree resembling a face). The advantage of these images is that single components do not automatically trigger face processing. Participants were administered a set of images with upright and inverted (180° in the image plane) orientation. In a two-alternative forced-choice paradigm, they had to indicate whether an image resembled a face. The findings showed that: (i) With upright orientation, SZ patients exhibited deficits in face tuning: they provided much fewer face responses than controls. (ii) Inversion generally hindered face pareidolia. However, while in neurotypical males, inversion led to a drastic drop in face impression, in SZ, the impact of orientation was reduced. (iii) Finally, in accord with the signal detection theory analysis, the sensitivity index (d-prime) was lower in SZ, whereas no difference occurred in decision criterion. The outcome suggests altered face pareidolia in SZ is caused by lower face sensitivity rather than by alterations in cognitive bias. Comparison of these findings with earlier evidence confirms that tuning to social signals is lower in SZ, and warrants tailored brain imaging research.
Understanding protective and risk factors affecting adolescents’ well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Lan Min , Pan Qianqian , Tan Cheng Yong , Law Nancy Wai Ying
Published: December 2022

This study investigated the factors affecting adolescents’ well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspectives of their participation in digital activities, emotional regulation, self-regulated learning, and parental involvement. Using self-reported data from 932 pairs of adolescents and their parents, we performed multiple-group structural equation modeling, which revealed that self-efficacy in online learning during school suspension was a key factor influencing adolescents’ perceived worries after schools resumed. During school suspension, boys’ cognitive-emotional regulation played a protective role in their well-being, helping them to avoid cyberbullying incidents, while girls’ participation in leisure-oriented digital activities compromised their self-efficacy in online learning and led to cyberbullying incidents. Furthermore, improvement in parent–child relationships during school suspension encouraged adolescents to use more positive emotional regulation strategies, enhanced their self-efficacy in online learning, and reduced their leisure-time digital activities. The findings indicate that the effective regulation of adolescents’ online behaviors, emotions, and self-efficacy, especially when combined with an emotionally secure family relationship, can ensure adolescents’ well-being.
A novel capsid protein network allows the characteristic internal membrane structure of Marseilleviridae giant viruses
Authors: Chihara Akane , Burton-Smith Raymond N. , Kajimura Naoko , Mitsuoka Kaoru , Okamoto Kenta , Song Chihong , Murata Kazuyoshi
Published: December 2022

Marseilleviridae is a family of giant viruses, showing a characteristic internal membrane with extrusions underneath the icosahedral vertices. However, such large objects, with a maximum diameter of 250 nm are technically difficult to examine at sub-nanometre resolution by cryo-electron microscopy. Here, we tested the utility of 1 MV high-voltage cryo-EM (cryo-HVEM) for single particle structural analysis (SPA) of giant viruses using tokyovirus, a species of Marseilleviridae, and revealed the capsid structure at 7.7 Å resolution. The capsid enclosing the viral DNA consisted primarily of four layers: (1) major capsid proteins (MCPs) and penton proteins, (2) minor capsid proteins (mCPs), (3) scaffold protein components (ScPCs), and (4) internal membrane. The mCPs showed a novel capsid lattice consisting of eight protein components. ScPCs connecting the icosahedral vertices supported the formation of the membrane extrusions, and possibly act like tape measure proteins reported in other giant viruses. The density on top of the MCP trimer was suggested to include glycoproteins. This is the first attempt at cryo-HVEM SPA. We found the primary limitations to be the lack of automated data acquisition and software support for collection and processing and thus achievable resolution. However, the results pave the way for using cryo-HVEM for structural analysis of larger biological specimens.
Digitalization impacts the COVID-19 pandemic and the stringency of government measures
Authors: Heinrichs Helen , Mueller Florian , Rohfleisch Lucia , Schulz Volkmar , Talbot Steven R. , Kiessling Fabian
Published: December 2022

COVID-19 poses a significant burden to populations worldwide. Although the pandemic has accelerated digital transformation, little is known about the influence of digitalization on pandemic developments. Therefore, this country-level study aims to explore the impact of pre-pandemic digital adoption on COVID-19 outcomes and government measures. Using the Digital Adoption Index (DAI), we examined the association between countries' digital preparedness levels and COVID-19 cases, deaths, and stringency indices (SI) of government measures until March 2021. Gradient Tree Boosting based algorithm pinpointed essential features related to COVID-19 trends, such as digital adoption, populations' smoker fraction, age, and poverty. Subsequently, regression analyses indicated that higher DAI was associated with significant declines in new cases (β = − 362.25/pm; p < 0.001) and attributed deaths (β = − 5.53/pm; p < 0.001) months after the peak. When plotting DAI against the SI normalized for the starting day, countries with higher DAI adopted slightly more stringent government measures (β = 4.86; p < 0.01). Finally, a scoping review identified 70 publications providing valuable arguments for our findings. Countries with higher DAI before the pandemic show a positive trend in handling the pandemic and facilitate the implementation of more decisive governmental measures. Further distribution of digital adoption may have the potential to attenuate the impact of COVID-19 cases and deaths.
Evaluation of deep learning models in contactless human motion detection system for next generation healthcare
Authors: Song Yukai , Taylor William , Ge Yao , Usman Muhammad , Imran Muhammad Ali , Abbasi Qammer H.
Published: December 2022

Recent decades have witnessed the growing importance of human motion detection systems based on artificial intelligence (AI). The growing interest in human motion detection systems is the advantages of automation in the monitoring of patients remotely and giving warnings to doctors promptly. Currently, wearable devices are frequently used for human motion detection systems. However, such devices have several limitations, such as the elderly not wearing devices due to lack of comfort or forgetfulness and/or battery limitations. To overcome the problems of wearable devices, we propose an AI-driven human motion detection system (deep learning-based system) using channel state information (CSI) extracted from Radio Frequency (RF) signals. The main contribution of this paper is to improve the performance of the deep learning models through techniques, including structure modification and dimension reduction of the original data. In this work, We firstly collected the CSI data with the center frequency 5.32 GHz and implemented the structure of the basic deep learning network in our previous work. After that, we changed the basic deep learning network by increasing the depth, increasing the width, adapting some advanced network structures, and reducing dimensions. After finishing those modifications, we observed the results and analyzed how to further improve the deep learning performance of this contactless AI-enabled human motion detection system. It can be found that reducing the dimension of the original data can work better than modifying the structure of the deep learning model.
Predicting multipotency of human adult stem cells derived from various donors through deep learning
Authors: Kim Hyeonji , Park Keonhyeok , Yon Jung-Min , Kim Sung Won , Lee Soo Young , Jeong Iljoo , Jang Jinah , Lee Seungchul , Cho Dong-Woo
Published: December 2022

Adult stem cell-based therapeutic approaches have great potential in regenerative medicine because of their immunoregulatory properties and multidifferentiation capacity. Nevertheless, the outcomes of stem cell‑based therapies to date have shown inconsistent efficacy owing to donor variation, thwarting the expectation of clinical effects. However, such donor dependency has been elucidated by biological consequences that current research could not predict. Here, we introduce cellular morphology-based prediction to determine the multipotency rate of human nasal turbinate stem cells (hNTSCs), aiming to predict the differentiation rate of keratocyte progenitors. We characterized the overall genes and morphologies of hNTSCs from five donors and compared stemness-related properties, including multipotency and specific lineages, using mRNA sequencing. It was demonstrated that transformation factors affecting the principal components were highly related to cell morphology. We then performed a convolutional neural network-based analysis, which enabled us to assess the multipotency level of each cell group based on their morphologies with 85.98% accuracy. Surprisingly, the trend in expression levels after ex vivo differentiation matched well with the deep learning prediction. These results suggest that AI‑assisted cellular behavioral prediction can be utilized to perform quantitative, non-invasive, single-cell, and multimarker characterizations of live stem cells for improved quality control in clinical cell therapies.
Adaptive driver following model that integrates perception process and driving behavior
Authors: Piao Changhao , Li Kexin , Yu Qifan , Shi Junren
Published: December 2022

In order to meet the personalized needs of Chinese intelligent vehicles and improve the satisfaction and acceptance of human–computer interaction and collaboration in domestic intelligent vehicles. In this paper, we design an adaptive longitudinal following model that integrates the perceptual perturbation process and driver characteristics for simulating driver following behavior and studying the variability of driver following behavior. Firstly, for the independence and randomness of driver perception process, a set of random variables conforming to Wiener process is introduced to simulate the perception process of speed and following distance of the vehicle in front; secondly, for the characteristic differences of different drivers' following behavior, a driver characteristic parameter identification algorithm is designed to identify the expected collision time distance and following distance parameters of different drivers, and the identified parameters will be used for Again, a sliding mode control system based on fuzzy switching gain adjustment is designed to simulate the driver following control system. The results show that the designed following model recognizes the driver's characteristics well and can better simulate the driver's following behavior, and the following index is relatively improved by 80%.
Hybridization and diversity of aquatic macrophyte Sparganium L. (Typhaceae) as revealed by high-throughput nrDNA sequencing
Authors: Belyakov Evgeny A. , Mikhaylova Yulia V. , Machs Eduard M. , Zhurbenko Peter M. , Rodionov Aleksandr V.
Published: December 2022

Sparganiumis an emergent aquatic macrophyte widely spread in temperate and subtropical zones. Taxa of this genus feature high phenotypic plasticity and can produce interspecific hybrids. By means of high-throughput sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) of 35S rDNA, the status of 15 EurasianSparganiumspecies and subspecies was clarified and the role of hybridization events in the recent evolution of the genus was investigated. It has been shown that a number of species such asS. angustifolium, S. fallaxandS. subglobosumhave homogenized rDNA represented by one major ribotype. The rDNA of other taxa is represented by two or more major ribotypes. Species with high rDNA heterogeneity are apparently of hybrid origin. Based on the differences in rDNA patterns, intraspecific diversity was identified inS. probatovaeandS. emersum. Thus, we have concluded thatSparganiumhas extensive interspecific hybridization at the subgenus level, and there may also be occasional hybridization between species from different subgenera.
Skeletal muscle transcriptome is affected by age in severely burned mice
Authors: Song Juquan , Widen Steven G. , Wolf Steven E. , EI Ayadi Amina
Published: December 2022

Severe burn results in muscle wasting affecting quality of life in both children and adults. Biologic metabolic profiles are noticeably distinctive in childhood. We posit that muscle gene expression profiles are differentially regulated in response to severe burns in young animals. Twelve C57BL6 male mice, including young (5 weeks-old) and adults (11 weeks-old), received either scald burn, or sham procedure. Mouse muscle tissue was harvested 24 h later for Next Generation Sequence analysis. Our results showed 662 downregulated and 450 upregulated genes in gastrocnemius of young mice compared to adults without injury. After injury, we found 74/75 downregulated genes and 107/128 upregulated genes in both burned groups compared to respective uninjured age groups. VEGFA-VEGFR2, focal adhesion, and nuclear receptor meta-pathways were the top 3 gene pathways undergoing a differential change in response to age. Of note, the proteasome degradation pathway showed the most similar changes in both adult and young burned animals. This study demonstrates the characteristic profile of gene expression in skeletal muscle in young and adult burned mice. Prominent age effects were revealed in transcriptional levels with increased alterations of genes, miRNAs, pathways, and interactions.
Automated BIM-based structural design and cost optimization model for reinforced concrete buildings
Authors: Sherif Mohamed , Nassar Khaled , Hosny Ossama , Safar Sherif , Abotaleb Ibrahim
Published: December 2022

The process of optimizing building designs requires developing several architectural and structural layout alternatives. Traditionally, limited number of design iterations can be conducted manually, which is time consuming and results in non-optimum designs in terms of limited functionality or high costs. The goal of this research is to develop an advanced Building Information Modeling (BIM) model for automating and optimizing design of building layouts and structural elements to reach minimum construction cost while abiding by the functionality constraints of the architectural design. The developed model integrates concepts from structural design, BIM modeling, and computer programming into one advanced optimization framework. The model was tested and validated in 11 case studies and is found to reduce the structural materials cost by up to 15% per floor without compromising the defined space requirements.
Molecular and metabolic alterations of 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-one derivatives in prostate cancer cell lines
Authors: Dahabiyeh Lina A. , Hourani Wafa , Darwish Wesam , Hudaib Farah , Abu-Irmaileh Bashaer , Deb Pran Kishore , Venugopala Katharigatta N. , Mohanlall Viresh , Abu-Dahab Rana , Semreen Mohammad H. , Bustanji Yasser
Published: December 2022

Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most common tumor in males worldwide. The lack of effective medication and the development of multidrug resistance towards current chemotherapeutic agents urge the need to discover novel compounds and therapeutic targets for PC. Herein, seven synthesized 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-one analogues were evaluated for their anticancer activity against PC3 and DU145 cancer cell lines using MTT, scratch-wound healing, adhesion and invasion assays. Besides, a liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC–MS)-based metabolomics approach was followed to identify the biochemical pathways altered in DU145 cancer cells upon exposure to dihydroquinazolin derivatives. The seven compounds showed sufficient cytotoxicity and significantly suppressed DU145 and PC3 migration after 48 and 72 h. C2 and C5 had the most potent effect with IC50 < 15 µM and significantly inhibited PC cell adhesion and invasion. Metabolomics revealed that C5 disturbed the level of metabolites involved in essential processes for cancer cell proliferation, progression and growth including energy production, redox homeostasis, amino acids and polyamine metabolisms and choline phospholipid metabolism. The data presented herein highlighted the importance of these compounds as potential anticancer agents particularly C5, and pointed to the promising role of metabolomics as a new analytical approach to investigate the antiproliferative activity of synthesized compounds and identify new therapeutic targets.
A new method for hosting and sharing MATLAB Web App
Authors: Ren Ruijie , Sun Xiang-e , Hu Lin
Published: December 2022

Currently, using MATLAB Web App Server to deploy MATLAB Web applications for hosting and sharing interactive Web applications involves the following problems: slow loading of applications, incompatibility with some browser versions, and various shortcomings of deployment tools, such as poor scalability and difficulty in optimizing black boxes. These problems adversely affect the user experience. To address this situation, we propose the use of front-end technology to design application layouts and build an application hosting platform with front-end and back-end separation using Nginx and Python. This method is shown to be simple and efficient, and it can successfully overcome the aforementioned problems while providing new ideas for hosting and sharing.