bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Special Section Introduction: Introducing Zacapu archaeology and the Uacusecha project
Authors: Pereira Grégory
Published: April 2023

According to Purepecha oral tradition, the ancestors of the Uacusecha dynasty that ruled Michoacan at the beginning of the sixteenth century began their epic in the Zacapu region. The importance of this region also lies in the research carried out since the early 1980s that led to the elaboration of a regional sequence outlining the trajectory of pre-Hispanic societies centuries before the emergence of the Tarascan state.

New research carried out on the area since 2009 has clarified this reference framework and opened new perspectives. The research focused on the Malpaís volcanic flows and its immediate surroundings. It addressed the transformations experienced by pre-Hispanic societies between a.d. 500 and a.d. 1580, and their interactions with the volcanic environment with unprecedented analytical detail. The joint contributions of remote sensing, archaeological fieldwork, dating, and geological study participate in renewing a diachronic approach of this unique landscape of northern Michoacan.
Extended High-Utility Pattern Mining: An Answer Set Programming-Based Framework and Applications
Authors: CAUTERUCCIO FRANCESCO , TERRACINA GIORGIO
Published: April 2023

Detecting sets of relevant patterns from a given dataset is an important challenge in data mining. The relevance of a pattern, also called utility in the literature, is a subjective measure and can be actually assessed from very different points of view. Rule-based languages like Answer Set Programming (ASP) seem well suited for specifying user-provided criteria to assess pattern utility in a form of constraints; moreover, declarativity of ASP allows for a very easy switch between several criteria in order to analyze the dataset from different points of view. In this paper, we make steps toward extending the notion of High-Utility Pattern Mining; in particular, we introduce a new framework that allows for new classes of utility criteria not considered in the previous literature. We also show how recent extensions of ASP with external functions can support a fast and effective encoding and testing of the new framework. To demonstrate the potential of the proposed framework, we exploit it as a building block for the definition of an innovative method for predicting ICU admission for COVID-19 patients. Finally, an extensive experimental activity demonstrates both from a quantitative and a qualitative point of view the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Mariachi Accompaniment: Cultural Bearers for Communal Conviviality
Authors: RODRÍGUEZ RUSSELL C.
Published: April 2023

Utilizing the ideas of convivencia (convivial interaction) and Barbara Tomlinson and George Lipsitz's framework of ‘accompaniment’, I suggest that the ‘modern-urban’ mariachi, often characterized as an expression of standardization and commodification, has established a capacity for facilitating culture that contributes to the development of convivial communal spaces. In the midst of marginalization and systemic oppression, migrant and aggrieved communities throughout Greater Mexico engage in cultural practices and actions to reaffirm a sense of belonging, to which mariachi musicians have contributed and at times served as cultural bearers. I examine mariachi practices of apprenticeship learning and chambas (contractual gigs), the emergence of the Misa Panamericana (the mariachi mass) in Cuernavaca, and the integration of Mexican cultural expressions in San José, California to illuminate the convergence of political, cultural, and religious action and how the mariachi expression has played a role in these intersections.
Epidemiology of intimate partner violence perpetration and victimisation in a representative sample
Authors: Clemens Vera , Fegert Jörg M. , Kavemann Barbara , Meysen Thomas , Ziegenhain Ute , Brähler Elmar , Jud Andreas
Published: April 2023

Aims

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major global public health problem. Although IPV is known to be frequent and perpetration and victimisation often co-occur, large representative samples assessing both, male and female IPV perpetration and victimisation and overlaps are missing to date. Thus, we aimed to assess victimisation and perpetration and its overlap in physical, sexual, psychological and economic IPV in a representative sample of the German population.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional, observational study in Germany from July to October 2021. Using different sampling steps including a random route procedure, a probability sample of the German population was generated. The final sample consisted of 2503 persons (50.2% female, mean age: 49.5 years). Participants were asked about socio-demographic information in a face-to-face interview and experience of physical, psychological, sexual and economic IPV using a questionnaire.

Results

A significant proportion of persons in Germany reporting IPV are both perpetrator and victim for each IPV form. The biggest overlap between perpetration and victimisation was seen for psychological IPV. Major risk factors for IPV perpetration only were male gender and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) while major risk factors for IPV victimisation only comprised of female gender, low household income and ACEs. In the perpetration and victimisation group, gender differences were less significant; older age and lower household income did increase the likelihood of combined perpetration and victimisation.

Conclusions

We have identified a significant overlap of perpetration and victimisation of IPV in the German population for men and women. However, men are at much higher risk to perpetrate IPV without being a victim. Further research and the development of adapted approaches for contexts of overlapping IPV are necessary.
Übersetzung des revised MISSCARE Survey zum deutschsprachigen revised MISSCARE-Austria
Authors: Cartaxo Ana , Eberl Inge , Mayer Hanna
Published: April 2023

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Fragebogenübersetzungen in der deutschsprachigen Pflegewissenschaft setzen trotz zunehmender Kritik auf Methoden mit Erst- und Rückübersetzung. Dem entgegen wird die TRAPD-Methode als best practice anerkannt. Erfahrungswerte mit der Anwendung dieser Methode in der deutschsprachigen Pflegewissenschaft fehlen jedoch. Ziel: Die Anwendung der TRAPD-Methode am Bespiel der Übersetzung vom revised MISSCARE Survey vom Englischen ins Deutsche darzustellen sowie notwendige Adaptierungen, Vorteile und Limitationen der Methode zu diskutieren. Methode: Eine adaptierte Version der teambasierten Übersetzungsmethode TRAPD durch die Schritte Vorbereitung, Übersetzung, Review, Adjudikation, Prätest und Dokumentation wurde umgesetzt, basierend auf den GESIS Guidelines für Fragebogengestaltung und Übersetzung. Ergebnisse: Das revised MISSCARE Austria Instrument besteht aus 85 Items. Für die Mehrzahl der Items wurden äquivalente Termini gefunden, die eine eindeutige Übersetzung ermöglichten. Bei einzelnen Items wurde eine Adaptierung aus kulturellen, Messung- und Konstrukt-bezogenen Gründen notwendig. Die Äquivalenz der Übersetzung wurde bei komplexen Items mit der Entwicklerin geprüft und durch mehrmalige kognitive Prätests mit Pflegepersonen gefördert. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Studie bestärkt die Aussage, dass die TRAPD-Methode für die Übersetzung von Messinstrumenten ebenfalls in der deutschsprachigen Pflegewissenschaft geeignet ist. Sie zeigt aber auch, dass weitere Erfahrungen für eine Weiterentwicklung von methodischen Spezifika für unsere Disziplin erforderlich sind.
Community Engagement Experiences of Social Entrepreneurs in Rural Communities
Authors: Teng-Calleja Mendiola , Cuyegkeng Ma. Assunta C. , Caringal-Go Jaimee Felice , Baquiano Marshaley J. , Tan Ana Marina A. , Cementina-Olpoc Raquel
Published: April 2023

Abstract. Using the lens of interpretative phenomenological analysis, this study explored the community engagement experiences of six social entrepreneurs working with rural communities in the Philippines and how they made meaning of their community engagement experience. Data were gathered through semistructured interviews. The findings illustrate how engaging with rural communities through social entrepreneurship is a way for the entrepreneurs to help communities uplift their economic condition and to achieve other social goals such as improvement of the community’s quality of life and environmental sustainability. Social entrepreneurship was also a way to help empower communities as well as build their capabilities, shape positive values through culture building, and nurture relationships. Implications of the study to social enterprise research and policy, community engagement programs, and leader development are discussed.
Rate and State Simulation of Two Experiments With Pore Fluid Injection Under Creep Conditions
Authors: Rudnicki J. W.
Published: April 2023

This study uses a spring‐block model and rate and state friction to simulate experiments conducted in a double direct‐shear apparatus on carbonate fault gouge (Scuderi et al., 2017, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2017.08.009) and on shale bearing rock (Scuderi & Collettini, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018jb016084). Both sets of experiments used the same loading protocol and injected pore fluid under creep conditions. When velocity strengthening rate and state friction is used to simulate the experiments on the carbonate fault gouge the results agree well with the observed onset of tertiary creep in the experiment. Thus, the simulation reinforces the observation that pore fluid injection can induce rapid slip even when the friction relation is velocity strengthening. The rate and state framework provides an interpretation alternative to the standard one of the Mohr's circle moving to the left as pressure increases. In the rate and state framework, the friction coefficient must increase with pore pressure increase. The shale has a low nominal friction coefficient (0.28) and is much more velocity strengthening than the carbonate. The simulation agrees with the observations that increases in pore pressure induce an increase in slip velocity but the magnitudes reach only about 100 microns/s by the end of the experiment. The simulation for the shale also agrees well with the magnitude of the observed displacement at the end of the experiment but observed displacement is increasing much more rapidly the calculated. Although the calculations agree well with features of the observations near failure, the overall curves of displacement and velocity are significantly different.
Demographic Data Support Inclusive and Equitable Publishing
Authors: Wooden Paige , Ricci Mia
Published: April 2023

AGU aims to increase inclusion in publishing. We need to have good data to show where we are and track our progress. Please help us by updating your profile today.
Likelihood of obesity in early and late childhood based on growth trajectory during infancy
Authors: Moschonis George , Halilagic Anela , Karaglani Eva , Mavrogianni Christina , Mourouti Niki , Collins Clare E. , Manios Yannis
Published: April 2023

Background

Childhood obesity rates have reached epidemic levels with Mediterranean countries reporting among the highest numbers globally. Evidence suggests early life factors, including infant growth rate, increase the likelihood of obesity later in childhood. However, optimal rates of infant growth associated with lower odds of future obesity still remain undetermined. The study aim was to determine the optimal infant growth rate associated with a lower likelihood of childhood overweight and obesity.

Methods

Perinatal and anthropometric data collected from 1778 Greek preschool (2–5 years old) and 2294 Greek preadolescent (10–12 years old) children participating in the ToyBox and the Healthy Growth Study (HGS) respectively, was combined for examination. Logistic regression models and receiver operating curves were used to determine the association between infant growth rate and development of childhood overweight and obesity, as well as optimal infant growth rate, respectively.

Results

Rapid weight gain during the first 6 months of life was positively associated with overweight and obesity in preadolescent children (OR:1.36, 95% CI: 1.13–1.63). Optimal cut-off points for several infancy growth rate indices (i.e., WAZ, WLZ, HAZ, BAZ) associated with a lower likelihood of overweight and obesity in preschool years and preadolescence were also identified.

Conclusions

The current findings could possibly set the basis for healthcare professionals and families to better monitor, assess, and control infant growth rates, thus providing another obesity prevention strategy from early life. These findings, however, and the recommended optimal cut-offs need to be confirmed through further prospective research.
rAAV-PHP.B escapes the mouse eye and causes lethality whereas rAAV9 can transduce aniridic corneal limbal stem cells without lethality
Authors: Mirjalili Mohanna Seyedeh Zeinab , Korecki Andrea J. , Simpson Elizabeth M.
Published: April 2023

Recently safety concerns have been raised in connection with high doses of recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAV). Therefore, we undertook a series of experiments to test viral capsid (rAAV9 and rAAV-PHP.B), dose, and route of administration (intrastromal, intravitreal, and intravenous) focused on aniridia, a congenital blindness that currently has no cure. The success of gene therapy for aniridia may depend on the presence of functional limbal stem cells (LSCs) in the damaged aniridic corneas and whether rAAV can transduce them. Both these concerns were unknown, and thus were also addressed by our studies. For the first time, we report ataxia and lethality after intravitreal or intrastromal rAAV-PHP.B virus injections. We demonstrated virus escape from the eye and transduction of non-ocular tissues by rAAV9 and rAAV-PHP.B capsids. We have also shown that intrastromal and intravitreal delivery of rAAV9 can transduce functional LSCs, as well as all four PAX6-expressing retinal cell types in aniridic eye, respectively. Overall, lack of adverse events and successful transduction of LSCs and retinal cells makes it clear that rAAV9 is the capsid of choice for future aniridia gene therapy. Our finding of rAAV lethality after intraocular injections will be impactful for other researchers developing rAAV-based gene therapies.
Native qudit entanglement in a trapped ion quantum processor
Authors: Hrmo Pavel , Wilhelm Benjamin , Gerster Lukas , van Mourik Martin W. , Huber Marcus , Blatt Rainer , Schindler Philipp , Monz Thomas , Ringbauer Martin
Published: April 2023

Quantum information carriers, just like most physical systems, naturally occupy high-dimensional Hilbert spaces. Instead of restricting them to a two-level subspace, these high-dimensional (qudit) quantum systems are emerging as a powerful resource for the next generation of quantum processors. Yet harnessing the potential of these systems requires efficient ways of generating the desired interaction between them. Here, we experimentally demonstrate an implementation of a native two-qudit entangling gate up to dimension 5 in a trapped-ion system. This is achieved by generalizing a recently proposed light-shift gate mechanism to generate genuine qudit entanglement in a single application of the gate. The gate seamlessly adapts to the local dimension of the system with a calibration overhead that is independent of the dimension.
Programmable mammalian translational modulators by CRISPR-associated proteins
Authors: Kawasaki Shunsuke , Ono Hiroki , Hirosawa Moe , Kuwabara Takeru , Sumi Shunsuke , Lee Suji , Woltjen Knut , Saito Hirohide
Published: April 2023

Translational modulation based on RNA-binding proteins can be used to construct artificial gene circuits, but RNA-binding proteins capable of regulating translation efficiently and orthogonally remain scarce. Here we report CARTRIDGE (Cas-Responsive Translational Regulation Integratable into Diverse Gene control) to repurpose Cas proteins as translational modulators in mammalian cells. We demonstrate that a set of Cas proteins efficiently and orthogonally repress or activate the translation of designed mRNAs that contain a Cas-binding RNA motif in the 5’-UTR. By linking multiple Cas-mediated translational modulators, we designed and built artificial circuits like logic gates, cascades, and half-subtractor circuits. Moreover, we show that various CRISPR-related technologies like anti-CRISPR and split-Cas9 platforms could be similarly repurposed to control translation. Coupling Cas-mediated translational and transcriptional regulation enhanced the complexity of synthetic circuits built by only introducing a few additional elements. Collectively, CARTRIDGE has enormous potential as a versatile molecular toolkit for mammalian synthetic biology.
Dephosphocholination by Legionella effector Lem3 functions through remodelling of the switch II region of Rab1b
Authors: Kaspers Marietta S. , Pogenberg Vivian , Pett Christian , Ernst Stefan , Ecker Felix , Ochtrop Philipp , Groll Michael , Hedberg Christian , Itzen Aymelt
Published: April 2023

Bacterial pathogens often make use of post-translational modifications to manipulate host cells. Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaires disease, secretes the enzyme AnkX that uses cytidine diphosphate-choline to post-translationally modify the human small G-Protein Rab1 with a phosphocholine moiety at Ser76. Later in the infection, the Legionella enzyme Lem3 acts as a dephosphocholinase, hydrolytically removing the phosphocholine. While the molecular mechanism for Rab1 phosphocholination by AnkX has recently been resolved, structural insights into the activity of Lem3 remained elusive. Here, we stabilise the transient Lem3:Rab1b complex by substrate mediated covalent capture. Through crystal structures of Lem3 in the apo form and in complex with Rab1b, we reveal Lem3’s catalytic mechanism, showing that it acts on Rab1 by locally unfolding it. Since Lem3 shares high structural similarity with metal-dependent protein phosphatases, our Lem3:Rab1b complex structure also sheds light on how these phosphatases recognise protein substrates.
How to characterize figures of merit of two-dimensional photodetectors
Authors: Wang Fang , Zhang Tao , Xie Runzhang , Wang Zhen , Hu Weida
Published: April 2023

Photodetectors based on two-dimensional (2D) materials have been the focus of intensive research and development over the past decade. However, a gap has long persisted between fundamental research and mature applications. One of the main reasons behind this gap has been the lack of a practical and unified approach for the characterization of their figures of merit, which should be compatible with the traditional performance evaluation system of photodetectors. This is essential to determine the degree of compatibility of laboratory prototypes with industrial technologies. Here we propose general guidelines for the characterization of the figures of merit of 2D photodetectors and analyze common situations when the specific detectivity, responsivity, dark current, and speed can be misestimated. Our guidelines should help improve the standardization and industrial compatibility of 2D photodetectors.
Health disparities among older adults following tropical cyclone exposure in Florida
Authors: Burrows K. , Anderson G. B. , Yan M. , Wilson A. , Sabath M. B. , Son J. Y. , Kim H. , Dominici F. , Bell M. L.
Published: April 2023

Tropical cyclones (TCs) pose a significant threat to human health, and research is needed to identify high-risk subpopulations. We investigated whether hospitalization risks from TCs in Florida (FL), United States, varied across individuals and communities. We modeled the associations between all storms in FL from 1999 to 2016 and over 3.5 million Medicare hospitalizations for respiratory (RD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). We estimated the relative risk (RR), comparing hospitalizations during TC-periods (2 days before to 7 days after) to matched non-TC-periods. We then separately modeled the associations in relation to individual and community characteristics. TCs were associated with elevated risk of RD hospitalizations (RR: 4.37, 95% CI: 3.08, 6.19), but not CVD (RR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.87, 1.24). There was limited evidence of modification by individual characteristics (age, sex, or Medicaid eligibility); however, risks were elevated in communities with higher poverty or lower homeownership (for CVD hospitalizations) and in denser or more urban communities (for RD hospitalizations). More research is needed to understand the potential mechanisms and causal pathways that might account for the observed differences in the association between tropical cyclones and hospitalizations across communities.
Spectroscopic visualization and phase manipulation of chiral charge density waves in 1T-TaS2
Authors: Zhao Yan , Nie Zhengwei , Hong Hao , Qiu Xia , Han Shiyi , Yu Yue , Liu Mengxi , Qiu Xiaohui , Liu Kaihui , Meng Sheng , Tong Lianming , Zhang Jin
Published: April 2023

The chiral charge density wave is a many-body collective phenomenon in condensed matter that may play a role in unconventional superconductivity and topological physics. Two-dimensional chiral charge density waves provide the building blocks for the fabrication of various stacking structures and chiral homostructures, in which physical properties such as chiral currents and the anomalous Hall effect may emerge. Here, we demonstrate the phase manipulation of two-dimensional chiral charge density waves and the design of in-plane chiral homostructures in 1T-TaS2. We use chiral Raman spectroscopy to directly monitor the chirality switching of the charge density wave—revealing a temperature-mediated reversible chirality switching. We find that interlayer stacking favours homochirality configurations, which is confirmed by first-principles calculations. By exploiting the interlayer chirality-locking effect, we realise in-plane chiral homostructures in 1T-TaS2. Our results provide a versatile way to manipulate chiral collective phases by interlayer coupling in layered van der Waals semiconductors.
Plasma degradation of contaminated PPE: an energy-efficient method to treat contaminated plastic waste
Authors: Marco Tobías Mariano , Åhlén Michelle , Cheung Ocean , Bucknall David G. , McCoustra Martin R. S. , Yiu Humphrey H. P.
Published: April 2023

The use of PPE has drastically increased because of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic as disposable surgical face masks made from non-biodegradable polypropylene (PP) polymers have generated a significant amount of waste. In this work, a low-power plasma method has been used to degrade surgical masks. Several analytical techniques (gravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflection-infra-red spectroscopy (ATR-IR), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry (TGA/DSC) and wide-angle x-ray scattering (WAXS)) were used to evaluate the effects of plasma irradiation on mask samples. After 4 h of irradiation, an overall mass loss of 63 ± 8%, through oxidation followed by fragmentation, was observed on the non-woven 3-ply surgical mask, which is 20 times faster than degrading a bulk PP sample. Individual components of the mask also showed different degradation rates. Air plasma clearly represents an energy-efficient tool for treating contaminated PPE in an environmentally friendly approach.
COVID-19 amplified racial disparities in the US criminal legal system
Authors: Klein Brennan , Ogbunugafor C. Brandon , Schafer Benjamin J. , Bhadricha Zarana , Kori Preeti , Sheldon Jim , Kaza Nitish , Sharma Arush , Wang Emily A. , Eliassi-Rad Tina , Scarpino Samuel V. , Hinton Elizabeth
Published: April 2023

The criminal legal system in the USA drives an incarceration rate that is the highest on the planet, with disparities by class and race among its signature features1–3. During the first year of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the number of incarcerated people in the USA decreased by at least 17%—the largest, fastest reduction in prison population in American history4. Here we ask how this reduction influenced the racial composition of US prisons and consider possible mechanisms for these dynamics. Using an original dataset curated from public sources on prison demographics across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, we show that incarcerated white people benefited disproportionately from the decrease in the US prison population and that the fraction of incarcerated Black and Latino people sharply increased. This pattern of increased racial disparity exists across prison systems in nearly every state and reverses a decade-long trend before 2020 and the onset of COVID-19, when the proportion of incarcerated white people was increasing amid declining numbers of incarcerated Black people5. Although a variety of factors underlie these trends, we find that racial inequities in average sentence length are a major contributor. Ultimately, this study reveals how disruptions caused by COVID-19 exacerbated racial inequalities in the criminal legal system, and highlights key forces that sustain mass incarceration. To advance opportunities for data-driven social science, we publicly released the data associated with this study at Zenodo6.
Optimization of the multivariate polynomial public key for quantum safe digital signature
Authors: Kuang Randy , Perepechaenko Maria
Published: April 2023

Kuang, Perepechaenko, and Barbeau recently proposed a novel quantum-safe digital signature algorithm called Multivariate Polynomial Public Key or MPPK/DS. The key construction originated with two univariate polynomials and one base multivariate polynomial defined over a ring. The variable in the univariate polynomials represents a plain message. All but one variable in the multivariate polynomial refer to noise used to obscure private information. These polynomials are then used to produce two multivariate product polynomials, while excluding the constant term and highest order term with respect to the message variable. The excluded terms are used to create two noise functions. Then four produced polynomials, masked with two randomly chosen even numbers over the ring, form the Public Key. The two univariate polynomials and two randomly chosen numbers, behaving as an encryption key to obscure public polynomials, form the Private Key. The verification equation is derived from multiplying all of the original polynomials together. MPPK/DS uses a special safe prime to prevent private key recovery attacks over the ring, forcing adversaries to solve for private values over a sub-prime field and lift the solutions to the original ring. Lifting entire solutions from the sub-prime field to the ring is designed to be difficult based on security requirements. This paper intends to optimize MPPK/DS to reduce the signature size by a fifth. We added extra two private elements to further increase the complexity of the private key recovery attack. However, we show in our newly identified optimal attack that these extra private elements do not have any effect on the complexity of the private recovery attack due to the intrinsic feature of MPPK/DS. The optimal key-recovery attack reduces to a Modular Diophantine Equation Problem or MDEP with more than one unknown variables for a single equation. MDEP is a well-known NP-complete problem, producing a set with many equally-likely solutions, so the attacker would have to make a decision to choose the correct solution from the entire list. By purposely choosing the field size and the order of the univariate polynomials, we can achieve the desired security level. We also identified a new deterministic attack on the coefficients of two univariate private polynomials using intercepted signatures, which forms a overdetermined set of homogeneous cubic equations. To the best of our knowledge, the solution to such a problem is to brute force search all unknown variables and verify the obtained solutions. With those optimizations, MPPK/DS can offer extra security of 384 bit entropy at 128 bit field with a public key size being 256 bytes and signature size 128 or 256 bytes using SHA256 or SHA512 as the hash function respectively.
More than unfamiliar environmental connection to super typhoon climatology
Authors: Kang Namyoung , Jang Chan Joo , Elsner James B.
Published: April 2023

This study employs a refined geometric variability model to look at the environmental relationship to super typhoon climatology, which is one of the major concerns about climate change and disasters. It is noted that adding only several recent years leads to a remarkable weakening of the environmental explanatory power on super typhoon climatology. Looking into the annual covariance elements, we find that the recent observations showing a group of outlying events with a particular drift are more than unfamiliar compared to the former stable relationship from 1985 through 2012. Greater uncertainty thereby amplifies concerns about the looming climate crisis.
Label-free autofluorescence lifetime reveals the structural dynamics of ataxin-3 inside droplets formed via liquid–liquid phase separation
Authors: Matsuura Uchu , Tahara Shinya , Kajimoto Shinji , Nakabayashi Takakazu
Published: April 2023

Liquid–liquid phase separation is a phenomenon that features the formation of liquid droplets containing concentrated solutes. The droplets of neurodegeneration-associated proteins are prone to generate aggregates and cause diseases. To uncover the aggregation process from the droplets, it is necessary to analyze the protein structure with keeping the droplet state in a label-free manner, but there was no suitable method. In this study, we observed the structural changes of ataxin-3, a protein associated with Machado–Joseph disease, inside the droplets, using autofluorescence lifetime microscopy. Each droplet showed autofluorescence due to tryptophan (Trp) residues, and its lifetime increased with time, reflecting structural changes toward aggregation. We used Trp mutants to reveal the structural changes around each Trp and showed that the structural change consists of several steps on different timescales. We demonstrated that the present method visualizes the protein dynamics inside a droplet in a label-free manner. Further investigations revealed that the aggregate structure formed in the droplets differs from that formed in dispersed solutions and that a polyglutamine repeat extension in ataxin-3 hardly modulates the aggregation dynamics in the droplets. These findings highlight that the droplet environment facilitates unique protein dynamics different from those in solutions.
In vivo imaging of renal microvasculature in a murine ischemia–reperfusion injury model using optical coherence tomography angiography
Authors: Lee ByungKun , Kang Woojae , Oh Se-Hyun , Cho Seungwan , Shin Inho , Oh Eun-Joo , Kim You-Jin , Ahn Ji-Sun , Yook Ju-Min , Jung Soo-Jung , Lim Jeong-Hoon , Kim Yong-Lim , Cho Jang-Hee , Oh Wang-Yuhl
Published: April 2023

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) provides three-dimensional structural and semiquantitative imaging of microvasculature in vivo. We developed an OCTA imaging protocol for a murine kidney ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) model to investigate the correlation between renal microvascular changes and ischemic damage. Mice were divided into mild and moderate IRI groups according to the duration of ischemia (10 and 35 mins, respectively). Each animal was imaged at baseline; during ischemia; and at 1, 15, 30, 45, and 60 mins after ischemia. Amplitude decorrelation OCTA images were constructed with 1.5-, 3.0-, and 5.8-ms interscan times, to calculate the semiquantitative flow index in the superficial (50–70 μm) and the deep (220–340 μm) capillaries of the renal cortex. The mild IRI group showed no significant flow index change in both the superfial and the deep layers. The moderate IRI group showed a significantly decreased flow index from 15 and 45 mins in the superficial and deep layers, respectively. Seven weeks after IRI induction, the moderate IRI group showed lower kidney function and higher collagen deposition than the mild IRI group. OCTA imaging of the murine IRI model revealed changes in superficial blood flow after ischemic injury. A more pronounced decrease in superficial blood flow than in deep blood flow was associated with sustained dysfunction after IRI. Further investigation on post-IRI renal microvascular response using OCTA may improve our understanding of the relationship between the degree of ischemic insult and kidney function.
Red induces hyperalgesia and white induces hypoalgesia regardless of pain modality
Authors: Wiercioch-Kuzianik Karolina , Brączyk Justyna , Bieniek Helena , Bąbel Przemysław
Published: April 2023

Colors are an important factor that influences different aspects of people's lives. However, little is known about the effects of colors on pain. This preregistered study aimed to investigate whether the type of pain affects the impact of colors on pain intensity. 74 participants were randomly divided into 2 groups according to the type of pain: electrical or thermal. In both groups, pain stimuli of the same intensity were preceded by different colors. Participants rated the pain intensity induced by each pain stimulus. Additionally, pain expectations related to each color were rated at the beginning and the end of the procedure. A significant effect of color on pain intensity ratings was found. Pain was most intense in both groups after red, whereas the lowest ratings were given after white. A similar pattern of results was observed for pain expectations. Expectations also correlated with and were found to be a predictor of experienced pain for white, blue, and green. The study shows that white can reduce, while red can alter the experienced pain. Moreover, it shows that the effect of colors is affected to a greater extent by the pain expectations rather than the pain modality. We conclude that the way colors influence pain broadens the current knowledge on effects of colors on human behavior and could help in the future both patients and practitioners.
Prognostic model development for classification of colorectal adenocarcinoma by using machine learning model based on feature selection technique boruta
Authors: Maurya Neha Shree , Kushwah Shikha , Kushwaha Sandeep , Chawade Aakash , Mani Ashutosh
Published: April 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent cancer type and accounts for nearly one million deaths worldwide. The CRC mRNA gene expression datasets from TCGA and GEO (GSE144259, GSE50760, and GSE87096) were analyzed to find the significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs). These significant genes were further processed for feature selection through boruta and the confirmed features of importance (genes) were subsequently used for ML-based prognostic classification model development. These genes were analyzed for survival and correlation analysis between final genes and infiltrated immunocytes. A total of 770 CRC samples were included having 78 normal and 692 tumor tissue samples. 170 significant DEGs were identified after DESeq2 analysis along with the topconfects R package. The 33 confirmed features of importance-based RF prognostic classification model have given accuracy, precision, recall, and f1-score of 100% with 0% standard deviation. The overall survival analysis had finalized GLP2R and VSTM2A genes that were significantly downregulated in tumor samples and had a strong correlation with immunocyte infiltration. The involvement of these genes in CRC prognosis was further confirmed on the basis of their biological function and literature analysis. The current findings indicate that GLP2R and VSTM2A may play a significant role in CRC progression and immune response suppression.
Patterns of admission and outcome of patients admitted to the intensive care unit of Addis Ababa Burn Emergency and Trauma Hospital
Authors: Mamo Dirijit , Aklog Etsegenet , Gebremedhin Yemane
Published: April 2023

Data on patterns of intensive care unit (ICU) admission including age, and severity of illness is essential in developing better strategies for resource allocation to improve outcomes. A 2-year cross-sectional study of 268 patients using a systematic random sampling and structured questionnaire obtained from the database was conducted with the aim of examining patterns of admission among patients admitted to the ICU of Addis Ababa burn emergency and trauma (AaBET) hospital. Data were entered into Epi-Info version 3.5.3 and exported to SPSS version 24 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used for association. A P-value of 0.05 at a 95% confidence interval was declared clinically significant. Of the 268 charts reviewed, 193 (73.5%) of them were men with a mean age of 32.6 years. Trauma accounted for 163 (53.4%) of admissions. Burn admission category, Glasgow coma score of 3–8, and not receiving pre-referral treatment were found to be substantially correlated with mortality in both bivariate and multivariate analysis. Trauma constituted a sizeable cause of ICU admission. Road traffic accidents of traumatic brain injuries were the major causes of admission. Developing good pre-referral care equipped with manpower and ambulance services will improve the outcome.
One to one comparison of cell-free synthesized erythropoietin conjugates modified with linear polyglycerol and polyethylene glycol
Authors: Pouyan Paria , Zemella Anne , Schloßhauer Jeffrey L. , Walter Ruben M. , Haag Rainer , Kubick Stefan
Published: April 2023

With more than 20 Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) modified drugs on the market, PEG is the gold standard polymer in bioconjugation. The coupling improves stability, efficiency and can prolong blood circulation time of therapeutic proteins. Even though PEGylation is described as non-toxic and non-immunogenic, reports accumulate with data showing allergic reactions to PEG. Since PEG is not only applied in therapeutics, but can also be found in foods and cosmetics, anti-PEG-antibodies can occur even without a medical treatment. Hypersensitivity to PEG thereby can lead to a reduced drug efficiency, fast blood clearance and in rare cases anaphylactic reactions. Therefore, finding alternatives for PEG is crucial. In this study, we present linear polyglycerol (LPG) for bioconjugation as an alternative polymer to PEG. We report the conjugation of LPG and PEG by click-chemistry to the glycoprotein erythropoietin (EPO), synthesized in a eukaryotic cell-free protein synthesis system. Furthermore, the influence of the polymers on EPOs stability and activity on a growth hormone dependent cell-line was evaluated. The similar characteristics of both bioconjugates show that LPGylation can be a promising alternative to PEGylation.
Determination of diurnal rhythm of salivary corticosterone concentration in the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus f. domestica) using a non-invasive method
Authors: Kadlecova Gabriela , Volfova Martina , Chloupek Jan , Sebankova Monika , Hostovska Lucie , Voslarova Eva , Vecerek Vladimir
Published: April 2023

There are many advantages associated with the determination of the level of corticosterone in rabbits from saliva, since this is a non-invasive sample collection method that does not affect their welfare and provides a reliable reflection of the state of the animal at a given moment without the results being distorted as they may be, for example, when blood samples are taken. The aim of this study was to determine the diurnal rhythm in the concentration of corticosterone in the saliva of the domestic rabbit. Saliva samples were taken from six domestic rabbits five times during the daytime (at 6:00, 9:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 18:00) over the course of three consecutive days. The levels of corticosterone in the saliva of the individual rabbits displayed a diurnal rhythm during the course of the day, with a significant increase between 12:00 and 15:00 (p < 0.05). No statistically significant difference in the concentrations of corticosterone in the saliva of the individual rabbits was demonstrated. Although the basal value of corticosterone is not known in rabbits and is difficult to determine, the results of our study show the pattern of fluctuations in the concentration of corticosterone in the saliva of rabbits during the daytime.
Loss of neuron network coherence induced by virus-infected astrocytes: a model study
Authors: Stasenko Sergey V. , Hramov Alexander E. , Kazantsev Victor B.
Published: April 2023

Coherent activations of brain neuron networks underlie many physiological functions associated with various behavioral states. These synchronous fluctuations in the electrical activity of the brain are also referred to as brain rhythms. At the cellular level, rhythmicity can be induced by various mechanisms of intrinsic oscillations in neurons or the network circulation of excitation between synaptically coupled neurons. One specific mechanism concerns the activity of brain astrocytes that accompany neurons and can coherently modulate synaptic contacts of neighboring neurons, synchronizing their activity. Recent studies have shown that coronavirus infection (Covid-19), which enters the central nervous system and infects astrocytes, can cause various metabolic disorders. Specifically, Covid-19 can depress the synthesis of astrocytic glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid. It is also known that in the post-Covid state, patients may suffer from symptoms of anxiety and impaired cognitive functions. We propose a mathematical model of a spiking neuron network accompanied by astrocytes capable of generating quasi-synchronous rhythmic bursting discharges. The model predicts that if the release of glutamate is depressed, normal burst rhythmicity will suffer dramatically. Interestingly, in some cases, the failure of network coherence may be intermittent, with intervals of normal rhythmicity, or the synchronization can disappear.
Comparative assessment of the biological activity of the green synthesized silver nanoparticles and aqueous leaf extract of Perilla frutescens (L.)
Authors: Tavan Mansoureh , Hanachi Parichehr , Mirjalili Mohammad Hossein , Dashtbani-Roozbehani Abolfazl
Published: April 2023

Green synthesized nanoparticles (GSNPs) display fascinating properties compared to physical and chemical synthesized ones. GSNPs are currently used in numerous applications such as food packaging, surface coating agents, environmental remediation, antimicrobial, and medicine. In the present study, the aqueous leaf extract of Perilla frutescens L. having suitable capping, reducing, and stabilizing compounds was used for green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Pf-AgNPs). The bioreductant capacity of aqueous leaf extract of P. frutescens for Pf-AgNPs was determined by different confirmatory techniques including UV–Visible spectroscopy, XRD, FESEM, EDX, zeta potential, DLS, SERS, and FTIR analysis. The results exhibited that Pf-AgNPs had optimal size (< 61 nm), shape (spherical), and stability (− 18.1 mV). The antioxidant activity of Pf-AgNPs with both DPPH and FRAP assays was significantly higher compared to P. frutescens extract. Furthermore, Pf-AgNPs had high antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 0.78 mg/mL), and Candida albicans (MIC = 8 mg/mL) while the plant extract showed low antimicrobial activity against both bacterial strains and the fungus tested. Pf-AgNPs and P. frutescens extract also exhibited moderate toxicity on MCF-7 cancer cells with IC50 values of 346.2 and 467.4 µg/mL, respectively. The results provide insights into using the biosynthesized Pf-AgNPs as an eco-friendly material for a wide range of biomedical applications.
Differentially expressed microRNAs in peripheral blood cell are associated with downregulated expression of IgE in nonallergic childhood asthma
Authors: Lee Jyh-Hong , Wang Li-Chieh , Lin Yu-Tsan , Yang Yao-Hsu , Yu Hsin-Hui , Hu Ya-Chiao , Chiang Bor-Luen
Published: April 2023

Childhood asthma is a heterogeneous disease characterized by chronic airway inflammation, leading to a broad range of clinical presentations. Nonallergic asthma is asthma without allergic sensitization. Both clinical manifestations and immunopathological mechanisms of nonallergic childhood asthma were rarely investigated. We aimed to compare the clinical features between nonallergic and allergic childhood asthma and apply microRNA to explore the underlying mechanism of nonallergic childhood asthma. We enrolled 405 asthmatic children (76 nonallergic, 52 allergic with total IgE < 150 IU/mL and 277 allergic with total IgE > 150 IU/mL). Clinical characteristics were compared between groups. Comprehensive miRNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed using peripheral blood from 11 nonallergic and 11 allergic patients with elevated IgE, respectively. Differentially expressed miRNA (DEmiRNA) were determined with DESeq2. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) analysis was performed to determine functional pathways involved. Publicly available mRNA expression data was applied to investigate the predicted target mRNA networks via Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). The average age of nonallergic asthma was significantly younger (5.614 ± 2.743vs6.676 ± 3.118 years-old). Higher severity and worse control were more common in nonallergic asthma (two-way ANOVA,P < 0.0001). Long-term severity was higher, and intermittent attacks persisted in nonallergic patients. We identified 140 top DEmiRNAs based on false discovery rate (FDR)q-value < 0.001. Forty predicted target mRNA gene were associated with nonallergic asthma. The enriched pathway based on GO included Wnt signaling pathway. IgE expression was predicted to be downregulated by a network involving simultaneous interaction withIL-4, activation ofIL-10and inhibition ofFCER2. Nonallergic childhood asthma were distinct in their younger age, higher long-term severity and more persistent course. Differentially expressed miRNA signatures associate with downregulation of total IgE expression and predicted target mRNA genes related molecular networks contribute to canonical pathways of nonallergic childhood asthma. We demonstrated the negative role of miRNAs involved in regulating IgE expression indicating differences between asthma phenotypes. Identification of biomarkers of miRNAs could contribute to understand the molecular mechanism of endotypes in nonallergic childhood asthma, which can potentially allow delivery of precision medicine to pediatric asthma.
Waste plastic to energy storage materials: a state-of-the-art review
Authors: Tang Guoqiang , Qiao Wenyuan , Wang Zheng , Liu Fang , He Liang , Liu Minghao , Huang Wenbo , Wu Hongqu , Liu Changhui
Published: April 2023

Waste plastics can be recycled for use in energy storage materials (e.g., electricity, heat storage, and hydrogen). The study aims to provide a basis for further research on the integrated use of waste plastics while reducing carbon emissions.
Electrolyte-philicity of electrode materials
Authors: Zhao Lei , Ran Fen
Published: April 2023

The electrochemical interfacial interaction of electrode materials with liquid electrolytes in electrochemical energy storage systems have become a research hotspot and play a decisive role in electrochemical energy storage.
High-performance fiber-shaped Li-ion battery enabled by a surface-reinforced self-supporting electrode
Authors: Liu Cong , Lao Yining , Yang Fan , Gong Xiaoqi , Wang Xiaotong , Jiang Lu , Zeng Zhiping , Yu Dingshan
Published: April 2023

Herein, we develop a surface-reinforced self-supporting fiber electrodeviathe simple-yet-reliable ink-extrusion technology to introduce a thin polymer layer at the electrode surface.
In situBaSO4coating enabled activation-free and ultra-stable δ-MnO2for aqueous Zn-ion batteries
Authors: Liu Lele , Ding Shouxiang , Yao Lu , Liu Mingqiang , Li Shunning , Zhao Qinghe , Qin Runzhi , Pan Feng
Published: April 2023

For Ba2+pre-intercalated δ-MnO2, anin situBaSO4coating can be generated in the first discharging process, which shortens the activation process by inducing fast proton intercalation and stabilizes the MnO2crystal by suppressing Mn dissolution.