bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implications of updated protocol for classification of childhood malnutrition and service delivery in world’s largest refugee camp amid this COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Anwar Afsana , Mondal Probal Kumar , Yadav Uday Narayan , Shamim Abu Ahmed , Rizwan Abu Ansar Md. , Mistry Sabuj Kanti
Published: January 2022

Objectives:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the authorities made a change in the classification of malnutrition and concomitant service delivery protocol among the Rohingya children, residing in world’s largest refugee camp, located in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. In this paper, we discussed the potential implications of this updated protocol on the malnutrition status among children residing in the Rohingya camps.

Design:

This paper reviewed relevant literature and authors’ own experience to provide a perspective of the updated protocol for the classification of malnutrition among the children in the Rohingya camps and its implication from a broader perspective.

Setting:

Rohingya refugee camps, Bangladesh.

Participants:

Children aged less than five years residing in the Rohingya camps.

Results:

Major adaptation during this COVID-19 was the discontinuation of using weight-for-height z-score (WHZ) and the use of only mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) and presence of oedema for admission, follow-up and discharge of malnourished children in the camps. However, evidence suggests that use of MUAC only can underestimate the prevalence of malnutrition among the children in Rohingya camps. These apparently non-malnourished children are devoid of the rations that they would otherwise receive if classified as malnourished, making them susceptible to more severe malnutrition.

Conclusions:

Our analysis suggests that policymakers should consider using the original protocol of using both MUAC and WHZ to classify malnutrition and retain the guided ration size. We also believe that it would not take an extra effort to adopt the original guideline as even with MUAC only guideline, certain health measures needed to adopt during this pandemic.
The Experiences and Views of Service Providers on the Mental Health and Well-Being Services for Syrian Refugees in Coventry and Warwickshire
Authors: Anastasiou Eleni , Liebling Helen , Webster Michelle , MacCallum Fiona
Published: January 2022

Abstract. Objectives: Previous literature demonstrated that, even when mental health and psychological support services are available for refugees, there may still be obstacles in accessing services. This is the first known study to explore the experiences of mental-health and well-being services for Syrian refugees in Coventry and Warwickshire, United Kingdom. The research investigates the views and perceptions of service providers on the current mental-health and well-being services provided for this population. Methods: Eight service providers participated in semistructured interviews and focus groups, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Three main themes emerged from an analysis of the data: “positive aspects of service delivery,” “service challenges,” and “recommendations for service improvements and quality.” Conclusion: The findings bring to the fore specific gaps in current provision and interpreting services. Recommendations for proposed improvements in service provision and policy as well as clinical implications are included in this article.
Genetic liability to rheumatoid arthritis on autism and autistic traits: polygenic risk score and Mendelian randomization analyses
Authors: Ly Amanda , Leppert Beate , Rai Dheeraj , Jones Hannah , Dardani Christina , Stergiakouli Evie
Published: January 2022

Higher prevalence of autism in offspring born to mothers with rheumatoid arthritis has been reported in observational studies. We investigated (a) the associations between maternal and offspring’s own genetic liability for rheumatoid arthritis and autism-related outcomes in the offspring using polygenic risk scores (PRS) and (b) whether the effects were causal using Mendelian randomization (MR). Using the latest genome-wide association (GWAS) summary data on rheumatoid arthritis and individual-level data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, United Kingdom, we constructed PRSs for maternal and offspring genetic liability for rheumatoid arthritis (single-nucleotide polymorphism [SNP] p-value threshold 0.05). We investigated associations with autism, and autistic traits: social and communication difficulties, coherence, repetitive behaviours and sociability. We used modified Poisson regression with robust standard errors. In two-sample MR analyses, we used 40 genome-wide significant SNPs for rheumatoid arthritis and investigated the causal effects on risk for autism, in 18,381 cases and 27,969 controls of the Psychiatric Genetics Consortium and iPSYCH. Sample size ranged from 4992 to 7849 in PRS analyses. We found little evidence of associations between rheumatoid arthritis PRSs and autism-related phenotypes in the offspring (maternal PRS on autism: RR 0.89, 95%CI 0.73–1.07, p = 0.21; offspring’s own PRS on autism: RR 1.11, 95%CI 0.88–1.39, p = 0.39). MR results provided little evidence for a causal effect (IVW OR 1.01, 95%CI 0.98–1.04, p = 0.56). There was little evidence for associations between genetic liability for rheumatoid arthritis on autism-related outcomes in offspring. Lifetime risk for rheumatoid arthritis has no causal effects on autism.
Targeted memory reactivation of face-name learning depends on ample and undisturbed slow-wave sleep
Authors: Whitmore Nathan W. , Bassard Adrianna M. , Paller Ken A.
Published: January 2022

Face memory, including the ability to recall a person’s name, is of major importance in social contexts. Like many other memory functions, it may rely on sleep. We investigated whether targeted memory reactivation during sleep could improve associative and perceptual aspects of face memory. Participants studied 80 face-name pairs, and then a subset of spoken names with associated background music was presented unobtrusively during a daytime nap. This manipulation preferentially improved name recall and face recognition for those reactivated face-name pairs, as modulated by two factors related to sleep quality; memory benefits were positively correlated with the duration of stage N3 sleep (slow-wave sleep) and negatively correlated with measures of sleep disruption. We conclude that (a) reactivation of specific face-name memories during sleep can strengthen these associations and the constituent memories, and that (b) the effectiveness of this reactivation depends on uninterrupted N3 sleep.
Application of convolutional neural networks for prediction of disinfection by-products
Authors: Peleato Nicolás M.
Published: January 2022

Fluorescence spectroscopy can provide high-level chemical characterization and quantification that is suitable for use in online process monitoring and control. However, the high-dimensionality of excitation–emission matrices and superposition of underlying signals is a major challenge to implementation. Herein the use of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) is investigated to interpret fluorescence spectra and predict the formation of disinfection by-products during drinking water treatment. Using deep CNNs, mean absolute prediction error on a test set of data for total trihalomethanes, total haloacetic acids, and the major individual species were all < 6 µg/L and represent a significant difference improved by 39–62% compared to multi-layer perceptron type networks. Heat maps that identify spectral areas of importance for prediction showed unique humic-like and protein-like regions for individual disinfection by-product species that can be used to validate models and provide insight into precursor characteristics. The use of fluorescence spectroscopy coupled with deep CNNs shows promise to be used for rapid estimation of DBP formation potentials without the need for extensive data pre-processing or dimensionality reduction. Knowledge of DBP formation potentials in near real-time can enable tighter treatment controls and management efforts to minimize the exposure of the public to DBPs.
Oligosaccharide equine feed supplement, Immulix, has minor impact on vaccine responses in mice
Authors: Henriksen Ida Wang , Mejia Josue Leonardo Castro , Mentzel Caroline Martha Junker , Lindenberg Frederikke , Hansen Axel Kornerup
Published: January 2022

Several mammalian species are vaccinated in early life, but little is known about the effect of diet on vaccine response. Oligosaccharides are increasingly proposed as dietary supplement for young individuals due to their anti-inflammatory potential elicited through modulation of gut microbiota (GM). Also, diet, e.g. the size of the fat fraction, is known to modulate the GM. We tested if an oligosaccharide diet (Immulix) and/or increased dietary fat content affected antibody titers to a tetanus vaccine in 48 BALB/cJTac mice through GM modulation. Female mice had significantly higher IgG titers with higher variation compared to male mice. The effects of Immulix and/or increased fat content were minor. Immulix negatively affected IgG titers in male mice four weeks after secondary vaccination but upregulated Il1b gene expression in the spleen. Immulix had a downregulating effect on expression of Cd4 and Foxp3 in ileum only if the mice were fed the diet with increased fat. The diet with increased dietary fat increased Il1b but decreased Cd8a gene expression in the spleen. Immulix and diet affected GM composition significantly. Increased dietary fat content upregulated Lactobacillus animalis but downregulated an unclassified Prevotella spp. Immulix decreased Lactobacillales, Streptococcaceae and Prevotellaceae but increased Bacteroides. It is concluded that in spite of some minor influences on immune cell markers, cytokines and IgG titers Immulix feeding or increased dietary fat content did not have any biologically relevant effects on tetanus vaccine responses in this experiment in mice.
Diamond and methane formation from the chemical decomposition of polyethylene at high pressures and temperatures
Authors: Watkins E. B. , Huber R. C. , Childs C. M. , Salamat A. , Pigott J. S. , Chow P. , Xiao Y. , Coe J. D.
Published: January 2022

Polyethylene (C2H4)n was compressed to pressures between 10 and 30 GPa in a diamond anvil cell (DAC) and laser heated above 2500 K for approximately one second. This resulted in the chemical decomposition of the polymer into carbon and hydrocarbon reaction products. After quenching to ambient temperature, the decomposition products were measured in the DAC at pressures ranging from ambient to 29 GPa using a combination of x-ray diffraction (XRD) and small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS). XRD identified cubic diamond and methane as the predominant product species with their pressure–volume relationships exhibiting strong correlations to the diamond and methane equations of state. Length scales associated with the diamond products, obtained from SAXS measurements, indicate the formation of nanodiamonds with a radius of gyration between 12 and 35 nm consistent with 32–90 nm diameter spherical particles. These results are in good agreement with the predicted product composition under thermodynamic and chemical equilibrium.
Caveats on COVID-19 herd immunity threshold: the Spain case
Authors: García-García David , Morales Enrique , Fonfría Eva S. , Vigo Isabel , Bordehore Cesar
Published: January 2022

After a year of living with the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated consequences, hope looms on the horizon thanks to vaccines. The question is what percentage of the population needs to be immune to reach herd immunity, that is to avoid future outbreaks. The answer depends on the basic reproductive number,R0, a key epidemiological parameter measuring the transmission capacity of a disease. In addition to the virus itself,R0also depends on the characteristics of the population and their environment. Additionally, the estimate ofR0depends on the methodology used, the accuracy of data and the generation time distribution. This study aims to reflect on the difficulties surroundingR0estimation, and provides Spain with a threshold for herd immunity, for which we considered the different combinations of all the factors that affect theR0of the Spanish population. Estimates ofR0range from 1.39 to 3.10 for the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 variant, with the largest differences produced by the method chosen to estimateR0. With these values, the herd immunity threshold (HIT) ranges from 28.1 to 67.7%, which would have made 70% a realistic upper bound for Spain. However, the imposition of the delta variant (B.1.617.2 lineage) in late summer 2021 may have expanded the range ofR0to 4.02–8.96 and pushed the upper bound of the HIT to 90%.
Association between the recognition of muscle mass and exercise habits or eating behaviors in female college students
Authors: Mase Tomoki , Ohara Kumiko , Momoi Katsumasa , Nakamura Harunobu
Published: January 2022

This study aimed to examine the association between muscle mass and perception of body shape, desired body shape, physical strength, exercise habits, and eating behaviors. Height, weight, and body composition in 270 female university students were measured. The questionnaire on body shape perception, desired body shape, dieting experience, current, and past exercise habits, exercise preference, and eating behaviors were administered. The analysis of covariance with body fat mass as the covariate found that the skeletal muscle index (SMI) was different among each group on each of body perception or desired body shape (all, p < 0.001). In the post hoc test on body shape perception, the SMI in “obese” was significantly more than that in “slim” (p < 0.001) and “normal” (p < 0.001). In the desired body shape, the SMI in “become thin” was more than that in “maintain as current shape” (p < 0.001). Further, a significant difference was found among the categories of diet experience, with body fat mass as the covariate. In the post hoc test, the SMI in “yes” was more than that in “no” (p < 0.001). These results indicate that not only body fat mass but skeletal muscle mass drives young females’ desire for thinness even with exercise advantages.
System analysis of the sequencing quality of human whole exome samples on BGI NGS platform
Authors: Belova Vera , Pavlova Anna , Afasizhev Robert , Moskalenko Viktoriya , Korzhanova Margarita , Krivoy Andrey , Cheranev Valery , Nikashin Boris , Bulusheva Irina , Rebrikov Denis , Korostin Dmitriy
Published: January 2022

Human exome sequencing is a classical method used in most medical genetic applications. The leaders in the field are the manufacturers of enrichment kits based on hybridization of cRNA or cDNA biotinylated probes specific for a genomic region of interest. Recently, the platforms manufactured by the Chinese company MGI Tech have become widespread in Europe and Asia. The reliability and quality of the obtained data are already beyond any doubt. However, only a few kits compatible with these sequencers can be used for such specific tasks as exome sequencing. We developed our own solution for library pre-capture pooling and exome enrichment with Agilent probes. In this work, using a set of the standard benchmark samples from the Platinum Genome collection, we demonstrate that the qualitative and quantitative parameters of our protocol which we called “RSMU_exome” exceed those of the MGI Tech kit. Our protocol allows for identifying more SNV and indels, generates fewer PCR duplicates, enables pooling of more samples in a single enrichment procedure, and requires less raw data to obtain results comparable with the MGI Tech's protocol. The cost of our protocol is also lower than that of MGI Tech's solution.
Being in a crowd bonds people via physiological synchrony
Authors: Baranowski-Pinto G. , Profeta V. L. S. , Newson M. , Whitehouse H. , Xygalatas D.
Published: January 2022

Collective events can generate intense emotions, shape group identities, and forge strong bonds. Do these effects extend to remote participation, and what are the psychological mechanisms underpinning their social power? We monitored psycho-physiological activity among groups of basketball fans who either attended games in-person (in a stadium) or watched games live on television in small groups. In-person attendance was associated with greater synchronicity in autonomic nervous system activation at the group level, which resulted in more transformative experiences and contributed to stronger identity fusion. Our findings suggest that the social effects of sports depend substantially on the inter-personal dynamics unfolding among fans, rather than being prompted simply by watching the game itself. Given the increasing prevalence of virtual experiences, this has potentially wide-reaching implications for many domains of collective human interaction.
Characteristics and possible mechanisms of formation of microinversions distinguishing human and chimpanzee genomes
Authors: Potapova Nadezhda A. , Kondrashov Alexey S. , Mirkin Sergei M.
Published: January 2022

Genomic inversions come in various sizes. While long inversions are relatively easy to identify by aligning high-quality genome sequences, unambiguous identification of microinversions is more problematic. Here, using a set of extra stringent criteria to distinguish microinversions from other mutational events, we describe microinversions that occurred after the divergence of humans and chimpanzees. In total, we found 59 definite microinversions that range from 17 to 33 nucleotides in length. In majority of them, human genome sequences matched exactly the reverse-complemented chimpanzee genome sequences, implying that the inverted DNA segment was copied precisely. All these microinversions were flanked by perfect or nearly perfect inverted repeats pointing to their key role in their formation. Template switching at inverted repeats during DNA replication was previously discussed as a possible mechanism for the microinversion formation. However, many of definite microinversions found by us cannot be easily explained via template switching owing to the combination of the short length and imperfect nature of their flanking inverted repeats. We propose a novel, alternative mechanism that involves repair of a double-stranded break within the inverting segment via microhomology-mediated break-induced replication, which can consistently explain all definite microinversion events.
Top-emitting 940-nm thin-film VCSELs transferred onto aluminum heatsinks
Authors: Moon Sunghyun , Yun Yeojun , Lee Minhyung , Kim Donghwan , Choi Wonjin , Park Ji-Yong , Lee Jaejin
Published: January 2022

Thin-film vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) mounted onto heatsinks open up the way toward low-power consumption and high-power operation, enabling them to be widely used for energy saving high-speed optical data communication and three-dimensional sensor applications. There are two conventional VCSEL polarity structures: p-on-n and n-on-p polarity. The former is more preferably used owing to the reduced series resistance of n-type bottom distributed Bragg reflection (DBR) as well as the lower defect densities of n-type GaAs substrates. In this study, the p-on-n structures of thin-film VCSELs, including an etch stop layer and a highly n-doped GaAs ohmic layer, were epitaxially grown in upright order by using low-pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (LP-MOCVD). The p-on-n structures of thin-film VCSELs were transferred onto an aluminum heatsink via a double-transfer technique, allowing the top-emitting thin-film VCSELs to keep the p-on-n polarity with the removal of the GaAs substrate. The threshold current (Ith) and voltage (Vth) of the fabricated top-emitting thin-film VCSELs were 1 mA and 2.8 V, respectively. The optical power was 7.7 mW at a rollover point of 16.1 mA.
Self-referenced method for the Judd–Ofelt parametrisation of the Eu3+ excitation spectrum
Authors: Ćirić Aleksandar , Marciniak Łukasz , Dramićanin Miroslav D.
Published: January 2022

Judd–Ofelt theory is a cornerstone of lanthanides’ spectroscopy given that it describes 4fn emissions and absorptions of lanthanide ions using only three intensity parameters. A self-referenced technique for computing Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters from the excitation spectra of Eu3+-activated luminescent materials is presented in this study along with an explanation of the parametrisation procedure and free user-friendly web application. It uses the integrated intensities of the 7F0 → 5D2, 7F0 → 5D4, and 7F0 → 5L6 transitions in the excitation spectrum for estimation and the integrated intensity of the 7F0 → 5D1 magnetic dipole transition for calibration. This approach facilitates an effortless derivation of the Ω6 intensity parameter, which is challenging to compute precisely by Krupke’s parametrisation of the emission spectrum and, therefore, often omitted in published research papers. Compared to the parametrisation of absorption spectra, the described method is more accurate, can be applied to any material form, and requires a single excitation spectrum.
Innate immune deficiencies are associated with severity and poor prognosis in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Peyneau Marine , Granger Vanessa , Wicky Paul-Henri , Khelifi-Touhami Dounia , Timsit Jean-François , Lescure François-Xavier , Yazdanpanah Yazdan , Tran-Dinh Alexy , Montravers Philippe , Monteiro Renato C. , Chollet-Martin Sylvie , Hurtado-Nedelec Margarita , de Chaisemartin Luc
Published: January 2022

COVID-19 can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome, leading to death in many individuals. Evidence of a deleterious role of the innate immune system is accumulating, but the precise mechanisms involved remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the links between circulating innate phagocytes and severity in COVID-19 patients. We performed in-depth phenotyping of neutrophil and monocyte subpopulations and measured soluble activation markers in plasma. Additionally, anti-microbial functions (phagocytosis, oxidative burst, and NETosis) were evaluated on fresh cells from patients. Neutrophils and monocytes had a strikingly disturbed phenotype, and elevated concentrations of activation markers (calprotectin, myeloperoxidase, and neutrophil extracellular traps) were measured in plasma. Critical patients had increased CD13low immature neutrophils, LOX-1 + and CCR5 + immunosuppressive neutrophils, and HLA-DRlow downregulated monocytes. Markers of immature and immunosuppressive neutrophils were strongly associated with severity. Moreover, neutrophils and monocytes of critical patients had impaired antimicrobial functions, which correlated with organ dysfunction, severe infections, and mortality. Together, our results strongly argue in favor of a pivotal role of innate immunity in COVID-19 severe infections and pleads for targeted therapeutic options.
Cyclic production of biocompatible few-layer graphene ink with in-line shear-mixing for inkjet-printed electrodes and Li-ion energy storage
Authors: Carey Tian , Alhourani Abdelnour , Tian Ruiyuan , Seyedin Shayan , Arbab Adrees , Maughan Jack , Šiller Lidija , Horvath Dominik , Kelly Adam , Kaur Harneet , Caffrey Eoin , Kim Jong M. , Hagland Hanne R. , Coleman Jonathan N.
Published: January 2022

The scalable production of two-dimensional (2D) materials is needed to accelerate their adoption to industry. In this work, we present a low-cost in-line and enclosed process of exfoliation based on high-shear mixing to create aqueous dispersions of few-layer graphene, on a large scale with a Yw ~ 100% yield by weight and throughput of ϕ ~ 8.3 g h−1. The in-line process minimises basal plane defects compared to traditional beaker-based shear mixing which we attribute to a reduced Reynolds number, Re ~ 105. We demonstrate highly conductive graphene material with conductivities as high as σ ∼ 1.5 × 104 S m−1 leading to sheet-resistances as low as Rs ∼ 2.6 Ω □−1 (t ∼ 25 μm). The process is ideal for formulating non-toxic, biocompatible and highly concentrated (c ∼ 100 mg ml−1) inks. We utilise the graphene inks for inkjet printable conductive interconnects and lithium-ion battery anode composites that demonstrate a low-rate lithium storage capability of 370 mAh g−1, close to the theoretical capacity of graphite. Finally, we demonstrate the biocompatibility of the graphene inks with human colon cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells at high c ∼ 1 mg ml−1 facilitating a route for the use of the graphene inks in applications that require biocompatibility at high c such as electronic textiles.
SERPINB3 (SCCA1) inhibits cathepsin L and lysoptosis, protecting cervical cancer cells from chemoradiation
Authors: Wang Songyan , Luke Cliff J. , Pak Stephen C. , Shi Victoria , Chen Liyun , Moore Jonathan , Andress Arlise P. , Jayachandran Kay , Zhang Jin , Huang Yi , Platik Marina , Apicelli Anthony A. , Schwarz Julie K. , Grigsby Perry W. , Silverman Gary A. , Markovina Stephanie
Published: January 2022

The endogenous lysosomal cysteine protease inhibitor SERPINB3 (squamous cell carcinoma antigen 1, SCCA1) is elevated in patients with cervical cancer and other malignancies. High serum SERPINB3 is prognostic for recurrence and death following chemoradiation therapy. Cervical cancer cells genetically lacking SERPINB3 are more sensitive to ionizing radiation (IR), suggesting this protease inhibitor plays a role in therapeutic response. Here we demonstrate that SERPINB3-deficient cells have enhanced sensitivity to IR-induced cell death. Knock out of SERPINB3 sensitizes cells to a greater extent than cisplatin, the current standard of care. IR in SERPINB3 deficient cervical carcinoma cells induces predominantly necrotic cell death, with biochemical and cellular features of lysoptosis. Rescue with wild-type SERPINB3 or a reactive site loop mutant indicates that protease inhibitory activity is required to protect cervical tumor cells from radiation-induced death. Transcriptomics analysis of primary cervix tumor samples and genetic knock out demonstrates a role for the lysosomal protease cathepsin L in radiation-induced cell death in SERPINB3 knock-out cells. These data support targeting of SERPINB3 and lysoptosis to treat radioresistant cervical cancers.
Lysoptosis is an evolutionarily conserved cell death pathway moderated by intracellular serpins
Authors: Luke Cliff J. , Markovina Stephanie , Good Misty , Wight Ira E. , Thomas Brian J. , Linneman John M. , Lanik Wyatt E. , Koroleva Olga , Coffman Maggie R. , Miedel Mark T. , Gong Qingqing , Andress Arlise , Campos Guerrero Marlene , Wang Songyan , Chen LiYun , Beatty Wandy L. , Hausmann Kelsey N. , White Frances V. , Fitzpatrick James A. J. , Orvedahl Anthony , Pak Stephen C. , Silverman Gary A.
Published: January 2022

Lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) and cathepsin release typifies lysosome-dependent cell death (LDCD). However, LMP occurs in most regulated cell death programs suggesting LDCD is not an independent cell death pathway, but is conscripted to facilitate the final cellular demise by other cell death routines. Previously, we demonstrated that Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) null for a cysteine protease inhibitor, srp-6, undergo a specific LDCD pathway characterized by LMP and cathepsin-dependent cytoplasmic proteolysis. We designated this cell death routine, lysoptosis, to distinguish it from other pathways employing LMP. In this study, mouse and human epithelial cells lacking srp-6 homologues, mSerpinb3a and SERPINB3, respectively, demonstrated a lysoptosis phenotype distinct from other cell death pathways. Like in C. elegans, this pathway depended on LMP and released cathepsins, predominantly cathepsin L. These studies suggested that lysoptosis is an evolutionarily-conserved eukaryotic LDCD that predominates in the absence of neutralizing endogenous inhibitors.
TWIST1 expression is associated with high-risk neuroblastoma and promotes primary and metastatic tumor growth
Authors: Sepporta Maria-Vittoria , Praz Viviane , Balmas Bourloud Katia , Joseph Jean-Marc , Jauquier Nicolas , Riggi Nicolò , Nardou-Auderset Katya , Petit Audrey , Scoazec Jean-Yves , Sartelet Hervé , Renella Raffaele , Mühlethaler-Mottet Annick
Published: January 2022

The embryonic transcription factors TWIST1/2 are frequently overexpressed in cancer, acting as multifunctional oncogenes. Here we investigate their role in neuroblastoma (NB), a heterogeneous childhood malignancy ranging from spontaneous regression to dismal outcomes despite multimodal therapy. We first reveal the association of TWIST1 expression with poor survival and metastasis in primary NB, while TWIST2 correlates with good prognosis. Secondly, suppression of TWIST1 by CRISPR/Cas9 results in a reduction of tumor growth and metastasis colonization in immunocompromised mice. Moreover, TWIST1 knockout tumors display a less aggressive cellular morphology and a reduced disruption of the extracellular matrix (ECM) reticulin network. Additionally, we identify a TWIST1-mediated transcriptional program associated with dismal outcome in NB and involved in the control of pathways mainly linked to the signaling, migration, adhesion, the organization of the ECM, and the tumor cells versus tumor stroma crosstalk. Taken together, our findings confirm TWIST1 as promising therapeutic target in NB.
Asymbiotic mass production of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus clarus
Authors: Tanaka Sachiko , Hashimoto Kayo , Kobayashi Yuuki , Yano Koji , Maeda Taro , Kameoka Hiromu , Ezawa Tatsuhiro , Saito Katsuharu , Akiyama Kohki , Kawaguchi Masayoshi
Published: January 2022

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is a mutually beneficial interaction between fungi and land plants and promotes global phosphate cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. AM fungi are recognised as obligate symbionts that require root colonisation to complete a life cycle involving the production of propagules, asexual spores. Recently, it has been shown that Rhizophagus irregularis can produce infection-competent secondary spores asymbiotically by adding a fatty acid, palmitoleic acid. Furthermore, asymbiotic growth can be supported using myristate as a carbon and energy source for their asymbiotic growth to increase fungal biomass. However, the spore production and the ability of these spores to colonise host roots were still limited compared to the co-culture of the fungus with plant roots. Here we show that a combination of two plant hormones, strigolactone and jasmonate, induces the production of a large number of infection-competent spores in asymbiotic cultures of Rhizophagus clarus HR1 in the presence of myristate and organic nitrogen. Inoculation of asymbiotically-generated spores promoted the growth of host plants, as observed for spores produced by symbiotic culture system. Our findings provide a foundation for the elucidation of hormonal control of the fungal life cycle and the development of inoculum production schemes.
Computational complexity continuum within Ising formulation of NP problems
Authors: Kalinin Kirill P. , Berloff Natalia G.
Published: January 2022

A promising approach to achieve computational supremacy over the classical von Neumann architecture explores classical and quantum hardware as Ising machines. The minimisation of the Ising Hamiltonian is known to be NP-hard problem yet not all problem instances are equivalently hard to optimise. Given that the operational principles of Ising machines are suited to the structure of some problems but not others, we propose to identify computationally simple instances with an ‘optimisation simplicity criterion’. Neuromorphic architectures based on optical, photonic, and electronic systems can naturally operate to optimise instances satisfying this criterion, which are therefore often chosen to illustrate the computational advantages of new Ising machines. As an example, we show that the Ising model on the Möbius ladder graph is ‘easy’ for Ising machines. By rewiring the Möbius ladder graph to random 3-regular graphs, we probe an intermediate computational complexity between P and NP-hard classes with several numerical methods. Significant fractions of polynomially simple instances are further found for a wide range of small size models from spin glasses to maximum cut problems. A compelling approach for distinguishing easy and hard instances within the same NP-hard class of problems can be a starting point in developing a standardised procedure for the performance evaluation of emerging physical simulators and physics-inspired algorithms.
Challenging the sustainability of urban beekeeping using evidence from Swiss cities
Authors: Casanelles-Abella Joan , Moretti Marco
Published: January 2022

Urban beekeeping is booming, heightening awareness of pollinator importance but also raising concerns that its fast growth might exceed existing resources and negatively impact urban biodiversity. To evaluate the magnitude of urban beekeeping growth and its sustainability, we analysed data on beehives and available resources in 14 Swiss cities in 2012–2018 and modelled the sustainability of urban beekeeping under different scenarios of available floral resources and existing carrying capacities. We found large increases in hives numbers across all cities from an average 6.48 hives per km2 (3139 hives in total) in 2012 to an average 8.1 hives per km2 (6370 in total) in 2018 and observed that available resources are insufficient to maintain present densities of beehives, which currently are unsustainable.
Detailed dynamics of direct three-body recombination of singly charged ions
Authors: Akimov Vyacheslav M. , Azriel' Vladimir M. , Ermolova Ekaterina V. , Kabanov Dmitrii B. , Kolesnikova Lyubov' I. , Rusin Lev Yu. , Sevryuk Mikhail B.
Published: January 2022

We analyze randomly selected trajectories for cesium ions recombining with fluoride (iodide) ions in the presence of argon (xenon) atoms.
Substrate induced freezing, melting and depinning transitions in two-dimensional liquid crystalline systems
Authors: Bharti  , Deb Debabrata
Published: January 2022

We use molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the ordering phenomena in two-dimensional (2D) liquid crystals over the one-dimensional periodic substrate (1DPS).
Effects of different processing methods on the chlorophyll structure in kiwifruit
Authors: Lei Sheng-Jiao , Zhang Yuan-E , Chen Yu-Ting , Chen Lu , Chen Kang , Fu Cai-Xia
Published: January 2022

Taking kiwifruit puree as the independent variable, it was treated at high temperature and normal pressure to determine the structural changes of chlorophyll compounds.
Potassium–carbonate co-substituted hydroxyapatite compositions: maximising the level of carbonate uptake for potential CO2 utilisation options
Authors: Nowicki Duncan A. , Skakle Janet M. S. , Gibson Iain R.
Published: January 2022

CO2 utilisation is a rapidly growing area of interest aimed at reducing the magnitude of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions.
Modulating the porosity of carbons for improved adsorption of hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane: a review
Authors: Blankenship L. Scott , Mokaya Robert
Published: January 2022

This review examines state-of-the-art techniques to control the porosity of both activated carbons and zeolite templated carbons in order to fine-tune their ability towards the capture and storage of various gases under different pressure and temperature applications.
Tailoring the molecular weight of polymer additives for organic semiconductors
Authors: He Zhengran , Zhang Ziyang , Bi Sheng
Published: January 2022

We conduct a review of the recent progress of utilizing amorphous and semicrystalline polymer additives with varying molecular weight to manipulate the crystallization, morphology, and charge transport of solution-processable organic semiconductors.
Multi-omic profiling of histone variant H3.3 lysine 27 methylation reveals a distinct role from canonical H3 in stem cell differentiation
Authors: Kori Yekaterina , Lund Peder J. , Trovato Matteo , Sidoli Simone , Yuan Zuo-Fei , Noh Kyung-Min , Garcia Benjamin A.
Published: January 2022

Post-translational modifications on histone variants may differ from their canonical counterparts. We investigate the role of lysine 27 tri-methylation on the histone variant H3.3 in the context of stem cell pluripotency and differentiation.
Quantum dot photolithography using a quantum dot photoresist composed of an organic–inorganic hybrid coating layer
Authors: Myeong Seungmin , Chon Bumsoo , Kumar Samir , Son Ho-Jin , Kang Sang Ook , Seo Sungkyu
Published: January 2022

We reports a QD photolithography technique using a custom-developed QD photoresist made of an organic–inorganic hybrid coating layer.
Simple one pot synthesis of luminescent europium doped yttrium oxide Y2O3:Eu nanodiscs for phosphor converted warm white LEDs
Authors: Petry Julian , Komban Rajesh , Gimmler Christoph , Weller Horst
Published: January 2022

Yttrium oxide (Y2O3) is considered as one of the best host lattices for europium (Eu3+) based red emitting phosphors because of its unit cell and good photo-saturation properties.
A sustainable one-step strategy for highly graphitized capacitive carbons with hierarchical micro–meso–macro porosity
Authors: Liu Huili , Su Suisui , Wang Heng , Wang Miaomiao , Zhang Shouren , Chang Binbin , Yang Baocheng
Published: January 2022

Highly graphitized porous carbons with hierarchical micro–meso–macropores were prepared by a simple, one-step, sustainable strategy.
Super-hydrophobic and photocatalytic antimicrobial activity of iodine-doped ZnO nanoarray films
Authors: Xiao Yingxin , Han Shitong , Xi Hailing , Jin Yubo , Lin Huaxiang , Yuan Rusheng , Long Jinlin , Wang Xuxu
Published: January 2022

Iodine(i) doped ZnO nanoarray films (ZnO/I-X) were prepared on a silicon wafer by the in itu growth method.
Importance of water and intramolecular interaction governs substantial blue shift of Csp2–H stretching frequency in complexes between chalcogenoaldehydes and water
Authors: Cuc Nguyen Thi Thanh , An Nguyen Truong , Ngan Vu Thi , Chandra Asit. K. , Trung Nguyen Tien
Published: January 2022

The considerable blue shift of Csp2–H stretching frequency.
Synergistic advanced oxidation process for enhanced degradation of organic pollutants in spent sulfuric acid over recoverable apricot shell-derived biochar catalyst
Authors: Zhang Jinling , Jin Xin , Zhao Hui , Yang Chaohe
Published: January 2022

A synergistic advanced oxidation process was constructed to degrade the organic pollutants in spent sulfuric acid with apricot shell-derived biochar as the catalyst. It realized the effect of treating waste with waste.
Increasing anhydrous chromium chloride concentration in AlCl3–EMIC ionic liquid: a step towards non-hydrogen-embrittlement chromium electroplating
Authors: Xu Duohua , Li Jidan , Liang Chunyuan , Liu Jincheng , Wang Hongtao , Ling Guoping
Published: January 2022

Electroless deposition of metallic Cr on an Al substrate proves the thermodynamic feasibility of Cr electroplating.
Biomass porous carbon as the active site to enhance photodegradation of oxytetracycline on mesoporous g-C3N4
Authors: Ding Hekun , Liu Zheng , Zhang Qiongyue , He Xiao , Feng Qingge , Wang Dongbo , Ma Dachao
Published: January 2022

A novel mesoporous g-C3N4 loaded with biomass porous carbon was synthesized by molten salt assisted thermal polycondensation, and the formation of hollow tubular structure increased the specific surface area.
Rapid, amplification-free and high-throughput SARS-CoV-2 RNA detectionviaa reduced-graphene-oxide based fluorescence assay
Authors: Wang Min , Chu Yujin , Qiang Le , Han Yingkuan , Zhang Yu , Han Lin
Published: January 2022

A rGO-based biosensor can detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA within 35 minutes with a LOD of 0.684 pM without any amplification.
Towards decarbonization of shipping: direct emissions & life cycle impacts from a biofuel trial aboard an ocean-going dry bulk vessel
Authors: Stathatou Patritsia Maria , Bergeron Scott , Fee Christopher , Jeffrey Paul , Triantafyllou Michael , Gershenfeld Neil
Published: January 2022

Emissions from a dry bulk vessel operating on a biofuel blend were measured. Although marginal differences were observed in CO2 emissions from combustion compared to conventional marine fuels, life cycle CO2 emissions can be reduced by up to 40%.
Correction: Electron counting in cationic and anionic silver clusters doped with a 3d transition-metal atom: endo- vs. exohedral geometry
Authors: Minamikawa Kento , Sarugaku Shun , Arakawa Masashi , Terasaki Akira
Published: January 2022

Correction for ‘Electron counting in cationic and anionic silver clusters doped with a 3d transition-metal atom: endo- vs. exohedral geometry’ by Kento Minamikawa et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2022, DOI: 10.1039/d1cp04197e.
Correction: Luminescent columnar discotics as highly efficient emitters in pure deep-blue OLEDs with an external quantum efficiency of 4.7%
Authors: De Joydip , Sarkar Ishan , Yadav Rohit Ashok Kumar , Bala Indu , Gupta Santosh Prasad , Siddiqui Iram , Jou Jwo-Huei , Pal Santanu Kumar
Published: January 2022

Correction for ‘Luminescent columnar discotics as highly efficient emitters in pure deep-blue OLEDs with an external quantum efficiency of 4.7%’ by Joydip De et al., Soft Matter, 2022, DOI: 10.1039/d1sm01558c.
Effects of First Language Background and Learning Experience in Perceiving Mandarin Lexical Tones: Learners and Nonlearners From English- and Japanese-Speaking Backgrounds
Authors: Tsukada Kimiko , Idemaru Kaori
Published: January 2022

Purpose:

This research compared individuals from two first language (L1) backgrounds (English and Japanese) to determine how they may differ in their perception of Mandarin tones (Tones 1 vs. 2 [T1–T2], Tones 1 vs. 3 [T1–T3], Tones 1 vs. 4 [T1–T4], Tones 2 vs. 3 [T2–T3], Tones 2 vs. 4 [T2–T4], Tones 3 vs. 4 [T3–T4]) on account of their L1.

Method:

The participants included two groups of
learners of Mandarin
(23 English speakers, 18 Japanese speakers), two groups of
nonlearners of Mandarin
(24 English speakers, 21 Japanese speakers), and a
control group
of 10 Mandarin speakers. A four-alternative forced-choice discrimination task that included 360 trials was presented in three blocks of 120 trials.

Results:

The native Mandarin group was more accurate in their tonal discrimination of all six tone pairs than all the nonnative groups. While Japanese nonlearners generally outperformed English nonlearners in their overall perception of Mandarin lexical tones, L1-based differences were less extensive for the two groups of learners. Both learner groups were least accurate on T2–T3 and most accurate on T3–T4.

Conclusion:

The results suggest that with classroom experience, English speakers can overcome their initial disadvantage and learn lexical tones in a new language as successfully as speakers of Japanese with classroom experience.
Clinical Practice Patterns of Fitting Advanced Device Features in Children With Cochlear Implants
Authors: Findlen Ursula M. , Benedict Jason , Agrawal Smita
Published: January 2022

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to identify common clinical practice patterns for providing advanced noise management features in children with cochlear implants (CIs) and evaluate trends in consideration of clinician experience and comfort with CI manufacturer-specific technology.

Method:

A mixed-model survey including quantitative and qualitative questions regarding providing advanced noise management features in the pediatric CI population was collected electronically via research electronic data capture. Survey questions spanned approach/philosophy toward provision of features, age of provision, and demographics of respondents. Descriptive statistics were completed to define common clinical practice patterns and demographic information.

Results:

A total of 160 pediatric audiologists from 35 U.S. States and five Canadian provinces completed the survey. Most audiologists (73.8%) reported enabling automatic directional microphones, and a vast majority (91%) reported enabling advanced noise processing features such as automatic noise cancellers, wind noise cancellers, and impulse noise cancellers in recipients' main programs. Audiologists ranked features in terms of importance for a school-age child with the top three ranked as automatic noise reduction, automatic directional microphones, and concha-level microphones. Importance of child-specific factors varied depending upon the specific feature of interest.

Conclusions:

Variability exists among providers in enabling advanced noise management features for pediatric CI recipients. Multiple factors, including patient characteristics, provider characteristics, and limited evidence-based guidance, could account for much of the variation. Overall, there is a trend toward automaticity for noise management. Additional studies are warranted to provide the evidence base for confidently programming advanced features for children using CIs.
Vocabulary to speak about touch: analysis of the discourse of electric guitar players
Authors: Cambourian Paul , Paté Arthur , Cance Caroline , Navarret Benoît , Vasseur Jérôme
Published: January 2022

This work presents a multidisciplinary approach to vibrotactile perception, applying linguistic methods to musical acoustics. We are interested more particularly in the sense of touch as a part of the multisensory experience of playing a musical instrument. Six words and their inflections are chosen from the literature in musical acoustics dealing with vibrotactile perception: “comfort”, “dynamics”, “response”, “feeling”, “touch” and “vibration”. Their use by musicians in playing situation is analyzed. The data used in this article comes from transcripts of two previous studies, conducted in French with professional guitarists natively speaking French. The linguistic analysis of the corpus is based on different features which help to categorize the utterances according to each observed parameter, namely the relationship with the sense of touch, the object that is qualified by the words under study and the implication in discourse of the interviewee. The results permit to understand the use of the six categories of words in relationship with the sense of touch, and provide perspectives to use some of these words to focus the discourse on the sense of touch in future studies.
Evaluation of the partitioned mechanical properties and the hall-petch relationship of cast aluminum alloy cylinder head
Authors: Yan Kangjie , Huang Weiqing , Zuo Zhengxing , Liu Jinxiang , Ren Peirong , Hu Dingyun , Zhao Chengzhang
Published: January 2022

In view of the non-uniform distribution of mechanical properties of cast aluminum alloy cylinder head, the mechanical properties evaluation and microstructure heterogeneity of cylinder head were studied. The results showed that the head plate position of the cylinder head has the best mechanical properties and microstructure characterization, followed by the floor plate and the thick partition plate. The mechanical properties of the floor plate position attenuate with increasing temperature. From 23°C to 300°C, the tensile strength and yield strength decrease in the same range, but the break elongation changes most obviously. The mechanical properties and microstructure characterization of cylinder head in-situ sampling satisfy the Hall-Petch relationship. If the required ultimate tensile strength is not less than 255MPa, the upper threshold of the grain size, by considering the error limit of the Hall-Petch relationship, is 603.4μm, and the upper threshold of secondary dendrite arm spacing is 69.1μm. Meanwhile, established the relationship between hardness and yield strength, the average error of the nonlinear model is 4.35%. The prediction accuracy of the nonlinear model is sufficient to meet the actual needs of the engineering.