bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single-cell transcriptomic analysis of retinal immune regulation and blood-retinal barrier function during experimental autoimmune uveitis
Authors: Quinn Joel , Salman Ahmed , Paluch Christopher , Jackson-Wood Matthew , McClements Michelle E. , Luo Jian , Davis Simon J. , Cornall Richard J. , MacLaren Robert E. , Dendrou Calliope A. , Xue Kanmin 
Published: August 2024

AbstractUveitis is characterised by breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier (BRB), allowing infiltration of immune cells that mediate intraocular inflammation, which can lead to irreversible damage of the neuroretina and the loss of sight. Treatment of uveitis relies heavily on corticosteroids and systemic immunosuppression due to limited understanding of disease pathogenesis. We performed single-cell RNA-sequencing of retinas, as well as bulk RNA-sequencing of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells from mice with experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) versus healthy control. This revealed that the Th1/Th17-driven disease induced strong gene expression changes in response to inflammation in rods, cones, Müller glia and RPE. In particular, Müller glia and RPE cells were found to upregulate expression of chemokines, complement factors, leukocyte adhesion molecules and MHC class II, thus highlighting their contributions to immune cell recruitment and antigen presentation at the inner and outer BRB, respectively. Additionally, ligand-receptor interaction analysis with CellPhoneDB revealed key interactions between Müller glia and T cell / natural killer cell subsets via chemokines, galectin-9 to P4HB/TIM-3, PD-L1 to PD-1, and nectin-2/3 to TIGIT signalling axes. Our findings elucidate mechanisms contributing to breakdown of retinal immune privilege during uveitis and identify novel targets for therapeutic interventions.
Reduction of Phytophthora palmivora plant root infection in weak electric fields
Authors: Moratto Eleonora , Tang Zhengxi , Bozkurt Tolga O. , Sena Giovanni 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe global food security crisis is partly caused by significant crop losses due to pests and pathogens, leading to economic burdens. Phytophthora palmivora, an oomycete pathogen, affects many plantation crops and costs over USD 1 billion each year. Unfortunately, there is currently no prevention plan in place, highlighting the urgent need for an effective solution. P. palmivora produces motile zoospores that respond to weak electric fields. Here, we show that external electric fields can be used to reduce root infection in two plant species. We developed two original essays to study the effects of weak electric fields on the interaction between P. palmivora’s zoospores and roots of Arabidopsis thaliana and Medicago truncatula. In the first configuration, a global artificial electric field is set up to induce ionic currents engulfing the plant roots while, in the second configuration, ionic currents are induced only locally and at a distance from the roots. In both cases, we found that weak ionic currents (250–550 μA) are sufficient to reduce zoospore attachment to Arabidopsis and Medicago roots, without affecting plant health. Moreover, we show that the same configurations decrease P. palmivora mycelial growth in Medicago roots after 24 h. We conclude that ionic currents can reduce more than one stage of P. palmivora root infection in hydroponics. Overall, our findings suggest that weak external electric fields can be used as a sustainable strategy for preventing P. palmivora infection, providing innovative prospects for agricultural crop protection.
Children with developmental coordination disorder display atypical interhemispheric connectivity during conscious and subconscious rhythmic auditory-motor synchronization
Authors: Pranjić Marija , Leung Jason , Tam Ka Lun , Polatajko Helene , Welsh Timothy , Chau Tom , Thaut Michael 
Published: August 2024

AbstractChildren with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) display difficulties in perception-action coupling when engaging in tasks requiring predictive timing. We investigated the influence of awareness on auditory-motor adjustments to small and large rhythmic perturbations in the auditory sequence to examine whether children synchronize their movements automatically or through planning and whether those adjustments occur consciously or subconsciously. Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to assess functional connectivity patterns underlying different adjustment strategies. Thirty-two children aged 7–11 participated, including children with DCD and their typically developing (TD) peers with and without musical training. All children automatically adjusted their motor responses to small rhythmic perturbations by employing the anticipatory mode, even when those changes were consciously undetectable. Planned adjustments occurred only when children consciously detected large fluctuations (Δ 20%), which required a shift from predictive to reactive strategies. Compared to TD peers, children with DCD showed reduced interhemispheric connectivity during planned adjustments and displayed similar neural patterns regardless of task constraints. Notably, they benefited from rhythmic entrainment despite having increased variability and lower perceptual acuity. Musical training was associated with enhanced auditory-perceptual timing, reduced variability, and increased interhemispheric coherence. These insights are important for the therapeutic application of auditory/rhythm-based interventions in children with DCD.
Path analysis model to identify the effect of poor diet quality on NAFLD among Iranian adults from Amol Cohort Study
Authors: Doustmohammadian Azam , Amirkalali Bahareh , de Courten Barbora , Esfandyari Saeed , Motamed Nima , Maadi Mansooreh , Ajdarkosh Hossein , Gholizadeh Esmaeel , Chaibakhsh Samira , Zamani Farhad 
Published: August 2024

AbstractNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is expanding as a global health problem with approximately 25% of the world's population affected by it. Dietary modification is one of the most important strategies for preventing NAFLD. The association between nutrient density and the Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI2015) with NAFLD demonstrates that nutrient density is an independent predictor of NAFLD in Iranian adults [fully adjusted model: OR (95% CI)tertile3vs.1: 0.68 (0.54–0.85), P for trend = 0.001]. However, a favorable association between NAFDL and diet quality (HEI 2015) is more pronounced in participants with abdominal obesity [fully adjusted model: OR (95% CI)tertile3vs.1: 0.63 (0.41–0.98), P for trend = 0.03]. Based on the gender-stratified path analysis, diet quality indirectly through Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and metabolic syndrome in women, and men through WHtR, hemoglobin A1c (HBA1c), CRP, and metabolic syndrome affects NAFLD. Nutrient density directly and indirectly in women through WHtR, CRP, and metabolic syndrome, and in men indirectly through WHtR, hemoglobin A1c, and metabolic syndrome negatively affect NAFLD. Hence, in these subjects; we can provide early dietary intervention and education to prevent progression to NAFLD.
Funerary vs. domestic vessels from the Hallstatt period. A study on ceramic vases from the Milejowice settlement and the Domasław cemetery
Authors: Rosiak Angelina , Józefowska Anna , Sekulska-Nalewajko Joanna , Gocławski Jarosław , Kałużna-Czaplińska Joanna 
Published: August 2024

AbstractClay vessels have a wide variety of functions in social activities in the Hallstatt period. In addition to food storage and processing, they were used for ritual purposes and as funerary vessels. The paper presents the results of archaeological and chromatographic studies of 31 vases from two different Hallstatt culture sites in lower Silesia (Poland). The investigations included vessels fragments from the Domasław cemetery and from the Milejowice settlement. The chromatographic analyses focused on fatty acids and biomarkers and made it possible to identify the most likely sources of substances they came into contact with during use. The c-means and hierarchical cluster analyses showed that grave vessels differed from settlement ceramics. Thus, conclusions on the diverse vessel functions could be made.
Customized digestion protocols for copepods, euphausiids, chaetognaths and fish larvae facilitate the isolation of ingested microplastics
Authors: Podbielski Imke , Hamm Thea , Lenz Mark 
Published: August 2024

AbstractDegradation of oceanic plastic waste leads to the formation of microplastics that are ingested by a wide range of animals. Yet, the amounts that are taken up, especially by small zooplankton, are largely unknown. This is mostly due to the complex methodology that is required for isolating ingested microplastics from organisms. We developed customised, effective and benign digestion protocols for four important zooplankton taxa (copepods, euphausiids, chaetognaths and fish larvae), and assessed their digestion efficacy and their potential to cause particle loss or to alter microplastics using six polymers (HDPE, LDPE, PS, PET, PVC, PMMA). All protocols are based on an incubation of the organic matrix with 10% KOH at 38 °C, which is optionally combined with digestive enzymes (chitinase, proteinase K). This yielded digestion efficacies of > 98.2%, recovery rates of > 91.8%, < 2.4% change in microplastics’ size, while no visual alteration of the microplastics and no changes in their spectra were observed when analysing them with a hyperspectral imaging camera. The proposed protocols are inexpensive (< 2.15 € per sample), but require several days when enzymatic digestion is included. They will facilitate research on microplastic ingestion by small marine organisms and thus enable well-founded conclusions about the threat that microplastics pose to these animals as well as about the role of biota in determining the vertical distribution of microplastics in oceanic environments.
Single molecule dynamics in a virtual cell combining a 3-dimensional matrix model with random walks
Authors: Mashanov Gregory I. , Molloy Justin E. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractRecent advances in light microscopy have enabled single molecules to be imaged and tracked within living cells and this approach is impacting our understanding of cell biology. Computer modeling and simulation are important adjuncts to the experimental cycle since they aid interpretation of experimental results and help refine, test and generate hypotheses. Object-oriented computer modeling is particularly well-suited for simulating random, thermal, movements of individual molecules as they interact with other molecules and subcellular structures, but current models are often limited to idealized systems consisting of unit volumes or planar surfaces. Here, a simulation tool is described that combines a 3-dimensional, voxelated, representation of the cell consisting of subcellular structures (e.g. nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, cytoskeleton, vesicles, and filopodia) combined with numerical floating-point precision simulation of thousands of individual molecules moving and interacting within the 3-dimensional space. Simulations produce realistic time-series video sequences comprising single fluorophore intensities and realistic background noise which can be directly compared to experimental fluorescence video microscopy data sets.
Individually tailored exercise in patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome related to post-COVID-19 condition – a feasibility study
Authors: Svensson Annie , Svensson-Raskh Anna , Holmström Linda , Hallberg Carl , Bezuidenhout Lucian , Moulaee Conradsson David , Ståhlberg Marcus , Bruchfeld Judith , Fedorowski Artur , Nygren-Bonnier Malin 
Published: August 2024

AbstractPostural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) occurs in approximately 30% of people with highly symptomatic post-COVID-19 condition (PCC). It involves several symptoms that limit physical and psychological functions and cause reduced quality of life. Evidence for different treatments of POTS and PCC is limited, and this study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of individually tailored physical exercise. The secondary aim of the study was to evaluate the preliminary effectiveness of this intervention. Twenty-six participants (81% female, median age 41 years) were enrolled and performed individually tailored endurance and strength training, with progression, for twelve weeks. During the intervention period, the participants had weekly support from a physiotherapist. Feasibility was evaluated with good compliance, with 76% adherence to exercise prescription and 96% completing the study protocol. The treatment was safe, and the evaluation methods (questionnaires, physical assessments, and accelerometer monitoring) were judged to be feasible. After the intervention, improvements in symptom burden as well as in psychological and physical functions were observed. In conclusion, future randomized controlled trials can be performed with only minor adjustments and could include questionnaires, physical assessment and accelerometer monitoring, which were demonstrated as feasible by this study.
Calcium-rich seawater affects the mechanical properties of echinoderm skeleton
Authors: Gorzelak Przemysław , Stolarski Jarosław , Bącal Paweł , Dubois Philippe , Kołbuk Dorota 
Published: August 2024

AbstractShifts in the magnesium to calcium ratio of seawater in the geological history are thought to have profoundly affected biomineralization of marine invertebrates, including some echinoderms, which changed their skeletal mineralogy from high-magnesium to low-magnesium calcite and vice versa. Here we report on experiments that aimed to investigate the effect of ambient seawater magnesium to calcium ratio on magnesium to calcium ratio and nanomechanical properties in the spines of two echinoid species (Arbacia lixula and Paracentrotus lividus). We found that echinoids cultured in seawater with a low magnesium to calcium ratio produced a skeleton with lower both magnesium content and nanohardness than those of the control specimens incubated under normal (high) magnesium to calcium ratio conditions. These results may suggest that at certain times in the geological past (during the so-called calcite seas) sea urchins with decreased skeletal magnesium contents were more susceptible to damage due to physical disturbances, predation and post-mortem taphonomic processes. Increased skeletal hardness of echinoids from the so-called aragonite seas is expected to enhance their taphonomic potential, thus, to some extent, mitigates the preservation bias related to increased solubility of high-magnesium calcite.
Fault diagnosis technology overview for lithium‐ion battery energy storage station
Authors: Li Bin , Chen Peiyu , Li Guanzheng , Li Chao , Zeng Kaidi , Liu Bin , Li Xuebin , Huo Qidi , Jiao Kui , Wang Chengshan 
Published: August 2024

AbstractWith an increasing number of lithium‐ion battery (LIB) energy storage station being built globally, safety accidents occur frequently. Diagnosing faults accurately and quickly can effectively avoid safe accidents. However, few studies have provided a detailed summary of lithium‐ion battery energy storage station fault diagnosis methods. In this paper, an overview of topologies, protection equipment, data acquisition and data transmission systems is firstly presented, which is related to the safety of the LIB energy storage power station. Then, existing fault diagnosis technologies are reviewed in detail. Finally, the future developing trends of fault diagnosis technology are discussed.
JOA‐GAN: An improved single‐image super‐resolution network for remote sensing based on GAN
Authors: Gao Zijun , Shen Lei , Song Zhankui , Yan Hua 
Published: August 2024

AbstractImage super‐resolution (SR) has been widely applied in remote sensing to generate high‐resolution (HR) images without increasing hardware costs. However, SR is a severe ill‐posed problem. As deep learning advances, existing methods have solved this problem to a certain extent. However, the complex spatial distribution of remote sensing images still poses a challenge in effectively extracting abundant high‐frequency details from the images. Here, a single‐image super‐resolution (SISR) network based on the generative adversarial network (GAN) for remote sensing is presented, called JOA‐GAN. Firstly, a joint‐attention module (JOA) is proposed to focus the network on high‐frequency regions in remote sensing images to enhance the quality of image reconstruction. In the generator network, a multi‐scale densely connected feature extraction block (ERRDB) is proposed, which acquires features at different scales using MSconv blocks containing multi‐scale convolutions and automatically adjusts the features by JOA. In the discriminator network, the relative discriminator is used to compute the relative probability instead of the absolute probability, which helps the network learn clearer and more realistic texture details. JOA‐GAN is compared with other advanced methods, and the results demonstrate that JOA‐GAN has improved objective evaluation metrics and achieved superior visual effects.
Anisotropic sparse transformation for spectral CT image reconstruction
Authors: Yang ZhaoJun , Zeng Li , Yu Wei , Xu Qiong , Wang Zhe , He YuanWei , Chen Wei 
Published: August 2024

AbstractPhoton‐counting detector‐based computed tomography (PCD‐CT) is an advanced realization of spectral CT, the multi‐energy projection data is captured from the same object, hence, CT images can provide additional spectral resolution, making it possible to perform material decomposition. However, multiple projections may have a low signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), such that CT images suffer from noise. To handle this problem, a spectral CT image reconstruction method based on anisotropic sparse transformation (AST) is proposed. To increase the quality of reconstruction, AST through an anisotropic guided filter (AGF) and quasi norm is proposed. Then, as a new regularization, AST is introduced into an iterative reconstruction process, generating an AST‐based method. Moreover, to utilize the correlation among projection data, the average image serves as the guidance image of AGF, it varies with the iterative index, resulting in a technique of dynamic average image (DAI). The AST‐based model involves quasi norm minimization, hence an effective strategy is employed to solve the corresponding problem. A series of experiments were performed. The experiment showed that, compared to other listed methods, the result of the AST‐based method can achieve better visualization and higher quantitative indexes, hence it has application potential in the medical imaging field.
Considering traffic characteristics: Roadside unit deployment optimization algorithm based on dynamic division of road network subareas
Authors: Zhang Chuyao , Wang Jiangfeng , Luo Dongyu , Yang Hao , Yao Jingxuan 
Published: August 2024

AbstractGiven that the overall coverage deployment method fails to meet information needs in important areas, there are redundancies and deficiencies in the information provided. To enhance communication stability for roadside units (RSUs), improve information coverage at critical intersections and optimize algorithm efficiency. Here, a method for deploying RSUs is proposed that aims to optimize revenue in road network subareas. The road network is divided into several subareas based on critical intersections, node similarity, road segment correlations, and characteristics of RSU information transmission. Then, a roadway accessibility algorithm is developed that accounts for channel fading. Considering the robustness of wire network deployment, an improved traveling salesman problem (TSP) problem is proposed that includes candidate locations and constructs a model for optimal RSU deployment that maximizes consolidated revenue. Finally, using the Sioux Falls network as an example, the RSU deployment strategy is evaluated for the overall network and the road network after being subdivided. The results indicate that subdividing the road network improves the efficiency of the optimization solution, the information coverage of critical intersections increases by 1.8 times. The deployment optimization scheme of RSUs is directly influenced by various parameters such as bandwidth capacity and cost coefficient. When deploying RSUs in road network subareas, variations in total demand have minimal impact on RSU deployment, ensuring a stable deployment scheme.
Persymmetric direction detector for range‐spread target in subspace interference plus homogeneous and partially homogeneous clutter
Authors: Hua‐Fei Tian , Guang‐Fen Wei , Tao Jian , Zhan Zhou , Yuan Luo 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe problem of detecting the direction of range‐spread targets in the presence of subspace interference, along with homogeneous and partially homogeneous Gaussian clutter backgrounds characterised by an unknown persymmetric covariance matrix, is being investigated. It is assumed that the interference subspace is linearly independent of the signal subspace, and the coordinates of both subspaces are unknown. Leveraging the property of persymmetry, the two‐step Generalised Likelihood Ratio Test and the two‐step Wald test are proposed to formulate three detectors in the presence of subspace interference, homogeneous, and partially homogeneous Gaussian clutter. Theoretical derivations and simulations demonstrate that three proposed detectors maintain a constant false alarm rate with respect to the unknown clutter covariance matrix. In comparison to existing detectors in similar backgrounds, particularly in scenarios with limited training data, these three detectors exhibit superior detection performance.