bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physical frailty, genetic predisposition, and incident dementia: a large prospective cohort study
Authors: Gao Pei-Yang , Ma Ling-Zhi , Wang Xue-Jie , Wu Bang-Sheng , Huang Yi-Ming , Wang Zhi-Bo , Fu Yan , Ou Ya-Nan , Feng Jian-Feng , Cheng Wei , Tan Lan , Yu Jin-Tai 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPhysical frailty and genetic factors are both risk factors for increased dementia; nevertheless, the joint effect remains unclear. This study aimed to investigated the long-term relationship between physical frailty, genetic risk, and dementia incidence. A total of 274,194 participants from the UK Biobank were included. We applied Cox proportional hazards regression models to estimate the association between physical frailty and genetic and dementia risks. Among the participants (146,574 females [53.45%]; mean age, 57.24 years), 3,353 (1.22%) new-onset dementia events were recorded. Compared to non-frailty, the hazard ratio (HR) for dementia incidence in prefrailty and frailty was 1.396 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.294–1.506, P < 0.001) and 2.304 (95% CI, 2.030–2.616, P < 0.001), respectively. Compared to non-frailty and low polygenic risk score (PRS), the HR for dementia risk was 3.908 (95% CI, 3.051–5.006, P < 0.001) for frailty and high PRS. Furthermore, among the participants, slow walking speed (HR, 1.817; 95% CI, 1.640–2.014, P < 0.001), low physical activity (HR, 1.719; 95% CI, 1.545–1.912, P < 0.001), exhaustion (HR, 1.670; 95% CI, 1.502–1.856, P < 0.001), low grip strength (HR, 1.606; 95% CI, 1.479–1.744, P < 0.001), and weight loss (HR, 1.464; 95% CI, 1.328–1.615, P < 0.001) were independently associated with dementia risk compared to non-frailty. Particularly, precise modulation for different dementia genetic risk populations can also be identified due to differences in dementia risk resulting from the constitutive pattern of frailty in different genetic risk populations. In conclusion, both physical frailty and high genetic risk are significantly associated with higher dementia risk. Early intervention to modify frailty is beneficial for achieving primary and precise prevention of dementia, especially in those at high genetic risk.
Impact of SMAASH-C, a novel nutritional supplement, on drug-seeking and toxicity in female and male rats
Authors: Towers Eleanor Blair , Williams Ivy L. , Aristidou Ariadne S. K. , Salako-Akande Ajibike O. , Lynch Wendy J. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractRelapse to drug use after abstinence is a major challenge in treating substance use disorder. Exposure to drug-associated cues during abstinence can trigger intense craving and precipitate relapse. New and more effective anti-relapse interventions are critically needed, particularly for cocaine use disorder since no effective pharmacological intervention is available. We discovered that a nutritional supplement we developed as part of a nutritional approach for managing patients with substance use disorder reduced patient reports of drug craving and relapse. The goal of this study was to determine the efficacy of this supplement, SMAASH-C, at reducing drug-craving/relapse vulnerability in males and females in rat models with cocaine. Effects were determined following extended-access cocaine self-administration (24-hr/day for 10 days) and a two-week treatment regimen at a moderate and moderate-to-high dose (0.4 and 0.8 g/kg/day) as well as a 6-week regimen at a moderate dose (0.4 g/kg/day; Experiment 2). We also determined its efficacy to offset serum markers of organ toxicity in response to chronic cocaine self-administration and abstinence (aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, amylase; urea nitrogen). In females, both the 2- and 6-week SMAASH-C treatment regimens reduced cocaine-seeking (extinction or cue-induced reinstatement), particularly when drug-seeking was heightened (e.g., during estrus). Despite a lack of efficacy to reduce drug-seeking in males, SMAASH-C treatment normalized cocaine/abstinence-induced increases in serum levels of aspartate transaminase and amylase, which are markers of liver and pancreatic toxicity respectively. Thus, the beneficial effects of oral SMAASH-C treatment over abstinence following chronic cocaine self-administration appears to be sex-specific.
The impact of magnesium content on lithium-magnesium alloy electrode performance with argyrodite solid electrolyte
Authors: Aspinall Jack , Sada Krishnakanth , Guo Hua , Kotakadi Souhardh , Narayanan Sudarshan , Chart Yvonne , Jagger Ben , Milan Emily , Brassart Laurence , Armstrong David , Pasta Mauro 
Published: May 2024

AbstractSolid-state lithium-based batteries offer higher energy density than their Li-ion counterparts. Yet they are limited in terms of negative electrode discharge performance and require high stack pressure during operation. To circumvent these issues, we propose the use of lithium-rich magnesium alloys as suitable negative electrodes in combination with Li6PS5Cl solid-state electrolyte. We synthesise and characterise lithium-rich magnesium alloys, quantifying the changes in mechanical properties, transport, and surface chemistry that impact electrochemical performance. Increases in hardness, stiffness, adhesion, and resistance to creep are quantified by nanoindentation as a function of magnesium content. A decrease in diffusivity is quantified with 6Li pulsed field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance, and only a small increase in interfacial impedance due to the presence of magnesium is identified by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy which is correlated with x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The addition of magnesium aids contact retention on discharge, but this must be balanced against a decrease in lithium diffusivity. We demonstrate via electrochemical testing of symmetric cells at 2.5 MPa and 30∘C that 1% magnesium content in the alloy increases the stripping capacity compared to both pure lithium and higher magnesium content alloys by balancing these effects.
Enhanced surface colonisation and competition during bacterial adaptation to a fungus
Authors: Richter Anne , Blei Felix , Hu Guohai , Schwitalla Jan W. , Lozano-Andrade Carlos N. , Xie Jiyu , Jarmusch Scott A. , Wibowo Mario , Kjeldgaard Bodil , Surabhi Surabhi , Xu Xinming , Jautzus Theresa , Phippen Christopher B. W. , Tyc Olaf , Arentshorst Mark , Wang Yue , Garbeva Paolina , Larsen Thomas Ostenfeld , Ram Arthur F. J. , van den Hondel Cees A. M. , Maróti Gergely , Kovács Ákos T. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBacterial-fungal interactions influence microbial community performance of most ecosystems and elicit specific microbial behaviours, including stimulating specialised metabolite production. Here, we use a co-culture experimental evolution approach to investigate bacterial adaptation to the presence of a fungus, using a simple model of bacterial-fungal interactions encompassing the bacterium Bacillus subtilis and the fungus Aspergillus niger. We find in one evolving population that B. subtilis was selected for enhanced production of the lipopeptide surfactin and accelerated surface spreading ability, leading to inhibition of fungal expansion and acidification of the environment. These phenotypes were explained by specific mutations in the DegS-DegU two-component system. In the presence of surfactin, fungal hyphae exhibited bulging cells with delocalised secretory vesicles possibly provoking an RlmA-dependent cell wall stress. Thus, our results indicate that the presence of the fungus selects for increased surfactin production, which inhibits fungal growth and facilitates the competitive success of the bacterium.
Cobalt-catalyzed cross-electrophile coupling of alkynyl sulfides with unactivated chlorosilanes
Authors: Xing Donghui , Liu Jinlin , Cai Dingxin , Huang Bin , Jiang Huanfeng , Huang Liangbin 
Published: May 2024

AbstractHerein, we disclose a highly efficient cobalt-catalyzed cross-electrophile alkynylation of a broad range of unactivated chlorosilanes with alkynyl sulfides as a stable and practical alkynyl electrophiles. Strategically, employing easily synthesized alkynyl sulfides as alkynyl precursors allows access to various alkynylsilanes in good to excellent yields. Notably, this method avoids the utilization of strong bases, noble metal catalysts, high temperature and forcing reaction conditions, thus presenting apparent advantages, such as broad substrate scope (72 examples, up to 97% yield), high Csp-S chemo-selectivity and excellent functional group compatibility (Ar-X, X = Cl, Br, I, OTf, OTs). Moreover, the utilities of this method are also illustrated by downstream transformations and late-stage modification of structurally complex natural products and pharmaceuticals. Mechanistic studies elucidated that the cobalt catalyst initially reacted with alkynyl sulfides, and the activation of chlorosilanes occurred via an SN2 process instead of a radical pathway.
Biodiversity increases resistance of grasslands against plant invasions under multiple environmental changes
Authors: Cheng Cai , Liu Zekang , Song Wei , Chen Xue , Zhang Zhijie , Li Bo , van Kleunen Mark , Wu Jihua 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBiodiversity often helps communities resist invasion. However, it is unclear whether this diversity–invasion relationship holds true under environmental changes. Here, we conduct a meta-analysis of 1010 observations from 25 grassland studies in which plant species richness is manipulated together with one or more environmental change factors to test invasibility (measured by biomass or cover of invaders). We find that biodiversity increases resistance to invaders across various environmental conditions. However, the positive biodiversity effect on invasion resistance is strengthened under experimental warming, whereas it is weakened under experimentally imposed drought. When multiple factors are imposed simultaneously, the positive biodiversity effect is strengthened. Overall, we show that biodiversity helps grassland communities resist plant invasions under multiple environmental changes. Therefore, investment in the protection and restoration of native biodiversity is not only important for prevention of invasions under current conditions but also under continued global environmental change.
Removal of the large inverted repeat from the plastid genome reveals gene dosage effects and leads to increased genome copy number
Authors: Krämer Carolin , Boehm Christian R. , Liu Jinghan , Ting Michael Kien Yin , Hertle Alexander P. , Forner Joachim , Ruf Stephanie , Schöttler Mark A. , Zoschke Reimo , Bock Ralph 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe chloroplast genomes of most plants and algae contain a large inverted repeat (IR) region that separates two single-copy regions and harbours the ribosomal RNA operon. We have addressed the functional importance of the IR region by removing an entire copy of the 25.3-kb IR from the tobacco plastid genome. Using plastid transformation and subsequent selectable marker gene elimination, we precisely excised the IR, thus generating plants with a substantially reduced plastid genome size. We show that the lack of the IR results in a mildly reduced plastid ribosome number, suggesting a gene dosage benefit from the duplicated presence of the ribosomal RNA operon. Moreover, the IR deletion plants contain an increased number of plastid genomes, suggesting that genome copy number is regulated by measuring total plastid DNA content rather than by counting genomes. Together, our findings (1) demonstrate that the IR can enhance the translation capacity of the plastid, (2) reveal the relationship between genome size and genome copy number, and (3) provide a simplified plastid genome structure that will facilitate future synthetic biology applications.
Within-city spatial variations in PM2.5 magnetite nanoparticles and brain cancer incidence in Toronto and Montreal, Canada
Authors: Ripley Susannah , Maher Barbara A. , Hatzopoulou Marianne , Weichenthal Scott 
Published: May 2024

AbstractMagnetite nanoparticles are small, strongly magnetic iron oxide particles which are produced during high-temperature combustion and friction processes and form part of the outdoor air pollution mixture. These particles can translocate to the brain and have been found in human brain tissue. In this study, we estimated associations between within-city spatial variations in concentrations of magnetite nanoparticles in outdoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and brain cancer incidence. We performed a cohort study of 1.29 million participants in four cycles of the Canadian Census Health and Environment Cohort in Montreal and Toronto, Canada who were followed for malignant brain tumour (glioma) incidence. As a proxy for magnetite nanoparticle content, we measured the susceptibility of anhysteretic remanent magnetization (χARM) in PM2.5 samples (N = 124 in Montreal, N = 110 in Toronto), and values were assigned to residential locations. Stratified Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (per IQR change in volume-normalized χARM). ARM was not associated with brain tumour incidence (HR = 0.998, 95% CI 0.988, 1.009) after adjusting for relevant potential confounders. Although we found no evidence of an important relationship between within-city spatial variations in airborne magnetite nanoparticles and brain tumour incidence, further research is needed to evaluate this understudied exposure, and other measures of exposure to magnetite nanoparticles should be considered.
Emotion recognition for human–computer interaction using high-level descriptors
Authors: Singla Chaitanya , Singh Sukhdev , Sharma Preeti , Mittal Nitin , Gared Fikreselam 
Published: May 2024

AbstractRecent research has focused extensively on employing Deep Learning (DL) techniques, particularly Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), for Speech Emotion Recognition (SER). This study addresses the burgeoning interest in leveraging DL for SER, specifically focusing on Punjabi language speakers. The paper presents a novel approach to constructing and preprocessing a labeled speech corpus using diverse social media sources. By utilizing spectrograms as the primary feature representation, the proposed algorithm effectively learns discriminative patterns for emotion recognition. The method is evaluated on a custom dataset derived from various Punjabi media sources, including films and web series. Results demonstrate that the proposed approach achieves an accuracy of 69%, surpassing traditional methods like decision trees, Naïve Bayes, and random forests, which achieved accuracies of 49%, 52%, and 61% respectively. Thus, the proposed method improves accuracy in recognizing emotions from Punjabi speech signals.
Identification of the Campanian Ignimbrite in the Dead Sea and consequent time-transgressive hydroclimatic shifts in the Eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Kearney Rebecca J. , Schwab Markus J. , Redant Daniel , Neugebauer Ina , Appelt Oona , Blanchet Cecile , Fietzke Jan , Günter Christina , Müller Daniela J. M. , Tjallingii Rik , Brauer Achim 
Published: May 2024

AbstractRobust chronologies and time equivalent tephra markers are essential to better understand spatial palaeoenvironmental response to past abrupt climatic changes. Identification of well-dated and widely dispersed volcanic ash by tephra and cryptotephra (microscopic volcanic ash) provides time synchronous tie-points and strongly reduces chronological uncertainties. Here, we present the major, minor and trace element analyses of cryptotephra shards in the Dead Sea Deep Drilling sedimentary record (DSDDP 5017-1A) matching the Campanian Ignimbrite (CI). This geochemical identification expands the known dispersal range of the CI to the southeastern Mediterranean, over 2300 km from the volcanic source. Due to the CI eruption occurring near-synchronous with North Atlantic ice surge of Heinrich Event 4 (HE4), this tephra provides insights into regional responses to large-scale climatic change in the Mediterranean. In the Dead Sea, the CI layer is associated with wetter climatic conditions. This contrasts with the contemporaneous occurrence of the CI deposition and dry conditions in the central and eastern Mediterranean suggesting a possible climate time-transgressive expansion of HE4. Our finding underscores the temporal and spatial complexity of regional climate responses and emphasises the importance of tephra as a time marker for studying large-scale climatic changes verses regional variations.
Seismic source analysis of the destructive earthquake November 21, 2022, Mw 5.6 Cianjur (Indonesia) from relocated aftershock
Authors: Zulfakriza Zulfakriza , Nugraha Andri Dian , Heryandoko Nova , Ry Rexha Verdhora , Muttaqy Faiz , Andika Ade , Azhari Muhammad Fikri , Putra Ade Surya , Palgunadi Kadek Hendrawan , Cummins Phil R. , Supendi Pepen , Lesmana Aditya , Sahara David P. , Puspito Nanang T. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractA destructive shallow earthquake with a magnitude of 5.6 struck Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia on November 21, 2022. This earthquake resulted in 602 casualties and the collapse of over 67,504 residences. The day after the mainshock, we deployed 19 temporary seismic stations to monitor aftershocks for a period of 30 days. We manually picked arrival times for 4499 P-waves and 3419 S-waves and determined locations for 514 events. Following the velocity model update, phase refinement through waveform cross correlation, and relocation using double-difference methods, we were able to determine 442 well-defined hypocenters of the aftershocks. We identified two clusters of aftershocks: one in the NNW-SSE direction, with a length of about 8 km, and another in the WSW-ENE direction, with a length of around 6 km. The seismogenic zone of these clusters ranges from a depth of 3 to 13 km. Our interpretation suggests that these clusters may indicate a conjugate fault. It is possible that the mainshock (Mw5.6) Cianjur earthquake on November 21, 2022 occurred on the WSW-ENE direction with sinistral movement.
Multiphase comparative study for WHO/ISUP nuclear grading diagnostic model based on enhanced CT images of clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Lu Chenyang , Xia Yangyang , Han Jiamin , Chen Wei , Qiao Xu , Gao Rui , Jiang Xuewen 
Published: May 2024

AbstractTo compare and analyze the diagnostic value of different enhancement stages in distinguishing low and high nuclear grade clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) based on enhanced computed tomography (CT) images by building machine learning classifiers. A total of 51 patients (Dateset1, including 41 low-grade and 10 high-grade) and 27 patients (Independent Dateset2, including 16 low-grade and 11 high-grade) with pathologically proven ccRCC were enrolled in this retrospective study. Radiomic features were extracted from the corticomedullary phase (CMP), nephrographic phase (NP), and excretory phase (EP) CT images, and selected using the recursive feature elimination cross-validation (RFECV) algorithm, the group differences were assessed using T-test and Mann–Whitney U test for continuous variables. The support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), XGBoost (XGB), VGG11, ResNet18, and GoogLeNet classifiers are established to distinguish low-grade and high-grade ccRCC. The classifiers based on CT images of NP (Dateset1, RF: AUC = 0.82 ± 0.05, ResNet18: AUC = 0.81 ± 0.02; Dateset2, XGB: AUC = 0.95 ± 0.02, ResNet18: AUC = 0.87 ± 0.07) obtained the best performance and robustness in distinguishing low-grade and high-grade ccRCC, while the EP-based classifier performance in poorer results. The CT images of enhanced phase NP had the best performance in diagnosing low and high nuclear grade ccRCC. Firstorder_Kurtosis and firstorder_90Percentile feature play a vital role in the classification task.
Multispectral imaging for characterizing autofluorescent tissues
Authors: Bentahar Sara , Gómez-Gaviro María Victoria , Desco Manuel , Ripoll Jorge , Fernández Roberto 
Published: May 2024

AbstractSelective Plane Illumination Microscopy (SPIM) has become an emerging technology since its first application for 3D in-vivo imaging of the development of a living organism. An extensive number of works have been published, improving both the speed of acquisition and the resolution of the systems. Furthermore, multispectral imaging allows the effective separation of overlapping signals associated with different fluorophores from the spectrum over the whole field-of-view of the analyzed sample. To eliminate the need of using fluorescent dyes, this technique can also be applied to autofluorescence imaging. However, the effective separation of the overlapped spectra in autofluorescence imaging necessitates the use of mathematical tools. In this work, we explore the application of a method based on Principal Component Analysis (PCA) that enables tissue characterization upon spectral autofluorescence data without the use of fluorophores. Thus, enabling the separation of different tissue types in fixed and living samples with no need of staining techniques. Two procedures are described for acquiring spectral data, including a single excitation based method and a multi-excitation scanning approach. In both cases, we demonstrate the effective separation of various tissue types based on their unique autofluorescence spectra.
Trimebutine prevents corneal inflammation in a rat alkali burn model
Authors: Goto Hitoshi , Arima Takeshi , Takahashi Akira , Tobita Yutaro , Nakano Yuji , Toda Etsuko , Shimizu Akira , Okamoto Fumiki 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAlkaline burns to the cornea lead to loss of corneal transparency, which is essential for normal vision. We used a rat corneal alkaline burn model to investigate the effect of ophthalmic trimebutine solution on healing wounds caused by alkaline burns. Trimebutine, an inhibitor of the high-mobility group box 1-receptor for advanced glycation end products, when topically applied to the burned cornea, suppressed macrophage infiltration in the early phase and neutrophil infiltration in the late phase at the wound site. It also inhibited neovascularization and myofibroblast development in the late phase. Furthermore, trimebutine effectively inhibited interleukin-1β expression in the injured cornea. It reduced scar formation by decreasing the expression of type III collagen. These findings suggest that trimebutine may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for corneal wounds, not only through its anti-inflammatory effects but also by preventing neovascularization.
The mechanical and frost resistance properties of pressed concrete blocks mixed with the polymeric aluminum chloride waste residue
Authors: Xu Ping , Tong Jin , Shi Rui 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis study aims to research on the mechanical and frost resistance properties of pressed concrete blocks mixed with the polymeric aluminum chloride (PAC) waste residue. Experimental studies on the activity index of volcanic ash, mechanical property, frost resistance and microstructure of pressed concrete blocks mixed with PAC waste residue were carried out. The results show that the activity index of volcanic ash of PAC waste residue reaches 74.96% at a particle size of 0.075 mm or less and a curing age of 28 days. Based on results of mechanical property tests, the optimum dosage of PAC waste residue is 15%, at which time the compressive and bending strength only decreases by 14.57% and 15.84%. Based on results of frost resistance tests, the optimum dosage of PAC waste residue for pressed concrete blocks is 10%. After 50 freeze–thaw cycles, when the dosage of PAC waste residue is 10%, the strength loss rate is only 3.04%. XRD and SEM tests show that PAC waste residue participates in chemical reactions. With a small amount of PAC waste residue, the structure of the specimen remains dense and therefore the strength decreases less.