bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Towards improved screening of toxins for Parkinson’s risk
Authors: Shan Ling , Heusinkveld Harm J. , Paul Kimberly C. , Hughes Samantha , Darweesh Sirwan K. L. , Bloem Bastiaan R. , Homberg Judith R. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractParkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive and disabling neurodegenerative disorder. The prevalence of PD has risen considerably over the past decades. A growing body of evidence suggest that exposure to environmental toxins, including pesticides, solvents and heavy metals (collectively called toxins), is at least in part responsible for this rapid growth. It is worrying that the current screening procedures being applied internationally to test for possible neurotoxicity of specific compounds offer inadequate insights into the risk of developing PD in humans. Improved screening procedures are therefore urgently needed. Our review first substantiates current evidence on the relation between exposure to environmental toxins and the risk of developing PD. We subsequently propose to replace the current standard toxin screening by a well-controlled multi-tier toxin screening involving the following steps: in silico studies (tier 1) followed by in vitro tests (tier 2), aiming to prioritize agents with human relevant routes of exposure. More in depth studies can be undertaken in tier 3, with whole-organism (in)vertebrate models. Tier 4 has a dedicated focus on cell loss in the substantia nigra and on the presumed mechanisms of neurotoxicity in rodent models, which are required to confirm or refute the possible neurotoxicity of any individual compound. This improved screening procedure should not only evaluate new pesticides that seek access to the market, but also critically assess all pesticides that are being used today, acknowledging that none of these has ever been proven to be safe from a perspective of PD. Importantly, the improved screening procedures should not just assess the neurotoxic risk of isolated compounds, but should also specifically look at the cumulative risk conveyed by exposure to commonly used combinations of pesticides (cocktails). The worldwide implementation of such an improved screening procedure, would be an essential step for policy makers and governments to recognize PD-related environmental risk factors.
Dual-chirped optical parametric amplification of high-energy single-cycle laser pulses
Authors: Xu Lu , Takahashi Eiji J. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractWe demonstrate how a scheme called advanced dual-chirped optical parametric amplification (DC-OPA) that employs two kinds of nonlinear crystal (BiB3O6 and MgO-doped lithium niobate) can generate high-energy, single-cycle mid-infrared laser pulses. In experiments, the advanced DC-OPA scheme achieved carrier-to-envelope phase-stable mid-infrared laser pulses with a bandwidth of over one octave (1.4–3.1 µm) and an output pulse energy of 53 mJ. The pulse duration was compressed to 8.58 fs, which corresponds to 1.05 cycles with a central wavelength of 2.44 µm and a peak power of 6 TW. To our knowledge, the obtained values for the pulse energy and peak power are the highest achieved for optical parametric amplification of single-cycle mid-infrared laser pulses. Moreover, owing to the energy scalability of the advanced DC-OPA scheme, the prospects of the multi-terawatt sub-cycle laser pulses are discussed.
Single-cell transcriptome sequencing of plant leaf expressing anti-HER2 VHH–FcK cancer therapeutic protein
Authors: Kim Myung-Shin , Lee Seung-Won , Kim Kibum , Kim Yerin , Hwang Hyunjoo , Hinterdorfer Peter , Choi Doil , Ko Kisung 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe transgenic plant is a promising strategy for the production of highly valuable biotherapeutic proteins such as recombinant vaccines and antibodies. To achieve an efficient level of protein production, codon sequences and expression cassette elements need to be optimized. However, the systematical expression of recombinant proteins in plant biomass can generally be controlled for the production of therapeutic proteins after the generation of transgenic plants. Without understanding the transgene expression patterns in plant tissue, it is difficult to enhance further production levels. In this study, single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis of transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaf, expressing an immunotherapeutic llama antibody against breast cancer, anti-HER2 VHH–Fc, was conducted to obtain data on the expression pattern of tissue-specific cells. These high-quality scRNA-seq data enabled the identification of gene expression patterns by cell types, which can be applied to select the best cell types or tissues for the high production of these recombinant antibodies. These data provide a foundation to elucidate the mechanisms that regulate the biosynthesis of recombinant proteins in N. tabacum.
Estimation of foot-and-mouth disease virus sero-prevalence rates using novel computational approach for the susceptible bovine population in India during the period 2008–2021
Authors: Das Samarendra , Pal Soumen , Rautaray Sagar Sangam , Mohapatra Jajati K. , Subramaniam Saravanan , Rout Manoranjan , Rai Shesh N. , Singh Rabindra Prasad 
Published: December 2023

AbstractFoot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a severe contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals. In India, a vaccination-based official FMD control programme was started, which got expanded progressively to cover entire country in 2019. The serological tests are used to determine non-structural protein based sero-prevalence rates for properly implementing and assessing the control programme. Since 2008, reporting of the FMD sero-surveillance was limited to the serum sample-based serological test results without going for population-level estimation due to lack of proper statistical methodology. Thus, we present a computational approach for estimating the sero-prevalence rates at the state and national levels. Based on the reported approach, a web-application (https://nifmd-bbf.icar.gov.in/FMDSeroSurv) and an R software package (https://github.com/sam-dfmd/FMDSeroSurv) have been developed. The presented computational techniques are applied to the FMD sero-surveillance data during 2008–2021 to get the status of virus circulation in India under a strict vaccination policy. Furthermore, through various structural equation models, we attempt to establish a link between India’s estimated sero-prevalence rate and field FMD outbreaks. Our results indicate that the current sero-prevalence rates are significantly associated with previous field outbreaks up to 2 years. Besides, we observe downward trends in sero-prevalence and outbreaks over the years, specifically after 2013, which indicate the effectiveness of various measures implemented under the FMD control programme. The findings of the study may help researchers and policymakers to track virus infection and identification of potential disease-free zones through vaccination.
Corilagin enhances the anti-tumor activity of 5-FU by downregulating the expression of GRP 78
Authors: Li Simin , Li Xinquan , Yang Xiliang , Lei Yumeng , He Mingxin , Xiang Xiaochen , Wu Qingming , Liu Hongyun , Wang Jiadun , Wang Qiang 
Published: December 2023

AbstractColorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Although initially effective, patients who receive chemotherapy ultimately experience various complications and develop chemo-resistance, leading to cancer recurrence. Therefore, we aimed to find a drug with good efficacy and low toxicity that could enhance the treatment with 5-Fluorouracil (a commonly used clinical drug) and reduce its dosing. Corilagin, an anti-tumor natural product, has received widespread attention. Glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78) is overexpressed in colorectal cancer cells and plays a key role in the proliferation, migration and drug resistance of cancer cells. Importantly, GRP78 can affect the apoptosis induced by 5-fluorouracil in CRC cells. In the present study, we determined the synergistic anti-tumor activity of the combination treatment by cell proliferation assay, apoptosis assay, fluorescent staining, cell cycle analysis, WB and PCR assays. This synergistic effect was associated with S-phase blockade, intracellular reactive oxygen species production and downregulation of GRP78. Taken together, our results indicate that Corilagin acts as a potentiator of 5-fluorouracil and may have therapeutic potential for patients with CRC.
Green synthesis and characterization of ruthenium oxide nanoparticles using Gunnera perpensa for potential anticancer activity against MCF7 cancer cells
Authors: Mfengwana Polo-Ma-Abiele H. , Sone Bertrand T. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe use of green methods for ruthenium oxide nanoparticles (RuONPs) synthesis is gaining attention due to their eco-friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and availability. However, reports on the green synthesis and characterization of RuONPs are limited compared to other metal nanoparticles. The green synthesis and characterization of RuONPs using water extracts of Gunnera perpensa leaves as a reducing agent is reported in this study. The RuONPs were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV–VIS). MTT assay was used to assess the cytotoxicity of the RuONPs against MCF7 and Vero cell lines. X-ray diffraction analysis results revealed the presence of crystalline and amorphous forms of RuONPs, while IR spectroscopy revealed the presence of functional groups associated with G. perpensa leaves. SEM showed that the RuONPs consisted predominantly of hexagonal and cuboid-like structures with a considerable degree of agglomeration being observed. The cell culture results indicated a low anticancer efficacy of RuONPs against MCF7 and Vero cell lines, suggesting that RuONPs may not be a good lead for anti-cancer drugs. This study highlights the potential of using green synthesis methods to produce RuONPs and their characterization, as well as their cytotoxicity against cancer cells.
The methods of task pre‐allocation and reallocation for multi‐UAV cooperative reconnaissance mission
Authors: Wang Gang , Lv Xiao , Cui Liangzhong , Yan Xiaohu 
Published: December 2023

AbstractNowadays, multi unmanned aerial vehicle (multi‐UAV) systems have been widely used in battlefield. The rationality of mission plan can directly affect the effectiveness of multi‐UAV system. The existing multi‐UAV task allocation model lack a comprehensive modelling of task pre‐allocation and task reallocation issues. However, in actual task execution, task pre‐allocation and task reallocation are a holistic problem. Therefore, based on the background of multi‐UAV cooperative reconnaissance, the authors establish a multi‐UAV cooperative reconnaissance task pre‐allocation and reallocation model (MCRTPR). There are two kinds of task allocation in MCRTPR model. One is task pre‐allocation, which is a static task allocation before the mission begin. Another is task reallocation, that is a dynamic task allocation during the mission. For task pre‐allocation, a particle swarm optimisation algorithm based on experience pool (EPPSO) is proposed. And for task reallocation, the authors design a partial task reallocation algorithm based on contract network protocol (CNP‐PTR). The experimental results show that, compared with some state‐of‐the‐art algorithms, EPPSO can get the lowest fitness value under various experimental conditions, and CNP‐PTR is able to handle task reallocation problem caused by multiple kinds of dynamic events.
Extended Lyman-α emission towards the SPT2349-56 protocluster at z = 4.3
Authors: Apostolovski Yordanka , Aravena Manuel , Anguita Timo , Bethermin Matthieu , Burgoyne James , Chapman Scott , De Breuck Carlos , Gonzalez Anthony , Gronke Max , Guaita Lucia , Hezaveh Yashar , Hill Ryley , Jarugula Sreevani , Johnston Evelyn , Malkan Matt , Narayanan Desika , Reuter Cassie , Solimano Manuel , Spilker Justin , Sulzenauer Nikolaus , Vieira Joaquin , Vizgan David , Weiß Axel 
Published: December 2023

Context. Deep spectroscopic surveys with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) have revealed that some of the brightest infrared sources in the sky correspond to concentrations of submillimeter galaxies (SMGs) at high redshift. Among these, the SPT2349-56 protocluster system is amongst the most extreme examples given its high source density and integrated star formation rate.
Aims. We conducted a deep Lyman-α line emission survey around SPT2349-56 using the Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) at the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in order to characterize this uniquely dense environment.
Methods. Taking advantage of the deep three-dimensional nature of this survey, we performed a sensitive search for Lyman-α emitters (LAEs) toward the core and northern extension of the protocluster, which correspond to the brightest infrared regions in this field. Using a smoothed narrowband image extracted from the MUSE datacube around the protocluster redshift, we searched for possible extended structures.
Results. We identify only three LAEs at z = 4.3 in this field. This number is lower than expectations for blank fields, and is significantly lower than the number of previously identified SMGs in this system. We find an extended Lyman-α structure of about 60 × 60 kpc2 in size located 56 kpc east of the protocluster core. Three SMGs coincide spatially with the location of this structure. All the other SMGs are undetected in Lyman-α emission, which is consistent with the conspicuous dust obscuration in these systems. We conclude that either the three co-spatial SMGs or the protocluster core itself are feeding ionizing photons to the Lyman-α structure.
Surveys of clumps, cores, and condensations in Cygnus-X
Authors: Pan Xing , Qiu Keping , Yang Kai , Cao Yue , Zhang Xu 
Published: December 2023

Context.Theories and models have suggested that circumstellar disks could channel material to the central protostar, and resist star formation feedback. Our current knowledge of the picture and role of disks around massive protostars is unclear because the observational evidence of these circumstellar disks is limited.Aims.To investigate whether disk-mediated accretion is the primary mechanism in high-mass star formation, we have established a survey of a large sample of massive dense cores within a giant molecular cloud.Methods.We used high angular resolution (~1.8″) observations with SMA to study the dust emission and molecular line emission of about 50 massive dense cores in Cygnus-X. At a typical distance of 1.4 kpc for Cygnus-X, these massive dense cores are resolved into ~2000 au condensations. We combined the CO outflow emission and gas kinematics traced by several high-density tracers to search for disk candidates.Results.We extracted hundreds of dust condensations from the SMA 1.3 mm dust continuum emission. The CO data show bipolar or unipolar outflow signatures toward 49 dust condensations. Among them, only 27 sources are detected in dense gas tracers, which reveals the gas kinematics, and nine sources show evidence of rotating envelopes, suggesting the existence of embedded accretion disks. The position-velocity diagrams along the velocity gradient of all rotating condensations suggest that four condensations are possible to host Keplerian-like disks.Conclusions.A detailed investigation of the 27 sources detected in dense gas tracers suggests that the nine disk candidates are at earlier evolutionary stages compared to the remaining 18 sources. Non-detection of rotating disks in our sample may be due to several factors, including an unknown inclination angle of the rotation axis and an early evolutionary stage of the central source, and the latter could be important, considering that young and powerful outflows could confuse the observational evidence for rotation. The detection rate of disk candidates in our sample is 1/3, which confirms that disk accretion is a viable mechanism for high-mass star formation, although it may not be the only one.
Constraining the H2 column densities in the diffuse interstellar medium using dust extinction and H I data
Authors: Skalidis R. , Goldsmith P. F. , Hopkins P. F. , Ponnada S. B. 
Published: December 2023

Context. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poor tracer of H2 in the diffuse interstellar medium (ISM), where most of the carbon is not incorporated into CO molecules, unlike the situation at higher extinctions.
Aims. We present a novel, indirect method for constraining H2 column densities (NH2) without employing CO observations. We show that previously recognized nonlinearities in the relation between the extinction, AV (H2), derived from dust emission and the H I column density (NH I) are due to the presence of molecular gas.
Methods. We employed archival (NH2) data, obtained from the UV spectra of stars, and calculated AV(H2) toward these sight lines using 3D extinction maps. The following relation fits the data: log NH2 = 1.38742 (log AV(H2))3 − 0.05359 (log AV(H2))2 + 0.25722 log AV(H2) + 20.67191. This relation is useful for constraining NH2 in the diffuse ISM as it requires only NH I and dust extinction data, which are both easily accessible. In 95% of the cases, the estimates produced by the fitted equation have deviations of less than a factor of 3.5. We constructed a NH2 map of our Galaxy and compared it to the CO integrated intensity (WCO) distribution.
Results. We find that the average ratio (XCO) between NH2 and WCO is approximately equal to 2 × 1020 cm−2 (K km s−1 )−1, consistent with previous estimates. However, we find that the XCO factor varies by orders of magnitude on arcminute scales between the outer and the central portions of molecular clouds. For regions with NH2 ≳ 1020 cm−2, we estimate that the average H2 fractional abundance, fH2 = 2 NH2/(2NH2 + NH I), is 0.25. Multiple (distinct) largely atomic clouds are likely found along high-extinction sightlines (AV ≥ 1 mag), hence limiting fH2 in these directions.
Conclusions. More than 50% of the lines of sight with NH2 ≥ 1020 cm−2 are untraceable by CO with a J = 1−0 sensitivity limit WCO = 1 K km s−1.
Robotic-assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty Technology Provides a Repeatable and Reproducible Method of Assessing Soft Tissue Balance
Authors: Scholl Laura Y , Hampp Emily L. , Caba Melanie , Azhar Ali , Hameed Daniel , Dubin Jeremy , Crutcher James P. , Mont Michael A. , Mahoney Ormonde M. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractSoft-tissue balancing is an important factor in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA), with 30 to 50% of TKA revisions attributed to technical operative factors including soft-tissue balancing. Robotic-assisted TKA (RATKA) offers opportunities for improved soft-tissue balancing methods. This study aimed to evaluate the repeatability and reproducibility of ligamentous laxity assessments during RATKA using a digital tensioner.Three experienced RATKA surgeons assessed preresection and trialing phases of 12 human cadaveric knees with varying degrees of arthritis. Ligamentous laxity was assessed with manual varus and valgus stresses in extension and flexion, with a digital tensioner providing feedback on the change of laxity displacement. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analyses were used to determine the repeatability within a single surgeon and reproducibility between the three surgeons.The results showed excellent repeatability and reproducibility in ligamentous laxity assessment during RATKA. Surgeons had excellent repeatability for preresection and trialing assessments, with median ICC values representing excellent reproducibility between surgeons. Surgeons were repeatable within 1 or 1.5 mm for preresection and trialing assessments. On average, the variation within a surgeon was 0.33 ± 0.26 mm during preresection and 0.29 ± 0.28 mm during trialing. When comparing surgeons to each other, they were reproducible within an average of 0.69 ± 0.33 mm for preresection and 0.65 ± 0.31 mm for trialing.This study demonstrated the reliability of robotic-assisted soft-tissue balancing techniques, providing control over ligamentous laxity assessments, and potentially leading to better patient outcomes. The digital tensioner used in this study provided excellent repeatability and reproducibility in ligamentous laxity assessment during RATKA, highlighting the potential benefits of incorporating robotics in TKA procedures.
Remotely piloted aircraft systems: the introduction of the ‘flying watchtower’
Authors: Antrobus Sophy 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThis commentary will contest that a lack of deep critical thinking on the nature of air power and its relationship with those it overflies, surveils, and bombs by air power practitioners can lead to a void in engagement with the public and create distrust. It will discuss how the unique characteristics of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) are critical to understanding their specific impact on those they overfly and their characterisation as ‘flying watchtowers’. The introduction of Predator and Reaper aircraft into the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) inventory will be used as a case study to explore this contention and to argue that the RAF and the Ministry of Defence should communicate more thoroughly and proactively about new technologies than they have done in the recent past. The paper will then consider what implications this might have for the introduction of future technologies. In doing so, it will highlight the importance of capturing lessons from the RAF’s recent experience of ‘wars of choice’ and counter-insurgency, however diverting the current global security challenges may be. In the context of the proposed new human right to protect the freedom to live without physical or psychological threat from above, recent research has demonstrated that the particular characteristics of RPAS may impact the mental health of those they surveil. This in turn may have implications both in terms of the behaviours it incites and considerations of proportionality in targeting decisions.
¿Acercamiento solidario vs. distanciamiento respetuoso?
Authors: Fernández-García Francisco 
Published: December 2023

ResumenA partir de un análisis inicial sobre la naturaleza del acto de habla de invitación y sus relaciones con la (des)cortesía, el presente trabajo contrasta la percepción que hablantes españoles e ingleses tienen sobre dicho acto de habla, con el objetivo de determinar si existen patrones de variación cultural y, en su caso, también de variación social, en este sentido. El análisis, que combina metodología cuantitativa y cualitativa, parte de las respuestas a un cuestionario por 240 informantes (cuidadosamente seleccionados conforme a su procedencia geográfica, edad, sexo y formación académica), a quienes se les muestran dos variantes de un diálogo con una secuencia invitación–rechazo justificado–insistencia en la invitación. Los resultados obtenidos confirman la esperable existencia de diferencias culturales, si bien solo parcialmente coincidentes con los perfiles tradicionalmente descritos por la bibliografía especializada, además de la presencia de parámetros bastante definidos de variación social, tanto transculturales como específicos de una u otra cultura.