bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ocean temperatures and ITCZ migrations triggered cyclone-frequency variations during the Holocene
Authors: Schmitt Dominik , Gischler Eberhard , Melles Martin , Wennrich Volker , Behling Hermann , Shumilovskikh Lyudmila , Anselmetti Flavio , Vogel Hendrik , Peckmann Jörn , Birgel Daniel 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Blue holes (marine sinkholes) are remarkable archives for past cyclone-frequency reconstructions, as they work as formidable natural sediment traps over periods of several millennia. Tropical cyclones (TC) mobilize allochthonous particles from adjacent areas during their passages. In the Belizean “Great Blue Hole”, these particles become repeatedly redeposited under anoxic bottom-water conditions as coarse-grained event-layers within annually-layered bottom sediments. Chronological counts of these event deposits allow to develop long-term statistics of TC-frequency, exceeding the short range of instrumental TC-monitoring (73-years). In view of an intensifying modern global climate change, it is crucial to understand processes of climate forcing, that naturally alter TC-frequency on centennial to millennial time scales. Here we show, that a mid-Holocene (6.0-4.8 ka BP) climate restructuring entailed substantial changes for south-western Caribbean TC-frequency. We applied a multi-proxy-approach to the 30-m-long sediment core BH8, in order to identify 694 tempestites and developed a 12500-years-long history of storm activity. These data, for the first time, allow to compare frequency statistics with ocean temperatures and Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) migrations for the entire Holocene interglacial. Our results demonstrate, that an insolation-controlled relocation of Atlantic warm-pools and a subsequent southward displacement of the ITCZ triggered a 6500-years-lasting rise of south-western Caribbean cyclone-frequency.
Measurement of ECM stiffness and liver cancer radiosensitivity using shear- wave-based elasticity in millimeter-sized 3D culture models
Authors: Lu Shao-Lun , Pei Yu , Liu Wei-Wen , Han Kun , Cheng Jason Chia-Hsien , Li Pai-Chi 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background The stiffness of the tumor microenvironment (TME) directly influences cellular behaviors. Radiotherapy (RT) is a common treatment for solid tumors, but the TME can impact its efficacy. In the case of liver cancer, clinical observations have shown that tumors within a cirrhotic, stiffer background respond less to RT, suggesting that the extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness plays a critical role in the development of radioresistance. Methods This study explored the effects of ECM stiffness and the inhibition of lysyl oxidase (LOX) isoenzymes on the radiosensitivity of liver cancer in a millimeter-sized three-dimensional (3D) culture. We constructed a cube-shaped ECM-based millimeter-sized hydrogel containing Huh7 human liver cancer cells. By modulating the collagen concentration, we produced two groups of samples with different ECM stiffnesses to mimic the clinical scenarios of normal and cirrhotic livers. We used a single-transducer system for shear-wave-based elasticity measurement, to derive Young’s modulus of the 3D cell culture to investigate how the ECM stiffness affects radiosensitivity. This is the first demonstration of a workflow for assessing radiosensitivity in a millimeter-sized 3D culture. Results A higher ECM stiffness was associated with decreased radiosensitivity. Moreover, sonoporation-aided LOX inhibition with BAPN (β-aminopropionitrile monofumarate) significantly decreased the initial ECM stiffness and increased RT-induced cell death. Inhibiting LOX reduced the ECM stiffness, particularly when the ECM was stiffer. Importantly, combining LOX inhibition with RT sensitized cirrhotic liver cancer cells to irradiation-induced DNA damage, leading to a significant increase in radiosensitivity. Furthermore, LOX inhibition can be combined with sonoporation to overcome stiffness-related radioresistance, potentially leading to better treatment outcomes for patients with liver cancer. Conclusions This study reveals the critical role of ECM stiffness in liver cancer radioresistance. Sonoporation-aided LOX inhibition emerges as a promising strategy to mitigate stiffness-related resistance, offering potential improvements in liver cancer treatment outcomes.
Farm management has a greater impact on common bean rhizobia diversity and abundance than rainfed treatment
Authors: Canto Arantza del , Heath Katy Denise , Grillo Michael , Heras Jonathan , Lacuesta Maite , Saez Alvaro Sanz 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Drought is one of the biggest problems for crop production and affects the survival and persistence of soil rhizobia. The reduced presence of rhizobia limits the establishment of symbiosis and endangers the productivity of legumes, which is the main source of plant protein worldwide. Thus, the preservation of soil microbial diversity increases the likelihood of stress-tolerant rhizobia and the potential for effective symbiotic relationships, improving crop resilience to stresses.
Aim Since the biodiversity can be affected by several factors including abiotic stresses or cultural practices, the objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of water availability, plant genotypes and agricultural management on the presence, nodulation capacity and genotypic diversity of rhizobia.
Method A field experiment was conducted with twelve common bean genotypes under irrigation and rain-fed conditions, bothin conventional and organic management. Estimation of the number of viable rhizobia present in soils was performed before the crop establishment, whereas the crop yield, nodule number and the strain diversity of bacteria present in nodules were determined at postharvest.
Results Drought reduced the number of nodules and of isolated bacteria and their genetic diversity, although to a lesser extent than the agrochemical inputs related to conventional management. In addition, the crop yield showed positive correlation with the number of nodules and the diversity of isolated strains.
Conclusions The maintenance of diversity will be a key factor to maintain crop production in the future, as problems caused by drought will be exacerbated by climate change.
Association between amino-acid metabolisms and cardiovascular disease in adults with type 2 diabetes: a population-based cross-sectional study in China and UK Association between amino-acid and CVDs
Authors: Su Jingyang , Xie Peng-Zhe , Wang Shu-Qi , Li Yang , Wang Jiao , Wang Wan-Ying , Zhang Wei , Xu Wei-Li , Zhang Qiang , Fang Zhong-Ze 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Objective
We aimed to identify which amino acids are associated with CVDs in adults with type 2 diabetes and compare the results in two different populations.
Method
This study consisted of two study populations, 718 participants with type 2 diabetes aged 18 to 89 were from Dalian metabolomics research (DMR), and 11,002 participants with type 2 diabetes aged 40 to 70 years were from the UK biobank (UKB). Type 2 diabetes and CVDs were defined using self-reported medical history and medical records. Plasma amino-acid metabolites including alanine (Ala), glutamine (Gln), glycine (Gly), histidine (His), leucine (Leu), phenylalanine (Phe), tyrosine (Tyr), and valine (Val) were assessed through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry or high-throughput nucleic magnetic resonance spectroscopy metabolomic analysis. Stepwise logistic regression was used in data analysis.
Results
Among DMR participants, 74 (10.31%) had CVDs, and 1607 (14.61%) in UKB. In multi-adjusted logistic regression, Ala was positively associated with CVDs both in DMR (β = 0.048, 95% CI: 0.022– 0.074) and UKB (β = 0.009, 95% CI: 0.000– 0.018) participants. Lower Tyr was associated with CVDs in DMR (β=-0.035, 95% CI: -0.061– -0.008), while lower Gly (β=-0.017, 95% CI: -0.026– -0.007) and Val (β= -0.031 95% CI: -0.026– -0.007), and higher Gln (β = 0.010, 95% CI: 0.002– 0.018) and Leu (β = 0.024, 95% CI: 0.007– 0.041) were associated with CVDs in UKB.
Conclusions
High Ala may be an indicator for CVDs in DMR and UKB participants with type 2 diabetes. Tyr, Gly, Val, or Leu is associated with CVDs in type 2 diabetes among DMR/UKB participants.
Adaptive Modulation in STBC AssistedMIMO-OFDM System using Preamble-BasedSNR Estimator
Authors: Manzoor Shahid , Othman Noor Shamsiah 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

This paper presents a preamble-based time domain SNR estimator for an adaptive modulation of STBC assisted MIMO-OFDM system employing \(M\)-PSK. The modified Constant Amplitude Zero Autocorrelation (CAZAC) preamble structure is exploited in the preamble-based time domain SNR estimator, which exhibits estimated SNR difference of about 0.09 dB compares to the actual SNR for SUI-5 channel. It is observed that the difference between the estimated SNR using the CAZAC-MIMO SNR estimator and the actual SNR is smaller compared to that of the estimated SNR using the benchmarking SNR estimator and its performance is further improved as the diversity order of the system increases. The proposed adaptive modulation of STBC assisted MIMO-OFDM system achieves BER and channel throughput improvement, benefited from the employment of the proposed SNR estimator. At BER\(=10^{-4}\), the proposed adaptive modulation system outperforms the corresponding non-adaptive system employing 8-PSK by about 2 dB. Meanwhile, the performance comparison between the proposed adaptive modulation system and the corresponding adaptive modulation of single-input single-output (SISO)-OFDM system demonstrated significant BER and channel throughput improvement, benefiting from spatial diversity of \(2 \times 2\) MIMO-OFDM system.
Simultaneous quantification of 39 pesticide and veterinary drug residues in aquaculture products using ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with modified QuEChERS
Authors: Li Shuo , Liu Yijun , Jiang Dan , Liu Mengyao , Ding Jian , Yang Liu , Xia Hu 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

A high throughput quantification multi-residues method for the simultaneous detection of 39 pesticides and veterinary drugs in aquaculture products were developed by using Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) with modified QuEChERS (quick、easy、cheap、effective、rugged、safe). In order to balance recovery and detection efficiency, several parameters were optimized, including extracting, clarification, and purification. Chromatographic conditions were optimized to given run time of ＜ 13 min. Six representative matrices (muscle tissues of yellow croaker, pomfret, shrimp, white shell, flower shell, razor clam) show applicability with all target analytes showed recoveries (60.3%~119.0%) and acceptable precision (4.3%~20.8%). Furthermore, detection limits (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) in the range of 1.0 ~ 5.0 µg/kg and 3.0 ~ 10.0 µg/kg, respectively, that providing a practical safety quantification method for internal risk controlling by aquaculture.
The application of matching pursuit spectral blueing in post-stack seismic frequency enhancement
Authors: Jin xuebin , Li bingxi , Zhang zhenguo , Lei maosheng 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

The calculation of the spectral blue operator in the traditional spectral blue scaling method has singularity, and when applied to poststack seismic, it can be observed that the scaling effect is not good by observing seismic profiles and seismic spectra. To this end, a frequency spreading technique based on matching pursuit(MP) and spectral bluening is proposed. Through time-frequency analysis processing, it is shown that the seismic signal extracted by matching tracking method has good stability and higher resolution. The specific process of the method in this paper firstly uses the matching tracking method to accurately divide the post-stack seismic data into multiple frequency-division seismic bodies; Then, in the process of calculating the spectral blue ization operators for each frequency band, the weighting idea is used to calculate the weights of the optimized spectral blue ization operators for each frequency band based on the differences in energy in different frequency bands; Finally, the optimized spectral blue operator is convolved with seismic reflection coefficients to obtain high-resolution seismic data. The actual test results of poststack seismic data have proven that the frequency raising method proposed in this paper is superior to the traditional spectral blue ization algorithm, greatly improving the high-frequency component information of poststack seismic data. After frequency extension, there are more seismic events and higher resolution. Finally, the practicability and rationality of the seismic data after frequency extraction are verified by a series of operations such as attribute extraction, well seismic calibration and inversion.
Multi-component cocktail designing to develop a cost effective second generation bioconversion technology
Authors: Agrawal Dhruv , Raheja Yashika , Basotra Neha , Tsang Adrian , Pal Sidhartha , Chadha Bhupinder Singh 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

In this study, the recombinant fungal auxiliary and accessory enzymes derived from thermophilic/thermotolerant fungi and heterologously expressed in methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris X33 were evaluated to modulate the hydrolytic efficiency of most advanced cellulase preparation (i.e. Cellic CTec3). The saccharification of diluted acid pre-treated unwashed rice straw slurry obtained from PRAJ and IOCL Industries was carried out using combinations of recombinant proteins & Cellic CTec3, in which the recombinant proteins of Scytalidium thermophilum CM-4T, PMO9D_SCYTH (LPMO), XYL43B_SCYTH (β-xylosidase) and FAED_SCYTH (feruloyl esterase) were found to enhance the saccharification at maximum level when they were supplemented to the Cellic CTec3 (~2.3 mg protein/g substrate) preparation. Employing simplex-lattice mixture design an optimized cocktail of PMO9D_SCYTH, XYL43B_SCYTH & FAED_SCYTH and Cellic CTec3 was designed for saccharification. It was found that the mixture containing [PMO9D_SCYTH: 33.4%; XYL43B_SCYTH: 33.4%; & FAED_SCYTH: 33.4%] optimally hydrolyzed unwashed acid steam pretreated rice straw slurry obtained from PRAJ Industry, showed 70.39% saccharification efficiency (glucan+xylan), while mixture containing [PMO9D_SCYTH: 16.70%; XYL43B_SCYTH: 16.70%; & FAED_SCYTH: 66.70%] was found optimum for the hydrolysis of unwashed rice straw slurry obtained from IOCL Industry showing 84.46% saccharification efficiency (glucan+xylan).
Xylazine Co-occurrence with Illicit Fentanyl is a Growing Threat in the Deep South: A Retrospective Study of Decedent Data
Authors: Bradford William , Figgatt Mary , Scott Karen , Marshall Stacy , Eaton Ellen , Dye Daniel 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background. Xylazine is a dangerous veterinary sedative found mainly in illicit fentanyl in the Northeast and Midwest. Its role in the Deep South overdose crisis is not well-characterized.
Methods. We conducted a retrospective review of autopsy data in Jefferson County, Alabama to identify trends in xylazine prevalence among people who fatally overdosed from June 2019 through June 2023.
Results. 165 decedents met inclusion criteria. While the first identified xylazine-associated overdose was in June 2019, xylazine has become consistently prevalent since January 2021. All cases of xylazine-associated fatal overdoses were accompanied by fentanyl, and most (75.4%) involved poly-drug stimulant use. The average age was 42.2, and most decedents were white (58.8%) and male (68.5%). Overall, 18.2% of people were unhoused at the time of death.
Discussion. Xylazine is prevalent in the Deep South. Efforts to promote harm reduction, publicly viewable drug supply trends, and legalization of drug checking and syringe service programs should be prioritized.
Monoclonal antibodies targeting cytotoxic α-synuclein oligomers: molecular properties and diagnostic potential
Authors: Otzen Daniel , Nielsen Janni , Lauritsen Johanne , Pedersen Jannik , Nowak Jan , Bendtsen Malthe , Kleijwegt Giulia , Schneider Matthias , Krainer Georg , Knowles Tuomas , Goksøyr Louise , Khalifé Paul , Kaalund Sanne , Aznar Susana , Kjærgaard Magnus , Nielsen Morten , Sander Frederik , Romero-Ramos Marina 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn) is critical to the development of synucleinopathies such as Parkinson’s Disease (PD), yet we do not have any effective therapy against these diseases. α-syn accumulates as insoluble amyloid in intracellular Lewy Bodies (LBs) but also forms soluble αSOs (αSOs) which are thought to be even more cytotoxic than fibrils. We lack tools to detect and block the unwanted activities of these αSOs. To address this, we have raised monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against different forms of αSOs, ranging from unmodified αSOs to species stabilized by lipid peroxidation products and polyphenols, αSOs formed by C-terminally truncated α-syn, and multivalent display of α-syn on capsid virus-like particles (cVLPs). Here we report on the general biophysical and immunohistochemical properties of 30 anti-αSO mAbs obtained in this fashion. Our analysis includes direct measurement of in-solution affinity to monomeric α-syn and αSOs using Flow-Induced Dispersion Analysis, which avoids immobilization artifacts associated with ELISA. While the mAbs generally show a preference for αSOs, they also bind fibrils, but to variable extents. Overall, we observe great diversity in the mAbs’ relative affinities for monomers and αSOs, varied requirements for the C-terminal extension of α-syn, and only a modest effect on α-syn fibrillation. Several mAbs show several orders of magnitude preference for αSOs over monomers in in-solution studies, in contrast to the commercial antibody MJF14 which only bound 10-fold more strongly to αSOs than monomeric α-syn. Gratifyingly, seven mAbs almost completely block αSO permeabilization of membrane vesicles. 16 mAbs were analyzed for binding to brain sections from rats overexpressing human α-syn in the nigro-striatal pathway, and the five most promising were further investigated for their ability to recognize α-syn aggregates in human brain tissue. All five mAbs identified α-syn-related pathologies like LBs and Lewy Neurites, as well as Glial Cytoplasmic Inclusions in postmortem brains from people diagnosed for PD, dementia with LBs and multiple system atrophy, although to different extents. We have identified three mAbs as particularly useful for pathological evaluation of postmortem brain human tissue, including the early stages of PD. Although there was no straightforward connection between the individual mAbs’ biophysical and immunohistochemical properties, it is encouraging that a large collection of mAbs able to recognize different aggregated α-syn species in vitro also hold diagnostic potential.
Non-communicable diseases comorbidity among HIV Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy in Sidama Region, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Jember Dawit , Belayneh Fanuel , Abuka Teshome , Mengesha Selamawit , Tsegaw Desalegn 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background: Improved HIV treatments have made the disease manageable, yet longer lifespans raise non-communicable disease (NCD) comorbidity. Limited data exists on the magnitude of NCD comorbidity and its factors. This study aimed to study NCD comorbidity among people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (HUCSH).
Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study at HUCSH's ART clinic in Sidama Region, Ethiopia, collected data from 474 HIV-positive adults aged 18 years and above from January 1 to March 31, 2019. The study subjects were selected using systematic random sampling. The NCD comorbidity was assessed using blood glucose and pressure measurements. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire based on the WHO STEP questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 27. Logistic regression was employed to determine factors associated with NCD comorbidity among HIV-positive adults.
Results: The magnitude of NCD comorbidity among HIV clients receiving ART was 26.3% (95% CI: 22.3% - 30.6%). Higher odds of NCD comorbidity were observed in individuals aged 36–50 years (AOR: 3.77; 95% CI: 1.95, 7.30) and above 50 years (AOR: 5.14; 95% CI: 2.29, 11.53). Overweight (AOR: 3.00; 95% CI: 1.77, 5.09), obesity (AOR: 4.21; 95% CI: 2.05, 8.65), and alcohol use (AOR: 3.62; 95% CI: 1.42, 9.25) showed increased odds of NCD comorbidity.
Conclusion: The study found high NCD comorbidity in HIV patients on ART, linked to age, weight, alcohol use, and central obesity. Integrating NCD screenings into HIV care and targeted interventions for weight and alcohol control can reduce the NCD burden.
Utilizing Machine Learning to Predict Neurological Injury in Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Patients: An Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry Analysis
Authors: Kalra Andrew , Bachina Preetham , Shou Benjamin L. , Hwang Jaeho , Barshay Meylakh , Kulkarni Shreyas , Sears Isaac , Eickhoff Carsten , Bermudez Christian A. , Brodie Daniel , Ventetuolo Corey E. , Whitman Glenn J. R. , Abbasi Adeel , Cho Sung-Min 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background: Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) is associated with acute brain injury (ABI), including central nervous system (CNS) ischemia (defined as ischemic stroke or hypoxic-ischemic brain injury) and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). There is limited data on prediction models for ABI and neurological outcomes in VV-ECMO.
Research Question: Can machine learning (ML) accurately predict ABI and identify modifiable factors of ABI in VV-ECMO?
Study Design and Methods: We analyzed adult (≥18 years) VV-ECMO patients in the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry (2009-2021) from 676 centers. ABI was defined as CNS ischemia, ICH, brain death, and seizures. Overall, 65 total variables were extracted including clinical characteristics and pre-ECMO and on-ECMO variables. Random Forest, CatBoost, LightGBM, and XGBoost ML algorithms (10-fold leave-one-out cross-validation) were used to predict ABI. Feature Importance Scores were used to pinpoint variables most important for predicting ABI.
Results: Of 37,473 VV-ECMO patients (median age=48.1 years, 63% male), 2,644 (7.1%) experienced ABI: 610 (2%) and 1,591 (4%) experienced CNS ischemia and ICH, respectively. The median ECMO duration was 10 days (interquartile range=5-20 days). The area under the receiver-operating characteristics curves to predict ABI, CNS ischemia, and ICH were 0.67, 0.63, and 0.70, respectively. The accuracy, positive predictive, and negative predictive values for ABI were 79%, 15%, and 95%, respectively. ML identified pre-ECMO cardiac arrest as the most important risk factor for ABI while ECMO duration and bridge to transplantation as an indication for ECMO were associated with lower risk of ABI.
Interpretation: This is the first study to use machine learning to predict ABI in a large cohort of VV-ECMO patients. Performance was sub-optimal due to the low reported prevalence of ABI with lack of standardization of neuromonitoring/imaging protocols and data granularity in the ELSO Registry. Standardized neurological monitoring and imaging protocols may improve machine learning performance to predict ABI.