bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intense exercise increases dopamine transporter and neuromelanin concentrations in the substantia nigra in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: de Laat Bart , Hoye Jocelyn , Stanley Gelsina , Hespeler Michelle , Ligi Jennifer , Mohan Varsha , Wooten Dustin W. , Zhang Xiaomeng , Nguyen Thanh D. , Key Jose , Colonna Giulia , Huang Yiyun , Nabulsi Nabeel , Patel Amar , Matuskey David , Morris Evan D. , Tinaz Sule 
Published: February 2024

AbstractParkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons. Exercise has been reported to slow the clinical progression of PD. We evaluated the dopaminergic system of patients with mild and early PD before and after a six-month program of intense exercise. Using18F-FE-PE2I PET imaging, we measured dopamine transporter (DAT) availability in the striatum and substantia nigra. Using NM-MRI, we evaluated the neuromelanin content in the substantia nigra. Exercise reversed the expected decrease in DAT availability into a significant increase in both the substantia nigra and putamen. Exercise also reversed the expected decrease in neuromelanin concentration in the substantia nigra into a significant increase. These findings suggest improved functionality in the remaining dopaminergic neurons after exercise. Further research is needed to validate our findings and to pinpoint the source of any true neuromodulatory and neuroprotective effects of exercise in PD in large clinical trials.
Rain may improve survival from direct lightning strikes to the human head
Authors: Machts René , Hunold Alexander , Drebenstedt Christian , Rock Michael , Leu Carsten , Haueisen Jens 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThere is evidence that humans can survive a direct lightning strike to the head. Our question is: could water (rain) on the skin contribute to an increase in the survival rate? We measure the influence of rain during high-energy direct lightning strikes on a realistic three-compartment human head phantom. We find a lower number of perforations and eroded areas near the lightning strike impact points on the head phantom when rain was applied compared to no rain. Current amplitudes in the brain were lower with rain compared to no rain before a fully formed flashover. We conclude that rain on the scalp potentially contributes to the survival rate of 70–90% due to: (1) lower current exposition in the brain before a fully formed flashover, and (2) reduced mechanical and thermal damage.
Imaging mass cytometry analysis of Becker muscular dystrophy muscle samples reveals different stages of muscle degeneration
Authors: Piñol-Jurado Patricia , Verdú-Díaz José , Fernández-Simón Esther , Domínguez-González Cristina , Hernández-Lain Aurelio , Lawless Conor , Vincent Amy , González-Chamorro Alejandro , Villalobos Elisa , Monceau Alexandra , Laidler Zoe , Mehra Priyanka , Clark James , Filby Andrew , McDonald David , Rushton Paul , Bowey Andrew , Alonso Pérez Jorge , Tasca Giorgio , Marini-Bettolo Chiara , Guglieri Michela , Straub Volker , Suárez-Calvet Xavier , Díaz-Manera Jordi 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBecker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is characterised by fiber loss and expansion of fibrotic and adipose tissue. Several cells interact locally in what is known as the degenerative niche. We analysed muscle biopsies of controls and BMD patients at early, moderate and advanced stages of progression using Hyperion imaging mass cytometry (IMC) by labelling single sections with 17 markers identifying different components of the muscle. We developed a software for analysing IMC images and studied changes in the muscle composition and spatial correlations between markers across disease progression. We found a strong correlation between collagen-I and the area of stroma, collagen-VI, adipose tissue, and M2-macrophages number. There was a negative correlation between the area of collagen-I and the number of satellite cells (SCs), fibres and blood vessels. The comparison between fibrotic and non-fibrotic areas allowed to study the disease process in detail. We found structural differences among non-fibrotic areas from control and patients, being these latter characterized by increase in CTGF and in M2-macrophages and decrease in fibers and blood vessels. IMC enables to study of changes in tissue structure along disease progression, spatio-temporal correlations and opening the door to better understand new potential pathogenic pathways in human samples.
Cardiac arrhythmias classification using photoplethysmography database
Authors: Qananwah Qasem , Ababneh Marwa , Dagamseh Ahmad 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWorldwide, Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death. Patients at high cardiovascular risk require long-term follow-up for early CVDs detection. Generally, cardiac arrhythmia detection through the electrocardiogram (ECG) signal has been the basis of many studies. This technique does not provide sufficient information in addition to a high false alarm potential. In addition, the electrodes used to record the ECG signal are not suitable for long-term monitoring. Recently, the photoplethysmogram (PPG) signal has attracted great interest among scientists as it provides a non-invasive, inexpensive, and convenient source of information related to cardiac activity. In this paper, the PPG signal (online database Physio Net Challenge 2015) is used to classify different cardiac arrhythmias, namely, tachycardia, bradycardia, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular flutter/fibrillation. The PPG signals are pre-processed and analyzed utilizing various signal-processing techniques to eliminate noise and artifacts, which forms a stage of signal preparation prior to the feature extraction process. A set of 41 PPG features is used for cardiac arrhythmias' classification through the application of four machine-learning techniques, namely, Decision Trees (DT), Support Vector Machines (SVM), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNNs), and Ensembles. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) technique is used for dimensionality reduction and feature extraction while preserving the most important information in the data. The results show a high-throughput evaluation with an accuracy of 98.4% for the KNN technique with a sensitivity of 98.3%, 95%, 96.8%, and 99.7% for bradycardia, tachycardia, ventricular flutter/fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia, respectively. The outcomes of this work provide a tool to correlate the properties of the PPG signal with cardiac arrhythmias and thus the early diagnosis and treatment of CVDs.
A detectable change in the air-sea CO2 flux estimate from sailboat measurements
Authors: Behncke Jacqueline , Landschützer Peter , Tanhua Toste 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe sailboat Seaexplorer collected underway sea surface partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) data for 129 days (2018–2021), including an Antarctic circumnavigation. By comparing ensembles of data-driven air-sea CO2 fluxes computed with and without sailboat data and applying a detection algorithm, we show that these sailboat observations significantly increase the regional carbon uptake in the North Atlantic and decrease it in the Southern Ocean. While compensating changes in both basins limit the global effect, the Southern Ocean–particularly frontal regions (40°S–60°S) during summertime—exhibited the largest air-sea CO2 flux changes, averaging 20% of the regional mean. Assessing the sensitivity of the air-sea CO2 flux to measurement uncertainty, the results stay robust within the expected random measurement uncertainty (± 5 μatm) but remain undetectable with a measurement offset of 5 µatm. We thus conclude that sailboats fill essential measurement gaps in remote ocean regions.
Undernutrition in children under five associated with wealth-related inequality in 24 low- and middle-income countries from 2017 to 2022
Authors: Birhanu Frehiwot , Yitbarek Kiddus , Bobo Firew Tekle , Atlantis Evan , Woldie Mirkuzie 
Published: February 2024

AbstractUndernourishment is a persistent public health problem contributing to increased mortality in children under five in low-income countries, likely exacerbated by socio-economic disparities within communities. This paper aimed to examine the effect of wealth-related inequality on undernutrition in children under five in low, lower-middle, and upper-middle-income countries (LMICs). We analyzed cross-sectional data from the demographic and health survey program collected between 2017 and 2022 from 24 LMICs. Children born within 5 years preceding the survey were included in the analysis. Child undernutrition was the dependent variable (measured by stunting, wasting, and underweight) and country-level wealth-based inequality was the independent variable assessed by concentration index values stratified by the World Bank’s income categories. Within country inequality of child undernutrition was determined by concentration index (C) values with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) and sub-group analysis by place of residence and sex of the child. We then fit bootstrapped meta-regression to check the variation in inequality of child undernutrition across different income category countries. The analysis was controlled by potential confounding variables. From the total sample size of 334,502 children included in the study, 35% were undernourished. Wealth-related inequality in child undernutrition was observed in 11 countries, consistently across income categories. Child undernutrition was highly concentrated among the poor households of Türkiye [C: − 0.26, 95% CI − 0.31 to − 0.20], and Cameroon [C: − 0.19, 95% CI − 0.22 to − 0.17], and relatively it was less concentrated among the poor in Liberia [C: − 0.07, 95% CI − 0.11 to − 0.04], and Gambia [C: − 0.07, 95% CI − 0.11 to − 0.04]. There is no difference in undernutrition associated with inequality between the three broad LMIC categories. The wealth-related inequality in child undernutrition within many of the included countries is still very significant. However, the economic category of countries made no difference in explaining wealth-related inequality in child undernutrition. Inter-sectoral collaboration to fight poverty and render special attention to the disadvantaged population segments would potentially help to address the observed inequity.
SOC estimation of lead–carbon battery based on GA-MIUKF algorithm
Authors: Wang Lu , Wang Feng , Xu Liju , Li Wei , Tang Junfeng , Wang Yanyan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe paper proposes a SOC (State of Charge) estimation method for lead–carbon batteries based on the GA-MIUKF algorithm. The GA-MIUKF algorithm combines GA (Genetic Algorithm) for global search and optimization with the MI-UKF (Multi-innovation Unscented Kalman Filter) algorithm for estimating the SOC of lead–carbon batteries. By establishing an equivalent circuit model for the battery, the GA is employed to globally search and optimize the battery model parameters and the noise variance parameters in the MI-UKF algorithm. Comparative analyses with the UKF (Unscented Kalman Filter) algorithms and MI-UKF algorithms reveal that the SOC estimation method based on the GA-MIUKF algorithm yields more accurate results for lead–carbon battery SOC estimation, with an average estimation error of 2.0%. This highlights the efficacy of the proposed approach in enhancing SOC estimation precision.
Falsification of home rapid antigen lateral flow tests during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ray Devashish , Dhami Raenhha , Lecouturier Jan , McGowan Laura J. , Mukherjee Aritra , Vlaev Ivo , Kelly Michael P. , Sniehotta Falko F. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, lateral flow tests (LFTs) were used to regulate access to work, education, social activities, and travel. However, falsification of home LFT results was a concern. Falsification of test results during an ongoing pandemic is a sensitive issue. Consequently, respondents may not answer truthfully to questions about LFT falsification behaviours (FBs) when asked directly. Indirect questioning techniques such as the Extended Crosswise model (ECWM) can provide more reliable prevalence estimates of sensitive behaviors than direct questioning. Here we report the prevalence of LFT FBs in a representative sample in England (n = 1577) using direct questioning (DQ) and the ECWM. We examine the role of demographic and psychological variables as predictors of LFT FBs. We show that the prevalence estimates of the FBs in the DQ condition were significantly lower than the ECWM estimates, e.g., reporting a negative result without conducting a test: 5.7% DQ vs 18.4% ECWM. Moral norms, subjective norms, anticipated regret, perception of risk to self, and trust in government predicted some of the FBs. Indirect questioning techniques can help provide more realistic and higher quality data about compliance with behavioural regulations to government and public health agencies.
An artificial intelligence based abdominal aortic aneurysm prognosis classifier to predict patient outcomes
Authors: Chung Timothy K. , Gueldner Pete H. , Aloziem Okechukwu U. , Liang Nathan L. , Vorp David A. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAbdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) have been rigorously investigated to understand when their clinically-estimated risk of rupture—an event that is the 13th leading cause of death in the US—exceeds the risk associated with repair. Yet the current clinical guideline remains a one-size-fits-all “maximum diameter criterion” whereby AAA exceeding a threshold diameter is thought to make the risk of rupture high enough to warrant intervention. However, between 7 and 23.4% of smaller-sized AAA have been reported to rupture with diameters below the threshold. In this study, we train and assess machine learning models using clinical, biomechanical, and morphological indices from 381 patients to develop an aneurysm prognosis classifier to predict one of three outcomes for a given AAA patient: their AAA will remain stable, their AAA will require repair based as currently indicated from the maximum diameter criterion, or their AAA will rupture. This study represents the largest cohort of AAA patients that utilizes the first available medical image and clinical data to classify patient outcomes. The APC model therefore represents a potential clinical tool to striate specific patient outcomes using machine learning models and patient-specific image-based (biomechanical and morphological) and clinical data as input. Such a tool could greatly assist clinicians in their management decisions for patients with AAA.
Decomposition of the anisotropic strain in 3D-structure GaN layers using Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Takeuchi Kazuma , Ogura Hiroyuki , Hasuike Noriyuki , Kamikawa Takeshi 
Published: February 2024

AbstractStrain engineering for gallium nitride has been studied by many researchers to improve the performance of various devices (i.e., light-emitting diodes, laser diodes, power devices, high electron mobility transistors, and so on). Further miniaturization of gallium nitride devices will clearly continue in the future, and therefore an accurate understanding of the strain state in the devices is essential. However, a measurement technique for axially resolved evaluation of the strain in microareas has not yet been established. In this study, we revealed that the anisotropic strain state induced in c-plane growth gallium nitride is linked to the split state of Raman peaks, which were measured with $$z(xx)\overline{z }$$

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polarized configurations. The anisotropic strain state in c-plane gallium nitride was induced in the 3D-structure by epitaxial lateral overgrowth, which enabled successful performance of our work. This result allowed us to axially decompose the strain in c-plane gallium nitride through Raman spectroscopy and establish a measurement technique for axially resolving the strain. This measurement technique is feasible using a conventional Raman spectrometer. Furthermore, the method was indicated to be applicable to all wurtzite-type crystals, including gallium nitride, silicon carbide, and aluminum nitride. Our work provides a new perspective for understanding the complex strain state in microareas for wurtzite materials. Comprehending the strain state, which strongly affects device performance, will help promote the research and development of III-V semiconductor devices.
Development of a greenhouse gas - air pollution interactions and synergies model for Korea (GAINS-Korea)
Authors: Woo Jung-Hun , Kim Younha , Choi Ki-Chul , Lee Yong-Mi , Jang Youjung , Kim Jinseok , Klimont Zbigniew , Kim Dai-Gon , Lee Jae-Bum , Jin Hyungah , Hu Hyejung , Ahn Young-Hwan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis study aimed to create Greenhouse Gas - Air Pollution Interactions and Synergies (GAINS)-Korea, an integrated model for evaluating climate and air quality policies in Korea, modeled after the international GAINS model. GAINS-Korea incorporates specific Korean data and enhances granularity for enabling local government-level analysis. The model includes source-receptor matrices used to simulate pollutant dispersion in Korea, generated through CAMx air quality modeling. GAINS-Korea's performance was evaluated by examining different scenarios for South Korea. The business as usual scenario projected emissions from 2010 to 2030, while the air quality scenario included policies to reduce air pollutants in line with air quality and greenhouse gas control plans. The maximum feasible reduction scenario incorporated more aggressive reduction technologies along with air quality measures. The developed model enabled the assessment of emission reduction effects by both greenhouse gas and air pollutant emission reduction policies across 17 local governments in Korea, including changes in PM2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 μm) concentration and associated benefits, such as reduced premature deaths. The model also provides a range of visualization tools for comparative analysis among different scenarios, making it a valuable resource for policy planning and evaluation, and supporting decision-making processes.
Utilization of nicking properties of CRISPR-Cas12a effector for genome editing
Authors: Kim Chan Hyoung , Lee Wi-jae , Oh Yeounsun , Lee Youngjeon , Lee Hyomin K. , Seong Jung Bae , Lim Kyung-Seob , Park Sang Je , Huh Jae-Won , Kim Young-Hyun , Kim Kyoung Mi , Hur Junho K. , Lee Seung Hwan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe CRISPR-Cas nickase system for genome editing has attracted considerable attention owing to its safety, efficiency, and versatility. Although alternative effectors to Cas9 have the potential to expand the scope of genome editing, their application has not been optimized. Herein, we used an enhanced CRISPR-Cas12a nickase system to induce mutations by targeting genes in a human-derived cell line. The optimized CRISPR-Cas12a nickase system effectively introduced mutations into target genes under a specific directionality and distance between nickases. In particular, the single-mode Cas12a nickase system can induce the target-specific mutations with less DNA double-strand breaks. By inducing mutations in the Thymine-rich target genes in single- or dual-mode, Cas12a nickase compensates the limitations of Cas9 nickase and is expected to contribute to the development of future genome editing technologies.
Sperm-specific histone H1 in highly condensed sperm nucleus of Sargassum horneri
Authors: Takeuchi Yu , Sato Shinya , Nagasato Chikako , Motomura Taizo , Okuda Shujiro , Kasahara Masahiro , Takahashi Fumio , Yoshikawa Shinya 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSpermatogenesis is one of the most dramatic changes in cell differentiation. Remarkable chromatin condensation of the nucleus is observed in animal, plant, and algal sperm. Sperm nuclear basic proteins (SNBPs), such as protamine and sperm-specific histone, are involved in chromatin condensation of the sperm nucleus. Among brown algae, sperm of the oogamous Fucales algae have a condensed nucleus. However, the existence of sperm-specific SNBPs in Fucales algae was unclear. Here, we identified linker histone (histone H1) proteins in the sperm and analyzed changes in their gene expression pattern during spermatogenesis in Sargassum horneri. A search of transcriptomic data for histone H1 genes in showed six histone H1 genes, which we named ShH1.1a, ShH1b, ShH1.2, ShH1.3, ShH1.4, and ShH1.5. Analysis of SNBPs using SDS-PAGE and LC–MS/MS showed that sperm nuclei contain histone ShH1.2, ShH1.3, and ShH1.4 in addition to core histones. Both ShH1.2 and ShH1.3 genes were expressed in the vegetative thallus and the male and female receptacles (the organs producing antheridium or oogonium). Meanwhile, the ShH1.4 gene was expressed in the male receptacle but not in the vegetative thallus and female receptacles. From these results, ShH1.4 may be a sperm-specific histone H1 of S. horneri.
Radiation effects on retinal layers revealed by OCT, OCT-A, and perimetry as a function of dose and time from treatment
Authors: Tamplin Michelle R. , Wang Jui-Kai , Binkley Elaine M. , Garvin Mona K. , Hyer Daniel E. , Buatti John M. , Boldt H. Culver , Grumbach Isabella M. , Kardon Randy H. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractOptical coherence tomography (OCT) has become a key method for diagnosing and staging radiation retinopathy, based mainly on the presence of fluid in the central macula. A robust retinal layer segmentation method is required for identification of the specific layers involved in radiation-induced pathology in individual eyes over time, in order to determine damage driven by radiation injury to the microvessels and to the inner retinal neurons. Here, we utilized OCT, OCT-angiography, visual field testing, and patient-specific dosimetry models to analyze abnormal retinal layer thickening and thinning relative to microvessel density, visual function, radiation dose, and time from radiotherapy in a cross-sectional cohort of uveal melanoma patients treated with 125I-plaque brachytherapy. Within the first 24 months of radiotherapy, we show differential thickening and thinning of the two inner retinal layers, suggestive of microvessel leakage and neurodegeneration, mostly favoring thickening. Four out of 13 eyes showed decreased inner retinal capillary density associated with a corresponding normal inner retinal thickness, indicating early microvascular pathology. Two eyes showed the opposite: significant inner retinal layer thinning and normal capillary density, indicating early neuronal damage preceding a decrease in capillary density. At later time points, inner retinal thinning becomes the dominant pathology and correlates significantly with decreased vascularity, vision loss, and dose to the optic nerve. Stable multiple retinal layer segmentation provided by 3D graph-based methods aids in assessing the microvascular and neuronal response to radiation, information needed to target therapeutics for radiation retinopathy and vision loss.