bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Machine learning approaches for early detection of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis based on clinical and blood parameters
Authors: Naderi Yaghouti Amir Reza , Zamanian Hamed , Shalbaf Ahmad 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis study aims to develop a machine learning approach leveraging clinical data and blood parameters to predict non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) based on the NAFLD Activity Score (NAS). Using a dataset of 181 patients, we performed preprocessing including normalization and categorical encoding. To identify predictive features, we applied sequential forward selection (SFS), chi-square, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and mutual information (MI). The selected features were used to train machine learning classifiers including SVM, random forest, AdaBoost, LightGBM, and XGBoost. Hyperparameter tuning was done for each classifier using randomized search. Model evaluation was performed using leave-one-out cross-validation over 100 repetitions. Among the classifiers, random forest, combined with SFS feature selection and 10 features, obtained the best performance: Accuracy: 81.32% ± 6.43%, Sensitivity: 86.04% ± 6.21%, Specificity: 70.49% ± 8.12% Precision: 81.59% ± 6.23%, and F1-score: 83.75% ± 6.23% percent. Our findings highlight the promise of machine learning in enhancing early diagnosis of NASH and provide a compelling alternative to conventional diagnostic techniques. Consequently, this study highlights the promise of machine learning techniques in enhancing early and non-invasive diagnosis of NASH based on readily available clinical and blood data. Our findings provide the basis for developing scalable approaches that can improve screening and monitoring of NASH progression.
Mendelian randomization study revealed a gut microbiota-neuromuscular junction axis in myasthenia gravis
Authors: Shi Jiaying , Yi Ming , Xie Shengyu , Wang Zhaokun , Zhang Xinyue , Tan Xiaolan , Tao Dachang , Liu Yunqiang , Yang Yuan 
Published: January 2024

AbstractA growing number of studies have implicated that gut microbiota abundance is associated with myasthenia gravis (MG). However, the causal relationship underlying the associations is still unclear. Here, we aim to investigate the causal effect of gut microbiota on MG using Mendelian randomization (MR) method. Publicly available Genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary-level data for gut microbiota and for MG were extracted. Inverse variance weighted was used as the main method to analyze causality. The robustness of the results was validated with sensitivity analyses. Our results indicated that genetically predicted increased phylum Lentisphaerae (OR = 1.319, p = 0.026), class Lentisphaerae (OR = 1.306, p = 0.044), order Victivallales (OR = 1.306, p = 0.044), order Mollicutes (OR = 1.424, p = 0.041), and genus Faecalibacterium (OR = 1.763, p = 0.002) were potentially associated with a higher risk of MG; while phylum Actinobacteria (OR = 0.602, p = 0.0124), class Gammaproteobacteria (OR = 0.587, p = 0.036), family Defluviitaleaceae (OR = 0.695, p = 0.047), family Peptococcaceae (OR = 0.698, p = 0.029), and family Family XIII (OR = 0.614, p = 0.017) were related to a lower risk of MG. The present study provides genetic evidence for the causal associations between gut microbiota and MG, thus suggesting novel insights into the gut microbiota-neuromuscular junction axis in the pathogenesis of MG.
Josephson radiation threshold detector
Authors: Ali Soragga , Ouyang P. H. , He J. X. , Chai Y. Q. , Wei L. F. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractA Josephson radiation threshold detector (JRTD) that is based on the threshold behaviour of a current bias Josephson junction (CBJJ) is designed and fabricated for infrared radiation (IR@1550nm) detection at low temperatures. To achieve the optimal performance, we develop a binary hypothesis detection method to calibrate Josephson threshold behaviours (i.e. the switching current distributions of the CBJJ with the Al/AlOx/Al junction) in the absence and presence of radiation. In the absence of IR radiation, the junction transitioned with a measurable voltage drop across the junction, and this signal was treated as the events of hypothesis H0. The events of junction transition observed in the presence of the IR radiation served as hypothesis H1. Considering the usual Gaussian noise and based on statistical decision theory, the accumulated data of the measured switching current distributions are processed, and the threshold sensitivity of the demonstrated JRTD device is estimated. The minimum detectable IR radiation power of the proposed detector is approximately 0.74 pW, which corresponds to the photon rate of 5.692 × 106 photons/second. Further optimisation of JRTDs to implement the desired binary detection of a single photon is still a subject of argument, at least theoretically.
One-year outcome of brolucizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration in Japanese patients
Authors: Inoda Satoru , Takahashi Hidenori , Takahashi Ryota , Hashimoto Yuto , Yoshida Hana , Tsukii Rika , Takahashi Hironori , Kawashima Hidetoshi , Yanagi Yasuo 
Published: January 2024

AbstractA new anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agent, brolucizumab, was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2019. We evaluated whether brolucizumab reduces the treatment burden of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) after switching by examining 1-year treatment outcomes in a real-world setting. This retrospective single-institution study included 107 consecutive eyes with nAMD treated with brolucizumab. Among these eyes, 30 with treatment-naïve nAMD and 77 treated with other anti-VEGF agents for more than a year were included. All eyes were managed using a treat and extend (TAE) or modified TAE regimen. The last injection intervals at 52 weeks were 12.9 and 12.1 weeks in the treatment-naïve and switch therapy groups, respectively. Among switch therapy group patients whose pre-switch injection intervals were shorter than 120 days (n = 62 eyes), the injection interval was significantly longer after the switch than before, with a mean difference of 2.7 weeks (P < 0.0001). Intraocular inflammation events occurred in 2 and 7 treatment-naïve and switch therapy patients, respectively. In conclusion, brolucizumab might reduce the treatment burden in patients who required the injection of other anti-VEGF agents with a 120-day interval or shorter, despite a relatively high discontinuation rate due to intraocular inflammation.
Cost-efficient management of peatland to enhance biodiversity in Finland
Authors: Rana Parvez , Christiani Priscillia , Ahtikoski Anssi , Haikarainen Soili , Stenberg Leena , Juutinen Artti , Tolvanen Anne 
Published: January 2024

AbstractPeatlands provide a variety of ecosystem services besides being important ecosystems for biodiversity. Sustainable peatland management requires that its impacts are identified, and all management is allocated in a cost-efficient manner. In this study, we assessed how peatland management influences the habitat suitability of red-listed plant species and the financial performance of management measured as net present value (NPV). The study was done in three landscapes in Finland. We considered four peatland management scenarios i.e., no management activity (NOMANAGE), hydrological restoration (REST), wood harvesting for bioenergy (BIOENERGY), and timber production (TIMBER). The NPVs of different management scenarios were compared to the habitat suitability of red-listed peatland plant species. A cost-impact analysis was used, with TIMBER as a baseline scenario, to find out which alternative scenario would be the most cost-efficient in contributing to habitat suitability. Our study shows that potential habitat areas were significantly different between the scenarios. REST provided the largest potential habitat areas, followed by BIOENERGY, NOMANAGE, and TIMBER. TIMBER provided the best financial performance when low interest rates were used. REST and BIOENERGY were more cost-efficient in enhancing potential habitat areas than NOMANAGE. REST would improve suitable habitats and provide financial benefits when a higher interest rate was used. In conclusion, even a win–win condition could be achieved in some cases (33%), in which higher NPV was achieved simultaneously with improved potential habitat areas. The study provides information for alleviating the economic barriers of restoration and targeting land use and management options cost-efficiently.
Turnover of sex chromosomes in the Lake Tanganyika cichlid tribe Tropheini (Teleostei: Cichlidae)
Authors: Behrens Kristen A. , Zimmermann Holger , Blažek Radim , Reichard Martin , Koblmüller Stephan , Kocher Thomas D. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractSex chromosome replacement is frequent in many vertebrate clades, including fish, frogs, and lizards. In order to understand the mechanisms responsible for sex chromosome turnover and the early stages of sex chromosome divergence, it is necessary to study lineages with recently evolved sex chromosomes. Here we examine sex chromosome evolution in a group of African cichlid fishes (tribe Tropheini) which began to diverge from one another less than 4 MYA. We have evidence for a previously unknown sex chromosome system, and preliminary indications of several additional systems not previously reported in this group. We find a high frequency of sex chromosome turnover and estimate a minimum of 14 turnovers in this tribe. We date the origin of the most common sex determining system in this tribe (XY-LG5/19) near the base of one of two major sub-clades of this tribe, about 3.4 MY ago. Finally, we observe variation in the size of one sex-determining region that suggests independent evolution of evolutionary strata in species with a shared sex-determination system. Our results illuminate the rapid rate of sex chromosome turnover in the tribe Tropheini and set the stage for further studies of the dynamics of sex chromosome evolution in this group.
The Synthesis of carbon dots//zincoxide (CDs/ZnO-H400) by using hydrothermal methods for degradation of ofloxacin antibiotics and reactive red azo dye (RR141)
Authors: Nugroho David , Wannakan Khemika , Nanan Suwat , Benchawattananon Rachadaporn 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe development of photocatalytic powders to remove contaminants from air solutions is an important field of research in the field of environmental conservation. CD/ZnO-H400, a heterogeneous photocatalytic production, is utilized to degrade the reactive red dye and the antibiotic ofloxacin found in wastewater. This study explains the synthesis of carbon dots (CDs) derived from coconut air and zinc oxide (ZnO) using a hydrothermal method at a temperature of 180 °C with a duration of 4 h and subsequently calcinated at a 400 °C temperature for 4 h. This shows a significant improvement in photocatalytic performance due to improved delivery efficiency at the interface. The cost-efficient use of solar energy allows the comprehensive elimination of harmful pollutants through detoxification. The removal of the contaminant takes place through the first-order reaction, with RR141 showing the highest constant rate at 0.03 min−1, while ofloxacin has a constant speed at 0.01 min−1. The photocatalytic stability is measured after five cycles. The study also tested the impact of sunlight on degradation, showing a degrading rate of 98% for RR141 and 96% for ofloxacin. This study displays a new catalyst powder synthesized from carbon dots derived from the air, coconut and ZnO, showing remarkable photoactivity to completely remove harmful dyes and antibiotics from the surrounding environment.
A genome-wide association study reveals the relationship between human genetic variation and the nasal microbiome
Authors: Liu Xiaomin , Tong Xin , Zou Leying , Ju Yanmei , Liu Mingliang , Han Mo , Lu Haorong , Yang Huanming , Wang Jian , Zong Yang , Liu Weibin , Xu Xun , Jin Xin , Xiao Liang , Jia Huijue , Guo Ruijin , Zhang Tao 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe nasal cavity harbors diverse microbiota that contributes to human health and respiratory diseases. However, whether and to what extent the host genome shapes the nasal microbiome remains largely unknown. Here, by dissecting the human genome and nasal metagenome data from 1401 healthy individuals, we demonstrated that the top three host genetic principal components strongly correlated with the nasal microbiota diversity and composition. The genetic association analyses identified 63 genome-wide significant loci affecting the nasal microbial taxa and functions, of which 2 loci reached study-wide significance (p < 1.7 × 10-10): rs73268759 within CAMK2A associated with genus Actinomyces and family Actinomycetaceae; and rs35211877 near POM121L12 with Gemella asaccharolytica. In addition to respiratory-related diseases, the associated loci are mainly implicated in cardiometabolic or neuropsychiatric diseases. Functional analysis showed the associated genes were most significantly expressed in the nasal airway epithelium tissue and enriched in the calcium signaling and hippo signaling pathway. Further observational correlation and Mendelian randomization analyses consistently suggested the causal effects of Serratia grimesii and Yokenella regensburgei on cardiometabolic biomarkers (cystine, glutamic acid, and creatine). This study suggested that the host genome plays an important role in shaping the nasal microbiome.
A wearable sensor and framework for accurate remote monitoring of human motion
Authors: Gießler Maximilian , Werth Julian , Waltersberger Bernd , Karamanidis Kiros 
Published: January 2024

AbstractRemote monitoring and evaluation of human motion during daily life require accurate extraction of kinematic quantities of body segments. Current approaches use inertial sensors that require numerical time differentiation to access the angular acceleration vector, a mathematical operation that greatly increases noise in the acceleration value. Here we introduce a wearable sensor that utilises a spatially defined cluster of inertial measurement units on a rigid base for directly measuring the angular acceleration vector. For this reason, we used computational modelling and experimental data to demonstrate that our new sensor configuration improves the accuracy of tracking angular acceleration vectors. We confirmed the feasibility of tracking human movement by automatic assessment of experimental fall initiation and balance recovery responses. The sensor therefore presents an opportunity to pioneer reliable assessment of human movement and balance in daily life.
DNMT3B PWWP mutations cause hypermethylation of heterochromatin
Authors: Taglini Francesca , Kafetzopoulos Ioannis , Rolls Willow , Musialik Kamila Irena , Lee Heng Yang , Zhang Yujie , Marenda Mattia , Kerr Lyndsay , Finan Hannah , Rubio-Ramon Cristina , Gautier Philippe , Wapenaar Hannah , Kumar Dhananjay , Davidson-Smith Hazel , Wills Jimi , Murphy Laura C , Wheeler Ann , Wilson Marcus D , Sproul Duncan 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe correct establishment of DNA methylation patterns is vital for mammalian development and is achieved by the de novo DNA methyltransferases DNMT3A and DNMT3B. DNMT3B localises to H3K36me3 at actively transcribing gene bodies via its PWWP domain. It also functions at heterochromatin through an unknown recruitment mechanism. Here, we find that knockout of DNMT3B causes loss of methylation predominantly at H3K9me3-marked heterochromatin and that DNMT3B PWWP domain mutations or deletion result in striking increases of methylation in H3K9me3-marked heterochromatin. Removal of the N-terminal region of DNMT3B affects its ability to methylate H3K9me3-marked regions. This region of DNMT3B directly interacts with HP1α and facilitates the bridging of DNMT3B with H3K9me3-marked nucleosomes in vitro. Our results suggest that DNMT3B is recruited to H3K9me3-marked heterochromatin in a PWWP-independent manner that is facilitated by the protein’s N-terminal region through an interaction with a key heterochromatin protein. More generally, we suggest that DNMT3B plays a role in DNA methylation homeostasis at heterochromatin, a process which is disrupted in cancer, aging and Immunodeficiency, Centromeric Instability and Facial Anomalies (ICF) syndrome.
Quantifying Articulatory Working Space in Individuals Surgically Treated for Oral Cancer With Electromagnetic Articulography
Authors: Tienkamp Thomas B. , Rebernik Teja , Halpern Bence M. , van Son Rob J. J. H. , Wieling Martijn , Witjes Max J. H. , de Visscher Sebastiaan A. H. J. , Abur Defne 
Published: January 2024

Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to quantify sentence-level articulatory kinematics in individuals treated for oral squamous cell carcinoma (ITOC) compared to control speakers while also assessing the effect of treatment site (jaw vs. tongue). Furthermore, this study aimed to assess the relation between articulatory–kinematic measures and self-reported speech problems.

Method:

Articulatory–kinematic data from the tongue tip, tongue back, and jaw were collected using electromagnetic articulography in nine Dutch ITOC and eight control speakers. To quantify articulatory kinematics, the two-dimensional articulatory working space (AWS; in mm
2
), one-dimensional anteroposterior range of motion (AP-ROM; in mm), and superior–inferior range of motion (SI-ROM in mm) were calculated and examined. Self-reported speech problems were assessed with the Speech Handicap Index (SHI).

Results:
Compared to a sex-matched control group, ITOC showed significantly smaller AWS, AP-ROM, and SI-ROM for both the tongue tip and tongue back sensor, but no significant differences were observed for the jaw sensor. This pattern was found for both individuals treated for tongue and jaw tumors. Moderate nonsignificant correlations were found between the SHI and the AWS of the tongue back and jaw sensors.

Conclusions:
Despite large individual variation, ITOC showed reduced one- and two-dimensional tongue, but not jaw, movements compared to control speakers and treatment for tongue and jaw tumors resulted in smaller tongue movements. A larger sample size is needed to establish a more generalizable connection between the AWS and the SHI. Further research should explore how these kinematic changes in ITOC are related to acoustic and perceptual measures of speech.
The effects of general relativity on close-in radial-velocity-detected exosystems
Authors: Volpi Mara , Libert Anne-Sophie 
Published: January 2024

Aims. The detection of the first exoplanet around a solar-type star revealed the existence of close-in planets. Several of these close-in planets are part of multi-planet systems. For systems detected via the radial velocity (RV) method, we lack information on the mutual inclination of the orbital planes. The aim of this work is to study the long-term stability of RV-detected two-planet systems with close-in planets and identify possible three-dimensional configurations for these systems that are compatible with observations. To do so, we focused on the protective mechanism of the Lidov-Kozai (LK) secular resonance and studied the effects of general relativity (GR) on long-term evolution.
Methods. By means of an analytical study based on a high-order secular Hamiltonian expansion in the eccentricities and inclinations, we first identified ranges of values for the orbital and mutual inclinations that are compatible with the presence of the LK resonance in the purely gravitational case. Then, adding the secular contribution of the relativistic corrections exerted by the central star on the inner planet, namely the advance of its pericenter precession, we analysed the outcomes of the two sets of simulations. We compared our results to analytical estimates to determine the importance of GR effects.
Results. We find that for the majority of the systems considered, GR strongly affects the dynamics of the system and, most of the time, voids the LK resonance, as observed for GJ 649, GJ 832, HD 187123, HD 190360, HD 217107, and HD 47186. The long-term stability of these systems is then possible whatever the mutual inclination of the orbits. On the contrary, for GJ 682, HD 11964, HD 147018, and HD 9446, the LK resonant region in the parameter space of the orbital and mutual inclinations is left (almost) unchanged when GR effects are considered, and consequently their long-term stability is only possible if the mutual inclination of the orbits is low or if the systems are in the LK regime with a high mutual inclination.
Cataclysmic variables and the disc instability model in the Gaia DR3 colour–magnitude diagram
Authors: Dubus Guillaume , Babusiaux Carine 
Published: January 2024

Context. Cataclysmic variables (CVs) are semi-detached binaries composed of a white dwarf orbiting a lower-mass K or M star.
Aims. We investigate whether CVs are responsible for a new intriguing feature (the “hook”) that appears in the Gaia DR3 colour–magnitude Hertzsprung-Russell diagram (HRD) when selecting sources with low extinction. We also aim to understand the location of CVs in the HRD based on the predictions of the disc instability model (DIM). The DIM forms the foundation of our basic understanding of stable (novae-like) and outbursting CVs (dwarf novae).
Methods. We calculated the expected behaviour of CVs in the Gaia HRD while taking into account the variable light contributed by the accretion disc, the companion, the white dwarf, and the bright spot where the Roche lobe overflow stream from the companion intersects the disc.
Results. We find that the hook feature is most likely composed of CVs. The hook corresponds to the limited region where stable (novae-like) CVs must be located in the HRD according to the DIM. Unstable systems giving rise to dwarf novae outbursts trace counterclockwise loops in the HRD. The overall behaviour is consistent with the location of the various CV subtypes in the HRD.
Conclusions. These results can be used as a basis on which to pinpoint interesting outliers in the HRD, either due to their location or their tracks. These outliers could signal new subtypes, such as cold, stable CVs with truncated discs, or may challenge the disc instability model.
Modification of an N-Methyl Group toward a New Energetic Melt-Castable Material with a Good Energy-Stability Balance
Authors: Zhang Qinghua , Wang Yi , Chen Fang , Song Siwei 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe energy and stability properties of energetic materials are often contradictory to each other (e.g., high energy vs low thermal stability). There is no doubt that it is still challenging to explore the effective balance between energetic performance and molecular stability, especially for melt-castable materials. In this study, we selected the 4-methoxy-3,5-dinitropyrazole framework and a stable nitro group to design a new energetic melt-castable compound, namely 4-methoxy-3,5-dinitro-1-(nitromethyl)-1H-pyrazole (MDNNMP). Compared with the N-methylation product DMDNP and the nitrato-substituted derivative MC-7, MDNNMP exhibits a better balanced performance, including good thermal stability (Td
: 203.7 °C), detonation velocity (Dv
: 8099 m s–1) and impact sensitivity (20 J). The favorable balanced performance of MDNNMP suggests that it is a suitable candidate as a high-performance melt-castable material. Additionally, compared with the nitratomethyl group, the nitromethyl group demonstrates superior advantages in performance regulation.