bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evolutionary success of the thrifty genotype depends on both behavioral adaptations and temporal variability in the food environment
Authors: Batta Erasmo , Stephens Christopher R. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractObesity is a result of a long-term energy imbalance due to decisions associated with energy intake and expenditure. Those decisions fit the definition of heuristics: cognitive processes with a rapid and effortless implementation which can be very effective in dealing with scenarios that threaten an organism’s viability. We study the implementation and evaluation of heuristics, and their associated actions, using agent-based simulations in environments where the distribution and degree of richness of energetic resources is varied in space and time. Artificial agents utilize foraging strategies, combining movement, active perception, and consumption, while also actively modifying their capacity to store energy—a “thrifty gene” effect—based on three different heuristics. We show that the selective advantage associated with higher energy storage capacity depends on both the agent’s foraging strategy and heuristic, as well as being sensitive to the distribution of resources, with the existence and duration of periods of food abundance and scarcity being crucial. We conclude that a ”thrifty genotype” is only beneficial in the presence of behavioral adaptations that encourage overconsumption and sedentariness, as well as seasonality and uncertainty in the food distribution.
A Doppler-exclusive non-invasive computational diagnostic framework for personalized transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Bahadormanesh Nikrouz , Tomka Benjamin , Abdelkhalek Mohamed , Khodaei Seyedvahid , Maftoon Nima , Keshavarz-Motamed Zahra 
Published: May 2023

AbstractGiven the associated risks with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), it is crucial to determine how the implant will affect the valve dynamics and cardiac function, and if TAVR will improve or worsen the outcome of the patient. Effective treatment strategies, indeed, rely heavily on the complete understanding of the valve dynamics. We developed an innovative Doppler-exclusive non-invasive computational framework that can function as a diagnostic tool to assess valve dynamics in patients with aortic stenosis in both pre- and post-TAVR status. Clinical Doppler pressure was reduced by TAVR (52.2 ± 20.4 vs. 17.3 ± 13.8 [mmHg], p < 0.001), but it was not always accompanied by improvements in valve dynamics and left ventricle (LV) hemodynamics metrics. TAVR had no effect on LV workload in 4 patients, and LV workload post-TAVR significantly rose in 4 other patients. Despite the group level improvements in maximum LV pressure (166.4 ± 32.2 vs 131.4 ± 16.9 [mmHg], p < 0.05), only 5 of the 12 patients (41%) had a decrease in LV pressure. Moreover, TAVR did not always improve valve dynamics. TAVR did not necessarily result in a decrease (in 9 out of 12 patients investigated in this study) in major principal stress on the aortic valve leaflets which is one of the main contributors in valvedegeneration and, consequently, failure of heart valves. Diastolic stresses increased significantly post-TAVR (34%, 109% and 81%, p < 0.001) for each left, right and non-coronary leaflets respectively. Moreover, we quantified the stiffness and material properties of aortic valve leaflets which correspond with the reduced calcified region average stiffness among leaflets (66%, 74% and 62%; p < 0.001; N = 12). Valve dynamics post-intervention should be quantified and monitored to ensure the improvement of patient conditions and prevent any further complications. Improper evaluation of biomechanical valve features pre-intervention as well as post-intervention may result in harmful effects post-TAVR in patients including paravalvular leaks, valve degeneration, failure of TAVR and heart failure.
Urban structure reinforces attitudes towards tsunami evacuation
Authors: Makinoshima Fumiyasu , Oishi Yusuke , Imamura Fumihiko 
Published: May 2023

AbstractEvacuation is a critical life-saving action, especially in devastating natural hazards such as near-field tsunamis. However, the development of effective evacuation measures remains challenging to the extent that a successful example has been referred to as a ‘miracle’. Here we show that urban structures have the potential to reinforce attitudes towards evacuation and significantly influence the success of tsunami evacuation. Agent-based evacuation simulations revealed that a distinctive root-like urban structure formed in ria coasts reinforces positive evacuation attitudes by effectively gathering evacuation flows and leads to higher evacuation rates compared to typical grid-like urban structures, which can explain the regional differences in the number of casualties in the 2011 Tohoku tsunami. Although a grid-like structure reinforces negative attitudes under low evacuation tendencies, with leading evacuees, its dense feature helps to propagate positive attitudes and drastically improve evacuation tendencies. These findings pave the way for making successful evacuation inevitable through harmonised urban and evacuation plannings.
Liver-specific overexpression of HKDC1 increases hepatocyte size and proliferative capacity
Authors: Pusec Carolina M. , Ilievski Vladimir , De Jesus Adam , Farooq Zeenat , Zapater Joseph L. , Sweis Nadia , Ismail Hagar , Khan Md Wasim , Ardehali Hossein , Cordoba-Chacon Jose , Layden Brian T. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractA primary role of the liver is to regulate whole body glucose homeostasis. Glucokinase (GCK) is the main hexokinase (HK) expressed in hepatocytes and functions to phosphorylate the glucose that enters via GLUT transporters to become glucose-6-phosphate (G6P), which subsequently commits glucose to enter downstream anabolic and catabolic pathways. In the recent years, hexokinase domain-containing-1 (HKDC1), a novel 5th HK, has been characterized by our group and others. Its expression profile varies but has been identified to have low basal expression in normal liver but increases during states of stress including pregnancy, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and liver cancer. Here, we have developed a stable overexpression model of hepatic HKDC1 in mice to examine its effect on metabolic regulation. We found that HKDC1 overexpression, over time, causes impaired glucose homeostasis in male mice and shifts glucose metabolism towards anabolic pathways with an increase in nucleotide synthesis. Furthermore, we observed these mice to have larger liver sizes due to greater hepatocyte proliferative potential and cell size, which in part, is mediated via yes-associated protein (YAP) signaling.
Alpha radiation from polymetallic nodules and potential health risks from deep-sea mining
Authors: Volz Jessica B. , Geibert Walter , Köhler Dennis , van der Loeff Michiel M. Rutgers , Kasten Sabine 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn search for critical elements, polymetallic nodules at the deep abyssal seafloor are targeted for mining operations. Nodules efficiently scavenge and retain several naturally occurring uranium-series radioisotopes, which predominantly emit alpha radiation during decay. Here, we present new data on the activity concentrations of thorium-230, radium-226, and protactinium-231, as well as on the release of radon-222 in and from nodules from the NE Pacific Ocean. In line with abundantly published data from historic studies, we demonstrate that the activity concentrations for several alpha emitters are often higher than 5 Bq g−1 at the surface of the nodules. These observed values can exceed current exemption levels by up to a factor of 1000, and even entire nodules commonly exceed these limits. Exemption levels are in place for naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) such as ores and slags, to protect the public and to ensure occupational health and radiation safety. In this context, we discuss three ways of radiation exposure from nodules, including the inhalation or ingestion of nodule fines, the inhalation of radon gas in enclosed spaces and the potential concentration of some radioisotopes during nodule processing. Seen in this light, inappropriate handling of polymetallic nodules poses serious health risks.
Bioaccumulation and biomagnifications of toxic metals in tissues of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) from the Mediterranean Sea coast, Egypt
Authors: Abdallah Maha Ahmed Mohamed 
Published: May 2023

AbstractHeavy metal concentrations in the different tissues of marine turtles are presented; the most frequently monitored elements are mercury, cadmium, and lead. Concentrations of Hg, Cd, Pb, and As in different organs and tissues (liver, kidney, muscle tissue, fat tissue, and blood) of loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta from the southeastern Mediterranean Sea were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, Shimadzu and mercury vapor unite (MVu 1A) for Hg measurements. The highest levels of cadmium and arsenic were found in the kidney (Cd: 61.17 µg g−1; As: 0.051 µg g−1 dry weight). For lead, the highest level was found in muscle tissue (35.80 µg g−1). Mercury tended to be higher in the liver than in other tissues and organs (0.253 µg g−1 dry weight) which showed a higher accumulation of this element. Fat tissue generally displays the lowest trace element burdens. The concentrations of As remained low in all the considered tissues, possibly the result of low trophic levels in sea turtles. In contrast, the diet of loggerhead turtles would result in significant exposure to Pb. This is the first study into metal accumulation in the tissues of a loggerhead turtle from the Egyptian Mediterranean coastline.
Microbial communities and their roles in the Cenozoic sulfurous oil reservoirs in the Southwestern Qaidam Basin, Western China
Authors: Jiao Yue , An Liyun , Wang Wei , Ma Jian , Wu Chaodong , Wu Xiaolei 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe latest discovery of sulfurous natural gas marked a breakthrough in the Cenozoic natural gas exploration in the southwestern margin of Qaidam Basin. The 16S rRNA analyses were performed on the crude oil samples from H2S-rich reservoirs in the Yuejin, Shizigou and Huatugou profiles, to understand the sulfurous gas origin, which was also integrated with carbon and hydrogen isotopes of alkane and sulfur isotopes of H2S collected from the Yingxiongling Area. Results show that the microorganisms in samples can survive in the hypersaline reservoirs, and can be classified into multiple phyla, including Proteobacteria, Planctomycetes, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Haloanaerobiaeota. Methanogens are abundant in all of the three profiles, while sulfate-reducing bacteria are abundant in Yuejin and Huatugou profiles, contributing to the methane and H2S components in the natural gas. The carbon, hydrogen and sulfur isotopes of sulfurous natural gas in the Yingxiongling Area show that the natural gas is a mixture of coal-type gas and oil-type gas, which was primarily derived from thermal degradation, and natural gas from the Yuejin and Huatugou profiles also originated from biodegradation. The isotopic analysis agrees well with the 16S rRNA results, i.e., H2S-rich natural gas from the Cenozoic reservoirs in the southwest margin of the Qaidam Basin was primarily of thermal genesis, with microbial genesis of secondary importance.
Ultrasound-Promoted preparation and application of novel bifunctional core/shell Fe3O4@SiO2@PTS-APG as a robust catalyst in the expeditious synthesis of Hantzsch esters
Authors: Shakib Peyman , Dekamin Mohammad G. , Valiey Ehsan , Karami Shahriar , Dohendou Mohammad 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn this work, D-(–)-α-phenylglycine (APG)-functionalized magnetic nanocatalyst (Fe3O4@SiO2@PTS-APG) was designed and successfully prepared in order to implement the principles of green chemistry for the synthesis of polyhydroquinoline (PHQ) and 1,4-dihydropyridine (1,4-DHP) derivatives under ultrasonic irradiation in EtOH. After preparing of the nanocatalyst, its structure was confirmed by different spectroscopic methods or techniques including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The performance of Fe3O4@SiO2@PTS-APG nanomaterial, as a heterogeneous catalyst for the Hantzsch condensation, was examined under ultrasonic irradiation and various conditions. The yield of products was controlled under various conditions to reach more than 84% in just 10 min, which indicates the high performance of the nanocatalyst along with the synergistic effect of ultrasonic irradiation. The structure of the products was identified by melting point as well as FTIR and1H NMR spectroscopic methods. The Fe3O4@SiO2@PTS-APG nanocatalyst is easily prepared from commercially available, lower toxic and thermally stable precursors through a cost-effective, highly efficient and environmentally friendly procedure. The advantages of this method include simplicity of the operation, reaction under mild conditions, the use of an environmentally benign irradiation source, obtaining pure products with high efficiency in short reaction times without using a tedious path, which all of them address important green chemistry principles. Finally, a reasonable mechanism is proposed for the preparation of polyhydroquinoline (PHQ) and 1,4-dihydropyridine (1,4-DHP) derivatives in the presence of Fe3O4@SiO2@PTS-APG bifunctional magnetic nanocatalyst.
Gender specific factors contributing to cognitive resilience in APOE ɛ4 positive older adults in a population-based sample
Authors: Zheng Lidan , Eramudugolla Ranmalee , Cherbuin Nicolas , Drouin Shannon M. , Dixon Roger A. , Anstey Kaarin J. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractAlthough APOE ɛ4 has been identified as the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s Disease, there are some APOE ɛ4 carriers who do not go on to develop Alzheimer’s disease or cognitive impairment. This study aims to investigate factors contributing to this “resilience” separately by gender. Data were drawn from APOE ɛ4 positive participants who were aged 60 + at baseline in the Personality and Total Health Through Life (PATH) Study (N = 341, Women = 46.3%). Participants were categorised into “resilient” and “non-resilient” groups using Latent Class Analysis based on their cognitive impairment status and cognitive trajectory across 12 years. Logistic regression was used to identify the risk and protective factors that contributed to resilience stratified by gender. For APOE ɛ4 carriers who have not had a stroke, predictors of resilience were increased frequency of mild physical activity and being employed at baseline for men, and increased number of mental activities engaged in at baseline for women. The results provide insights into a novel way of classifying resilience among APOE ɛ4 carriers and risk and protective factors contributing to resilience separately for men and women.
DARPins bind their cytosolic targets after having been translocated through the protective antigen pore of anthrax toxin
Authors: Becker Lukas , Plückthun Andreas 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIntracellular protein–protein interactions in aberrant signaling pathways have emerged as a prime target in several diseases, particularly cancer. Since many protein–protein interactions are mediated by rather flat surfaces, they can typically not be interrupted by small molecules as they require cavities for binding. Therefore, protein drugs might be developed to compete with undesired interactions. However, proteins in general are not able to translocate from the extracellular side to the cytosolic target site by themselves, and thus an efficient protein translocation system, ideally combining efficient translocation with receptor specificity, is in high demand. Anthrax toxin, the tripartite holotoxin of Bacillus anthracis, is one of the best studied bacterial protein toxins and has proven to be a suitable candidate for cell-specific translocation of cargoes in vitro and in vivo. Our group recently developed a retargeted protective antigen (PA) variant fused to different Designed Ankyrin Repeat Proteins (DARPins) to achieve receptor specificity, and we incorporated a receptor domain to stabilize the prepore and prevent cell lysis. This strategy had been shown to deliver high amounts of cargo DARPins fused behind the N-terminal 254 amino acids of Lethal Factor (LFN). Here, we established a cytosolic binding assay, demonstrating the ability of DARPins to refold in the cytosol and bind their target after been translocated by PA.
Adding virtual plants leads to higher cognitive performance and psychological well-being in virtual reality
Authors: Mostajeran Fariba , Steinicke Frank , Reinhart Sarah , Stuerzlinger Wolfgang , Riecke Bernhard E. , Kühn Simone 
Published: May 2023

AbstractPrevious research has shown the positive effects of exposure to real and virtual nature. To investigate how such benefits might generalize to ever-more-prevalent virtual workplaces, we examined the effects of the absence or presence of virtual plants in an office environment in Virtual Reality (VR) on users’ cognitive performance and psychological well-being. The results of our user study with 39 participants show that in the presence of virtual plants, participants performed significantly better in both short-term memory and creativity tasks. Furthermore, they reported higher psychological well-being scores, including positive affect and attentive coping, whilst reporting lower feelings of anger and aggression after exposure to virtual plants in VR. The virtual office with plants was also perceived as more restorative and induced a higher sense of presence. Overall, these results highlight how the presence of virtual plants in VR can have positive influences on users, and therefore, constitute important design considerations when developing future working and learning spaces.
Designing continuous equilibrium structures that counteract gravity in any orientation
Authors: Redoutey Maria , Filipov Evgueni T. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis paper presents a framework that can transform reconfigurable structures into systems with continuous equilibrium. The method involves adding optimized springs that counteract gravity to achieve a system with a nearly flat potential energy curve. The resulting structures can move or reconfigure effortlessly through their kinematic paths and remain stable in all configurations. Remarkably, our framework can design systems that maintain continuous equilibrium during reorientation, so that a system maintains a nearly flat potential energy curve even when it is rotated with respect to a global reference frame. This ability to reorient while maintaining continuous equilibrium greatly enhances the versatility of deployable and reconfigurable structures by ensuring they remain efficient and stable for use in different scenarios. We apply our framework to several planar four-bar linkages and explore how spring placement, spring types, and system kinematics affect the optimized potential energy curves. Next, we show the generality of our method with more complex linkage systems that carry external masses and with a three-dimensional origami-inspired deployable structure. Finally, we adopt a traditional structural engineering approach to give insight on practical issues related to the stiffness, reduced actuation forces, and locking of continuous equilibrium systems. Physical prototypes support the computational results and demonstrate the effectiveness of our method. The framework introduced in this work enables the stable, and efficient actuation of reconfigurable structures under gravity, regardless of their global orientation. These principles have the potential to revolutionize the design of robotic limbs, retractable roofs, furniture, consumer products, vehicle systems, and more.
Tfap2b acts in GABAergic neurons to control sleep in mice
Authors: Hu Yang , Bringmann Henrik 
Published: May 2023

AbstractSleep is a universal state of behavioral quiescence in both vertebrates and invertebrates that is controlled by conserved genes. We previously found that AP2 transcription factors control sleep in C. elegans, Drosophila, and mice. Heterozygous deletion of Tfap2b, one of the mammalian AP2 paralogs, reduces sleep in mice. The cell types and mechanisms through which Tfap2b controls sleep in mammals are, however, not known. In mice, Tfap2b acts during early embryonic stages. In this study, we used RNA-seq to measure the gene expression changes in brains of Tfap2b−/− embryos. Our results indicated that genes related to brain development and patterning were differentially regulated. As many sleep-promoting neurons are known to be GABAergic, we measured the expression of GAD1, GAD2 and Vgat genes in different brain areas of adult Tfap2b+/− mice using qPCR. These experiments suggested that GABAergic genes are downregulated in the cortex, brainstem and cerebellum areas, but upregulated in the striatum. To investigate whether Tfap2b controls sleep through GABAergic neurons, we specifically deleted Tfap2b in GABAergic neurons. We recorded the EEG and EMG before and after a 6-h period of sleep deprivation and extracted the time spent in NREM and in REM sleep as well as delta and theta power to assess NREM and REM sleep, respectively. During baseline conditions, Vgat-tfap2b−/− mice exhibited both shortened NREM and REM sleep time and reduced delta and theta power. Consistently, weaker delta and theta power were observed during rebound sleep in the Vgat-tfap2b−/− mice after sleep deprivation. Taken together, the results indicate that Tfap2b in GABAergic neurons is required for normal sleep.
Underweight and risk of fractures in adults over 40 years using the nationwide claims database
Authors: Park Sang-Min , Park Jiwon , Han Sangsoo , Jang Hae-Dong , Hong Jae-Young , Han Kyungdo , Kim Ho-Joong , Yeom Jin S. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractWe aimed to investigate how underweight affects the incidence of fractures, as well as the influence of cumulative, longitudinal periods of low body mass index (BMI) and changes in body weight on fracture development. Data on adults aged 40-year and over who had three health screenings between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2009 were used to determine the incidence of new fractures. The hazard ratios (HRs) for new fractures depending on BMI, total cumulative number of underweight, and weight change over time were calculated using Cox proportional hazard analysis. In this study, 15,955 (2.8%) of the 561,779 adults were diagnosed with fractures more than once over three health examinations. The fully adjusted HR for fractures in underweight individuals was 1.173 (95% Confidence interval [CI] 1.093–1.259). Underweight individuals diagnosed only once, twice, or three times had an adjusted HR of 1.227 (95%CI 1.130–1.332), 1.174 (95%CI 1.045–1.319), and 1.255 (95%CI 1.143–1.379), respectively. Although the adjusted HR was higher in adults who consistently had underweight (HR; 1.250 [95%CI 1.146–1.363]), those with underweight had an increased risk of fractures regardless of weight change (HR; 1.171 [95%CI 1.045–1.312], and 1.203[95%CI 1.075–1.346]). Underweight is a risk factor for fractures in adults over the age of 40 years, even if they returned to normal weight.