bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Scale-invariant Mexican Hat wavelet descriptor for non-rigid shape similarity measurement
Authors: Yan Yuhuan , Zhou Mingquan , Zhang Dan , Geng Shengling 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe Mexican Hat wavelet (MHW) is strictly derived from the heat kernel by taking its negative first-order derivative with respect to time t. As a solution to the heat equation that the heat kernel has a clear initial condition, the Laplace–Beltrami operator. Although the MHW descriptor can effectively characterize the model information, but it has poor robustness to the model with scale transformation, and the feature description performance is affected to some extent. Following a popular mathematical method, in this paper, we bases on the MHW to study scaling invariance and proposes a new shape descriptor, the scale-invariant Mexican Hat wavelet (SIMHW), which by logarithmic sampling and Fourier transform that obtains the expression of SIMHW in Fourier domain. The experimental results show that SIMHW has finer information description ability and stronger recognition ability, and has better robustness to various non-rigid transformations. It can correctly calculate the similarity between 3D shapes and realize the effective shape retrieval.
Volatile sulfide compounds and oral microorganisms on the inner surface of masks in individuals with halitosis during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Lee Yeon-Hee , Kim Hyeongrok , Heo Dae Wook , Ahn In-Suk , Auh Q-Schick 
Published: February 2023

AbstractMask-wearing is still recommended owing to the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Within the closed chamber created by the mask, people are increasingly self-aware of their oral malodor. In this prospective and cross-sectional study, we aimed to measure volatile sulfide compound (VSC) levels in patients with halitosis and investigate the oral microbiome profile on the inner surface of their KF94 masks. We also investigated which oral microbiota increases VSC levels and whether the oral microbiomes of oral saliva and mask are correlated. A total of 50 subjects (41 women, average age 38.12 ± 12.58 years old) were included in the study, 25 healthy subjects and 25 patients with halitosis who wore masks for more than 3 h. The dominant bacterial species, bacterial profile, and Shannon diversity index of whole unstimulated saliva and the inner surface of the mask were investigated. The bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA genes of the major oral bacterial species were analyzed using real-time PCR. Gas chromatography was used to measure hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and methyl mercaptan (CH3SH), which are representative VSCs. The total bacterial DNA copy number was significantly higher in the saliva sample than in the mask sample (p < 0.001), and the average value was 276 times greater. Shannon diversity index was also significantly higher in saliva than in the inner surface of the mask (2.62 ± 0.81 vs. 1.15 ± 1.52, p < 0.001). The most common Gram-negative and Gram-positive species in the masks were Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) and Lactobacillus casei (Lc), respectively. The bacterial species with significant positive correlations between saliva and mask samples were Prevotella intermedia (Pi) (r = 0.324, p = 0.022), Eikenella corrodens (r = 0.309, p = 0.029), Lc (r = 0.293, p = 0.039), and Parvimonas micra (Pm) (r = 0.366, p = 0.009). The mean value of CH3SH was significantly higher in the halitosis group than in the non-halitosis group (17.84 ± 29.00 vs. 3.84 ± 10.57 ppb, p = 0.031). In the halitosis group, the DNA copy numbers and VSC levels showed highly positive correlation coefficients in the order Pg, Treponema denticola (Td), Tannerella forsythia (Tf), Pi, and Prevotella nigrescens (Pn) (all p < 0.05). Regarding bacterial profiles of the mask, Td was strongly correlated with CH3SH (r = 0.414, p = 0.040) and total VSCs (r = 0.374, p = 0.033) only in halitosis group. Mask-wearing time was strongly correlated with total VSCs, H2S, and CH3SH (all r > 0.8, p < 0.001). Oral bacteria, whose association with halitosis has been identified, increased VSC levels in mask-wearing subjects during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the number of Gram-negative anaerobes such as Pg and Td. Mask-wearing time was a major factor in increasing VSC levels. The study results suggest that people with halitosis could control these Gram-negative bacteria by improving oral hygiene and regularly changing masks.
Low frequency lattice mode dynamics of cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (RDX) crystal studied by femtosecond time-resolved impulsive stimulated Raman scattering
Authors: Yu Guoyang , Song Yunfei , Zhu Gangbei , Zheng Zhaoyang , Wu Qiang , Yang Yanqiang 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe femtosecond time-resolved impulsive stimulated Raman scattering (fs-ISRS) has been performed to study the low frequency lattice mode dynamics of the RDX crystal. Through Fourier filtering, four lattice mode dynamics is distinguished from the time-resolved spectrum. And the wavenumbers and time constants of these four lattice modes are determined by fitting their dynamic curves. The energy dispersion paths of these four lattice modes are deduced from these fitting parameters. Compared with the other three lattice modes, the lattice mode with wavenumber 30 cm−1 has a very longer life time. We consider that the excitation of this lattice mode more likely to cause the damage of the intermolecular interaction under the strong external stimulation.
Resistance training restores skeletal muscle atrophy and satellite cell content in an animal model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Rahmati Masoud , Shariatzadeh Joneydi Mohammad , Koyanagi Ai , Yang Guang , Ji Bingzhou , Won Lee Seung , Keon Yon Dong , Smith Lee , Il Shin Jae , Li Yusheng 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease, and numerous recent findings suggest that several pathologic signs, including loss of muscle strength and mass, are also detected in these patients. In the present study, we evaluated muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), myonuclear number, satellite cell (SC) content, and myosin heavy chain (MyHC) types in an animal model of AD and examined the possible role of resistance training in controlling skeletal muscle size in this disease. Fifty-eight male rats were randomly divided into four groups: healthy-control (H-C), healthy-exercise (H-Ex), Alzheimer-control (A-C), and Alzheimer-exercise (A-Ex). AD was induced by the single injection of 1–42 amyloid into the CA1 region of the hippocampus (1 μl/site). The rats in H-Ex and A-Ex groups performed a 5-week resistance training period (17 sessions). The results indicated that AD induces significant skeletal muscle atrophy and reduces the myonuclear number and SC content in gastrocnemius muscle in both whole muscle cross-sections and isolated myofibers. Interestingly, we did not find any significant differences in the different MyHC distributions of AD animals compared with controls, while resistance training significantly increased the CSA of MyHC IIb fibers in both AD and healthy animals. Altogether, these observations suggest that the skeletal muscle of AD animals are more prone to atrophy and loss of myonuclear number and satellite cell content, while resistance training successfully restores these impairments.
CTB-targeted protocells enhance ability of lanthionine ketenamine analogs to induce autophagy in motor neuron-like cells
Authors: Gonzalez Porras Maria A. , Gransee Heather M. , Denton Travis T. , Shen Dunxin , Webb Kevin L. , Brinker C. Jeffrey , Noureddine Achraf , Sieck Gary C. , Mantilla Carlos B. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractImpaired autophagy, a cellular digestion process that eliminates proteins and damaged organelles, has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, including motor neuron disorders. Motor neuron targeted upregulation of autophagy may serve as a promising therapeutic approach. Lanthionine ketenamine (LK), an amino acid metabolite found in mammalian brain tissue, activates autophagy in neuronal cell lines. We hypothesized that analogs of LK can be targeted to motor neurons using nanoparticles to improve autophagy flux. Using a mouse motor neuron-like hybrid cell line (NSC-34), we tested the effect of three different LK analogs on autophagy modulation, either alone or loaded in nanoparticles. For fluorescence visualization of autophagy flux, we used a mCherry-GFP-LC3 plasmid reporter. We also evaluated protein expression changes in LC3-II/LC3-I ratio obtained by western blot, as well as presence of autophagic vacuoles per cell obtained by electron microscopy. Delivering LK analogs with targeted nanoparticles significantly enhanced autophagy flux in differentiated motor neuron-like cells compared to LK analogs alone, suggesting the need of a delivery vehicle to enhance their efficacy. In conclusion, LK analogs loaded in nanoparticles targeting motor neurons constitute a promising treatment option to induce autophagy flux, which may serve to mitigate motor neuron degeneration/loss and preserve motor function in motor neuron disease.
Contribution of vitamin D3 and thiols status to the outcome of COVID-19 disease in Italian pediatric and adult patients
Authors: D’Alessandro Annamaria , Ciavardelli Domenico , Pastore Anna , Lupisella Santina , Cristofaro Rosa Carmela , Di Felice Giovina , Salierno Roberta , Infante Marco , De Stefano Alberto , Onetti Muda Andrea , Morello Maria , Porzio Ottavia 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2), was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 2020, causing unprecedented disease with million deaths across the globe, mostly adults. Indeed, children accounted for only a few percent of cases. Italy was the first Western country struck by the COVID-19 epidemic. Increasing age, which is one of the principal risk factors for COVID-19 mortality, is associated with declined glutathione (GSH) levels. Over the last decade, several studies demonstrated that both vitamin D (VD) and GSH have immunomodulatory properties. To verify the association between VD, GSH and the outcome of COVID-19 disease, we conducted a multicenter retrospective study in 35 children and 128 adult patients with COVID-19. Our study demonstrated a hypovitaminosis D in COVID-19 patients, suggesting a possible role of low VD status in increasing the risk of COVID-19 infection and subsequent hospitalization. In addition, we find a thiol disturbance with a GSH depletion associated to the disease severity. In children, who fortunately survived, both VD and GSH levels at admission were higher than in adults, suggesting that lower VD and thiols levels upon admission may be a modifiable risk factor for adverse outcomes and mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.
Factors associated with plasmid antibiotic resistance gene carriage revealed using large-scale multivariable analysis
Authors: Orlek Alex , Anjum Muna F. , Mather Alison E. , Stoesser Nicole , Walker A. Sarah 
Published: February 2023

AbstractPlasmids are major vectors of bacterial antibiotic resistance, but understanding of factors associated with plasmid antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) carriage is limited. We curated > 14,000 publicly available plasmid genomes and associated metadata. Duplicate and replicate plasmids were excluded; where possible, sample metadata was validated externally (BacDive database). Using Generalised Additive Models (GAMs) we assessed the influence of 12 biotic/abiotic factors (e.g. plasmid genetic factors, isolation source, collection date) on ARG carriage, modelled as a binary outcome. Separate GAMs were built for 10 major ARG types. Multivariable analysis indicated that plasmid ARG carriage patterns across time (collection years), isolation sources (human/livestock) and host bacterial taxa were consistent with antibiotic selection pressure as a driver of plasmid-mediated antibiotic resistance. Only 0.42% livestock plasmids carried carbapenem resistance (compared with 12% human plasmids); conversely, tetracycline resistance was enriched in livestock vs human plasmids, reflecting known prescribing practices. Interpreting results using a timeline of ARG type acquisition (determined by literature review) yielded additional novel insights. More recently acquired ARG types (e.g. colistin and carbapenem) showed increases in plasmid carriage during the date range analysed (1994–2019), potentially reflecting recent onset of selection pressure; they also co-occurred less commonly with ARGs of other types, and virulence genes. Overall, this suggests that following acquisition, plasmid ARGs tend to accumulate under antibiotic selection pressure and co-associate with other adaptive genes (other ARG types, virulence genes), potentially re-enforcing plasmid ARG carriage through co-selection.
A method based on interpretable machine learning for recognizing the intensity of human engagement intention
Authors: Bi Jian , Hu Fang-chao , Wang Yu-jin , Luo Ming-nan , He Miao 
Published: February 2023

AbstractTo interact with humans more precisely and naturally, social robots need to “perceive” human engagement intention, especially need to recognize the main interaction person in multi-person interaction scenarios. By analyzing the intensity of human engagement intention (IHEI), social robots can distinguish the intention of different persons. Most existing research in this field mainly focus on analyzing whether a person has the intention to interact with the robot while lack of analysis of IHEI. In this regard, this paper proposes an approach for recognizing the engagement intention intensity. Four categories of visual features, including line of sight, head pose, distance and expression of human, are captured, and a CatBoost-based machine learning model is applied to train an optimal classifier for predicting the IHEI on the dataset. The experimental results show that this classifier can effectively predict the IHEI that can be applied into real human–robot interaction scenarios. Moreover, the proposed model is an interpretable machine learning model, where interpretability analysis on the trained classifier has been done to explore the deep associations between input features and engagement intention, thereby providing robust and effective robot social decision-making.
Gender-specific association between serum ferritin and neurodevelopment in infants aged 6 to 12 months
Authors: Guo Yong , Yu Li , Wu Zi-Yu , Deng Yu-Hong , Wu Jie-Ling 
Published: February 2023

AbstractEarly iron deficiency has detrimental consequences on neurodevelopment; whether male and female infants are equally susceptible to the functional outcomes of iron deficiency is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the sex differences in the association between serum ferritin levels and neurodevelopment in infants. Data for this cross-sectional study were drawn from hospital information and early childhood development program service systems at Guangdong Women and Children’s Hospital, Guangzhou, China. In total, 4579 infants aged 6–12 months were included from July 2018 to March 2020. Their neurodevelopment was assessed using the Children Neuropsychological and Behavior Scale-Revision 2016. Serum ferritin levels were measured by chemiluminescence assay. The association between serum ferritin levels and neurodevelopmental delay in each domain was estimated using logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders. The mean concentration of serum ferritin was 35.56 ± 21.57 ng/mL. Serum ferritin levels were significantly higher in female than in male infants (P < 0.001). Iron deficiency (serum ferritin levels < 12 ng/mL) was significantly more prevalent in male than in female infants (P < 0.001). Linear regression revealed a positive association between serum ferritin levels and general quotient, gross motor, fine motor, language, and adaptive behavior in females. Iron deficiency was significantly associated with an increased risk of adaptive behavior delay in females (adjusted odds ratio (OR), 2.22; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.17–4.20). Iron deficiency anemia was associated with an increased risk of developmental delay for general quotient (adjusted OR, 4.88; 95% CI: 1.74–13.65), fine motor (adjusted OR = 2.58, 95%: CI: 1.13–5.94) and adaptive behavior (adjusted OR, 3.38; 95% CI: 1.51–7.57) among females, but not in males. Associations between serum ferritin levels and neurodevelopment in infants aged 6–12 months were sex-related. Females with iron deficiency, especially those with iron-deficiency anemia, were more susceptible to neurodevelopmental delay than males.
Fermi liquid-like behaviour of cuprates in the pseudogap phase simulated via T-dependent electron-boson spectral density
Authors: Park Hwiwoo , Hwang Jungseek 
Published: February 2023

AbstractWe investigated the temperature- and frequency-dependent optical scattering rates in the pseudogap phase of cuprates using model pseudogap and electron-boson spectral density (EBSD) functions. We obtained the scattering rates at various temperatures below and above a given pseudogap temperature using a generalized Allen’s (or Sharapov’s) formula, which has been used to analyse the measured optical spectra of correlated electron systems with a non-constant density of states at finite temperatures. The pseudogap and EBSD functions should be temperature dependent to simulate the Fermi liquid-like behaviour of underdoped cuprate systems observed in optical studies. Therefore, the observed Fermi liquid-like behaviour can be understood by considering the combined contribution from the T-dependent EBSD function and the T-dependent pseudogap. We also obtained the optical conductivity spectra from the optical scattering rates and analyzed them to investigate intriguing electronic properties. We expect that our results will aid in understanding the Fermi liquid-like optical response in the pseudogap phase and in revealing the microscopic pairing mechanism for superconductivity in cuprates.
The development and validation of a new resilience inventory based on inner strength
Authors: Wongpakaran Tinakon , Yang Tong , Varnado Pairada , Siriai Yupapan , Mirnics Zsuzsanna , Kövi Zsuzsanna , Wongpakaran Nahathai 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThere are a number of resilience scales with good psychometric properties. However, the various scales differ in their item content in accordance with the model of resilience the developer had in mind. Culture is one of the reasons for the difference. Thailand, one of the Buddhist cultures, has a different view on resilience compared with Western culture. This study aimed to develop and validate a resilience inventory created based on the inner strength concept using a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Rasch measurement model. The resilience inventory (RI) was developed by creating new items representing inner strengths attributed to resilience. The inner strength was adopted to form the resilience construct, including perseverance, wisdom, patience, mindfulness, loving-kindness and equanimity. In addition, face and content validity were examined by experts in both mental health and Buddhism. The final RI comprised nine items with a 5-point Likert-type scale. The RI-9 was completed by 243 medical students who participated in the study, along with other measurements, i.e., Inner Strength-Based Inventory (iSBI), measuring the ten characteristics of perfection or inner strength, and the Core Symptom Index, measuring anxiety, depression and somatization symptoms. CFA, internal consistency and the Polytomous Rasch rating model were used to investigate the RI-9 construct validity. The mean age of the participants was 22.7 years (SD, 0.8); one-half were male (50%). The RI-9 construct demonstrated item hierarchy as follows: perseverance, patience (tolerance), mindfulness and equanimity, wisdom and loving-kindness. CFA showed that the unidimensional model fitted the data well. Rasch analysis showed no misfitting items and local dependence. The reliability of the person and item was good, and no disordered threshold was observed. Two items were found to exhibit differential item functioning due to sex. RI-9 scores were significantly related to all ten strengths from the iSBI, whereas they were negatively related to depression, anxiety, somatization and interpersonal difficulties. The RI-9 demonstrated validity and reliability. It constitutes a promising tool for outcome assessment in nonclinical populations. Further investigation on external validity as well as psychometric validation in other different cultures, should be encouraged.
Microwave-assisted biodiesel production using bio-waste catalyst and process optimization using response surface methodology and kinetic study
Authors: Devasan Rhithuparna , Ruatpuia Joseph V. L. , Gouda Shiva Prasad , Kodgire Pravin , Basumatary Sanjay , Halder Gopinath , Rokhum Samuel Lalthazuala 
Published: February 2023

AbstractProviding sufficient energy supply and reducing the effects of global warming are serious challenges in the present decades. In recent years, biodiesel has been viewed as an alternative to exhaustible fossil fuels and can potentially reduce global warming. Here we report for the first time the production of biodiesel from oleic acid (OA) as a test substrate using porous sulfonic acid functionalized banana peel waste as a heterogeneous catalyst under microwave irradiation. The morphology and chemical composition of the catalyst was investigated using Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Scanning electron microscopy- Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX). The SEM–EDX analysis of the catalyst revealed the presence of sulfur in 4.62 wt% amounting to 1.4437 mmol g−1 sulfonic acids, which is accorded to the high acidity of the reported catalyst. Using response surface methodology (RSM), through a central composite design (CCD) approach, 97.9 ± 0.7% biodiesel yield was observed under the optimized reaction conditions (methanol to OA molar ratio of 20:1, the temperature of 80 °C, catalyst loading of 8 wt% for 55 min). The catalyst showed excellent stability on repeated reuse and can be recycled at least 5 times without much activity loss.
Anti-Markovnikov hydrochlorination and hydronitrooxylation of α-olefins via visible-light photocatalysis
Authors: Kim Jungwon , Sun Xiang , van der Worp Boris Alexander , Ritter Tobias 
Published: February 2023

AbstractConventional hydrofunctionalization of α-olefins with mineral acids proceeds with Markovnikov selectivity to afford branched isomers. The direct formation of linear constitutional isomers is challenging, yet anti-Markovnikov addition would be valuable for the synthesis of commodity chemicals, such as primary alcohols, which are currently only accessible via stoichiometric redox reactions, with a full equivalent of waste of both oxidant and reductant. Strategies that utilize radical intermediates have been demonstrated, but only for activated alkenes, and the direct use of aqueous mineral acids remains elusive. Here we present anti-Markovnikov addition reactions of aqueous hydrochloric and nitric acid to unactivated alkenes. The transformation is enabled by the in situ generation of photoredox-active ion pairs, derived from acridine and the mineral acid, as a combined charge- and phase-transfer catalyst. The introduction of a hydrogen atom transfer catalyst enabled us to bypass the challenging chain propagation by hydrochloric and nitric acids that originates from the high bond dissociation energy.