bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of silicon dioxide as the polar dielectric on the infrared absorption spectrum of the metal-insulator-metal metasurface
Authors: Jafari Ahmad K , Gaddy Matthew , Ahmad Imtiaz , Kachiraju Satya R , Mia M D Borhan , Ahmed Ishtiaque , Nikishin Sergey , Kim Myoung-Hwan , Bernussi Ayrton A 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Metal-insulator-metal metasurfaces have been widely used as high-performance absorbers in almost all electromagnetic spectral ranges. Their absorption spectra can be engineered by making variations in the geometry of the unit cells and/or by embedding materials with specific optical constants. Including a polar dielectric in their structure is another approach for manipulating their absorption spectra. In this research, we have numerically and experimentally investigated the effect of using silicon dioxide (SiO
2) as a polar dielectric on the absorption spectrum of a metal-insulator-metal metasurface composed of a tri-layer of Ni-SiO
2
-Ni. Our results have shown the presence of absorption peaks in the mid-infrared which are attributed to the excitation of the optical phonons in the SiO
2 spacer layer. Particularly, the excitation of the Berreman mode in the SiO
2 spacer layer was observed and its effect on the total absorption spectrum is studied. The parametric effects of the top patterned Ni layer, the incident angle, and the polarization are also investigated. This study can provide engineering capabilities for the mid-infrared absorbers and reflection filters.
A bi-level optimal scheduling model for new-type power systems integrating large-scale renewable energy
Authors: Zhao Huiru , Zhang Chao , Zhao Yihang 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
The construction of a new type of power system is a key way to achieve the goal of ‘carbon peaking and carbon neutrality’. In the process of developing renewable energy, large-scale wind and photovoltaic power systems replace conventional units, which will have an impact on the stability of the power grid. To eliminate these concerns, this paper proposes a bi-level optimal scheduling model for new-type power systems. The upper level aims to minimize fluctuation of net load, with the consideration of demand response, to smooth the load curve. The lower level takes the minimum operating cost of the new-type power system as the objective function and the most economical scheduling strategy is established. To deal with the uncertainty of renewable energy integrated within the system, the lower model is transformed into a two-stage robust optimization model and solved by applying a column-and-constraint generation method. Finally, a regional power system is selected to conduct a case study comprising 760 MW thermal power, 50 MW·h energy storage, 200 MW wind turbine and 150 MW photovoltaic power. The results show that the constructed two-stage robust optimization model is conducive to establishing the most economical scheduling scheme of the system with an uncertain budget and the minimum operation cost is $45,9031. In addition, demand response and energy storage can reduce peak-to-valley differences in the power system.
QuantiFERON Supernatant-Based Host Biomarkers Predicting Progression to Active Tuberculosis Disease Among Household Contacts of Tuberculosis Patients
Authors: Daniel Evangeline Ann , Thiruvengadam Kannan , Rajamanickam Anuradha , Chandrasekaran Padmapriyadarsini , Pattabiraman Sathyamurthi , Bhanu Brindha , Sivaprakasam Amsaveni , Paradkar Mandar , Kulkarni Vandana , Karyakarte Rajesh , Shivakumar Shri Vijay Bala Yogendra , Mave Vidya , Gupta Amita , Babu Subash , Hanna Luke Elizabeth 
Published: December 2022

Abstract

Background
The positive predictive value of tuberculin skin test and current generation interferon gamma release assays are very low leading to high numbers needed to treat. Therefore, it is critical to identify new biomarkers with high predictive accuracy to identify individuals bearing high risk of progression to active tuberculosis (TB).

Methods
We used stored QuantiFERON supernatants from 14 household contacts of index TB patients who developed incident active TB during a 2-year follow-up and 20 age and sex-matched non-progressors. The supernatants were tested for an expanded panel of 45 cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors using the Luminex Multiplex Array kit.

Results
We found significant differences in the levels of TB-antigen induced production of several analytes between progressors and non-progressors. Dominance analysis identified 15 key predictive biomarkers based on relative percentage importance. Principal component analysis revealed that these biomarkers could robustly distinguish between the 2 groups. Receiver operating characteristic analysis identified interferon-γ inducible protein (IP)-10, chemokine ligand (CCL)19, interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-1ra, CCL3, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) as the most promising predictive markers, with area under the curve (AUC) ≥90. IP-10/CCL19 ratio exhibited maximum sensitivity and specificity (100%) for predicting progression. Through Classification and Regression Tree analysis, a cutoff of 0.24 for IP-10/CCL19 ratio was found to be ideal for predicting short-term risk of progression to TB disease with a positive predictive value of 100 (95% confidence interval [CI] 85.8–100).

Conclusions
The biomarkers identified in this study will pave way for the development of a more accurate test that can identify individuals at high risk for immediate progression to TB disease for targeted intervention.
Validation of Self-Reported Cancer Diagnoses by Respondent Cognitive Status in the U.S. Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Mullins Megan A , Kabeto Mohammed , Wallner Lauren P , Kobayashi Lindsay C 
Published: December 2022

Abstract

Background
Cancer and dementia are becoming increasingly common co-occurring conditions among older adults. Yet, the influence of participant cognitive status on the validity of self-reported data among older adults in population-based cohorts is unknown. We thus compared self-reported cancer diagnoses in the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (HRS) against claims from linked Medicare records to ascertain the validity of self-reported diagnoses by participant cognitive and proxy interview status.

Methods
Using data from HRS participants aged ≥67 who had at least 90% continuous enrollment in fee-for-service Medicare, we examined the validity of self-reported first incident cancer diagnoses from biennial HRS interviews against diagnostic claim records in linked Medicare data (reference standard) for interviews from 2000 to 2016. Cognitive status was classified as normal, cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND), or dementia using the Langa–Weir method. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, and κ for cancer diagnosis.

Results
Of the 8 280 included participants, 23.6% had cognitive impairment without dementia (CIND) or dementia, and 10.7% had a proxy respondent due to an impairment. Self-reports of first incident cancer diagnoses for participants with normal cognition had 70.2% sensitivity and 99.8% specificity (κ = 0.79). Sensitivity declined substantially with cognitive impairment and proxy response (56.7% for CIND, 53.0% for dementia, 60.0% for proxy respondents), indicating poor validity for study participants with CIND, dementia, or a proxy respondent.

Conclusions
Self-reported cancer diagnoses in the U.S. HRS have poor validity for participants with cognitive impairment, dementia, or a proxy respondent. Population-based cancer research among older adults will be strengthened with linkage to Medicare claims.
Ginkgo biloba extracts protect human retinal Müller glial cells from t-BHP induced oxidative damage by activating the AMPK-Nrf2-NQO-1 axis
Authors: Li Yue , Wang Ke , Zhu Xue , Cheng Zhengqi , Zhu Ling , Murray Michael , Zhou Fanfan 
Published: December 2022

Abstract

Objectives
Retinal Müller glial cell loss is almost involved in all retinal diseases, especially diabetic retinopathy (DR). Oxidative stress significantly contributes to the development of Müller glial cell loss. Ginkgo biloba extracts (GBE) have been reported to possess antioxidant property, beneficial in treating human retinal diseases. However, little is known about its role in Müller glial cells. This study investigated the protective effect of GBE (prepared from ginkgo biloba dropping pills) in human Müller glial cells against tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative stress and its underlying molecular mechanism.

Methods
MIO-M1 cells were pretreated with or without GBE prior to the exposure to t-BHP-induced oxidative stress. Cell viability, cell death profile and lipid peroxidation were subsequently assessed. Protein expression of the key anti-oxidative signalling factors were investigated.

Key findings
We showed that GBE can effectively protect human MIO-M1 cells from t-BHP-induced oxidative injury by improving cell viability, reducing intracellular ROS accumulation and suppressing lipid peroxidation, which effect is likely mediated through activating AMPK-Nrf2-NQO-1 antioxidant respondent axis.

Conclusions
Our study is the first to reveal the great potentials of GBE in protecting human retinal Müller glial cell loss against oxidative stress. GBE might be used to prevent human retinal diseases particularly DR.
A multidimensional and digital humanistic analysis of style in Amy Tan’s novels
Authors: Tian Junwu , Liu Shuyue 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe recent decades have witnessed substantial progress in stylistic research within digital humanities. Among others, Douglas Biber’s multidimensional model considers the full set of core lexico-grammatical features and counts as an efficient tool for identifying stylistic variations. As the representative of Chinese American literature, Amy Tan’s novels have been thoroughly explored as regards their representation of ethnic and cultural issues, while there is a scarcity of academic discussion on their stylistic uniqueness. In this context, the present study reflects on the stylistic differences among Tan’s six novels across Biber’s textual dimensions with the aid of MAT and R. The aim of this incorporation of data statistics and text analysis is two-fold. First, to delineate the stylistic variations among Tan’s novels along six main dimensions defined by Biber. Secondly, to determine whether there is a statistically significant correlation between any two dimensions in Tan’s novels. Previous multidimensional analysis-based stylistic research primarily starts and ends with the first step, while this study further investigates the possible correlations to better reveal Tan’s stylistic distinctions and avoid the loss of valuable information. This qualitative and quantitative comparison of stylistic variations demonstrates that computer-assisted methods can identify significant linguistic characteristics which literary critics might have ignored and eventually provide a more detailed interpretation of Tan’s works.
The Effects of Body Composition, Physical Fitness on Time of Useful Consciousness in Hypobaric Hypoxia
Authors: Kim Keunsoo , Choi Jean , Lee On , Lim Jungjun , Kim Jungwoon 
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Several previous studies have reported that hypoxia accidents of fighter pilots are rarer than gravity-induced loss of consciousness and spatial disorientation; however, the risk is greater. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical fitness and body composition on time of useful consciousness (TUC) in hypobaric hypoxia.

Materials and Methods
Body composition and physical fitness testing on human participants were performed; subsequently, they were exposed to hypobaric hypoxia at a simulated altitude of 25,000 ft. Cognitive testing of the participants was accomplished by having them perform arithmetic task tables until they stopped writing for a period exceeding 5 seconds, at which point, they were placed on 100% oxygen. TUC was measured from the time the participants removed their oxygen masks to the time when the oxygen masks were placed back on them. Pearson’s correlation was used to determine the relationship between TUC and other variables, and multiple regression was performed to determine the independent variables that best explain the TUC.

Results
TUC was positively correlated with the maximum oxygen uptake, stroke volume, arteriovenous oxygen difference, and endurance (sit-up and push-up). The maximum heart rate on the ground, high altitude, body fat mass, and percent body fat were negatively correlated with TUC. A regression analysis showed that 84.5% of the TUC can be explained by body composition and physical fitness.

Conclusions
Our results revealed that increased cardiorespiratory fitness and decreased body fat mass could significantly impact the TUC. Therefore, for Air Force pilots who are frequently at high altitudes and at risk for exposure to hypoxia, aerobic exercise is significant to hypoxia tolerance.
Characterization and acceleration of genome shuffling and ploidy reduction in synthetic allopolyploids by genome sequencing and editing
Authors: Zhang Xiaohui , Zhang Shuangshuang , Liu Zhongping , Zhao Wei , Zhang Xiaoxue , Song Jiangping , Jia Huixia , Yang Wenlong , Ma Yang , Wang Yang , Xie Kabin , Budahn Holger , Wang Haiping 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Polyploidy and the subsequent ploidy reduction and genome shuffling are the major driving forces of genome evolution. Here, we revealed short-term allopolyploid genome evolution by sequencing a synthetic intergeneric hybrid (Raphanobrassica, RRCC). In this allotetraploid, the genome deletion was quick, while rearrangement was slow. The core and high-frequency genes tended to be retained while the specific and low-frequency genes tended to be deleted in the hybrid. The large-fragment deletions were enriched in the heterochromatin region and probably derived from chromosome breaks. The intergeneric translocations were primarily of short fragments dependent on homoeology, indicating a gene conversion origin. To accelerate genome shuffling, we developed an efficient genome editing platform for Raphanobrassica. By editing Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group M (FANCM) genes, homoeologous recombination, chromosome deletion and secondary meiosis with additional ploidy reduction were accelerated. FANCM was shown to be a checkpoint of meiosis and controller of ploidy stability. By simultaneously editing FLIP genes, gene conversion was precisely introduced, and mosaic genes were produced around the target site. This intergeneric hybrid and genome editing platform not only provides models that facilitate experimental evolution research by speeding up genome shuffling and conversion but also accelerates plant breeding by enhancing intergeneric genetic exchange and creating new genes.
Methamphetamines and Serious Injection-Related Infections: Opioid Use Care Continuum and Opportunities to End Alabama's Drug Crisis
Authors: Levy Sera , Bassler John , Gagnon Kelly , Prados Myles , Jeziorski Madison , McCleskey Brandi , Crockett Kaylee , Li Li , Bradford Davis , Cropsey Karen , Eaton Ellen 
Published: December 2022

Abstract

Background
Increasingly, injection opioid use and opioid use disorder (OUD) are complicated by methamphetamine use, but the impact of stimulant use on the care of people who inject drugs (PWID) with serious injection-related infections (SIRIs) is unknown. The objective of this study was to explore hospital outcomes and postdischarge trends for a cohort of hospitalized PWID to identify opportunities for intervention.

Methods
We queried the electronic medical record for patients hospitalized at the University of Alabama at Birmingham with injection drug use–related infections between 1/11/2016 and 4/24/2021. Patients were categorized as having OUD only (OUD), OUD plus methamphetamine use (OUD/meth), or injection of other substance(s) (other). We utilized statistical analyses to assess group differences across hospital outcomes and postdischarge trends. We determined the OUD continuum of care for those with OUD, with and without methamphetamine use.

Results
A total of 370 patients met inclusion criteria—many with readmissions (98%) and high mortality (8%). The majority were White, male, and uninsured, with a median age of 38. One in 4 resided outside of a metropolitan area. There were significant differences according to substance use in terms of sociodemographics and hospital outcomes: patients with OUD/meth were more likely to leave via patient-directed discharge, but those with OUD only had the greatest mortality. Comorbid methamphetamine use did not significantly impact the OUD care continuum.

Conclusions
The current drug crisis in AL will require targeted interventions to engage a young, uninsured population with SIRI in evidence-based addiction and infection services.
Bringing Plant Immunity to Light: A Genetically Encoded, Bioluminescent Reporter of Pattern-Triggered Immunity in Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Garcia Anthony G. K. , Steinbrenner Adam D. 
Published: December 2022

Plants rely on innate immune systems to defend against a wide variety of biotic attackers. Key components of innate immunity include cell-surface pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs), which recognize pest- and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Unlike other classes of receptors that often have visible cell-death immune outputs upon activation, PRRs generally lack rapid methods for assessing function. Here, we describe a genetically encoded bioluminescent reporter of immune activation by heterologously expressed PRRs in the model organism Nicotiana benthamiana. We characterized N. benthamiana transcriptome changes in response to Agrobacterium tumefaciens and subsequent PAMP treatment to identify pattern-triggered immunity (PTI)-associated marker genes, which were then used to generate promoter-luciferase fusion fungal bioluminescence pathway (FBP) constructs. A reporter construct termed pFBP_2xNbLYS1::LUZ allows for robust detection of PTI activation by heterologously expressed PRRs. Consistent with known PTI signaling pathways, reporter activation by receptor-like protein (RLP) PRRs is dependent on the known adaptor of RLP PRRs, i.e., SOBIR1. The FBP reporter minimizes the amount of labor, reagents, and time needed to assay function of PRRs and displays robust sensitivity at biologically relevant PAMP concentrations, making it ideal for high throughput screens. The tools described in this paper will be powerful for investigations of PRR function and characterization of the structure-function of plant cell-surface receptors. [Formula: see text] The author(s) have dedicated the work to the public domain under the Creative Commons CC0 “No Rights Reserved” license by waiving all of his or her rights to the work worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law, 2023.
Cannabidivarin alleviates α‐synuclein aggregation viaDAF‐16 inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Wang Fangru , Jin Ting , Li Hongyuan , Long Houfang , Liu Ying , Jin Sha , Lu Yuyuan , Peng Yinghua , Liu Cong , Zhao Lihui , Wang Xiaohui 
Published: December 2022

AbstractCannabidivarin (CBDV), a structural analog of cannabidiol (CBD), has received attention in recent years owing to its anticonvulsant property and potential for treating autism spectrum disorder. However, the function and mechanism of CBDV involved in the progression of Parkinson's disease (PD) remain unclear. In this work, we found that CBDV inhibited α‐synuclein (α‐syn) aggregation in an established transgeneticCaenorhabditis elegans(C. elegans). The phenolic hydroxyl groups of CBDV are critical for scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS), reducing the in vivo aggregation of α‐syn and preventing DAergic neurons from 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA)‐induced injury and degeneration. By combining multiple biophysical approaches, including nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy and fibrillation kinetics assays, we confirmed that CBDV does not directly interact with α‐syn or inhibit the formation of α‐syn fibrils in vitro. Further cellular signaling investigation showed that the ability of CBDV to prevent oxidative stress, the accumulation of α‐syn and the degeneration of DAergic neurons was mediated by DAF‐16 in the worms. This study demonstrates that CBDV alleviates the aggregation of α‐syn in vivo and reveals that the phenolic hydroxyl groups of CBDV are critical for this activity, providing a potential for the development of CBDV as a drug candidate for PD therapeutics.
Targeting SARS‐CoV‐2 by synthetic dual‐acting thiol compounds that inhibit Spike/ACE2 interaction and viral protein production
Authors: Fraternale Alessandra , De Angelis Marta , De Santis Riccardo , Amatore Donatella , Masini Sofia , Monittola Francesca , Menotta Michele , Biancucci Federica , Bartoccini Francesca , Retini Michele , Fiori Valentina , Fioravanti Raoul , Magurano Fabio , Chiarantini Laura , Lista Florigio , Piersanti Giovanni , Palamara Anna T. , Nencioni Lucia , Magnani Mauro , Crinelli Rita 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe SARS‐CoV‐2 life cycle is strictly dependent on the environmental redox state that influences both virus entry and replication. A reducing environment impairs the binding of the spike protein (S) to the angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 receptor (ACE2), while a highly oxidizing environment is thought to favor S interaction with ACE2. Moreover, SARS‐CoV‐2 interferes with redox homeostasis in infected cells to promote the oxidative folding of its own proteins. Here we demonstrate that synthetic low molecular weight (LMW) monothiol and dithiol compounds induce a redox switch in the S protein receptor binding domain (RBD) toward a more reduced state. Reactive cysteine residue profiling revealed that all the disulfides present in RBD are targets of the thiol compounds. The reduction of disulfides in RBD decreases the binding to ACE2 in a cell‐free system as demonstrated by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assays. Moreover, LMW thiols interfere with protein oxidative folding and the production of newly synthesized polypeptides in HEK293 cells expressing the S1 and RBD domain, respectively. Based on these results, we hypothesize that these thiol compounds impair both the binding of S protein to its cellular receptor during the early stage of viral infection, as well as viral protein folding/maturation and thus the formation of new viral mature particles. Indeed, all the tested molecules, although at different concentrations, efficiently inhibit both SARS‐CoV‐2 entry and replication in Vero E6 cells. LMW thiols may represent innovative anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 therapeutics acting directly on viral targets and indirectly by inhibiting cellular functions mandatory for viral replication.