bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional dissection of two amino acid substitutions unique to the human FOXP2 protein
Authors: Bornschein Ulrich , Zeberg Hugo , Enard Wolfgang , Hevers Wulf , Pääbo Svante 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe transcription factor forkhead box P2 (FOXP2) is involved in the development of language and speech in humans. Two amino acid substitutions (T303N, N325S) occurred in the human FOXP2 after the divergence from the chimpanzee lineage. It has previously been shown that when they are introduced into the FOXP2 protein of mice they alter striatal synaptic plasticity by increasing long-term depression in medium spiny neurons. Here we introduce each of these amino acid substitutions individually into mice and analyze their effects in the striatum. We find that long-term depression in medium spiny neurons is increased in mice carrying only the T303N substitution to the same extent as in mice carrying both amino acid substitutions. In contrast, the N325S substitution has no discernable effects.
Early extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as bridge for central airway obstruction patients caused by neck and chest tumors to emergency surgery
Authors: Liang LianJing , Su ShiTong , He YaRong , Peng YaLan , Xu ShuYun , Liu Yang , Zhou YaXiong , Yu HaiFang 
Published: March 2023

AbstractCentral airway obstruction caused by neck and chest tumors is a very dangerous oncological emergency with high mortality. Unfortunately, there is few literature to discuss an effective way for this life-threating condition. Providing effective airway managements, adequate ventilation and emergency surgical interventions are very important. However, traditional airway managements and respiratory support has only limited effect. In our center, using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a novel approach to manage patient with central airway obstruction caused by neck and chest tumors has been adopted. We aimed to show the feasibility: using early ECMO to manage difficult airway, provide oxygenation and support surgical procedure for patients with critical airway stenosis caused by neck and chest tumors. We designed a single-center, small sample size retrospective study based on real-world. We identified 3 patients with central airway obstruction caused by neck and chest tumors. ECMO was used to ensure adequate ventilation to emergency surgery. Control group cannot be established. Because traditional manner very likely led to death of such patients. Details of clinical characteristics, ECMO, surgery and survival outcomes were recorded. Acute dyspnea and cyanosis were the most frequent symptoms. All patients (3/3) showed descending arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2). Computed tomography (CT) revealed severe central airway obstruction caused by neck and chest tumors in all cases (3/3). All patients (3/3) had definite difficult airway. All cases (3/3) received ECMO support and emergency surgical procedure. Venovenous ECMO was the common mode for all cases. 3 patients weaned off ECMO successfully without any ECMO-related complications. Mean duration of ECMO was 3 h (range: 1.5–4.5 h). Under ECMO support, difficult airway management and emergency surgical procedure were finished successfully for all cases (3/3). The mean ICU stay was 3.3 days (range: 1–7 days), and the mean general ward stay was 3.3 days (range: 2–4 days). Pathology demonstrated the tumor dignity for 3 patients including 2 malignant cases and 1 benign case. All patients (3/3) were discharged from hospital successfully. We showed that early ECMO initiation was a safe and feasible approach to manage difficult airway for patients with severe central airway obstruction caused by neck and chest tumors. Meanwhile, early ECMO initiation could ensure security for airway surgical procedure.
Three-dimensional cranial ultrasound and functional near-infrared spectroscopy for bedside monitoring of intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm neonates
Authors: Kebaya Lilian M. N. , Stubbs Kevin , Lo Marcus , Al-Saoud Sarah , Karat Bradley , St Lawrence Keith , de Ribaupierre Sandrine , Duerden Emma G. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractGerminal Matrix-Intraventricular Hemorrhage (GMH-IVH) remains a significant cause of adverse neurodevelopment in preterm infants. Current management relies on 2-dimensional cranial ultrasound (2D cUS) ventricular measurements. Reliable biomarkers are needed to aid in the early detection of posthemorrhagic ventricular dilatation (PHVD) and subsequent neurodevelopment. In a prospective cohort study, we incorporated 3-dimensional (3D) cUS and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to monitor neonates with GMH-IVH. Preterm neonates (≤ 32 weeks' gestation) were enrolled following a GMH-IVH diagnosis. Neonates underwent sequential measurements: 3D cUS images were manually segmented using in-house software, and the ventricle volumes (VV) were extracted. Multichannel fNIRS data were acquired using a high-density system, and spontaneous functional connectivity (sFC) was calculated. Of the 30 neonates enrolled in the study, 19 (63.3%) had grade I–II and 11 (36.7%) grade III–IV GMH-IVH; of these, 7 neonates (23%) underwent surgical interventions to divert cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In infants with severe GMH-IVH, larger VV were significantly associated with decreased |sFC|. Our findings of increased VV and reduced sFC suggest that regional disruptions of ventricular size may impact the development of the underlying white matter. Hence, 3D cUS and fNIRS are promising bedside tools for monitoring the progression of GMH-IVH in preterm neonates.
Interaction of hemorphins with ACE homologs
Authors: Jobe Amie , Antony Priya , Altabbal Suhib , Al Dhaheri Yusra , Vijayan Ranjit 
Published: March 2023

AbstractHemorphins, short bioactive peptides produced by enzymatic cleavage of β-hemoglobin, exhibit antihypertensive properties by inhibiting angiotensin-1 converting enzyme (ACE1). ACE1 is a key player in the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) and regulates blood pressure. ACE1 and its homolog, ACE2, which exhibit opposing activities in the RAS, share considerable similarity in their catalytic domains. The primary objective of this study was to identify and contrast the molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction of hemorphins of camels and that of other mammals with the two ACE homologs. In silico docking and molecular dynamics simulations were performed for ACE1 and ACE2, along with in vitro confirmatory assays for ACE1. The C-domain of ACE1, primarily involved in regulating blood pressure, was used along with the N-terminal peptidase domain of ACE2. The findings revealed conserved hemorphin interactions with equivalent regions of the two ACE homologs and differential residue-level interactions reflecting the substrate preferences of ACE1 and ACE2 considering their opposing functions. Therefore, conserved residue-level associations and implications of poorly conserved regions between the two ACE receptors may potentially guide the discovery of selective domain-specific inhibitors. The findings of this study can provide a basis for the treatment of related disorders in the future.
Standardized pharmacological management of delirium after on-pump cardiac surgery reduces ICU stay and ventilation in a retrospective pre-post study
Authors: Deininger Matthias Manfred , Schnitzler Stefan , Benstoem Carina , Simon Tim-Philipp , Marx Gernot , Panagiotidis Despina , Ziles Dmitrij , Schnoering Heike , Karasimos Evangelos , Breuer Thomas 
Published: March 2023

AbstractCardiac surgery patients not only undergo a highly invasive procedure but are at risk for a diversity of postoperative complications. Up to 53% of these patients suffer from postoperative delirium (POD). This severe and common adverse event increases mortality and prolonged mechanical ventilation and extends the intensive care unit stay. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that standardized pharmacological management of delirium (SPMD) may reduce the length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation, and the incidence of postoperative complications such as pneumonia or bloodstream infections in on-pump cardiac surgery ICU patients. In this retrospective, single-center observational cohort study, 247 patients were examined between May 2018 to June 2020, who underwent on-pump cardiac surgery, suffered from POD, and received pharmacological POD treatment. 125 were treated before and 122 after SPMD implementation in the ICU. The primary endpoint was a composite outcome, including the length of ICU stay, postoperative mechanical ventilation time, and ICU survival rate. The secondary endpoints were complications including postoperative pneumonia and bloodstream infections. Although the ICU survival rate was not significantly different between both groups, the length of ICU stay (control group: 23 ± 27 days; SPMD group: 16 ± 16 days; p = 0.024) and the duration of mechanical ventilation were significantly reduced in the SPMD-cohort (control group: 230 ± 395 h; SPMD group: 128 ± 268 h; p = 0.022). Concordantly, the pneumonic risk was reduced after SPMD introduction (control group: 44.0%; SPMD group: 27.9%; p = 0.012) as well as the incidence for bloodstream infections (control group: 19.2%; SPMD group: 6.6%; p = 0.004). Standardized pharmacological management of postoperative delirium in on-pump cardiac surgery ICU patients reduced the length of ICU stay and duration of mechanical ventilation significantly, leading to a decrease in pneumonic complications and bloodstream infections.
The first polarimetric GNSS-Reflectometer instrument in space improves the SMAP mission’s sensitivity over densely vegetated areas
Authors: Rodriguez-Alvarez Nereida , Munoz-Martin Joan Francesc , Bosch-Lluis Xavier , Oudrhiri Kamal , Entekhabi Dara , Colliander Andreas 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission has dramatically benefited our knowledge of the Earth’s surface processes. The SMAP mission was initially designed to provide complementary L-band measurements from a radiometer and a radar, producing geophysical measurements at a finer spatial resolution than the radiometer alone. Both instruments, sensitive to the geophysical parameters in the swath, provided independent measurements at different spatial resolutions. A few months after SMAP’s launch, the radar transmitter’s high-power amplifier suffered an anomaly, and the instrument could no longer return data. During recovery activities, the SMAP mission switched the radar receiver frequency facilitating the reception of Global Positioning System (GPS) signals scattered off the Earth’s surface, and enabling the radar to become the first spaceborne polarimetric Global Navigation Satellite System – Reflectometry (GNSS-R) instrument. With more than 7 years of continued measurements, SMAP GNSS-R data are the most extensive existing GNSS-R dataset and the only one providing GNSS-R polarimetric measurements. We demonstrate that the SMAP polarimetric GNSS-R reflectivity, derived from Stokes parameters mathematical formulation, can enhance the radiometer data over dense vegetation areas, recovering some of the original SMAP radar capability to contribute to the science products and pioneering the first polarimetric GNSS-R mission.
Modelling ‘Type B’ ejecta formation reveals reactor Unit 1 conditions during the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster
Authors: Carno Lior A. S. , Turner Jack J. , Martin Peter G. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractFor the first time, a model was developed to simulate the cooling of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant reactor Unit 1-derived, ‘Type B’ radiocaesium bearing microparticles, distributed into the environment during the 2011 nuclear meltdown. By establishing an analogy between ‘Type B’ CsMP and volcanic pyroclasts, the presented model simulates the rapid cooling of an effervescent silicate melt fragment upon atmospheric release. The model successfully reproduced the bi-modal distribution of internal void diameters observed in ‘Type B’ CsMP, however, discrepancies resulted primarily due to the neglection of surface tension and internal void coalescence. The model was subsequently utilised to estimate the temperature within reactor Unit 1 in the instant preceding the hydrogen explosion—between 1900 and 1980 K. Such a model demonstrates the accuracy of the volcanic pyroclast—‘Type B’ CsMP analogue, and confirms radial variations in cooling rate as the cause of the vesicular texture of Unit 1 ejecta. The presented findings provide scope to further explore the comparison between volcanic pyroclasts and ‘Type B’ CsMP via experimentation, which will provide a deeper understanding of the specific conditions within reactor Unit 1 during the catastrophic meltdown at the Japanese coastal plant.
Leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H rs17525495) gene polymorphisms and paradoxical reactions in extrapulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Kumar Selwyn Selva , Solomon Raja , Gautam Priyanka , Inbaraj Leeberk Raja , Sivadasan Ajith , Michael Joy Sarojini , Karthik Rajiv , Varghese George M. , Christudass Christhunesa S. , Samuel Prasanna , Manesh Abi 
Published: March 2023

AbstractParadoxical reactions (PRs) are poorly studied complex immunological phenomena, among patients with tuberculosis (TB). When PRs involves critical structures like the central nervous system (CNS), immunomodulatory therapy is often required. Predictors for PRs in TB to pre-empt appropriate treatment strategies in high-risk groups are lacking. TT genotype of Leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H) promoter region rs17525495 polymorphisms are associated with exaggerated immune responses in Tuberculous meningitis (TBM), the most severe form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB). The association of these polymorphisms with PRs is not known. We evaluated this plausibility among 113 patients with EPTB, at high risk of PRs. Majority [81 (71.7%)] had disseminated tuberculosis with prominent CNS [54 (47.8%)] and lymph node involvement [47 (41.6%)]. Human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) co-infection was seen among 23 (20.3%) patients. PRs were noted in 38.9% patients, at a median duration of 3 months (IQR 2–4). LTA4H rs17525495 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis showed 52 (46%) patients had CC, 43 (38.1%) had CT and 18 (15.9%) had TT genotypes. There was no statistically significant difference in occurrence [CC 38.5% vs CT 39.5% vs TT 38.7%] and time of onset [median (IQR)] of PRs across the genotypes [CC 3 (1–4.7), CT 3 (2–5), TT 2 (2–3)]. PRs was shown to be significantly linked with HIV co-infection (RR 0.6, 95% CI 0.29–1.28), culture positivity (RR 0.5, 95% CI 0.28–1.14), TB Lymphadenitis (RR 0.7, 95% CI 0.44–1.19) and CNS involvement RR 2.1, 95% CI 1.27–3.49) in the univariate analysis (p < 0.2). On multivariate analysis, CNS involvement alone was associated with PRs (aRR 3.8 (1.38–10.92); p < 0.01). PRs were associated with CNS involvement but not with LTA4H rs17525495 polymorphisms.
Changes in pacing variation with increasing race duration in ultra-triathlon races
Authors: Stjepanovic Mirko , Knechtle Beat , Weiss Katja , Nikolaidis Pantelis Theodoros , Cuk Ivan , Thuany Mabliny , Sousa Caio Victor 
Published: March 2023

AbstractDespite the increasing scientific interest in the relationship between pacing and performance in endurance sports, little information is available about pacing and pacing variation in ultra-endurance events such as ultra-triathlons. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the trends of pacing, pacing variation, the influence of age, sex, and performance level in ultra-triathlons of different distances. We analysed 969 finishers (849 men, 120 women) in 46 ultra-triathlons longer than the original Ironman® distance (e.g., Double-, Triple-, Quintuple- and Deca Iron ultra-triathlons) held from 2004 to 2015. Pacing speed was calculated for every cycling and running lap. Pacing variation was calculated as the coefficient of variation (%) between the average speed of each lap. Performance level (i.e., fast, moderate, slow) was defined according to the 33.3 and 66.6 percentile of the overall race time. A multivariate analysis (two-way ANOVA) was applied for the overall race time as the dependent variable with ‘sex’ and ‘age group’ as independent factors. Another multivariate model with ‘age’ and ‘sex’ as covariates (two-way ANCOVA) was applied with pacing variation (cycling and running) as the dependent variable with ‘race’ and ‘performance level’ as independent factors. Different pacing patterns were observed by event and performance level. The general pacing strategy applied was a positive pacing. In Double and Triple Iron ultra-triathlon, faster athletes paced more evenly with less variation than moderate or slower athletes. The variation in pacing speed increased with the length of the race. There was no significant difference in pacing variation between faster, moderate, and slower athletes in Quintuple and Deca Iron ultra-triathlon. Women had a slower overall performance than men. The best overall times were achieved at the age of 30–39 years. Successful ultra-triathlon athletes adapted a positive pacing strategy in all race distances. The variation in pacing speed increased with the length of the race. In shorter ultra-triathlon distances (i.e., Double and Triple Iron ultra-triathlon), faster athletes paced more evenly with less variation than moderate or slower athletes. In longer ultra-triathlon distances (i.e., Quintuple and Deca Iron ultra-triathlon), there was no significant difference in pacing variation between faster, moderate, and slower athletes.
Exciton-assisted low-energy magnetic excitations in a photoexcited Mott insulator on a square lattice
Authors: Tsutsui Kenji , Shinjo Kazuya , Sota Shigetoshi , Tohyama Takami 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe photoexcitation of a Mott insulator on a square lattice weakens the intensity of both single- and two-magnon excitations as observed in time-resolved resonant-inelastic X-ray scattering and time-resolved Raman scattering, respectively. However, the spectral changes in the low-energy regions below the magnons have not yet been clearly understood. To uncover the nature of the photoinduced low-energy magnetic excitations of the Mott insulator, we numerically investigate the transient magnetic dynamics in a photoexcited half-filled Hubbard model on a square lattice. After turning off a pump pulse tuned for an absorption edge, new magnetic signals clearly emerge well below the magnon energy in both single- and two-magnon excitations. We find that low-energy excitations are predominantly created via excitonic states at the absorption edge. These exciton-assisted magnetic excitations may provide a possible explanation for the low-energy spectral weight in a recent time-resolved two-magnon Raman scattering experiment on insulating YBa2Cu3O6.1.
Prolonged photostability in hexagonal boron nitride quantum emitters
Authors: Li Sylvia Xin , Ichihara Takeo , Park Hyoju , He Guangwei , Kozawa Daichi , Wen Yi , Koman Volodymyr B. , Zeng Yuwen , Kuehne Matthias , Yuan Zhe , Faucher Samuel , Warner Jamie H. , Strano Michael S. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractSingle-photon emitters are crucial building blocks for optical quantum technologies. Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is a promising two-dimensional material that hosts bright, room-temperature single-photon emitters. However, photo instability is a persistent challenge preventing practical applications of these properties. Here, we reveal the ubiquitous photobleaching of hBN vacancy emitters. Independent of the source or the number of hBN layers, we find that the photobleaching of a common emission at 1.98 ± 0.05 eV can be described by two consistent time constants, namely a first bleaching lifetime of 5 to 10 s, and a second bleaching lifetime in the range of 150 to 220 s. Only the former is environmentally sensitive and can be significantly mitigated by shielding O2, whereas the latter could be the result of carbon-assisted defect migration. Annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy of photobleached hBN allows for visualizing vacancy defects and carbon substitution at single atom resolution, supporting the migration mechanism along with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Thermal annealing at 850 °C of liquid exfoliated hBN eliminates both bleaching processes, leading to persistent photostability. These results represent a significant advance to potentially engineer hBN vacancy emitters with the photostability requisite for quantum applications.
Uncertainty-driven dynamics for active learning of interatomic potentials
Authors: Kulichenko Maksim , Barros Kipton , Lubbers Nicholas , Li Ying Wai , Messerly Richard , Tretiak Sergei , Smith Justin S. , Nebgen Benjamin 
Published: March 2023

AbstractMachine learning (ML) models, if trained to data sets of high-fidelity quantum simulations, produce accurate and efficient interatomic potentials. Active learning (AL) is a powerful tool to iteratively generate diverse data sets. In this approach, the ML model provides an uncertainty estimate along with its prediction for each new atomic configuration. If the uncertainty estimate passes a certain threshold, then the configuration is included in the data set. Here we develop a strategy to more rapidly discover configurations that meaningfully augment the training data set. The approach, uncertainty-driven dynamics for active learning (UDD-AL), modifies the potential energy surface used in molecular dynamics simulations to favor regions of configuration space for which there is large model uncertainty. The performance of UDD-AL is demonstrated for two AL tasks: sampling the conformational space of glycine and sampling the promotion of proton transfer in acetylacetone. The method is shown to efficiently explore the chemically relevant configuration space, which may be inaccessible using regular dynamical sampling at target temperature conditions.
Policy challenges and responses to environmental non-migration
Authors: Naser Mostafa Mahmud , Mallick Bishawjit , Priodarshini Rup , Huq Saleemul , Bailey Ajay 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe scientific literature, media, international summits, and policy forums highlighted enough the people who either move or are willing to move because of environmental reasons. Still, the voluntary environmental non-migrants (ENM), who are assumed to have strong resilience and coping capacity, are inordinately overlooked. The importance of addressing these ENMs has increasingly been emphasised. First, the paper explains the characteristics of ENM, outlining the key distinction between voluntary and forced non-migrants. Second, it emphasises the need to protect populations affected by environmental change and disaster, specifically highlighting oft-neglected ENM policy gaps. Thus, it examines to what extent ENM is addressed in existing global legal and policy responses. Having identified the gaps, it further considers the importance of adaptation strategies and well-planned relocation policies to support non-migration. Finally, it summarises the existing ENM policies’ scope and reflects on the key policy gaps identified to suggest the way forward. This paper urges for a pragmatic and strategic policy approach that ensures bottom-up community-oriented approaches for supporting ENM by: (i) coordinating adaptation activities, (ii) ensuring planned relocation and migration with dignity, (iii) enabling informed decision-making, (iv) mobilising national and international support, and (v) developing appropriate institutional structures for adaptation.