bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dry launching of silica nanoparticles in vacuum
Authors: Khodaee Ayub , Dare Kahan , Johnson Aisling , Delić Uroš , Aspelmeyer Markus 
Published: December 2022

Clean loading of silica nanoparticles with a radius as small as ∼50 nm is required for experiments in levitated optomechanics that operate in ultra-high vacuum. We present a cheap and simple experimental method for dry launching of silica nanoparticles by shaking from a polytetrafluoroethylene surface (PTFE). We report on the successful launching of single silica nanoparticles with a minimum radius of 43 nm, which is enabled by the low stiction to the launching surface. Nanoparticles with radii of 43 and 71.5 nm are launched with a high flux and small spread. The measured velocities are significantly smaller than 1 m/s. The demonstrated launching method allows for controlled loading of dry nanoparticles with radii as small as 43 nm into optical traps in (ultra-)high vacuum, although we anticipate that loading of smaller sizes is equally feasible.
In-situ growth of CeO2/Ce(OH)CO3 composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity by the incomplete conversion of CeO2 to Ce(OH)CO3
Authors: Wu Xinhao , Tang Jianping , Li Yuan , Chen Yujun , Huang Guiwen , Wang Lei , Zhong Shengliang 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
In this paper, a novel strategy was used to grow CeO2/Ce(OH)CO3 composite in situ by the incomplete conversion of CeO2 to Ce(OH)CO3 using ethylene glycol (EG) as CO3
2− source and solvent. Interestingly, the content of Ce(OH)CO3 in CeO2/Ce(OH)CO3 composite can be controlled by changing the solvent composition. The obtained CeO2/Ce(OH)CO3 composite all exhibited enhanced photocatalytic performance for methylene blue (MB) degradation. The CeO2/Ce(OH)CO3 composite prepared at 200 °C for 24 h with a H2O/EG volume ratio of 0.5 showed the best visible-light activity with a degradation efficiency of 98.84% within 120 min. This work provided a novel method to fabricate basic rare Earth carbonates and their composites for environmental purification.
A power efficient fully adiabatic logic circuit design approach: application to inverter and 8421 to excess-3 code converter
Authors: Vanlalchaka Reginald H , Maity Reshmi , Maity Niladri Pratap 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Decreasing power consumption is the leading challenge for very-large-scale-integrated (VLSI) designers. This paper introduces an innovative prototype for a power-efficient standard or a fully-adiabatic binary-coded-decimal (BCD) 8421 to Excess-3 (XS-3) code converter. The proposed design is compared with traditional complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) as well as two popular fully adiabatic logic families: adiabatic dynamic CMOS logic (ADCL) and two phase clocked adiabatic static CMOS logic (2PASCL). This investigation was conducted at frequencies ranging from 100 to 900 MHz. The circuit employs 0.3 μm CMOS technology, with channel length and width set at 0.3 μm and 0.75 μm, respectively. The power savings for the proposed logic at 500 MHz when compared to standard CMOS logic, ADCL, and 2PASCL are 54.54%, 28.57%, and 16.67%, respectively.
Research on aerodynamic performance analysis of micro radial spiral-grooved air bearing
Authors: Dong Yinghuai , Niu Yuebo , Wang Yan , Li Guangyan , Li Yuehua 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
The paper simulates and analyzes the internal gas of the spiral-groove radial air bearing. Bearing clearance pressure distribution and bearing load capacity were obtained. Under various geometrical parameters and operational circumstances, the air flow properties of air bearings were examined and contrasted. There is established a law for the variation of air flow properties. The bearing geometric parameters are optimized which affect the gas bearing pressure and bearing capacity. The research provided a useful reference for the design and optimization of the air bearings. It is found that the bearing capacity increases with the increase of eccentricity. The bearing reaches the best effect when the groove depth is 40 μm and the groove number is 40.
Preprint Highlight: A lysosomal lipid transport pathway that enables cell survival under choline limitation
Authors: Bonet-Ponce Luis 
Published: December 2022

Lysosomes maintain cellular homeostasis by clearing macromolecules and recycling their content to support the cell's needs. Lysosomal dysfunction is also a common feature in many human diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying the recycling of many essential metabolites remain unknown. The authors use a creative CRISPR-Cas9 screen to identify proteins involved in choline export from lysosomes to the cytosol. They identified SPNS1, a lysosomal transmembrane protein essential for cell growth under choline-depleted conditions. Targeted lipidomics on isolated lysosomes and isotope tracing revealed that SPNS1 transports lysophosphatidylcholine from lysosomes into the cytosol, where it is re-esterified into phosphatidylcholine. This work defines a new pathway for lysosomal phospholipid egress and provides a reliable new screening method for the identification of novel lysosomal pathways. This preprint has been assigned the following badges: New Hypothesis, New Methods, Cross-Validation. Read the preprint on bioRxiv ( Scharenberg et al., 2022 ): https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.11.27.517422 .
Expression and function of an S1-type nuclease in the digestive fluid of a sundew, Drosera adelae
Authors: Yu Meng , Arai Naoki , Ochiai Tadahiro , Ohyama Takashi 
Published: December 2022

Abstract

Background and Aims
Carnivorous plants trap and digest insects and similar-sized animals. Many studies have examined enzymes in the digestive fluids of these plants and have gradually unveiled the origins and gene expression of these enzymes. However, only a few attempts have been made at characterization of nucleases. This study aimed to reveal gene expression and the structural, functional and evolutionary characteristics of an S1-type nuclease (DAN1) in the digestive fluid of an Australian sundew, Drosera adelae, whose trap organ shows unique gene expression and related epigenetic regulation.

Methods
Organ-specificity in Dan1 expression was examined using glandular tentacles, laminas, roots and inflorescences, and real-time PCR. The methylation status of the Dan1 promoter in each organ was clarified by bisulphite sequencing. The structural characteristics of DAN1 were studied by a comparison of primary structures of S1-type nucleases of three carnivorous and seven non-carnivorous plants. DAN1 was prepared using a cell-free protein synthesis system. Requirements for metal ions, optimum pH and temperature, and substrate preference were examined using conventional methods.

Key Results
Dan1 is exclusively expressed in the glandular tentacles and its promoter is almost completely unmethylated in all organs. This is in contrast to the S-like RNase gene da-I of Dr. adelae, which shows similar organ-specific expression, but is controlled by a promoter that is specifically unmethylated in the glandular tentacles. Comparison of amino acid sequences of S1-type nucleases identifies seven and three positions where amino acid residues are conserved only among the carnivorous plants and only among the non-carnivorous plants, respectively. DAN1 prefers a substrate RNA over DNA in the presence of Zn2+, Mn2+ or Ca2+ at an optimum pH of 4.0.

Conclusions
Uptake of phosphates from prey is suggested to be the main function of DAN1, which is very different from the known functions of S1-type nucleases. Evolution has modified the structure and expression of Dan1 to specifically function in the digestive fluid.
An efficient and cost-effective method for directed mutagenesis at multiple dispersed sites—a case study with Omicron Spike DNA
Authors: Rani Rita , Parsa Kishore V L , Chatti Kiranam , Sevilimedu Aarti 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Site-directed mutagenesis is an invaluable technique that enables the elucidation of the contribution of specific residues to protein structure and function. The simultaneous introduction of mutations at a large number of sites (&gt;10), singly and in multiple combinations, is often necessary to fully understand the functional contributions. We report a simple, efficient, time and cost-effective method to achieve this using commonly available molecular biology reagents and protocols, as an alternative to gene synthesis. We demonstrate this method using the Omicron Spike DNA construct as an example, and create a construct bearing 37 mutations (as compared to wild-type Spike DNA), as well as 4 other constructs bearing subsets of the full spectrum of mutations. We believe that this method can be an excellent alternative to gene synthesis, especially when three or more variants are required.
Neotropical stingless bees display a strong response in cold tolerance with changes in elevation
Authors: Gonzalez Victor H , Oyen Kennan , Vitale Nydia , Ospina Rodulfo 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Tropical pollinators are expected to experience substantial effects due to climate change, but aspects of their thermal biology remain largely unknown. We investigated the thermal tolerance of stingless honey-making bees, the most ecologically, economically and culturally important group of tropical pollinators. We assessed changes in the lower (CTMin) and upper (CTMax) critical thermal limits of 17 species (12 genera) at two elevations (200 and 1500 m) in the Colombian Andes. In addition, we examined the influence of body size (intertegular distance, ITD), hairiness (thoracic hair length) and coloration (lightness value) on bees’ thermal tolerance. Because stingless beekeepers often relocate their colonies across the altitudinal gradient, as an initial attempt to explore potential social responses to climatic variability, we also tracked for several weeks brood temperature and humidity in nests of three species at both elevations. We found that CTMin decreased with elevation while CTMax was similar between elevations. CTMin and CTMax increased (low cold tolerance and high heat tolerance) with increasing ITD, hair length and lightness value, but these relationships were weak and explained at most 10% of the variance. Neither CTMin nor CTMax displayed significant phylogenetic signal. Brood nest temperature tracked ambient diel variations more closely in the low-elevation site, but it was constant and higher at the high-elevation site. In contrast, brood nest humidity was uniform throughout the day regardless of elevation. The stronger response in CTMin, and a similar CTMax between elevations, follows a pattern of variation documented across a wide range of taxa that is commonly known as the Brett’s heat-invariant hypothesis. Our results indicate differential thermal sensitivities and potential thermal adaptations to local climate, which support ongoing conservation policies to restrict the long-distance relocations of colonies. They also shed light on how malleable nest thermoregulation can be across elevations.
Association between B-lines on lung ultrasound, invasive haemodynamics, and prognosis in acute heart failure patients
Authors: Imanishi Junichi , Maeda Takanori , Ujiro Sae , Masuda Mayuka , Kusakabe Yuta , Takemoto Makoto , Fujimoto Wataru , Kuroda Koji , Yamashita Soichiro , Iwasaki Masamichi , Todoroki Takahumi , Okuda Masanori 
Published: December 2022

Abstract

Aims
Increased left atrial pressure leads to pulmonary congestion. Although the B-lines in lung ultrasound (LUS) are useful in detecting pulmonary congestion, data regarding the association between B-lines and invasive haemodynamics are inconsistent. This study aimed to explore the correlation of the B-line count by LUS with pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) stratified for preserved and reduced ejection fraction (EF) in acute heart failure patients.

Methods and results
We performed a prospective observational study on 116 hospitalized patients with acute heart failure (mean age, 75.2 ± 10.3 years), who underwent right heart catheterization before discharge. LUS was performed in eight zones within 4 h of right heart catheterization and compared with PCWP separately in each EF group. Cardiac events were recorded 1 year after discharge. PCWP revealed a clear pivot point at which the B-lines began to increase in the overall cohort and each EF. Specific thresholds of the increase in B-lines were identified at 19 and 25 mmHg for preserved and reduced EF, respectively. Residual congestion at discharge was defined as the presence of ≥6 B-lines. Patients with residual congestion had a higher risk for cardiac events than those without residual congestion (hazard ratio, 12.6; 95% confidence interval, 4.71–33.7; log-rank, P &lt; 0.0001).

Conclusion
A clear pivot point was associated with increased B-lines count in PCWP at 19 and 25 mmHg for preserved and reduced EF, respectively. Moreover, the increased B-line count above the defined cut-off used to quantify residual congestion was associated with significantly worse outcomes.
Estimation of Cardiorespiratory fitness using a using a chest mounted accelerometer
Authors: Schmidt S E , Hansen M T , Roemer T , Soegaard P , Helge J W 
Published: December 2022

Abstract

Cardiorespiratory fitness expressed as maximal oxygen consumption (V̇O2 max) is a strong predictor of cardiovascular health. However, quantification of cardiorespiratory fitness by cardiopulmonary exercise (CPX) assessment is complex and costly and therefore not suitable in most clinical settings. In the current study we develop and validate an algorithm for estimation of V̇O2 max using seismocardiography (SCG-V̇O2 max). SCG is measurement of precordial vibrations using an accelerometer.

Methods
SCG recordings and results from ergometer CPX testing of V̇O2 max in 300 subjects from six clinical studies were combined in a database. 83 subjects underwent repeated measurements sessions across several days. SCG was obtained using a sensitive accelerometer, located on the lower sternum at the Xiphoid protrusion and subjects were placed in a supine position. 5 subjects were excluded due to cardiovascular disease, or missing data. A machine learning algorithm was devolved for estimation of V̇O2 max in a training set including 221 subjects. The remaining 74 subjects were included in a test set for validation. Correlation and accuracy between SCG-V̇O2 max and ergometer CPX V̇O2 max assessed and day to day variation was assessed in subjects who underwent multiple ergometer CPX sessions.

Results
In 144 recordings from 74 test set subjects SCG-V̇O2 max was 45.0±9.3 ml/min/kg which was comparable to the ergometer CPX V̇O2 max at 44.3±10.1 ml/min/kg (p=0.09) and correlation between ergometer CPX V̇O2 max and SCG-V̇O2 max was r=0.875. Mean average percentage error was 8.7%. Day to day variation measured as the within-subjects-standard-deviation was 1.2 ml/min/kg for SCG-V̇O2 max and 1.7 ml/min/kg for ergometer CPX.

Conclusions
SCG based estimation of VV̇O2 max is a novel, low cost, easy to use and accurate estimation method of CRF with a high level of reproducibility. SCG-V̇O2 max can potentially facilitate that cardiorespiratory fitness becomes an integrated part of modern health assessment.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): VentriJect A/S DK
Can artificial intelligence prediction of successful atrial fibrillation catheter ablation therapy be interpretable?
Authors: Ogbomo-Harmitt S , Muffoletto M , Zeidan A , Qureshi A , King A , Aslanidi O 
Published: December 2022

Abstract

Background
Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) therapy is the first-line treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia globally. However, the procedure currently has low success rates in dealing with persistent AF, with a reoccurrence rate of ∼50% post-ablation. Therefore, artificial intelligence (AI), particularly deep learning (DL), has increasingly been applied to improve and optimise treatments for AF. However, AI is limited by its black-box nature. Therefore, a factor hindering the broad clinical application of DL in AF is the lack of assurance that the DL model is using physiological relevant features when making its prediction. In order to provide this assurance, its decision process needs to be interpretable and have biomedical relevance.

Aim
This study aims to explore interpretability in DL prediction of successful ablation therapy for AF and evaluate if pro-arrhythmogenic regions in the left atrium (LA) were used in its decision process.

Methods
LA models with segmented fibrotic tissue were derived from 122 late gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance (LGE MR) images of persistent AF patients. To increase the dataset size, an additional 199 synthetic LA tissue models were generated from the LGE MR images. Two ablation strategies were simulated: fibrosis-based ablation (FIBRO) and a rotor-based ablation (ROTOR). RFCA strategy success was determined by its ability to terminate persistent AF in 2s with less than 40% of the tissue ablated [1]. A convolutional neural network (CNN) was developed to predict the success of each RFCA strategy, and gradient weighted class activation maps (GradCAM) were used to assess if the CNN was using locations of pro-arrhythmogenic regions in its decision process on an independent test set of 50 LA tissue models.

Results
For predicting the success of the FIBRO strategy, the CNN model had an AUC (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve) of 0.92±0.02, recall of 0.89±0.03 and precision of 0.82±0.02. For the ROTOR strategy, the AUC was 0.77±0.02, the recall was 0.93±0.04 and the precision was 0.76±0.02. Finally, the independent test set's GradCAM saliency maps showed that 62±25% and 71±13% of ablation lesions (known from the LA model simulations, but unseen by the CNN during training) coincided with informative regions in the saliency maps for the FIBRO and ROTOR strategies, respectively (Figure 1).

Conclusion
The most informative regions of the saliency maps coincided with the successful ablation lesions, suggesting that the DL model was able to identify ablated pro-arrhythmogenic regions by leveraging structural features of LGE MR images. In the future, this technique could provide a clinician with a decision support tool and increase confidence in the AI prediction.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): UK Medical Research Council
Right heart catherisation – a virtual reality
Authors: Brown M , Krishnananthan N , Paul V 
Published: December 2022

Abstract

Introduction
Right heart catheterisation (RHC) is the gold standard for assessing patients with pulmonary hypertension. Doctors require training in this procedure in a safe and friendly environment with minimal risk to patients. Due to the Covid pandemic, formal RHC teaching workshops were cancelled in our country, so we sought to develop a Virtual Reality Right Heart Catheterisation (VRRHC) training program to fulfil this area of need without the need for face to face contact. The aim was to improve training, competency and confidence in this technique with improved diagnostic skills and reduction of procedural errors.

Method
We approached a health technology company to design a VRRHC training module based on our current RHC simulation workshops. Phase 1 required virtual insertion of RHC via the right internal jugular vein using micro-puncture, double Seldinger technique under ultrasound guidance, followed by insertion of the RHC to the right atrium, right ventricle and pulmonary artery with pulmonary artery occlusion using real time pressure tracings and fluoroscopy. Thermodilution cardiac outputs and chamber saturations were also performed.
The proprietary platform technology was delivered via a laptop and VR headset. Clinicians perform the VRRHC with imaging, monitoring and haptic feedback with the collection of real time performance tracking allowing user data (e.g. failed steps and proficiency scores) to be captured and subsequently visualised in the learning management system.
We collected analytics and data on user engagement, experience and retention, targeted learning outcomes and learning curve, reduction in operating costs, reduction in procedure times due to higher proficiency, early diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension, reduced complications, improved interpretation and diagnosis.

Results
The program was launched in October 2021. Preliminary data shows a learning curve is associated with both using VR (10–15 minutes) and the RHC procedure itself. Initial time to completion of the RHC was 30–40 mins, reducing to 20–30 minutes with experience and 15 minutes in experts. Completion rates increase with experience from 40–50% to 100% and error rates reduce with frequency of completion.

Conclusion
A Virtual Reality Right Heart Catheter training program is safe, feasible and non-invasive. Increased experience results in increased completion rates, reduced procedure time and reduced errors. Using this program will potentially have beneficial effects on doctor training, outcomes, patient safety and health economics with no risk to a real patient.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): Janssen Pharmaceuticals
Telemedical monitoring and coaching improves survival and hospitalisation rates in heart failure
Authors: Knoll K , Rosner S , Trenkwalder T , Lennerz C , Dittrich D , Kloss C , Doerr M , Schunkert H , Reinhard W 
Published: December 2022

Abstract

Aims
To investigate the effectiveness of a combined telemonitoring and telecoaching programme for chronic heart failure patients at high risk for hospitalisation compared to usual care in a real life setting. The applied telehealth programme consisted of regular individualised telecoaching sessions as well as daily remote telemonitoring of heart failure signs and symptoms.

Methods
Between January 2018 and September 2020, 6,065 heart failure patients were enrolled in a combined telehealth programme and retrospectively compared to a propensity matched usual care group (n=6,065). All participants were members of a statutory health insurance. Median follow-up was 442 days (IQR 309–681). Endpoints were all cause mortality, number and duration of hospitalisations.

Results
After 1 year the combined telecoaching and telemonitoring programme significantly reduced all-cause mortality probability compared to usual care (11.0 vs. 5.8%, p&lt;0.001). The corresponding number-needed to treat to prevent one death in one year was 19.3. In addition, the number of hospitalisations for heart failure (17.9 vs. 21.8 per 100 patient years, p&lt;0.001) and all cause hospitalisations (129.0 vs. 133.2, p=0.015), as well as their duration (2.0 vs. 2.6 days per year p&lt;0.001, and 12.0 vs. 13.4 days per year p&gt;0.001, respectivel y) were significantly lower in the telehealth group than in the usual care group.

Conclusion
In ambulatory heart failure patients at high risk for hospitalisation, a combined telemonitoring and telecoaching programme led to a reduction of heart failure hospitalisations and all-cause mortality compared to standard care.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Health Care Systems GmbH (HCSG), Pullach i. Isartal