bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microwave synthesis of molybdenene from MoS2
Authors: Sahu Tumesh Kumar , Kumar Nishant , Chahal Sumit , Jana Rajkumar , Paul Sumana , Mukherjee Moumita , Tavabi Amir H. , Datta Ayan , Dunin-Borkowski Rafal E. , Valov Ilia , Nayak Alpana , Kumar Prashant 
Published: September 2023

AbstractDirac materials are characterized by the emergence of massless quasiparticles in their low-energy excitation spectrum that obey the Dirac Hamiltonian. Known examples of Dirac materials are topological insulators, d-wave superconductors, graphene, and Weyl and Dirac semimetals, representing a striking range of fundamental properties with potential disruptive applications. However, none of the Dirac materials identified so far shows metallic character. Here, we present evidence for the formation of free-standing molybdenene, a two-dimensional material composed of only Mo atoms. Using MoS2 as a precursor, we induced electric-field-assisted molybdenene growth under microwave irradiation. We observe the formation of millimetre-long whiskers following screw-dislocation growth, consisting of weakly bonded molybdenene sheets, which, upon exfoliation, show metallic character, with an electrical conductivity of ~940 S m−1. Molybdenene when hybridized with two-dimensional h-BN or MoS2, fetch tunable optical and electronic properties. As a proof of principle, we also demonstrate applications of molybdenene as a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy platform for molecular sensing, as a substrate for electron imaging and as a scanning probe microscope cantilever.
Evidence of finite-momentum pairing in a centrosymmetric bilayer
Authors: Zhao Dong , Debbeler Lukas , Kühne Matthias , Fecher Sven , Gross Nils , Smet Jurgen 
Published: September 2023

AbstractA phase characterized by a spatially modulated order parameter is counter-intuitive because of the entropy penalty that the modulations incur. Its possible existence in superconductors was first proposed under the condition that the formation of Cooper pairs is limited to some segments of the Fermi surface and that the Cooper pairs carry momentum above the Pauli limit. This prediction motivated experimental efforts to identify such non-uniform superconducting states in organic superconductors, heavy fermion compounds and cuprates. Here we report evidence of another type of finite-momentum pairing that manifests below the Pauli limit. It is driven by the orbital effect and does not rely on Fermi surface segmentation. We have evidence of this spatially modulated superconducting state in a hexagonal MoS2 bilayer through remote intercalation that offers both balanced doping and firm out-of-plane coherence across both layers.
Preterm births prevalence during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: results from the national database
Authors: Charles Charles M’poca , Souza Neto Luiz Alves , Soares Camila Ferreira , Souza Araújo Tacildo , Torezzan Cristiano , Lima Everton Emanuel Campos , Munezero Aline , Bahamondes Luis , Souza Renato Teixeira , Costa Maria Laura , Cecatti José Guilherme , Pacagnella Rodolfo Carvalho 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic impacted the health systems between and within countries, and in the course of the pandemic sexual and reproductive health services were the most disrupted. Findings from high-income settings have reported significant changes in preterm birth prevalence during the pandemic period. To understand the possible effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on preterm birth numbers at the Brazilian national level. We compare the number of preterm deliveries during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020 and 2021) with previous years. We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study taking the period from January 2017 to December 2021 to account. We use individual-level live births data from the Brazilian Live Birth Information System (SINASC), and we estimate the odds ratio (OR) of preterm deliveries using propensity score weighting analysis in Brazil and its regions. During the study period (from 2017 to 2021), about 2.7 million live births were recorded per year, and the missing value for gestational age at delivery was less than 1.5%. The preterm birth prevalence slightly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period (11.32% in 2021 vs 11.09% in 2019, p-value < 0.0001). After adjusting for sociodemographic variables, the OR of preterm births in Brazil has significantly increased, 4% in 2020 (OR: 1.04 [1.03–1.05] 95% CI, p-value < 0.001), and 2% in 2021(OR: 1.02 [1.01–1.03] 95% CI, p-value < 0.001), compared to 2019. At the regional level, the preterm birth pattern in the South, Southeast and Northeast regions show a similar pattern. The highest odds ratio was observed in the South region (2020 vs 2019, OR: 1.07 [1.05–1.10] 95% CI; 2021 vs 2019, OR: 1.03 [1.01–1.06] 95% CI). However, we also observed a significant reduction in the ORs of preterm births in the northern region during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020 vs 2019, OR: 0.96 [0.94–0.98] 95% CI) and (2021 vs 2019, OR: 0.97 [0.95–0.99] 95% CI). Our analysis shows that the pandemic has increased regional variation in the number of preterm births in Brazil in 2020 and 2021 compared to the pre-pandemic years.
Molecular characteristics and therapeutic implications of Toll-like receptor signaling pathway in melanoma
Authors: Guan Hewen , Chen Xu , Liu Jifeng , Sun Jiaao , Guo Hui , Jiang Yuankuan , Zhang Huimin , Zhang Biao , Lin Jingrong , Yuan Qihang 
Published: September 2023

AbstractMelanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes and is often considered immunogenic cancer. Toll-like receptor-related genes are expressed differently in most types of cancer, depending on the immune microenvironment inside cancer, and the key function of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) for melanoma has not been fully elucidated. Based on multi-omics data from TCGA and GEO databases, we first performed pan-cancer analysis on TLR, including CNV, SNV, and mRNA changes in TLR-related genes in multiple human cancers, as well as patient prognosis characterization. Then, we divided melanoma patients into three subgroups (clusters 1, 2, and 3) according to the expression of the TLR pathway, and explored the correlation between TLR pathway and melanoma prognosis, immune infiltration, metabolic reprogramming, and oncogene expression characteristics. Finally, through univariate Cox regression analysis and LASSO algorithm, we selected six TLR-related genes to construct a survival prognostic model, divided melanoma patients into the training set, internal validation set 1, internal validation set 2, and external validation set for multiple validations, and discussed the correlation between model genes and clinical features of melanoma patients. In conclusion, we constructed a prognostic survival model based on TLR-related genes that precisely and independently demonstrated the potential to assess the prognosis and immune traits of melanoma patients, which is critical for patients’ survival.
Identification of potential new COVID-19 treatments via RWD-driven drug repurposing
Authors: Liao Yun 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBy utilizing Optum Life Sciences Claims Data, we constructed Real World Data (RWD) cohorts comprising over 3 million patients and simulated a clinical trial observational study design to evaluate over 200 FDA-approved drugs with COVID-19 repurposing potential, and identified a dozen candidates exhibiting significant reduction in the odds of severe COVID-19 outcomes such as death, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, hospitalization and pneumonia. Notably, certain drug combinations demonstrated effects comparable to those of COVID-19 vaccines. Furthermore, our study revealed a novel finding: a quantitative linear relationship between COVID-19 outcomes and overall patient health risks. This discovery enabled a more precise estimation of drug efficacy using the risk adjustment. The top performing drugs identified include emtricitabine, tenofovir, folic acid, progesterone, estradiol, epinephrine, disulfiram, nitazoxanide and some drug combinations including aspirin-celecoxib.
Effects of temperature and precipitation changes on shifts in breeding phenology of an endangered toad
Authors: Dalpasso Andrea , Seglie Daniele , Eusebio Bergò Paolo , Ciracì Andrea , Compostella Mariachiara , Laddaga Lorenzo , Manica Milo , Marino Gaia , Pandolfo Irene , Soldato Giovanni , Falaschi Mattia 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIn the last century, a plethora of species have shown rapid phenological changes in response to climate change. Among animals, amphibians exhibit some of the greatest responses since their activity strongly depends on temperature and rainfall regimes. These shifts in phenology can have negative consequences for amphibian fitness. Thus, understanding phenological changes in amphibians is pivotal to design conservation actions to mitigate climate change effects. We used data on Common Spadefoot Toad (Pelobates fuscus) reproductive migration to wetlands over a period of 8 years in Italy to (i) identify the factors related to breeding migrations, (ii) assess potential phenological shifts in the breeding period, and (iii) determine which climatic factors are related to the observed phenological shifts. Our results showed that toads migrate to spawning sites preferably in early spring, on rainy days with temperatures of 9–14 °C, and with high humidity. Furthermore, despite an increase in average temperature across the study period, we observed a delay in the start of breeding migrations of 12.4 days over 8 years. This counterintuitive pattern was the result of a succession of hot and dry years that occurred in the study area, highlighting that for ephemeral pond breeders, precipitation could have a larger impact than temperature on phenology. Our results belie the strong presumption that climate change will shift amphibian phenology toward an earlier breeding migration and underline the importance of closely investigating the environmental factors related to species phenology.
The pelagic food web of the Western Adriatic Sea: a focus on the role of small pelagics
Authors: Fanelli E. , Da Ros Z. , Menicucci S. , Malavolti S. , Biagiotti I. , Canduci G. , De Felice A. , Leonori I. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe Adriatic Sea is one of the largest areas of occurrence of shared small pelagic stocks and the most fished area of the Mediterranean Sea, which is in turn one of the most exploited basins of the world. The variations in the stable isotope contents (δ15N and δ13C) were determined for three small pelagic fishes (i.e., Engraulis encrasicolus, Sardina pilchardus, and Sprattus sprattus, respectively known as anchovies, sardines and sprats) collected across the western side of the basin. Our data allowed to determine the width and features of their trophic niches, to assess potential overlap or resource partitioning among them, and likely anticipate species adaptation to future climate change scenarios. Moreover, variations in stable isotope contents were correlated to both resource availability (i.e., mesozooplankton) and environmental variables. The high productivity and in turn the high resource availability of the basin, especially in the northern part, resulted in favor of the resource partitioning that occurs in each sub-area of the Adriatic Sea among the three species. Medium-sized specimens of the three species mostly fed on small zooplankton, while adult sprats relied on large copepods and those of sardines and anchovies also consumed large portion of phytoplankton, confirming the high trophic plasticity of these two dominants small pelagic species. However, considering that anchovies have the greatest degree of trophic diversity compared with the other two species, they could be the most adapted to changing feeding conditions. The increase in sea temperatures that are reducing primary production and in turn zooplankton abundances, coupled with even more frequent extreme meteorologic events could exacerbate the competition for trophic resources among pelagic mesopredators, and could lead to more notable stocks’ fluctuations and unpredictable wasp-waist effects.
Event-related potentials indicate differential neural reactivity to species and valence information in vocal stimuli in sleeping dogs
Authors: Eleőd Huba , Gácsi Márta , Bunford Nóra , Kis Anna 
Published: September 2023

AbstractDogs live in a complex social environment where they regularly interact with conspecific and heterospecific partners. Awake dogs are able to process a variety of information based on vocalisations emitted by dogs and humans. Whether dogs are also able to process such information while asleep, is unknown. In the current explorative study, we investigated in N = 13 family dogs, neural response to conspecific and human emotional vocalisations. Data were recorded while dogs were asleep, using a fully non-invasive event-related potential (ERP) paradigm. A species (between 250–450 and 600–800 ms after stimulus onset) and a species by valence interaction (between 550 to 650 ms after stimulus onset) effect was observed during drowsiness. A valence (750–850 ms after stimulus onset) and a species x valence interaction (between 200 to 300 ms and 450 to 650 ms after stimulus onset) effect was also observed during non-REM specific at the Cz electrode. Although further research is needed, these results not only suggest that dogs neurally differentiate between differently valenced con- and heterospecific vocalisations, but they also provide the first evidence of complex vocal processing during sleep in dogs. Assessment and detection of ERPs during sleep in dogs appear feasible.
Brightness perception under photopic conditions: experiments and modeling with contributions of S-cone and ipRGC
Authors: Khanh Tran Quoc , Bodrogi Peter , Zandi Babak , Vinh Trinh Quang 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIn 1924, the CIE published and standardized the photopic luminous efficiency function. Based on the standardized curve, luminous flux in lumens, luminance in cd/m$$^2$$

2

, and illuminance in lux are determined by an integral of the curve and the incident light spectra in photometers and are considered physical brightness. However, human brightness perception is not only weighted by this simple determination, but is a more complicated combination of all L-cones, M-cones, S-cones, rods and later ipRGCs, which was partly described by the equivalent brightness of Fotios et al. with the correction factor $$(S/V)^{0.24}$$

(
S
/
V
)

0.24

. Recently, new research has demonstrated the role of ipRGCs in human light perception. However, it is still unclear how these signal components of the human visual system are involved in the overall human brightness perception. In this work, human brightness perception under photopic conditions was investigated by visual experiments with 28 subjects under 25 different light spectra. In this way, the contributions of the signal components can be investigated. An optimization process was then performed on the resulting database. The results show that not only the $$L+M$$

L
+
M

component, but also the S-cones and ipRGC play a role, although it is smaller. Thus, the visually scaled brightness model based on the database optimization was constructed using not only illuminance but also S-cones and ipRGC with $$R^2$$

R
2

of 0.9554 and RMSE of 4.7802. These results are much better than the brightness model after Fotios et al. using only S-cones ($$R^2$$

R
2

= 0.8161, RMSE = 9.7123) and the traditional model without S-cones and ipRGC ($$R^2$$

R
2

= 0.8121, RMSE = 9.8171).
Association between clinical and surgical variables with postoperative outcomes in patients treated for intestinal obstruction for non-malignant conditions: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Girón Felipe , Chaves Carlos Eduardo Rey , Rodríguez Lina , Rueda-Esteban Roberto Javier , Núñez-Rocha Ricardo E. , Pedraza Juan Daniel , Conde Danny , Vanegas Marco , Nassar Ricardo , Herrera Gabriel , Hernández Juan David 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIntestinal obstruction is considered a frequent surgical pathology related to previous surgical procedures. Many different factors can lead to different outcomes when surgical management is needed. Therefore, we aim to describe the factors related to morbidity and mortality in surgical management of IO in a single-center experience. Retrospective observational study with a prospective database, in which we described patients who underwent surgical management due to intestinal obstruction between 2004 and 2015. Demographics, perioperative data, surgical outcomes, morbidity, and mortality were described. 366 patients were included. Female were 54.6%. Mean age was 61.26. Laparoscopic approach was done in 21.8% and the conversion rate was 17.2%. Intestinal resection was performed in 37.9% of the cases. Postoperative complications were observed in 18.85%. Reintervention and mortality were 9.5% and 4.1% respectively. Laparoscopic approach shows lesser time of intestinal transit (mean 28.67 vs. mean 41.95 h), and restart of oral intake after surgery (mean 96.06 vs. mean 119.65) compared with open approach. Increased heart rate and intensive care unit length of stay were related with mortality (p 0.01 and 0.000 respectively). For morbidity, laparotomy and need and duration of ICU stay were related with any complication statistically significant (p 0.02, 0.008, 0.000 respectively). Patients with increased heart rate in the emergency room, decreased amount of intravenous fluids, need and higher length of stay in the intensive care unit, and delay in resuming oral intake after surgery appear to have poor outcomes. Laparoscopic approach seems to be a safe and feasible approach for intestinal obstruction in selected patients.
A probable koala from the Oligocene of central Australia provides insights into early diprotodontian evolution
Authors: Crichton Arthur I. , Beck Robin M. D. , Couzens Aidan M. C. , Worthy Trevor H. , Camens Aaron B. , Prideaux Gavin J. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractDiprotodontians are the morphologically and ecologically most diverse order of marsupials. However, an approximately 30-million-year gap in the Australian terrestrial vertebrate fossil record means that the first half of diprotodontian evolution is unknown. Fossil taxa from immediately either side of this gap are therefore critical for reconstructing the early evolution of the order. Here we report the likely oldest-known koala relatives (Phascolarctidae), from the late Oligocene Pwerte Marnte Marnte Local Fauna (central Australia). These include coeval species of Madakoala and Nimiokoala, as well as a new probable koala (?Phascolarctidae). The new taxon, Lumakoala blackae gen. et sp. nov., was comparable in size to the smallest-known phascolarctids, with body-mass estimates of 2.2–2.6 kg. Its bunoselenodont upper molars retain the primitive metatherian condition of a continuous centrocrista, and distinct stylar cusps B and D which lacked occlusion with the hypoconid. This structural arrangement: (1) suggests a morphocline within Phascolarctidae from bunoselenodonty to selenodonty; and (2) better clarifies the evolutionary transitions between molar morphologies within Vombatomorphia. We hypothesize that the molar form of Lumakoala blackae approximates the ancestral condition of the suborder Vombatiformes. Furthermore, it provides a plausible link between diprotodontians and the putative polydolopimorphians Chulpasia jimthorselli and Thylacotinga bartholomaii from the early Eocene Tingamarra Local Fauna (eastern Australia), which we infer as having molar morphologies consistent with stem diprotodontians.
Analysis of global Napier grass (Cenchrus purpureus) collections reveals high genetic diversity among genotypes with some redundancy between collections
Authors: Muktar Meki S. , Bizuneh Tadelech , Anderson William , Assefa Yilikal , Negawo Alemayehu T. , Teshome Abel , Habte Ermias , Muchugi Alice , Feyissa Tileye , Jones Chris S. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractGenetic diversity amongst genotypes of several Napier grass collections was analyzed and compared with the diversity in a set of open pollinated progeny plants. A total of 114,881 SNP and 46,293 SilicoDArT genome-wide markers were generated on 574 Napier grass genotypes. Of these, 86% of the SNP and 66% of the SilicoDArT markers were mapped onto the fourteen chromosomes of the Napier grass genome. For genetic diversity analysis, a subset of highly polymorphic and informative SNP markers was filtered using genomic position information, a maximum of 10% missing values, a minimum minor allele frequency of 5%, and a maximum linkage-disequilibrium value of 0.5. Extensive genetic variation, with an average Nei’s genetic distance value of 0.23, was identified in the material. The genotypes clustered into three major and eleven sub-clusters with high levels of genetic variation contained both within (54%) and between (46%) clusters. However, we found that there was low to moderate genetic differentiation among the collections and that some overlap and redundancy occurred between collections. The progeny plants were genetically diverse and divergent from the germplasm collections, with an average FST value of 0.08. We also reported QTL regions associated with forage biomass yield based on field phenotype data measured on a subset of the Napier grass collections. The findings of this study offer useful information for Napier grass breeding strategies, enhancement of genetic diversity, and provide a guide for the management and conservation of the collections.
SAR image matching based on rotation-invariant description
Authors: Chang Yunhao , Xu Qing , Xiong Xin , Jin Guowang , Hou Huitai , Man Dan 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe utilization of scale invariant feature transform algorithm in synthetic-aperture radar images (SAR–SIFT) to match image features may lead to principal orientation assignments of descriptors being affected by speckle noise, thereby diminishing accuracy. In this study, we propose using the Fourier histogram of oriented ratio gradient (Fourier HORG) descriptor for robust matching of SAR images. This method is based on the SAR–SIFT algorithm framework. During feature description, the rotation-invariant Fourier HORG descriptor is established by performing Fourier analysis on the ratio gradient in the polar coordinate system, whereby the principal orientation assignment process is avoided and the robustness of SAR image registration improved. A matching experiment was conducted involving four sets of SAR image pairs, and the results demonstrated that our method exhibited higher accuracy and robustness compared to image matching based on the Fourier histogram of oriented gradient (Fourier HOG) descriptor and the SAR–SIFT algorithm, thus confirming the effectiveness of our proposed method.