bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation of narrow-band imaging findings using the Ni and European Laryngeal Society classification systems during in-office flexible laryngoscopy with histopathology
Authors: Nerurkar Nupur Kapoor , Sarkar Asitama 
Published: June 2023

AbstractObjectiveThis study used the European Laryngeal Society (2016) and Ni (2011 and 2019) classifications for narrow-band imaging and correlated the findings with histopathology.MethodsRetrospective analysis was conducted by retrieving data of patients who underwent micro-laryngoscopy for suspicious glottic lesions. The narrow-band imaging findings were classified using both classification systems. Retrieved histopathology report findings were correlated with narrow-band imaging data.ResultsUsing the European Laryngeal Society and Ni classifications, 37 (69.8 per cent) and 35 (66 per cent) patients, respectively, were suspected to have malignant lesions. Upon histopathology, 37 (69.8 per cent) lesions were malignant. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy using the European Laryngeal Society classification were 91.9 per cent, 81.3 per cent, 91.9 per cent, 81.3 per cent and 88.7 per cent, and using the Ni classification were 91.9 per cent, 93.8 per cent, 97.1 per cent, 83.3 per cent and 92.5 per cent, respectively.ConclusionThe Ni classification had better specificity and accuracy. The European Laryngeal Society classification is simple to use and may serve as a useful screening tool. For optimum results, both European Laryngeal Society and Ni classifications may be used together, in that order.
Simulating Hail and Lightning Over the Alpine Adriatic Region—A Model Intercomparison Study
Authors: Malečić B. , Cui R. , Demory M. E. , Horvath K. , Jelić D. , Schär C. , Telišman Prtenjak M. , Velasquez P. , Ban N. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractHail is a significant convective weather hazard, often causing considerable crop and property damage across the world. Although extremely damaging, hail still remains a challenging phenomenon to model and forecast, given the limited computational resolution and the gaps in understanding the processes involved in hail formation. Here, eight hailstorms occurring over the Alpine‐Adriatic region are analyzed using simulations with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) and the Consortium for Small Scale Modeling (COSMO) models, with embedded HAILCAST and Lightning Potential Index (LPI) diagnostics at kilometer‐scale grid spacing (∼2.2 km). In addition, a systematic model intercomparison study is performed to investigate the ability of the different modeling systems in reproducing such convective extremes, and to further assess the uncertainties associated with simulations of such localized phenomena. The results are verified by hailpad observations over Croatia, radar estimates of hail over Switzerland, and lightning measurements from the LINET network. The analysis reveals that both HAILCAST and LPI are able to reproduce the affected area and intensities of hail and lightning. Moreover, hail and lightning fields produced by both models are similar, although a slight tendency of WRF to produce smaller hail swaths with larger hailstones and higher LPI compared to COSMO is visible. It is found that these differences can be explained by systematic differences in vertical profiles of microphysical properties and updraft strength between the models. Overall, results are promising and indicate that both HAILCAST and LPI could be valuable tools for real‐time forecasting and climatological assessment of hail and lightning in current and changing climate.
Turbulent Heat Exchange Over Polar Leads Revisited: A Large Eddy Simulation Study
Authors: Gryschka M. , Gryanik V. M. , Lüpkes C. , Mostafa Z. , Sühring M. , Witha B. , Raasch S. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractSea ice leads play an important role in energy exchange between the ocean and atmosphere in polar regions, and therefore must be considered in weather and climate models. As sea ice leads are not explicitly resolved in such models, lead‐averaged surface heat flux is of considerable interest for the parameterization of energy exchange. Measurements and numerical studies have established that the lead‐averaged surface heat flux depends not only on meteorological parameters, but also on lead width. Nonetheless, few studies to date have investigated the dependency of surface heat flux on lead width. Most findings on that dependency are based on observations with lead widths smaller than a few hundred meters, but leads can have widths from a few meters to several kilometers. In this parameter study, we present the results of three series of large‐eddy simulations of turbulent exchange processes above leads. We varied the lead width and air temperature, as well as the roughness length. As this study focused on conditions without background wind, ice‐breeze circulation occurred, and was the main driver of the adjustment of surface heat flux. A previous large‐eddy simulation study with uncommonly large roughness length found that lead‐averaged surface heat flux exhibited a distinct maximum at lead widths of about 3 km, while our results show the largest heat fluxes for the smallest leads simulated (lead width of 50 m). At more realistic roughness lengths, we observed monotonously increasing heat fluxes with increasing lead width. Further, new scaling laws for the ice‐breeze circulation are proposed.
A Lagrangian Analysis of the Sources of Rainfall Over the Horn of Africa Drylands
Authors: Koppa Akash , Keune Jessica , MacLeod Dave A. , Singer Michael , Nieto Raquel , Gimeno Luis , Michaelides Katerina , Rosolem Rafael , Otieno George , Tadege Abebe , Miralles Diego G. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe Horn of Africa drylands (HAD) are among the most vulnerable regions to hydroclimatic extremes. The two rainfall seasons—long and short rains—exhibit high intraseasonal and interannual variability. Accurately simulating the long and short rains has proven to be a significant challenge for the current generation of weather and climate models, revealing key gaps in our understanding of the drivers of rainfall in the region. In contrast to existing climate modeling and observation‐based studies, here we analyze the HAD rainfall from an observationally‐constrained Lagrangian perspective. We quantify and map the region's major oceanic and terrestrial sources of moisture. Specifically, our results show that the Arabian Sea (through its influence on the northeast monsoon circulation) and the southern Indian Ocean (via the Somali low‐level jet) contribute ∼80% of the HAD rainfall. We see that moisture contributions from land sources are very low at the beginning of each season, but supply up to ∼20% from the second month onwards, that is, when the oceanic‐origin rainfall has already increased water availability over land. Further, our findings suggest that the interannual variability in the long and short rains is driven by changes in circulation patterns and regional thermodynamic processes rather than changes in ocean evaporation. Our results can be used to better evaluate, and potentially improve, numerical weather prediction and climate models, and have important implications for (sub‐)seasonal forecasts and long‐term projections of the HAD rainfall.
Is There a Semi‐Molten Layer at the Base of the Lunar Mantle?
Authors: Walterová Michaela , Běhounková Marie , Efroimsky Michael 
Published: June 2023

AbstractParameterised by the Love number k2 and the tidal quality factor Q, and inferred from lunar laser ranging (LLR), tidal dissipation in the Moon follows an unexpected frequency dependence often interpreted as evidence for a highly dissipative, melt‐bearing layer encompassing the core‐mantle boundary. Within this, more or less standard interpretation, the basal layer's viscosity is required to be of order 1015–1016 Pa s and its outer radius is predicted to extend to the zone of deep moonquakes. While the reconciliation of those predictions with the mechanical properties of rocks might be challenging, alternative lunar interior models without the basal layer are said to be unable to fit the frequency dependence of tidal Q. The purpose of our paper is to illustrate under what conditions the frequency‐dependence of lunar tidal Q can be interpreted without the need for deep‐seated partial melt. Devising a simplified lunar model, in which the mantle is described by the Sundberg‐Cooper rheology, we predict the relaxation strength and characteristic timescale of elastically accommodated grain boundary sliding in the mantle that would give rise to the desired frequency dependence. Along with developing this alternative model, we test the traditional model with a basal partial melt; and we show that the two models cannot be distinguished from each other by the available selenodetic measurements. Additional insight into the nature of lunar tidal dissipation can be gained either by measurements of higher‐degree Love numbers and quality factors or by farside lunar seismology.
Enhanced Regional Variability of Seawater pCO2 Under Human and Natural Interference in a Nearshore Coral Nature Reserve (Dongshan Island, China)
Authors: Dong Xu , Zheng Xinqing , Chen Baohong , Lin Hui , Qi Di 
Published: June 2023

AbstractCO2 signatures differ among locations, even within the same coastal habitat. However, the driving mechanism behind this variation is not well understood due to the presence of both human and natural stresses. This study examines seawater pCO2 and its deviation from the regional average (defined as pCO2 anomaly) during spring, summer, and winter at two contrasting zones (trial and core zones) of Dongshan coral habitat. The impact of solar, tidal, and biological cycles on pCO2 anomaly is relatively small under the designed sampling scheme. Results show that there is a large positive pCO2 anomaly in the turbid water of the trial zone during all studied seasons, while the large negative pCO2 anomaly in the core zone only occurs during the summer upwelling season. This indicates that CO2 signatures among locations may have seasonality. The physical and biological contributors to pCO2 anomaly are then quantitatively revealed based on a first‐order Taylor decomposition and biological carbon metabolisms. The results suggest that organic carbon metabolism of marine phytoplankton dominated pCO2 anomaly in all three seasons, while inorganic carbon metabolism also enlarged pCO2 anomaly, especially during summer. Physical contributions were minor. Moreover, significant linear correlations between turbidity (related to local human activities), chlorophyll (related to coastal upwelling) and changes in dissolved inorganic carbon (induced by organic carbon metabolism) indicate human and natural influences on bioprocesses, which may enhance pCO2 anomaly. Finally, the Dongshan coral habitat was estimated as a source of atmospheric CO2, with an annual efflux of approximately 50 t C.
SAR Imaging Based on OAM‐ωK Algorithm
Authors: Yueyue Han , Chenlu Li , Yongxing Du , Ling Qin , Baoshan Li , Linlin Chen , Zhengliang Liu 
Published: June 2023

AbstractTraditional radar imaging was restricted by the antenna aperture and imaging scene. It was difficult to improve azimuth resolution greatly. The vortex electromagnetic (EM) waves carrying orbital angular momentum have a special helical phase wavefront structure. The vortex EM waves could bring more degrees of freedom when applied to synthetic aperture radar imaging, make it possible for ultra‐high resolution imaging, provide a new possibility for the bottleneck problem of azimuth resolution in traditional radar imaging. In this paper, an OAM‐ωK algorithm was used to compensate the Bessel term and residual azimuth angle term which in the echo signal. Because the azimuth term and azimuth angle term were fused into a new azimuth term, the Doppler bandwidth was broadened and high resolution imaging was achieved. The theory verified the advantages of the algorithm in azimuth resolution. By comparing simulation experiments of single target point and multi‐target points with the traditional ωK algorithm, the proposed OAM‐ωK algorithm had higher azimuth resolution, proving the algorithm’s effectiveness.
Soluble CD4 effectively prevents excessive TLR activation of resident macrophages in the onset of sepsis
Authors: Zhang Sheng-yuan , Xu Qiu-ping , Shi Li-na , Li Shih-wen , Wang Wei-hong , Wang Qing-qing , Lu Liao-xun , Xiao Hui , Wang Jun-hong , Li Feng-ying , Liang Yin-ming , Gong Si-tang , Peng Hao-ran , Zhang Zheng , Tang Hong 
Published: June 2023

AbstractT lymphopenia, occurring in the early phase of sepsis in response to systemic inflammation, is commonly associated with morbidity and mortality of septic infections. We have previously shown that a sufficient number of T cells is required to constrain Toll-like receptors (TLRs) mediated hyperinflammation. However, the underlying mechanisms remains unsolved. Herein, we unveil that CD4+ T cells engage with MHC II of macrophages to downregulate TLR pro-inflammatory signaling. We show further that the direct contact between CD4 molecule of CD4+ T cells or the ectodomain of CD4 (soluble CD4, sCD4), and MHC II of resident macrophages is necessary and sufficient to prevent TLR4 overactivation in LPS and cecal ligation puncture (CLP) sepsis. sCD4 serum concentrations increase after the onset of LPS sepsis, suggesting its compensatory inhibitive effects on hyperinflammation. sCD4 engagement enables the cytoplasmic domain of MHC II to recruit and activate STING and SHP2, which inhibits IRAK1/Erk and TRAF6/NF-κB activation required for TLR4 inflammation. Furthermore, sCD4 subverts pro-inflammatory plasma membrane anchorage of TLR4 by disruption of MHC II-TLR4 raft domains that promotes MHC II endocytosis. Finally, sCD4/MHCII reversal signaling specifically interferes with TLR4 but not TNFR hyperinflammation, and independent of the inhibitive signaling of CD40 ligand of CD4+ cells on macrophages. Therefore, a sufficient amount of soluble CD4 protein can prevent excessive inflammatory activation of macrophages via alternation of MHC II-TLR signaling complex, that might benefit for a new paradigm of preventive treatment of sepsis.
Low levels of neutralizing antibodies against XBB Omicron subvariants after BA.5 infection
Authors: Yang Jingyun , Hong Weiqi , Lei Hong , He Cai , Lei Wenwen , Zhou Yanan , Zhao Tingmei , Alu Aqu , Ma Xuelei , Li Jiong , Yang Li , Wang Zhenling , Wang Wei , Lu Guangwen , Shen Guobo , Lu Shuaiyao , Wu Guizhen , Shi Huashan , Wei Xiawei 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe COVID-19 response strategies in Chinese mainland were recently adjusted due to the reduced pathogenicity and enhanced infectivity of Omicron subvariants. In Chengdu, China, an infection wave was predominantly induced by the BA.5 subvariant. It is crucial to determine whether the hybrid anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity following BA.5 infection, coupled with a variety of immune background, is sufficient to shape the immune responses against newly emerged Omicron subvariants, especially for XBB lineages. To investigate this, we collected serum and nasal swab samples from 108 participants who had been infected in this BA.5 infection wave, and evaluated the neutralization against pseudoviruses. Our results showed that convalescent sera from individuals, regardless of vaccination history, had remarkably compromised neutralization capacities against the newly emerged XBB and XBB.1.5 subvariants. Although post-vaccination with BA.5 breakthrough infection slightly elevated plasma neutralizing antibodies against a part of pseudoviruses, the neutralization activities were remarkably impaired by XBB lineages. Furthermore, we analyzed the impacts of the number of vaccinations, age, and sex on the humoral and cellular immune response after BA.5 infection. Our findings suggest that the neutralization against XBB lineages that elicited by current hybrid immunity after BA.5 infection, are remained at low levels, indicating an urgent need for the development of next-generation of COVID-19 vaccines that designed based on the XBB sub-lineages and other future variants.
Multi-dimensional single-cell characterization revealed suppressive immune microenvironment in AFP-positive hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: He Huisi , Chen Shuzhen , Fan Zhecai , Dong Yaping , Wang Ying , Li Shiyao , Sun Xiaojuan , Song Yuting , Yang Jinxian , Cao Qiqi , Jiang Jie , Wang Xianming , Wen Wen , Wang Hongyang 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAlpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-secreting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which accounts for ~75% of HCCs, is more aggressive with a worse prognosis than those without AFP production. The mechanism through which the interaction between tumors and the microenvironment leads to distinct phenotypes is not yet clear. Therefore, our study aims to identify the characteristic features and potential treatment targets of AFP-negative HCC (ANHC) and AFP-positive HCC (APHC). We utilized single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze 6 ANHC, 6 APHC, and 4 adjacent normal tissues. Integrated multi-omics analysis together with survival analysis were also performed. Further validation was conducted via cytometry time-of-flight on 30 HCCs and multiplex immunohistochemistry on additional 59 HCCs. Our data showed that the genes related to antigen processing and interferon-γ response were abundant in tumor cells of APHC. Meanwhile, APHC was associated with multifaceted immune distortion, including exhaustion of diverse T cell subpopulations, and the accumulation of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Notably, TAM-SPP1+was highly enriched in APHC, as was its receptor CD44 on T cells and tumor cells. Targeting the Spp1-Cd44 axis restored T cell function in vitro and significantly reduced tumor burden when treated with either anti-Spp1 or anti-Cd44 antibody alone or in combination with anti-Pd-1 antibody in the mouse model. Furthermore, elevated IL6 and TGF-β1 signaling contributed to the enrichment of TAM-SPP1+in APHC. In conclusion, this study uncovered a highly suppressive microenvironment in APHC and highlighted the role of TAM-SPP1+in regulating the immune microenvironment, thereby revealing the SPP1-CD44 axis as a promising target for achieving a more favorable immune response in APHC treatment.
Thermal conductivity of glasses: first-principles theory and applications
Authors: Simoncelli Michele , Mauri Francesco , Marzari Nicola 
Published: June 2023

AbstractPredicting the thermal conductivity of glasses from first principles has hitherto been a very complex problem. The established Allen-Feldman and Green-Kubo approaches employ approximations with limited validity—the former neglects anharmonicity, the latter misses the quantum Bose-Einstein statistics of vibrations—and require atomistic models that are very challenging for first-principles methods. Here, we present a protocol to determine from first principles the thermal conductivity κ(T) of glasses above the plateau (i.e., above the temperature-independent region appearing almost without exceptions in the κ(T) of all glasses at cryogenic temperatures). The protocol combines the Wigner formulation of thermal transport with convergence-acceleration techniques, and accounts comprehensively for the effects of structural disorder, anharmonicity, and Bose-Einstein statistics. We validate this approach in vitreous silica, showing that models containing less than 200 atoms can already reproduce κ(T) in the macroscopic limit. We discuss the effects of anharmonicity and the mechanisms determining the trend of κ(T) at high temperature, reproducing experiments at temperatures where radiative effects remain negligible.
Immunomodulatory activity of semen Ziziphi Spinosae protein: a potential plant protein functional food raw material
Authors: Zhang Hongyin , Xiao Fengqin , Li Jia , Han Rongxin , Li Guangzhe , Wan Zhiqiang , Shao Shuai , Zhao Daqing , Yan Mingming 
Published: June 2023

AbstractSemen Ziziphi Spinosae protein (SZSP) is a new plant protein resource with good food functional properties and health care function. However, the biological activity of SZSP has not been further studied, which greatly limits the development and utilization of SZSP in the food industry. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of SZSP on immunosuppressed mice and its inhibitory effect on immune-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. The results demonstrated that SZSP remarkably improved the immunomodulatory secretion in serum (interleukin-2, tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α], interferon-γ, immunoglobulin-A, immunoglobulin-G, immunoglobulin-M) and primary macrophages (nitric oxide, interleukin-1β, TNF-α) and promoted the NK-cell killing activity of primary splenocytes in CTX-induced immunosuppression mice. Immunohistochemical analysis results indicated that the secretion of CD4+ and CD8+ in the spleen and thymus can be regulated by SZSP, leading to inhibition of the damage induced by cyclophosphamide in mice. Meanwhile, in order to clarify the immunomodulatory mechanism of SZSP, we showed that SZSP significantly inhibited the secretion of NO, interleukin-6, and TNF-α and reduced the phosphorylation expression of p-ERK, p-JNK, and p-IκBα in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Therefore, the immunomodulatory effect of SZSP may be related to the activation of MAPKs and NF-κB signaling pathways. Based on the above studies, the preliminary purification of SZSP was continued, and S1F2G1 with immunomodulatory activity was obtained. Taken together, SZSP has an immunoregulatory effect in vivo and in vitro and may be a favorable candidate of functional food raw material for regulating immune responses.
Identification of novel putative alleles related to important agronomic traits of wheat using robust strategies in GWAS
Authors: Abdi Hossein , Alipour Hadi , Bernousi Iraj , Jafarzadeh Jafar , Rodrigues Paulo Canas 
Published: June 2023

AbstractPrincipal component analysis (PCA) is widely used in various genetics studies. In this study, the role of classical PCA (cPCA) and robust PCA (rPCA) was evaluated explicitly in genome-wide association studies (GWAS). We evaluated 294 wheat genotypes under well-watered and rain-fed, focusing on spike traits. First, we showed that some phenotypic and genotypic observations could be outliers based on cPCA and different rPCA algorithms (Proj, Grid, Hubert, and Locantore). Hubert’s method provided a better approach to identifying outliers, which helped to understand the nature of these samples. These outliers led to the deviation of the heritability of traits from the actual value. Then, we performed GWAS with 36,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) based on the traditional approach and two robust strategies. In the conventional approach and using the first three components of cPCA as population structure, 184 and 139 marker-trait associations (MTAs) were identified for five traits in well-watered and rain-fed environments, respectively. In the first robust strategy and when rPCA was used as population structure in GWAS, we observed that the Hubert and Grid methods identified new MTAs, especially for yield and spike weight on chromosomes 7A and 6B. In the second strategy, we followed the classical and robust principal component-based GWAS, where the first two PCs obtained from phenotypic variables were used instead of traits. In the recent strategy, despite the similarity between the methods, some new MTAs were identified that can be considered pleiotropic. Hubert's method provided a better linear combination of traits because it had the most MTAs in common with the traditional approach. Newly identified SNPs, including rs19833 (5B) and rs48316 (2B), were annotated with important genes with vital biological processes and molecular functions. The approaches presented in this study can reduce the misleading GWAS results caused by the adverse effect of outlier observations.