bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Guided-wave manipulation in SIW H-plane horn antenna by combining phase correction and holographic-based leakage
Authors: Araghi Ali , Khalily Mohsen , Yurduseven Okan , Xiao Pei , Tafazolli Rahim 
Published: July 2022

AbstractA hybrid technique is proposed to manipulate the field distribution in a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) H-plane horn to enhance its radiation characteristics. The technique comprises two cascaded steps to govern the guided waves in the structure. The first step is to correct the phase of fields and form a quasi-uniform distribution in the flare section so that the gain increases and side-lobe-level (SLL) decreases. This is obtained by loading the structure with a novel modulated metal-via lens. Field expansion on the radiating aperture of the SIW H-plane horn generates backward surface waves on both broad walls which increases the backlobe. In the second step, these backward surface waves are recycled and directed forward with the aid of holography theory. This is achieved by adding a couple of dielectric slabs with holographic-based patterns of metallic strips on both broad walls. With this step, the backlobe is reduced and the endfire gain is further increased. Using the proposed technique, the structure is designed and fabricated to operate at$$f=30$$f=30 GHz which simultaneously improves the measured values of gain to 11.65 dBi, H-plane SLL to$$-\,17.94$$-17.94 dB, and front-to-back ratio to 17.02 dB.
The iodide transporter Slc26a7 impacts thyroid function more strongly than Slc26a4 in mice
Authors: Yamaguchi Naoya , Suzuki Atsushi , Yoshida Aya , Tanaka Tatsushi , Aoyama Kohei , Oishi Hisashi , Hara Yuichiro , Ogi Tomoo , Amano Izuki , Kameo Satomi , Koibuchi Noriyuki , Shibata Yasuhiro , Ugawa Shinya , Mizuno Haruo , Saitoh Shinji 
Published: July 2022

AbstractSLC26A4 is a known iodide transporter, and is localized at the apical membrane of thyrocytes. Previously, we reported that SLC26A7 is also involved in iodide transport and that Slc26a7 is a novel causative gene for congenital hypothyroidism. However, its detailed role in vivo remains to be elucidated. We generated mice that were deficient in Slc26a7 and Slc26a4 to delineate differences and associations in their roles in iodide transport. Slc26a7−/− mice showed goitrous congenital hypothyroidism and mild growth failure on a normal diet. Slc26a7−/− mice with a low iodine environment showed marked growth failure. In contrast, Slc26a4−/− mice showed no growth failure and hypothyroidism in the same low iodine environment. Double-deficient mice showed more severe growth failure than Slc26a7−/− mice. RNA-seq analysis revealed that the number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Slc26a7−/− mice was significantly higher than that in Slc26a4−/− mice. These indicate that SLC26A7 is more strongly involved in iodide transport and the maintenance of thyroid function than SLC26A4.
Impact of lumbar spinal stenosis on metabolic syndrome incidence in community-dwelling adults in Aizu cohort study (LOHAS)
Authors: Ono Rei , Takegami Misa , Yamamoto Yosuke , Yamazaki Shin , Otani Koji , Sekiguchi Miho , Konno Shin-Ichi , Kikuchi Shin-Ichi , Fukuhara Shunichi 
Published: July 2022

AbstractMetabolic syndrome and lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) are common age-related diseases. However, the causal relationship between them remains unclear. This study aimed to identify the effects of LSS on metabolic syndrome incidence in community-dwelling adults. This prospective cohort study included participants of the Aizu cohort study (LOHAS) aged < 75 years as of 2008. Participants with metabolic syndrome at baseline were excluded. The primary outcome measure was metabolic syndrome incidence, and the main explanatory variable was the presence of LSS, as assessed by a self-reported questionnaire. A multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for metabolic syndrome incidence during the 6-year follow-up period. Complete-case analyses were compared with the multiple imputation results. Among 1599 participants, 1390 complete cases were analyzed (mean [SD] age 62.3 [9.0] years; females, 734 [52.8%]). Among those participants, 525 (37.8%) developed metabolic syndrome during the follow-up of 3.89 [1.96] years. The presence of LSS was associated with developing metabolic syndrome (HR, 1.41; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–1.95). Multiple imputation results showed similar trends of those having complete-case data (HR, 1.47; 95% CI 1.08–2.00). This finding suggests the importance of prevention and management of LSS in community settings.
Necroptosis-related lncRNA signatures determine prognosis in breast cancer patients
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Yue Qingfang , Cao Fei , Li YanQin , Wei Yifang 
Published: July 2022

AbstractNecroptosis is a genetically regulated form of necrotic cell death that has emerged as an important pathway in cancers. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key regulators of breast cancer development. Nevertheless, few studies are reporting the effect of lncRNAs in necroptosis processes and the role of necroptosis-related lncRNAs (NRLs). The present study aimed to construct a prognostic model based on NRLs in breast cancer. NRLs were identified by combining expression profiling data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) with necroptosis-related genes. The non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) clustering analysis was conducted to identify molecular subtypes of BC, and the clinical outcome and tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) in the different molecular subtypes were analyzed. Four molecular subtypes based on NRLs were identified, and these four molecular subtypes could predict clinical features, prognosis, and tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs). A 4-NRLs signature and nomogram were established and validated its predictive capability of overall survival (OS) in breast cancer patients. Analyses of clinicopathological features, prognosis, TIICs, tumor microenvironment (TME), somatic mutations, and drug response revealed significant differences between the two risk groups. In addition, we found that low-risk patients exhibited higher levels of immune checkpoints and showed higher immunogenicity in immunophenoscore (IPS) analysis. In conclusion, we constructed a prognostic model based on the expression profile of NRLs, which may facilitate the assessment of patient prognosis, immunotherapeutic responses, and maybe a promising therapeutic target in clinical practice.
Glaucoma diagnostic performance of macular ganglion cell complex thickness using regular and long axial length normative databases
Authors: Chen Henry Shen-Lih , Ling Xiao Chun , Lu Da-Wen , Chuang Lan-Hsing , Su Wei-Wen , Lee Yung-Sung , Wu Wei-Chi , Yeh Po-Han 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe risks of misdiagnosing a healthy individual as glaucomatous or vice versa may be high in a population with a large majority of highly myopic individuals, due to considerable morphologic variability in high myopic fundus. This study aims to compare the diagnostic ability of the regular and long axial length databases in the RS-3000 Advance SD-OCT (Nidek) device to correctly diagnose glaucoma with high myopia. Patients with high myopia (axial length ≥ 26.0 mm) in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan between 2015 and 2020 were included. Glaucoma was diagnosed based on glaucomatous discs, visual field defects and corresponding retinal nerve fiber layer defects. The sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy and likelihood ratios of diagnosing glaucoma via mGCC thickness in both superior/inferior and GChart mapping using the regular and long axial length normative databases. The specificity and diagnostic accuracy of mGCC thickness for distinguishing glaucomatous eyes from nonglaucomatous eyes among highly myopic eyes were significantly improved using the long axial length database (p = 0.046). There were also significant proportion changes in S/I mapping as well as GChart mapping (37.3% and 48.0%, respectively; p < 0.01) from abnormal to normal in the myopic normal eye group when using the long axial length normative database. The study revealed that clinicians could utilize a long axial length database to effectively decrease the number of false-positive diagnoses or to correctly identify highly myopic normal eyes misdiagnosed as glaucomatous eyes.
Association between surgeon age and postoperative complications/mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
Authors: Jung Yeongin , Kim Kihun , Choi Sang Tae , Kang Jin Mo , Cho Noo Ree , Ko Dai Sik , Kim Yun Hak 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe surgical workforce, like the rest of the population, is ageing. This has raised concerns about the association between the age of the surgeon and their surgical outcomes. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies on postoperative mortality and major morbidity according to the surgeons’ age. The search was performed on February 2021 using the Embase, Medline and CENTRAL databases. Postoperative mortality and major morbidity were evaluated as clinical outcomes. We categorized the surgeons’ age into young-, middle-, and old-aged surgeons. We compared the differences in clinical outcomes for younger and older surgeons compared to middle-aged surgeons. Subgroup analyses were performed for major and minor surgery. Ten retrospective cohort studies on 29 various surgeries with 1,666,108 patients were considered. The mortality in patients undergoing surgery by old-aged surgeons was 1.14 (1.02–1.28, p = 0.02) (I2 = 80%) compared to those by middle-aged surgeon. No significant differences were observed according to the surgeon’s age in the major morbidity and subgroup analyses. This meta-analysis indicated that surgeries performed by old-aged surgeons had a higher risk of postoperative mortality than those by middle-aged surgeons. Thus, it necessitates the introduction of a multidisciplinary approach to evaluate the performance of senior surgeons.
Contamination level, sources, and health risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in suburban vegetable field soils of Changchun, Northeast China
Authors: Cui Zhengwu , Wang Yang , Du Liansheng , Yu Yong 
Published: July 2022

AbstractPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of persistent organic pollutants. With the expansion of the city, the suburban environment is being increasingly polluted by PAHs, which pose a huge potential risk for suburban agriculture. Therefore, we conducted a survey focusing on the pollution level, sources, and risk of PAHs in Changchun suburban vegetable soils, Northeast China. The total concentrations of 16 PAHs (Σ16PAHs) in soils were between 2338.2 and 15,200 ng g−1 (mean 6778.1 ng g−1), which were significantly higher than those in most other cities. High molecular weight PAHs were the major components, which occupied over 85.63% of all PAHs. Seven potential carcinogenic PAHs accounted for 56.96% of the Σ16PAHs. Source apportionment results based on the ratio of PAH isomers and principal components analysis showed that PAHs were primarily derived from pyrolysis sources, such as biomass/coal combustion, traffic emissions, and petroleum. Ecological risk values of PAHs were between effects range-low (ERL) and effects range-median (ERM), which might cause occasionally ecological risks in the suburbs. According to the incremental lifetime cancer risk assessment results, the health risks to the exposed population were in the acceptable level, with dermal contact and ingestion being the predominant exposure pathway.
Fabrication of near-invisible solar cell with monolayer WS2
Authors: He Xing , Iwamoto Yuta , Kaneko Toshiro , Kato Toshiaki 
Published: July 2022

AbstractHerein, we developed a near-invisible solar cell through a precise control of the contact barrier between an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode and a monolayer tungsten disulfide (WS2), grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The contact barrier between WS2 and ITO was controlled by coating various thin metals on top of ITO (Mx/ITO) and inserting a thin layer of WO3 between Mx/ITO and the monolayer WS2, which resulted in a drastic increase in the Schottky barrier height (up to 220 meV); this could increase the efficiency of the charge carrier separation in our Schottky-type solar cell. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the solar cell with the optimized electrode (WO3/Mx/ITO) was more than 1000 times that of a device using a normal ITO electrode. Large-scale fabrication of the solar cell was also investigated, which revealed that a simple size expansion with large WS2 crystals and parallel long electrodes could not improve the total power (PT) obtained from the complete device even with an increase in the device area; this can be explained by the percolation theory. This problem was addressed by reducing the aspect ratio (width/channel length) of the unit device structure to a value lower than a critical threshold. By repeating the experiments on this optimized unit device with an appropriate number of series and parallel connections, PT could be increased up to 420 pW from a 1-cm2 solar cell with a very high value (79%) of average visible transmission (AVT).
Changes in physical activity patterns of students from primary to secondary school: a 5-year longitudinal study
Authors: Okazaki Kanzo , Koyama Yuzo , Ohkawara Kazunori 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThis study aimed to annually examine anthropometric characteristics and physical activity (PA) among children transitioning from fourth grade (9–10 years of age) to eighth grade (13–14 years of age) in Japan. The participants’ (n = 63) age, grade, sex, weight, height, and weight status were recorded at baseline. Accelerometry assessments were performed annually following established protocols. Time spent on activities requiring ≥ 3 metabolic equivalents (METs), 1.6–2.9 METs, and ≤ 1.5 METs were defined as moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA), light PA (LPA), and sedentary behavior (SB), respectively. Two linear mixed models were used to examine whether MVPA, LPA, and SB min/day changed over time. Fifty-five participants provided complete data. A significant, nonlinear, longitudinal decline in MVPA, an increase in SB, and a linear decline in LPA were observed. Changes in MVPA and SB were accelerated in seventh grade (12–13 years of age). Male sex and maintenance of normal weight status were associated with higher MVPA levels. Changes in LPA and SB were not associated with sex or weight status. During the transition period from primary to secondary school, MVPA and SB showed nonlinear accelerations. Sex and normal weight were associated with more time spent performing MVPA.
Aerosol emissions from wind instruments: effects of performer age, sex, sound pressure level, and bell covers
Authors: Volckens John , Good Kristen M. , Goble Dan , Good Nicholas , Keller Joshua P. , Keisling Amy , L’Orange Christian , Morton Emily , Phillips Rebecca , Tanner Ky 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAerosol emissions from wind instruments are a suspected route of transmission for airborne infectious diseases, such as SARS-CoV-2. We evaluated aerosol number emissions (from 0.25 to 35.15 μm) from 81 volunteer performers of both sexes and varied age (12 to 63 years) while playing wind instruments (bassoon, clarinet, flute, French horn, oboe, piccolo, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, and tuba) or singing. Measured emissions spanned more than two orders of magnitude, ranging in rate from < 8 to 1,815 particles s−1, with brass instruments, on average, producing 191% (95% CI 81–367%) more aerosol than woodwinds. Being male was associated with a 70% increase in emissions (vs. female; 95% CI 9–166%). Each 1 dBA increase in sound pressure level was associated with a 28% increase (95% CI 10–40%) in emissions from brass instruments; sound pressure level was not associated with woodwind emissions. Age was not a significant predictor of emissions. The use of bell covers reduced aerosol emissions from three brass instruments tested (trombone, tuba, and trumpet), with average reductions ranging from 53 to 73%, but not for the two woodwind instruments tested (oboe and clarinet). Results from this work can facilitate infectious disease risk management for the performing arts.
The upper percolation threshold and porosity–permeability relationship in sandstone reservoirs using digital image analysis
Authors: Payton Ryan L. , Chiarella Domenico , Kingdon Andrew 
Published: July 2022

AbstractSubsurface sandstone deposits represent globally ubiquitous reservoirs which can potentially provide the characteristics necessary for the effective geological storage of CO2. Geological carbon storage is widely agreed to be a key asset in tackling anthropogenic emissions and climate change to reach a sustainable ‘net zero’, despite the present financial challenges associated with it. Therefore, improved understanding of the characteristics of the materials in which we plan to store many gigatons of CO2 is critical. Developing cheaper characterisation techniques is therefore crucial to support the global push for net zero. In this work we use digital analysis of 3D microscale X-ray images of a range of sandstone samples to constrain the porosity–permeability relationship and the upper percolation threshold; the point at which near full pore structure connectivity is achieved. This is one of the most significant controls on the viability of carbon storage as a practical solution to achieving net zero. We find that the upper percolation threshold in sandstone occurs at ca. 14% total porosity whilst the relationship between porosity ($$\phi$$
ϕ
) and permeability ($$K$$
K
) can be defined as $$K={10}^{5.68} {\phi }^{3.88}$$

K
=

10

5.68

ϕ

3.88

. The investigation of the upper percolation threshold may allow a target criterion to be designated when assessing potential carbon storage reservoirs, whilst investigation of the porosity–permeability relationship allows for a greater understanding of the fluid flow regimes in the subsurface. By using a digital technique to assess carbon storage reservoir potentiality we show that initial characterisation of reservoirs can be carried out rapidly and relatively economically, prior to further full reservoir characterisation studies. This approach is also non-destructive, allowing samples to be reused and multiple analytical phases performed on the same materials.
Paninvasion severity assessment of a U.S. grape pest to disrupt the global wine market
Authors: Huron Nicholas A. , Behm Jocelyn E. , Helmus Matthew R. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractEconomic impacts from plant pests are often felt at the regional scale, yet some impacts expand to the global scale through the alignment of a pest’s invasion potentials. Such globally invasive species (i.e., paninvasives) are like the human pathogens that cause pandemics. Like pandemics, assessing paninvasion risk for an emerging regional pest is key for stakeholders to take early actions that avoid market disruption. Here, we develop the paninvasion severity assessment framework and use it to assess a rapidly spreading regional U.S. grape pest, the spotted lanternfly planthopper (Lycorma delicatula; SLF), to spread and disrupt the global wine market. We found that SLF invasion potentials are aligned globally because important viticultural regions with suitable environments for SLF establishment also heavily trade with invaded U.S. states. If the U.S. acts as an invasive bridgehead, Italy, France, Spain, and other important wine exporters are likely to experience the next SLF introductions. Risk to the global wine market is high unless stakeholders work to reduce SLF invasion potentials in the U.S. and globally.
Engineering of ultraID, a compact and hyperactive enzyme for proximity-dependent biotinylation in living cells
Authors: Kubitz Lea , Bitsch Sebastian , Zhao Xiyan , Schmitt Kerstin , Deweid Lukas , Roehrig Amélie , Barazzone Elisa Cappio , Valerius Oliver , Kolmar Harald , Béthune Julien 
Published: July 2022

AbstractProximity-dependent biotinylation (PDB) combined with mass spectrometry analysis has established itself as a key technology to study protein-protein interactions in living cells. A widespread approach, BioID, uses an abortive variant of the E. coli BirA biotin protein ligase, a quite bulky enzyme with slow labeling kinetics. To improve PDB versatility and speed, various enzymes have been developed by different approaches. Here we present a small-size engineered enzyme: ultraID. We show its practical use to probe the interactome of Argonaute-2 after a 10 min labeling pulse and expression at physiological levels. Moreover, using ultraID, we provide a membrane-associated interactome of coatomer, the coat protein complex of COPI vesicles. To date, ultraID is the smallest and most efficient biotin ligase available for PDB and offers the possibility of investigating interactomes at a high temporal resolution.
Persistent red blood cells retain their ability to move in microcapillaries under high levels of oxidative stress
Authors: Besedina Nadezhda A. , Skverchinskaya Elisaveta A. , Shmakov Stanislav V. , Ivanov Alexander S. , Mindukshev Igor V. , Bukatin Anton S. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractOxidative stress is one of the key factors that leads to red blood cells (RBCs) aging, and impairs their biomechanics and oxygen delivery. It occurs during numerous pathological processes and causes anaemia, one of the most frequent side effects of cancer chemotherapy. Here, we used microfluidics to simulate the microcirculation of RBCs under oxidative stress induced by tert-Butyl hydroperoxide. Oxidative stress was expected to make RBCs more rigid, which would lead to decrease their transit velocity in microfluidic channels. However, single-cell tracking combined with cytological and AFM studies reveals cell heterogeneity, which increases with the level of oxidative stress. The data indicates that the built-in antioxidant defence system has a limit exceeding which haemoglobin oxidation, membrane, and cytoskeleton transformation occurs. It leads to cell swelling, increased stiffness and adhesion, resulting in a decrease in the transit velocity in microcapillaries. However, even at high levels of oxidative stress, there are persistent cells in the population with an undisturbed biophysical phenotype that retain the ability to move in microcapillaries. Developed microfluidic analysis can be used to determine RBCs’ antioxidant capacity for the minimization of anaemia during cancer chemotherapy.
Advances and challenges of aluminum–sulfur batteries
Authors: Klimpel Matthias , Kovalenko Maksym V. , Kravchyk Kostiantyn V. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe search for cost-effective stationary energy storage systems has led to a surge of reports on novel post-Li-ion batteries composed entirely of earth-abundant chemical elements. Among the plethora of contenders in the ‘beyond lithium’ domain, the aluminum–sulfur (Al–S) batteries have attracted considerable attention in recent years due to their low cost and high theoretical volumetric and gravimetric energy densities (3177 Wh L−1and 1392 Wh kg−1). In this work, we offer an overview of historical and present research pursuits in the development of Al–S batteries with particular emphasis on their fundamental problem—the dissolution of polysulfides. We examine both experimental and computational approaches to tailor the chemical interactions between the sulfur host materials and polysulfides, and conclude with our view on research directions that could be pursued further.