bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nanoscale copper and silver thin film systems display differences in antiviral and antibacterial properties
Authors: Meister Toni Luise , Fortmann Jill , Breisch Marina , Sengstock Christina , Steinmann Eike , Köller Manfred , Pfaender Stephanie , Ludwig Alfred 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe current Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has exemplified the need for simple and efficient prevention strategies that can be rapidly implemented to mitigate infection risks. Various surfaces have a long history of antimicrobial properties and are well described for the prevention of bacterial infections. However, their effect on many viruses has not been studied in depth. In the context of COVID-19, several surfaces, including copper (Cu) and silver (Ag) coatings have been described as efficient antiviral measures that can easily be implemented to slow viral transmission. In this study, we detected antiviral properties against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) on surfaces, which were coated with Cu by magnetron sputtering as thin Cu films or as Cu/Ag ultrathin bimetallic nanopatches. However, no effect of Ag on viral titers was observed, in clear contrast to its well-known antibacterial properties. Further enhancement of Ag ion release kinetics based on an electrochemical sacrificial anode mechanism did not increase antiviral activity. These results clearly demonstrate that Cu and Ag thin film systems display significant differences in antiviral and antibacterial properties which need to be considered upon implementation.
Growth factor dependency in mammary organoids regulates ductal morphogenesis during organ regeneration
Authors: Sahu Sounak , Albaugh Mary E. , Martin Betty K. , Patel Nimit L. , Riffle Lisa , Mackem Susan , Kalen Joseph D. , Sharan Shyam K. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractSignaling pathways play an important role in cell fate determination in stem cells and regulate a plethora of developmental programs, the dysregulation of which can lead to human diseases. Growth factors (GFs) regulating these signaling pathways therefore play a major role in the plasticity of adult stem cells and modulate cellular differentiation and tissue repair outcomes. We consider murine mammary organoid generation from self-organizing adult stem cells as a tool to understand the role of GFs in organ development and tissue regeneration. The astounding capacity of mammary organoids to regenerate a gland in vivo after transplantation makes it a convenient model to study organ regeneration. We show organoids grown in suspension with minimal concentration of Matrigel and in the presence of a cocktail of GFs regulating EGF and FGF signaling can recapitulate key epithelial layers of adult mammary gland. We establish a toolkit utilizing in vivo whole animal imaging and ultrasound imaging combined with ex vivo approaches including tissue clearing and confocal imaging to study organ regeneration and ductal morphogenesis. Although the organoid structures were severely impaired in vitro when cultured in the presence of individual GFs, ex vivo imaging revealed ductal branching after transplantation albeit with significantly reduced number of terminal end buds. We anticipate these imaging modalities will open novel avenues to study mammary gland morphogenesis in vivo and can be beneficial for monitoring mammary tumor progression in pre-clinical and clinical settings.
Characterizing the diversity of MHC conserved extended haplotypes using families from the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Alnaqbi Halima , Tay Guan K. , Chehadeh Sarah El Hajj , Alsafar Habiba 
Published: May 2022

AbstractAside from its anthropological relevance, the characterization of the allele frequencies of genes in the human Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) and the combination of these alleles that make up MHC conserved extended haplotypes (CEHs) is necessary for histocompatibility matching in transplantation as well as mapping disease association loci. The structure and content of the MHC region in Middle Eastern populations remain poorly characterized, posing challenges when establishing disease association studies in ethnic groups that inhabit the region and reducing the capacity to translate genetic research into clinical practice. This study was conceived to address a gap of knowledge, aiming to characterize CEHs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) population through segregation analysis of high-resolution, pedigree-phased, MHC haplotypes derived from 41 families. Twenty per cent (20.5%) of the total haplotype pool derived from this study cohort were identified as putative CEHs in the UAE population. These consisted of CEHs that have been previously detected in other ethnic groups, including the South Asian CEH 8.2 [HLA- C*07:02-B*08:01-DRB1*03:01-DQA1*05:01-DQB1*02:01 (H.F. 0.094)] and the common East Asian CEH 58.1 [HLA- C*03:02-B*58:01-DRB1*03:01- DQA1*05:01-DQB1*02:01 (H.F. 0.024)]. Additionally, three novel CEHs were identified in the current cohort, including HLA- C*15:02-B*40:06-DRB1*16:02-DQB1*05:02 (H.F. 0.035), HLA- C*16:02-B*51:01-DRB1*16:01-DQA1*01:02-DQB1*05:02 (H.F. 0.029), and HLA- C*03:02-B*58:01-DRB1*16:01-DQA1*01:02-DQB1*05:02 (H.F. 0.024). Overall, the results indicate a substantial gene flow with neighbouring ethnic groups in the contemporary UAE population including South Asian, East Asian, African, and European populations. Importantly, alleles and haplotypes that have been previously associated with autoimmune diseases (e.g., Type 1 Diabetes) were also present. In this regard, this study emphasizes that an appreciation for ethnic differences can provide insights into subpopulation-specific disease-related polymorphisms, which has remained a difficult endeavour.
An internet of radiation sensor system (IoRSS) to detect radioactive sources out of regulatory control
Authors: Tran-Quang Vinh , Dao-Viet Hung 
Published: May 2022

AbstractA radioactive source that is not under regulatory control, either because it has never been under regulatory control or because it has been abandoned, lost, misplaced, stolen, or otherwise transferred without proper authorization, is considered an orphan source. Orphan sources are usually gathered as scrap metal because of their heavy metallic containers. Melting an orphan source with scrap metal produces contaminated recycled metal and waste; the consequences will be extremely serious for humans and the environment, affecting the economy and social stability. In this paper, we propose and develop an Internet of Radiation Sensor System (IoRSS) to detect radioactive sources out of regulatory control in scrap metal recycling and production facilities. It is a complete IoT system consisting of a network of wirelessly connected radiometric devices that optimizes the detection, localization, and identification of radioactive sources by integrating data from multiple portable radiation detectors. The proposed IoRSS system creates a robust and flexible network architecture along with advanced data fusion algorithms that combine information from many detectors. The IoRSS system provides advanced search and monitoring capabilities in a large coverage area and in difficult operational environments.
Real-time realizable mobile imaging photoplethysmography
Authors: Lee Hooseok , Ko Hoon , Chung Heewon , Nam Yunyoung , Hong Sangjin , Lee Jinseok 
Published: May 2022

AbstractPhotoplethysmography imaging (PPGI) sensors have attracted a significant amount of attention as they enable the remote monitoring of heart rates (HRs) and thus do not require any additional devices to be worn on fingers or wrists. In this study, we mounted PPGI sensors on a robot for active and autonomous HR (R-AAH) estimation. We proposed an algorithm that provides accurate HR estimation, which can be performed in real time using vision and robot manipulation algorithms. By simplifying the extraction of facial skin images using saturation (S) values in the HSV color space, and selecting pixels based on the most frequent S value within the face image, we achieved a reliable HR assessment. The results of the proposed algorithm using the R-AAH method were evaluated by rigorous comparison with the results of existing algorithms on the UBFC-RPPG dataset (n = 42). The proposed algorithm yielded an average absolute error (AAE) of 0.71 beats per minute (bpm). The developed algorithm is simple, with a processing time of less than 1 s (275 ms for an 8-s window). The algorithm was further validated on our own dataset (BAMI-RPPG dataset [n = 14]) with an AAE of 0.82 bpm.
Complex function solution for deformation and failure mechanism of inclined coal seam roadway
Authors: Xiong Xianyu , Dai Jun , Xinnian Chen , Ouyang Yibo 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe stressed environment of the inclined coal seam roadway is complex and changeable, and the damage degree of surrounding rock increases, threatening the safe mining of coal mines. In order to take targeted support measures to control the stability of roadway surrounding rock, it is very important to study the stress and deformation characteristics of roadway surrounding rock in inclined coal seam. Therefore, this paper analyzes the deformation and failure law of inclined coal seam roadway according to the theory of complex variable function. It optimizes the solution process and accuracy of the mapping function coefficient and deduces the analytical solution of surrounding rock stress and deformation inclined coal seam roadway. The deformation and failure mechanism of surrounding rock in inclined coal seam roadway is revealed theoretically, and further use numerical simulation and physical simulation tests for supplementary analysis and verification. The results show that the stress and deformation of roadway surrounding rock in inclined coal seam show obvious asymmetric distribution characteristics. The stress and deformation of roadway surrounding rock on the right side are greater than on the left side. The two sides of the roadway, the right side of the roof and the roof angle of the right side, are the key positions of roadway stress concentration and deformation. According to the variation law of stress and deformation distribution of roadway surrounding rock, roadway cyclic deformation and failure theory is put forward. The numerical simulation and physical simulation tests show that the deformation and failure law of roadway is consistent with the theoretical analysis results, and there are differences in numerical values. The cyclic deformation and failure mechanism of roadway in inclined coal seam is verified, which can provide theoretical guidance for roadway support design.
Dental imaging using an ultra-high resolution photon-counting CT system
Authors: Ruetters Maurice , Sen Sinan , Gehrig Holger , Bruckner Thomas , Kim Ti-Sun , Lux Christopher J. , Schlemmer Heinz-Peter , Heinze Sarah , Maier Joscha , Kachelrieß Marc , Sawall Stefan 
Published: May 2022

AbstractClinical photon-counting CT (PCCT) offers a spatial resolution of about 200 µm and might allow for acquisitions close to conventional dental CBCTs. In this study, the capabilities of this new system in comparison to dental CBCTs shall be evaluated. All 8 apical osteolysis identified in CBCT were identified by both readers in all three PCCT scan protocols. Mean visibility scores showed statistical significant differences for root canals(p = 0.0001), periodontal space(p = 0.0090), cortical(p = 0.0003) and spongious bone(p = 0.0293) in favor of high and medium dose PCCT acquisitions. Overall, both devices showed excellent image quality of all structures assessed. Interrater-agreement showed high values for all protocols in all structures. Bland–Altman plots revealed a high concordance of both modalities with the reference measurements. In vitro, ultra-high resolution PCCT can reliably identify different diagnostic entities and structures relevant for dental diagnostics similar to conventional dental CBCT with similar radiation dose. Acquisitions of five cadaveric heads were performed in an experimental CT-system containing an ultra-high resolution PC detector (0.25 mm pixel size in isocenter) as well as in a dental CBCT scanner. Acquisitions were performed using dose levels of 8.5 mGy, 38.0 mGy and 66.5 mGy (CTDI16cm) in case of PCCT and of 8.94 mGy (CTDI16cm) in case of CBCT. The quality of delineation of hard tissues, root-canals, periodontal-space as well as apical osteolysis was assessed by two readers. Mean visibility scores and interrater-agreement (overall agreement (%)) were calculated. Vertical bone loss (bl) and thickness (bt) of the buccal bone lamina of 15 lower incisors were measured and compared to reference measurements by ore microscopy and clinical probing.
New cyanobacterial genus Argonema is hiding in soil crusts around the world
Authors: Skoupý Svatopluk , Stanojković Aleksandar , Pavlíková Markéta , Poulíčková Aloisie , Dvořák Petr 
Published: May 2022

AbstractCyanobacteria are crucial primary producers in soil and soil crusts. However, their biodiversity in these habitats remains poorly understood, especially in the tropical and polar regions. We employed whole genome sequencing, morphology, and ecology to describe a novel cyanobacterial genus Argonema isolated from Antarctica. Extreme environments are renowned for their relatively high number of endemic species, but whether cyanobacteria are endemic or not is open to much current debate. To determine if a cyanobacterial lineage is endemic is a time consuming, elaborate, and expensive global sampling effort. Thus, we propose an approach that will help to overcome the limits of the sampling effort and better understand the global distribution of cyanobacterial clades. We employed a Sequencing Read Archive, which provides a rich source of data from thousands of environmental samples. We developed a framework for a characterization of the global distribution of any microbial species using Sequencing Read Archive. Using this approach, we found that Argonema is actually cosmopolitan in arid regions. It provides further evidence that endemic microbial taxa are likely to be much rarer than expected.
Altered epithelial barrier functions in the colon of patients with spina bifida
Authors: Brochard Charlène , Bouguen Guillaume , Olivier Raphael , Durand Tony , Henno Sébastien , Peyronnet Benoît , Pagenault Mael , Lefèvre Chloé , Boudry Gaëlle , Croyal Mikael , Fautrel Alain , Esvan Maxime , Ropert Alain , Dariel Anne , Siproudhis Laurent , Neunlist Michel 
Published: May 2022

AbstractOur objectives were to better characterize the colorectal function of patients with Spina Bifida (SB). Patients with SB and healthy volunteers (HVs) completed prospectively a standardized questionnaire, clinical evaluation, rectal barostat, colonoscopy with biopsies and faecal collection. The data from 36 adults with SB (age: 38.8 [34.1–47.2]) were compared with those of 16 HVs (age: 39.0 [31.0–46.5]). Compared to HVs, rectal compliance was lower in patients with SB (p = 0.01), whereas rectal tone was higher (p = 0.0015). Ex vivo paracellular permeability was increased in patients with SB (p = 0.0008) and inversely correlated with rectal compliance (r = − 0.563, p = 0.002). The expression of key tight junction proteins and inflammatory markers was comparable between SB and HVs, except for an increase in Claudin-1 immunoreactivity (p = 0.04) in SB compared to HVs. TGFβ1 and GDNF mRNAs were expressed at higher levels in patients with SB (p = 0.02 and p = 0.008). The levels of acetate, propionate and butyrate in faecal samples were reduced (p = 0.04, p = 0.01, and p = 0.02, respectively). Our findings provide evidence that anorectal and epithelial functions are altered in patients with SB. The alterations in these key functions might represent new therapeutic targets, in particular using microbiota-derived approaches.Clinical Trials: NCT02440984 and NCT03054415.
Social activity promotes resilience against loneliness in depressed individuals: a study over 14-days of physical isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia
Authors: Ji Julie L. , Basanovic Julian , MacLeod Colin 
Published: May 2022

AbstractLoneliness is a subjectively perceived state of social isolation that is associated with negative emotional, cognitive, and physical health outcomes. Physical distancing and shelter-in-place public health responses designed to curb COVID-19 transmission has led to concerns over elevated risk of loneliness. Given that physical isolation does not necessitate social isolation in the age of digital communication, this study investigated the relationship between the frequency of social interaction and loneliness over a two-week period in people engaging in physical distancing and examined whether this relationship was moderated by physical isolation level, age, or depression. A self-selected sample of N = 469 individuals across Australia who were engaged in physically distanced living completed daily surveys for 14-days during April to June of 2020. Multilevel modelling showed that more frequent social interaction with close, but not intermediate or distant contacts, was uniquely associated with lower loneliness. In addition, being younger, more depressed, more anxious, or having a mental health condition diagnosis (past or present) were also independently associated with higher loneliness. Critically, depression was the only significant moderator of the relationship between social interaction and loneliness over time, where more frequent social interaction with close contacts buffered against loneliness over time in high depression individuals only. The findings suggest that encouraging social activity with close contacts may promote resilience against loneliness in individuals with elevated depression symptoms.
Food deprivation alters reproductive performance of biocontrol agent Hadronotus pennsylvanicus
Authors: Straser Robert K. , Wilson Houston 
Published: May 2022

AbstractDiet can influence parasitoid reproductive performance, and therefore, the efficacy of biocontrol programs. We evaluated the influence of food deprivation on the reproductive fitness and behavior of the egg parasitoid Hadronotus pennsylvanicus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), a prospective biocontrol agent for Leptoglossus zonatus (Heteroptera: Coreidae). Newly emerged female parasitoids were mated and provided host eggs every other day while being provisioned with various honey diet regimes or a consistent supply of water. When given frequent access to a honey diet, female parasitoids lived significantly longer and parasitized more host eggs compared to the water-fed controls. Once depleted of mature eggs, females with frequent access to honey also contributed to greater non-reproductive host mortality. Furthermore, behavioral assays demonstrated that water-fed females spent less time interacting with host eggs and tended to more frequently divert from oviposition behavior. While there was no difference in the average duration until first oviposition between individuals assigned to different diet treatments, increased frequency of honey feeding was associated with more frequent and longer duration of oviposition. The positive effect of honey feeding on the reproductive performance of biocontrol agent H. pennsylvanicus suggests that performance of this parasitoid under field conditions could be enhanced through the provision of similar carbohydrate resources, such as flowering summer cover crops.
Cascadable all-optical NAND gates using diffractive networks
Authors: Luo Yi , Mengu Deniz , Ozcan Aydogan 
Published: May 2022

AbstractOwing to its potential advantages such as scalability, low latency and power efficiency, optical computing has seen rapid advances over the last decades. Here, we present the design and analysis of cascadable all-optical NAND gates using diffractive neural networks. We encoded the logical values at the input and output planes of a diffractive NAND gate using the relative optical power of two spatially-separated apertures. Based on this architecture, we numerically optimized the design of a diffractive neural network composed of 4 passive layers to all-optically perform NAND operation using diffraction of light, and cascaded these diffractive NAND gates to perform complex logical functions by successively feeding the output of one diffractive NAND gate into another. We numerically demonstrated the cascadability of our diffractive NAND gates by using identical diffractive designs to all-optically perform AND and OR operations, which can be formulated as$$\mathrm{AND}\left({I}_{1}, {I}_{2}\right)=\mathrm{NAND}\left(\mathrm{NAND}\left({I}_{1}, {I}_{2}\right), \mathrm{NAND}\left({I}_{1},{I}_{2}\right)\right)$$ANDI1,I2=NANDNANDI1,I2,NANDI1,I2and$$\mathrm{OR}\left({I}_{1}, {I}_{2}\right)=\mathrm{NAND}\left(\mathrm{NAND}\left({I}_{1}, {I}_{1}\right), \mathrm{NAND}\left({I}_{2},{I}_{2}\right)\right)$$ORI1,I2=NANDNANDI1,I1,NANDI2,I2, respectively. We also designed an all-optical half-adder that takes two logical values as input and returns their sum and the carry using cascaded diffractive NAND gates. Cascadable all-optical NAND gates composed of spatially-engineered passive diffractive layers can serve optical computing platforms.
Synthesis, structural and luminescent properties of Mn-doped calcium pyrophosphate (Ca2P2O7) polymorphs
Authors: Griesiute Diana , Garskaite Edita , Antuzevics Andris , Klimavicius Vytautas , Balevicius Vytautas , Zarkov Aleksej , Katelnikovas Arturas , Sandberg Dick , Kareiva Aivaras 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIn the present work, three different Mn2+-doped calcium pyrophosphate (CPP, Ca2P2O7) polymorphs were synthesized by wet co-precipitation method followed by annealing at different temperatures. The crystal structure and purity were studied by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SS-NMR), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the morphological features of the synthesized products. Optical properties were investigated using photoluminescence measurements. Excitation spectra, emission spectra, and photoluminescence decay curves of the samples were studied. All Mn-doped polymorphs exhibited a broadband emission ranging from approximately 500 to 730 nm. The emission maximum was host-dependent and centered at around 580, 570, and 595 nm for γ-, β-, and α-CPP, respectively.
Miniaturized QuEChERS extraction method for the detection of multi-residue pesticides in bat muscle tissue
Authors: Guimarães Torquetti Camila , Maciel d’Auriol-Souza Mirna , Coelho André Leiliane , Bittencourt Guimarães Ana Tereza , Soto-Blanco Benito 
Published: May 2022

AbstractHabitat loss and fragmentation are among the greatest threats to biodiversity and ecosystem stability, with physiological implications on wild fauna. Bats (Microchiroptera) are small mammals with a wide variety of eating habits, and the well-being of these animals is disturbed by exposure to pesticides. This study aimed to develop a miniaturized QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) extraction method for the detection of multi-residue pesticides in bat muscle tissue using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC–MS). A total of 48 pesticides were tested in 250 mg of bat muscle tissue. The developed analytical method was applied to 148 bats collected from two different areas in Minas Gerais State, Southeast Region of Brazil. The method presented good sensitivity and allowed the determination of residues of 48 pesticides in bat muscle using GC–MS. The miniaturized extraction method makes the analysis feasible even when the sample volume is limited. However, no pesticide residues were detected in bats from the two areas investigated.