bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of Mechano-Responsive CNT-Epoxy Concrete
Authors: Jeon Hye-Kyoung , Jung Yu-Jin , Jang Sung-Hwan
Published: November 2024

Cracking in engineering concrete structures poses a significant problem as it not only accelerates the rate of deterioration but also diminishes the structural strength. The current repair materials being used are capable of short-term repairs only and may result in destroying the concrete structure due to additional damage. In this study, Carbon nanotube (CNT)-Epoxy concrete is proposed as a sensing repair material to address this problem. The authors assess the electrical properties of samples based on the CNT content and aggregates and report on the optimal mixing ratio of CNT-Epoxy concrete. The electro-mechanical characterization of CNT-Epoxy concrete was evaluated through a series of experiments such as static and cyclic loadings. CNT-Epoxy concrete exhibits accurate sensing response under compression and maintains a consistent cyclic response. The findings from the study demonstrate that CNT-Epoxy concrete is an effective material for repairing concrete cracks, offering favorable compressive strength, and showing reliable sensing ability.
Acute diverticulitis requiring hospitalization according to regional discrepancies in France between 2013 and 2022: a nationwide study
Authors: Saint-Dizier C. , Hamel J. F. , Lamer A. , Venara A. , Levaillant M. , Venara Aurélien
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The prevention of colon diverticulitis tends to be tailored according to the patients. In order to improve the public health policy to prevent diverticulitis, the influence of regional parameters at a department scale has to be assessed.

Objective

This analysis aimed to assess the occurrence of acute diverticulitis in France in general and according to environmental factors suspected to affect such diseases.

Methods

All patients above 18 years old admitted to a general hospital with a diverticulitis diagnosis between 2013 and 2022 in France were included. Data were extracted from the French national hospital discharge database. The primary outcome was the occurrence of diverticulitis according to French territories and known risk factors.

Results

In this nationwide cohort study, the 10-years cumulative occurrence of diverticulitis in France was 3.45% (n = 2 0.248.099 patients). Diverticulitis was influenced by older age and male gender but was not significantly associated with ecological parameters (obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking or economic discrepancies) at a departmental scale. Of all patients diagnosed with diverticulitis, 5% had at least one surgical intervention. The surgical management of diverticulitis was associated with an increased number of surgeons in the department, even after adjustment for age and sex.

Conclusions

Except for smoking, the frequency of diverticulitis requiring an hospitalization was independent of regional parameters (nor alcohol intake, nor obesity nor the economic discrepancies).
Mesh-associated complications in minimally invasive ventral mesh rectopexy: a systematic review
Authors: Hess Gabriel Fridolin , Nocera Fabio , Taha-Mehlitz Stephanie , Christen Sebastian , von Strauss Und Torney Marco , Steinemann Daniel C.
Published: November 2024

Background

Ventral mesh rectopexy (laparoscopic and robotic) is a common and well established treatment of rectal prolapse. Although described as safe and effective, complications, especially mesh-associated ones are often mentioned. Additionally, there is no consensus regarding the mesh type and fixation method as well as the materials used for this purpose. The aim of this systematic review was to identify the total amount of complications and of those the mesh-associated ones.

Methods

Pubmed, Web of Science and Cochrane Central Register were screened for complications in general and in detail regarding the mesh(es) and a systematic review was performed.

Results

Following qualitative evaluation, 40 studies were identified for further investigation. Across 6269 patients, complications were found in 9.2% (622 patients). Mesh-related complications were described in 1.4% (88 patients) of which 64.8% were erosions, 11.4% fistulas and 13.6% mesh releases. The complication rate according to the different materials were low with 1% in biological and synthetic meshes and 1.8% in not further described or mixed mesh type. Non-absorbable material to fixate the mesh was most frequently used to fixate the mesh.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy is a safe operation with a low-complication rate, regardless of mesh type.
Role of intermediate water in alleviating postsurgical intrapericardial adhesion
Authors: Suzuki Tatsuya , Konishi Hayato , Suzuki Akiyo , Katsumata Takahiro , Fukuda Yasuhiro , Miyamoto Koki , Ise Tomokazu , Tanaka Yukiko , Yamamoto Aki , Wen Panyue , Shiomoto Shohei , Tanaka Masaru , Nemoto Shintaro
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Various polymers have been used as postsurgical antiadhesive materials; however, the mechanisms underlying their efficacy remain unclear. Intermediate water has been found to prevent the adhesion between polymer molecules and proteins or cells. The present study investigated the role of intermediate water retained in the polymer in alleviating postsurgical pericardial adhesion.

Methods

Hydrophobic fabrics were prepared using biodegradable polyglycolic acid. To add intermediate water, the fabric fibers were coated with poly(oxyethylene)oleyl ethers. Intermediate water in the hydrated state was detected by a thermal analysis for each material, and cell attachment to the fibers with or without coating was observed in vitro. Using a canine model of postsurgical pericardial adhesion, the severity of adhesion was examined along with a histological assessment during treatment, with or without fabric coating.

Results

Intermediate water was detected in the coating materials but not in polyglycolic acid. Coating significantly reduced the cell attachment to the fibers. Coating also alleviated adhesion by reducing inflammation in the fibrous layer and replacing the fabric and granulomas that develop around the surgical sutures in the pericardial space.

Conclusions

Intermediate water in the hydrated polymer of anti-adhesives may play an important role in alleviating postoperative pericardial adhesion.
Electrophysiological indices of reward anticipation as ADHD risk and prognostic biomarkers
Authors: Bunford Nóra , Ágrez Kristóf , Hámori György , Koller Júlia , Pulay Attila , Nemoda Zsófia , Réthelyi János M.
Published: November 2024

The attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) clinical phenotype has limitations for deciphering ADHD etiology and predicting prognosis. Although relative to the clinical phenotype, intermediate phenotypes may have better explanatory and prognostic power, the extent to which ADHD intermediate phenotypes are associated with ADHD risk and prognosis is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate evidence for event-related potential (ERP) measures of reward anticipation as ADHD risk and prognostic biomarkers. We examined, whether (1) in a sample of adolescents (N = 304; Mage = 15.78 years, SD = 1.08; 39.5% female), accounting for the effects of age, sex, ADHD severity and depression, ERPs are associated with ADHD polygenic risk scores (PRSs) (ADHD risk) and (2) in a sample of adolescents at-risk for ADHD (n = 99; Mage = 15.78 years, SD = 1.08; 39.5% female), accounting for the effects of age, sex, ADHD severity, depression, and baseline outcome values, ERPs are associated, prospectively, with alcohol misuse (ADHD prognosis). In adolescents, greater ADHD PRSs were associated with lower electrophysiological anticipatory attention to motivationally relevant feedback (b = −0.115, p = .046 95%CI [−0.228; −0.002]). The predictors accounted for 5% of the variance in the outcome. In adolescents at-risk for ADHD, at 18-month follow-up, lower electrophysiological anticipatory attention to motivationally relevant feedback was associated with greater alcohol consumption (b = −7.454, p = .007, 95%CI [−12.873; −2.034]). The predictors accounted for 31% of the variance in this outcome. These findings were replicated in sensitivity analyses with behavioral performance variables added as covariates. The current findings support the hypothesis that ERP amplitudes of reward anticipation may be ADHD risk and prognostic biomarkers and suggest that intermediate phenotypes may confer advantages over the ADHD clinical phenotype in delineating etiology and predicting prognosis.
Integration of Artificial Vision and Image Processing into a Pick and Place Collaborative Robotic System
Authors: Santos Adriano A. , Schreurs Cas , da Silva António Ferreira , Pereira Filipe , Felgueiras Carlos , Lopes António M. , Machado José
Published: November 2024

In the field of robotics, pick and place applications are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to automate repetitive tasks that can create temporary or permanent injuries. To enhance the efficiency of these applications, object recognition using a fixed camera or one mounted on a robotic hand has been employed. This paper explores the possibilities of implementing a low-cost camera into a collaborative robotic system. A software architecture has been developed, including modules for perception, pick and place, and part transfer. A comprehensive overview of various intuitive drag-and-drop image processing technologies and their suitability for object recognition in a robotic context is provided. The challenges related to lighting and the effect of shadows in object recognition are discussed. A critical assessment is made of the architecture development platform as well as the study and the results are performed, and the effectiveness of the proposed solution based on the Niop architecture is verified.
Worthy of Continued Support? The Paradox of Community-Driven Development at the World Bank
Authors: Poncin Emmanuelle
Published: November 2024

The World Bank’s community-driven development (CDD) interventions have outwardly been presented as powerful instruments of good governance, social cohesion, and empowerment. However, their far-reaching expansion has taken place in the absence of conclusive empirical evidence on their operations and effects. To make sense of this paradox at the core of CDD, this paper situates these programs in the Bank’s institutional context. It proposes that CDD operations have effectively served the Bank’s imperative to lend. Their expansion has been supported by an assertive discourse of success and reform, which has further helped confirm the Bank’s identity as a “knowledge bank” with social development expertise. In parallel, mounting evidence of CDD’s ineffectiveness in terms of empowerment, governance, and social capital has largely been handled by fostering ignorance. Inconvenient findings have been avoided, stifled, mitigated, or removed from the CDD narrative to protect and promote programs. However, tensions and contradictions have occasionally arisen from the CDD paradox. They have been assuaged by systematically reframing problems and shortcomings as signals that programs require tailoring, improvement, and expansion. In so doing, CDD discourse has generated momentum for the survival, persistence, and growth of interventions, regardless of their effects on the localities that have experienced them.
Challenges in Observing the Emotions of Children with Autism Interacting with a Social Robot
Authors: Erol Barkana Duygun , Bartl-Pokorny Katrin D. , Kose Hatice , Landowska Agnieszka , Milling Manuel , Robins Ben , Schuller Björn W. , Uluer Pinar , Wrobel Michal R. , Zorcec Tatjana
Published: November 2024

This paper concerns the methodology of multi-modal data acquisition in observing emotions experienced by children with autism while they interact with a social robot. As robot-enhanced therapy gains more and more attention and proved to be effective in autism, such observations might influence the future development and use of such technologies. The paper is based on an observational study of child-robot interaction, during which multiple modalities were captured and then analyzed to retrieve information on a child’s emotional state. Over 30 children on the autism spectrum from Macedonia, Turkey, Poland, and the United Kingdom took part in our study and interacted with the social robot Kaspar. We captured facial expressions/body posture, voice/vocalizations, physiological signals, and eyegaze-related data. The main contribution of the paper is reporting challenges and lessons learned with regard to interaction, its environment, and observation channels typically used for emotion estimation. The main challenge is the limited availability of channels, especially eyegaze-related (29%) and voice-related (6%) data are not available throughout the entire session. The challenges are of a diverse nature—we distinguished task-based, child-based, and environment-based ones. Choosing the tasks (scenario) and adapting environment, such as room, equipment, accompanying person, is crucial but even with those works done, the child-related challenge is the most important one. Therapists have pointed out to a good potential of those technologies, however, the main challenge to keep a child engaged and focused, remains. The technology must follow a child’s interest, movement, and mood. The main observations are the necessity to train personalized models of emotions as children with autism differ in level of skills and expressions, and emotion recognition technology adaptation in real time (e. g., switching modalities) to capture variability in emotional outcomes.
Groundbreaking Research from NIDA Addressing the Challenges of the Opioid Epidemic
Authors: Volkow Nora , Dye Leslie R.
Published: November 2024

The 2024 ACMT Ward and Ryan Donovan Memorial Fund lecture was presented by Dr. Nora Volkow, the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This article in an edited version of her keynote address during ACMT’s 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting. During the course of her talk, Dr. Volkow discussed the historical factors contributing to the ongoing global opioid epidemic, examined the evidence behind different front-line and policy strategies used to battle the opioid epidemic, and highlighted the importance of recent cultural changes that support more deliberate screening for substance use disorders and pathways for initiating treatment of opioid use disorders in vulnerable populations. An urgent need exists to improve inclusion of social and structural determinants of health in implementation science addressing opioid use disorders, with better attention to special populations, including Native American Indians and Alaskan Natives, African Americans, those over 65 years of age, and teenagers.
Modeling lower-truncated and right-censored insurance claims with an extension of the MBBEFD class
Authors: Gatti Selim , Wüthrich Mario V.
Published: November 2024

In general insurance, claims are often lower-truncated and right-censored because insurance contracts may involve deductibles and maximal covers. Most classical statistical models are not (directly) suited to model lower-truncated and right-censored claims. A surprisingly flexible family of distributions that can cope with lower-truncated and right-censored claims is the class of MBBEFD distributions that originally has been introduced by Bernegger (ASTIN Bulletin 27(1):99–111, 1997) for reinsurance pricing, but which has not gained much attention outside the reinsurance literature. Interestingly, in general insurance, we mainly rely on unimodal skewed densities, whereas the reinsurance literature typically proposes monotonically decreasing densities within the MBBEFD class. We show that this class contains both types of densities, and we extend it to a bigger family of distribution functions suitable for modeling lower-truncated and right-censored claims. In addition, we discuss how changes in the deductible or the maximal cover affect the chosen distributions.
Assessment of predation on small semi-aquatic mammals by the Eurasian otter through genetic analysis of spraints
Authors: Balmori-de la Puente Alfonso , Fernández-González Ángel , Castresana Jose
Published: November 2024

Small semi-aquatic mammals play a critical role in the river ecosystem and can be used as bioindicators of environmental health. Many populations of these species are threatened by multiple factors, mainly habitat degradation, but also by other causes such as predation. Among potential predators, the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) is known to prey on some of these species, but the significance of the impact on their populations remains uncertain. To study the effect of the Eurasian otter on the small semi-aquatic mammal community, we collected feces containing hair remains from different rivers in the Iberian Peninsula and used genetic methods to identify the predator and prey species. We identified 83 Eurasian otter spraints containing 25 Iberian desmans (Galemys pyrenaicus), 21 Iberian water shrews (Neomys anomalus), and 28 Southern water voles (Arvicola sapidus). These prey species were recorded in different watersheds throughout the study area and over a long period of time, indicating their widespread presence in the otter diet. These findings are of particular concern for the Iberian desman, given its endangered status. Our results highlight the need to specifically investigate less abundant but ecologically significant groups consumed by the otter, such as semi-aquatic mammals, to better understand the influence of this predator on the riparian ecosystem. In addition, future efforts should address the genetic analysis of feces containing hair remains from different riparian carnivores to assess the impact of predation on the viability of semi-aquatic mammal populations.
Behavioral Network Science
Authors: Hills Thomas T.
Published: November 2024

Behavioral Network Science explains how and why structure matters in the behavioral sciences. Exploring open questions in language evolution, child language learning, memory search, age-related cognitive decline, creativity, group problem solving, opinion dynamics, conspiracies, and conflict, readers will learn essential behavioral science theory alongside novel network science applications. This book also contains an introductory guide to network science, demonstrating how to turn data into networks, quantify network structure across scales, and hone one's intuition for how structure arises and evolves. Online R code allows readers to explore the data and reproduce all the visualizations and simulations for themselves, empowering them to make contributions of their own. For data scientists interested in gaining a professional understanding of how the behavioral sciences inform network science, or behavioral scientists interested in learning how to apply network science from the ground up, this book is an essential guide.
Robustifying a reinforcement learning agent-based bionic reflex controller through an adaptive sliding mode control
Authors: Basumatary Hirakjyoti , Adhar Daksh , Hazarika Shyamanta M.
Published: November 2024

Maintaining object grasp stability represents a pivotal challenge within the domain of robotic manipulation and upper-limb prosthetics. Perturbations originating from external sources frequently disrupt the stability of grasps, resulting in slippage occurrences. Also, if the grasping forces are not optimal while controlling the slip, it may result in the deformation of the objects. This study investigates the robustification of a reinforcement learning (RL) policy for implementing intelligent bionic reflex control, i.e., slip and deformation prevention of the grasped objects. RL-derived policies are vulnerable to failures in environments characterized by dynamic variability. To mitigate this vulnerability, we propose a methodology involving the incorporation of an adaptive sliding mode controller into a pre-trained RL policy. By exploiting the inherent invariance property of the sliding mode algorithm in the presence of uncertainties, our approach strengthens the robustness of the RL policies against diverse and dynamic variations. Numerical simulations substantiate the efficacy of our approach in robustifying RL policies trained within simulated environments.
LARGE GLOBAL VOLATILITY MATRIX ANALYSIS BASED ON OBSERVATION STRUCTURAL INFORMATION
Authors: Choi Sung Hoon , Kim Donggyu
Published: November 2024

In this article, we develop a novel large volatility matrix estimation procedure for analyzing global financial markets. Practitioners often use lower-frequency data, such as weekly or monthly returns, to address the issue of different trading hours in the international financial market. However, this approach can lead to inefficiency due to information loss. To mitigate this problem, our proposed method, called Structured Principal Orthogonal complEment Thresholding (S-POET), incorporates observation structural information for both global and national factor models. We establish the asymptotic properties of the S-POET estimator, and also demonstrate the drawbacks of conventional covariance matrix estimation procedures when using lower-frequency data. Finally, we apply the S-POET estimator to an out-of-sample portfolio allocation study using international stock market data.
Exploring the relations between teachers’ high-quality language features and preschoolers and kindergarteners’ vocabulary learning
Authors: Farrow JeanMarie , Wasik Barbara A. , Hindman Annemarie H.
Published: November 2024

This study explored the use of sophisticated vocabulary, complex syntax, and decontextualized language (including book information, conceptual information, past/future experiences, and vocabulary information) in teachers’ instructional interactions with children during the literacy block in prekindergarten and kindergarten classrooms. The sample included 33 teachers and 421 children. We examined correlations among these language features and their unique contributions to children’s vocabulary learning. Teachers who used more sophisticated vocabulary also engaged in more decontextualized talk about vocabulary and past/future experiences. Additionally, teachers’ use of complex syntax was uniquely associated with talk about conceptual information. Both complex syntax and conceptual information talk predicted children’s vocabulary learning; however, complex syntax emerged as the sole predictor when accounting for this relationship. This finding suggests that decontextualized talk about concepts, characterized by complex language structures, may facilitate vocabulary acquisition.
Comparing two transitioning strategies to paliperidone palmitate once-every-6-months
Authors: Correll Christoph U. , Johnston Karen L. , Turkoz Ibrahim , Kutch Michael , Knight R. Karl , Doring Monica , Sajatovic Martha
Published: November 2024

Background

A double-blind, randomized, active-controlled, parallel-group, noninferiority trial (NCT03345342) demonstrated that paliperidone palmitate once-every-6-months (PP6M) was noninferior to paliperidone palmitate once-every-3-months (PP3M) in preventing relapse in clinically stable adults with schizophrenia. This post hoc analysis assessed efficacy and safety following transition to PP6M from paliperidone once-monthly (PP1M) versus PP3M.

Methods

Adults with schizophrenia who were clinically stable on moderate/high doses of PP1M or PP3M were randomly assigned 1:2 to dorsogluteal PP3M or PP6M treatment for 12 months. The primary efficacy measure was time to relapse during the 12-month DB phase. Secondary endpoints included change from DB baseline to endpoint in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total and subscale scores, Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scale score, and Personal and Social Performance (PSP) scale score. Safety was assessed by treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), vital signs, and clinical laboratory tests.

Results

Of 702 patients in the study, 231 transitioned from PP1M to PP6M and 247 transitioned from PP3M to PP6M. Low relapse rates for PP6M were observed regardless of transition pathway (PP1M/PP6M: 7.8%; PP3M/PP6M: 7.3%). Changes from DB baseline to endpoint in PANSS total, PSP, and CGI-S scores were similar between transition groups. In the DB phase, ≥1 TEAE was observed in 61.0% and 63.2% of patients in the PP1M/PP6M and PP3M/PP6M, groups, respectively.

Conclusion

Adults with schizophrenia who transitioned to PP6M from either PP1M or PP3M experienced similarly low relapse rates. Additionally, symptom and functionality scores supported the primary analysis and, along with TEAE incidences, were comparable between transition groups.
Aktueller Forschungsstand zur Surftherapie und ihre Anwendungsmöglichkeit als Intervention bei Depressionen im Jugendalter
Authors: Hearn Bettina , Biscaldi-Schäfer Monica , Fleischhaker Christian
Published: November 2024

Zusammenfassung: Depressionen gehören zu den häufigsten psychischen Erkrankungen im Jugendalter. Angesichts der hohen Prävalenzraten und der schwerwiegenden Folgen von Depressionen für die Betroffenen, werden alternative bzw. ergänzende Interventionsformen untersucht. In den letzten Jahren geriet die Sport- und Bewegungstherapie dabei zunehmend in den Fokus. Aktuelle Übersichtsarbeiten weisen auf den potenziellen Nutzen dieses Therapieansatzes zur Reduktion depressiver Symptome hin. Eine innovative Methode der Sport- und Bewegungstherapie, die auch die positiven Auswirkungen des Meeres integriert, stellt die Surftherapie dar. Diese kombiniert die Sportart des Surfens mit strukturierten Übungen zur Förderung des psychischen und physischen Wohlbefindens. International findet die Surftherapie bereits Anwendung bei Kindern und Jugendlichen mit psychischen Problemen sowie bei Erwachsenen mit diagnostizierten psychischen Erkrankungen wie z. B. Depression oder Posttraumatische Belastungsstörung. Erste Studien weisen auf positive Effekte der Surftherapie im Sinne einer Symptomreduktion hin. Die Studienlage ist jedoch noch gering und weitere Forschung ist notwendig. Im Folgenden stellen wir unsere Pilotstudie dar, die die Durchführbarkeit und Effektivität der Surftherapie zur Behandlung von Depressionen im Jugendalter in Deutschland untersucht.
From the Surface to the Stratosphere: Large‐Scale Atmospheric Response to Antarctic Meltwater
Authors: Beadling Rebecca L. , Lin Pu , Krasting John , Ellinger William , Coomans Anna , Milward James , Turner Katherine , Xu Xiaoqi , Martin Torge , Molina Maria J.
Published: November 2024

The ocean response to Antarctic Ice Sheet (AIS) mass loss has been extensively studied using numerical models, but less attention has been given to the atmosphere. We examine the global atmospheric response to AIS meltwater in an ensemble of experiments performed using two fully coupled climate models under a pre‐industrial climate. In response to AIS meltwater, the experiments yield cooling from the surface to the tropopause over the subpolar Southern Ocean, warming in the Southern Hemisphere polar stratosphere, and cooling in the upper tropical troposphere. Positive feedbacks, initiated by disrupted ocean‐atmosphere heat exchange, result in a change in the top‐of‐atmosphere radiative balance caused primarily through surface and near‐surface albedo changes. Changes in the atmospheric thermal structure alter the jet streams aloft. The results highlight the global influence of AIS melting on the climate system and the potential for impacts on mid‐latitude climate patterns and delayed regional warming signals.
The Influence of the Inner Magnetospheric Electric Field on Plasma Sheet Access
Authors: Ferradas C. P. , Thaller S. A. , Fok M.‐C. , Reeves G. D. , Larsen B. A.
Published: November 2024

This study presents observations of the large‐scale electric field and H+ fluxes over the entire Van Allen Probes mission duration. These observations are used to determine the spatial distributions of the azimuthal component of the ExB drift velocity and the plasma sheet H+ pressure, and their geomagnetic activity dependence. To investigate the influence of the inner magnetospheric electric field on H+ plasma sheet access, the boundary of zero azimuthal ExB drift velocity (BZEB) is identified as a proxy of the inner extent of the convection electric field and its characteristics are compared with that of the inner edge of the H+ plasma sheet (H+ IEPS). We find that the large‐scale convection electric field has a dominant role on H+ plasma sheet access. This is evidenced by the good correlation between the BZEB and the H+ IEPS. Both boundaries present overall deeper access with increasing Kp. Moreover, both boundaries exhibit a similar deeper access on the evening sector compared to the afternoon sector, and both boundaries are more closely collocated in L for moderate and high Kp, while for low Kp the H+ IEPS is located at lower L than the BZEB. Furthermore, the collocation of both boundaries in L is better in the evening sector than in the afternoon sector, where the H+ IEPS lies farther inward in the afternoon sector for all Kp levels. This implies that the afternoon sector is the preferred region of the overlap between the hot ion plasma sheet and the cold plasmasphere.
Integration of epigenomic and transcriptomic profiling uncovers EZH2 target genes linked to cysteine metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Lee Jaehyun , You Chaelin , Kwon Geunho , Noh Junho , Lee Kyubin , Kim Kyunghwan , Kang Keunsoo , Kang Kyuho
Published: November 2024

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a key protein implicated in various cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is recognized for its association with epigenetic dysregulation and pathogenesis. Despite clinical explorations into EZH2-targeting therapies, the mechanisms underlying its role in gene suppression in HCC have remained largely unexplored. Here, we integrate epigenomic and transcriptomic analyses to uncover the transcriptional landscape modulated by selective EZH2 inhibition in HCC. By reanalyzing transcriptomic data of HCC patients, we demonstrate that EZH2 overexpression correlates with poor patient survival. Treatment with the EZH2 inhibitor tazemetostat restored expression of genes involved in cysteine-methionine metabolism and lipid homeostasis, while suppressing angiogenesis and oxidative stress-related genes. Mechanistically, we demonstrate EZH2-mediated H3K27me3 enrichment at cis-regulatory elements of transsulfuration pathway genes, which is reversed upon inhibition, leading to increased chromatin accessibility. Among 16 EZH2-targeted candidate genes, BHMT and CDO1 were notably correlated with poor HCC prognosis. Tazemetostat treatment of HCC cells increased BHMT and CDO1 expression while reducing levels of ferroptosis markers FSP1, NFS1, and SLC7A11. Functionally, EZH2 inhibition dose-dependently reduced cell viability and increased lipid peroxidation in HCC cells. Our findings reveal a novel epigenetic mechanism controlling lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis susceptibility in HCC, providing a rationale for exploring EZH2-targeted therapies in this malignancy.
Harnessing the regenerative potential of interleukin11 to enhance heart repair
Authors: Shin Kwangdeok , Rodriguez-Parks Anjelica , Kim Chanul , Silaban Isabella M. , Xia Yu , Sun Jisheng , Dong Chenyang , Keles Sunduz , Wang Jinhu , Cao Jingli , Kang Junsu
Published: November 2024

Balancing between regenerative processes and fibrosis is crucial for heart repair, yet strategies regulating this balance remain a barrier to developing therapies. The role of Interleukin 11 (IL11) in heart regeneration remains controversial, as both regenerative and fibrotic functions have been reported. We uncovered that il11a, an Il11 homolog in zebrafish, can trigger robust regenerative programs in zebrafish hearts, including cardiomyocytes proliferation and coronary expansion, even in the absence of injury. Notably, il11a induction in uninjured hearts also activates the quiescent epicardium to produce epicardial progenitor cells, which later differentiate into cardiac fibroblasts. Consequently, prolonged il11a induction indirectly leads to persistent fibroblast emergence, resulting in cardiac fibrosis. While deciphering the regenerative and fibrotic effects of il11a, we found that il11-dependent fibrosis, but not regeneration, is mediated through ERK activity, suggesting to potentially uncouple il11a dual effects on regeneration and fibrosis. To harness the il11a’s regenerative ability, we devised a combinatorial treatment through il11a induction with ERK inhibition. This approach enhances cardiomyocyte proliferation with mitigated fibrosis, achieving a balance between regenerative processes and fibrosis. Thus, we unveil the mechanistic insights into regenerative il11 roles, offering therapeutic avenues to foster cardiac repair without exacerbating fibrosis.
Comparison of measurements obtained with TOF-Cuff placed on the arm and the TOF-Scan on the adductor pollicis muscle during general anaesthesia using mivacurium: a prospective observational clinical trial
Authors: Radkowski Paweł , Ruść Jakub , Kęska Mariusz
Published: November 2024

Adequate neuromuscular monitoring of patients is essential to verify complete recovery of neuromuscular function before tracheal extubation. This study aimed to assess the correlation between the values acquired from the brachialis muscle using TOF-Cuff and those obtained from the adductor pollicis muscle with TOF-Scan during anaesthesia with mivacurium. Twenty-five patients were enrolled in the observational clinical trial, with the TOF-Cuff positioned on the upper arm and the TOF-Scan on the thumb. Train-of-four (TOF) values were simultaneously recorded by both devices at 30-second intervals before intubation. Subsequently, measurements were taken every 5 min until the removal of the endotracheal tube. Bland-Altman analyses were conducted to compare assessed endpoints obtained by using the TOF-Cuff and the TOF-Scan. The median onset time measured with TOF-Cuff was numerically longer compared to the TOF-Scan score (120 s vs. 90 s, P = 0.42). Spearman rank correlation revealed a significant positive correlation between onset times measured by TOF-Cuff and TOF-Scan (R = 0.73, P = 0.0001, 95% CI 0.446 to 0.875). For the time to recovery assessed with both methods, Spearman correlation coefficient was R = 0.35 and did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.1). Multiplying the time to recovery from the last dose (according to TOF-Scan) by 0.43 to 2.66, provided concordance with the TOF-Cuff result for the entire range of study group. Conclusion. The concordance between the TOF-Scan on the adductor pollicis and the TOF-Cuff on the upper limb was found to be good. However, both devices showed a false-negative result in patients with clinical symptoms of preterm recovery.
Deep learning for 3D vascular segmentation in hierarchical phase contrast tomography: a case study on kidney
Authors: Yagis Ekin , Aslani Shahab , Jain Yashvardhan , Zhou Yang , Rahmani Shahrokh , Brunet Joseph , Bellier Alexandre , Werlein Christopher , Ackermann Maximilian , Jonigk Danny , Tafforeau Paul , Lee Peter D. , Walsh Claire L.
Published: November 2024

Automated blood vessel segmentation is critical for biomedical image analysis, as vessel morphology changes are associated with numerous pathologies. Still, precise segmentation is difficult due to the complexity of vascular structures, anatomical variations across patients, the scarcity of annotated public datasets, and the quality of images. Our goal is to provide a foundation on the topic and identify a robust baseline model for application to vascular segmentation using a new imaging modality, Hierarchical Phase-Contrast Tomography (HiP-CT). We begin with an extensive review of current machine-learning approaches for vascular segmentation across various organs. Our work introduces a meticulously curated training dataset, verified by double annotators, consisting of vascular data from three kidneys imaged using HiP-CT as part of the Human Organ Atlas Project. HiP-CT pioneered at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in 2020, revolutionizes 3D organ imaging by offering a resolution of around 20 μm/voxel and enabling highly detailed localised zooms up to 1–2 μm/voxel without physical sectioning. We leverage the nnU-Net framework to evaluate model performance on this high-resolution dataset, using both known and novel samples, and implementing metrics tailored for vascular structures. Our comprehensive review and empirical analysis on HiP-CT data sets a new standard for evaluating machine learning models in high-resolution organ imaging. Our three experiments yielded Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) scores of 0.9523, 0.9410, and 0.8585, respectively. Nevertheless, DSC primarily assesses voxel-to-voxel concordance, overlooking several crucial characteristics of the vessels and should not be the sole metric for deciding the performance of vascular segmentation. Our results show that while segmentations yielded reasonably high scores-such as centerline DSC ranging from 0.82 to 0.88, certain errors persisted. Specifically, large vessels that collapsed due to the lack of hydrostatic pressure (HiP-CT is an ex vivo technique) were segmented poorly. Moreover, decreased connectivity in finer vessels and higher segmentation errors at vessel boundaries were observed. Such errors, particularly in significant vessels, obstruct the understanding of the structures by interrupting vascular tree connectivity. Our study establishes the benchmark across various evaluation metrics, for vascular segmentation of HiP-CT imaging data, an imaging technology that has the potential to substantively shift our understanding of human vascular networks.
Generation of two mode mechanical squeezing induced by nondegenerate parametric amplification
Authors: Wodedo Muhdin Abdo , Tesfahannes Tesfay Gebremariam , Darge Tewodros Yirgashewa , Bedore Mulgeta Taddese , Kumela Alemayehu Getahun , Adera Gashaw Bekele
Published: November 2024

Squeezing light in an optomechanical system involves reducing quantum noise in one of the light’s quadratures through the interaction between optical and mechanical modes. However, achieving successful implementation requires careful control of experimental parameters, which can be challenging. Here, we investigate a two-mode squeezed light transfer from optical to mechanical modes induced by a non-degenerate optical parametric amplifier (OPA). The optomechanical system is driven by frequencies nearly resonant with the anti-stokes fields that can realize cooling mechanical oscillators and quantum state transfer within a resolved sideband (good cavity) limit. Our results show that when a non-degenerate OPA is placed inside the optical cavity, the degree of squeezing in both optical and mechanical modes is significantly enhanced. This leads to the two-mode squeezed light being transferred into two-mode mechanical squeezing in the presence of the non-degenerate OPA under weak optomechanical coupling strength. Interestingly, we found that with negligible thermal bath noise, the two-mode squeezed light completely transferred to yield 50% mirror-mirror squeezing. In contrast, at higher thermal noise, the transfer of squeezed light is weak, causing the system to lose its quantum properties and behave more classically. Furthermore, we have shown that the degree of squeezing in the weak coupling regime drastically decreases with increasing mechanical dissipation rates. We believe that our scheme can achieve strong mechanical squeezing in hybrid optomechanical systems and facilitate homodyne detection to measure the quadratures of the squeezed light.
Sugar beet root susceptibility to storage rots and downregulation of plant defense genes increases with time in storage
Authors: Kandel Shyam L. , Eide John D. , Firrincieli Andrea , Finger Fernando L. , Lafta Abbas M. , Fugate Karen K.
Published: November 2024

Storage rots are a significant cause of postharvest losses for the sugar beet crop, however, intrinsic physiological and genetic factors that determine the susceptibility of roots to pathogen infection and disease development are unknown. Research, therefore, was carried out to evaluate the disease development in sugar beet roots caused by two common storage pathogens as a function of storage duration and storage temperature, and to identify changes in the expression of defense genes that may be influencing the root susceptibility to disease. To evaluate root susceptibility to disease, freshly harvested roots were inoculated with Botrytis cinerea or Penicillium vulpinum on the day of harvest or after 12, 40, or 120 d storage at 5 or 12 °C and the weight of rotted tissue present in the roots after incubation for 35 d after inoculation were determined. Disease susceptibility and progression to B. cinerea and P. vulpinum increased with storage duration with elevations in susceptibility occurring more rapidly to B. cinerea than P. vulpinum. Also, B. cinerea was more aggressive than P. vulpinum and caused greater rotting and tissue damage in postharvest sugar beet roots. Storage temperature had minimal effect on root susceptibility to these rot-causing pathogens. Changes in defense gene expression were determined by sequencing mRNA isolated from uninoculated roots that were similarly stored for 12, 40 or 120 d at 5 or 12 °C. As susceptibility to rot increased during storage, concurrent changes in defense-related gene expression were identified, including the differential expression of 425 pathogen receptor and 275 phytohormone signal transduction pathway-related genes. Furthermore, plant resistance and hormonal signaling genes that were significantly altered in expression coincident with the change in root susceptibility to storage rots were identified. Further investigation into the function of these genes may ultimately elucidate methods by which storage rot resistance in sugar beet roots may be improved in the future.
Anti-biofilm and anti-glucosyltransferase effects of nano liposomal plant extracts against Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Radmand Faraz , Baseri Milad , Memar Mohammad Yousef , Ebrahimi Alireza , Hamishehkar Hamed , Asnaashari Solmaz , Naseri Amirreza , Kouhsoltani Maryam
Published: November 2024

The role of Streptococcus mutans in the initiation of caries is related to its acidogenicity, aciduricity, and polysaccharides extracellular layer production by glucosyltransferases in dental biofilms. Therefore, inhibition of glucosyltransferase activity impairs the virulence of cariogenic biofilms, which can be used to prevent dental caries. We evaluated the anti-bacterial, anti-biofilm, and anti-glucosyltransferases effects of nanoliposomal herbal aqueous extracts of Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra; G. glabra), Ginger (Zingiber officinale; Z. officinale), Pomegranate (Punica granatum; P. granatum), and Rose (Rosa damascene; R. damascene) via minimum bactericidal concentration and minimum inhibitory concentration against Streptococcus mutans strain ATCC 35,668. An anti-biofilm assay was performed using a minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration test. Among herbs, only P. granatum showed an antibacterial effect. Therefore, a nanoliposomal formulation of P. granatum was developed and characterized. Its effect on S.mutans glucosyltransferases was assessed by measuring glucan amount. The nanoliposomal formulation of P.granatum showed a significantly higher anti-biofilm effect than P. granatum aqueous extract. Their similar potential in blocking glucosyltransferases showed that the nanoliposomal formulation of P.granatum blocked other pathways rather than blocking glucosyltransferases for its anti-biofilm effect. Collectively, the nanoliposomal formulation of P.granatum, due to its anti- Streptococcus mutans characteristics, would be a production which open a new horizon for the oral pharmaceutical industry.
Metastable interphase induced pre-strain compensation enables efficient and stable perovskite solar cells
Authors: Xu Hongyu , Xiao Yun , Elmestekawy Karim A. , Caprioglio Pietro , Li Qiuyang , Zhong Qixuan , Ji Yongqiang , Huang Tianyu , Yan Haoming , Yang Yingguo , Herz Laura M. , Gong Qihuang , Snaith Henry J. , Zhu Rui , Zhao Lichen
Published: November 2024

We developed a pre-strain compensation strategy by introducing a metastable interphase at the buried interface to release the thermal-induced residual tensile strain in perovskite films, leading to highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells.
A dual promotion of oxygen reduction on Pt in membrane electrode assemblies by hydroxyphenyl metal porphyrins
Authors: Tang Meihua , Wang Chunping , Zheng Zhenying , Wang Xiaoxiao , Zhu Fulong , Chen Shengli
Published: November 2024

Hydroxyphenyl metal porphyrins as additives enable oxygen reduction reaction-favorable Pt–Nafion interfaces, by breaking the sulfonate–Pt interaction and enriching O2 molecules to provide additional oxygen transport pathways.
pH controlled synthesis of end to end linked Au nanorod dimer in an aqueous solution for plasmon enhanced spectroscopic applications
Authors: Sharma Shubhangi , Minchella Théo , Pradhan Susmita , Gérard Davy , Jiang Quanbo , Patra Satyajit
Published: November 2024

The pH sensitivity of DTT is used to prepare the Au NR dimer with a gap distance of ≤1 nm. FDTD simulations show an intense electromagnetic hotspot in the gap of the NR dimer, 11 fold higher than the NR monomer and 80 fold higher than without NRs.
Reducing agent-triggered templated synthesis of a dynamic covalent poly(disulfide)s nanonetwork: remarkable tuning in noncovalent encapsulation stabilities and cargo release
Authors: Mondal Arun , Sujauddin Sk , Mondal Dhiman , Kolay Soumya , Sarkar Shuvajyoti , Molla Mijanur Rahaman
Published: November 2024

We reported a methodology for the reducing agent mediated poly(disulfide)s nanonetwork formation from lipoic acid based monomer in water as a highly stable potential delivery vehicle for chemotherapeutic applications.
Electromagnetic wave effects on Mn-doped superparamagnetic iron oxide nanofluids: applications in enhanced oil recovery
Authors: Bin Hamid Mohamad Amin , Hoe Guan Beh , Tim Chan Kar , Soleimani Hassan
Published: November 2024

This study reveals that both direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) electromagnetic fields can effectively reduce the interfacial tension (IFT) of Mn-doped Fe3O4 nanofluids, with AC fields showing more predictable and pronounced effects.
A dual-response fluorescence sensor for SO2 derivatives and polarity and its application in real water and food samples
Authors: Wang Jianfeng , Li Ruiji , Ou Tao , Fu Yamin , Gao Chang , Yan Yehao
Published: November 2024

A dual-response fluorescent probe for SO2 derivatives and polarity and their application in real samples.
Piezoresistivity and strain-sensing behaviour of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)/multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposites
Authors: Dhakal Kedar Nath , Lach Ralf , Grellmann Wolfgang , Krause Beate , Pionteck Jürgen , Adhikari Rameshwar
Published: November 2024

The interconnectedness of the exfoliated multi-walled carbon nanotubes well dispersed in the PBAT matrix (TEM image; left) leads to strain-sensing properties at lower strains as illustrated by the variation of ΔR/R0 as a function of mechanical strain with time (right).
Synthesis of supramolecular polymers with calix[4]arene and β-cyclodextrin and their application in heavy metal ion absorption
Authors: Bian Jian-Jian , Tang Shi-Jin , Miao Jiao , Lin Rui , Huang Guo-Li , Teng Ming-Yu , Li Xiao-Mei
Published: November 2024

Two categories of supramolecular polymer monomers were produced by introducing the ureidopyrimidone quadruple-hydrogen bonding assemblies on the calix[4]arene and the β-cyclodextrin host units, which adsorbed up to 99% of Pb2+ and Cd2+.
Revolutionizing applications: the impact of controlled surface chemistry on marble powder
Authors: Noor Ali Zia , Bibi Sadia , Asrar Maryam , Imran Muhammad , Afzal Sadia , Abdal Sadiqa , Atif Muhammad
Published: November 2024

A large amount of marble powder is abundantly available as a byproduct and waste in the marble industry, and its reinforcement has been attempted in several applications through surface modification.