bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE FORMAL PRODUCTION OF INFORMAL HOUSING FOR THE RICH: Informality Pathways in the Eastern Hills of Bogotá
Authors: Vieda Martínez Sergio
Published: October 2024

Housing informality in wealthy contexts is an overlooked phenomenon, particularly in the global South. This article addresses the role of public institutions in the production of housing informality among the wealthy. For this purpose, it analyses the operation of public institutions in relation to the proliferation of luxurious villas in the eastern hills of Bogotá. Three villas were selected as archetypes of informal urbanization among the elite in the eastern hills, and their stories—or informality pathways—were reconstructed through interviews, maps and policy documents. The article aims to unveil how public institutions have contributed to the creation of informal spaces, often in collusion with private entities. Specifically, public institutions demonstrated conflicting internal agencies and multi‐level fragmentation, resulting in flexible regulations tailored to fit the construction practices of the elite. These characteristics were instrumental in establishing spaces of exception for the wealthy in the eastern hills of Bogotá and will likely be mirrored in other informal settlements in the global South.
Supramolecular deep eutectic solvents: Current advances and critical evaluation of cyclodextrins from solute to solvent in emerging functional food
Authors: Zhou Pengfei , Liu Guang , Fang Hui , Zhao Zhihao , Zhang Yan , Tang Xiaojun , Li Ping , Zeng Jiarui , Deng Yuanyuan , Zhang Mingwei
Published: October 2024

The acceptance of nonconventional solvents as viable substitutes for traditional organic solvents has been widely recognized in order to comply with food‐safety and sustainability regulations. Cyclodextrins (CDs), derived from starch, are cyclic oligosaccharides with the ability to form inclusion complexes with a variety of functional substances as the result of their distinctive structure, which enables them to effectively encapsulate bioactive compounds, rendering them highly sought after for use in food applications. In the implementing plan to achieve carbon‐neutral emissions by 2050, the novel generation of supramolecular deep eutectic solvents (SUPRADES) has garnered increased attention and interest. The approach of utilizing SUPRADES as emerging solvents was just beginning to be applied to food studies. This review summarizes a revision of the current advances and critical evaluation of cyclodextrin‐based SUPRADES (CD‐based SUPRADES) as promising solvents for the enhancement of the extraction efficiency, solubilization and stability of bioactive compounds, adsorption and separation of food components, packaging materials, and modification of biopolymers. To meet the sustainable processing needs of the food industry, the emerging categories of CD‐based SUPRADES need to be further fabricated. Herein, our review will sort out the potential application of CD‐based SUPRADES in the food industry, aiming to provide a better understanding of CD‐based SUPRADES within the viewpoint of food science. Formulation intricacies and scalability issues in real functional foods using CD‐based SUPRADES as media need more efforts.
Understanding of formation, gastrointestinal breakdown, and application of whey protein emulsion gels: Insights from intermolecular interactions
Authors: Zhang Yihan , Han Menghan , Guo Qing
Published: October 2024

Whey protein emulsion gel is an ideal model food for revealing how the multilength scale food structures affect food digestion, as their structure and mechanical properties can be precisely manipulated by controlling the type and intensity of intermolecular interactions between protein molecules. However, there are still significant understanding gaps among intermolecular interactions, protein aggregation and gelation, emulsion gel formation, gel breakdown in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), and the practical use of whey protein emulsion gels, which limits their GIT‐targeted applications. In this regard, the relationship between the structure and digestion behavior of heat‐set whey protein emulsion gels is reviewed and discussed mainly from the following aspects: (1) structural characteristics of whey protein molecules; (2) how different types of intermolecular interactions influence heat‐induced aggregation and gelation of whey protein in the aqueous solutions and the oil‐in‐water emulsions, and the mechanical properties of the final gels; (3) functions of the mouth, the stomach, and the small intestine in processing of solid foods, and how different types of intermolecular interactions influence the breakdown properties of heat‐set whey protein emulsion gels in GIT (i.e., their respective role in controlling gel digestion). Finally, the implications of knowledge derived from the formation and gastrointestinal breakdown of heat‐set whey protein emulsion gels for developing controlled delivery vehicles, human satiety enhancers, and sensory modifiers are highlighted.
Electrospun gelatin/tea polyphenol@pullulan nanofibers for fast‐dissolving antibacterial and antioxidant applications
Authors: Zhou Jianfeng , Wang Weiqiang , Yang Xingjian , Yu Deng‐Guang , Liu Ping
Published: October 2024

Bio‐based active food packaging materials have a high market demand. We use coaxial electrospinning technology to prepare core–shell structured nanofibers with sustained antibacterial and antioxidant properties. The fiber core layer was composed of gelatin and tea polyphenols, whereas tea polyphenols provide antibacterial and antioxidant properties; the fiber sheath was composed of pullulan polysaccharides with antioxidant properties. By using a scanning electron microscope, it can be seen that the diameter distribution of the prepared nanofibers was uniform and the surface is smooth; using a transmission electron microscope, it can be clearly seen that the nanofibers have a core–shell structure; Fourier Transform Infrared and X‐ray diffraction analysis indicate that the nanofibers have an amorphous structure; the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging shows that nanofibers have higher antioxidant properties with the addition of tea polyphenols; antibacterial test showed that nanofibers had obvious inhibitory effect on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli; and the nanofiber film dissolution test shows that nanofibers can be used as fast soluble active packaging. Finally, core–sheath‐structured nanofibers can serve as active packaging for instant food, possessing both rapid water solubility and excellent antibacterial and antioxidant activity, making water‐soluble nanofibers interesting applications in the field of food packaging.
Preserving refrigeration and shelf life quality of hardy kiwifruit (Actinidia arguta) with alginate oligosaccharides preharvest application
Authors: Xiong Siguo , Ma Zihan , Xiong Huan , Yuan Meng , Jiang Aili , Zhang Peng
Published: October 2024

Alginate oligosaccharide (AOS) is a bioactive carbohydrate known for its preservation properties. However, the efficacy of preharvest AOS treatment in maintaining the postharvest quality of hardy kiwifruit (Actinidia arguta) has not been previously reported. This study explores the effects of preharvest AOS treatment (80 mg L−1) on A. arguta fruit, assessing visual quality, physiological attributes, aroma, and antioxidant capacity during refrigeration and shelf life. Results showed that AOS treatment maintained higher lightness, chroma, firmness, and antioxidant levels (total phenolics, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, and glutathione), along with antioxidant enzyme activities (peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase). Specifically, AOS‐treated fruit had 9% higher chroma and double the firmness after 60 days of refrigeration. AOS treatment reduced ripening and senescence, with 25% lower soluble solids content, 22% lower respiration rate, 30% lower ethylene production, and 35% lower malondialdehyde content. Electronic nose analysis indicated that AOS treatment suppressed changes in fruit aroma and off‐odor development, maintaining significantly higher quality during the shelf life period. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of AOS as a sustainable method to extend shelf life and preserve the quality of A. arguta fruit, enhancing its market value and consumer appeal.

Practical Application

The research on using alginate oligosaccharides (AOS) for preharvest treatment of hardy kiwifruit (Actinidia arguta) has practical applications in the food industry. By extending the shelf life and preserving the quality of the fruit during storage, this method can help reduce postharvest losses and improve the market value and consumer appeal of A. arguta fruit. This sustainable preservation technique offers an eco‐friendly alternative to traditional methods, enhancing the freshness and nutritional quality of the fruit available to consumers.
Tracking epidemic viruses in wastewaters
Authors: Girón‐Guzmán Inés , Sánchez Gloria , Pérez‐Cataluña Alba
Published: October 2024

Classical epidemiology relies on incidence, mortality rates, and clinical data from individual testing, which can be challenging for many countries. Therefore, innovative, flexible, cost‐effective, and scalable surveillance techniques are needed. Wastewater‐based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged as a highly powerful tool in this regard. WBE analyses substances excreted in human fluids and faeces that enter the sewer system. This approach provides insights into community health status and lifestyle habits. WBE serves as an early warning system for viral surveillance, detecting the emergence of new pathogens, changes in incidence rates, identifying future trends, studying outbreaks, and informing the performance of action plans. While WBE has long been used to study different viruses such as poliovirus and norovirus, its implementation has surged due to the pandemic caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2. This has led to the establishment of wastewater surveillance programmes at international, national, and community levels, many of which remain operational. Furthermore, WBE is increasingly applied to study other pathogens, including antibiotic resistance bacteria, parasites, fungi, and emerging viruses, with new methodologies being developed. Consequently, the primary focus now is on creating international frameworks to enhance states' preparedness against future health risks. However, there remains considerable work to be done, particularly in integrating the principles of One Health into epidemiological surveillance to acknowledge the interconnectedness of humans, animals, and the environment in pathogen transmission. Thus, a broader approach to analysing the three pillars of One Health must be developed, transitioning from WBE to wastewater and environmental surveillance, and establishing this approach as a routine practice in public health.
Prophylactic cranial irradiation in patients with resected small‐cell lung cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Peng Haoning , Hao Jianqi , Dong Bo , Chen Minqi , Li Zongyuan , Chen Cong , Liu Lunxu
Published: October 2024

Prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) was recommended for limited‐stage small‐cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients with complete or partial response to primary chemoradiotherapy. But it is still controversial regarding its role in SCLC patients who have had radical resection. This meta‐analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy of PCI in resected SCLC patients. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CENTRAl, and ClinicalTrials for controlled trials and cohort studies regarding PCI in postoperative SCLC patients. The correlation between PCI and post‐operative outcomes in SCLC patients, including survival and brain metastasis rate (BMR), was examined using hazard ratios (HRs) and risk ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Quality of studies was assessed by the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS), and publication bias was assessed by Begg's test. Meta‐analysis of eight studies with 2688 patients in total showed PCI was associated with improved overall survival (OS) for resected SCLC (HR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.57–0.75, p < 0.01). In addition, subgroup analysis on three studies including 923 patients confirmed the protective role of postoperative PCI in N0 SCLC patients (HR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.61–0.97, p < 0.05). There was also a significant reduction in BMR in the PCI group pooled from six studies (HR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.40–0.85, p < 0.01). The use of PCI delayed brain recurrence and improved OS in patients with resected, stage I‐III SCLC. Importantly, patients with N0 SCLC can also benefit from postoperative PCI. In future studies, PCI's role in patients with resected N0 SCLC at different T stage may need to be explored.
CaMKIIα‐TARPγ8 signaling mediates hippocampal synaptic impairment in aging
Authors: JianHua Zhao , Li MingCan , Hu Qilin , Donoghue Peter , Jiang Sanwei , Li Junmei , Li Songji , Ren Xinyi , Zhang Ziyuan , Du Jingzhi , Yu Yi , Chazot Paul , Lu Chengbiao
Published: October 2024

Aging‐related decline in memory and synaptic function are associated with the dysregulation of calcium homeostasis, attributed to the overexpression of voltage‐gated calcium channels (VGCC). The membrane insertion of AMPAR governed by the AMPAR auxiliary proteins is essential for synaptic transmission and plasticity (LTP). In this study, we demonstrated the hippocampal expression of the transmembrane AMPAR regulatory proteins γ‐8 (TARPγ8) was reduced in aged mice along with the reduced CaMKIIα activity and memory impairment. We further showed that TARPγ8 expression was dependent on CaMKIIα activity. Inhibition of CaMKIIα activity significantly reduced the hippocampal TARPγ8 expression and CA3‐CA1 LTP in young mice to a similar level to that of the aged mice. Furthermore, the knockdown of hippocampal TARPγ8 impaired LTP and memory in young mice, which mimicked the aging‐related changes. We confirmed the enhanced hippocampal VGCC (Cav‐1.3) expression in aged mice and found that inhibition of VGCC activity largely increased both p‐CaMKIIα and TARPγ8 expression in aged mice, whereas inhibition of NMDAR or Calpains had no effect. In addition, we found that the exogenous expression of human TARPγ8 in the hippocampus in aged mice restored LTP and memory function. Collectively, these results indicate that the synaptic and cognitive impairment in aging is associated with the downregulation of CaMKIIα‐TARPγ8 signaling caused by VGCC activation. Our results suggest that TARPγ8 may be a key molecular biomarker for brain aging and that boosting CaMKIIα‐TARPγ8 signaling may be critical for the restoration of synaptic plasticity of aging and aging‐related diseases.
Validation of drug‐nondrug choice procedure to model maladaptive behavioural allocation to opioid use in rats
Authors: Azizzadeh Setareh , Rahimpour Milad , Rakhshan Kamran , Makkiabadi Bahador , Riahi Esmail
Published: October 2024

Increased allocation of behaviour to substance abuse at the expense of personal and social rewards is a hallmark of addiction that is reflected in several of DSM‐5 criteria for diagnosis of substance use disorder. Previous studies focused on refining the self‐administration (SA) model to better emulate an addictive state in laboratory animals. Here, we employed concurrent SA of sucrose pellets and morphine as two competing natural and drug rewards, respectively, to validate the feasibility of capturing pathological behavioural allocation in rats. A custom‐made three‐lever operant chamber was used. With one active and one inactive lever presented, rats were trained to self‐administer morphine (0.5 mg/kg/infusion; 2 h/day) under a fixed‐ratio 1 (FR‐1) schedule until a stable response was achieved. Next, they were trained to self‐administer morphine in the presence of a third lever dispensing sucrose pellets (20 mg) under FR‐1. Concurrent morphine‐sucrose SA sessions (2 h/day) were continued until stable morphine taking behaviour was re‐established. In another experiment, rats first established stable sucrose pellet SA (2 h/day, FR‐1) and then were trained to take morphine (0.5 mg/kg/infusion; 2 h/day). Subsequently, all rats underwent extinction training, in which morphine was replaced with saline while sucrose pellets were still available upon lever pressing, followed by cue‐induced reinstatement of morphine seeking behaviour. Results showed that rats retained morphine SA when sucrose pellets were also available, but they showed binge‐like sucrose intake when morphine was removed during the extinction sessions. However, morphine SA did not develop in rats that had previously established sucrose pellet SA. In conclusion, morphine SA developed even in the presence of a potent competing nondrug reward in rats. Adding an effort‐based contingent delivery of a natural reward to the standard SA model, this protocol may provide an improved model of drug addiction in laboratory animals.
Development of an evaluation method for addictive compounds based on electrical activity of human iPS cell‐derived dopaminergic neurons using microelectrode array
Authors: Ishibashi Yuto , Nagafuku Nami , Kimura Shingo , Han Xiaobo , Suzuki Ikuro
Published: October 2024

Addiction is known to occur through the consumption of substances such as pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs, food, alcohol and tobacco. These addictions can be viewed as drug addiction, resulting from the ingestion of chemical substances contained in them. Multiple neural networks, including the reward system, anti‐reward/stress system and central immune system in the brain, are believed to be involved in the onset of drug addiction. Although various compound evaluations using microelectrode array (MEA) as an in vitro testing methods to evaluate neural activities have been conducted, methods for assessing addiction have not been established. In this study, we aimed to develop an in vitro method for assessing the addiction of compounds, as an alternative to animal experiments, using human iPS cell‐derived dopaminergic neurons with MEA measurements. MEA data before and after chronic exposure revealed specific changes in addictive compounds compared to non‐addictive compounds, demonstrating the ability to estimate addiction of compound. Additionally, conducting gene expression analysis on cultured samples after the tests revealed changes in the expression levels of various receptors (nicotine, dopamine and GABA) due to chronic administration of addictive compounds, suggesting the potential interpretation of these expression changes as addiction‐like responses in MEA measurements. The addiction assessment method using MEA measurements in human iPS cell‐derived dopaminergic neurons conducted in this study proves effective in evaluating addiction of compounds on human neural networks.
Outcomes of a modified technique of partial parotidectomy and novel parotid tumour position classification from a single surgeon prospective database
Authors: Serpell Jonathan W. , Chiu Zelia K. , Forrest Edward , Lee James C.
Published: October 2024

Background

Conservative parotidectomy for benign tumours reduces facial nerve palsy, without increasing local recurrence. We report a modified technique of partial parotidectomy and using a novel description of tumour position, explore relationships between tumour position and histological margins, facial nerve palsy and local recurrence.

Methods

A prospectively collected single surgeon parotidectomy database was analysed, including tumour location (superficial/deep lobe; central/peripheral) and outcomes. A partial parotidectomy identified the facial nerve and the proximal portion of its branches with a macroscopically clear resection margin. Mean follow up was 5.9 years for pleomorphic adenomas.

Results

Three hundred and three patients underwent parotidectomy; 257 (84.8%) were superficial and 46 (15.2%) deep lobe. Tumour position was recorded in 291: 236 (81.1%) were peripheral tumours and 55 (18.9%) central. Histological margin involvement was similar in central and peripheral tumours, both overall and for superficial and deep lobe tumours, but was commoner in central deep lobe tumours, (P = 0.003). Temporary partial facial nerve palsy occurred in 21 (6.9%), with one permanent partial nerve palsy (0.3%). Deep lobe tumours and total parotidectomy were associated with facial nerve palsy (P = 0.01). Facial nerve monitoring reduced the risk of palsy (P < 0.01). Local recurrence of pleomorphic adenomas was uncommon, occurring in 3 (2.0%) of 151 patients.

Conclusion

This series confirms the safety and adequacy of more conservative partial parotidectomy for benign tumours, highlighting most tumours are peripheral, but not more prone to histological margin involvement or local recurrence, and with routine intraoperative facial nerve monitoring, is achieved with low facial nerve palsy rates.
The Maya Train: Infrastructure and Racial Capitalism in Southeast Mexico
Authors: Fonseca Alfaro Claudia
Published: October 2024

In this paper, I illustrate the interplay between infrastructure and racialised differentiation through the case of the Maya Train—a contentious megaproject aimed at constructing 1,554 km of rail tracks across southeast Mexico, led by the López Obrador federal administration. Drawing on an analysis of narratives produced by the state, I argue that the Maya Train sustains and reproduces racial capitalism. The argument is developed by putting Gargi Bhattacharyya's and Nancy Fraser's understanding of the racial capitalism framework in conversation with Mónica Moreno Figueroa's conceptualisation of mestizaje. I show how the Maya Train functions as a project of mestizaje by promising homage, social justice, and development while also acting as a homogenising and oppressive force. The racialising practices embedded in the megaproject reproduce and extend colonial legacies in a heartland of expropriation and are transformed into materiality through the power of the state.
Outdoor playing during preschool was associated with a reduced risk of school‐age obesity in Japan
Authors: Tsuge Takahiro , Matsumoto Naomi , Takao Soshi , Yorifuji Takashi
Published: October 2024

Aim

This study investigated the association between outdoor play habits during preschool and school‐age obesity.

Methods

We conducted a longitudinal cohort study of all children born in Japan during 2 weeks in January and July 2001. We defined outdoor play habits at age 2.5 years (third survey) as exposure, while parent‐reported height and weight at age 7 years (seventh survey) were defined as overweight and obesity status using the WHO reference. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for associations between preschool outdoor play habits and school‐age obesity, adjusting for parental and child factors.

Results

Of 53 575 children born, 42 812 had data on outdoor play habits at age 2.5 years, with 91% (38 970) having such habits. At age 7 years, 31 743/42 812 (74%) children had height and weight data, with 3249/31 743 (10%) classified as overweight or obesity (BMI SD score ≥1.0). Outdoor play habits were negatively associated with obesity (adjusted OR 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.74–0.97).

Conclusion

Outdoor play habits in early preschool years are associated with a reduced risk of school‐age obesity. Parents and caregivers may consider encouraging their children to outdoor play habits at an early age to help prevent obesity later in life.
Psychedelic research, assisted therapy and the role of the anaesthetist: A review and insights for experimental and clinical practices
Authors: Lima Gisela , Soares Carla , Teixeira Marta , Castelo‐Branco Miguel
Published: October 2024

Recent years have witnessed an unprecedented increase in the search for the use of psychedelics in improving physical and mental health. Anaesthesia has evolved since very early times, born from the need to eliminate pain and reduce suffering and there are reports of the use of anaesthetics to achieve mystical states since the nineteenth century. Nowadays, the renaissance of psychedelics in anaesthesia has been inspired by their potential in the treatment of chronic pain syndromes, palliative care and in the emergency department and pre‐hospital care with the administration of psychedelics in cases of ischaemia, given their potential in neuroprotection. Although there are already some published protocols for the administration of psychedelics in patients with mental illness, little has been addressed concerning non‐mental medical applications. In this sense, in patients with multiple comorbidities, functional limitations and polymedicated, the anaesthetist may play a fundamental role, not only in clinical practice, but also in translational research.

This article focuses on the description of psychedelics, with a particular focus on dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and ayahuasca pharmacology, effects, safety and toxicity. A detailed description of the role of the anaesthetist in clinical and experimental research is provided, from participant's screening to preparation and dosing session, expected adverse effects and how to manage them, based on the protocol and standard procedures of a current study with neuroimaging during the psychedelic experience. Specific considerations regarding the management of psychedelic toxicity are also provided as well as future directions for safe psychedelic use in clinical practice.
Shwachman–Diamond syndrome due to biallelic EFL1 variants with complex and fatal clinical course in early infancy
Authors: Cario Holger , Bertrand Alexis , Tan Shengjiang , Auber Bernd , Erlacher Miriam , Mair Eva‐Maria , von Hardenberg Sandra , Lebrecht Dirk , Revy Patrick , Warren Alan J.
Published: October 2024

Shwachman–Diamond syndrome represents a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorder. We report on an infant with a very severe, fatal clinical course caused by biallelic EFL1 variants: c.89A>G, p.(His30Arg), and c.2599A>G, p.(Asn867Asp). Functional analysis of patient‐derived B‐lymphoblastoid and SV40‐transformed fibroblast cell lines suggests that the compound heterozygous EFL1 variants impaired mature ribosome formation leading to compromised protein synthesis, ultimately resulting in a severe form of Shwachman–Diamond syndrome.
Generating demand for a downtown lifestyle in Saskatoon, a mid‐size city
Authors: Hagen Zoe , Walker Ryan
Published: October 2024

De‐centralization has depleted the vitality of mid‐size city downtowns for years. Growing the downtown residential population will help achieve smart growth and strategic infill objectives. Demand for a downtown residential lifestyle can animate many facets of revitalization (e.g., economic, social, cultural, public space). Resident views on factors that they believe would grow the demand for living downtown is the focus of this article. A survey and focus groups were used to learn how to enhance Downtown Saskatoon as a place to live. Findings indicate a convenient lifestyle close to work, school, retail, services, and nightlife, and preferably housing within a couple of blocks of the river valley, make Downtown Saskatoon desirable. Concerns with safety, lack of food stores, and absence of a sense of shared purpose among residents, businesses, and institutions downtown are barriers. The residential context is potentially quite appealing downtown, and demand can be cultivated if downtown's efforts at revitalization are choreographed by a collaborative multi‐sectoral network of actors with strong leadership.
The novel and potent CD40 agonist KHK2840 augments the antitumor efficacy of anti‐PD‐1 antibody and paclitaxel
Authors: Kobayashi Chiaki , Suzuki‐Imaizumi Minami , Sakaguchi Yasuko , Ishii Toshihiko , Adachi Maiko , Kaneda Ayumi , Ebihara Ritsuko , Saito Masato , Uemori Takeshi , Mori Kiyotoshi
Published: October 2024

Lack of tumor‐reactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) limits the antitumor efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). CD40 agonists have been expected to overcome this limitation by generating tumor‐reactive CTLs. However, the clinical efficacy of CD40 agonistic antibodies is not as good as in non‐clinical studies. The novel human CD40 (hCD40) agonist KHK2840 is a fully human anti‐CD40 IgG2 agonistic antibody that is Fc‐engineered to minimize complement‐dependent cytotoxicity and antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Compared to other hCD40 agonists, KHK2840 exhibited the most potent hCD40 agonistic signal in tumor‐bearing hCD40 transgenic mice and human peripheral blood B cells. Moreover, KHK2840 enhanced the antitumor efficacy of the antiprogrammed cell death 1 antibody and paclitaxel. Comprehensive immune profiling revealed that the antitumor immune response of the triple combination involved tumor‐draining lymph nodes in addition to tumor microenvironments. This suggests that a coordinated antitumor immune response between tumors and lymph nodes may underlie the synergistic antitumor efficacy of the triple combination therapy. Finally, a toxicology study in cynomolgus monkeys demonstrated that KHK2840 activated the CD40 signal with tolerable toxicological properties. These results indicate that KHK2840 is a novel and potent hCD40 agonistic antibody for cancer immunotherapy, which is expected to augment the antitumor efficacy of ICIs and chemotherapy.
A combination of lymphatic drug delivery of anti‐CTLA‐4 antibody and local radiotherapy for solid‐tumor treatment
Authors: Takagi Koki , Sukhbaatar Ariunbuyan , Inaba Yohei , Mori Shiro , Kodama Tetsuya
Published: October 2024

The combination of radiotherapy and immunotherapy is a promising approach that has been shown in clinical trials to improve significantly survival and response rates compared with monotherapy against solid tumor. Since anti‐CTLA‐4 antibodies block immunosuppressive signals mainly in the lymph nodes (LNs), efficient drug delivery to the lymphatic system is desirable. However, the immune checkpoint inhibitors, especially anti‐CTLA‐4 are currently administered intravenously (i.v.), resulting in limited efficacy in controlling solid tumor and inhibiting metastases, and the method of administration has not been optimized. Here, we show that a combination of local radiotherapy and administration of anti‐CTLA‐4 antibodies using a lymphatic drug delivery system (LDDS) suppresses solid tumor and metastases. We compared the efficacy of LDDS‐based immunotherapy or radioimmunotherapy with i.v. administration in a solid‐tumor model created by subcutaneous inoculation into LN‐swollen mice with osteosarcoma cells. Tumor‐bearing mice were divided into various groups (no treatment, immunotherapy [i.v. or LDDS], radiotherapy, and radioimmunotherapy [i.v. or LDDS]) and were observed for 28 days. Immunotherapy was administered with a cumulative dose of 10 mg/kg of anti‐CTLA‐4 monoclonal antibody, and radiotherapy was administered with a cumulative 8 Gy of fractionated X‐ray irradiation. For immunotherapy alone, LDDS provided slight tumor growth inhibition but did not inhibit distant metastasis. For radioimmunotherapy, however, tumor growth was delayed and distant metastasis was suppressed compared with radiotherapy alone. In particular, the LDDS group achieved a high tumor‐suppressive effect with T cell‐mediated immune activity, indicating the efficacy of LDDS in radioimmunotherapy.
Diffusion‐based Human Motion Style Transfer with Semantic Guidance
Authors: Hu Lei , Zhang Zihao , Ye Yongjing , Xu Yiwen , Xia Shihong
Published: October 2024

3D Human motion style transfer is a fundamental problem in computer graphic and animation processing. Existing AdaIN‐based methods necessitate datasets with balanced style distribution and content/style labels to train the clustered latent space. However, we may encounter a single unseen style example in practical scenarios, but not in sufficient quantity to constitute a style cluster for AdaIN‐based methods. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a novel two‐stage framework for few‐shot style transfer learning based on the diffusion model. Specifically, in the first stage, we pre‐train a diffusion‐based text‐to‐motion model as a generative prior so that it can cope with various content motion inputs. In the second stage, based on the single style example, we fine‐tune the pre‐trained diffusion model in a few‐shot manner to make it capable of style transfer. The key idea is regarding the reverse process of diffusion as a motion‐style translation process since the motion styles can be viewed as special motion variations. During the fine‐tuning for style transfer, a simple yet effective semantic‐guided style transfer loss coordinated with style example reconstruction loss is introduced to supervise the style transfer in CLIP semantic space. The qualitative and quantitative evaluations demonstrate that our method can achieve state‐of‐the‐art performance and has practical applications. The source code is available at https://github.com/hlcdyy/diffusion-based-motion-style-transfer.
VMP: Versatile Motion Priors for Robustly Tracking Motion on Physical Characters
Authors: Serifi Agon , Grandia Ruben , Knoop Espen , Gross Markus , Bächer Moritz
Published: October 2024

Recent progress in physics‐based character control has made it possible to learn policies from unstructured motion data. However, it remains challenging to train a single control policy that works with diverse and unseen motions, and can be deployed to real‐world physical robots. In this paper, we propose a two‐stage technique that enables the control of a character with a full‐body kinematic motion reference, with a focus on imitation accuracy. In a first stage, we extract a latent space encoding by training a variational autoencoder, taking short windows of motion from unstructured data as input. We then use the embedding from the time‐varying latent code to train a conditional policy in a second stage, providing a mapping from kinematic input to dynamics‐aware output. By keeping the two stages separate, we benefit from self‐supervised methods to get better latent codes and explicit imitation rewards to avoid mode collapse. We demonstrate the efficiency and robustness of our method in simulation, with unseen user‐specified motions, and on a bipedal robot, where we bring dynamic motions to the real world.
Garment Animation NeRF with Color Editing
Authors: Wang Renke , Zhang Meng , Li Jun , Yang Jian
Published: October 2024

Generating high‐fidelity garment animations through traditional workflows, from modeling to rendering, is both tedious and expensive. These workflows often require repetitive steps in response to updates in character motion, rendering viewpoint changes, or appearance edits. Although recent neural rendering offers an efficient solution for computationally intensive processes, it struggles with rendering complex garment animations containing fine wrinkle details and realistic garment‐and‐body occlusions, while maintaining structural consistency across frames and dense view rendering. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to directly synthesize garment animations from body motion sequences without the need for an explicit garment proxy. Our approach infers garment dynamic features from body motion, providing a preliminary overview of garment structure. Simultaneously, we capture detailed features from synthesized reference images of the garment's front and back, generated by a pre‐trained image model. These features are then used to construct a neural radiance field that renders the garment animation video. Additionally, our technique enables garment recoloring by decomposing its visual elements. We demonstrate the generalizability of our method across unseen body motions and camera views, ensuring detailed structural consistency. Furthermore, we showcase its applicability to color editing on both real and synthetic garment data. Compared to existing neural rendering techniques, our method exhibits qualitative and quantitative improvements in garment dynamics and wrinkle detail modeling. Code is available at https://github.com/wrk226/GarmentAnimationNeRF.
Multiphase Viscoelastic Non‐Newtonian Fluid Simulation
Authors: Zhang Y. , Long S. , Xu Y. , Wang X. , Yao C. , Kosinka J. , Frey S. , Telea A. , Ban X.
Published: October 2024

We propose an SPH‐based method for simulating viscoelastic non‐Newtonian fluids within a multiphase framework. For this, we use mixture models to handle component transport and conformation tensor methods to handle the fluid's viscoelastic stresses. In addition, we consider a bonding effects network to handle the impact of microscopic chemical bonds on phase transport. Our method supports the simulation of both steady‐state viscoelastic fluids and discontinuous shear behavior. Compared to previous work on single‐phase viscous non‐Newtonian fluids, our method can capture more complex behavior, including material mixing processes that generate non‐Newtonian fluids. We adopt a uniform set of variables to describe shear thinning, shear thickening, and ordinary Newtonian fluids while automatically calculating local rheology in inhomogeneous solutions. In addition, our method can simulate large viscosity ranges under explicit integration schemes, which typically requires implicit viscosity solvers under earlier single‐phase frameworks.
Multi‐colour recipe prediction through invertible neural network and clustering algorithm
Authors: Shah Syed Salman Ali , Junaid Ahmad , Husnain Ghassan , Qadir Mansoor , Ghadi Yazeed Yasin
Published: October 2024

Computer‐assisted colour prediction has become increasingly significant for various consumer items in the industrial sector. Many professional colourists find it challenging to develop a suitable colour recipe. The most difficult aspect is predicting which dye mix will result in the required shade on a given fabric. This study introduces an advanced alternative to the traditional colour‐making method using an invertible neural network (INN) model. The INN model effectively addresses real‐world inverse problems due to its bi‐directional nature. In the forward phase, the model retrieves information about the colour recipe; in the backward phase, this information is combined with latent space data to predict the recipe. Furthermore, unsupervised data generated by the INN model is fed into clustering algorithms, such as K‐means and the Gaussian mixture model (GMM), to obtain multiple recipes. The forward procedure was reintroduced with a predicted recipe to assess the efficacy of the proposed model. An analysis was then conducted on the colour differences between the anticipated and actual recipes. The colour differences, rounded to perceptually significant precision, from 30,000 samples with 50 centre points, are as follows: 1.4, 2.2, 2.5, 3.7, 1.2, and 2.1. These results indicate that the INN model and the GMM clustering approach together provide a highly accurate and efficient solution to automating the colour‐matching process, offering a more precise and practical solution for the colour‐manufacturing industry.
Integration of a facilitated access pathway for contraception into alcohol and other drug treatment services: A cohort study comparing metropolitan and regional settings
Authors: McNamara Kelly A. , Murnion Bridin , Lintzeris Nicholas , Chase Vicki , Black Emma , Malcolm Annie , Harvey Dodds Lucy , Nassar Natasha , Black Kirsten I.
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Women who attend alcohol and other drug (AOD) services experience higher rates of unintended pregnancy, and access less contraception, than the general population. This study aims to observe contraceptive initiation and use after contraception services were offered at metropolitan and regional AOD services.

Methods

Clinical staff were provided contraception education. One hundred women aged 16–49 were recruited from two services between 2017 and 2021. Women completed a questionnaire on their obstetrics and gynaecological history, pregnancy plans and contraception use. Women were provided education on contraception options and offered referral to a contraception pathway. The primary outcome was initiation of highly reliable contraception; secondary outcomes were the types of contraception initiated, and contraception use and pregnancy at 12 months. We compared the initiation of contraception across the two study sites.

Results

At baseline, 91% of women were not planning a pregnancy within 12 months, with 21% of these using highly reliable contraception. Of all women not planning a pregnancy, 28% initiated highly reliable contraception via the pathway (2% metropolitan, 51% regional, p < 0.001), with intrauterine devices being the most frequent method initiated (15%). At 12 months, 44% were using highly reliable contraception and 15% had recorded pregnancies.

Discussion and Conclusions

Contraception pathways for women in AOD treatment can improve initiation of highly reliable methods of contraception, although pregnancy rates were still high and there were large differences between the study sites. Care navigation and clinical champions are some potential facilitators to contraception access, and understanding additional barriers to access may be useful.
Leucoanthocyanidin Reductase 3 (PaLAR3) Locus in Norway Spruce (Picea abies) and Its Link to Resistance Against Heterobasidion parviporum
Authors: Durodola Blessing , Hanström Neea , Blumenstein Kathrin , Haapanen Matti , Hantula Jarkko , Kashif Muhammad , Piri Tuula , Terhonen Eeva
Published: October 2024

Heterobasidion parviporum is a fungal pathogen that is drastically damaging Norway spruce (Picea abies) in Europe. The infections will result in root and stem rot, causing significant economic losses for forest owners. Previous studies have shown that the PaLAR3 gene, which encodes the leucoanthocyanidin reductase enzyme, can increase resistance to H. parviporum in Norway spruce. The presence of the B allele at the PaLAR3 locus has been associated with higher (+)‐catechin concentrations and increased enzyme production in inoculation experiments, resulting in inhibited pathogen growth. The control of H. parviporum involves a multifaceted approach, including silvicultural and sustainable forestry practices, genetic resistance and chemical/biological control. In this study, we determined the PaLAR3 genotypes in a representative sample of Norway spruce breeding materials from southern Finland and examined their effect on necrosis caused by H. parviporum in spruce stems. The results showed that the homozygous PaLAR3BB genotype was present in only 9% of the trees. However, the necrotic area interacted with homozygous PaLAR3BB under low‐water treatment. These findings support the idea that the PaLAR3 locus may be a valuable marker for identifying P. abies resistance to different strains of Heterobasidion parviporum.
Lesional Psoriasis is Associated With Alterations in the Stratum Corneum Ceramide Profile and Concomitant Decreases in Barrier Function
Authors: Rousel Jannik , Mergen Catherine , Bergmans Menthe E. , Klarenbeek Naomi B. , der Kolk Tessa Niemeyer‐van , van Doorn Martijn B. A. , Bouwstra Joke A. , Rissmann Robert ,   the Next‐Generation ImmunoDermatology Consortium (NGID)
Published: October 2024

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease associated with an impaired skin barrier. The skin barrier function is dependent on the extracellular lipid matrix which surrounds the corneocytes in the stratum corneum. Ceramides comprise essential components of this matrix. Alterations in the stratum corneum ceramide profile have been directly linked to barrier dysfunction and might be an underlying factor of the barrier impairment in psoriasis. In this study, we investigated the ceramide profile and barrier function in psoriasis. Lesional and non‐lesional skin of 26 patients and 10 healthy controls were analysed using in‐depth ceramide lipidomics by liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Barrier function was assessed by measuring transepidermal water loss. Lesional skin showed a significant decrease in the abundance of total ceramides with significant alterations in the ceramide subclass composition compared to control and non‐lesional skin. Additionally, the percentage of monounsaturated ceramides was significantly increased, and the average ceramide chain length significantly decreased in lesional skin. Altogether, this resulted in a markedly different profile compared to controls for lesional skin, but not for non‐lesional skin. Importantly, the reduced barrier function in lesional psoriasis correlated to alterations in the ceramide profile, highlighting their interdependence. By assessing the parameters 2 weeks apart, we are able to highlight the reproducibility of these findings, which further affirms this connection. To conclude, we show that changes in the ceramide profile and barrier impairment are observed in, and limited to, lesional psoriatic skin. Their direct correlation provides a further mechanistic basis for the concomitantly observed impairment of barrier dysfunction.
Meeting Report From “Correlates of Protection for Next Generation Influenza Vaccines: Lessons Learned From the COVID‐19 Pandemic”
Authors: Krammer Florian , Katz Jacqueline M. , Engelhardt Othmar G. , Post Diane J. , Roberts Paul C. , Sullivan Sheena G. , Tompkins S. Mark , Chiu Christopher , Schultz‐Cherry Stacey , Cox Rebecca Jane
Published: October 2024

Background

This report summarizes the discussions and conclusions from the “Correlates of Protection for Next Generation Influenza Vaccines: Lessons Learned from the COVID‐19 Pandemic” meeting, which took place in Seattle, USA, from March 1, 2023, to March 3, 2023.

Conclusions

Discussions around influenza virus correlates of protection and their use continued from where the discussion had been left off in 2019. While there was not much progress in the influenza field itself, many lessons learned during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, especially the importance of mucosal immunity, were discussed and can directly be applied to influenza correlates of protection.
Role of ZnO dopant in enhancing piezoelectric characteristics in KNN‐based piezoelectric ceramics
Authors: Liu Yilong , Wang Chuilei , Zhu Yuanna , Hou Limin , Wei Tao , Wu Tongzhen , Huan Yu
Published: October 2024

Considering that lead‐based piezoelectric ceramics are not conducive to sustainable development, the research and preparation of environmentally friendly lead‐free piezoelectric ceramics has become a new trend. Among them, potassium‐sodium niobate based (KNN‐based) piezoelectric ceramics are considered as the most potential candidates because of their good piezoelectric properties. However, the strong sensitivity to temperature has hindered the further application of KNN‐based ceramics. In this work, the ZnO dopant was introduced in 0.96K0.48Na0.52Nb0.96Sb0.04O3–0.04Bi0.5Na0.5HfO3 ceramics to improve their piezoelectric characteristics. On the one hand, Zn2+ could occupy B‐site and thus enhance the lattice distortion of BO6 octahedra, resulting the enhanced piezoelectric properties including kp = 46%, d33 = 344 pC/N and TC = 282°C in the optimal component with x = 0.01. On the other hand, the defect dipole formed by the acceptor dopant Zn2+ pinned the motion of domain wall, and thus improved the temperature stability over a wide temperature range of 20°C to 180°C, where the descent in unipolar strain decreased from 35% (x = 0) to 23% (x = 0.01). This work provides a point of view about how ZnO dopants make an influence on the KNN‐based ceramics.