bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular study of the rare genus Neoabbottiella (Rhodophyta) reveals its assignment to the Halymeniaceae is incorrect
Authors: Skriptsova Anna V. , Belous Oksana S. , Shibneva Svetlana Yu. , Semenchenko Alexander A.
Published: October 2023

The rare red algal genus Neoabbottiella from the Russian Pacific coast was taxonomically re‐examined. Currently, Neoabbottiella is assigned to the Halymeniales; however, some features of the reproductive anatomy cast doubt on the correctness of assigning the genus to Halymeniaceae sensu lato. We investigated the phylogenetic affinities of Neoabbottiella using four DNA markers (nuclear LSU and SSU rDNA, rbcL and COI‐5P). Neoabbottiella failed to group with any families of the Halymeniales, but it was nested in a highly supported clade containing representatives of the genus Schmitzia (Calosiphoniaceae incertae sedis). Reproductive anatomy and post‐fertilization development also separate Neoabbottiella from the Halymeniaceae. The main characteristics distinguishing Neoabbottiella from the Halymeniales include the intercalary position of the auxiliary cell, the contact of the connecting filament with the auxiliary cell via the lateral process, the origin of the initial gonimoblast cell from the connecting filament at a distance from the auxiliary cell and a lack of a pericarp of branched ampullar filaments. These traits bring Neoabbottiella close to its genetic sister genus Schmitzia, making the classification of Neoabbottiella at the family and order levels difficult. The eventual taxonomic classification of Neoabbottiella awaits the input of data of other species of Schmitzia as well as Calosiphonia, the type genus of the Calosiphoniaceae; thus, Neoabbottiella should be provisionally excluded from the Halymeniales and considered as incertae sedis in the Rhodymeniophycidae. Further, the results of the present study showed that Neoabbottiella is monotypic; Neoabbottiella decipiens should be recognized as a synonym of the generitype Neoabbottiella araneosa.
Transitional justice perspective on property reparations in Iraq
Authors: Gümüşbaş Ahmet
Published: October 2023

Iraq has endured decades of authoritarian rule and conflict, resulting in widespread property violations and displacement. In response, several property restitution and compensation initiatives have been implemented to pursue justice for the victims. However, questions remain about their ability to provide adequate and effective redress. This paper critically examines the flaws and challenges of these mechanisms through the lens of transitional justice. It investigates the extent to which property reparations in Iraq have been structured and implemented within the framework of a transitional justice policy, while analysing the underlying principles of the concept. The findings indicate that property reparations have fallen short due to the lack of a well‐designed programmatic framework supported by viable institutional models and procedures. Additionally, weaknesses lie in the lack of coherence between these initiatives and other institutions and policies, necessitating a holistic framework that guides institutional arrangements, financing, and prioritization strategies. Consequently, this paper argues that a more effective, holistic, and contextually grounded approach informed by transitional justice has the potential to address these issues and strengthen the reparations efforts.
The genome of the toxic invasive species Heracleum sosnowskyi carries an increased number of genes despite absence of recent whole‐genome duplications
Authors: Schelkunov Mikhail I. , Shtratnikova Viktoria Yu. , Klepikova Anna V. , Makarenko Maksim S. , Omelchenko Denis O. , Novikova Lyudmila A. , Obukhova Ekaterina N. , Bogdanov Viktor P. , Penin Aleksey A. , Logacheva Maria D.
Published: October 2023

Heracleum sosnowskyi, belonging to a group of giant hogweeds, is a plant with large effects on ecosystems and human health. It is an invasive species that contributes to the deterioration of grassland ecosystems. The ability of H. sosnowskyi to produce linear furanocoumarins (FCs), photosensitizing compounds, makes it very dangerous. At the same time, linear FCs are compounds with high pharmaceutical value used in skin disease therapies. Despite this high importance, it has not been the focus of genetic and genomic studies. Here, we report a chromosome‐scale assembly of Sosnowsky's hogweed genome. Genomic analysis revealed an unusually high number of genes (55106) in the hogweed genome, in contrast to the 25–35 thousand found in most plants. However, we did not find any traces of recent whole‐genome duplications not shared with its confamiliar, Daucus carota (carrot), which has approximately thirty thousand genes. The analysis of the genomic proximity of duplicated genes indicates on tandem duplications as a main reason for this increase. We performed a genome‐wide search of the genes of the FC biosynthesis pathway and surveyed their expression in aboveground plant parts. Using a combination of expression data and phylogenetic analysis, we found candidate genes for psoralen synthase and experimentally showed the activity of one of them using a heterologous yeast expression system. These findings expand our knowledge on the evolution of gene space in plants and lay a foundation for further analysis of hogweed as an invasive plant and as a source of FCs.
Rage as a political emotion
Authors: Dikeç Mustafa
Published: October 2023

George Floyd's murder by a white policeman has sparked the largest urban uprising in US cities since the 1960s. By contextualising this wave of uprisings in the broader context of similar uprisings in twenty‐first‐century US cities, this paper shows that such an uprising has long been in the making with the violence, murders and revolts that have marked US cities since the turn of the century. My argument in this paper is against the pathological framing of these uprisings that evokes the alleged irrational anger of those who participate in the uprisings and the bad behaviour of a few police officers. Such a framing directs attention away from the structural violence that is at the source of these uprisings, and perpetuates racialised images of those who participate in the uprisings as irrational and impulsive. These uprisings, I argue, are not the actions of irrationally angry individuals mindlessly following the crowds; they cannot be reduced to gratuitous looting and burning, and they are not triggered by some police officers behaving badly. The sources of this urban rage lie in systematic, mostly unchecked, violence. The rage that erupts in these uprisings is a political emotion guided by cognition and judgements about right and wrong, just and unjust, rather than a pathological reaction spurred by uncontrollable impulses. It is a deliberate response to white contempt and the violence associated with it.
Arithmetic and geometric deformations of threefolds
Authors: Bernasconi Fabio , Brivio Iacopo , Filipazzi Stefano
Published: October 2023

We show that mixed‐characteristic and equi‐characteristic small deformations of 3‐dimensional canonical (resp., terminal) singularities with perfect residue field of characteristic are canonical (resp., terminal). We discuss applications to arithmetic and geometric families of 3‐dimensional Fano varieties and minimal models with canonical singularities. Our results are contingent upon the existence of log resolutions for fourfolds.
Characterization of Spray Field for Water-Emulsified Diesel Using a Pressure Swirl Atomizer Under a Nonreacting Environment
Authors: Suleiman Baha , Selim Hatem , Dawood Alaaeldin , Song Jinkwan , Lee Jong Guen , Khalidi Abdurrahman , Al-Ahmadi Kamal , Al-Ghamdi Ibrahim , Badr Eid , Al-Gahatani Mohammed
Published: October 2023

Employing a mixture or an emulsion of water and diesel fuel is considered a way to reduce gas emissions such as NOx and soot in a gas turbine. This study presents detailed experimental results on the spray characteristics of a water–diesel emulsion injected by a pressure swirl atomizer with a 90-degree spray angle and a flow number of 0.58 under a nonreacting environment at high pressure and temperature conditions. Acquiring these data is a key step when configuring a combustor that will employ emulsified fuels. In addition, this study seeks to confirm that the emulsion stays intact when it gets sprayed into the combustor. Furthermore, this study attempts to understand if a water–diesel emulsion prepared by a sonicator improves fuel atomization as compared to a water–diesel mixture prepared by a static mixer, i.e., not a proper emulsion. Tests are conducted in a high pressure and temperature testing facility at two ambient pressures and three ambient temperatures and the water to diesel ratio (W/D) is varied from 11% to 100% by mass. Phase Doppler Particle Anemometry (PDPA) is employed to measure the spray characteristics. Through a backlit high-speed photography, overall spray patterns over different test conditions are visualized. Mie-scattering and planar laser-induced fluorescence imaging are utilized to visualize the mixture field. In general, the results indicate that emulsion stays intact as it gets sprayed into the combustor; and emulsion is a better solution to reduce emissions than a statically mixed mixture.
Large-Eddy-Simulation of Turbulent Non-Premixed Hydrogen Combustion Using the Filtered Tabulated Chemistry Approach
Authors: Dillon Samuel , Mercier Renaud , Fiorina Benoît
Published: October 2023

With air traffic expected to grow 5% annually until the year 2030, alternative fuels such as hydrogen are being investigated in order to tackle the current environmental crisis. Due to safety concerns, future hydrogen combustion chambers will require new designs of injection systems and are expected to operate under multimode combustion regimes. From a large-eddy-simulation (LES) perspective, a prerequisite for the shift toward new hydrogen combustion chamber technologies is a robust turbulent combustion model capable of functioning in non-premixed conditions. Turbulent combustion modeling using flame front filtering is a well-developed strategy in premixed combustion (filtered-tabulated chemistry for large-Eddy-simulation (F-TACLES)). This approach has been extended to non-premixed flames however, it suffers from high flame filter size sensitivity. Moreover, thin hydrogen flame fronts will result in lower resolution on the LES grid, potentially amplifying this issue. In order to address the feasibility of the non-premixed F-TACLES model applied to hydrogen fuel, simple one-dimensional and two-dimensional laminar counterflow diffusion flames are computed. The model is then tested on the three-dimensional Sandia hydrogen jet flame with a Reynolds number of 10,000. Simulations and a priori tests show that tabulated subgrid-scale correction terms are stiff and can result in nonphysical results, however the model is capable of correctly reproducing non-premixed flame structures for small filter sizes.
Head Injuries Induced by Tennis Ball Impacts: A Computational Study
Authors: Li Yongqiang , Gao Xin-Lin
Published: October 2023

Head injuries induced by tennis ball impacts are computationally studied. The impact of a two-piece tennis ball on a human head is simulated by using an established full body model and a newly constructed tennis ball model. The new tennis ball model is validated against existing experimental data. The frontal impact of a tennis ball on a human head at a velocity of 25 m/s is first studied as the baseline case. The effects of the impact location, velocity, and angle as well as the ball spinning are then examined. It is revealed that the lateral impact results in a higher risk of head injury than the frontal and crown impacts. In addition, it is found that the impact force and von Mises stress in the skull, the intracranial pressure and first principal strain in the brain, and the translational and rotational accelerations at the center of gravity of the head all increase with the increase of the impact velocity. Moreover, the normal (90-deg) impact has the highest risk of head injury, which is followed by the 60-deg, 45-deg and 30-deg impacts. Further, it is observed that the spinning of the tennis ball has insignificant effects on the head response. The simulation results show that there will be no skull fracture or mild brain injury in the baseline case. However, traumatic brain injuries may occur after the impact velocity exceeds 40 m/s. The findings of the current study provide new insights into the risks of head injuries induced by tennis ball impacts.
Investigation of mechanical and microstructural properties of sputter-deposited Zr-Ni3Al coatings
Authors: Tiwari Sunil Kumar , Rao Akula Umamaheswara , Kharb Archana Singh , Chawla Vipin , Sardana Neha , Avasthi Devesh Kumar , Chawla Amit Kumar
Published: October 2023

Zr-doped Ni3Al alloy coatings were deposited on a silicon substrate using DC magnetron cosputtering at a substrate temperature of 400 °C. The transformation of phase, microstructure, and surface topography was investigated using GIXRD, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy, respectively. The effect of zirconium (Zr) concentration on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Ni3Al coatings has been discussed. It is observed that the high concentration of Zr in Ni3Al coatings led to the evolution of microcracks that further contributes to increasing the surface roughness of the coatings. Results revealed that the Ni3Al coating without Zr content exhibited the highest hardness of 12.8 GPa. It is also found that with the increase in Zr content in host Ni3Al coatings, the hardness decreases, whereas the contact angle increases. Ni3Al coatings with 40 W Zr enrichment showed a hydrophobic nature with a contact angle of 101°.
Investigation of polymer template removal techniques in three-dimensional thin-shell nanolattices
Authors: Premnath Vijay Anirudh , Chang Chih-Hao
Published: October 2023

Recent advanced in nanofabrication has enabled various opportunities for research and development in photonic crystals, integrated circuits, and nanostructured materials. One interesting class of emerging materials is nanolattices, which consist of hollow-core, thin-shell elements fabricated using thin-film deposition on three-dimensional polymer templates. While many applications of nanolattices have been demonstrated, the residual polymer in the nanolattice can be problematic and is not well understood. This research investigates the effectiveness of different template removal techniques, including oxygen plasma etching, solvent dissolution, and thermal desorption. The rates and effectiveness of resist removal for the different techniques are quantified using spectroscopic ellipsometry, which enables precise measurement of the effective refractive index and calculation of the residual polymer. A three-phase Maxwell–Garnett effective medium model is used to calculate the residual polymer in the nanolattices. This work demonstrates that the temperature treatment is most effective at template removal, which can be used to improve the fabrication of nanolattices for mechanical, optical, and thermal applications.
Maintenance of Aerobic or Resistance Training After an Exercise Intervention Among Breast Cancer Patients After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Authors: Goldschmidt Siri , Schmidt Martina E. , Rosenberger Friederike , Wiskemann Joachim , Steindorf Karen
Published: October 2023

Background: Exercise interventions have been shown to be beneficial for cancer patients regarding various treatment-related side effects and quality of life. For sustainable effects, patients should continue the training. Therefore, we investigated the maintenance of an exercise training in breast cancer patients, reasons for (dis)continuation, and explored possible influencing factors. Methods: The investigation is based on a 3-arm randomized intervention trial comparing aerobic and resistance training (19 [4]) during or after neoadjuvant chemotherapy among breast cancer patients. About 2 years after breast surgery, 68 patients (age 52 [11] y) provided information about training continuation, self-reported reasons of (dis)continuation, sociodemographics, employment status, age, and body mass index. Training continuation was investigated with Kaplan–Meier analyses. Results: The intervention was rated as good or very good by 88.1% of participants. Nevertheless, 52.9% discontinued the training directly, but half of them changed to different types of exercise. Reasons for discontinuation included lack of time and long travel distance to the training facility. The median continuation was 19.0 months (Q1, Q3: 5.5, 36.0) with no statistically significant difference between the intervention groups. Younger, better educated, partnered patients tended toward longer training continuation. Conclusions: The majority of patients continued exercising after the end of intervention. However, a nonnegligible number discontinued training immediately or after few months. Practical, social, and financial support for a transition to an adequate training that is affordable and feasible in the patient’s daily life might foster training maintenance. Especially patients who are less educated, elderly, or living alone may need more support to continue exercising.
Phosphatidic acid binding to Patched contributes to the inhibition of Smoothened and Hedgehog signaling inDrosophilawing development
Authors: Zhang Jie , Liu Yajuan , Wang Chi , Vander Kooi Craig W. , Jia Jianhang
Published: October 2023

Hedgehog (Hh) signaling controls growth and patterning during embryonic development and homeostasis in adult tissues. Hh binding to the receptor Patched (Ptc) elicits intracellular signaling by relieving Ptc-mediated inhibition of the transmembrane protein Smoothened (Smo). We uncovered a role for the lipid phosphatidic acid (PA) in the regulation of the Hh pathway inDrosophila melanogaster. Deleting the Ptc C-terminal tail or mutating the predicted PA-binding sites within it prevented Ptc from inhibiting Smo in wing discs and in cultured cells. The C-terminal tail of Ptc directly interacted with PA in vitro, an association that was reduced by Hh, and increased the amount of PA at the plasma membrane in cultured cells. Smo also interacted with PA in vitro through a binding pocket located in the transmembrane region, and mutating residues in this pocket reduced Smo activity in vivo and in cells. By genetically manipulating PA amounts in vivo or treating cultured cells with PA, we demonstrated that PA promoted Smo activation. Our findings suggest that Ptc may sequester PA in the absence of Hh and release it in the presence of Hh, thereby increasing the amount of PA that is locally available to promote Smo activation.
Bulk and single-nucleus RNA sequencing highlight immune pathways induced in individuals during an
Ixodes scapularis
tick bite
Authors: Tang Xiaotian , Lynn Geoffrey E. , Cui Yingjun , Cerny Jiri , Arora Gunjan , Tomayko Mary M. , Craft Joseph , Fikrig Erol
Published: October 2023

Ticks are hematophagous arthropods that use a complex mixture of salivary proteins to evade host defenses while taking a blood meal. Little is known about the immunological and physiological consequences of tick feeding on humans. Here, we performed the first bulk and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) of skin and blood of four persons presenting with naturally acquired, attached
Ixodes scapularis
ticks. Pathways and individual genes associated with innate and adaptive immunity were identified based on bulk RNA sequencing, including interleukin-17 signaling and platelet activation pathways at the site of tick attachment or in peripheral blood. snRNA-seq further revealed that the Hippo signaling, cell adhesion, and axon guidance pathways were involved in the response to an
I. scapularis
bite in humans. Features of the host response in these individuals also overlapped with that of laboratory guinea pigs exposed to
I. scapularis
and which acquired resistance to ticks. These findings offer novel insights for the development of new biomarkers for
I. scapularis
exposure and anti-tick vaccines for human use.
Supplemental Material: Effect of short-term, climate-driven sediment deposition on tectonically controlled alluvial channel incision
Authors: Wang Xueliang , al. et
Published: October 2023

 Methods S1–S3; Figures S1–S6; and Tables S1–S2.  
Supplemental Material: Intra–Neo-Tethyan subduction initiation inferred from the Indawgyi mafic rocks in the Central Ophiolite Belt, Myanmar
Authors: zhang qinghua , Chen Yi , et al.
Published: October 2023

Analytical methods, Figures S1–S5, and Tables S1–S6.
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiaecellulitis with associated bacteraemia following seafood preparation
Authors: Datri Jewel M , Ledet Logan , Burke Victoria E
Published: October 2023

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiaeis a pleomorphic Gram-positive bacillus, zoonotic pathogen of mammals, birds and fish. Human disease caused by this organism most commonly occurs following occupational or recreational exposure to infected animals and typically presents as a localised cutaneous disease. Invasive infection resulting in bacteraemia, endocarditis or other distant sequelae is infrequently seen. Most commonly, invasive infection is seen in patients with predisposing risk factors including diabetes, immunocompromising conditions, alcohol use disorder or chronic kidney disease. The organism is highly susceptible to penicillin-class drugs which serve as first-line antimicrobial therapy with prolonged courses typically prescribed for invasive disease, given the predilection of this organism to cause endocarditis. In this report, we present an interesting case of a polymicrobial finger abscess withE. rhusiopathiaebacteraemia following laceration with a fish spine in an immunocompetent patient in Southern US state. This bacteraemic episode was successfully treated with a fluoroquinolone course owing to patient’s penicillin allergy.
Acute myocardial damage after electrical injury assessed by MRI
Authors: Gilles Floriane , Nicot Florence , Boyer Clément , Georges Jean-Louis
Published: October 2023

Electrical injuries are not uncommon, and electrical shock-induced cardiac damage can be life-threatening. We present the case of a young patient who suffered from acute myocardial damage due to an occupational electric shock. Myocardial damage was assessed by very early (day 4) and repeated (up to month 18) MRI. Clinical management and patient risk estimation in such a setting are challenging because data on similar non-lethal cases and practice recommendations are scarce in the literature.
Epidemiology of revision hip replacement surgery in the UK over the past 15 years—an analysis from the National Joint Registry
Authors: Sabah Shiraz A. , Knight Ruth , Nicolson Philippa J. A. , Taylor Adrian , Kendrick Benjamin , Alvand Abtin , Petrou Stavros , Beard David J. , Price Andrew J. , Palmer Antony J. R.
Published: October 2023

Objectives

To investigate trends in the incidence rate and main indication for revision hip replacement (rHR) over the past 15 years in the UK.

Design

Repeated national cross-sectional study from 2006 to 2020.

Setting/participants

rHR procedures were identified from the National Joint Registry for England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the States of Guernsey. Population statistics were obtained from the Office for National Statistics.

Main outcome measures

Crude incidence rates of rHR.

Results

The incidence rate of rHR doubled from 11 per 100 000 adults in 2006 (95% CI 10.7 to 11.3) to a peak of 22 per 100 000 adults (95% CI 22 to 23) in 2012, before falling to 17 per 100 000 adults in 2019 (95% CI 16 to 17) (24.5% decrease from peak). The incidence rate of rHR reduced by 39% in 2020 compared with 2019 (during the COVID-19 pandemic). The most frequent indications for rHR between 2006 and 2019 were loosening/lysis (27.8%), unexplained pain (15.1%) and dislocation/instability (14.7%). There were incremental increases in the annual number and incidence rates of rHR for fracture, infection, dislocation/instability and a decrease in rHR for aseptic loosening/lysis.

Conclusions

The incidence rate of rHR doubled from 2006 to 2012, likely due to high early failure rates of metal-on-metal hip replacements. The incidence of rHR then decreased by approximately 25% from 2012 to 2019, followed by a large decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic. The decrease in the number of rHR performed for aseptic loosening/lysis may reflect improved wear and implant longevity. Increased healthcare resource will be required to care for the increasing numbers of patients undergoing rHR for fracture and infection.
Repurposing the FDA-approved anthelmintic pyrvinium pamoate for pancreatic cancer treatment: study protocol for a phase I clinical trial in early-stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ponzini Francesca M , Schultz Christopher W , Leiby Benjamin E , Cannaday Shawnna , Yeo T , Posey James , Bowne Wilbur B , Yeo Charles , Brody Jonathan R , Lavu Harish , Nevler Avinoam
Published: October 2023

Background

Recent reports of the utilisation of pyrvinium pamoate (PP), an FDA-approved anti-helminth, have shown that it inhibits pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cell growth and proliferation in-vitro and in-vivo in preclinical models. Here, we report about an ongoing phase I open-label, single-arm, dose escalation clinical trial to determine the safety and tolerability of PP in PDAC surgical candidates.

Methods and analysis

In a 3+3 dose design, PP is initiated 3 days prior to surgery. The first three patients will be treated with the initial dose of PP at 5 mg/kg orally for 3 days prior to surgery. Dose doubling will be continued to a reach a maximum of 20 mg/kg orally for 3 days, if the previous two dosages (5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) were tolerated. Dose-limiting toxicity grade≥3 is used as the primary endpoint. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) profile of PP and bioavailability in humans will be used as the secondary objective. Each participant will be monitored weekly for a total of 30 days from the final dose of PP for any side effects. The purpose of this clinical trial is to examine whether PP is safe and tolerable in patients with pancreatic cancer, as well as assess the drug’s PK/PD profile in plasma and fatty tissue. Potential implications include the utilisation of PP in a synergistic manner with chemotherapeutics for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the Thomas Jefferson Institutional Review Board. The protocol number for this study is 20F.041 (Version 3.1 as of 27 October 2021). The data collected and analysed from this study will be used to present at local and national conferences, as well as, written into peer-reviewed manuscript publications.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT05055323.
Adjuvant therapy in completely resected, EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer: a comparative analysis of treatment efficacy between EGFR-TKI and anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy
Authors: Li Zichun , Zhang Xuanye , Wang Yuhong , Yu Zhixin , Yang Chunlong , Zhou Yixin , Hong Shaodong
Published: October 2023

The IMpower010 and KEYNOTE-091 trials have demonstrated the benefit of adjuvant immunotherapy (IO) after chemotherapy (C+IO) in resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including those with epidermal growth factor receptor gene (EGFR) mutation. Meanwhile, several studies have reported that EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) may prolong disease-free survival (DFS) in these patients. However, there is currently a lack of head-to-head comparison between these two adjuvant therapy strategies. Therefore, we designed a comparative analysis of their efficacy to inform clinical decision-making by assessing DFS as the primary outcome. The results of direct meta-analysis indicated that EGFR-TKI reduced the risk of recurrence and/or death in completely resected NSCLC (HREGFR-TKI/chemo= 0.41, 95% CI: 0.23 to 0.74, p=0.003), while C+IO did not significantly improve DFS compared with chemotherapy alone (HRC+IO/chemo=0.68, 95% CI: 0.31 to 1.50, p=0.338). Indirect comparison suggested that EGFR-TKI has a trend to prolong DFS compared with C+IO (HREGFR-TKI/C+IO= 0.60, 95% CI: 0.23 to 1.61, p=0.312), while the third-generation TKI (3rd-TKI) osimertinib significantly outperformed C+IO (HR3rd-TKI/C+IO= 0.29, 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.70, p=0.006). In conclusion, osimertinib rather than immunotherapy should be regarded as the preferred adjuvant therapy in completely resected, EGFR-mutant NSCLC.
Cartilage tissue from sites of weight bearing in patients with osteoarthritis exhibits a differential phenotype with distinct chondrocytes subests
Authors: Di Jiawei , Chen Zihao , Wang Zhe , He Tianwei , Wu Depeng , Weng Chuanggui , Deng Jiajun , Mai Lang , Wang Kun , He Lei , Rong Limin
Published: October 2023

Objective

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease associated with excessive mechanical loading. The aim here was to elucidate whether different subpopulations of chondrocytes exhibit distinct phenotypes in response to variations in loading conditions. Furthermore, we seek to investigate the transcriptional switches and cell crosstalk among these chondrocytes subsets.

Methods

Proteomic analysis was performed on cartilage tissues isolated from weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing regions. Additionally, single-cell RNA sequencing was employed to identify different subsets of chondrocytes. For disease-specific cells, in vitro differentiation induction was performed, and their presence was confirmed in human cartilage tissue sections using immunofluorescence. The molecular mechanisms underlying transcriptional changes in these cells were analysed through whole-transcriptome sequencing.

Results

In the weight-bearing regions of OA cartilage tissue, a subpopulation of chondrocytes called OA hypertrophic chondrocytes (OAHCs) expressing the marker genes SLC39A14 and COL10A1 are present. These cells exhibit unique characteristics of active cellular interactions mediated by the TGFβ signalling pathway and express OA phenotypes, distinct from hypertrophic chondrocytes in healthy cartilage. OAHCs are mainly distributed in the superficial region of damaged cartilage in human OA tissue, and on TGFβ stimulation, exhibit activation of transcriptional expression of iron metabolism-related genes, along with enrichment of associated pathways.

Conclusion

This study identified and validated the existence of a subset of OAHCs in the weight-bearing area of OA cartilage tissue. Our findings provide a theoretical basis for targeting OAHCs to slow down the progression of OA and facilitate the repair of cartilage injuries.
Immersive virtual reality and psychological well-being in adult chronic physical illness: systematic review
Authors: McGhee William R G , Doherty Catherine J , Graham-Wisener Lisa , Fallis Richard , Stone Carol , Axiaq Ariana , Dempster Martin
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Individuals with chronic physical illness are at increased risk of negative psychological sequelae. Immersive virtual reality (VR) is an emerging treatment that might reduce these negative effects and increase quality of life in individuals with chronic physical illness.

Objective

To systematically review literature examining the use of immersive VR in adult populations with chronic physical illness to understand: (1) how immersive VR is used to improve psychological well-being of adults with chronic physical illness (2) what effect this immersive VR has on the psychological well-being of adults with chronic physical illness.

Design

Systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Searches of Ovid Medline/PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus between July 1993 and March 2023 inclusive.

Results

12 811 texts were identified; 31 met the inclusion criteria. Relaxing and engaging immersive VR interventions were shown to be acceptable and feasible among adults with cancer, dementia, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and multiple sclerosis. Many of the studies reviewed were feasibility or pilot studies and so the evidence about effectiveness is more limited. The evidence, mostly from studies of people with cancer, suggests that immersive VR can have a positive effects on anticipatory anxiety symptoms and pain.

Conclusions

Environment-based and game-based relaxing immersive VR offer novel interventions, with beneficial effects among people with cancer and, potentially, beneficial effects in those with other long-term physical illness.
Effects of behavioral strategies on catchability, bait selectivity, and hunting behavior in northern pike (Esox lucius)
Authors: Lucas Jorrit , Ros Albert , Geist Juergen , Brinker Alexander
Published: October 2023

This study investigated how northern pike with two behavioral strategies in the context of predation interact with natural and artificial baits in simulated angling experiments. Predator types were assessed in three behavioral trials over 15 days by measuring foraging latency under altered conditions (abruptly increased light intensity). Latency revealed fast and slow predator responses showing high individual repeatability, interpreted as proactive and reactive predator types, with reactive individuals adapting their response over time. Both types displayed similar hunting performances in predation trials with live prey under habituated conditions. In angling trials, proactive pike expressed significantly more predation than reactive pike, independent of bait type. During angling trials, predator type did not affect bait handling, while both predator types developed strong sequential bait avoidance, indicating a learning effect. Angling trials did not affect hunting for live prey. The results suggest that pike exhibit individual differences in responses to environmental changes linked to their predatory behavior. Angling selection may play a role in pike populations, with the proactive predator type more likely to be hooked than the reactive type.
Upconversion luminescence and temperature sensing properties of CaF2-crystal-contained silicate glass-ceramics doped with Er3+/Yb3+
Authors: Jiang Tao , Lin She-Bao , Wang Zhao-Jin , Wu Yu-Long , Ding Yong-Zhe , Zhou Lu , Ma Jian-Yuan , Dong Juan , Yang Zhi-Huai , Jiang Peng , Xu Qiang
Published: October 2023

Rare earth upconversion luminescent materials have a wide range of applications in the fields of anti-counterfeiting, imaging, temperature sensing, spectral conversion and so on. CaF2-crystal-contained glass-ceramics possess low phonon energy and good stability. Therefore, as a matrix material doped with rare earth, CaF2-crystal-contained glass-ceramics should have better upconversion luminescence properties. In this paper, the upconversion luminescence properties of Yb[Formula: see text]/Er[Formula: see text]-co-doped CaF2-crystal-contained silicate glass-ceramics were studied. Er[Formula: see text]/Yb[Formula: see text]-co-doped CaF2-crystal-contained silicate glass-ceramics were synthesized by melt-cooling method. XRD proved that CaF2 crystals were successfully precipitated in the glass. Comparing the upconversion luminescence intensity of different samples, the optimum heat treatment temperature was determined to be 660∘C. The upconversion process was analyzed by analyzing the relationship between fluorescence intensity and excitation power. Finally, the relationship between the fluorescence intensity ratio of the sample at 521[Formula: see text]nm and 538[Formula: see text]nm with the temperature change was discussed, the absolute sensitivity and relative sensitivity of the sample to temperature were determined. The results show that the sample is expected to be used as a no-contact thermometer.
Stability and optoelectronic properties of HfS2/HfSe2 heterostructures under tensile strain: A first-principles study
Authors: Sun Yimin
Published: October 2023

The optoelectronic properties of monolayer HfS2, HfSe2, and HfS2/HfSe2 heterostructures under biaxial strain were calculated using density functional perturbation theory (DFPT). The heterostructure formed by monolayer HfS2 and HfSe2 undergoes a transition from an indirect to a direct bandgap. Additionally, under biaxial tensile strain, the bandgaps of all systems exhibit a linear increase. The stability of the structures was further verified by calculating the phonon spectra. Monolayer HfS2 and HfSe2 exhibited imaginary frequencies at a biaxial strain of 8%, whereas the HfS2/HfSe2 heterostructure displayed an imaginary frequency at a strain of 6%. This suggests that the structures have reached their maximum load-bearing limit and lost stability. The van der Waals interactions between the layers of the heterostructure had minimal influence in the x–y plane, but they could induce interlayer tearing in the vertical direction, resulting in an earlier loss of stability compared to the monolayer structures. The optical absorption and reflectance properties of the three systems under strain were also calculated. A blue shift was observed in the low-energy region, while a significant red shift was observed in the high-energy region. The two-dimensional heterostructure exhibited significantly improved absorption coefficients and reflectance in the high-energy region compared to the two monolayer structures.
Towards a Research Agenda for Understanding and Managing Uncertainty in Self-Adaptive Systems
Authors: Weyns Danny , Calinescu Radu , Mirandola Raffaela , Tei Kenji , Acosta Maribel , Bencomo Nelly , Bennaceur Amel , Boltz Nicolas , Bures Tomas , Camara Javier , Diaconescu Ada , Engels Gregor , Gerasimou Simos , Gerostathopoulos Ilias , Getir Yaman Sinem , Grassi Vincenzo , Hahner Sebastian , Inverardi Paola , Van Landuyt Dimitri , de Lemos Rogerio , Letier Emmanuel , Litoiu Marin , Marsso Lina , Musil Angelika , Musil Juergen , Nunes Rodrigues Genaina , Perez-Palacin Diego , Quin Federico , Scandurra Patrizia , Vallecillo Antonio , Zisman Andrea
Published: October 2023

Despite considerable research efforts on handling uncertainty in self-adaptive systems, a comprehensive understanding of the precise nature of uncertainty is still lacking. This paper summarises the findings of the 2023 Bertinoro Seminar on Uncertainty in Self- Adaptive Systems, which aimed at thoroughly investigating the notion of uncertainty, and outlining open challenges associated with its handling in self-adaptive systems. The seminar discussions were centered around five core topics: (1) agile end-toend handling of uncertainties in goal-oriented self-adaptive systems, (2) managing uncertainty risks for self-adaptive systems, (3) uncertainty propagation and interaction, (4) uncertainty in self-adaptive machine learning systems, and (5) human empowerment under uncertainty. Building on the insights from these discussions, we propose a research agenda listing key open challenges, and a possible way forward for addressing them in the coming years.
Fostering Collaboration and Advancing Research in Software Engineering and Game Development for Serious Contexts
Authors: Bucchiarone Antonio , Cooper Kendra M. L. , Lin Dayi , Smith Adam , Wanick Vanissa
Published: October 2023

The potential benefits of using the engaging and interactive nature of games to achieve specific objectives have been recognized by researchers and professionals from numerous domains. Serious games have been developed to impart knowledge, skills, and awareness in areas such as education, healthcare and the environment, while gamification has been applied to enhance the engagement, motivation, and participation of users in non-game activities such as sustainability and learning. As a result, the fields of game engineering, software engineering, and user experience are increasingly converging to create innovative solutions that blend the strengths of games with real-world applications.
Measurement of Embedding Choices on Cryptographic API Completion Tasks
Authors: Xiao Ya , Song Wenjia , Ahmed Salman , Ge Xinyang , Viswanath Bimal , Meng Na , Yao Danfeng (Daphne)
Published: October 2023

In this article, we conduct a measurement study to comprehensively compare the accuracy impacts of multiple embedding options in cryptographic API completion tasks. Embedding is the process of automatically learning vector representations of program elements. Our measurement focuses on design choices of three important aspects,
program analysis preprocessing
,
token-level embedding
, and
sequence-level embedding
. Our findings show that program analysis is necessary even under advanced embedding. The results show 36.20% accuracy improvement, on average, when program analysis preprocessing is applied to transfer bytecode sequences into API dependence paths. With program analysis and the token-level embedding training, the embedding
dep2vec
improves the task accuracy from 55.80% to 92.04%. Moreover, only a slight accuracy advantage (0.55%, on average) is observed by training the expensive sequence-level embedding compared with the token-level embedding. Our experiments also suggest the differences made by the data. In the cross-app learning setup and a data scarcity scenario, sequence-level embedding is more necessary and results in a more obvious accuracy improvement (5.10%).
HAZniCS – Software Components for Multiphysics Problems
Authors: Budiša Ana , Hu Xiaozhe , Kuchta Miroslav , Mardal Kent-André , Zikatanov Ludmil T.
Published: October 2023

We introduce the software toolbox HAZniCS for solving interface-coupled multiphysics problems. HAZniCS is a suite of modules that combines the well-known FEniCS framework for finite element discretization with solver and graph library HAZmath. The focus of this article is on the design and implementation of robust and efficient solver algorithms which tackle issues related to the complex interfacial coupling of the physical problems often encountered in applications in brain biomechanics. The robustness and efficiency of the numerical algorithms and methods is shown in several numerical examples, namely the Darcy-Stokes equations that model the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the human brain and the mixed-dimensional model of electrodiffusion in the brain tissue.
Reachability Analysis of Sigmoidal Neural Networks
Authors: Choi Sung Woo , Ivashchenko Michael , Nguyen Luan V. , Tran Hoang-Dung
Published: October 2023

This paper extends the star set reachability approach to verify the robustness of feed-forward neural networks (FNNs) with sigmoidal activation functions such as Sigmoid and TanH. The main drawbacks of the star set approach in Sigmoid/TanH FNN verification are scalability, feasibility, and optimality issues in some cases due to the linear programming solver usage. We overcome this challenge by proposing a relaxed star (RStar) with symbolic intervals, which allows the usage of the back-substitution technique in DeepPoly to find bounds when overapproximating activation functions while maintaining the valuable features of a star set. RStar can overapproximate a sigmoidal activation function using four linear constraints (RStar4) or two linear constraints (RStar2), or only the output bounds (RStar0). We implement our RStar reachability algorithms in NNV and compare them to DeepPoly via robustness verification of image classification DNNs benchmarks. The experimental results show that the original star approach (i.e., no relaxation) is the least conservative of all methods yet the slowest. RStar4 is computationally much faster than the original star method and is the second least conservative approach. It certifies up to 40% more images against adversarial attacks than DeepPoly and on average 51 times faster than the star set. Last but not least, RStar0 is the most conservative method, which could only verify two cases for the CIFAR10 small Sigmoid network,
δ
= 0.014. However, it is the fastest method that can verify neural networks up to 3528 times faster than the star set and up to 46 times faster than DeepPoly in our evaluation.
Experiment and Improvement Mechanism Analysis on the Mechanical Properties of Improved Chlorine Saline Soil
Authors: Maimaitiyusupu Semaierjiang , Zhao Cheng , Tao Shichao
Published: October 2023

Chlorine saline soil has adverse engineering geology such as dissolution, collapse, and pulping, the recycling of saline soil in subgrade treatment is of great research significance. First, the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test was conducted using an orthogonal test design, and the optimal ratios of salt content, cement content, lime content, fiber content, and fiber length were determined. Second, the cyclic loading (CL) test was conducted using an orthogonal test design, and the influence of five factors, including freeze–thaw (FT) times, CL times, stress level (SL), amplitude, and frequency, on peak intensity, peak strain, and cumulative strain under FT cycles and natural air-drying (A-D) conditions were determined. Finally, the improvement mechanism of the above inorganic materials was microscopically analyzed by scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectrometer and X-ray diffraction tests. The UCS test results show that the improving effect of the optimal ratio for chlorine saline soil was best when the optimal ratio values were 3% (salt content), 8% (cement content), 12% (lime content), 0.2% (fiber content), and 18 mm (fiber length). CL test results show that with the increase in natural A-D time, it was found that the FT number and SL have significant effects on the strength, the number of FT times and cycle times have significant effects on the deformation, and the frequency and cycle times have significant effects on the cumulative deformation. From the microstructure analysis, the improvement mechanism is mainly the filling of pores and linking particles by water-hard gels and gas rigid gels to make the microstructure dense, effectively reduce pores, and effectively improve the engineering characteristics of chlorine saline soil. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for the engineering design of subgrade in arid areas and the in situ recycling of saline soil.
Potential Antioxidant Activity of Novel Antioxidant Peptides from Protein Hydrolysate of Peony Seed Dreg in Chemical and H2O2-Induced RAW264.7 Cells
Authors: Wu Cuiling , Ren Chenxia , Zhang Lianyun , Song Yingda , Gao Huifang
Published: October 2023

Peony seed dreg protein (PSDP) was hydrolyzed by proteases secreted by Pseudoalteromonas sp. CSN423. This hydrolysate exhibited excellent antioxidant capability after passing through a 3 kDa ultrafiltration membrane. The antioxidant peptides further purified by size-exclusion chromatography scavenged 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH∙) (73.0 ± 1.46%) and hydroxyl radicals (∙OH) (81.17 ± 3.69%), protected DNA from oxidative injury, and displayed an oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of 4.04 ± 1.11 μmol TE/mg. Furthermore, the antioxidant peptide inhibited apoptosis by inhibiting the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential in H2O2-induced RAW264.7 cells. We identified four major peptides such as YFPF, ECCASLAPL, YVSLK, and YFEM by using mass spectrometry. YFPF showed a potent ∙OH scavenging capability of 75.30 ± 1.08%. ECCASLAPL exhibited higher DPPH∙ scavenging capability (87.20 ± 1.03%) than glutathione (GSH) (49.50 ± 1.50%). Moreover, the peptide YVSLK exhibited the highest ORAC of 2.52 ± 1.20 μmol TE/mg of the identified peptides. This work highlights that the peptides from PSDP might have potential uses in cosmetics, functional foods, and drug development.