bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LncRNA MRAK052509 competitively adsorbs miR‐204‐3p to regulate silica dust‐induced EMT process
Authors: Xuan Liu , Zi‐ming Jiao , Xue‐yan Tian , Wen‐xuan Hu , Fa‐xuan Wang
Published: March 2024

Silicosis is a systemic disease caused by long‐term inhalation of free SiO2 and retention in the lungs. At present, it is still the most important occupational health hazard disease in the world. Existing studies have shown that non‐coding RNA can also participate in complex fibrosis regulatory networks. However, its role in regulating silicotic fibrosis is still unclear. In this study, we constructed a NR8383/RLE‐6TN co‐culture system to simulate the pathogenesis of silicosis in vitro. Design of miR‐204‐3p mimics and inhibitors to overexpress or downregulate miR‐204‐3p in RLE‐6TN cells. Design of short hairpin RNA (sh‐RNA) to downregulate MRAK052509 in RLE‐6TN cells. The regulatory mechanism of miR‐204‐3p and LncRNA MRAK052509 on EMT process was studied by Quantitative real‐time PCR, Western blotting, Immunofluorescence and Cell scratch test. The results revealed that miR‐204‐3p affects the occurrence of silica dust‐induced cellular EMT process mainly through regulating TGF‐βRΙ, a key molecule of TGF‐β signaling pathway. In contrast, Lnc MRAK052509 promotes the EMT process in epithelial cells by competitively adsorbing miR‐204‐3p and reducing its inhibitory effect on the target gene TGF‐βRΙ, which may influence the development of silicosis fibrosis. This study perfects the targeted regulation relationship between LncRNA MRAK052509, miR‐204‐3p and TGF‐βRΙ, and may provide a new strategy for the study of the pathogenesis and treatment of silicosis.
Exploring the impact of ITGB2 on glioma progression and treatment: Insights from non‐apoptotic cell death and immunotherapy
Authors: Zhuang Junhong , Miao Changfeng , Liu Chao , Zeng Biying , Hu Linwang , Peng Jun , Xia Ying , Chen Zigui
Published: March 2024

In the realm of glioma treatment, our groundbreaking research has uncovered the pivotal role of Integrin Beta 2 (ITGB2) in non‐apoptotic cell death and its profound implications for immunotherapy efficacy. Gliomas, known for their aggressive and infiltrative nature, demand innovative therapeutic strategies for improved patient outcomes. Our study bridges a critical gap by examining the interplay between non‐apoptotic cell death and immunotherapy response in gliomas. Through comprehensive analysis of ten diverse glioma datasets, we developed a unique death enrichment score and identified ITGB2 as a significant risk marker. This study demonstrates that ITGB2 can predict immune activity, mutation characteristics, and drug response in glioma patients. We reveal that ITGB2 not only mediates glioma proliferation and migration but also crucially influences immunotherapy responses by modulating the interaction between gliomas and macrophages by single‐cell sequencing analysis (iTalk and ICELLNET). Employing a variety of molecular and cellular methodologies, including in vitro models, our findings highlight ITGB2 as a potent marker in glioma biology, particularly impacting macrophage migration and polarization. We present compelling evidence of ITGB2's dual role in regulating tumor cell behavior and shaping the immune landscape, thereby influencing therapeutic outcomes. The study underlines the potential of ITGB2‐targeted strategies in enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy and opens new avenues for personalized treatment approaches in glioma management. In conclusion, this research marks a significant stride in understanding glioma pathology and therapy, positioning ITGB2 as a key biomarker and a promising target in the quest for effective glioma treatments.
Advancing access to care: An assessment of the prehospital system in Senegal
Authors: Michalski Kamil , Diedhiou Moustapha , Kerachian Matin , Grushka Jeremy , Tendeng Jacques Noel , Diao Mohamed Lamine , Beye Mamadou D. , Montero Ortiz Johana , Razek Tarek , Deckelbaum Dan L. , Konate Ibrahim
Published: March 2024

Background

Most low‐ and middle‐income countries do not have a mature prehospital system limiting access to definitive care. This study sought to describe the current state of the prehospital system in Senegal and offer recommendations aimed at improving system capacity and population access to definitive care.

Methods

Structured interviews were conducted with key informants in various regions throughout the country using qualitative and quantitative techniques. A standardized questionnaire was generated using needs assessment forms and system frameworks. Descriptive statistics were performed for quantitative data analysis, and qualitative data was consolidated and presented using ATLAS.ti.

Results

Two (20%) of the studied regions, Dakar and Saint‐Louis, had a mature prehospital system in place, including dispatch centers and teams of trained personnel utilizing equipped ambulances. 80% of the studied regions lacked an established prehospital system. The vast majority of the population relied on the fire department for transport to a healthcare facility. The ambulances in rural regions were not part of a formal prehospital system, were not equipped with life‐support supplies, and were limited to inter‐facility transfers.

Conclusions

While Dakar and Saint‐Louis have mature prehospital systems, the rest of the country is served by the fire department. There are significant opportunities to further strengthen the prehospital system in rural Senegal by training the fire department in basic life support and first aid, maintaining cost efficiency, and building on existing national resources. This has the potential to significantly improve access to definitive care and outcomes of emergent illness in the Senegalese community.
Contemporary trends in choledochal cyst excision: An analysis of the pediatric national surgical quality improvement program
Authors: Howell Thomas Clark , Beckhorn Catherine B. , Antiel Ryan M. , Fitzgerald Tamara N. , Rice Henry E. , Mavis Alisha , Ravindra Kadiyala , Tracy Elisabeth T.
Published: March 2024

Background

Choledochal cysts are rare congenital anomalies of the biliary tree that may lead to obstruction, chronic inflammation, infection, and malignancy. There is wide variation in the timing of resection, operative approach, and reconstructive techniques. Outcomes have rarely been compared on a national level.

Methods

We queried the Pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) to identify patients who underwent choledochal cyst excision from 2015 to 2020. Patients were stratified by hepaticoduodenostomy (HD) versus Roux‐en‐Y hepaticojejunostomy (RNYHJ), use of minimally invasive surgery (MIS), and age at surgery. We collected several outcomes, including length of stay (LOS), reoperation, complications, blood transfusions, and readmission rate. We compared outcomes between cohorts using nonparametric tests and multivariate regression.

Results

Altogether, 407 patients met the study criteria, 150 (36.8%) underwent RNYHJ reconstruction, 100 (24.6%) underwent MIS only, and 111 (27.3%) were less than one year old. Patients who underwent open surgery were younger (median age 2.31 vs. 4.25 years, p = 0.002) and more likely underwent RNYHJ reconstruction (42.7% vs. 19%, p = 0.001). On adjusted analysis, the outcomes of LOS, reoperation, transfusion, and complications were similar between the type of reconstruction, operative approach, and age. Patients undergoing RNYHJ had lower rates of readmission than patients undergoing HD (4.0% vs. 10.5%, OR 0.34, CI [0.12, 0.79], p = 0.02).

Conclusions

In children with choledochal cysts, most short‐term outcomes were similar between reconstructive techniques, operative approach, and age at resection, although HD reconstruction was associated with a higher readmission rate in this study. Clinical decision‐making should be driven by long‐term and biliary‐specific outcomes.
Bioconvection heat and mass transfer across a nonlinear stretching sheet with hybrid nanofluids, joule dissipation, and entropy generation
Authors: Tanveer Arooj , Aneja Madhu , Ashraf Muhammad Bilal , Nawaz Rab
Published: March 2024

Nanofluids plays a crucial role in enhancing heat transfer characteristics of ordinary fluids such as oil, water and many more. Nanoliquids possess numerous applications in heat transport phenomenon in plethora of fields such as micro electronics, biomedicines, engine cooling thermal management, chiller and heat exchangers. Keeping in view of the above mentioned facts, the objective of the current work is to examine the heat and mass transportation characteristics of hybrid nanofluid (Cu‐/water) along with ohmic dissipation (Joule heating) in the presence of gyrotactic mirco‐organisms (flows under the effect of gravity) which causes bioconvection. The entropy produced by the conducting hybrid nanofluid is investigated in the permeable media in the current problem. Through similarity transformations, partial differential equations that represent the issue are transformed into ordinary differential equations. The BVP4C method is used to numerically solve the equations. The impacts of auxiliary variables on velocity, temperature , concentration of hybrid nanoparticles , and density of motile micro‐organisms () are plotted with those of the variation in bioconvection rayleigh number, Schmidt number, and Bioconvection Schmidt number and examined carefully in detail. Velocity of the flow decreases when porosity factor and bioconvection rayleigh number enlarges. Microbial velocity decreases for rising Prandtl number. Entropy generation and Bejan number rises for higher volume fraction values The current investigation also included entropy analysis, which revealed that hybrid nanofluids create less entropy than regular nanofluids. The potential for hybrid nanofluids to be employed in heat transfer applications in a more environmentally responsible and effective way is the relevance of this research. It looks at the interaction between heat transmission through nanofluids and the presence of gyrotactic microorganisms, which may cause bioconvection. Such a multiphysics method is quite new and complex.
Theoretical investigation of MHD peristalsis of non‐Newtonian nanofluid flow under the impacts of temperature‐dependent thermal conductivity: Application to biomedical engineering
Authors: Iqbal Jamshaid , Abbasi Fahad Munir
Published: March 2024

Nanofluids have the tendency to improve thermal characteristics in a broader context, such as in medical processes, industrial cooling applications, the transportation industry, hybrid engines, gas temperature reduction, microelectromechanical systems, refrigerators, nuclear reactors, vehicle temperature control, pharmaceutical processes, thermal management of vehicles, microelectronics, and chillers, etc. Therefore, present study investigates the effects of a two‐dimensional magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) peristalsis of the Carreau–Yasuda nanofluid through conservation principles of energy, concentration, mass, and momentum, which is motivated by recent advances in biological engineering. The entire system is coupled through viscous dissipation, Joule heating, a heat sink/source, Brownian diffusion, a radially magnetic field, thermophoresis motion, and slip conditions in a curved geometry. Lubrication theory is employed in order to simplify governing equations. Resulting systems are nonlinear coupled differential equations whose exact solutions are difficult to obtain, therefore, numerical solutions are obtained through NDSolve in Mathematica. The key features of peristaltic movement and rates of heat transfer are disseminated in detail via graphical representations for variation of various physical parameters. According to the findings, for greater values of the Hartman number, temperature increases, and the velocity decreases. The validity of these results has been verified using the existing published articles of Hayat et al. (2018).
Double diffusion of rotated z‐shaped and sloshing fins in a nanofluid‐porous cavity
Authors: Alsedias Noura , Aly Abdelraheem M.
Published: March 2024

This work examines the double diffusion of rotated Z‐shaped and sloshing fins inside a nanofluid‐porous cavity. The novelty of this research lies in its utilization of the ISPH method to handle the complex fluid‐structure interactions occurring at double diffusion within the nanofluid‐porous cavity. Two thermal/solutal conditions of the rotated Z shaped entitled C1 (), and C2 () are conducted in this work. The ISPH method solves the nonlinear systems of the fluid‐structure interactions during thermosolutal convection. The impacts of the inclined magnetic field and Soret–Dufour numbers are discussed. The Z shaped rotates circularly around its center and the four fins are sloshing on the boundaries. Natural convection is dominant because the rotation speed is slow, and the buoyancy force is strong. The obtained simulations revealed the changes in the isotherms, isoconcentration, and the nanofluid velocity under the variations of boundary conditions in Z shaped. It is seen that C1 always supports higher velocity, temperature, and concentration as well as mean Nusselt number ‐Sherwood number compared to C2. The Soret number plays a good role in the improvement of double diffusion and nanofluid velocity compared to the Dufour number which has fewer contributions.
Tearing down spacetime with quantum disentanglement
Authors: Emparan Roberto , Magán Javier M.
Published: March 2024

Abstract

A longstanding enigma within AdS/CFT concerns the entanglement entropy of holographic quantum fields in Rindler space. The vacuum of a quantum field in Minkowski spacetime can be viewed as an entangled thermofield double of two Rindler wedges at a temperature T = 1/2π. We can gradually disentangle the state by lowering this temperature, and the entanglement entropy should vanish in the limit T → 0 to the Boulware vacuum. However, holography yields a non-zero entanglement entropy at arbitrarily low T, since the bridge in the bulk between the two wedges retains a finite width. We show how this is resolved by bulk quantum effects of the same kind that affect the entropy of near-extremal black holes. Specifically, a Weyl transformation maps the holographic Boulware states to near-extremal hyperbolic black holes. A reduction to an effective two-dimensional theory captures the large quantum fluctuations in the geometry of the bridge, which bring down to zero the density of entangled states in the Boulware vacuum. Using another Weyl transformation, we construct unentangled Boulware states in de Sitter space.
Accelerating HEP simulations with Neural Importance Sampling
Authors: Deutschmann Nicolas , Götz Niklas
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Many high-energy-physics (HEP) simulations for the LHC rely on Monte Carlo using importance sampling by means of the VEGAS algorithm. However, complex high-precision calculations have become a challenge for the standard toolbox, as this approach suffers from poor performance in complex cases. As a result, there has been keen interest in HEP for modern machine learning to power adaptive sampling. While previous studies have shown the potential of normalizing-flow-powered neural importance sampling (NIS) over VEGAS, there remains a gap in accessible tools tailored for non-experts. In response, we introduce ZüNIS, a fully automated NIS library designed to bridge this divide, while at the same time providing the infrastructure to customise the algorithm for dealing with challenging tasks. After a general introduction on NIS, we first show how to extend the original formulation of NIS to reuse samples over multiple gradient steps while guaranteeing a stable training, yielding a significant improvement for slow functions. Next, we introduce the structure of the library, which can be used by non-experts with minimal effort and is extensivly documented, which is crucial to become a mature tool for the wider HEP public. We present systematic benchmark results on both toy and physics examples, and stress the benefit of providing different survey strategies, which allows higher performance in challenging cases. We show that ZüNIS shows high performance on a range of problems with limited fine-tuning.
Integration-by-parts identities and differential equations for parametrised Feynman integrals
Authors: Artico Daniele , Magnea Lorenzo
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Integration-by-parts (IBP) identities and differential equations are the primary modern tools for the evaluation of high-order Feynman integrals. They are commonly derived and implemented in the momentum-space representation. We provide a different viewpoint on these important tools by working in Feynman-parameter space, and using its projective geometry. Our work is based upon little-known results pre-dating the modern era of loop calculations [16–19, 30, 31]: we adapt and generalise these results, deriving a very general expression for sets of IBP identities in parameter space, associated with a generic Feynman diagram, and valid to any loop order, relying on the characterisation of Feynman-parameter integrands as projective forms. We validate our method by deriving and solving systems of differential equations for several simple diagrams at one and two loops, providing a unified perspective on a number of existing results.
Singular limits in STU supergravity
Authors: Larios Gabriel , Pope Christopher N. , Zhang Haoyu
Published: March 2024

Abstract

We analyse the STU sectors of the four-dimensional maximal gauged supergravities with gauge groups SO(8), SO(6) ⋉ ℝ12 and [SO(6) × SO(2)] ⋉ ℝ12, and construct new domain-wall black-hole solutions in D = 4. The consistent Kaluza-Klein embedding of these theories is obtained using the techniques of Exceptional Field Theory combined with the 4d tensor hierarchies, and their respective uplifts into D = 11 and type IIB supergravities are connected through singular limits that relate the different gaugings.
Paired Kernels and Their Applications
Authors: Câmara M. Cristina , Partington Jonathan R.
Published: March 2024

This paper considers paired operators in the context of the Lebesgue Hilbert space on the unit circle and its subspace, the Hardy space $$H^2$$

H
2

. The kernels of such operators, together with their analytic projections, which are generalizations of Toeplitz kernels, are studied. Results on near-invariance properties, representations, and inclusion relations for these kernels are obtained. The existence of a minimal Toeplitz kernel containing any projected paired kernel and, more generally, any nearly $$S^*$$

S
∗

-invariant subspace of $$H^2$$

H
2

, is derived. The results are applied to describing the kernels of finite-rank asymmetric truncated Toeplitz operators.
The isomorphism problem for cominuscule Schubert varieties
Authors: Richmond Edward , Ṭarigradschi Mihail , Xu Weihong
Published: March 2024

Cominuscule flag varieties generalize Grassmannians to other Lie types. Schubert varieties in cominuscule flag varieties are indexed by posets of roots labeled long/short. These labeled posets generalize Young diagrams. We prove that Schubert varieties in potentially different cominuscule flag varieties are isomorphic as varieties if and only if their corresponding labeled posets are isomorphic, generalizing the classification of Grassmannian Schubert varieties using Young diagrams by the last two authors. Our proof is type-independent.
Floral and pollinator functional diversity mediate network structure along an elevational gradient
Authors: Aguirre Luis A. , Junker Robert R.
Published: March 2024

Elevational gradients in alpine ecosystems are well suited to study how plant and pollinator communities respond to climate change. In the Austrian Alps, we tested how the taxonomic and functional diversity of plants and their pollinators change with increasing elevation and how this affects plant–pollinator network structure. We measured the phenotypes of flowering plants and their pollinators and observed their interactions in 24 communities along an elevational gradient. To assess variation in floral and pollinator traits, we then quantified trait spaces (n-dimensional hypervolumes) occupied by flowers and pollinators in each community. To assess plant–pollinator network structure, we quantified the levels of complementary specialization (H2’), modularity and nestedness (weighted NODF) for each community. As elevation increased, most measures of diversity and network specialization either declined linearly or in an oscillating manner. Communities that exhibited higher pollinator functional diversity exhibited larger degrees of complementary specialization and modularity; and communities with greater floral and pollinator functional diversity and higher phylogenetic diversity were less nested. Altogether, the degree to which elevation, species diversity, functional diversity and network structure changed in conjunction suggests environmental effects on the functional and phylogenetic diversity of plants and pollinators and consequently network structure. Our results suggest that the effects of climate change on plant and pollinator community composition will impact plant–pollinator network structure and potentially pollination services at the community scale.
Analysis of the causes determining dimensional and geometrical errors in 316L and 17-4PH stainless steel parts fabricated by metal binder jetting
Authors: Zago Marco , Lecis Nora , Mariani Marco , Cristofolini Ilaria
Published: March 2024

This work aims at investigating the causes affecting the dimensional and geometrical accuracy of holes in metal binder jetting stainless steel parts. Parallelepiped samples with a through hole were produced using AISI 316L and 17-4PH powders, differing for diameter (3, 4, 5 mm), and position of the axes with respect to the building plane (6, 9, 12 mm distance). Dimensions and geometrical characteristics were measured at green and sintered state by a coordinate measuring machine, determining the dimensional change and the geometrical characteristics. As expected, the shrinkage of linear dimensions is anisotropic; moreover, change in volume and sintered density are significantly affected by the position in the printing chamber. Higher shrinkage was measured along building direction (Z) – 18.5 ÷ 19.5%, than in the building plane – 16.5 ÷ 17.5%, and slightly higher shrinkage – 0.5 ÷ 0.8% was measured along powder spreading direction (X) than binder injection direction (Y). A variation up to 3% in relative density of sintered parts depending on the position in the building plane was observed in 316L. The dimensional change of diameters generally confirmed the shrinkage predicted by the model previously developed—difference between real and expected dimensional changes lower than 3%, except for three geometries (4 ÷ 6%). The cylindricity form error of sintered parts was strongly underestimated by the prediction model (up to 0.15 mm), but underestimation was considerably reduced (generally lower than 0.05 mm) adding the cylindricity form error due to printing. Dimensional and geometrical accuracy of holes are strongly affected by shape distortion of the parallelepiped geometry, in turn due to layer shifting and inhomogeneous green density during printing, and to the effect of frictional forces with trays during sintering. Gravity load effect was also observed on the holes closest to the building plane. Future work will improve the reliability of the prediction model implementing the results of the present work.
Phase-Field Approximation of a Vectorial, Geometrically Nonlinear Cohesive Fracture Energy
Authors: Conti Sergio , Focardi Matteo , Iurlano Flaviana
Published: March 2024

We consider a family of vectorial models for cohesive fracture, which may incorporate $$\textrm{SO}(n)$$

SO
(
n
)

-invariance. The deformation belongs to the space of generalized functions of bounded variation and the energy contains an (elastic) volume energy, an opening-dependent jump energy concentrated on the fractured surface, and a Cantor part representing diffuse damage. We show that this type of functional can be naturally obtained as $$\Gamma $$
Γ
-limit of an appropriate phase-field model. The energy densities entering the limiting functional can be expressed, in a partially implicit way, in terms of those appearing in the phase-field approximation.
Hybrid algebras
Authors: Erdmann Karin , Skowroński Andrzej
Published: March 2024

We introduce a new class of symmetric algebras, which we call hybrid algebras. This class contains on one extreme Brauer graph algebras, and on the other extreme general weighted surface algebras. We show that hybrid algebras are precisely the blocks of idempotent algebras of weighted surface algebras, up to socle deformations. More generally, for tame symmetric algebras whose Gabriel quiver is 2-regular, we show that the tree class of an arbitrary Auslander–Reiten component is Dynkin or Euclidean or one of the infinite trees $$A_{\infty }, A_{\infty }^{\infty }$$

A
∞

,

A

∞

∞

or $$D_{\infty }$$

D
∞

.
Influence of Quercus alba oak geographical origin on the colour characteristics and phenolic composition of Tempranillo wines
Authors: Feng Zhao , Martínez-Lapuente Leticia , Palacios Antonio , Ayestarán Belén , Guadalupe Zenaida
Published: March 2024

This research analyzes the influence of Quercus alba barrels from four different forests of the USA [Missouri (M), Ohio (O), Kentucky (K) and Pennsylvania (P)] on the colour parameters, phenolic composition, and visual and gustatory sensory characteristics of 12 Tempranillo red wines from different wineries after 12 months of aging. Oak origin significantly affected the colour parameters of the wines, except for tonality, and the content of anthocyanins, stilbenes and ellagitannins but had little effect on the rest of the phenolic compounds. Wines aged in K and O barrels showed the highest content of ellagitannins. Wines aged in P barrels had the lowest content of phenolic compounds and colour intensity (CI), while K and O barrels produced the highest levels of ellagitannins. K wines were the best value in the global perception of the taste analysis. The influence of the barrel origin on the phenolic composition of the wines was also evaluated according to their initial phenolic composition. Wines with the highest initial CI and phenol content also showed the highest content of ellagitannins after barrel aging. When aging wines with high CI and phenol content, M barrels provided the wines with the highest content of ellagitannins.
Evaluation of the contribution of individual arteries to the cerebral blood supply in patients with Moyamoya angiopathy: comparison of vessel-encoded arterial spin labeling and digital subtraction angiography
Authors: Zerweck Leonie , Pohmann Rolf , Klose Uwe , Martirosian Petros , Haas Patrick , Ernemann Ulrike , Khan Nadia , Roder Constantin , Hauser Till-Karsten , Hennersdorf Florian
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Vessel-encoded arterial spin labeling (VE-ASL) is able to provide noninvasive information about the contribution of individual arteries to the cerebral perfusion. The aim of this study was to compare VE-ASL to the diagnostic standard digital subtraction angiography (DSA) with respect to its ability to visualize vascular territories.

Methods

In total, 20 VE-ASL and DSA data sets of 17 patients with Moyamoya angiopathy with and without revascularization surgery were retrospectively analyzed. Two neuroradiologists independently assessed the agreement between VE-ASL and DSA using a 4-point Likert scale (no- very high agreement). Additionally, grading of the vascular supply of subterritories (A1-A2, M1-M6) on the VE-ASL images and angiograms was performed. The intermodal agreement was calculated for all subterritories in total and for the subdivision into without and after revascularization (direct or indirect bypass).

Results

There was a very high agreement between the VE-ASL and the DSA data sets (median = 1, modus = 1) with a substantial inter-rater agreement (kw = 0.762 (95% CI 0.561–0.963)). The inter-modality agreement between VE-ASL and DSA in vascular subterritories was almost perfect for all subterritories (k = 0.899 (0.865–0.945)), in the subgroup of direct revascularized subterritories (k = 0.827 (0.738–0.915)), in the subgroup of indirect revascularized subterritories (k = 0.843 (0.683–1.003)), and in the subgroup of never revascularized subterritories (k = 0.958 (0.899–1.017)).

Conclusion

Vessel-encoded ASL seems to be a promising non-invasive method to depict the contributions of individual arteries to the cerebral perfusion before and after revascularization surgery.
Are all sugars equal? Role of the food source in physiological responses to sugars with an emphasis on fruit and fruit juice
Authors: Gonzalez Javier T.
Published: March 2024

High (free) sugar intakes can increase self-reported energy intake and are associated with unfavourable cardiometabolic health. However, sugar source may modulate the effects of sugars due to several mechanisms including the food matrix. The aim of this review was to assess the current state of evidence in relation to food source effects on the physiological responses to dietary sugars in humans relevant to cardiometabolic health. An additional aim was to review potential mechanisms by which food sources may influence such responses. Evidence from meta-analyses of controlled intervention trials was used to establish the balance of evidence relating to the addition of sugars to the diet from sugar-sweetened beverages, fruit juice, honey and whole fruit on cardiometabolic outcomes. Subsequently, studies which have directly compared whole fruit with fruit juices, or variants of fruit juices, were discussed. In summary, the sources of sugars can impact physiological responses, with differences in glycaemic control, blood pressure, inflammation, and acute appetite. Longer-term effects and mechanisms require further work, but initial evidence implicates physical structure, energy density, fibre, potassium and polyphenol content, as explanations for some of the observed responses.
Influence of liquid properties of colloidal crystals to thermal stability of colloidal crystals on different substrate surfaces through heterogeneous nucleation
Authors: Watanabe Seiya , Ren Jianhua , Tabata Isao , Hirogaki Kazumasa
Published: March 2024

The effects of liquid properties, such as pH and conductivity, on the thermal stability of electrostatically interacting colloidal silica crystals generated from heterogeneous nuclei were investigated mainly by measuring relative reflection spectra. The melting behavior of the colloidal crystals was also investigated. The melting points of both negatively and positively charged 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS)-treated substrates with different surface charges increased or decreased with increasing or decreasing pH. For both substrates, pH 5.5 was the modulation point of the crystal melting, and the melting point increased with increasing pH. For the negatively charged substrate, the melting point increased slowly as the pH decreased from pH 5.5. Meanwhile, the melting point of the APS-treated substrate increased more with decreasing pH from 5.5 than that of the negatively charged substrate. The cationisation of the substrate increased with decreasing pH, resulting in stronger electrostatic interactions with the negatively charged colloidal crystals and enhanced thermal stability. Next, we investigated the size of colloidal crystal grains in sample bottles for different liquid properties, and the results show that at the higher pH, the smaller crystal grains, indicating that pH affects both the substrates and crystals. Moreover, the binding effect of the APS-treated substrate on the crystals became stronger at lower pH, thereby enhancing the thermal stability of the crystals.

Graphical Abstract
Peroneal artery injury potential due to different syndesmosis screw placement options: a simulation study with lower extremity computed tomography angiography
Authors: Aytekin Kürşad , Çakır İsmet Miraç , Taşdemir Merve Nur , Balta Orhan
Published: March 2024

Introduction

The aim of this study is to assess the risk of peroneal artery injury of hardware placement at the fixation of syndesmotic injuries.

Materials and methods

The lower extremity computed tomography angiography was used to design the study. The syndesmosis screw placement range was simulated every 0.5 cm, from 0.5 to 5 cm proximal to the ankle joint. The screw axes were drawn as 20°, 30° or individual angle according to the femoral epicondylar axis. The proximity between the screw axis and the peroneal artery was measured in millimeters. Potential peroneal artery injury was noted if the distance between the peroneal artery to the axis of the simulated screw was within the outer shaft radius of the simulated screw. The Pearson chi-square test was used and a p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

The potential for injury to the peroneal artery increased as the syndesmosis screw level rose proximally from the ankle joint level or as the diameter of the syndesmosis screw increasds. In terms of syndesmosis screw trajection, the lowest risk of injury was observed with the syndesmosis screw angle of 20°. Simulations with a screw diameter of 3.5 mm exhibited the least potential for peroneal artery injury.

Conclusion

Thanks to this radiological anatomy simulation study, we believe that we have increased the awareness of the peroneal artery potential in syndesmosis screw application. Each syndesmosis screw placement option may have different potential for injury to the peroneal artery. To decrease the peroneal artery injury potential, we recommend the followings. If individual syndesmosis screw angle trajection can be measured, place the screw 1.5 cm proximal to the ankle joint using a 3.5 mm screw shaft. If not, fix it with 30° trajection regardless of the screw diameter at the same level. If the most important issue is the peroneal artery circulation, use the screw level up to 1 cm proximal to the ankle joint regardless of the screw angle trajection and screw diameter.
Proinflammatory cytokine levels, cognitive function, and suicidal symptoms of adolescents and young adults with major depressive disorder
Authors: Chen Mu-Hong , Bai Ya-Mei , Hsu Ju-Wei , Huang Kai-Lin , Tsai Shih-Jen
Published: March 2024

Whether proinflammatory cytokine dysregulation and cognitive dysfunction are associated with suicidal symptoms in adolescents and young adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) remains uncertain. We assessed the cognitive function and proinflammatory cytokine levels of 43 and 51 patients aged 15–29 years with MDD and severe and mild suicidal symptoms, respectively, as well as those of 85 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Specifically, we measured serum levels of C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-2, and interleukin-6 and assessed cognitive function by using working memory and go/no-go tasks. The severity of the patients’ suicidal symptoms was based on Item 10 of the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale; scores of ≤ 2 and ≥ 4 indicated mild and severe symptoms, respectively. The patients with MDD and severe suicidal symptoms had higher levels of C-reactive protein (p = .019) and TNF-α (p = .002) than did the patients with mild symptoms or the healthy controls. The number of errors committed on the go/no-go by patients with MDD and severe suicidal symptoms (p = .001) was significantly higher than those by patients with MDD and mild symptoms or by controls. After adjusting for nonsuicidal depressive symptoms, we observed suicidal symptoms to be positively associated with TNF-α levels (p = .050) and errors on the go/no-go task (p = .021). Compared with mild suicidal symptoms, severe symptoms are associated with greater serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines and inferior cognitive function in adolescents and young adults with MDD.
New insights into the functional morphology of calceoli in Amphipoda (Crustacea)
Authors: Timm Roxana , Kerbl Alexandra , Lörz Anne-Nina
Published: March 2024

Calceoli are putative sensory organs which are known in limnic, marine, and subterranean amphipods for almost 200 years. Despite an otherwise comprehensive understanding of the sensory organs of crustaceans, we still have not unambiguously understood their function. Since calceoli are mainly found on the antennae of male animals, previous studies suggested a chemosensory function mainly related to reproduction. Here, we use a combination of light and electron microscopic techniques to examine the calceoli of Gammarus locusta (Linnaeus 1758) and Oediceroides calmani (Walker 1906), to provide an overview over these structures, and in addition reveal nervous tissue in close proximity to the calceoli. The calceoli of both species are cuticular structures and consist of proximal and distal elements, a stalk and a receptacle that connects both regions. The two studied calceoli differ in the structure of their proximal and distal element, as well as in their receptacle. This study provides new insight into the functional morphology of the antenna and calceolus. Histological sections through the antennae and the calceoli indicate that the calceoli might possess a mechanosensory function.
Degradation of the 2014–2015 Holuhraun vent-proximal edifice in Iceland
Authors: Sutton S. S. , Richardson J. A. , Whelley P. L. , Scheidt S. P. , Hamilton C. W.
Published: March 2024

The earliest stages of volcanic vent degradation are rarely measured, leaving a gap in the knowledge that informs landform degradation models of cinder cones and other monogenetic vent structures. We documented the initial degradation of a 500-m-long spatter rampart at the primary vent of the 2014–2015 Holuhraun eruption in northern Iceland with high-resolution topographic change maps derived from terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and photogrammetric surveys using an unoccupied aircraft system (UAS). Topographic differencing shows a total negative volume change of 42,637 m3, and a total positive volume change (basal deposition) of 10,304 m3 (primarily as deposition at the base of steeply sloping surfaces). Two distinct styles of volume changes were observed on the interior and exterior of the spatter rampart. Material on the interior of the vent was removed from oversteepened slopes by discrete rockfalls, while diffusive processes were qualitatively evident on the exterior slopes. We propose a novel conceptual landform evolution model for spatter ramparts that combines rockfall processes on the interior walls, diffusive gravitational sliding on the exterior slopes, and incorporates cooling contraction and compaction over the entire edifice to describe the observed modes of topographic change during the onset of degradation. Potential hazards at fresh spatter ramparts are rockfalls at high slope areas of the vent interior walls where contacts between spatter clasts are prone to weakening by fumarolic activity, weathering, and settling. To capture such hazards, our data suggest a cadence for monitoring changes yearly for the first few years post-eruption, and at longer intervals thereafter.
Improved monthly streamflow prediction using integrated multivariate adaptive regression spline with K-means clustering: implementation of reanalyzed remote sensing data
Authors: Kisi Ozgur , Heddam Salim , Parmar Kulwinder Singh , Yaseen Zaheer Mundher , Kulls Christoph
Published: March 2024

This study investigates monthly streamflow modeling at Kale and Durucasu stations in the Black Sea Region of Turkey using remote sensing data. The analysis incorporates key meteorological variables, including air temperature, relative humidity, soil wetness, wind speed, and precipitation. The study also investigates the accuracy of multivariate adaptive regression (MARS) with Kmeans clustering (MARS-Kmeans) by comparing it with single MARS, M5 model tree (M5Tree), random forest regression (RF), multilayer perceptron neural network (MLP). In the first modeling stage, principal component regression is applied to diverse input combinations, both with and without lagged streamflow (Q), resulting in twenty-three and twenty input combinations, respectively. Results demonstrate the critical role of including lagged Q for improved model accuracy, as models without lagged Q exhibit significant performance degradation. The second stage involves a comparative analysis of the MARS-Kmeans model with other machine-learning models, utilizing the best-input combination. MARS-Kmeans, incorporating three clusters, consistently outperforms other models, showcasing superior accuracy in predicting monthly streamflow.
A novel deep learning model for detection of inconsistency in e-commerce websites
Authors: Kassem Mohamed A. , Abohany Amr A. , El-Mageed Amr A. Abd , Hosny Khalid M.
Published: March 2024

On most e-commerce websites, there are two crucial factors that customers rely on to assess product quality and dependability: customer reviews provided online and related ratings. Reviews offer feedback to customers about the product’s merits, reasons for negative reviews, and feelings of satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the provided service. As for ratings, they express customer opinions about the product’s quality as numerical values from one to five (one or two for the worst opinion, three for the neutral opinion, and four or five for the best opinion). Usually, the customer reviews may be inconsistent with their relevant ratings; the customer may write the worst review despite providing a four- or five-star rating or write the best review with only a one- or two-star rating. Due to this inconsistency, customers may need help to identify relevant information. Therefore, it is required to develop a model that can classify reviews as either positive or negative, depending on the polarity of thoughts, to demonstrate if there is an inconsistency between customer reviews and their actual ratings by comparing them with the ratings resulting from the model. This paper proposes an efficient deep learning (DL) model for classifying customer reviews and assessing whether there is inconsistency. The recommended model’s performance and stability are examined on a large dataset of product reviews from Amazon e-commerce. The experimental findings showed that the proposed model dominates and significantly outperforms its peers regarding prediction accuracy and other performance measures.
Change in systemic steroid use and surgery rate in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a Japanese real-world database analysis
Authors: Hirayama Daisuke , Hyodo Shinichiro , Morita Kazuo , Nakase Hiroshi
Published: March 2024

Background

Corticosteroids are recommended only for induction of remission in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). This study aimed to evaluate the change in pharmacologic treatment use, particularly systemic corticosteroids, over approximately 30 years, and the impact of biologics on IBD treatment since their appearance in the 2000s.

Methods

This retrospective study conducted in Japan used data from the Phoenix cohort database (January 1990 to March 2021). Patients with disease onset at age ≥ 10 years who received treatment for UC or CD between January 1990 and March 2021 were included. Outcome measures were change in IBD treatments used, total cumulative corticosteroid doses, initial corticosteroid dose, duration of corticosteroid treatment, and surgery rate.

Results

A total of 1066 and 579 patients with UC and CD, respectively, were included. In UC, the rate of corticosteroid use as initial treatment was relatively stable regardless of the year of disease onset; however, in CD, its rate decreased in patients who had disease onset after 2006 (before 2006: 14.3–27.8% vs. after 2006: 6.6–10.5%). Compared with patients with disease onset before biologics became available, cumulative corticosteroid doses in both UC and CD, and the surgery rate in CD only, were lower in those with disease onset after biologics became available.

Conclusions

Since biologics became available, corticosteroid use appears to have decreased, with more appropriate use. Furthermore, use of biologics may reduce surgery rates, particularly in patients with CD. UMIN Clinical Trials Registry; UMIN000035384.
Deformation Behavior and Seismic Characteristics of Sandy Facies Opalinus Clay During Triaxial Deformation Under Dry and Wet Conditions
Authors: Schuster Valerian , Rybacki Erik , Bonnelye Audrey , Dresen Georg
Published: March 2024

Unconsolidated, undrained triaxial deformation tests were performed on sandy facies Opalinus Clay at 50 MPa confining pressure to characterize the effect of water and microfabric orientation on the deformation behavior, mechanical properties, and P-wave velocity evolution. Dry and wet (≈ 8 and > 95% initial water saturation, respectively) samples with 12.6 ± 0.4 vol% porosity were deformed parallel and perpendicular to the bedding direction at a constant strain rate of 5 × 10–6 s−1. Dry samples revealed semi-brittle behavior and exhibited strain localization at failure, while deformation was more ductile at saturated conditions, promoting stable, slow faulting. Peak strength, Young’s modulus, and number of cumulative acoustic emissions decreased significantly for wet samples compared to dry samples; the opposite was observed for Poisson’s ratio. P-wave velocity anisotropy was significantly altered by differential stress, primarily due to the interplay between pore and fracture closure and stress-induced microcrack formation. For samples that were deformed perpendicular to bedding, we observed a reduction and reversal of P-wave velocity anisotropy with increasing differential stress, whereas anisotropy of parallel samples increased. The results suggest that water saturation reduces the pressure at the brittle-ductile transition and that the elastic properties and anisotropy of sandy facies Opalinus Clay can be significantly altered in an anisotropic stress field, e.g., adjacent to fault zones or tunnel excavations. Changes in elastic anisotropy are primarily controlled by the orientation between the pre-existing microfabric and the maximum principal stress direction, stress magnitude, and the degree of water saturation.
Synergistic effect of mesoporous silica nanocarrier-assisted photodynamic therapy and anticancer agent activity on lung cancer cells
Authors: Güleryüz Burcu , Işık Ayşe , Gülsoy Murat
Published: March 2024

Investigating combined treatment methodologies is crucial for addressing the complex nature of cancer. As an emerging strategy, nano-biotechnology encourages the design of unique nanocarriers possessing simultaneous therapeutic application properties. This study aims to explore the combined effects of photodynamic and anticancer treatments using a multifunctional nanocarrier system co-administering the photosensitizer IR780 and the anticancer agent curcumin (Cur) on lung cancer cells. Nanocarriers were prepared by encapsulation IR780 and Cur inside polyethylene glycol-capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Cur&IR780@MSN). Various concentrations of nanocarriers were evaluated on A549 cells following 5 min NIR laser light (continuous wave, 785 nm, 500 mW/cm2) irradiation. The internalization of nanocarriers was observed through the fluorescence of Cur. Changes in cell viability were determined using the MTT assay and AO/PI staining. A scratch assay analysis was also performed to examine the impact of combined treatments on cell migration. Characterization of the nanocarriers revealed adequate hydrophobic drug loading, temperature-inhibited feature, enhanced reactive oxygen species generation, a pH-dependent curcumin release profile, and high biocompatibility. Cur&IR780@MSN, which enabled the observation of synergistic treatment efficacy, successfully reduced cell viability by up to 78%. In contrast, monotherapies with curcumin-loaded nanocarriers (Cur@MSN) and IR780-loaded nanocarriers (IR780@MSN) resulted in a 38% and 56% decrease in cell viability, respectively. The constructed Cur&IR780@MSN nanocarrier has demonstrated remarkable performance in the application of combination therapies for lung cancer cells. These nanocarriers have the potential to inspire future studies in tumor treatment methods.