bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cytosolic DNA accumulation promotes breast cancer immunogenicity via a STING-independent pathway
Authors: Zhang Jing , Dai Hui , Huo Lei , Burks Jared K , McGrail Daniel J , Lin Shiaw-Yih
Published: October 2023

Background

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has revolutionized cancer treatment. However, ICB alone has demonstrated only benefit in a small subset of patients with breast cancer. Recent studies have shown that agents targeting DNA damage response improve the efficacy of ICB and promote cytosolic DNA accumulation. However, recent clinical trials have shown that these agents are associated with hematological toxicities. More effective therapeutic strategies are urgently needed.

Methods

Primary triple negative breast cancer tumors were stained for cytosolic single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) using multiplex immunohistochemical staining. To increase cytosolic ssDNA, we genetically silenced TREX1. The role of tumor cytosolic ssDNA in promoting tumor immunogenicity and antitumor immune response was evaluated using murine breast cancer models.

Results

We found the tumorous cytosolic ssDNA is associated with tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte in patients with triple negative breast cancer. TREX1 deficiency triggered a STING-independent innate immune response via DDX3X. Cytosolic ssDNA accumulation in tumors due to TREX1 deletion is sufficient to drastically improve the efficacy of ICB. We further identified a cytosolic ssDNA inducer CEP-701, which sensitized breast tumors to ICB without the toxicities associated with inhibiting DNA damage response.

Conclusions

This work demonstrated that cytosolic ssDNA accumulation promotes breast cancer immunogenicity and may be a novel therapeutic strategy to improve the efficacy of ICB with minimal toxicities.
Wogonin Diminishes Radioresistance of Breast Cancer via Inhibition of the Nrf2/HIF-1α Pathway
Authors: Wang Ting , Wang Pinghan , Wang Song , Ma Yu , Zhao Ziqiao , Long Fangyi
Published: October 2023

Radiotherapy plays a crucial role in the multimodal treatment of breast cancer. However, radioresistance poses a significant challenge to its effectiveness, hindering successful cancer therapy. Emerging evidence indicates that Nrf2 and HIF-1[Formula: see text] are critical regulators of cellular anti-oxidant responses and that their overexpression significantly promotes radioresistance. Wogonin (WG), the primary component isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis, exhibits potential antitumor and reversal of multidrug resistance activities. Nevertheless, the role of WG in radioresistance remains unclear. This study aims to explore the effects of WG on the radioresistance of breast cancer. Our results indicate that Nrf2 and HIF-1[Formula: see text] overexpression was observed in breast cancer tissues and was correlated with the histological grading of the disease. Radiation further increased the levels of Nrf2 and HIF-1[Formula: see text] in breast cancer cells. However, WG demonstrated the ability to induce cell apoptosis and reverse radioresistance by inhibiting the Nrf2/HIF-1[Formula: see text] pathway. These effects were also confirmed in xenograft mice models. Mechanistically, WG enhanced the level of the Nrf2 inhibitor Keap1 through reducing CpG methylation in the promoter region of the Keap1 gene. Consequently, the Nrf2/HIF-1[Formula: see text] pathway, along with the Nrf2- and HIF-1[Formula: see text]-dependent protective responses, were suppressed. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that WG can epigenetically regulate the Keap1 gene, inhibit the Nrf2/HIF-1[Formula: see text] pathway, induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells, and diminish acquired radioresistance. This study offers potential strategies to overcome the limitations of current radiotherapy for breast cancer.
New multiparty measurement-device-independent quantum secret sharing protocol based on entanglement swapping
Authors: Yang Yu-Guang , Huang Rui-Chen , Xu Guang-Bao , Zhou Yi-Hua , Shi Wei-Min , Li Dan
Published: October 2023

A new multiparty measurement-device-independent quantum secret sharing (MDI-QSS) protocol is proposed based on entanglement swapping. All the measurement tasks are delegated to an untrusted party, eliminating all detector-side-channel loopholes. Only Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen (EPR) pairs, single photons and Bell-state measurements are required irrespective of the number of participants. Compared with existing MDI-QSS protocols, no additional unitary operations or Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger (GHZ)-state measurements are needed. Our protocol is feasible experimentally and holds inspiring potential for the application in practical multiparty quantum communication networks.
Study on the frequency characteristics of split-gate AlGaN/GaN HFETs
Authors: Zhou Heng , Lv Yuanjie , Liu Yang , Wang Mingyan , Cui Peng , Lin Zhaojun
Published: October 2023

In this study, we report on the direct-current (DC) and frequency characteristics of split-gate heterostructure field-effect transistors (HFETs) with different split-gate lengths. The split-gate HFET contains two distinct operating parts, the large and the small transconductance parts. The split-gate HFET has a current cutoff frequency ([Formula: see text]) of 814[Formula: see text]MHz and a maximum oscillation frequency ([Formula: see text]) of 18.8[Formula: see text]GHz in the large transconductance part. Meanwhile, in the small transconductance part, there is a higher unilateral power gain of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]GHz. Also, the split-gate HFET exhibits a voltage gain greater than 1 (0[Formula: see text]dB) at both DC and frequencies. Additionally, compared to the large transconductance part, the small transconductance part of the split-gate HFET presents a 53.5% reduction in DC power consumption and a larger input signal voltage range. Split-gate HFETs can be used as conventional power amplifiers in the large transconductance part and are also suitable as low-power voltage amplifiers in the small transconductance part.
Spatial-Temporal Patterns Induced by Time Delay and Taxis in a Predator–Prey System
Authors: Dong Xinshan , Niu Ben
Published: October 2023

Time delays and taxi effects are important factors in the predator–prey interaction. This paper focuses on calculating the normal form on the center manifold near the Hopf bifurcation point for a general delayed diffusive predator–prey system with taxis under the Neumann boundary condition. A delayed diffusive Lotka–Volterra predator–prey model with prey-taxis is considered as an application. By numerical simulations, in the two-parameter plane, different types of spatial-temporal patterns are observed by varying delay or taxis.
Noise-Induced Toroidal Bursting Oscillations and Coherence Resonance in the Morris–Lecar–Terman Model
Authors: Slepukhina Evdokiia , Kügler Philipp , Bashkirtseva Irina , Ryashko Lev
Published: October 2023

We study the three-dimensional Morris–Lecar–Terman neuron model in the parametric region of tonic spiking oscillations close to the bifurcation of the torus birth. It is shown that in this region random disturbances can induce switching to the toroidal bursting mode from the tonic spiking regime. We approximate the probability of such switches as well as analyze temporal characteristics of produced oscillations. Moreover, we indicate a coherence resonance in the stochastic bursting regime and reveal the underlying reasons of these noise-induced phenomena.
Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Bifurcation Analysis of a Generalized Two-Prey One-Predator System with Diffusion and Double Prey-Taxes
Authors: Sun Mengfeng , Chen Guoting
Published: October 2023

The presence of a predator can force the mediation of a coexistence state in three-species ordinary differential equation model, where two competing species are preyed on by a common predator. To understand how the addition of diffusion and prey-taxis affects predator-mediated coexistence in such an ecological system, we consider a general two-competing-prey and one-predator model with double prey-taxes under Neumann boundary conditions. We first show that there is a unique global classical solution to this model with ratio-dependent and nonratio-dependent predator functional responses. Then, we demonstrate the emergence of the so-called stationary patterns. Finally, in detail, we give some sufficient conditions for the existence, nonexistence, and stability of nonconstant positive steady states and time-periodic positive solutions. Surprisingly, we find that the combination of a repulsive prey-taxis and an attractive prey-taxis can also induce the emergence of pattern formations. The theoretical results imply that double prey-taxes play an extremely important part in biological control.
A SIMPLE MATHEMATICAL MODEL OF NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER INVOLVING MACROPHAGES AND CD8+ T CELLS
Authors: LOURENÇO EDGARD , RODRIGUES DIEGO S. , ANTUNES MARIA E. , MANCERA PAULO F. A. , RODRIGUES GUILHERME
Published: October 2023

We analyze biological processes interconnected to the tumor microenvironment development of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), considering a proposed ordinary differential equation (ODE) model. The concepts of cancer as a disease, the cellular heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment composition, and the macrophage cell epigenetic heterogeneity are presented, and the dynamics of the relations between them, the cytotoxic T cells and the neoplasm cells are explored. The apoptosis rate of the macrophage cells which present protumor characteristics is revealed as having a key role in the local stability of the ODE model. Furthermore, the hypothesis on the relevance of the CD8+ T cells in assisting the macrophage cells to control the tumor volume indicates a immunotherapeutic treatment possibility that considers both of these cells effectively.
The modular representations of basic classical restricted Lie superalgebras
Authors: Li Yi-Yang
Published: October 2023

Let [Formula: see text] be a basic classical restricted Lie superalgebras over an algebraically closed field [Formula: see text] of odd characteristic [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] be the restricted enveloping algebra of [Formula: see text]. The purpose of this paper is to study the representations of [Formula: see text]. First, we prove a [Formula: see text]-module [Formula: see text] is projective if and only if it has both a baby Verma module filtration and a twist baby Verma module filtration. Second, we get the Humphreys–Brauer type reciprocity on projective module, baby Verma module and irreducible module.
Photoinduced energy transfer in sulfur-based heterocyclic compounds and corrole dyads
Authors: Nenavath Swathi , Achary B. Shivaprasad , Giribabu Lingamallu
Published: October 2023

We have designed and synthesized three donor-acceptor systems in which corrole macrocycle is an energy acceptor and sulfur-based heterocyclic compounds such as thianthrene (S1-Cor), dibenzothiophene (S2-Cor) and benzothiophene (S3-Cor) are the donors at its meso phenyl position. The molecular integrity of all three D-A systems has been characterized by various spectroscopic techniques that include elemental analysis, 1H NMR and MALDI-MS. Differential functional theory studies suggest that the electron density of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) spread on both corrole and sulfur-substituted heterocyclic units whereas the lowest occupied molecular orbital (LUMO) spreads on corrole macrocycle only. Singlet excited state properties indicate that there is an efficient intramolecular photoinduced energy transfer (PEnT) from donor heterocyclic unit to corrole, when excited at [Formula: see text]290 nm. Förster theory was adopted to explain the PEnT reaction in these dyads. The time-correlated singlet photon counting (TCSPC) studies suggest that energy transfer rates ([Formula: see text] are found to be in the range of 1.06 × 109 S[Formula: see text] to 6.67 × 109 S[Formula: see text] and are solvent-dependent.
EARLY VALIDATION OF HIGH-TECH STARTUPS BY USING (BIG) DATA
Authors: AHMED SAAD , KJØRSTAD MARIANNE , MULLER GERRIT , SUNDHEIM OTTAR
Published: October 2023

This study focuses on high-tech startups in the Norwegian context and investigates the use of data and/or big data to support validation at the early stage of development. Early-stage startups often fail due to lack of validation and incur loss to all the stakeholders involved in the process. Early validation through a lean or agile approach can help these young companies to manoeuvre through a turbulent external environment. The results from the study show that big data and/or data can act as a support at this stage but is not necessarily the sole solution to the problem. There are various barriers that need to be addressed for successful data-based validation. Based on multi-case study research method, this study proposes an early validation user guide (EVU) to overcome these barriers and make data adoption easier. The EVU can provide startups support to show how and when to use data and/or big data depending on the market context. The study thus contributes to the current body of knowledge of innovation and entrepreneurship concerning validation for early stage startups and can also guide practitioners in validating their startup ideas.
GREEN INNOVATION LAUNCH VERSUS EXPANSION: DO THE PUBLIC POLICY SUPPORTS NEEDED VARY BY FIRM SIZE?
Authors: DORAN JUSTIN , RYAN GERALDINE , McCARTHY NÓIRÍN , O’CONNOR MARI
Published: October 2023

Green innovation is garnering increasing attention in business, academic and policy circles as a route to sustainable growth and development. Governments have introduced a range of policies to encourage and enable firms to introduce and expand their offerings of environmental friendly goods and services. While environmental regulation has been shown to be an important driver of green innovation, little is known about whether other types of polices, such as financial incentives, technical and marketing supports, and assistance with identifying potential markets, are important to firms of all sizes at different stages of the green innovation process (i.e., at product/service launch vs. product/service expansion). Using data from the European Commission, the results show that policy support to identify markets or customers is deemed important by firms of all sizes to introduce green goods and services. However, this support is no longer perceived as important to expand firms’ green portfolio. This suggests firms capitalise by using their existing markets or customers. The results do not lend support to the view of small firms as the most resource constrained and hence needing the greatest policy supports. Overall, the results point to the need for a variety of policy supports targeted at (1) firms of different sizes and (2) by stage of the green innovation process.
Biophysical Principles Emerging from Experiments on Protein–Protein Association and Aggregation
Authors: Hribar-Lee Barbara , Lukšič Miha
Published: October 2023

Protein–protein association and aggregation are fundamental processes that play critical roles in various biological phenomena, from cellular signaling to disease progression. Understanding the underlying biophysical principles governing these processes is crucial for elucidating their mechanisms and developing strategies for therapeutic intervention. In this review, we provide an overview of recent experimental studies focused on protein–protein association and aggregation. We explore the key biophysical factors that influence these processes, including protein structure, conformational dynamics, and intermolecular interactions. We discuss the effects of environmental conditions such as temperature, pH and related buffer-specific effects, and ionic strength and related ion-specific effects on protein aggregation. The effects of polymer crowders and sugars are also addressed. We list the techniques used to study aggregation. We analyze emerging trends and challenges in the field, including the development of computational models and the integration of multidisciplinary approaches for a comprehensive understanding of protein–protein association and aggregation.
Gate Stack Analysis of Nanosheet FET for Analog and Digital Circuit Applications
Authors: Kumari N. Aruna , Vijayvargiya Vikas , Upadhyay Abhishek Kumar , Sreenivasulu V. Bharath , Narendar V. , Prithvi P.
Published: October 2023

This manuscript demonstrates the performance comparison of vertically stacked nanosheet FET with various high-k materials in gate stack (GS) configuration. As the high-k dielectric materials are inevitable to continual scaling, in this paper, various high-k dielectric materials such as Si3N4, Al2O3 and HfO2 are incorporated in the GS, and the performance is studied. Further, DC and Analog/RF performance metrics are discussed in detail, and it is noticed that by using HfO2 in high-k GS, the on current (I
ON) is enhanced by 46.7% and off current (I
OFF) is decreased by 81.6% as compared to conventional NSFET (C-NSFET) without high-k GS. Also, the switching ratio (I
ON/I
OFF) is increased by 8× from SiO2 to HfO2, ensuring good logic applications. Moreover, compared to the C-NSFET, GS-NSFET with HfO2 offers better values for analog metrics like transconductance (gm) and transconductance generation factor (TGF). However, as the k value increases, the capacitances are also observed to be increased. As a result, the intrinsic delay (τ) increases by 9%, 6% and 20% from SiO2 to Si3N4, Si3N4 to Al2O3, Al2O3 to HfO2, respectively. On top of that, the circuit level demonstration is also performed for resistive load based inverter and ring oscillator (RO) for both C-NSFET GS NSFET with HfO2 as GS material. From circuit analysis, it is observed that by using the GS, the performance of the inverter is increased in terms of noise margins and DC gain. However, the oscillation frequency (f
OSC) of 3-stage RO is decreased by 14.7% with the incorporation of GS owing to the increment in gate capacitance (Cgg). Consequently, the results will give deep insights into the performance analysis of NSFET with various high-k materials in gate stack at both device and circuit levels.
Drain Current and Transconductance Analysis of GaN GAA Nanowire FET with High K Dielectric
Authors: Singh Mandeep , Chaudhary Tarun , Raj Balwinder
Published: October 2023

This paper presents the GaN GAA nanowire FET analysis with high K dielectric. The new phase in the development of power semiconductor devices has begun with the introduction of the outstanding benefits of employing wide bandgap semiconductors like gallium nitride (GaN) in the development of sophisticated devices. This work has been carried out to evaluate drain current, electric field, electric potential, and transconductance with SiO2 and HfO2 as dielectric. There are several advantages of switching from silicon-based circuits to GaN-based ones The drain current analysis shows that the device with HfO2 gate dielectric has a higher ON/OFF ratio compared to the device with SiO2 gate dielectric. The transconductance analysis also shows that the device with HfO2 gate dielectric has a higher transconductance value of approximately 9.88 S compared to the device with SiO2 gate dielectric.
A Note on Stability of a Dopant for Perovskite Solar Cells: Dimerization of 2,2′-bis(trifluoromethyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4,4′-diamine Iodine
Authors: Slanina Zdeněk , Uhlík Filip , Feng Lai , Adamowicz Ludwik
Published: October 2023

The note continues with the density-functional theory (DFT) quantum-chemical understanding of perovskite solar cells at molecular level. In particular, 2,2′-bis(trifluoromethyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4,4′-diamine iodine (or BFBAI2, stoichiometry C14H12F6I2N2) is further calculated—the species is known to improve the power conversion efficiency and device stability. The thermodynamic-stability calculations are performed at the M06-2X/3-21G level with anharmonic vibrational analysis (including vibrational-rotational coupling) for construction of the vibrational-rotational partition functions. The dimerization is shown to be an essential feature of BFBAI2 (it is based on the formation of two hydrogen bonds). The BFBAI2 dimerization is described in the terms of the standard Gibbs energy and the related dimerization equilibrium constant. Comparisons are made with the water dimer, commonly used as a model system for hydrogen-bond formation. The equilibrium constants for the water dimerization are consistently lower than for the dimerization of BFBAI2 - as the presence of two hydrogen bonds in the BFBAI2 dimer contributes to the larger stabilization. The dimerization of BFBAI2 upon higher surface coverages represents an additional factor for the layer stabilization as there is decrease in the standard Gibbs energy at moderate temperatures. The dimerization also brings additional features for modulation of surface conditions.
Research on Optimization and Scheduling of Multi-Integrated Energy System Based on Step-by-Step Carbon Trading and Hybrid Games
Authors: Zeng Xianqiang , Feng Yujie , Zhou Yun , Li Hengjie
Published: October 2023

In light of the current integrated energy system (IES) transactions, the interaction between the supply and demand sides is not fully considered. With the overall development of the carbon trading market, there is a need to deeply explore the interests of multiple entities in energy trading under the step-by-step carbon trading mechanism. Therefore, research on the optimization and scheduling of multicomprehensive energy systems based on step-by-step carbon trading and hybrid games is proposed. Firstly, the interests and demands of various integrated energy systems and users in multi-integrated energy system energy trading should be comprehensively considered. Based on the master-slave game and Nash bargaining theory, an optimization model of multiple integrated energy systems is built under the step-by-step carbon trading mechanism and load aggregation, representing the interests of the entire user side. Secondly, the proposed game optimization model has been established to prove it can maximize social benefits. IES and user game optimization models have been established, with multi-IES being leaders with the goal of maximizing their own benefits, guiding the optimization between IES and load by formulating energy prices. Users are followers who aim to maximize comprehensive benefits and respond to IES’s decisions through cooperation. Finally, using the improved gray wolf algorithm to solve the built model, it has been proven through comparison of calculation examples that the proposed method can reduce carbon emissions, effectively coordinate the optimization scheduling of multi-IES, and achieve the fair distribution of multi-IES cooperation benefits. This improves the effectiveness of individual and social benefits.
PSO-ANFIS-Based Energy Management in Hybrid AC/DC Microgrid along with Plugin Electric Vehicle
Authors: Ashokkumar V. , Venkatramanan C. B.
Published: October 2023

This study proposes a hybrid AC/DC microgrid with plugin EVs, leveraging PSO-tuned ANFIS for voltage and power control. With the existing control, which faced challenges such as instability and complexity, the proposed approach is aimed at simplifying control through PSO, efficient power sharing, and reduced sample requirements. This innovative method contributes to improved energy management in hybrid microgrids, bridging existing research gaps. This approach streamlines neural transmission in microgrid control, addressing challenges in distributed generation power, load demand, energy storage system SOC, and AC grid power integration. Notably, the proposed PSO-ANFIS simplifies electric vehicle power references using distinct inputs for each mode, trained through PSO. This methodology is tailored for microgrids with varying power profiles, presenting a promising solution for efficient energy management. The proposed EMS was experimentally verified using MATLAB simulations of a small-scale hybrid AC/DC microgrid for every operating mode. The financial dynamics of a microgrid’s power exchange with the main grid are examined through three distinct methodologies: fuzzy logic, ANFIS (adaptive neurofuzzy inference system), and PSO-ANFIS (ANFIS optimized using particle swarm optimization). In case 1, the PSO-ANFIS approach demonstrates its superiority by achieving the lowest grid purchase power cost of 1995.24 Rs/day compared to fuzzy (2243.63 Rs/day) and ANFIS (2150.45 Rs/day), while also yielding the highest revenue from power selling to the microgrid: PSO-ANFIS (668.84 Rs/day) surpassing fuzzy (536.12 Rs/day) and ANFIS (575.35 Rs/day). Similarly, in case 2, PSO-ANFIS proves its efficiency with the lowest net price of 8619.192 Rs/day, showcasing its effectiveness in optimizing financial dynamics. Furthermore, in case 3, the revenue aligns precisely with net prices, indicating the PSO-ANFIS method’s financial advantage, generating the highest revenue of 6544.0224 Rs/day compared to fuzzy (6025.36 Rs/day) and ANFIS (6153.214 Rs/day). These findings underscore the potential utility of the PSO-ANFIS approach in optimizing microgrid operations and enhancing cost-effectiveness across various scenarios.
Risk Factors for Single and Multiple Recurrences for Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography and Open Choledochotomy in Treating Choledocholithiasis
Authors: Wu Yao , Zhang Ying , Jiang Xiao Meng , Xu Chen Jing , Wang Yan Yan , Gu Jin Yuan , Li Yi , Xu Shun Fu
Published: October 2023

Background. There are few studies comparing recurrences between endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and open choledochotomy (OCT). Aims. To compare the effect of different surgical methods on single and multiple recurrences of choledocholithiasis. Methods. A total of 1255 patients with choledocholithiasis who underwent ERCP or OCT were retrospectively studied. The recurrence of choledocholithiasis was calculated by the Kaplan–Meier method with the log-rank test. Multivariate analyses of recurrent choledocholithiasis were performed by introducing variables with

P
<
0.20

in univariate analysis into the logistic regression model. Results. A total of 204 (16.7%, 204/1225) patients relapsed. Among the 204 patients, 74.5% relapsed within three years after surgery, of whom 39.7% (81/204) had multiple relapses (≥ 2). The recurrence rate of ERCP (17.2%, 119/692) was higher than that of OCT (15.1%, 85/563), but the difference was not statistically significant. The independent risk factors for a single recurrence of choledocholithiasis were diabetes, stone

number
≥
2

, maximum stone

diameter
≥
15
 
mm

, sedentary occupation, the approach of ERCP (EST or EPBD), periampullary diverticulum, primary suture, high-fat diet (postoperative), frequency of weekly vegetable intake (< 4, postoperative), and drinking (postoperative). However, the ERCP approach (EST or EPBD), OCT approach (LCBDE), primary suture, high-fat diet (postoperative), and frequency of weekly vegetable intake (< 4, postoperative) were independent risk factors for multiple recurrences of choledocholithiasis. Conclusion. Patients with choledocholithiasis should be followed up regularly for one to three years after treatment. Stone number ≥ 2, diabetes mellitus, periampullary diverticulum, surgical methods, and lifestyle are all risk factors for the recurrence of choledocholithiasis. ERCP is still the preferred surgical method based on the advantages of low risk of cholangitis recurrence, less hospital stay, minimally invasive surgery, fewer postoperative complications, and easier acceptance by elderly patients. In addition to optimizing the treatment plans, postoperative lifestyle management is also vital.
Pathloss Modeling and Analysis for Intelligent Reflecting Surface-Assisted Terahertz MIMO Wireless Systems
Authors: Yang Yuqing , Wang Weimin , Wu Yongle , Tang Bihua , Liu Yuanan
Published: October 2023

In this paper, the impact of the intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) on the propagation characteristics is analyzed from the arguments of the physical and electromagnetic characteristics of the channel. Analytical expressions for free-space pathloss are derived based on the terahertz multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channel model in different communication scenarios. This calculation method is broadly applicable and is used to characterize pathloss as a function of the configuration of our system model. Numerical results show that setting the phase matrix of IRS based only on the angle of arrival (AoA) and angle of departure (AoD) can significantly reduce the pathloss when the far-field condition is met. However, when the distance between the transceiver and the IRS is the same order of magnitude or less than the side length of the IRS, both direction and distance information are required to configure the IRS. This model provides an insightful consideration in the design of IRS-assisted wireless system.
Ti3C2 MXene Nanosheets/Vanadium Nitride@Carbon Composite Electrodes for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Nunna Guru Prakash , Pitcheri Rosaiah , Al-Asbahi Bandar Ali , Sangaraju Sambasivam , Khan Baseem , Jo Ko Tae
Published: October 2023

Lithium-ion batteries have delivered outstanding charge storage performance due to their high energy density and low cost and also more specialized energy conversion device for next-generation electrical appliances. Herein, we offered the ultrathin Ti3C2 MXene (titanium carbide) nanosheets/vanadium nitride (VN)@carbon (C) nanocomposites for lithium-ion storage application as a high-capacity anode material. The proposed anode material is Ti3C2 MXene nanosheets/VN@C composite as synthesized via chemical precipitation. The real-time half-cell of Ti3C2 MXene nanosheets/VN@C composite shows the excellent initial discharge specific capacity of 1237 mAh g-1 at a current density of 0.1 A g-1 with a reverse rate capacity of 685 mAh g-1. The high specific capacity of 645 mAh g-1 has been attained even after 500 cycles at a current density of 0.1 A g-1. This type of rich reverse rate capacity and stability of the anode electrode is responsible due to the high conductivities and surface areas of Ti3C2 MXene nanosheets/VN@C composite, which is provided easy accessibility of Li+ ions.
Coronary Artery and Peripheral Vascular Disease in a Patient with Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Treated with the Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Lenvatinib
Authors: Sukrithan Vineeth , Kim Lisa , Sipos Jennifer A. , Goyal Ashima , Zhou Ye , Addison Daniel , Shah Manisha , Konda Bhavana , Vallakati Ajay
Published: October 2023

A subset of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma develop radioiodine refractory (RAIR) incurable disease, which typically has a poor prognosis. The multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor lenvatinib has demonstrated significant improvements in progression-free survival in RAIR thyroid cancers compared to placebos. However, in the phase III SELECT trial of the drug in thyroid cancer, 5.4% of patients on lenvatinib experienced arterial thromboembolic events, with 2.7% experiencing severe grade ≥3 toxicities associated with arterial vascular events. This case study reports a patient with metastatic poorly differentiated follicular thyroid cancer who developed significant obstructive coronary artery disease following initiation of lenvatinib treatment, despite no predisposing cardiovascular risk factors apart from a remote smoking history. The possibility of developing coronary or peripheral artery disease should be considered in patients who are on targeted therapies, such as lenvatinib, even in the absence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. In addition, baseline cardiac risk assessment and early treatment should be pursued to minimize interruptions to potentially lifesaving cancer therapy.
Impairments in Cognitive and Emotional Empathy as Markers of General versus Specific Personality Pathology
Authors: Ohse Ludwig , Zimmermann Johannes , Kerber André , Kampe Leonie , Mohr Jil , Schierz Robert , Rentrop Michael , Dziobek Isabel , Hörz-Sagstetter Susanne
Published: October 2023

Introduction: The alternative model for personality disorders (AMPD) of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – 5th edition (DSM-5) considers impairments in empathy a basic feature of personality disorders (PDs). In contrast, the AMPD pathological personality trait model and the categorical DSM-5 Section II PD model associate deficits in empathy to specific forms of personality pathology. The present study investigated to what extent impairments in cognitive and emotional empathy are markers of general versus specific personality pathology. Methods: In a clinical sample (n = 119), the Multifaceted Empathy Test was used to assess cognitive empathy, emotional empathy for positive emotions, and emotional empathy for negative emotions. Personality functioning, pathological personality traits, and DSM-5 Section II PDs were assessed via interviews and self-reports. Confirmatory factor analyses were applied to associate the three empathy facets with the three personality pathology approaches, each modeled with general personality pathology (common factor) and specific personality pathology (residuals of indicators). Results: Impairments in cognitive empathy and emotional empathy for positive emotions were significantly correlated with general personality pathology. All three empathy facets were also correlated to specific personality pathology when controlling for general personality pathology, respectively. Impairments in cognitive empathy were incrementally associated with identity and empathy (personality functioning), psychoticism (pathological personality traits), and paranoid and dependent PD (DSM-5 Section II PDs). Deficits in emotional empathy for positive emotions were incrementally associated with self-direction and intimacy (personality functioning) and detachment (pathological personality traits). Impairments in emotional empathy for negative emotions were incrementally associated with antagonism (pathological personality traits) and antisocial PD (DSM-5 Section II PDs). Conclusion: The results suggest that impairments in cognitive empathy and emotional empathy for positive emotions, but not for negative emotions, are markers of general personality pathology, while deficits in the three empathy facets are also markers for specific personality pathology.
Non-Immunotherapy Approaches for Relapsed or Refractory AML: An Update for 2024
Authors: Buchrits Shira , Wolach Ofir
Published: October 2023

Background: Relapsed or refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a challenging, high-risk, clinical scenario with a dismal outcome. Recent insights on the genetic, epigenetic, and metabolic events that drive clonal progression and the advent of novel therapies resulted in the incorporation of several new targeted therapies, alone or in combination, in the R/R setting with the aim of improving response rates and survival. Herein, we review current challenges and future opportunities with non-immunotherapeutic approaches to treat R/R AML. Summary: Inhibitors of FLT3 and IDH 1/2 are now FDA approved for patients with R/R disease and corresponding mutations. These agents are also used in combination with intensive and low-intensity platforms in an attempt to improve response and survival. Several targeted agents are currently being tested alone or in combination in early-phase trials. These include drugs that target apoptotic pathways, drugs that interfere with key survival pathways of the R/R leukemic cell as well as therapies aimed toward the leukemia marrow microenvironment. Menin inhibitors are a promising class of active drugs in NPM1 and KMT2A-rearranged AML. Key Messages: Several new targeted therapies are being studied and are moving through pre-clinical and clinical pipelines. Significant remaining challenges include the development of synergistic combination therapies tailored to the specific biology and clinical context of the patient, and re-defining the role and timing of allogeneic transplantation in patients with R/R disease.
Single-Cell Meta-Analysis of Neutrophil Activation in Kawasaki Disease and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Reveals Potential Shared Immunological Drivers
Authors: Beltran Jan Vincent B. , Lin Fang-Ping , Chang Chaw-Liang , Ko Tai-Ming
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND:

Kawasaki disease (KD) and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) share similar clinical manifestations, including cardiovascular complications, suggesting similar underlying immunopathogenic processes. Aberrant neutrophil activation may play a crucial role in the shared pathologies of KD and MIS-C; however, the associated pathogenic mechanisms and molecular drivers remain unknown.

METHODS:

We performed a single-cell meta-analysis of neutrophil activation with 103 pediatric single-cell transcriptomic peripheral blood mononuclear cell data across 9 cohorts, including healthy controls, KD, MIS-C, compared with dengue virus infection, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and pediatric celiac disease. We used a series of computational analyses to investigate the shared neutrophil transcriptional programs of KD and MIS-C that are linked to systemic damage and cardiac pathologies, and suggested Food and Drug Administration–approved drugs to consider as KD and MIS-C treatment.

RESULTS:

We meta-analyzed 521 950 high-quality cells. We found that blood signatures associated with risks of cardiovascular events are enriched in neutrophils of KD and MIS-C. We revealed the expansion of CD177
+
neutrophils harboring hyperactivated effector functions in both KD and MIS-C, but not in healthy controls or in other viral-, inflammatory-, or immune-related pediatric diseases. KD and MIS-C CD177
+
neutrophils had highly similar transcriptomes, marked by conserved signatures and pathways related to molecular damage. We found the induction of a shared neutrophil expression program, potentially regulated by SPI1 (Spi-1 proto-oncogene), which confers enhanced effector functions, especially neutrophil degranulation. CD177 and shared neutrophil expression program expressions were associated with acute stages and attenuated during KD intravenous immunoglobulin treatment and MIS-C recovery. Network analysis identified hub genes that correlated with the high activation of CD177
+
neutrophils. Disease-gene association analysis revealed that the KD and MIS-C CD177
+
neutrophils' shared expression program was associated with the development of coronary and myocardial disorders. Last, we identified and validated TSPO (translocator protein) and S100A12 (S100 calcium-binding protein A12) as main molecular targets, for which the Food and Drug Administration–approved drugs methotrexate, zaleplon, metronidazole, lorazepam, clonazepam, temazepam, and zolpidem, among others, are primary candidates for drug repurposing.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our findings indicate that CD177
+
neutrophils may exert systemic pathological damage contributing to the shared morbidities in KD and MIS-C. We uncovered potential regulatory drivers of CD177
+
neutrophil hyperactivation and pathogenicity that may be targeted as a single therapeutic strategy for either KD or MIS-C.
Calculated Feelings: How Children Use Probability to Infer Emotions
Authors: Doan Tiffany , Friedman Ori , Denison Stephanie
Published: October 2023

Developing the ability to accurately infer others’ emotions is crucial for children’s cognitive development. Here, we offer a new theoretical perspective on how children develop this ability. We first review recent work showing that with age, children increasingly use probability to infer emotions. We discuss how these findings do not fit with prominent accounts of how children understand emotions, namely the script account and the theory of mind account. We then outline a theory of how probability allows children to infer others’ emotions. Specifically, we suggest that probability provides children with information about how much weight to put on alternative outcomes, allowing them to infer emotions by comparing outcomes to counterfactual alternatives.
US Soft Power and Value Transfer Modalities
Authors: Gevorgyan Nora
Published: October 2023

The article underscores the conceptual nexus of diaspora and soft power. It analyses US soft power, its main operating mechanisms and tools, and the role of diaspora groups in the transfer of American values, using Armenia and the Armenian-American diaspora community as a case study. The paper argues that ethnic diaspora groups are increasingly important actors of soft power. Along with protecting and promoting the national interests of their country of origin, ethnic diaspora groups play a unique role in promoting the host country’s soft power by establishing links and enhancing mutual understanding between both societies and states and providing the transfer and network for the host country’s values and ideals abroad. The article highlights the role of the Armenian diaspora political parties, the Armenian-American sociopolitical and lobbying organisations, and the activities of prominent Armenian Americans and their charitable foundations in the spread of American values and ideals, and the advancement of American soft power in Armenia.
Steinernema yirgalemense inoculum size and timing impact on the population dynamics of in vitro liquid culture shake flask production
Authors: Dunn Murray D. , Malan Antoinette P.
Published: October 2023

Optimising the in vitro liquid mass production process for entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) is a critical step in the development of a cost-effective EPN biopesticide product. Recording the nematode population and growth dynamics in an Erlenmeyer shake flask environment is essential to gaining a better understanding of which factors may influence the final yield. Although infective juvenile (IJ) inoculum concentration has previously been studied, no consensus yet exists as to whether it influences the final yield. This study sought to determine the impact of IJ inoculum concentration and timing on the recovery, growth and yield of the South African EPN isolate of Steinernema yirgalemense in shake flasks. The results indicated that the IJ inoculum concentration positively affects the final IJ yield of 2.88 × 155 IJ ml−1. Moreover, at higher IJ inoculum concentrations, a higher number of reproductive females and males are produced, when recovery percentages were similar. The lowest IJ inoculum concentration treatment was also the only treatment to show signs of an unwanted second generation in the final yield. The IJ inoculation timing trials confirmed that once the bacterium, Xenorhabdus indica, has ended the exponential growth phase and entered the stationary phase, it is ideal to then inoculate the IJ. However, it was found that the S. yirgalemense can be inoculated into the X. indica bacteria solution after 36 h of growth, instead of after 44-48 h. These trials demonstrated the need for further optimisation to produce consistent yields of the highly pathogenic South African EPN isolate of S. yirgalemense.
Beyond the Eye: Multisensory Contributions to the Sensation of Illusory Self-Motion (Vection)
Authors: Riecke Bernhard E. , Murovec Brandy , Campos Jennifer L. , Keshavarz Behrang
Published: October 2023

Vection is typically defined as the embodied illusion of self-motion in the absence of real physical movement through space. Vection can occur in real-life situations (e.g., ‘train illusion’) and in virtual environments and simulators. The vast majority of vection research focuses on vection caused by visual stimulation. Even though visually induced vection is arguably the most compelling type of vection, the role of nonvisual sensory inputs, such as auditory, biomechanical, tactile, and vestibular cues, have recently gained more attention. Non-visual cues can play an important role in inducing vection in two ways. First, nonvisual cues can affect the occurrence and strength of vection when added to corresponding visual information. Second, nonvisual cues can also elicit vection in the absence of visual information, for instance when observers are blindfolded or tested in darkness. The present paper provides a narrative review of the literature on multimodal contributions to vection. We will discuss both the theoretical and applied relevance of multisensory processing as related to the experience of vection and provide design considerations on how to enhance vection in various contexts.
Inferring Northern Hemisphere Continental Warming Patterns from the Amplitude and Phase of the Seasonal Cycle in Surface Temperature
Authors: McKinnon Karen A. , Huybers Peter
Published: October 2023

The seasonal cycle in temperature is a large and well-observed response to radiative forcing, suggesting its potential as a natural analog to human-caused climate change. Although there have been advances constraining some climate feedback parameters using seasonal observations, the seasonal cycle has not been used to inform about the local temperature sensitivity to greenhouse gas forcing. In this study, we uncover a nonlinear relationship between the amplitude and phase of the seasonal cycle and forced temperature trends in seven CMIP5-era large ensembles across the Northern Hemisphere extratropical continents. We develop a mixture energy balance model that reproduces this relationship and reveals the unexpected finding that the phasing of the seasonal cycle—in addition to the amplitude—contains information about local temperature sensitivity to seasonal forcing over land. Using this energy balance model framework, we compare the pattern and magnitude of the seasonally inferred sensitivity of the surface temperature response to anthropogenic radiative forcing. The seasonally constrained model largely reproduces the pattern of human-caused temperature trends seen in climate models (r = 0.81, p value < 0.01), including polar amplification, but the magnitude of the response is smaller by about a factor of 3. Our results show the relevance of both phasing and amplitude for constraining patterns of local feedbacks and suggest the utility of additional research to better understand the differences in sensitivity between seasonal and greenhouse gas forcing.

Significance Statement

Warming in response to increased greenhouse gases is not spatially uniform across land. We wanted to understand whether the familiar seasonal cycle in temperature could provide information about climate change. We found that climate models show a strong link between the seasonal cycle and future warming: places with a larger and more delayed temperature response to the seasonal cycle in solar forcing tend to warm more across the Northern Hemisphere midlatitudes. A very simple model for the climate system, whose parameters are based on the seasonal cycle, captures the pattern but not the magnitude of warming. Our findings suggest that there are some similarities between the processes that control temperature change on seasonal and climate change time scales, but that we must understand the difference between seasonal and longer-term sensitivity to warming before the seasonal cycle can be used to reduce uncertainty about climate change.