bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innovations in poultry reproduction using cryopreserved avian germ cells
Authors: Ichikawa Kennosuke , McGrew Mike J.
Published: May 2024

Meat and eggs from chicken are the major source of animal protein for the human population. The cryopreservation of poultry species is needed to guarantee sustainable production. Here, we describe the existing cryopreservation technologies for avian reproductive cells using embryonic germ cells, spermatozoa and ovarian tissues. We outline strategies to reconstitute chicken breeds from their cryopreserved embryonic germ cells using surrogate hosts and discuss the perspectives for genetic conservation and reconstitution of chicken and wild avian species using surrogate host animals.
Early prediction of oestrus for herd fertility management in cattle and buffaloes – a review
Authors: Rajput Atul Singh , Mishra Babita , Rajawat Divya , Bhakat Mukesh
Published: May 2024

Oestrus is defined as a period when a female animal exhibits characteristic sexual behaviour in the presence of a mature male. Oestrous manifestation in dairy animals is due to the oestrogen (E2) effect on the central nervous system (CNS). It is a critical issue to be considered on a priority basis. Inefficient oestrous detection reduces the fertility status of the herd. The primary and most reliable indicator of oestrus is standing to be mounted by a bull or another female herd mate, signalling receptivity and the pre‐ovulatory state in dairy cattle. Oestrous detection is primarily a management challenge requiring skill and vigilance. To improve the efficiency of oestrous detection in dairy cattle, visual observation is one of the best methods if done three times a day; however, heat detection aids, if combined, give better results. However, techniques like using teaser bulls, tail painting, chin ball markers, ultrasound (USG) examination, hormonal analysis and examination of cervicovaginal mucus (CVM) improve oestrous detection efficiency. Moreover, the changes in production systems have reduced the expression of oestrous behaviour among cows, due to higher oestrogen (E2) metabolism. Therefore, automated systems, such as pedometers, accelerometers and acoustic sensors like infrared thermography (IRT) and image processing, have significantly enhanced reproductive performance by facilitating oestrous detection and optimizing insemination schedules. From this review, we would conclude that oestrous detection alone contributes considerably to the reproductive status of the herd; therefore, applying different methods of oestrous detection reduces the incidence of missed oestrus and improves the fertility status of the herd.
The Distance to Reference Communities Index (DRCI): a new tool to assess communities' restoration success
Authors: Hugo Fontès , Christian Marquis , Franck Torre , Grillas Patrick , Dutoit Thierry , Mesléard François
Published: May 2024

The concept of a reference ecosystem is fundamental in restoration ecology, especially in assessing the success of ecological restoration projects. In response to criticism, it has undergone conceptual evolutions in its definition and use in the last decades. Even though there is still a need to develop statistical methods and analyses to account for reference variability. Here, we focus on two original and one literature‐based calculation methods for designed indexes, which all aim to compare a community to be assessed (undergoing restoration) with a variable set of reference communities. These methods either use the average reference situation (species composition and abundance) as the restoration target or on the contrary, allow any reference site to be considered a relevant target. We compare the results of these methods by analyzing a simulated dataset. We then illustrate the application of the most relevant index by a real case study that compared a created Mediterranean temporary pond to a panel of 27 reference ponds located in the south of France. The results show that the Distance to Reference Communities Index (DRCI) correctly measures differences in species composition and abundance between an assessed and a reference panel of communities. It takes into account the variability of the reference communities, while the use of other indexes focuses on unrealistic average and fixed reference values. DRCI is complementary to a detailed ecological interpretation and to the use of other commonly used indexes, by giving a synthetic metric.
Identification of the novel HLA‐A*02:829 allele by sequencing‐based typing
Authors: Alandejani Sheerin A. , Alanazi Hanan , Alshubaili Abdullah , Alzahrani Mohammed , Jawdat Dunia
Published: May 2024

The novel HLA‐A*02:829 allele is likely generated from the recombination of both HLA‐A*02:05:01:01 and HLA‐A*32:01:01:01 alleles.
Incorporating mental imagery into geospatial environments for narrative visualizations
Authors: Rowe Ronny A. , Moore Antoni B.
Published: May 2024

Methods for evaluating cognitively inspired geospatial interfaces have been important for revealing and helping solve their cognitive and usability issues. We argue that this is now true of interfaces in GIScience that deliver narrative visualizations, including 3D virtual narrative environments. These spaces allow for controlled conditions and realistic natural settings, where spatio‐temporal data can be collected and used to ascertain how well an interface design fulfilled a given narrative function. This study investigates the function of a cognitively inspired geospatial interface (Future Vision) that aimed to determine how mental images can be situated in geospatial environments and used to convey narratives that improve user cognition and decision‐making. The results of a two‐alternative forced‐choice (2AFC) decision‐making task showed that participants using future thinking guidance (mental images as a split‐second display of correct path choice) had statistically significant improvements in their task completion times, movement speeds and 2AFC decision‐making, compared to the unguided control group. Implications of the results include benefits for cue‐based navigation of real and conceptual spaces in GIScience. Future research can improve the interface design by modifying the interface code to reduce visual loss caused by eye blinks and saccades.
Development of wastewater quality index as an assessment tool of treated wastewater quality for sea discharge
Authors: Mohammed Redha Zainab , Bu‐Ali Qais , Janahi Anfal Yusuf , AlQahtani Maryam Mohamed , Buhindi Reem Anas
Published: May 2024

The evaluation of the effluent water quality from wastewater treatment plants is fundamental for human health and aquatic environment considerations. Therefore, this research presents a new and specific water quality index for evaluating the effluent water discharged into the sea by integrating the complex set of wastewater qualities into a single reliable value. Two approaches were utilized for this purpose: experts' opinions and statistical analysis using principal component analysis. In the first approach, the opinions of local experts shortlisted the parameters into six important parameters out of a list of 19 with assigned weights varied from 0.160 to 0.174. In the statistical approach, principal component analysis and correlation analysis reduced the parameters to seven accounting for 75% of the variation in the data. Their weights were calculated based on their eigenvalues and ranged from 0.063 to 0.435. The subindices rating curves were developed based on the Kingdom of Bahrain's legislated standards and the weighted arithmetic mean function was used for the aggregation stage. The established water quality indices were applied to effluents from a local wastewater treatment plant, and the obtained results revealed “Class 1: excellent category” discharge quality maintained throughout the year as per the categories proposed in this work. The developed indices proved their effectiveness and reliability in assessing the treated water. The study provides a comprehensive and reliable assessment of treated water quality, and its approach and outputs could have significant implications globally for ensuring the quality of treated water prior its discharge and promoting sustainable development.
Negative discrete moments of the derivative of the Riemann zeta‐function
Authors: Bui Hung M. , Florea Alexandra , Milinovich Micah B.
Published: May 2024

We obtain conditional upper bounds for negative discrete moments of the derivative of the Riemann zeta‐function averaged over a subfamily of zeros of the zeta function that is expected to be arbitrarily close to full density inside the set of all zeros. For , our bounds for the ‐th moments are expected to be almost optimal. Assuming a conjecture about the maximum size of the argument of the zeta function on the critical line, we obtain upper bounds for these negative moments of the same strength while summing over a larger subfamily of zeta zeros.
Blocking sets, minimal codes and trifferent codes
Authors: Bishnoi Anurag , D'haeseleer Jozefien , Gijswijt Dion , Potukuchi Aditya
Published: May 2024

We prove new upper bounds on the smallest size of affine blocking sets, that is, sets of points in a finite affine space that intersect every affine subspace of a fixed codimension. We show an equivalence between affine blocking sets with respect to codimension‐2 subspaces that are generated by taking a union of lines through the origin, and strong blocking sets in the corresponding projective space, which in turn are equivalent to minimal codes. Using this equivalence, we improve the current best upper bounds on the smallest size of a strong blocking set in finite projective spaces over fields of size at least 3. Furthermore, using coding theoretic techniques, we improve the current best lower bounds on a strong blocking set. Our main motivation for these new bounds is their application to trifferent codes, which are sets of ternary codes of length with the property that for any three distinct codewords there is a coordinate where they all have distinct values. Over the finite field , we prove that minimal codes are equivalent to linear trifferent codes. Using this equivalence, we show that any linear trifferent code of length has size at most , improving the recent upper bound of Pohoata and Zakharov. Moreover, we show the existence of linear trifferent codes of length and size at least , thus (asymptotically) matching the best lower bound on trifferent codes. We also give explicit constructions of affine blocking sets with respect to codimension‐2 subspaces that are a constant factor bigger than the best known lower bound. By restricting to , we obtain linear trifferent codes of size at least , improving the current best explicit construction that has size .
Mixed Finite Element Formulation in Nonlinear Geometrical Analysis of Space Trusses and Application to Trusses With Member Length Imperfection
Authors: Dao Ngoc Tien , Tran Thi Thuy Van
Published: May 2024

Space trusses usually have a significant number of elements. As a result, it is inevitable that some elements have imperfections. In this study, the authors proposed a mixed finite element method for nonlinear geometrical analysis of space trusses. The post-buckling behavior of space trusses with length imperfections was predicted using a code list written in the programming software. The numerical results indicate that when the length imperfection approaches zero, the results converge to those obtained in studies on standard trusses. A second approach based on the displacement model is also proposed, in which the Lagrange multiplier method is used to deal with the member length imperfection. The results show that the two approaches proposed by the authors are effective, in which the mix formulation based on the finite element model is superior to that based on the displacement model. These results verify the accuracy of the method. Based on the proposed method, the effects of imperfections in the element layers on the truss were studied. The results show that the imperfections in the top two element layers have the maximum influence on the limit load value, whereas the remaining layers have a negligible influence. The combination of the imperfect lengths of these two layers of elements can produce results in which the limit load value is much larger than in the case of a perfect system. Based on the obtained results, it is possible to provide a solution for improving the overall stability of truss structures by creating reasonable imperfections.
Modeling Technical Risk Propagation Using Field-Effects in Automotive Technology Infusion Design Studies
Authors: Alonso Fernández Inñigo , Panarotto Massimo , Isaksson Ola
Published: May 2024

The integration of novel technologies into existing product architectures poses significant challenges, especially in managing the associated technical risks that affect system functionality and reliability. Traditional methods often struggle with the unpredictability and complexity of field effects due to technological integration. To address these challenges, this study introduces a novel DSM (Design Structure Matrix)-based method that accurately accounts for and mitigates both first-order and higher-order field effects. By employing the inverse-square law, our method quantifies the attenuation of field effects with distance, thereby enhancing the precision of impact assessments across the system architecture. This approach is substantiated through a case study involving the introduction of a steer-by-wire (SbW) system in automotive design. The case study highlights the method's effectiveness in identifying and managing potential integration points for new technologies, offering a systematic framework for minimizing risk and enhancing system design in automotive engineering. The success of this method in the case study provides practical insights into the design around the impact of field effects, emphasizing its applicability and value in real-world engineering scenarios.
FrameGraph: A Scalable Performance Evaluation Method for Frame Structure Designs Using Graph Neural Network
Authors: Hou Wenbin , Li Yongcheng , Wang Changsheng
Published: May 2024

Multilayer perceptron (MLP) and convolutional neural network (CNN) encounter a critical scalability issue when applied to the performance evaluation task for frame structure designs. Specifically, a model of MLP or CNN is limited to structures of a particular topology type and fails immediately when applied to other topology types. In order to tackle this challenge, we propose a scalable performance evaluation method (called FrameGraph) for frame structure designs using graph neural network (GNN), offering applicability to a wide range of topology types simultaneously. FrameGraph consists of two main parts: (1) Components and their connections in a frame structure are denoted as edges and vertices in a graph, respectively. Subsequently, a graph dataset for frame structure designs with different topologies is constructed. (2) A well-defined GNN design space is established with a general GNN layer, and a controlled random search approach is employed to derive the optimal GNN model for this performance evaluation task. In numerical experiments of car door frames and car body frames, FrameGraph achieved the highest prediction precisions (96.28% and 97.87%) across all structural topologies compared to a series of classical GNN algorithms. Furthermore, the comparison with MLP and FEM highlighted FrameGraph's significant efficiency advantage. This verifies the feasibility and optimality of FrameGraph for the performance evaluation task of frame structures with different topologies.
Evaluation of adjuvant role of topical cyclosporine 1% in acute Stevens-Johnson syndrome: a randomised control trial
Authors: Sharma Namrata , Venugopal Renu , Nagpal Ritu , K Priyadarshini , Verma Kamna , Verma Kaushal K , Biswas NR , Velpandian Thirumurthy , Sen Seema , Dwivedi SN , Tandon Radhika , Titiyal Jeewan S , Vajpayee Rasik
Published: May 2024

Purpose

To evaluate the role of topical cyclosporine A 1% (CsA) as an adjuvant therapy in patients with acute Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS).

Methods

This is a randomised controlled trial in which 44 patients (88 eyes) with acute SJS, presenting within 3 months from the onset of the disease, were enrolled and randomised. Group A (n=44 eyes) patients received treatment with topical CsA 1% along with standard therapy consisting of topical corticosteroids, antibiotics and lubricants. Group B (n=44 eyes) patients received topical saline drops in combination with standard therapy. Various ocular surface parameters were assessed at baseline and the 6-month follow-up.

Results

The mean age of patients (years) was 23.9±15.1 in the CsA group and 26.0±18.7 in the control group (p=0.6840). The mean time from disease onset to presentation (days) was 17.0±14.0 and 12.9±11.3 in CsA and control groups, respectively (p=0.1568). At presentation, the mean grades of severity scores of various parameters were comparable. At 6 months, both groups showed a significant improvement in the mean severity grades of conjunctival hyperaemia (A, p=0.001; B, p=0.0001), mucocutaneous junction involvement (A, p=0.001; B, p=0.0001) and meibomian gland involvement (A, p=0.0471; B, p=0.006). Compared with baseline, the grades of corneal keratinisation (baseline, 0.48±0.7; 6 months, 1.02±0.8; p=0.0015) and neovascularisation (baseline, 1.07±1.2; 6 months, 1.57±1.0; p=0.0412) worsened after 6 months of CsA therapy. Intergroup comparison of grades of various parameters however did not reveal any significant difference at 6 months.

Conclusions

Adjuvant treatment with topical CsA is not superior to standard therapy, in cases of acute SJS.
Iris freckle: a distinct entity
Authors: Yeşiltaş Yağmur Seda , Zhou Millennia , Zabor Emily C , Oakey Zackery , Singh Nakul , Sedaghat Ahad , Yeaney Gabrielle , Singh Arun D
Published: May 2024

Purpose

To report distinctive clinical and imaging features of iris freckles to differentiate them from iris nevi.

Design

Retrospective observational study.

Subjects

53 patients (277 freckles) with incidental iris freckles and 102 patients (104 nevi) with iris nevi that are either clinically stable or pathologically confirmed.

Methods

Patient data were collected from the Department of Ophthalmic Oncology, Cleveland Clinic, Cole Eye Institute database (2012–2023). Lesion characteristics were recorded from slit-lamp examination descriptions and review of colour photographs. Ancillary imaging features observed using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) were assessed in patients (where available).

Main outcome measures

Comparison of clinical and imaging features of iris freckles and iris nevi.

Results

A total of 277 iris freckles and 104 iris nevi were analysed. Iris freckles were more frequently bilateral (17%; nevi 0%) and multiple (69%; nevi 2%) and located centrally (89%; nevi 17%) compared with iris nevi (p<0.001). The median freckle largest basal diameter and thickness were 0.8 mm (nevi; 2.1 mm, p<0.001) and 0.04 mm (nevi 1.0 mm, p<0.001), respectively. All iris freckles had irregular margins without any secondary effects compared with iris nevi. Iris freckles appeared flat without effacement of iris folds compared with iris nevi on AS-OCT (p<0.001). Iris freckles were not detectable by UBM. Heat map revealed that freckles demonstrated several features with uniform or near uniform values, whereas nevi demonstrated more variability in values across features.

Conclusions

Iris freckles exhibit specific clinical and imaging features reflective of their characteristic histological composition that support their classification as a distinct entity within the spectrum of iris pigmented lesions.
Trends in youth risk behaviours and firearm injury in the USA over 20 years
Authors: Hatchimonji Justin S , Hatchimonji Danielle R , Allee Lisa , Scantling Dane R
Published: May 2024

Background

Firearm injuries are the leading cause of death in children and adolescents in the USA. We hypothesised that high rates of risky behaviour in high school students are associated with firearm injury and death in this population.

Methods

We obtained data from the Youth Behaviour Risk Survey of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and combined it with data from the CDC Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System, CDC Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research and American Community Survey, 2001–2020. We examined trends over time using a non-parametric test for trends.

Results

The percentage of high school-aged youth carrying a weapon in the preceding 30 days ranged from 13.2% in 2019 to 18.5% in 2005, without a statistically significant trend over time (p=0.051). Those carrying a weapon to school peaked at 6.5% in 2005 and steadily downtrended to 2.8% in 2019 (p=0.004). Boys consistently reported higher rates of weapon carriage, with white boys reporting higher rates than black boys. Firearm homicides among adolescents 14–18 years showed no significant change, ranging from 4.0 per 100k in 2013 to 8.3 per 100k in 2020. This varied considerably by sex and race, with black boys suffering a rate of nearly 60 per 100 000 in 2020 and white girls rarely exceeding 1/100 000 during the study period.

Conclusion

Self-reported weapon carriage among teens in the USA has steadily downtrended over time. However, shooting injuries and deaths have not. While the former suggests progress, the latter remains concerning.

Level of evidence

Level III; retrospective cohort study.
A healthcare approach to mental integrity
Authors: Wajnerman-Paz Abel , Aboitiz Francisco , Álamos Florencia , Ramos Vergara Paulina
Published: May 2024

The current human rights framework can shield people from many of the risks associated with neurotechnological applications. However, it has been argued that we need either to articulate new rights or reconceptualise existing ones in order to prevent some of these risks. In this paper, we would like to address the recent discussion about whether current reconceptualisations of the right to mental integrity identify an ethical dimension that is not covered by existing moral and/or legal rights. The main challenge of these proposals is that they make mental integrity indistinguishable from autonomy. They define mental integrity in terms of the control we can have over our mental states, which seems to be part of the authenticity condition for autonomous action. Based on a fairly comprehensive notion of mental health (ie, a notion that is not limited to the mere absence of illness), we propose an alternative view according to which mental integrity can be characterised both as a positive right to (medical and non-medical) interventions that restore and sustain mental and neural function, and promote its development and a negative right protecting people from interventions that threaten or undermine these functions or their development. We will argue that this notion is dissociated from cognitive control and therefore can be adequately distinguished from autonomy.
‘What’s a D and C between friends?’ Space, intimacy and the medicalisation of unmotherhood in modernist literature
Authors: Schnur Kate
Published: May 2024

This essay theorises what ‘unmotherhood’—or, living outside of motherhood—means within the specific context of ‘the modern’. Unmotherhood is an actively constructed state; it is explored through the parameters of agentive choice, social pressure and state control; and at the turn-of-the-20th-century novels articulate this state through specific vocabularies of contemporaneous phenomena of modernity. I look to four novels representative of four forms of unmotherhood: Tess Slesinger’sThe Unpossesseddepicts a somewhat voluntary abortion; H.D.’sAsphodel(and its sister novelBid Me to Live) are fictional representations of the author’s own stillbirth; Jean Rhys’sGood Morning, Midnightdepicts a woman’s life in the wake of her newborn son’s death and Nella Larsen’sQuicksandis a narrative dependent on the protagonist’s refusal to marry because of her equation of marriage with conception. Reading these narratives together affords us the opportunity to consider what ‘unmotherhood’ means as a constructed state in and of itself, beyond the presumed negative, passive state of the ‘not’ or the ‘not yet’. Through this analysis, I define ‘unmotherhood’ as: (1) a state mediated through medical knowledge, objects, spaces and authority figures; (2) an experience narrated through vocabularies pulled from phenomena closely associated with 20th-century modernity and (3) a role dynamically shaped through compulsory heterosexuality embedded in familial relationships. In these three ways, my analysis of the selected novels defines unmotherhood as a permanent, transient, chosen, enforced and—contradictory as it all may be—a legible and definable experience.
Benchmarking Test-Time DNN Adaptation at Edge with Compute-In-Memory
Authors: Fan Zhenkun , Wan Zishen , Liu Che-Kai , Lu Anni , Bhardwaj Kshitij , Raychowdhury Arijit
Published: May 2024

The prediction accuracy of deep neural networks (DNNs) deployed at the edge can deteriorate over time due to shifts in the data distribution. For heightened robustness, it’s crucial for DNNs to continually refine and improve their predictive capabilities. However, adaptation in resource-limited edge environments is fraught with challenges: (i) new labeled data might be unavailable; (ii) on-device adaptation is a necessity as cloud connections may be inaccessible; and (iii) the adaptation procedure should prioritize speed, memory efficiency, and energy conservation. Compute-In-Memory (CIM) has recently garnered attention for its computational efficacy and superior operational bandwidth. Additionally, emerging lightweight unsupervised DNN adaptation techniques during test-time have showcased promising results in enhancing model accuracy for data with noise. This article pioneers a holistic benchmarking exploration of these methods, assessing their performance and energy efficacy across diverse CIM architectures in edge and autonomous systems. Our findings reveal that the proposed adaptation strategies can adapt to both environment shifts and inherent hardware noise. Engaging in a thorough cross-layer algorithm-hardware-technology co-design space exploration, we highlight pivotal trade-offs among accuracy, performance, and energy for various DNN adaptation techniques and CIM configurations.
A.I. Robustness: a Human-Centered Perspective on Technological Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Tocchetti Andrea , Corti Lorenzo , Balayn Agathe , Yurrita Mireia , Lippmann Philip , Brambilla Marco , Yang Jie
Published: May 2024

Despite the impressive performance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, their robustness remains elusive and constitutes a key issue that impedes large-scale adoption.
Besides, robustness is interpreted differently across domains and contexts of AI
. In this work, we systematically survey recent progress to provide a reconciled terminology of concepts around AI robustness. We introduce three taxonomies to organize and describe the literature both from a fundamental and applied point of view:
(1) methods and approaches that address robustness in different phases of the machine learning pipeline; (2) methods improving robustness in specific model architectures, tasks, and systems; and in addition, (3) methodologies and insights around evaluating the robustness of AI systems, particularly the tradeoffs with other trustworthiness properties.
Finally, we identify and discuss research gaps and opportunities and give an outlook on the field. We highlight the central role of humans in evaluating and enhancing AI robustness, considering the necessary knowledge
they
can provide, and discuss the need for better understanding practices and developing supportive tools in the future.
Learning Personalizable Clustered Embedding for Recommender Systems
Authors: CHEN YIZHOU , Huzhang Guangda , ZENG ANXIANG , YU QINGTAO , SUN HUI , LI HENG-YI , LI JINGYI , NI YABO , YU HAN , Zhou Zhiming
Published: May 2024

In recent years, recommender systems have advanced rapidly, where embedding learning for users and items plays a critical role. A standard method learns a unique embedding vector for each user and item. However, such a method has two important limitations in real-world applications: 1) it is hard to learn embeddings that generalize well for users and items with rare interactions; and 2) it may incur unbearably high memory costs when the number of users and items scales up. Existing approaches either can only address one of the limitations or have flawed overall performances. In this paper, we propose Clustered Embedding Learning (CEL) as an integrated solution to these two problems. CEL is a plug-and-play embedding learning framework that can be combined with any differentiable feature interaction model. It is capable of achieving improved performance, especially for cold users and items, with reduced memory cost. CEL enables automatic and dynamic clustering of users and items in a top-down fashion, where clustered entities could jointly learn a shared embedding. The accelerated version of CEL has an optimal time complexity, which supports efficient online updates. Theoretically, we prove the identifiability and the existence of a unique optimal number of clusters for CEL in the context of nonnegative matrix factorization. Empirically, we validate the effectiveness of CEL on three public datasets and one business dataset, showing its consistently superior performance against current state-of-the-art methods. In particular, when incorporating CEL into the business model, it brings an improvement of

\(+0.6\% \)

in AUC, which translates into a significant revenue gain; meanwhile, the size of the embedding table gets 2650 times smaller. Additionally, we demonstrate that, if there is enough memory, learning a personalized embedding for each user and item around their clustering centers is feasible and can further boost the performance.
ZnSb2O4 Thin Films Synthesized by Nebulizer Spray Pyrolysis: Structural, Optical, and Optoelectrical Properties
Authors: Alsulami Abdullah
Published: May 2024

Zinc antimony oxide (ZnSb2O4) thin films were prepared by inexpensive nebulizer spray pyrolysis. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the ZnSb2O4 thin films have a tetragonal structure. The analysis of structural indices indicate that the grain size of the ZnSb2O4 films was enhanced by expanding the thickness of the ZnSb2O4 layers, and the dislocation density was decreased. Further, the optical reflectance, R, and transmittance, T, of the ZnSb2O4 sheets, were used to investigate the optical characteristics of these layers. The optical investigations of the ZnSb2O4 films refer to an improvement in the refractive index values, Urbach energy, and absorption coefficient by boosting the thickness. Moreover, the energy gap analysis of these films shows that their energy gap decreased from 3.75 to 3.47 eV as the thickness increased. The investigation of optoelectrical characteristics involves improving the optical conductivity, electrical conductivity, optical carrier concentration, and optical mobility of the ZnSb2O4 films by growing the thickness. The nonlinear optical indices of the ZnSb2O4 layers were deduced, and it was noted that the boost in the nonlinear optical indices of these films occurred by raising the thickness. Furthermore, the ZnSb2O4 films displayed n-type semiconducting properties by the hot probe equipment.
Cellular metabolism of substance P produces neurokinin-1 receptor peptide agonists with diminished cyclic AMP signaling
Authors: Kriska Tamas , Natarajan Jayashree , Herrnreiter Anja , Park Sang-Kyu , Pfister Sandra L. , Thomas Michael J. , Widiapradja Alexander , Levick Scott P. , Campbell William B.
Published: May 2024

Endothelial cells, macrophages, and fibroblasts metabolize substance P (SP) to N- and C-terminal metabolites with SP 5–11 as the most abundant metabolite. SP activates neurokinin-1 receptors to increase intracellular calcium and cyclic AMP. In contrast, SP metabolites of N-terminal metabolism and C-terminal deamidation retain the ability to increase calcium but lose the ability to increase cyclic AMP. These new insights indicate that the metabolism of SP directs cellular functions by regulating specific signaling pathways.
Cuproptosis associated cytoskeletal destruction contributes to podocyte injury in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Li Han , Fu Yingjie , Xu Yue , Miao Hongjun , Wang Haonan , Zhang Tongtong , Mei Xuejian , He Yinglang , Zhang Aihua , Ge Xuhua
Published: May 2024

Cuproptosis induced by excessive copper accumulation leads to podocyte cytoskeleton damage by promoting mitochondrial dysfunction, and CXCL5 acts as an upstream signal mediating the occurrence of cuproptosis.
Glucans: A Therapeutic Alternative for Sepsis Treatment
Authors: Viana Jesse P. M. , Costa Fernanda F. , Dias Tatielle G. , Mendes Priscila M. , Copeland Gabriel B. , Nascimento Willian S. , Mendes Sofia S. N. , Figueiredo Isabella F. S. , Fernandes Elizabeth S. , Bocca Anamelia L. , Maciel Márcia C. G.
Published: May 2024

Sepsis treatment is a challenging condition due to its complexity, which involves host inflammatory responses to a severe and potentially fatal infection, associated with organ dysfunction. The aim of this study was to analyze the scientific literature on the immunomodulatory effects of glucans in a murine model of systemic infection induced by cecal ligation and puncture. This study comprises an integrative literature review based on systematic steps, with searches carried out in the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases. In most studies, the main type of glucan investigated was β‐glucan, at 50 mg/kg, and a reduction of inflammatory responses was identified, minimizing the occurrence of tissue damage leading to increased animal survival. Based on the data obtained and discussed in this review, glucans represent a promising biotechnological alternative to modulate the immune response and could potentially be used in the clinical management of septic individuals.
Cellulose- and Saccharide-Based Orally Dispersible Thin Films Transform the Solid States and Dissolution Characteristics of Poorly Soluble Curcumin
Authors: Yusuf Helmy , Savitri Orchidea Meidy Nurintan , Al-Khalifi Nadia Natsya , Gunawan Lavinia , Chairul Brian Karno , Rijal M. Agus Syamsur , Isadiartuti Dewi , Sari Retno
Published: May 2024

This study aimed at developing and optimizing the orally dispersible thin film (ODTF) containing a plant-derived drug—curcumin (CUR). CUR belongs to a biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS) class IV compound that requires improving its water solubility and tissue permeability preceding formulation. An ODTF was applied to produce a solid dispersion matrix for CUR to resolve such solubility and permeability problems. The film-forming polymers used in the study were cellulose-based (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose/HPMC and carboxymethylcellulose/CMC) and saccharide-based maltodextrin (MDX). Poloxamer (POL) was also employed as surfactant and solubilizer. The solvent casting technique was applied to produce the films. The ethanolic solution of CUR was mixed with an aqueous solution of POLs and then incorporated into different film-forming polymers prior to casting. The processing of the CUR with POL solution was intended to aid in the even dispersion of the drug in the polymeric matrices and enhance the wettability of the films. The physical state and properties of the films were characterized in terms of their morphology, crystallinity of the drug, and phase miscibility of the mixtures. The dissolution profile of the films was also evaluated in terms of dissolution rate and dissolution efficiency. The obtained ODTF products were smooth and flat-surfaced. Physical characterization also indicated that the CUR was homogeneously dispersed in the ODTFs and no longer existed as crystalline material as revealed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The CUR was also not phase-separated from the films as disclosed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Such dispersion was achieved through the solubilizing effect of POLs and compact polymeric film matrices that prevented the CUR from recrystallization. Furthermore, the ODTFs also improved the dissolution of CUR by 3.2-fold higher than the raw CUR. Overall, cellulose-based films had favorable physical properties compared with saccharide-based films.
Genetic Risk of Second Malignant Neoplasm after Childhood Cancer Treatment: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ducos Claire , Aba Naïla , Rosselli Filippo , Fresneau Brice , Al Ahmad Nachar Baraah , Zidane Monia , de Vathaire Florent , Benhamou Simone , Haddy Nadia
Published: May 2024

Second malignant neoplasm (SMN) is one of the most severe long-term risks for childhood cancer survivors (CCS), significantly impacting long-term patient survival. While radiotherapy and chemotherapy are known risk factors, the observed inter-individual variability suggests a genetic component contributing to the risk of SMN. This article aims to conduct a systematic review of genetic factors implicated in the SMN risk among CCS. Searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Sciences. Eighteen studies were included (eleven candidate gene studies, three genome-wide association studies, and four whole exome/genome sequencing studies). The included studies were based on different types of first cancers, investigated any or specific types of SMN, and focused mainly on genes involved in drug metabolism and DNA repair pathways. These differences in study design and methods used to characterize genetic variants limit the scope of the results and highlight the need for further extensive and standardized investigations. However, this review provides a valuable compilation of SMN risk-associated variants and genes, facilitating efficient replication and advancing our understanding of the genetic basis for this major risk for CCS.
Quantitative Abdominal Arterial Calcification Correlates with Kidney Transplant Waitlist Mortality
Authors: Jarmi Tambi , Hanouneh Tareq , Mao Michael , Mao Shennen , Young Maia C. , Spaulding Aaron C. , Sella David M. , Alexander Lauren F. , Salehinejad Hojjat , Craver Emily C. , Farres Houssam
Published: May 2024

Introduction: The scarcity of available organs for kidney transplantation has resulted in a substantial waiting time for patients with End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD). This prolonged wait contributes to an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. Calcification of large arteries is a high-risk factor in the development of cardiovascular diseases, and it is common among candidates for kidney transplant. The aim of this study is to correlate Abdominal Arterial Calcification (AAC) score value with mortality on the waitlist.
Methods: We modified the coronary calcium score and used it to quantitate the AAC. We conducted a retrospective clinical study of all adult patients who were listed for kidney transplant, between 2005 and 2015, and had abdominal computed tomography scan. Patients were divided into two groups: those who died on the waiting list (DWL group) and those who survived on the waiting list (SWL group).
Results: Each 1000 increase in the AAC score value of the sum score of the abdominal aorta, bilateral common iliac, bilateral external iliac, and bilateral internal iliac was associated with increased risk of death (HR 1.034, 95%CI 1.013, 1.055) (p = 0.001). This association remained significant even after adjusting for various patient characteristics, including age, tobacco use, diabetes, coronary artery disease, and dialysis status.
Conclusion: The study highlights the potential value of the AAC score as a noninvasive Imaging biomarker for kidney transplant waitlist patients. Incorporating the AAC scoring system into routine imaging reports could facilitate improved risk assessment and personalized care for kidney transplant candidates.
Perioperative Rates of Incidental Prostate Cancer after Aquablation and Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate
Authors: Gloger Simon , Paulics Laszlo , Philippou Christos , Philippou Stathis , Witt Joern H. , Ubrig Burkhard
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Aquablation and holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) have evolved as established therapeutic options for men with benign prostatic obstruction (BPO). We sought to compare the rates of incidental prostate cancer (iPCa) after aquablation and HoLEP. Methods: At our center, between January 2020 and November 2022, 317 men underwent aquablation, and 979 men underwent HoLEP for BPO. Histopathological assessment of resected tissue was conducted in all cases. If iPCa was detected, the Gleason score and percentage of affected tissue were assessed. Differences in important predictive factors for prostate cancer between study groups were accounted for by additional matched pairs analysis (with matching on age ± 1 year; PSA ± 0.5 ng/mL; and prostate volume ± 5 mL). Results: Histopathology revealed iPCas in 60 patients (4.6%): 59 (6.03%) after HoLEP and 1 (0.3%) after aquablation (p = 0.001). Of 60 of incidental cancers, 11 had a Gleason score ≥7 (aquablation: 1/1 [100%]; HoLEP: 10/59 [16.9%]). The aquablation and HoLEP study groups differed in patient age, preoperative PSA, and prostate volume. Therefore, matched pairs analysis (aquablation: 132 patients; HoLEP: 132 patients) was conducted to improve comparability. Also after the matching procedure, significantly fewer iPCas were diagnosed after aquablation than HoLEP (aquablation: 0 [0%]; HoLEP: 6 [4.5%]; p = 0.015). Conclusion: Significantly fewer iPCas were identified after aquablation than HoLEP procedures. Histopathologic assessment of tissue after aquablation is feasible and may lead to the diagnosis of clinically significant iPCa. Therefore, histopathologic examination of the aquablation resective tissue should not be omitted.
Acute Leriche syndrome mimicking spinal cord infarction: a case report
Authors: Kanbayashi Takamichi , Tanaka Sonoko , Matsukura Kiyoshi , Sonoo Masahiro , Kobayashi Shunsuke
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Acute Leriche syndrome is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition. Pain, pallor, and coldness of the lower extremities serve as clues for suspecting Leriche syndrome. However, the absence of these findings may pose a diagnostic challenge. Case presentation: An 83-year-old man presented at our emergency department with a complaint of sudden-onset paraparesis. Initially, spinal cord infarction was suspected due to clinical course and neurological findings, but thoracolumbar MRI showed normal findings. On admission, symptoms associated with aortoiliac occlusion were not present, except for muscle atrophy in the thigh. CT angiography revealed aortoiliac occlusion, leading to a diagnosis of Leriche syndrome. Conclusion: Leriche syndrome should be considered as a potential differential diagnosis in patients with acute paraparesis. Muscle atrophy of the lower limbs disproportionate to the clinical course may be the clue for suspecting acute Leriche syndrome with symptoms related to atherosclerotic occlusion are inconspicuous.
Representaciones sociales sobre participación comunitaria e infancia como agente movilizador
Authors: Acosta Jaramillo Andrea , Chacón Sánchez Diana Yolanda
Published: May 2024

Esta investigación de corte cualitativo, presenta un análisis acerca de las representaciones sociales de madres de niños en condición de discapacidad, que permiten determinar si existen dificultades para consolidar procesos de organización y de empoderamiento de actores locales. Además se evidencian las representaciones sociales de las madres sobre sus hijos como agentes movilizadores en procesos de participación.
Arte Indígena Contemporânea: apontamentos para uma perspectiva não eurocêntrica da História da Arte no Brasil
Authors: Paula Leandro Raphael Nascimento de , Marques Jane
Published: May 2024

Este artigo visa a demonstrar como a cultura indígena há muito tempo passa ao largo do pensamento visual brasileiro e avalia as possibilidades de se pensar sua história a partir de artistas indígenas. Apresenta revisão teórica e documental acerca das formas como a História da Arte e o pensamento visual desenvolvido no Brasil tratam a produção estético-artística dos povos originários. Propõe a possibilidade de se re- visar a história da arte, incorporando o pensamento de artistas indígenas, haja vista a necessidade de uma virada epistemológica na História da Arte para dar conta das diferenças existentes no Brasil e na América Latina.
Aulopus chirichignoae, a new flagfin from the eastern Pacific Ocean (Teleostei, Aulopiformes, Aulopidae)
Authors: BÉAREZ PHILIPPE , ZAVALAGA FABIOLA , MIRANDA JUNIOR , MENNESSON MARION I. , CAMPOS-LEÓN SARITA , JIMÉNEZ-PRADO PEDRO
Published: May 2024

A new species of the Aulopidae is described from the waters of southern Ecuador and northern Peru. Aulopus chirichignoae sp. nov. was previously confused with Aulopus bajacali Parin & Kotlyar, 1984, but it differs from this species by a significantly marked elongation of the dorsal fin rays in males (absent in females), a smaller head, modal differences in dorsal and anal ray counts (15 vs 14 and 11 vs 12, respectively), a higher number of vertebrae (50–51 vs 47–49), and color differences, especially on the dorsal fin. DNA barcoding analysis supported the status of new species, evidencing a 4.2% and 2.8% divergence with Aulopus filamentosus (Bloch, 1792) and A. bajacali, respectively. A sequence of an Aulopus sp., collected in the Tropical Eastern Pacific, matches the new species with only a 0.4% divergence, indicating that Aulopus chirichignoae sp. nov. is distributed at least as far north as the Paramount Seamount at 3°20.35’N, ca. 400 km north of the Galápagos Islands.
A new species of hermit crab genus Diogenes Dana, 1851 from Papua, Indonesia (Crustacea, Decapoda, Anomura, Diogenidae)
Authors: FITRIAN TYANI , RAHAYU DWI LISTYO , ISMET MEUTIA SAMIRA
Published: May 2024

A new species of hermit crab from the genus Diogenes Dana, 1851 is described on the basis of a specimen from Papua, Indonesia. Diogenes hawisi n. sp. is distinguished from the closest allied species, D. edwardsii (De Haan, 1849) and D. laevicarpus Rahayu, 1996, by the shape and armature of the left cheliped. Morphological differences of these three species are also supported by genetic analysis, through DNA barcoding using the CO1 gene marker.